Multi-Conductor Moisture Sensors With Wireless Leak Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moisture detection systems for building structures face a trade-off between installation and maintenance costs and detection resolution, with closely spaced wires improving precision but increasing costs, and widely spaced wires degrading resolution.
Innovation Solution
A system with a plurality of wireless and wired sensors, each comprising multiple conductors connected by insulating arms, and a controller for selective communication and data determination, allowing precise moisture detection without increasing wire count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If grid wires are spaced closer together, then moisture detection resolution is improved, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional wired grid system with wireless sensors that communicate moisture data wirelessly to a central controller. This eliminates the need for extensive physical wiring infrastructure while maintaining detection capabilities, thereby reducing installation and maintenance costs without sacrificing measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless sensors integrate multiple functions including moisture detection, wireless communication, and power management into single units. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity and eliminates the need for separate wiring systems, achieving cost reduction while preserving detection resolution.
2Device complexity
If grid wires are spaced further apart, then installation and maintenance costs are reduced, but moisture detection resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By substituting wireless communication technology for physical wiring, the system achieves sparse sensor placement without compromising data transmission capability. This allows cost reduction through reduced wiring while maintaining detection resolution through wireless data collection from strategically positioned sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional wired grid to a three-dimensional wireless sensor network where sensors can be positioned at optimized locations without being constrained by wiring routes. This dimensional freedom allows cost-effective sparse placement while maintaining detection precision through intelligent sensor positioning and wireless communication.
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 system provides precise moisture detection with reduced installation and maintenance costs by using wireless sensors to enhance detection resolution without additional wiring, enabling accurate leak location and tracking changes over time.
Implementation Method 1
each wireless sensor comprising a plurality of sensor conductors and a connection member connecting the plurality of sensor conductors to each other while electrically insulating the sensor conductors from each other
Implementation Method 2
Such moisture ingress detection relies on the moisture present on the roof including elemental ions which create a detectable electrical current when the ions flow through a defect
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for monitoring moisture at a structural component having a membrane for fluid impermeability and a deck for supporting the membrane at a first side of the membrane opposite a second side of the membrane is provided. The system includes: (a) a plurality of sensors spaced apart from each other adjacent to the membrane at the second side, the plurality of sensors including one or more wireless sensors, each of the sensors including a plurality of sensor conductors and a connection member connecting the plurality of sensor conductors to each other while electrically insulating the sensor conductors from each other; and (b) a controller operable to selectively communicate wirelessly with each of the wireless sensors, and operable to selectively determine a sensor output from each of the sensors. The method involves measuring resistance for longterm tracking of pooling of an electrically conductive fluid on the structural component.