Patent Application
20250129610
This system is an automated protective cover providing means to detect environmental conditions and react thereto by deploying one or more covers with various features. The system may include a variety of sensors and a computer in communication with one or more serves to increase the information used to make decisions regarding when to deploy and what cover to deploy.
Man has sought a means to protect possessions from the elements for as long as civilization has existed. From the time of cavemen, man has improved upon existing environmental features or built structures to house and store his belongings. However, these structures are themselves exposed to environmental stresses and mankind continues to improve the form and function of structures.
Retractable covers have been used adjacent to and within structures to enhance their performance. These uses have been chiefly for providing cover where none previously existed, such as a retractable awning, and for providing shading where light is allowed to enter, such as window blinds.
Recent structural improvements have resulted in the mounting of delicate electrical equipment external to the historical protective covers of structures. Solar panels and other means of harvesting the sun's energy need to be exposed to the sun to function, and therefore these improvements are being installed external to roofs and other protective covers. Installation of these systems under permanent protective structures would be counterproductive. This presents a problem of how to expose these electronic instruments to the sun's rays while providing a means to protect them in inclement weather. It is an object of the invention to provide an automated retracting cover to deploy structure protection when needed.
Another known concern is counteracting the effects of snow and ice accumulation on structures. The accumulation of frozen water, in whatever form, adds weight to the roof of a structure. If the weight accumulation is excessive, the load can exceed that which the structure is built to withstand. This in the extreme can cause the structure to collapse. In many more cases it can be damaging to shingles and other exposed features shortening their useful life. It is an object of the invention to provide a means to protect the structure from snow by safely, automatically, and continually (or periodically whether regularly or intermittently) removing snow and other debris from the roof.
In hot climates, light colored roofs have been used to reflect the sun reducing both the amount of heat absorbed and the need for cooling. In more temperate climates the gained efficiencies in summer cooling are lost in winter heating. Seasonal changing of roofing colors is impractical, and thus roofing materials in the majority of the United States has remained largely dark colored. In man's desire to increase energy efficiency, a simple means to alternate the color of the exposed roof will reduce climate control expenditures. It is an object of the invention to provide a means to seasonally change the light reflecting properties of the outermost roof structure by providing for a rotating or deployable cover membrane over a roof.
The above objectives are accomplished by providing a Rolling Protective Cover comprising a mounting bracket with a proximal end for mounting on a structure and a distal end carrying a membrane storage roller having an axis about which the membrane storage roller rotates. The membrane is planular in character with a first end connected to the membrane storage roller and a second end connected to a cover extender roller having a torsion spring configured to rotate the cover extending roller. Rotation of the membrane storage roller in a first direction releases the membrane from the membrane storage roller and the cover extender roller retracts the membrane. Rotation of the membrane storage roller in a second direction retracts the membrane onto the membrane storage roller and the cover extender roller rotates releasing the membrane and tightening the torsion spring. The membrane may be a material selected from the list of photo-active film, wavelength altering film, optical concentrating film, polymide film, aluminized fiberglass, flame retardant, vinyl, poly, plastic, fabric, tambour, display screen, screen, or any combination thereof. The membrane may comprise two or more sections with each section of membrane chosen from the previous list.
The membrane storage roller may be driven by a motor. The second roller, i.e. the cover extender roller, may be an idler roller or motor driven. If the second roller is driven by a motor, the roller or motor may be in operable communication with the membrane storage roller or motor. The motor can be actuated, either directly or, through a computer, by one or more sensors from the group consisting of thermostats, thermal sensors, water sensors, photo sensors, snow sensors, hail sensors, humidity sensors, wind sensors, motion sensors, smoke detectors, ionizing radiation sensors, and any combination thereof.
An edge control guide may be carried by the membrane storage roller for the purpose of aligning the end of the cover membrane when placed upon the roller. Cover extenders can be used between an end of the membrane and a roller to allow complete retraction of the membrane. The cover extenders may be selected from the group of cable, rope, string, strap, ribbon, net, or any other similar structure which allows precipitation or light to pass through.
A fluid applicator can be carried by the cover membrane directly or by a cleaning bar. The fluid applicator can be connected to a fluid supply and the fluid can be activated by a computer system upon sensing programmed environmental conditions. The fluid could include water, steam, air, salt solution, flame retardant, soap solution, fertilizer, deicer, and any combination thereof. Additional guide or idler rollers may be used to assist the cover membrane in following the contour of the house.
In another embodiment the cover membrane may be a continuous loop running between a driver roller and a roller. The driver roller may be powered by a motor, and the motor may also power the second roller. This embodiment can also feature sensors and a computer connected to the motor to actuate the drive roller. The continuous loop membrane may be comprised of two of more distinct sections each chosen from the aforementioned list. The computer can activate the motor to rotated between each section of cover membrane and expose the desired membrane. Additional continuous loop membranes, drive rollers, and rollers may be introduced to create a system above the structure. Such system can be used to convey material off of the structure and may be operated by the computer. The computer of the system may connect to a server to receive additional information such as weather forecasts and the like. The computer may also be capable of communicating with a user device, such as a smartphone or tablet, to allow the user to monitor the system and to convey overriding instructions.
Where the membrane is long and passes over a structure or other item that requires contouring of the membrane, guide rollers may be used to ensure the membrane does not rub upon the underling structure. In one embodiment the membrane storage roller is cylindrical in shape and operably configured to accept the membrane and wrap the same around the roller. In alternative embodiments the roller may be a hexagonal or any other polygonal shaped rod similar in function to a cylinder. One or more edge control means on the membrane storage roller can be used to keep the membrane from running off of the edge of the roller. The edge control means may be circular discs affixed to either end of the membrane storage roller perpendicular to the axis of the roller. The membrane storage roller may also release the membrane from the membrane storage roller. Receiving and releasing can be accomplished by rotating the roller in opposite directions. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane storage roller is driven by a motor and is a power-controlled unit.
The cover extender roller is generally cylindrical in shape, though it is possible to use a polygonal shaped rod. The cover extender roller serves a similar function to the membrane storage roller. In one embodiment, a second membrane storage roller may be substituted for the cover extender roller. The cover extender roller is operably configured to receive or release the membrane. In one embodiment, the cover extender roller is connected to a torque spring, external or internal, that biases the cover extender roller to pull against the attached membrane. In this manner when the membrane storage roller releases the membrane, the cover extender roller retracts the same pulling the membrane taught. When the membrane storage roller receives membrane by rotating, it pulls membrane (or the extending cables, straps, etc.) off of the cover extender roller, which rotates winding up the torsion spring.
In another embodiment, the second end of the membrane may be attached to a bar, tube, or other end piece, and the bar, tube, or other end piece may be attached to one or more cables which are in turn attached to the cover extender roller. This embodiment allows the entire membrane to be received and stored on the membrane storage roller. In the stored configuration, the cables are stretched over the structure between the membrane storage roller and cover extender roller. Like the membrane, the cable can be received on the cover extender roller by operation of the torque spring.
The membrane storage roller and cover extender roller can be mounted to a structure using a multitude of mounting brackets.
The motor powering the membrane storage roller may be controlled, that is actuated, by a computer. The computer can receive data from one or more sensors such as thermal sensors, photo sensors, snow sensors, hail sensors, humidity sensors, wind sensors, smoke detectors, ionizing radiation sensors, and any other number of environment triggered sensors. Through the use of sensors, the computer can determine whether to deploy the membrane, how much of the membrane to deploy, and when the membrane is larger than the exposed surface area, which part of the membrane to deploy.
In another embodiment, the bar, tube or other end piece to which the membrane is attached may also include one or more fluid applicators, such as spray nozzles. The bar, tube, or other end piece may in itself be a fluid supply line, and additional fluid supply lines may connect the applicator directly, or indirectly through the bar, tube, or other end piece, to a fluid source. The computer may be configured to actuate not only the deployment or retraction of the membrane, but also the activation of an accompanying wash system to cover the underlying area, such as a structure, with a fluid. This may be helpful to retard fire, to clean debris from the structure, to prevent or combat mold or moss, and similar such purposes.
In another embodiment, the membrane is a continuous loop belt stretched between a drive roller and one or more idler rollers. The system is installed over a building or other structure where protection is desired. Where the system is extended over significant length, additional drive rollers, with accompanying motors, may be introduced. In this configuration the membrane is approximately twice as long as the distance between the two furthest apart rollers creating the possibility of having two distinct sections of membrane. Either section can be exposed given the option of deploying one or the other. In one embodiment, the drive roller is motor driven and can be hooked to a computer system as previously described. If there are more than one drive roller, each of the motors can be controlled by the computer system. In this configuration, falling debris can be continually removed from the membrane by rotation of the membrane and the operation of gravity. The computer system can also be used to alternate between exposing the two sections of the membrane.
The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:
With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail.
Referring to
The membrane storage roller 104 is a cylindrical roller which rotates along its axis. In an alternative embodiment, the membrane storage roller 104 could be any polygonal shaped roller/cylinder suited to retracting and storing the cover membrane 100 in use. An edge control 202, shown as a disc, can be used to algin the cover membrane on the membrane storage roller. The cover membrane 100 is affixed to the membrane storage roller 104, and the membrane storage roller 104 can be rotated to receive (retract) or release the cover membrane 100. When rotated to retract, the cover membrane 100 is pulled towards the membrane storage roller 104 and is wrapped around the membrane storage roller 104. Retracted cover membrane 102 is shown wrapped around the membrane storage roller 104. When rotated to release, the retracted cover membrane 102 is allowed to come off of the membrane storage roller 104.
The membrane is a flexible material such as photo-active film, wavelength altering film, optical concentrating film, polyimide film, aluminized fiberglass, flame retardant, vinyl, poly, plastic, fabric, tambour or any combination thereof. The type of material for the membrane may be determined by the desired goal(s) of the cover. Photo-active films, such as solar cells, may be used to collect energy from the sun, while non-solar photo-wavelengths could be collected by other photo-active films. Wavelength altering films and optical concentrating films can be used in conjunction with solar panels (or photo-active films) to adjust or enhance the collection of electrical energy from light waves. Vinyl, poly, plastic, and fabric material may be selected for their ability to filter light, provide shade, protection, or other desirable traits. A resilient tambour may be selected to provide shelter from debris such as hail or storm damage, and a flame retardant material may prevent the spread of fire from falling embers. As discussed infra, multiple membranes may be linked, end to end, to create a membrane with multiple sections, each section with its own property. A section of the cover membrane may also be substituted by cover extenders 112 which connects to the cover membrane on one end and to the cover extending roller on the other end. Such cover extenders 112 allow the system to leave the structure practically exposed while leaving the system in place above the structure.
The cover extender roller 114 may include a torsion spring to bias the cover extender roller in a rotation that pulls taught the cover membrane 100. The torsion spring may be any type of spring or arrangement to exert a rotational motion on the cover extender roller that acts to unwind, i.e. rotate in the opposite direction, the cover extender roller in the direction opposite of which winds the torsion spring. When the cover membrane 100 is pulled away from the cover extender roller 114, the cover extender roller 114 rotates increasing the tension in the torsion spring. When the cover membrane 100 is relaxed (released) at the membrane storage roller 104, the torsion spring causes the cover extender roller 114 to rotate taking up cover membrane 100 and pulling the cover membrane 100 taught again. In a preferred embodiment the torsion spring is internal to the cover extender roller 114. Nothing however requires this spring to be internal the cover extender roller 114. In another embodiment the torsion spring may be replaced by a second motor which works in conjunction with the first to retract (receive) and release the cover membrane 100 from the cover extender roller 114. In another alternative the cover extender roller 114 may be replaced by a second membrane storage roller driven in conjunction with the first to retract (receive) and release the cover membrane 100 from the second membrane storage roller. In a less complicated embodiment, a single motor may drive both rollers while in a more sophisticated embodiment multiple motors may be used. Each such embodiment has the objective of creating a give-and-take system that allows the cover membrane 100 to be moved back and forth between various rollers across the structure.
In this embodiment the cover membrane 100 deployed over the structure may be changed from a first section to a second section. When the cover extender roller 114 has released all cover membrane 100 wound around it, and in such position the torsion spring will be at its highest tension, a first section of cover membrane 100 is exposed above the structure. When desired to change the cover membrane 100, the membrane storage roller 104 can be actuated to release cover membrane 100 by the drive motor 108. Drive motor 108 engages the cover membrane roller by belt 106. Other means of connect the motor to the cover membrane roller are possible including direct drive, gears, and drive rods. As cover membrane 100 is released from the cover membrane storage roller 104, the torsion spring acting on the cover extender roller 114 rotates the cover extender roller 114 retracting the cover membrane 100. Once a length of cover membrane 100 approximately equal to the length of the structure on which it is above has been released, the first section of cover membrane will have been retracted and retained around the cover extender roller 114 and a second section is now exposed above the structure. Obviously, the cover membrane 100 is such arrangement is multi-sectional and roughly twice the length of the structure or longer.
This rotation of cover membrane 100 sections can be used to accomplish any number of purposes. For example, a white section of cover membrane 100 could be used in the summer to reflect heat while a black section of cover membrane 100 could be used in the winter to absorb heat. A section of cover membrane 100 could be used to alter photo wavelengths to enhance the production of solar cells underneath, and a second section of cover membrane 100 could be used to cover and protect the solar cells altogether. Any combination of cover membrane sections could be used with each chosen to accomplish a specific task.
A section of cover membrane 100 could be exposed in a snow storm, and upon sufficient snow accumulations, the drive motor could be actuated to retract the cover membrane 100 and thereby convey the accumulated snow to the edge of the membrane storage roller 104 where gravity will pull the snow off the edge of the roller. Printing on the membrane could be used to display a message, and the message could be changed by rotating of the membrane. In the alternative, the membrane could be an electronic display screen capable of receiving a signal and displaying a picture. The drive motor 108 could then be actuated in reverse and the second section of cover membrane 100 returned to a protective position. The above is by no means a limitation of the uses of such invention, and a person skilled in the art of roofing structures will see a variety of uses.
Referring to
While the membrane storage roller 104 may be driven by any number of means, a drive motor 108, such as an electric motor, is the preferred means. This motor may be internal to the membrane storage roller 104, or it may be located as shown in
Referring to
The ability to spray fluid 306 upon the structure can be used for multiple purposes. As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Mounting bracket 200 can be used to mount the driver roller 504 to the structure. If a rain gutter 110 is present, the mounting bracket 200 can be elongated to extend the driver roller 504 beyond the rain gutter 110. At the ridge, mounting bracket 502 may be used to hold roller 500, or a motorized alternative. Either mounting bracket may also be used to hold a cleaning bar with fluid applicators 508. As shown, the cleaning bar with fluid applicator 508 is adjacent to the gutter (110) which can catch any excess fluid and direct the same away from the structure. In another embodiment shown in
In a more versatile embodiment, the cover membrane 506 can be divided into a first section 506A and a second section 506B. Similar to the earlier embodiment, the various sections can be used to change membrane color, to provide different types of membrane, and to protect a delicate membrane, such as solar panels or other photo-active films or cells, by rotating them under cover of the second membrane. In a preferred embodiment, the first section 506A may be a bifacial solar panel system and the second section 506B may be a clear protectant. In clear weather, the first section 506A may be exposed directly to the elements. But in inclement weather when there is a chance of damage, the first section 506A may be rotated under the second section 506B. The Second Section 506B then acts as a protecting cover for the first section 506A while still allowing light to reach the bifacial solar panels. While electricity production may be reduced in performance, the solar panels are still able to perform while remaining protected from adverse elements.
This embodiment may further include a computer system with one or more elemental sensors to actuate the drive motor and thereby control the movement of the cover membrane 506. A computer can be hardware and software or both that can be a computer readable instruction storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps provided herein. Through the use of sensors, the computer can alternate the deployment of a first section 506A and a second section 506B to achieve multiple purposes. This can be used in similar fashion to the computer system discussed supra.
Referring to
This embodiment allows for the selection between no cover membrane 100 protection, i.e. the cover membrane 100 fully retracted around the membrane storage roller 104 and only the cover extenders 112 exposed over the structure 120, and a cover membrane 100 protection over the structure 120. This configuration builds upon the ability to select between types of membrane covers 100 by allowing the choice of no cover; achieved in the form of mere cover extenders 112 over the structure. Such configuration is useful when a retracted cover is desirable to allow sunlight to reach the structure, such as solar panels, but a protective cover is needed in the event of snow, hail, or any other number of environmental factors.
In the embodiment of
The computer system 600 may also be in communication with a server via the internet, an intranet, or other web type system. Information received from the server may include weather radar or alerts, environmental conditions, event warnings, and other natural phenomenon. As way of example and not limitation, if a tornado warning is in effect, the computer may retract the membrane 100 to reduce the prospect of wind damage to the system. If hail is forecasted, the computer may deploy a section of membrane 100 to protect the structure from hail damage. If there is predicted a migration of birds, locusts, love bugs, or similar plagues, the computer may deploy a protective cover section of the membrane. If there is an outbreak of fire, a fire retardant can be deployed either in the form of flame-retardant membrane or in applying water or other fluid flame retardant.
The membrane storage roller 104 is shown held in place by mounting bracket 200 extending over gutter 110. Motor 108 is connected to the membrane storage roller by belt 106. Edge control disc 202 is in use to keep membrane 100 aligned on the membrane storage roller. Computer system 600 uses one or more environmental sensors 602 to detect outside conditions. In response to conditions detected, the computer system can deploy the membrane cover as appropriate. For instance, during a sunny period in a cool environment, the computer may retract the full length of the membrane to leave the roof exposed to the warming rays of the sun. However, under the same conditions in a hot time, the computer might deploy a light colored section of the membrane to reflect the sun and prevent warming of the structure. In an embodiment for use in fire protection, the detection of smoke may trigger deployment of a fire retardant section of the membrane to protect from any falling embers. If snow is detected, an application of de-icing agent may be used to remove accumulated snow from the roof. Additionally, a membrane can be deployed over the structure to collect further accumulation of snow. Once the snow is determined to reach a desired depth, either through a light sensor or a weight sensor, the membrane can be activated again to move the snow to the edge of the structure where gravity will cause it to fall off. Through the use of multiple sections of membrane and a set of cover extenders, the same system can be configured to achieve multiple purposes such as, extending a protective translucent cover over solar panels, washing debris from solar panels, extending a flame retarding material over the structure in case of fire, and conveying snow or other debris accumulation off of the structure and over the edge. The environmental sensors can be placed wherever appropriate to detect the desired environment. While shown wired to the computer, the environmental sensors can be in wireless communication with the computer system and thus placed anywhere within range of communication of the computer system.
Referring to
The Continuous loop membrane 500 is held in place above roof 308 (and gutter 110) and thus it is between roof 308 and elements such as sun and precipitation. Actuating driver roller 504 causes continuous loop membrane 506 to transition from surface 506a facing skyward to surface 506b facing skyward. This allows for choosing between two different membrane surfaces depending upon need. Actuating the driver roller can also be used to remove any debris on the continuous loop membrane by drawing it to the edge where gravity will cause it to fall.
Referring to
It is understood that the above descriptions and illustrations are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. Other embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventor did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63592082 | Oct 2023 | US |
