Pressure transducing gasket systems
A fenestration system includes opposing first and second rigid components, a gasket interposing the first and second rigid components, the gasket being made of an electrically-conductive material and exhibiting a baseline resistance when arranged between the first and second rigid components, and a control system communicably coupled to the gasket with one or more wires and operable to monitor a real-time resistance of the gasket and generate a signal when the real-time resistance deviates from the baseline resistance.
1 . A fenestration system, comprising:
opposing first and second rigid components;
a gasket interposing the first and second rigid components, the gasket being made of an electrically-conductive material and exhibiting a baseline resistance when arranged between the first and second rigid components;
three or more wires coupled to the gasket along a length thereof; and
a control system communicably coupled to the gasket with the three or more wires and operable to:
monitor, with the three or more wires, a plurality of real-time, localized resistances of the gasket; and
generate a signal when at least one of the real-time, localized resistances deviates from the baseline resistance.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the electrically-conductive material is selected from the group consisting of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, a conductive foam, a conductive elastomer, and any combination thereof.
3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a power source that provides electrical power to the control system and the three or more wires.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control unit communicably coupled to the control system and operable to provide a visual display of a status of the control system, report the status to a building management system, report the status to a smart home system, or any combination thereof.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the real-time, localized resistances deviate from the baseline resistance when the gasket undergoes a disturbance.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fenestration system comprises a window assembly and the first rigid component comprises a sill and the second rigid component comprises a panel comprising one or more window panes.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fenestration system comprises a window assembly and the first rigid component comprises a sill and the second rigid component comprises a sill receptor.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fenestration system comprises a door assembly and the first rigid component comprises a stile and the second component comprises a panel comprising one or more panes of glass.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fenestration system comprises a door assembly and the first rigid component comprises a door frame and the second component comprises a door.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fenestration system comprises a curtain wall assembly and the first rigid component comprises a mullion or transom or a pressure plate and the second rigid component comprises one or more glazing panels.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fenestration system comprises a curtain wall assembly comprising a mullion or transom, a pressure plate, and a fastener, and wherein installation of the fastener is monitored through the real-time resistance of the gasket installed within the curtain wall assembly.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the gasket operates as a glazing or sealing gasket.
13 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an alarm in communication with the control system and operable to generate an audible or visual alarm upon receipt of the signal.
14 . A method of monitoring a fenestration system that includes:
opposing first and second rigid components;
a gasket interposing the first and second rigid components and being made of an electrically-conductive material;
three or more wires coupled to the gasket along a length thereof; and
a control system communicably coupled to the gasket with the three or more wires, wherein the method comprises:
measuring a baseline resistance of the gasket;
monitoring, with the three wires, a plurality of real-time, localized resistances of the gasket with the control system; and
generating a signal with the control system when at least one of the real-time, localized resistances deviates from the baseline resistance.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein measuring the baseline resistance across the gasket comprises measuring the baseline resistance when the gasket is arranged between the first and second rigid components.
16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising at least one of:
providing a visual display of a status of the control system with a control unit communicably coupled to the control system;
report the status to a building management system with the control unit; and
report the status to a smart home system with the control unit.
17 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising subjecting the gasket to a disturbance and thereby deviating at least one of the real-time, localized resistances from the baseline resistance.
18 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising performing a sealing function with the gasket.
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of generating the signal comprises triggering an alarm in communication with the control system.
20 . A fenestration system, comprising:
opposing first and second rigid components;
a gasket made of an electrically-conductive material and interposing the first and second rigid components, the gasket including opposing first and second ends, and exhibiting a baseline resistance when arranged between the first and second components;
a first wire coupled to the first end of the gasket;
a second wire coupled to the second end of the gasket;
a third wire coupled to the gasket at a location intermediate to the first and second ends; and
a control system communicably coupled to the gasket with the first, second, and third wires and operable to:
monitor, with the first and second wires, a first localized resistance of the gasket;
monitor, with the second and third wires, a second localized resistance of the gasket; and
generate a signal when at least one of the first or second localized resistances deviates from the baseline resistance.