Patent ID: 7631471

Claim:
A method of discharging infiltrating fluid from structural components of a building curtain wall having a vertical mullion thereof disposed between generally collinear first and second horizontal structural members, the first and second horizontal structural members being secured to an upper end on opposite sides of the vertical mullion and having ends extending from the vertical mullion defining a void therebetween relative to an outer surface of the vertical mullion, the method comprising: forming a moisture collection bridge having a top surface; forming a recess within the top surface; disposing the moisture collection bridge between the ends of the first and second horizontal structural members within a void located at intersections of the horizontal members and the vertical mullions, wherein the moisture collection bridge abuts the outer surface of the vertical mullion between the ends of the first and second horizontal structural members, the bridge having an upwardly extending flange extending from a rear edge of the bridge, the bridge further having a downwardly extending flange extending from a front edge of the bridge; collecting fluid infiltrating the curtain wall system in the top surface recess of the moisture collection bridge; diverting the fluid to an exterior of the building via a channel shaped outlet fluidly coupling the recess and the exterior, wherein the top surface is disposed above a pair of outer wall panels and the outlet extends between the pair of outer wall panels; and the outlet being located with an open face in plane with the downwardly extending flange.