US20120000144A1

US20120000144A1 - Vortex suppressing system

Info

Publication number: US20120000144A1
Application number: US13/173,211
Authority: US
Inventors: Jason Jianxiong Lin
Original assignee: Renscience IP Holdings Inc
Current assignee: Renscience IP Holdings Inc
Priority date: 2010-07-01
Filing date: 2011-06-30
Publication date: 2012-01-05

Abstract

A vortex suppressing system is disclosed. The system is associated with a pitched roof having sloped, generally planar first and second surfaces intersecting with one another at a roof ridge. The system may include a fascia member attached to a perimeter of the roof. The fascia member may extend generally outwardly away from the perimeter of the roof, and may be generally curved to define a generally arch-shaped cross-sectional shape of an outer face of the fascia member. Additionally, the system may include an assembly, which may include first and second end portions attached to the first and second surfaces, respectively. In addition, the assembly may include a bridging portion extending over the roof ridge and from the first end portion to the second end portion. The bridging portion may have a generally curved outer surface, which may be substantially symmetrical about a plane generally parallel to the roof ridge.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/360,748, filed Jul. 1, 2010, entitled “Vortex Suppressing System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a vortex suppressing system and, more particularly, to a vortex suppressing system for a pitched roof.

BACKGROUND

One type of roof commonly installed on buildings is a pitched roof. Pitched roofs include sloped or angled surfaces that meet at a ridge. As used herein, the term “ridge” includes a generally horizontal ridge or a sloped ridge (sometimes called a hip).
In many instances, a pitched roof is susceptible to wind-induced damage at both its ridge(s) and perimeter. For example, the ridge area of the roof may be damaged by wind-generated vortices and upward suction loads resulting from wind-flows across the ridge. Additionally, the perimeter area of the roof may be damaged by wind-generated vortices and upward pressure loads resulting from wind-flows coming in contact with the roof perimeter and/or building surfaces positioned below the roof perimeter.
One way to mitigate wind-induced damage to a pitched roof is to structurally strengthen the roof by, for example, using more or better fasteners to connect portions of the roof to each other and/or to the walls and/or frame of a building. Although such structural strengthening may be well-suited for new construction, it may be costly and ill-suited for retrofits of existing buildings. Moreover, structural strengthening cannot always counteract the large forces resulting from high winds of, for example, hurricanes and blizzards. Thus, even structurally strengthened pitched roofs are sometimes severely damaged and/or blown off of buildings by wind-generated vortices and upward pressure loads resulting from wind-flows.
The disclosed systems and methods are directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems in the art.

SUMMARY

In the following description, certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention will become evident. It should be understood that the invention, in its broadest sense, could be practiced without having one or more features of these aspects and embodiments. In other words, these aspects and embodiments are merely exemplary.
The present disclosure is related to a vortex suppressing system associated with a pitched roof having sloped, generally planar first and second surfaces intersecting with one another at a roof ridge. The vortex suppressing system may include a fascia member attached to a perimeter of the roof adjacent to an edge of at least the first surface. The fascia member may extend generally outwardly away from the perimeter of the roof, and may be generally curved to define a generally arch-shaped cross-sectional shape of an outer face of the fascia member. Additionally, the vortex suppressing system may include an assembly. The assembly may include a first end portion attached to the first surface, adjacent to the roof ridge. The assembly may also include a second end portion attached to the second surface, adjacent to the roof ridge. In addition, the assembly may include a bridging portion extending over the roof ridge and from the first end portion to the second end portion. The bridging portion may have a generally curved outer surface, which may be substantially symmetrical about a plane generally parallel to the roof ridge. And, a length of the assembly may extend in generally the same direction as a length of the roof ridge.
Aside from the arrangement set forth above, the invention could include a number of other arrangements such as those explained hereinafter. It is to be understood that both the foregoing description and the following description are exemplary only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain some principles of the invention. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary vortex suppressing system associated with an exemplary pitched roof;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary roof ridge assembly of the vortex suppressing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary roof ridge assembly;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative exemplary roof ridge assembly;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary fascia member of the vortex suppressing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary vortex suppressing system associated with the pitched roof of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary fascia member;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative exemplary fascia member;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary windscreen of a vortex suppressing system;

FIG. 10A is a pictorial view of an exemplary screen portion of a windscreen;

FIG. 10B is a pictorial view of another exemplary screen portion;

FIG. 10C is a pictorial view of yet another exemplary screen portion;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative exemplary vortex suppressing system associated with the pitched roof of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary windscreen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to a few exemplary embodiments of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, an exemplary building 100 may have a pitched roof 105 and walls 110. For example, building 100 may be a residential, commercial, industrial, or other type of building. Regardless of the type of building 100, it is contemplated that pitched roof 105 may include sloped, generally planar surfaces 120 and 125 defined by a top face of a roof covering (e.g., shingles, tile pieces, or metal) that is normally exposed to natural elements (e.g., wind, rain, and sun).
The sloped, generally planar surfaces 120 and 125 intersect with one another at a roof ridge 130 of pitched roof 105. This intersecting of the surfaces 120 and 125 may be direct or indirect. For example, surfaces 120 and 125 may indirectly intersect with one another via a roof ridge cap 135 of roof ridge 130. Roof ridge cap 135 may overlap outermost layers 140 and 145 of surfaces 120 and 125, respectively, and may create a water tight seal along roof ridge 130. Roof ridge cap 135 optionally may include a vent to provide venting for a building space, such as an attic, below roof 105. In some instances, roof ridge cap 135 may extend above the respective planes defined by generally planar surfaces 120 and 125.
Whether or not roof ridge 130 includes roof ridge cap 135, each of surfaces 120 and 125 may extend outwardly from roof ridge 130 beyond an exterior wall 110 of building 100, and possibly also extend outwardly beyond a structural perimeter 150 of pitched roof 105. Structural perimeter 150 comprises the outermost surfaces of the portions of pitched roof 105 that are positioned below surfaces 120 and 125. For example, these portions may include bargeboards 155, trim members 157, rafters 160, or other portions of pitched roof 105 that are positioned below surfaces 120 and 125.
Surface 120 may extend outwardly beyond a wall 110 a, and surface 125 may extend outwardly beyond a wall 110 b. It should be understood, however, that both surfaces 120 and 125 need not extend outwardly beyond walls 110 a and 110 b, respectively. For example, in some embodiments (not shown), surface 120 or surface 125 may extend outwardly from roof ridge 130 toward another roof ridge (not shown) or another wall (not shown).
A vortex suppressing system 165 may be associated with pitched roof 105 to mitigate wind-generated vortices and wind loads near roof ridge 130 and structural perimeter 150. In particular, vortex suppressing system 165 may include a roof ridge assembly 170 to mitigate wind-generated vortices and wind loads near roof ridge 130. Additionally, vortex suppressing system 165 may include one or more perimeter assemblies 175 to mitigate wind-generated vortices and wind loads near structural perimeter 150. Although FIG. 1 illustrates vortex suppressing system 165 as including two different types of perimeter assemblies 175 (fascia member 175 a and windscreen 175 b, described in more detail below), it should be understood that vortex suppressing system 165 may include only a single type of perimeter assembly 175. Moreover, some embodiments of vortex suppressing system 165 may include no perimeter assemblies 175. It is contemplated, however, that combining one or more roof ridge assemblies 170 with one or more perimeter assemblies 175 may maximize the mitigation of wind-generated vortices and wind loads near roof 105 by mitigating wind-generated vortices and wind loads near both roof ridge 130 and structural perimeter 150, and thereby better protect roof 105 from potential wind damage.
Roof ridge assembly 170 may extend in generally the same direction as a length of roof ridge 130. When viewed along this direction, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, roof ridge assembly 170 may include a first end portion 180, a second end portion 185, and a bridging portion 190 joining end portions 180 and 185.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, end portions 180 and 185 may contact surfaces 120 and 125, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an outermost edge 191 of a lower surface of end portion 180 may contact surface 120 at a distance D₁from the intersection of surfaces 120 and 125. If such intersection is indirect (e.g., via roof ridge cap 135), a location L of the intersection of surfaces 120 and 125 is defined to be the location where surfaces 120 and 125 would meet if they were to be extended toward one another. As also shown in FIG. 2, an outermost edge 193 of a lower surface of end portion 185 may contact surface 125 at a distance D₂from the intersection of surfaces 120 and 125. For example, distances D₁and D₂may each be from about 5 cm to about 50 cm. It should be noted that these distances are exemplary only, and that the distances may vary based on, for example, an angle θ between surfaces 120 and 125.
End portions 180 and 185 may be attached to surfaces 120 and 125, respectively, using any form of fastening arrangement adjacent to roof ridge 130. Exemplary fastening arrangements may include adhesive, a nail, a screw, tape, a cleat, a wire, a clip, and/or other fastener.
As shown in FIG. 3, for example, end portions 180 and 185 may be attached to surfaces 120 and 125 via one or more mounting portions 195, and mounting portion(s) 195 may be attached to surfaces 120 and 125 by fasteners 200. For example, mounting portion(s) 195 may include cleats 205 that are configured to engage end portions 180 and 185 to attach end portions 180 and 185 to surfaces 120 and 125, respectively. The assembly 170 may also include at least one spring member 210 extending between roof 105 and bridging portion 190. Spring member(s) 210 may be configured to bias bridging portion 190 away from roof 105 so as to maintain engagement of mounting portion(s) 195 and at least one of end portions 180 and 185. For example, spring member(s) 210 may extend generally upward from roof 105, and may be deflected by bridging portion 190 upon installation of bridging portion 190 (attachment of end portions 180 and 185 to surfaces 120 and 125). Thus, after installation, potential energy stored in spring member(s) 210 may tend to push upward on bridging portion 190, thereby biasing bridging portion 190 away from roof 105 and maintaining engagement of the cleats 205 to the end portions 180 and 185.
In some installations of assembly 170, mounting portion(s) 195 may be located entirely within an enclosure defined by bridging portion 190, end portions 180 and 185, and surfaces 120 and 125. In such installations, substantially watertight seals may be defined between end portion 180 and surface 120, and between end portion 185 and surface 125. Along with the enclosure, these seals may help to maintain roof 105 substantially waterproof by preventing water from reaching the areas where fasteners 200 penetrate surfaces 120 and 125.
In other installations of assembly 170 (not shown), mounting portion(s) 195 may be located outside of the enclosure defined by bridging portion 190, end portions 180 and 185, and surfaces 120 and 125. For example, such installations may be used when the enclosure is not watertight (e.g., in embodiments of bridging portion 190 that are perforated, for example, to enhance the vortex suppressing effect of assembly 170 by inducing small-scale turbulence), or when mounting portion(s) 195 is/are attached to surfaces 120 and 125 by fasteners that do not penetrate surfaces 120 and 125 (e.g., adhesives and tapes).
Regardless of how end portions 180 and 185 are attached to surfaces 120 and 125, it is contemplated that bridging portion 190 may extend over roof ridge 130, and may have a bottom surface 215 and a generally curved outer surface 220. Since roof ridge 130 may include roof ridge cap 135, as discussed above, it should be understood that bridging portion 190 may also extend over roof ridge cap 135. In some examples, it is contemplated that bottom surface 215 may be spaced vertically above an uppermost part of a top surface 225 of roof ridge 130 by a distance not larger than 25 cm. It should be noted, however, that this distance is exemplary only, and that the distance between bottom surface 215 and top surface 225 may vary based on, for example, angle θ between surfaces 120 and 125.
The generally curved shape of outer surface 220 may have a relatively gradual changing slope. The configuration of the outer surface 220 alters wind flow near roof ridge 130, and thereby mitigates wind-generated vortices and wind loads near roof ridge 130. Outer surface 220 may be substantially symmetrical about a plane that is generally parallel to roof ridge 130. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, outer surface 220 is substantially symmetrical about a plane P that bisects angle θ defined by surfaces 120 and 125. Although plane P is illustrated as being generally vertical in the embodiment of FIG. 3 having surfaces 120 and 125 with generally the same amount of slope with respect to a horizontal plane, it should be understood that plane P may not be generally vertical, e.g., if surfaces 120 and 125 do not have the same amount of slope relative to a horizontal plane. A substantially symmetrical configuration of outer surface 220 may allow for reduction of wind-generated vortices without being significantly impacted by the particular wind direction. However, it is contemplated that outer surface 220 may alternatively be asymmetrical, and tailored for the specific configuration of roof 105 near ridge 130 and/or the prevailing wind direction.
Whether or not outer surface 220 is substantially symmetrical, it is contemplated that outer surface 220 may define a radius of curvature not less than 3.5 cm. Like the above-discussed distances, however, it should be noted that this radius of curvature is exemplary only, and that the radius of curvature may vary along outer surface 220 between end portions 180 and 185. Moreover, the radius of curvature may vary based on, for example, angle θ between surfaces 120 and 125. Further, it is contemplated that some embodiments of bridging portion 190 may have outer surfaces 220 including substantially flat portions 230 (referring to FIG. 4), which may simplify the construction of assembly 170 and/or be visually appealing. It is contemplated that substantially flat portions 230 may be configured so as to avoid altering the functionality of assembly 170. For example, substantially flat portions 230 may be sized and positioned such that 180°−φ, where φ is an angle between two adjacent portions 230, never exceeds 55°.
As previously discussed, vortex suppressing system 165 may also include a fascia member 175 a. As illustrated in FIG. 5, fascia member 175 a may be attached to perimeter 150 via a fastening arrangement including, for example, adhesive, a nail, a screw, tape, a cleat, a wire, a clip, and/or other fastener. Fascia member 175 a extends generally outwardly away from perimeter 150 and may be hollow or solid. Fascia member 175 a may have an outer face 400 with a generally arch-shaped cross-section, and may be positioned adjacent to surface 120. Specifically, a topmost portion 405 of outer face 400 may be positioned adjacent to an edge 410 of surface 120 and spaced slightly outward from the edge 410 so that the topmost portion 405 and edge 410 define a gap. Such positioning may allow rainwater to flow from the surface 120 into the gap and then into a channel 412 defined by the fascia member 175 a below the gap. In addition, the topmost portion 405 may extend vertically no higher than the plane defined by the roof surface 120. It is contemplated that the shape of outer face 400 may alter wind flow near structural perimeter 150, and thereby mitigate wind-generated vortices and wind loads near structural perimeter 150.
Although the position of fascia member 175 a has been described with reference to surface 120, it should be understood that fascia member 175 a may alternatively or additionally be positioned adjacent to surface 125 (referring to FIG. 1). For example, as shown in FIG. 6, fascia member 175 a could extend at least partially along more than one side of perimeter 150, and be positioned adjacent to multiple sloped, generally planar surfaces of pitched roof 105.
Regardless of the positioning of fascia member 175 a, it is contemplated that outer face 400 may be generally curved, but may include substantially flat portions 415 (referring to FIG. 7) and/or step portions 420 (referring to FIG. 8). Substantially flat portions 415 and step portions 420 may be visually appealing, and may be sized so as to avoid altering the functionality of fascia member 175 a. For example, substantially flat portions 415 may be sized and positioned such that 180°−α, where α is an angle between two adjacent portions 415, never exceeds 55°. And, generally vertical parts 425 of step portions 420 may be sized such that their vertical heights do not exceed 25% of the total vertical height H of fascia member 175 a. These arrangements may generate small-scale eddies or turbulences that help mitigate generation or formation of larger scale vortices, which might otherwise cause severe uplift wind loads on roof 105 near edge 410.
As previously discussed, instead of or in addition to fascia member 175 a, vortex suppressing system 165 may include a windscreen 175 b. As illustrated in FIG. 9, windscreen 175 b may include mounting portion(s) 430, a screen portion 435, and an intermediate channel portion 440 joining mounting portion(s) 430 to screen portion 435.
Mounting portion(s) 430, which may be shaped to conform to perimeter 150, may be attached to perimeter 150 by any type of fastening arrangement, which may include, for example, adhesive, a nail, a screw, tape, a cleat, a wire, a clip, and/or other fastener. As shown in FIG. 9, for example, fasteners 445 may be used to attach mounting portion(s) 430 to perimeter 150.
Regardless of how mounting portion(s) 430 is/are attached to perimeter 150, it is contemplated that windscreen 175 b may be positioned such that the screen portion 435 extends generally laterally and outwardly away from perimeter 150 with at least a portion of screen portion 435 being substantially coplanar with surface 125 of pitched roof 105. For example, a part of top surface 450 of screen portion 435 may be substantially coplanar with surface 125, and may extend from intermediate channel portion 440 to a free end 455 of screen portion 435. It is contemplated that an end part of screen portion 435, which includes free end 455, may bend and/or extend generally downward from the plane defined by roof surface 125. Alternatively, the end part of screen portion 435 may be substantially coplanar with surface 125.
Screen portion 435 is configured to alter wind flow near perimeter 150. For example, screen portion 435 may include perforations 460 (referring to FIG. 10A), serrations 465 (referring to FIG. 10B), or both perforations 460 and serrations 465 (referring to FIG. 10C).
FIG. 10A illustrates one embodiment including perforations 460. It should be understood, however, that the layout, shapes, and sizes of perforations 460 may vary based on, for example, aesthetic considerations and/or manufacturing costs. The open area of the screen portion 435, i.e., the entire area occupied by the open space of the perforations 460 as compared to the total area of top surface 450 (including the solid surface area and the area occupied by the open space of the perforations 460), may range from about 25% to about 75%, e.g., from about 35% to about 65%, and may be about 50%. It is contemplated that pressures on opposite surfaces of screen portion 435 may equalize via perforations 460, thereby mitigating wind-generated vortices and wind loads near structural perimeter 150.
As illustrated in FIGS. 10B and 10C, free end 455 may include serrations 465, which may be semi-circular (referring to FIG. 10B) or triangular (referring to FIG. 10C). Alternatively, serrations 465 may be square, semi-elliptical, or otherwise shaped. Although all serrations 465 of free end 455 may be the same size and shape, it is contemplated that some embodiments may include serrations 465 of varying size and/or shape. Moreover, it is contemplated that a layout of serrations 465 may also vary. For example, serrations 465 having different shapes could be laid out in a particular order or could be randomly distributed along free end 455. It is contemplated that serrations 465 may disorganize air flow over free end 455, thereby mitigating wind-generated vortices and wind loads near perimeter 150.
As previously discussed, mounting portion(s) 430 and screen portion 435 may be joined by intermediate channel portion 440. As illustrated in FIG. 9, intermediate channel portion 440 may be generally “V” shaped. Upon installation of windscreen 175 b, it is contemplated that the “V” shape may be oriented with its opening facing generally upwards. Further, it is contemplated that intermediate channel portion 440 may be positioned adjacent to edge 470 of surface 125, and below a gap defined by the edge 470 and an inner end 472 of the screen portion 435. Such positioning may allow rainwater to flow from surface 125, into the gap and then into channel portion 440. In some embodiments, drain holes (not shown) may be provided in channel portion 440. It is contemplated that channel portion 440 may protect an underside of outermost layer 145 from upward wind flow and pressure.
Although the position of windscreen 175 b has been described with reference to surface 125, it should be understood that windscreen 175 b may alternatively or additionally be positioned adjacent to surface 120 (referring to FIG. 1). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, windscreen 175 b could extend at least partially along more than one side of perimeter 150, with windscreen 175 b being positioned adjacent to multiple sloped, generally planar surfaces of pitched roof 105.
Some embodiments of windscreen 175 b may not include intermediate channel portion 440. In these embodiments, mounting portion(s) 430 may be joined directly to screen portion 435, as illustrated in FIG. 12, and an innermost part 475 of screen portion 435 may be positioned slightly below outermost layer(s) 140 and/or 145 of surfaces 120 and 125. Such positioning may allow rainwater to flow off of outermost layer(s) 140 and/or 145, onto screen portion 435, and off of building 100.
Regardless of what assemblies 170 and 175 vortex suppressing system 165 includes, it is contemplated that vortex suppressing system 165 may be installed during initial construction of building 100 and/or during a retrofit of a previously constructed building 100 at some later date. In either case, for example, roof ridge assembly 170 may be installed over roof ridge 130 to suppress wind-generated vortices and wind loads near roof ridge 130. In particular, the installation of assembly 170 may include attaching end portions 180 and 185 to surfaces 120 and 125, respectively, using any of the fastening arrangements discussed above. Alternatively or additionally, and before or after the installation of roof ridge assembly 170, fascia member 175 a and/or windscreen 175 b may be installed to suppress wind-generated vortices and wind loads near perimeter 150. For example, the installation of fascia member 175 a and/or windscreen 175 b may include attaching fascia member 175 a and/or windscreen 175 b to perimeter 150 using any of the fastening arrangements discussed above.
It is contemplated that the installation of vortex suppressing system 165 may redefine the exterior shape of pitched roof 105 while maintaining the architectural characteristics of roof 105. The redefined shape may prevent accelerated wind-flows across roof ridge 130 and/or perimeter 150. Such modification of the wind-flows may prevent and/or reduce the strength of wind vortices and/or wind loads near roof ridge 130 and/or perimeter 150, thereby minimizing cyclic loads on components of roof 105 resulting from recurring winds, and reducing the chances of damage due to material fatigue.
The embodiments and aspects of the invention described above are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. Other embodiments consistent with the above-discussed features and principles are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, embodiments including one or more features disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,487,618 in its drawing figures, and in column 3, line 39, to column 4, line 45; column 4, line 62, to column 5, line 17; and column 5, line 40, to column 6, line 12, which are incorporated herein by reference, are included in the scope of the present invention. Additionally, embodiments including one or more features disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0016130 in its drawing figures, and in paragraphs [0025]-[0029] and [0031]-[0033], which are incorporated herein by reference, are included in the scope of the present invention.
In the foregoing description, various features are grouped together for purposes of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects may relate to fewer than all features of any particular embodiment disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A vortex suppressing system associated with a pitched roof having sloped, generally planar first and second surfaces intersecting with one another at a roof ridge, the vortex suppressing system comprising:

a fascia member attached to a perimeter of the roof adjacent to an edge of at least the first surface, the fascia member extending generally outwardly away from the perimeter of the roof and being generally curved to define a generally arch-shaped cross-sectional shape of an outer face of the fascia member; and

an assembly including

a first end portion attached to the first surface, adjacent to the roof ridge,

a second end portion attached to the second surface, adjacent to the roof ridge, and

a bridging portion extending over the roof ridge and from the first end portion to the second end portion, the bridging portion having a generally curved outer surface, the generally curved outer surface being substantially symmetrical about a plane generally parallel to the roof ridge,

wherein a length of the assembly extends in generally the same direction as a length of the roof ridge.

2. The vortex suppressing system of claim 1, wherein the first end portion contacts the first surface of the pitched roof, and the second end portion contacts the second surface of the pitched roof.

3. The vortex suppressing system of claim 2, wherein the first end portion contacts the first surface of the pitched roof at a distance of from about 5 cm to about 50 cm away from the intersection of the first and second surfaces at the roof ridge, and wherein the second end portion contacts the second surface of the pitched roof at a distance of from about 5 cm to about 50 cm away from the intersection of the first and second surfaces at the roof ridge.

4. The vortex suppressing system of claim 3, wherein a bottom surface of the bridging portion of the assembly is spaced above a top surface of the roof ridge by a distance not larger than 25 cm.

5. The vortex suppressing system of claim 1, wherein the generally curved outer surface of the bridging portion defines a radius of curvature not less than 3.5 cm.

6. The vortex suppressing system of claim 1, wherein the roof ridge of the roof includes a roof ridge cap and wherein the bridging portion of the assembly extends over the roof ridge cap.

7. The vortex suppressing system of claim 1, wherein the assembly further comprises at least one mounting portion attaching at least one of the first end portion to the first surface and the second portion to the second surface, and wherein the entire mounting portion is located within an enclosure defined by the bridging portion, the first and second end portions, and the first and second surfaces.

8. The vortex suppressing system of claim 7, wherein the mounting portion includes at least one cleat configured to engage one of the first end portion and the second end portion.

9. The vortex suppressing system of claim 7, wherein the assembly further comprises at least one spring member extending between the pitched roof and the bridging portion, the spring member being configured to bias the bridging portion away from the pitched roof so as to maintain engagement of the mounting portion and at least one of the first and second end portions.

10. The vortex suppressing system of claim 1, wherein a first substantially watertight seal is defined between the first end portion of the assembly and the first surface of the pitched roof and a second substantially watertight seal is defined between the second end portion of the assembly and the second surface of the pitched roof.

11. The vortex suppressing system of claim 1, wherein the generally curved outer surface of the bridging portion includes at least one substantially flat portion.

12. The vortex suppressing system of claim 1, further including an additional fascia member attached to a perimeter of the roof adjacent to an edge of the second surface of the pitched roof, the additional fascia member extending generally outwardly away from the perimeter of the roof and being generally curved to define a generally arch-shaped cross-sectional shape of an outer face of the additional fascia member.