Hinged Panel Strip for Sealing Roof Penetrations

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roof penetration sealing methods are inadequate in ensuring effective water prevention at penetrations through waterproof roof membranes, as they often fail to provide a reliable and versatile solution for various penetration configurations.

Innovation Solution

A kit and method utilizing a strip with interconnected panels and flanges, featuring hinges for flexibility and adaptability, which forms a container for sealant to seal roof penetrations, allowing for easy deployment and reconfiguration around different penetration types and configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional pitch pan and sealant methods are used to seal roof penetrations, then sealing can be achieved, but the solution lacks versatility for various penetration configurations and may not provide reliable water prevention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to various penetration configurationsVSAvoidreliability of water prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing device is divided into multiple panels interconnected by hinges, allowing the structure to be segmented and reconfigured to fit different penetration shapes and sizes while maintaining a reliable seal through each panel's contribution to the overall waterproof barrier

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinges enable dynamic adjustment of the panel configurations, allowing the sealing device to adapt its shape and orientation to match various penetration geometries, thereby providing both versatility across different configurations and reliable sealing through proper conformability to each penetration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed rigid sealing structure is used, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot adapt to different penetration types and configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility for different penetration typesVSAvoidcomplexity of interconnected panels and hinges

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing device is divided into multiple panels interconnected by hinges, allowing the structure to be segmented and reconfigured to fit different penetration shapes and sizes while maintaining a reliable seal through each panel's contribution to the overall waterproof barrier

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinged panel structure serves multiple functions: it provides adaptability to various penetration configurations, maintains structural integrity during installation, and creates a reliable seal through proper conformability, making a single device type suitable for multiple penetration scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If sealant is applied directly without a containment structure, then the process is simple, but water prevention reliability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of water preventionVSAvoidcomplexity of container formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing device is divided into multiple panels interconnected by hinges, allowing the structure to be segmented and reconfigured to fit different penetration shapes and sizes while maintaining a reliable seal through each panel's contribution to the overall waterproof barrier

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinged panels form a flexible containment structure that can be bent and shaped to create an effective sealant reservoir adapted to the specific penetration geometry, providing reliable water prevention through proper containment of the sealant in direct contact with the penetration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a reliable and versatile method for sealing roof penetrations, effectively preventing water ingress by forming a customizable container for sealant, suitable for various penetration shapes and configurations, enhancing the durability and efficiency of roof sealing.

Implementation Method 1

bending the flanges of the first portion of the strip along the second hinges relative to the panels of the first portion of the strip to form a bottom of the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

adhering the flanges to the roof with an adhesive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS8572903B2Device, kit and method for sealing roof penetrations

Publication Date: 2013.11.05 THE SHERWIN WILLIAMS CO

AI summary

A strip for use in sealing one or more roof penetrations comprising a strip including a plurality of panels positioned in a side-by-side manner, a plurality of flanges positioned in a side-by-side manner, a plurality of first hinges interconnecting the panels, and a plurality of second hinges interconnecting the panels with the flanges. The flanges being bendable relative to the panels. At least a portion of the strip configured to be disposed about the roof penetration to form a container for receiving sealant with the panels of said at least a portion of the strip extending generally perpendicular to the roof and the flanges of said at least a portion of the strip being bent relative to the panels to extend generally parallel to the roof. The remaining portion of the strip may be used to seal one or more other roof penetrations in a similar manner. A kit for sealing one or more roof penetrations including the strip, a container of adhesive and a container of sealant. A method for sealing one or more roof penetrations using the strip.