Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system for a roof gutter and related methods, including a system for monitoring a level of substance in a roof gutter.

Background of the Invention

Roof gutters as used on most buildings are often comprised of gutter sections, branches, rainheads, sumps and spouts among others. They are designed to collect rainwater off a roof and convey it elsewhere e.g. into downpipes connected to stormwater drains and/or storage systems, e.g. water tanks. Roof gutters may be susceptible to fluctuating rain water levels and may be at risk of spillover, for example upon influx of rain water and/or if the roof gutter contains foreign matter or a blockage. Many roof gutters are designed to prevent spillover by means of overflow outlets. Overflow outlets are defined portions positioned where overflow is considered to be allowed. The roof gutters are thereby configured to‘fail safe’ - a gutter that is not conveying rainwater at the same or greater rate at which rainwater is being collected off a roof, overflows at its overflow outlets to reduce the risk of spillover at other, potentially more problematic, locations.

However, overflow outlets are not always present, or they may not function efficiently, for example upon influx of rain water as in a severe weather event and/or if they or the roof gutter contains foreign matter or a blockage. Spillover may cause damage to the roof gutter, surrounding infrastructure etc. and/or present a danger to personnel. For example, spillover may allow water to penetrate the building which may cause significant structural damage, damage to stock, equipment etc. and/or spoilage, resulting in significant economic loss. Blockages or foreign matter in roof gutters may also cause rain water to pool, leading to premature degradation of the roof gutter, and it may present a hazard, e.g. fire, environmental, health or safety.

While periodic roof gutter maintenance is often a good approach to avoid these problems to the extent possible, it is not always carried out on time or effectively. Furthermore, foreign matter may accumulate and/or blockages occur between scheduled maintenance events. This is often not predictable, apparent or avoidable, and neither are events of influx of rain water e.g. severe weather events. Thus, the risk of roof gutter spillover remains an ongoing concern.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least alleviate, one or more of the difficulties or deficiencies associated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a system for monitoring the level of substance in a roof gutter, including:

a level sensor,

a processing arrangement, and

an alarm;

wherein:

the level sensor is configured to detect a substance and output a signal indicative of the level of substance in the roof gutter; and

the processing arrangement is configured to receive the signal from the level sensor and output a command signal to operate the alarm when the signal indicates a level of substance that meets or exceeds a threshold level.

Roof gutters are often designed to most efficiently and safely convey rain water at a normal operating level or below a desired maximum level. This may be about the level of the full depth of the roof gutter or less; for example, a level of about a quarter, third, half, two-thirds, three-quarters or other, of the depth of the roof gutter. An“overfill level” may occur when the level of rain water meets or exceeds the normal operating level or desired maximum level of the roof gutter. For roof gutters with an overflow outlet, the overfill level is generally defined to be about the level at which the overflow outlet is equipped to the roof gutter; i.e. about the level at which rain water escapes from the roof gutter through the overflow outlet. An overflow outlet may be provided at the level of the full depth of the roof gutter or less; for example, a level of about a quarter, third, half, two-thirds or three-quarters, of the depth of the roof gutter. Most commonly, the overfill level is less than the level of the full depth of the roof gutter, for example about a quarter to about three-quarters of its depth, and often about a half. A“spillover level” occurs when rain water reaches an overfill level such that it brims, flows or otherwise escapes from the roof gutter other than by intended means (e.g. overflow outlets), e.g. when it escapes over the sides of the roof gutter.

By a“level sensor” is meant an electronic device which is capable of detecting a substance in a roof gutter and outputting a signal which is directly or indirectly indicative of the level of the substance in the roof gutter. Generally, a signal which is directly indicative of the level of substance in the roof gutter will include data that does not require further manipulation, e.g. mathematically by the processing arrangement, to determine the level of the substance in the roof gutter. Conversely, a signal which is indirectly indicative of the level of substance in the roof gutter will generally include data that may require further manipulation, e.g. mathematically by the processing arrangement, to determine the level of the substance in the roof gutter. By an“electronic device” is meant a device that involves, in one way or another, the operation of components that control and direct electrical currents.

The level sensor may be a contact or a contactless sensor (in respect of a detectable substance), and may be a continuous or non-continuous detection sensor. A continuous detection sensor continually outputs a signal or signals, for example at regular time intervals, which indicate the level of substance in the roof gutter. The level sensor may also be of a type that operates on any one or more of various detection principles, including but not limited to a capacitive or impendence spectroscopy detection principle, a wave radar (guided or otherwise) or ultrasonic detection principle and a hydrostatic or piezoelectric detection principle.

For example, the level sensor may be a capacitive sensor operating on a capacitive or impendence spectroscopy detection principle, in which an electrical field created by the sensor is altered by proximity to, or contact with, a detectable substance. The signal output by the sensor may indicate a positive detection, which may be indicative of the level of the substance in the roof gutter relative to the placement of the sensor at a known or stored (e.g. in a memory) level in the roof gutter. This type of level sensor will generally be placed in the roof gutter at about the threshold level. This type of level sensor is generally a contact sensor. This type of level sensor may be a continuous or non-continuous detection sensor. The level sensor may also be an electromagnetic wave sensor including a wave radar or ultrasonic sensor operating on a wave radar (guided or otherwise) or ultrasonic detection principle, in which the sensor may emit electromagnetic or ultrasonic waves and may record the time to detect a return wave reflected off a substance surface, a shorter time usually being indicative of a higher substance level. The signal output by the sensor may include return wave time data, and/or data as to the distance from the sensor to the substance surface, which may be indicative of the level of the substance in the roof gutter relative to the placement of the sensor at a known or stored (e.g. in a memory) return wave time or distance above the bottom or zero level of the roof gutter. When guided, this type of level sensor is generally a contact sensor, but is otherwise generally a contactless sensor. This type of level sensor is commonly a continuous detection sensor.

The level sensor may also be a pressure sensor which detects pressure, for example operating on a hydrostatic or piezoelectric detection principle which may output a signal representative of pressure, which may be indicative of the level of the substance in the roof gutter. For example, a pressure sensor may be placed in a roof gutter at or just above the bottom or zero level, or even below the zero level (e.g. within a down pipe attached to a roof gutter). Detection of a pressure above atmospheric or the zero pressure, may indicate the level of substance indirectly as corresponding to the difference between the detected pressure and the atmospheric or zero pressure. This type of level sensor is generally a contact and continuous detection sensor.

The placement of a level sensor about a roof gutter, for example in a roof gutter or relative to the bottom or zero level of a roof gutter, may be by any suitable means. For example the level sensor may be affixed directly to a side of a roof gutter or otherwise mounted, for example by using a bracket.

Importantly, the system may include two or more level sensors. The number of level sensors used will often be dictated by the particular task at hand. Factors may include the size or length of the roof gutter and its complexity, e.g. branching network and number of sections. For example, a roof gutter on a small building, say a house, may likely require fewer level sensors than a roof gutter on a large building, say a warehouse. Similarly, a more complex roof gutter, say with more parts or branches as may be found on an irregularly shaped building, may likely require a greater number of level sensors. Preferably, at least one level sensor is used to monitor each section or branch of the roof gutter, or each sump. Alternatively or in addition, preferably there is at least one level sensor every 10 or less metres along the length of a roof gutter, say every 5 metres, or every 3 metres, or even one level sensor per metre of roof gutter. Alternatively, or in addition, if the roof gutter is provided with one or more overflow outlets, preferably at least one level sensor is used to monitor each section of roof gutter proximal to each overflow outlet. Thus, small or short roof gutters may require only one or two or more, for example any number from two to ten level sensors, and the number of level sensors required may increase proportionally with the magnitude and complexity of the roof gutter. For large or complex roof gutters, such as the roof gutters on warehouses, ten to twenty or more, say fifty or more, or even 100 or more level sensors may be used.

It is envisioned that where more than one level sensor is used, each level sensor may perform the functions described herein independently. For example, each level sensor may be configured to detect a substance and output a signal indicative of the level of substance in the roof gutter. Preferably, the processing arrangement may be configured to receive the signal from each level sensor, and may output a command signal to issue an alarm when any one level sensor indicates a substance level that meets or exceeds a threshold level. Importantly, the threshold level may be the same or different from one level sensor to the next, for example depending on the placement of the level sensor relative to the roof gutter and the substance to be detected, among other things. The level sensor may also be of the same or different type from one level sensor to the next. Level sensor selection may be dictated by the particular task at hand and the nature of the substance to be detected.

The nature of the signal that the level sensor is configured to output may take various forms. For example, the signal may be by way of wireless technology including for example electromagnetic radiation, such as radio waves, microwaves, Wi-Fi etc. A transmitter, for example an electromagnetic transmitter, may be inbuilt with or coupled to the level sensor for this purpose. Alternatively, or in addition, the signal may be transmitted through a wired connection, for example an electrical or light signal. Similarly, the way in which the processing arrangement is configured to receive the signal from the level sensor may equally take various forms, but generally corresponds to the nature of the signal output by the level sensor. For example, a corresponding receiver, say an electromagnetic receiver may be inbuilt with or coupled to the processing arrangement for this purpose. In preferred embodiments, the level sensor is configured to output, and the processing arrangement configured to receive, an electrical signal transmitted through a wired connection between the level sensor and the processing arrangement. In preferred embodiments, and especially where more than one level sensor is used, the processing arrangement may be additionally configured to receive a signal indicative of the location of each level sensor. This signal may be output by the level sensor or an additional module or component. For example, the level sensor may itself be configured to output a signal indicative of the location of the level sensor, or an additional module or component may receive a signal from the level sensor and output a signal to the processing arrangement which includes data corresponding to the level sensor location. For example, the signal indicative of location may include location data and/or data corresponding to a code, say a number, that is unique to the level sensor, and which may then be matched with known or stored (e.g. in a memory) location information corresponding to the code. This may be performed by the processing arrangement, or manually by a user, say against a reference manual. The location of any given level sensor, say a level sensor which has detected a level of substance which meets or exceeds a threshold level, may thus be easily determined, and also thus the section or branch of roof gutter in which a threshold level has been detected. The location data may be quite basic. Alternatively it may include detailed geographic coordinates. Geographic coordinates may be particularly useful in large or complex systems, including those monitored remotely, e.g. from a facility for monitoring many systems, say across many different sites. For example, it is envisaged that a system or combination of systems may monitor the level of substance in roof gutters located some distance apart, say roof gutters on branch offices in different cities. Signals indicative of the level of substance in the rain gutter and/or output command signals to operate the alarm may be received in a remote facility, say a central maintenance centre, and a user may thus direct local maintenance staff to the precise location of a level sensor which has detected a level of substance which meets or exceeds a threshold level.

Specific examples of a level sensor include various options available from IFM Electronic GmbFI or IFM Efector Pty Ltd in Australia (collectively, IFM). A representative capacitive and contact level sensor operating on the capacitive principle includes that available under IFM Order No. LK1222. This and similar types of sensor includes a rod having numerous capacitive detection elements along its length and are suitably placed with the rod extending into the roof gutter at least to a threshold level. A representative capacitive and contact level sensor operating on the impendence spectroscopy principle includes that available under IFM Order No. LMC100. This and similar types of sensor are suitably placed in the roof gutter at about the threshold level. A representative electromagnetic guided wave and contact level sensor operating on the guided wave radar detection principle includes that available under IFM Order No. LR2050. A representative electromagnetic wave and contactless level sensor operating on the ultrasonic detection principle includes that available under IFM Order No. UGT509. This and similar types of sensor are most suitably placed at a known return wave time or distance above the bottom or zero level of the roof gutter. In the case of guided wave radar using a rod, suitably the sensor would be placed with the rod extending into the roof gutter at least to the threshold level.

The substance may include water and aqueous fluids and in particular rain water. However, it is recognised that solids, including foreign materials, which a roof gutter may not be designed to primarily convey, may nonetheless enter the roof gutter from time to time. Therefore, the substance may also include solid materials. The solid materials may include frozen substance, organic matter come from a living organism, e.g. leaves, twigs, tree branches, animal droppings, etc., and debris come from other than a living organism, e.g. dirt, rock and synthetic materials such as plastics etc. This may be the case in, for example, roof gutters where hail stones may collect, or say a layer of organic matter may collect.

Solid materials may cause blockage of a roof gutter, its overflow outlets and/or associated conduits (e.g. downpipe), or inefficient conveyance of substance, which may cause a substance to reach an overfill and/or spillover level, and in less time. For example, in certain applications susceptible to influx of substance, even the smallest amount of solid material can cause a significant reduction in the efficiency of a roof gutter. It is thus an advantage of the present invention that the system may be used to monitor not only the level of fluids, but also the level of solid materials. This may be especially valuable as a user may be alarmed to a solid substance meeting or exceeding a threshold level, as opposed to or in addition to a fluid. Thus, in preferred embodiments, the substance may be selected from one or more of water, ice, hail, snow, organic matter and debris. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments, the level sensor is of a type that is capable of detecting both liquid and solid substances.

The processing arrangement may take various different forms, preferably based on a processor or processing unit. For example, the processing arrangement may include one or more analogue or digital signal processors, programmable logic devices/controllers (PLC), field programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, computers, microprocessors, or other devices, whether analogue of digital, or a number thereof optionally linked together. In a preferred embodiment the processing arrangement may include a PLC and/or a computer. The operation of the processing arrangement may be implemented by a computer program, e.g. by firmware and/or software, as instructions, and in any programming language. The instructions may be stored in a memory which may be integral with the processing arrangement or separate. For example, the computer program may include instructions to be executed by the processing arrangement as a series of steps. In a basic embodiment, the instructions may require the processing arrangement to receive from a level sensor a signal indicative of the level of substance in a roof gutter, interpret the substance level indicated by the signal as necessary (e.g. from a signal which indirectly indicates substance level), compare it against a threshold level as may be stored in a memory, and output a command signal to operate an alarm if the indicated substance level meets or exceeds the threshold level. Various alternative and additional instructions are available as the system become larger and/or more complex. For example, a useful instruction may be a latency between receiving a signal indicating that a threshold level has been met or exceeded, and outputting a command signal to operate an alarm, or receiving a number of consecutive signals indicating that a threshold level has been met or exceeded, before outputting a command signal to operate an alarm; for example a latency of, or two or more signals over a period of, 1 or more, say 1 to 10 or more, seconds. This may prevent false alarms from, for example, floating, loose or flying solid materials.

The alarm may take various forms but is preferably an electronic device including one or more of a building management system or part thereof, a computer, a display or a loudspeaker, for example. It may also be a remote device, say a computer with a display, as may be found in a remote facility, say a central maintenance centre. It may also be a portable device, including a mobile phone, tablet or pager, for example. Operation of the alarm may include delivery of data to the alarm, say level or alarm state data delivered for example by email or text message service, and/or it may include the emission or display of a sensory cue for a user, for example an audible or visual cue or display such as a chime, light or image, and may be a combination thereof. The command signal output by the processor to operate the alarm may accordingly also take various forms, for example similar to the way by which the signal is output by the level sensor as herein described, including Wi-Fi which is preferred, and/or by way of a telecommunications network, which is also preferred, and may include data. The way in which the alarm is configured to receive the command signal from the processing arrangement may equally take various forms, but generally corresponds to the nature of the command signal output by the processing arrangement. In preferred embodiment, the alarm is a computer with a display, and most preferably a portable device such as a mobile phone, tablet or pager. Preferably, operation of the alarm includes delivery of data thereto via Wi-Fi and/or a telecommunications network in the form of an email, together with a chime and/or image on a display.

The threshold level may be any level of substance at which a user may wish an alarm to be operated. For example, the threshold level may be just above the bottom, or above the zero level, of the roof gutter. By a“zero level” is meant the level of substance in an empty roof gutter, i.e. zero. This may effectively alert a user to the presence of a low level of substance in the roof gutter. Alternatively, or in addition, the threshold level may be about the level of the depth of the roof gutter. This may effectively alert a user to a high level of substance in the roof gutter.

Generally, the threshold level will be a level which may alert a user to an overfill or spillover level, or to the risk of an overfill or spillover level occurring. This gives rise to certain benefits. By alerting a user it may allow appropriate action to be taken to reverse or prevent an overfill or spillover level. For example, the threshold level being met or exceeded may indicate that the roof gutter is not, or is inefficiently, conveying rainwater, and that it, its overflow outlet and/or an associated conduit (e.g. downpipe) may contain solid matter and/or a blockage, which may prompt a user to inspect the roof gutter and act to perform any maintenance required, e.g. to remove solid matter and/or blockage. Therefore, in preferred embodiments, the threshold level is at or below, say just below, the overfill level or overflow outlet if present, or a level between the normal operating level and the overfill level or overflow outlet if present.

Importantly, the threshold level may be altered by a user and/or be determined by other parameters. In other words, the level of substance at which a user may wish an alarm to be operated may be altered, for example as determined by other parameters. One such parameter may be a rate of change of a level of substance over time. For example, the threshold level may be altered to be lowered when the substance level is increasing at a high rate, or raised when the substance level is increasing at a low rate. Similarly, it may be raised or lowered, as appropriate, when the substance level is decreasing. When the rate of substance level increase is high, lowering the threshold level may increase the time available once an alarm is operated to allow a user to act to reverse or prevent an overfill or spillover level occurring. The direction and rate of substance level change may be determined, for example by the processing arrangement, as the ratio of a difference (between the level of substance indicated by the level sensor at two or more time points) and a difference between the time points. The time points are preferably prior to the level of substance reaching the threshold level.

One or more additional levels above the threshold level may also be used which, when indicated by the level sensor, may also cause the processing arrangement to output a command signal to operate an alarm. In other words, the processing arrangement may be further configured to output a command signal to operate an alarm when the signal indicates a level of substance that meets or exceeds one or more additional levels. For example, when the threshold level is below an overfill level, a useful additional level may be an overfill level and/or a level in between the overfill level and a spillover level, say about mid-way between the overfill level and a spillover level, or a level just above an overflow outlet if present. Any one or more additional levels may also be altered and determined by other parameters, e.g. a rate of change of a level of substance over time.

Different types of alarms may be operated, or the operation of the alarm may include delivery of different data, representative of the different levels. For example, when the level sensor signal indicates a level of substance that meets or exceeds a threshold level a“low- low” level alarm may be operated. A subsequent signal indicating that an additional higher level has been met or exceeded may operate a “low” or “medium” level alarm, and subsequent signals indicating that a spillover condition has occurred or is a risk may be operate a “high” or “high-high” level alarm. The different types of alarms may be distinguished from each other in any way; say different data, chimes and or different images on a display. Colour-coding is a convenient option; for example the colour green or yellow may be associated with a low-level, the colour yellow or orange may be associated with a medium-level, and/or the colour red may be associated with a high-level.

The system of the present invention thus gives rise to certain benefits. In many applications it is often not possible or practical to visually monitor the roof gutter, including all of its sections and branches, for substance level and/or maintenance issues, for example the presence of solids and/or foreign matter which may increase the risk of an overfill and/or spillover level occurring. For example, roof gutters on roofs of buildings are mostly above eye level, including several storeys above ground. The system may allow a user to more efficiently and effectively monitor a roof gutter, including between scheduled maintenance events, and may allow a user to receive early warning, or alert, as to the occurrence or risk of an overfill or spillover level so that preventative or reversing action may be taken.

Thus, in another aspect, the present invention provides a method for monitoring the level of substance in a roof gutter, including receiving an alarm that a level of substance in the roof gutter has met or exceeded a threshold level, the alarm being operated in response to a command signal output by a processing arrangement configured to receive a signal from a level sensor, and the level sensor being configured to detect a substance and output a signal indicative of the level of substance in the roof gutter.

The general operation and arrangement of the processing arrangement and level sensor may be as herein described. Preferably, the method also includes, when the threshold level is below an overfill level, acting to reverse or prevent an overfill or spillover level occurring, such as inspecting the roof gutter and performing any maintenance required to reduce the level of substance to below the threshold level, e.g. removing solid material.

Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention provides a method for reducing the risk of, or preventing, an overfill or spilllover level occurring in a roof gutter, including monitoring the level of substance in a roof gutter using a system as herein described, and upon operation of an alarm indicating a level of substance that meets or exceeds a threshold level, acting to reverse or prevent an overfill or spillover level occurring.

The present invention also provides a method for reducing the risk of, or preventing, an overfill or spilllover level occurring in a roof gutter using a system as herein described.

The system of the present invention may include one or more additional modules or components, including but not limited to: a user interface; a bus or IO-link; pump; temperature sensor; off-grid power supply (e.g. solar, battery); light; substance delivery outlet; heat source; and the like. The system may be also be incorporated into a new or existing building management system. When included, the processing arrangement may be additionally configured to receive a signal from any one or more of the additional modules or components, and/or output a command signal to any one or more of the additional modules or components. The nature of the signals output and received may take various forms as herein described. Preferably wired connections are used. A user interface when included may be configured to receive an input from a user and output a command signal to the processing arrangement. The nature and type of user interface may take various forms, but typical examples may include buttons, keys and touch elements, say a keyboard or tablet. The processing arrangement may suitably be additionally configured to receive the command signal from the user interface and as appropriate execute the command. The user interface may output various commands corresponding to the input received. For example, a user may set the threshold level at which an alarm is to be operated, and any other level at which additional alarms may be operated or information received, independently for any one or more level sensor. The user interface may also include a display configured to inform a user of various parameters or information. This may include, for example, the input received, the level of substance detected by a level sensor, the alarm state and the threshold level, among others.

A bus or 10-link and the like, when included, may be placed for example between the level sensor(s) and the processing arrangement, and may be configured to receive a signal from a level sensor and output a signal to the processing arrangement. Modules of this type are particularly useful when the system includes two or more level sensors. The module may receive the individual signals output by the two or more level sensors, combine the signal data, and output a signal to the processing arrangement containing the combined data and optionally additional data, say a level sensor location or identification tag. Any number of modules of this type may be used as may be required by the number of level sensors and the receiving capacity, say the number of ports, of the bus or IO-link, and may optionally be connected together.

One or more pumps when included may be placed in fluid communication with the roof gutter. The pumps may be configured to receive a command signal from the processing arrangement to control the pump. The command signal may be output by the processing arrangement according to a substance level indicated by a level sensor. For example, the processing arrangement may be configured to output a command signal to operate the pump when the indicated substance level meets or exceeds the threshold level at which the processing arrangement outputs a command signal to operate an alarm. The pump may pump water out of or away from the roof gutter. The processing arrangement may then output a command signal to cease operation of the pump when the indicated substance level is below the threshold level, or for example at or just above the bottom or zero level of the roof gutter. The processing arrangement may also output command signals to the pump in response to a user input. The number of pumps used may be dictated by the particular task at hand; small tasks may require only one or two or more, say any number from two to ten pumps, and increasing proportionally with the magnitude and complexity of the roof gutter. Generally, it is recommended that at least one pump is used for each section or branch of the roof gutter, and locatable proximal to a level sensor. Operation of a pump may be an action to reverse or prevent an overfill or spillover level occurring.

A temperature sensor when included will generally also be an electronic device and may be configured to detect, and output a signal indicative of, the temperature of a substance in the roof gutter or the surrounding environment, and the processing arrangement additionally configured to receive it. The nature and type of temperature sensor may take various forms; however preferably it is configured to detect a temperature range around a critical temperature of the substance to be conveyed, say a freezing point of water. For example, this may be a temperature range around about -10°C to 10°C. Generally it is recommended that at least one temperature sensor is used, or one for each level sensor and located proximal thereto. An advantage of a temperature sensor may be to inform a user of the presence of frozen materials, or risk of freezing occurring, or say inefficient conveyance of substance from reduced flowability at reduced temperatures. The processing arrangement may be configured to output a command signal to operate an alarm when the signal indicates a temperature of substance that meets or drops below a threshold temperature, which may be for example about or just above a freezing point.

A heat source when included may heat the roof gutter and the substance in it, e.g. for melting ice. The heat source may take various forms, including for example an electrically resistive heating element placed in contact with or proximity to the roof gutter. The heat source may be configured to receive a command signal from the processing arrangement to control the heat source. The command signal may be output by the processing arrangement according to a level of substance indicated by the level sensor, a user input, and/or a temperature indicated by a temperature sensor if present. For example, the processing arrangement may be configured to output a command signal to operate the heat source in response to a threshold temperature and optionally a threshold level of substance being indicated, which temperature may be about or just above the freezing point of water, say 0°C to 3°C. The heat source may then heat the roof gutter causing the temperature of the substance in the roof gutter or its surrounding environment to be raised, an advantage being to melt ice (e.g. hail) or prevent ice build-up, which may be the cause of a blockage or inefficient conveyance in the roof gutter. The processing arrangement may then output a command signal to cease operation of the heat source after a time and/or when the indicated temperature is above the threshold temperature, and optionally when the level of substance in below the threshold level. Generally it is recommended that at least one heat source is used for each section of roof gutter, or one per level and/or temperature sensor. Operation of a heat source may be an action to reverse or prevent an overfill or spillover level occurring.

The heat source may take the form of a water heat source for supplying water to the roof gutter. For example, when the roof gutter contains ice, a source of water at anything more than 0°C is a heat source that may be used to melt the ice. Of course warmer water is preferred and generally of a temperature as may be supplied by a hot water service, say of between 10°C to 65°C.

Supplied water may also serve to flush substance from the roof gutter. For example, the strategic application of water from time to time may help to keep the gutter clear and fully operational, say by flushing from the roof gutter small amounts of debris and/or organic matter. Similarly, in ice- and/or snow-prone conditions the strategic application of water from time to time may help to keep the gutters clear and fully operational.

Thus, one or more substance delivery outlets may be included which feed into the roof gutter, and may be controlled by one or more regulators, preferably valves and/or pumps. The regulator may be configured to independently receive a command signal from the processing arrangement to control the regulators. The command signal may be output by the processing arrangement according to a level of substance indicated by the level sensor, a user input, and/or a temperature indicated by a temperature sensor if present, say if the temperature sensor indicates a temperature that meets, drops below or rises above a threshold temperature, e.g. freezing. For example, the processing arrangement may be configured to output a command signal to operate a regulator in response to a user input, or when a threshold level and/or temperature being met is indicated. The regulator may then allow a substance to be delivered to the roof gutter via the one or more substance delivery outlets which may cause the temperature of the substance in the roof gutter or its surrounding environment to be raised or lowered, as the case may be. In a preferred embodiment, the regulator may be operated when the indicated temperature meets or drops below a threshold temperature, and the substance delivered is heated water causing the temperature to be raised. For example, the threshold temperature may be about or just above the freezing point of water, say 0°C to 3°C, an advantage being to melt ice (e.g. hail) or prevent ice build-up, which may be the cause of a blockage or inefficient conveyance in the roof gutter. The processing arrangement may then output a command signal to cease operation of the regulator after a time and/or when the indicated temperature is above the threshold temperature. The processing arrangement may also output command signals to the regulator in response to a user input. Generally it is recommended that at least one water delivery outlet is used for each section of roof gutter, or one per level and/or temperature sensor and placed proximal thereto. The substance delivery outlets may include a hot water service for supplying hot water to the roof gutter. Operation of a regulator controlling a substance delivery outlet may be an action to reverse or prevent an overfill or spillover level occurring.

One or more lights when included may be configured to independently receive a command signal from the processing arrangement to control the light. The command signal may be output by the processing arrangement according to a substance level indicated by a level sensor. For example, the processing arrangement may be configured to output a command signal to operate the light when the indicated substance level meets or exceeds the threshold level at which the processing arrangement outputs a command signal to operate an alarm. The processing arrangement may then output a command signal to cease operation of the light when the indicated substance level is below the threshold level. The processing arrangement may also output command signals to the lights in response to a user input. Generally it is recommended that at least one light is used for each level sensor and is placed proximal thereto. This may be an advantage for ease of location by a user, say at night, a level sensor which has indicated a substance level that meets or exceeds the threshold level at which the processing arrangement outputs a command signal to operate an alarm.

The system may also include a memory. The memory may be integral with the processing arrangement or separate, for example a readable device or server. When a memory is included, the processing arrangement is ideally additionally configured to store level data received in the signal from the level sensor, preferably on a time scale. The processing arrangement may also be configured to store data received in other signals from other components and modules which may be included, for example temperature data. Preferably, the processing arrangement may also be configured to retrieve stored data, say in response to a user input. This may be useful for tracking substance level and instances when alarms are operated, particularly when correlated with additional information, say weather events, predicted weather patterns, seasonal changes, etc. Certain correlations may allow a user to predict future substance levels and prepare accordingly, say perform roof gutter maintenance out of schedule.

Generally, the level sensor, alarm and processing arrangement of the system, and any one or more additional modules and components if and when present, may be connected with and independently powered by an electrical power supply, say mains power optionally including an uninterrupted power supply device, and/or an off-grid power supply, e.g. solar, battery storage service. In preferred embodiments, the processing arrangement is connected with and powered by an electrical power supply, and the level sensor and additional modules and components with comparatively low current draw, if and when present, including a pump, light etc., may be powered via connections with the processing arrangement. Additional modules and components with comparatively high current draw, such as, regulators, valves, pumps and heat sources e.g. hot water service, may also be independently connected with and powered by an electrical power supply.

In another aspect the present invention provides a system for reducing the risk of, or preventing, an overfill or spilllover level occurring in a roof gutter, including:

a level sensor,

a processing arrangement; and

a pump,

wherein:

the level sensor is configured to detect a substance and output a signal indicative of the level of substance in the roof gutter;

the pump is locatable in fluid communication with the roof gutter and configured to receive a command signal from the processing arrangement; and

the processing arrangement is configured to receive the signal from the level sensor and output a command signal to control the pump.

The system of this aspect of the invention, its parts and operation may generally be as herein described. In preferred embodiments, the processing arrangement is configured to output a command signal to control the pump according to at least one of the level of substance indicated by the level sensor and a user input. More preferably, the processing arrangement is configured to output a command signal to operate the pump when the signal indicates a level of substance that meets or exceeds a level, say the threshold level. An alarm may also be included, and the processing arrangement may be additionally configured to output a command signal to operate the alarm when the signal indicates a level of substance that meets or exceeds a threshold level.

In another aspect the present invention provides a system for reducing the risk of, or preventing, an overfill or spilllover level occurring in a roof gutter, including:

a level sensor,

a processing arrangement; and

a substance delivery outlet,

wherein:

the level sensor is configured to detect a substance and output a signal indicative of the level of substance in the roof gutter;

the substance delivery outlet feeds into the roof gutter and is controlled by a regulator; and

the processing arrangement is configured to receive the signal from the level sensor and output a command signal to control the regulator.

The system of this aspect of the invention, its parts and operation may generally be as herein described. In a preferred embodiment, the processing arrangement is configured to output a command signal to control the regulator according to at least one of the level of substance indicated by the level sensor and a user input. Also preferably, the system further includes a temperature sensor configured to detect, and output a signal indicative of, the temperature of a substance in the roof gutter or the surrounding environment, and wherein the processing arrangement is additionally configured to receive the signal from the temperature sensor and output a command signal to control the regulator according to the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor. Also in preferred embodiments, the processing arrangement is configured to output a command signal to operate the regulator when it receives signals that indicate a level of substance that meets or exceeds the threshold level and a temperature that meets or drops below a threshold temperature. An alarm is also preferably included, and the processing arrangement configured to output a command signal to operate an alarm when the signal indicates a level of substance that meets or exceeds a threshold level. A water heat source is also preferably included, wherein the substance delivery outlet feeds heated water to the roof gutter. Preferably the regulator is a valve and/or pump.

In another aspect the present invention provides a system for reducing the risk of, or preventing, an overfill or spilllover level occurring in a roof gutter, including: a temperature sensor,

a processing arrangement; and

a heat source,

wherein:

the temperature sensor is configured to detect, and output a signal indicative of, the temperature of a substance in the roof gutter or the surrounding environment; and

the processing arrangement is configured to receive the signal from the temperature sensor and output a command signal to control the heat source.

The system of this aspect of the invention, its parts and operation may generally be as herein described. In a preferred embodiment, the processing arrangement is configured to output a command signal to control the heat source according to at least one of the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor and a user input. More preferred, the processing arrangement is configured to output a command signal to operate the heat source when the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor meets or drops below a threshold temperature, preferably of about or just above the freezing point of the substance to be conveyed, i.e. water. Preferably the heat source is a water heat source and the system further includes a substance delivery outlet for feeding heated water into the roof gutter, the substance delivery outlet being controlled by a regulator, preferably a valve and/or a pump, and wherein the processing arrangement is configured to output a command signal to control the regulator. Also preferably, included is an alarm and a level sensor configured to detect a substance and output a signal indicative of the level of substance in the roof gutter, and the processing arrangement is configured to receive the signal from the level sensor and to output a command signal to operate the alarm when the signal indicates a level of substance that meets or exceeds a threshold level.

The present invention also provided a system as herein described, when installed in association with a roof gutter.

While roof gutters are the exemplary channel of the present invention, it is envisaged that the system is as equally applicable to other free surface fluid transport systems, such as drains, irrigation channels, sub-surface sewerage pipes and the like.

It is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as outlined herein. As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to be in any way limiting or to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction.

Brief Description of the Drawings/Figures

Figure 1 is a top view of a building with a typical roof layout including box gutters for rain water and indicating typical level sensor placement and wired connections.

Figure 2 is a top view of a callout portion of Figure 1 indicating typical level sensor placement.

Figure 3 is a side view of a cross section of the callout portion of Figure 2 indicating typical level sensor placement, typical levels and associated alarm states.

Figure 4 is a circuit or‘box module’ wiring diagram showing typical connections between a level sensor and processing arrangement, display, etc.

Figure 5 is a top view of a building with a typical roof layout including box gutters for rain water and indicating typical level sensor and wired connections, and pump placement and plumbed connections.

Figure 6 is a top view of a callout portion of Figure 5 indicating typical level sensor and pump placement.

Figure 7 is a side view of a cross section of the callout portion of Figure 6 indicating typical level sensor and pump placement.

Figure 8 is a circuit or‘box module’ wiring diagram showing typical connections between a level sensor and processing arrangement, display, etc., and including a pump. Figure 9 is a top view of a building with a typical roof layout including box gutters for rain water and indicating typical level sensor and wired connections, pump and substance delivery outlet placement and plumbed connections.

Figure 10 is a top view of a callout portion of Figure 9 indicating typical level sensor, pump and substance delivery outlet placement.

Figure 1 1 is a side view of a cross section of the callout portion of Figure 10 indicating typical level sensor, pump and substance delivery outlet placement.

Figure 12 is a substance delivery line diagram showing typical connections for substance delivery.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

Figures 1 to 4 exemplify a system of the present invention for monitoring the level of substance in a roof gutter. In this embodiment is a box gutter 12 for conveying rain water, with a sump 14 and overflow outlet. In normal operation, the roof gutter will collect rain water off a building roof 16 and, via the sumps, convey it into a downpipe (not shown) then ultimately to stormwater drains and/or storage systems. The ridgeline 17 and parapet 19 of the roof and direction of fall is indicated in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1 , the system of the present invention includes level sensors 18 configured to detect a substance and output a signal indicative of the level of substance in the roof gutter, and a processing unit 20 configured to receive the signal from the level sensor and output a command signal to operate an alarm (not shown) when the signal indicates a level of substance that meets or exceeds a threshold level. In this embodiment the signal output by the level sensors and received by the processing unit is an electrical signal transmitted through wired connections via cabling 22. Each level sensor 18 is connected to an IO-link module 24 (i.e. M1 to M6), which are in turn connected to the processing unit 20 either directly or via another module(s). As is generally seen, a level sensor 18 is placed proximal to, or over the top of, each sump 14 of the roof gutter.

This arrangement is depicted in Figure 2, which is a top view of a callout portion of Figure 1 taken about module‘M5’. The box gutter 12, its sump 14 and an overflow outlet 26 are indicated. As is generally seen, the level sensor 18 is mounted over the top of the sump 14. The level sensor 18 is connected to the module 24 via cabling 22, this particular module also being connected to other modules and ultimately to the processing unit, also via cabling.

The operation of a system of the invention is represented in the side cross-section of Figure 3. The box gutter 12, its sump 14 and an overflow outlet 26 are indicated. A downpipe 28 for conveying rain water to stormwater drains and/or storage systems is also shown. The level sensor 18 is mounted to the roof 16 by a bracket 30, and is connected to the processing unit 20 via cabling 22. The level sensor 18 depicted is a contactless, continuous detection and electromagnetic wave sensor operating on an ultrasonic detection principle. The sensor emits ultrasonic waves into the roof gutter and records the time to detect a return wave reflected off a substance surface, and outputs a signal indicative of the distance or return wave time between the level sensor and the substance.

The level sensor is mounted above the bottom or zero level of the roof gutter, in particular above the sump 14, at a distance or return wave time A. The threshold level v is a level of about half of the depth of the roof gutter, between the level of the top of the sump and the overflow outlet, and indicated by the distance or return wave time B from the level sensor. In this embodiment, a blockage 32 is shown in the downpipe 28 and also in the overflow outlet 26. A layer of solid material 34, such as organic matter or debris, as may accumulate, is also shown in the sump 14. Such blockages and/or solid materials may cause the roof gutter to inefficiently, or altogether stop, conveying water, for example into the downpipe or overflow outlet, such that upon influx of rainwater or further solid materials the level of substance in the roof gutter may rise. When a level of substance thus reaches the threshold level v and is detected by the level sensor, the level sensor will output a signal indicative of the distance or return wave time B to be received by the processing unit 20. The level of substance in the roof gutter will be interpreted by the processing unit as corresponding to the difference between A and B. The processing unit will then output a command signal to operate an alarm, for example a“low-low” level” alarm, including for example sending an email to a user’s portable device (not shown). The same principle applies for additional levels w, x and y indicated by the distance or return wave times C, D and E, respectively. In this embodiment, the level w indicated by C correspond to the level of the bottom of the overflow outlet. The level x indicated by D correspond to the level of the top of the overflow outlet. The level y indicated by E corresponds to a level between the top of the overflow outlet and the top of the roof gutter or spillover level z. Thus, when a level of substance reaches the levels w, x and y and is detected by the level sensor, the level sensor will output a signal indicative of the distance or return wave time C, D or E to be received by the processing unit, and the level of substance in the roof gutter interpreted by the processing unit as corresponding to the difference between A and C or A and D or A and E, respectively. The processing unit may then output a command signal to operate an alarm, for example a“low” level,“high” level or“high-high” level alarm, respectively. A user may thus be alerted to the increasing level of substance in the roof gutter and the urgency for which the roof gutter requires attention, for example clearing away the blockage and/or the solid materials, before the level of substance reaches a spillover level.

A typical circuit or‘box module’ wiring diagram is shown in Figure 4. Each level sensor 18 is connected to a module 24 which is in turn connected in circuit to the processing unit 20, either directly or via another module(s), by cabling 22. The processing unit is powered by an uninterrupted power supply 36 which is in turn connected to mains power. The processing unit is also connected to a building management system 38 which via a Wi-Fi or data transmitter 40 is connected to an alarm, in this case a portable electronic device 41.

Figures 5 to 8 exemplify essentially the same system as shown and described in figure 1 to 4, except now the system also includes pumps 42 (i.e. P1 to P6).

Figure 5 shows a box gutter 12 in a typical roof 16 layout. Indicated are level sensors 18 placed over the top of each sump 14 of the roof gutter and a processing unit 20, connected together via modules 24 by cabling 22. The pumps are connected with discharge piping 46 to a discharge outlet 48 which takes pumped fluid substance out of or away from the roof gutter. In this embodiment the pumps are configured to receive a command signal from the processing unit to control the pumps, and the processing unit configured to output a command signal to independently operate the pumps, so the pumps are connected via cabling to the modules 24, in turn connected with the processing unit. The pumps are also powered through this cabled connection. The pumps 42 are also placed proximal to, and a suction end 44 thereof placed over the top of and in fluid communication with, each sump.

This arrangement is more closely depicted in Figure 6, which is a top view of a callout portion of Figure 5 taken about module‘M5’ and pump‘P5’. In Figure 6 the box gutter 12 and its sump 14 are indicated. As is generally seen, the pump 42 is placed with its suction end 44 over the top of and in fluid communication with the sump, and alongside the level sensor 18. The connection of the pump and level sensor to the module 24 via cabling 22 is also seen, as well as the discharge piping 46. A side cross-sectional view of the same system including pumps is represented in Figure 7. The box gutter 12, its sump 14 and an overflow outlet 26 are indicated, as well as a downpipe 28 for conveying rain water from the sump to stormwater drains and/or storage systems in normal operation. The level sensor 18 is mounted on a bracket 30 above the bottom or zero level of the roof gutter, in particular above the sump 14, and is connected to the processing unit 20 via module 24 and cabling 22. The pump 42 is mounted to the roof by a bracket 50 and connected with discharge piping 46 to take pumped fluid substance out of or away from the roof gutter. The cabling connecting the pump to a module and processing unit is also present. The suction end 44 of the pump is placed in the roof gutter, and in particular over the sump, out of the path of the level sensor. The suction end is placed at a level of about between the top of the sump and the bottom of the overflow outlet. This placement allows the pump in operation to reduce the substance level to normal operating levels of the roof gutter, or to say about or just below a threshold level. The pump may be operated by the processing unit in response to the detection of a threshold level, or other level, or a user input.

A typical circuit or‘box module’ wiring diagram of the system is shown in Figure 8 including pumps. Each level sensor 18 and pump 42 is connected to a module 24 which is in turn connected in circuit to the processing unit 20, either directly or via another module(s), by cabling 22. The processing unit is powered by an uninterrupted power supply 36 which is in turn connected to mains power. The processing unit is also connected to a building management system 38 which via a Wi-Fi or data transmitter 40 is connected to an alarm, in this case a portable electronic device 41.

Figures 9 to 12 exemplify essentially the same system as shown and described in figures 5 to 8, except now the system also includes substance delivery outlets, or water spray nozzles 52.

Figure 9 shows a box gutter 12 in a typical roof 16 layout. Indicated are level sensors 18 placed over the top of each sump 14 of the roof gutter and a processing unit 20, connected together via modules 24 by cabling 22. The pumps 42 are connected with discharge piping 46 to a discharge outlet 48. The pumps are also connected via cabling to the modules 24, and placed with a suction end over the top of and in fluid communication with, each sump. Water spray nozzles 52 are shown located over the top of, and distributed along the length of, the roof gutter, to feed into the roof gutter during operation. The water spray nozzles are connected with piping 54 to a hot water service 56 via a valve 58. Generally the hot water service will be connected to a power, gas and water supply, 57, 59 and 61 , respectively, which may be mains, solar and/or storage supplies. The valve 58 is also connected to a power source. In this embodiment the valve 58 is configured to receive a command signal from the processing unit to control the valve, and the processing unit configured to output a command signal to operate the valve, so the valve is connected via cabling 22 to the processing unit 20.

This arrangement is more closely depicted in Figure 10, which is a top view of a callout portion of Figure 9 taken about module‘M5’ and pump‘P5’. In Figure 10 the box gutter 12 and its sump 14 are indicated. As is generally seen, the pump 42 is placed with its suction end 44 over the top of and in fluid communication with the sump, and alongside the level sensor 18. The connection of the pump and level sensor to the module via cabling 22 is also seen. Water spray nozzles 52 connected by piping 54 are indicated, placed either side of the sump.

A side cross-sectional view of the same system including pumps is represented in Figure 1 1 . The box gutter with its sump 14 and an overflow outlet 26 are indicated, as well as a downpipe 28 for conveying rain water from the sump to stormwater drains and/or storage systems in normal operation. The level sensor 18 is mounted on a bracket 30 above the bottom or zero level of the roof gutter, in particular above the sump 14, and is connected to the processing unit 20 via cabling 22. The pump 42 is mounted to the roof by a bracket 50 and connected with discharge piping 46, and cabling to a module and processing unit. The suction end 44 of the pump is placed in the roof gutter over the sump. A water spray nozzle 52 is shown connected with piping 54 and placed above the suction end of the pump to feed water into the roof gutter during operation. This system finds particular utility in server weather events such as hail, snow and/or sleet. These solid substances may cause a blockage and/or inefficient conveyance of substance in the roof gutter, causing the level of substance in the roof gutter to rise to or above a threshold level. Operation of a valve to feed water from the water spray nozzle into the roof gutter may melt, especially when the water is heated as from a hot water service, and/or physically carry the solid substance from the roof gutter thereby removing the blockage, lowering the level of substance in the roof gutter and/or returning the conveyance of the roof gutter to normal efficiency.

A typical substance delivery line diagram is shown in Figure 12. In this embodiment the substance is water. The line diagram shows water spray nozzles 52 connected via piping 54 to a hot water service 56 via a valve 58. The hot water service is connected to a power, gas and water supply, 57, 59 and 61 , respectively and the valve 58 is also connected to a power supply. In this embodiment the valve 58 is configured to receive a command signal from the processing unit to control the valve, and the processing unit configured to output a command signal to operate the valve, so the valve is connected via cabling 22 to a processing unit.