Abstract: A system may include an energy source configured to be directed at a first location in a fluid and configured to generate a wave in the fluid. A system may include a laser system configured to generate a laser pulse directed at a second location in the fluid and configured to illuminate at least a portion of the wave in the fluid. A system may include a sensor configured to detect the illuminated wave and generate an electric signal based at least in part on the illuminated wave. A system may include a processing system configured to: receive the electric signal from the sensor; and calculate a relative viscosity of the fluid based at least in part on the electric signal received from the sensor.

Abstract: This invention, in embodiments, relates to a method that includes obtaining a spray application system that is configured to apply a fluid material to a surface. The spray application system includes (i) an airless spray device that is configured to receive the fluid material and to spray the fluid material onto the surface, and (ii) a receptacle that is attached to the airless spray device and is configured to supply one or more components to the fluid material. The method further includes supplying the fluid material to the airless spray device, supplying one or more components to the fluid material via the receptacle, and spraying the fluid material and the one or more components onto the surface using the airless spray device of the spray application system. The one or more components are capable of triggering curing of the fluid material. This invention further relates to a spray application system.

Abstract: This invention, in embodiments, relates to a method of rehabilitating or remediating a roofing material that includes obtaining a roofing material and obtaining a coating composition comprising a polymeric resin and a carrier. The coating composition is (i) substantially free of water and (ii) in the form of a liquid at at least 23° F. The method further includes applying the coating composition to the roofing material to prepare a coated roofing material, and exposing the coated roofing material to a reaction generator to polymerize the coating composition and thereby solidify the coating composition on the coated roofing material.

Abstract: Ridge vents and deck covers are disclosed that have a fibrous mesh mat and a moisture barrier. The mesh mat may be contoured to define a variety of structures and may have regions of relatively higher fiber density and regions of relatively lower fiber density. Solar cells may be exposed on the ridge vents to collect solar energy when the vents are exposed to sunlight.

Abstract: This invention, in embodiments, relates to a roofing material having (a) a front surface, (b) a back surface, and (c) a sealant attachment zone disposed on at least the front surface of the roofing material, the sealant attachment zone including surfacing media that comprise at least one of mineral particles, polymeric particles, and combinations thereof. The sealant attachment zone has an average surface coverage of the surfacing media of 30% to 70%. The roofing material exhibits an increased wind uplift resistance, as measured according to ASTM D6381, as compared to a roofing material without a sealant attachment zone having an average surface coverage of surfacing media of 30% to 70%.

Abstract: A building system and corresponding method may include a building structure. A building system and corresponding method may include a building envelope membrane installed on the building structure, the building envelope membrane comprising: a first release liner, wherein the first release liner comprises: a first polymer, and a UV stabilizer, wherein the first release liner includes 1 wt. % to 90 wt. % of the UV stabilizer based on a total weight of the first release liner, wherein the first release liner is an outer layer, wherein the first release liner is removable, a first adhesive layer, a membrane layer, wherein the first adhesive layer is positioned between the first release liner and the membrane layer; and a second adhesive layer, wherein the membrane layer is positioned between the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer, wherein the second adhesive layer contacts the building structure.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module incorporates a lamination including a back-sheet, an array of solar cells supported on the back-sheet, and a transparent protective covering over the array of solar cells. The solar cells are arranged in offset or staggered patterns on the back-sheet to present a more random and less rigid industrial appearance to an observer. In some cases, cleaved solar cell segments are arranged into groups that are staggered on the back-sheet. This allows for finer control of the net voltage produced by a module. In other embodiments, full single wafer solar cells are arranged into larger groups, which themselves are staggered on the back-sheet. In either case, the result is a photovoltaic module with an appearance that is more organic and acceptable to homeowners and architects than traditional modules having cells arranged in rigid aligned rows and columns.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a glass mat having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The method includes coating the first side of the glass mat with a molten asphalt. The method includes obtaining a plurality of particles. The method further includes depositing the particles on the first side of the asphalt coated substrate. The depositing includes controlling a location of the plurality of particles on the first side of the asphalt coated substrate using an electrostatic generator, an electromagnetic generator, or a piezoelectric depositor. The method further includes forming a roofing shingle from the asphalt coated substrate having the plurality of particles as deposited.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides systems and methods enabling unmanned vehicle navigation and delivery including an integrated roofing accessory integrated into a roof, the integrated roofing accessory including at least one antenna and a computing module in communication with the at least one antenna, where the computing module, when software is executed, is configured to transmit, via the at least one antenna: electronic operating instructions to at least one unmanned vehicle, and network messages related to the at least one unmanned vehicle to at least one additional integrated roofing accessory. A landing member is on the roof and the electronic operating instructions comprise: at least one landing instruction configured to cause the at least one unmanned vehicle to land on the landing member, and at least one take-off instruction configured to cause the at least one unmanned vehicle to take off from the landing member.

Abstract: A roofing system comprises a roof deck and first and second membranes, each comprising a sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the bottom surface having a first edge portion, a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion, a third edge portion extending between the first and second edge portions, a fourth edge portion opposite the third edge portion and extending between the first and second edge portions, and a middle portion disposed apart from the first, second, third, and fourth edge portions. The roofing system further includes an adhesive disposed on the middle portion of the bottom surfaces, and at least three edge portions of the bottom surfaces are free of adhesive. The adhesives adhere the first and second membranes to the roof deck, and at least one edge portion free of adhesive overlaps another edge portion, with the overlapping edge portions being welded to one another.

Abstract: A bundle of roofing shingles, including at least four rows of roofing shingles, where the at least four rows of roofing shingles includes a first roofing shingle row, a second roofing shingle row, a third roofing shingle row, and a fourth roofing shingle row, where the first roofing shingle row includes a first roofing shingle having a first length; and where the second roofing shingle row includes: a second roofing shingle having a second length, and a third roofing shingle having a third length, where the second roofing shingle is adjacent the third roofing shingle, where the second length is greater than the third length, and where the second row is located above the first row.

Abstract: A roofing system and method of installing a roofing system can include a roof deck with first and second layers applied over the roof deck, and with a membrane applied thereover. The first and second layers can comprise insulation materials, with at least one of the first and second layers including a reinforced insulation material comprising a substrate with a reinforcing sublayer integrated therewith. The reinforcing sublayer can define an upper surface of the reinforced insulation material. The roofing system is configured to resist impacts from hail and other objects without a coverboard.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a roofing membrane. The roofing membrane comprises a scrim. The scrim has a top surface and a bottom surface. The roofing membrane comprises a cap layer on the top surface of the scrim. The cap layer comprises a first non-styrenic polypropylene polymer, a first polypropylene impact copolymer, and a first olefin block copolymer. The roofing membrane comprises a core layer on the bottom surface of the scrim. The core layer comprises a second non-styrenic polypropylene polymer, a second polypropylene impact copolymer, and a second olefin block copolymer. The roofing membrane is configured to prevent migration of at least one oil from a layer to the roofing membrane. Some embodiments relate to a roofing structure comprising the roofing membrane, a method for installing the roofing membrane, and the like.

Abstract: An ember and flame resistant resettable automatic soffit vent includes a tray with ventilation openings formed in its floor. A mesh screen resides on the floor of the tray spanning the ventilation openings. A flat slide resides atop the screen and also has ventilation openings that match those of the tray. The slide has an open position wherein its ventilation openings align with those of the tray to allow airflow through the vent and a closed position wherein its ventilation openings are misaligned with the ventilation openings of the tray to close off airflow through the vent. The vent can be manually moved between its open and closed positions and one or more tension springs and a thermal link assembly cooperate to move the slide to its closed position if the vent is exposed to a high temperature cause by a fire very near a home.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a system of integrated roofing accessories on a plurality of roofs, where at least one integrated roofing accessory on each roof may include: i) at least one transceiver configured to produce electromagnetic communication signals using electromagnetic communication protocols, ii) at least one dielectric antenna in electrical communication with the at least one transceiver for emitting the electromagnetic communication signals according to the at least one electromagnetic communication protocol, iii) an edge computing device having at least one processor and at least one non-transitory storage with software to operate the edge computing device in communication with the at least one transceiver, and iv) at least one power supply.

Abstract: A cover board and roofing system including a cover board are disclosed. In one embodiment, the cover board includes a honeycomb layer positioned between a first face sheet and a second face sheet. The honeycomb layer comprises a honeycomb structure having a plurality of partition walls forming a plurality of cells. When the cover board is applied as part of a roof structure, including an insulation layer and a roof deck below the cover board, the roof structure exceeds requirements for Very Severe Hail Resistance according to the FM Approvals FM 4470 VSH impact resistance testing standard for Single-Ply, Polymer-Modified Bitumen Sheet, Built-Up Roof (BUR) and Liquid Applied Roof Assemblies.

Abstract: This invention, in embodiments, relates to an insert for a pitch pocket, with the insert comprising a first insert portion having an opening, and a second insert portion having an opening, wherein the first insert portion is configured to be positioned adjacent to the second insert portion in the pitch pocket, such that the opening of the first insert portion is positioned adjacent to the opening of the second insert portion in order to form a larger opening configured to receive a roof penetration. This invention, in embodiments, further relates to a pitch pocket system, a pitch pocket kit, and a method for installing a pitch pocket around a roof penetration.

Abstract: A roofing shingle for installation as part of a roofing structure includes at least one layer of a shingle material having a top surface and a bottom surface. The roofing single will include a headlap portion and an exposure portion having a plurality of tabs with a plurality of granules being applied along the top surface. Shadow lines are defined at selected locations along the top surface of the roofing shingle to provide the roofing shingles with a selected visual appearance.