Rooftop Utility Enclosure Mounting for Leak-Resistant Power Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rooftop power delivery devices penetrate the roof, leading to leaks, construction delays, and increased costs, while failing to meet National Electrical Code requirements for secure and dry installations, especially for electrical equipment and systems.
Innovation Solution
A rooftop power delivery device with a mounting assembly that includes a flashing and a moveable cleat applying pressure from both the outside and inside of the roof, using a vice assembly to secure the device, along with a white powder-coated enclosure and GFCI receptacles, to provide a secure and dry fit, minimizing penetrations and leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rooftop power delivery devices penetrate the roof, then power delivery to rooftop equipment is achieved, but roof leaks and compromised roof integrity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the power delivery function from a penetrating installation and relocates it to a non-penetrating rooftop surface mounting. The enclosure sits entirely on the roof surface with utilities delivered through the roof to the enclosure, eliminating the penetration that causes leaks while maintaining power delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rooftop surface enclosure acts as an intermediary device that receives utilities through the roof (without penetration) and distributes them to rooftop equipment. This mediator approach allows power delivery while preserving roof integrity by separating the utility delivery point from the equipment mounting location.
2Ease of manufacture
If rooftop equipment is installed without secure mounting, then installation is simpler, but equipment stability and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the enclosure mounting with the equipment mounting system. The enclosure itself serves as the mounting base for electrical equipment, creating a unified stable structure that simplifies installation while ensuring equipment stability through integrated mounting provisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure is pre-positioned and secured to the roof surface before equipment installation. This preliminary action creates a stable, code-compliant mounting foundation that simplifies subsequent equipment installation while ensuring long-term stability and safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple roof penetrations are made for utilities, then equipment functionality is enhanced, but roof integrity and installation time are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rooftop surface enclosure provides multi-functionality by accommodating multiple utilities (electrical, communication, plumbing) through a single non-penetrating mounting location. This universal approach delivers enhanced equipment functionality while reducing the number of roof penetrations needed and simplifying installation.
Data Source
AI summary
Rooftop device for delivering electrical power, plumbing, lines and other systems from the inside of a building to the outside of the building to equipment and systems installed on the rooftop. The device comprises a powder coated white NEMA 4 enclosure to reduce corrosion and minimize the effects of heat buildup in the enclosures during high temperature exposure. A GFCI circuit breaker in the enclosures allows electricians to move electrical power from the closes source, which reduces installation costs. The device comprises MCB or MCP disconnect switches which will provide faster and more precise protection to equipment and the circuits that supply them, and ethernet cable, coaxial cable, conductor thermostat wire. A mounting assembly, comprising a flashing and a cleat, and a vice assembly cooperate to apply pressure from the outside of the rooftop and from the inside of the roof, providing a more secure, dryer fit for roof penetrations.