US4565965A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for locating roof leaks in flat roofs
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-04-19
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Granted: 1986-01-21
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Expires: 2004-04-19
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a method and apparatus for locating leaks in flat roofs, particularly in flat roofs covered with a gravel layer, plants or the like, and wherein it is provided that a moisture location discovered below the flat roof is connected with a positive terminal of a pulse generator, the negative terminal of the pulse generator being connected with a metallic gutter edge of the flat roof, and the flat roof being scanned by measurement sensors for the purpose of measuring the pulses passing through the moisture path to the corresponding leak location and from the leak location through the moist, flat roof. The measurement sensors are connected with a measurement device for measuring the impulse amplitudes, which become successively weaker as they progress from the leak location to the rim of the flat roof.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinrich Geesen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:27
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04D; E04D13/00; E04D13/006; E04D15/00; G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/16; G01M3/40; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for locating roof leaks in a flat roof, comprising the steps of: connecting the positive terminal of a pulse generator to a moisture location below the flat roof; connecting the negative terminal of the pulse generator to a metal gutter edge of the roof; detecting pulses fed through the moisture path from the moisture location to the leak location and to the metal gutter by measurement sensors; and measuring the pulse amplitudes by means of a measurement apparatus connected to said measurement sensors, the pulse amplitudes attenuating in a direction away from the leak location towards the edge of the flat roof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for locating roof leaks in a flat roof, comprising the steps of: connecting the positive terminal of a pulse generator to a moisture location below the flat roof; connecting the negative terminal of the pulse generator to a metal gutter edge of the roof; detecting pulses fed through the moisture path from the moisture location to the leak location and to the metal gutter by measurement sensors; and measuring the pulse amplitudes by means of a measurement apparatus connected to said measurement sensors, the pulse amplitudes attenuating in a direction away from the leak location towards the edge of the flat roof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method for locating roof leaks in a flat roof as defined in claim 1, wherein the negative terminal of the pulse generator is connected to a cable surrounding the flat roof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for locating roof leaks in a flat roof surrounded by a metal cable, comprising: a pulse generator for generating direct current pulses having positive and negative terminals, the positive terminal being connected to the moisture location below the flat roof and the negative terminal being connected to the metal cable surrounding the roof; two measurement sensors for detecting the pulses fed through the moisture path from the moisture location to the leak location and to the metal cable surrounding the flat roof generated by said pulse generator; and measurement apparatus for comparing the pulse amplitudes received from said sensors and displaying the larger pulse amplitude through a display scale instrument having a zero center indication.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for locating roof leaks in a flat roof surrounded by a metal cable, comprising: a pulse generator for generating direct current pulses having positive and negative terminals, the positive terminal being connected to the moisture location below the flat roof and the negative terminal being connected to the metal cable surrounding the roof; two measurement sensors for detecting the pulses fed through the moisture path from the moisture location to the leak location and to the metal cable surrounding the flat roof generated by said pulse generator; and measurement apparatus for comparing the pulse amplitudes received from said sensors and displaying the larger pulse amplitude through a display scale instrument having a zero center indication.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the sensors are partially insulated aluminum rods each connected to the base of a transistor, the two transistors being connected to form a difference amplifier, and the emitters of the transistors being connected to one another through the display scale instrument of said measurement apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for locating roof leaks in a flat roof surrounded by a metal gutter, comprising: positive and negative terminals, the positive terminal being connected to the moisture location below the flat roof and the negative terminal being connected to the metal gutter surrounding the roof; two measurement sensors for detecting the pulses fed through the moisture path from the moisture location to the leak location and to the metal gutter surrounding the flat roof generated by said pulse generator; and measurement apparatus for comparing the pulse amplitudes received from said sensors and displaying the larger pulse amplitude through a display scale instrument having a zero center indication.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for locating roof leaks in a flat roof surrounded by a metal gutter, comprising: positive and negative terminals, the positive terminal being connected to the moisture location below the flat roof and the negative terminal being connected to the metal gutter surrounding the roof; two measurement sensors for detecting the pulses fed through the moisture path from the moisture location to the leak location and to the metal gutter surrounding the flat roof generated by said pulse generator; and measurement apparatus for comparing the pulse amplitudes received from said sensors and displaying the larger pulse amplitude through a display scale instrument having a zero center indication.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the sensors are partially insulated aluminum rods each connected to the base of a transistor, the two transistors being connected to form a difference amplifier, and the emitters of the transistors being connected to one another through the display scale instrument of said measurement apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3360715A
Cited
US3823304A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-20 | 1989-07-22 | 1990-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-20 | 1993-07-22 | 1994-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-20 | 1997-07-22 | 1998-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |