SELF-HEATING TRANSPORTATION NETWORK SURFACE FOR PREVENTING ACCUMULATION OF SNOW OR ICE

A self-heating surface, system and method for use in a transportation network are described. The heated surface does not require electricity to generate heat as a heating source. The self-heating surface preferably forms one or more portions or sections of a transportation network, including pedestrian walkways, roads, railways, or airport runways. The self-heating surface comprises an inner heating member which is fully encapsulated by an outer shell material. The self-heating surface is designed to prevent or minimize accumulation of snow or ice upon the surface by providing a heated surface capable of melting any snow or ice falling on, resting on, or forming thereupon.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a heated surface, to a transportation network system using a heated surface to prevent the accumulation of snow or ice, and more particularly, to a transportation network using a self-generating heated travel-way which minimizes or prevents the accumulation of snow or ice associated with the transportation network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The ability to quickly and safely travel from one destination to a second destination is vital to a modern society. At the heart of such travel are the numerous travel networks, such as vehicle roads, sidewalks, bicycle pathways, or airplane runways, which connect people to other people, commercial markets, recreation, or services. These travel-ways are vital to maintain commercial viability both locally and globally, and to provide a mechanism to allow the transfer of knowledge and cultural understanding. Societies with reliable transportation networks tend to thrive economically and culturally, as compared to those societies that have unreliable transportation networks.

Cold weather climates provide a challenge in providing and maintaining travel networks. Cold weather climates often produce snow and ice, causing the travel networks to be dangerous and less reliable. The addition of snow or ice on the travel networks often results in increased accidents, as well as increased travel times. Traditional methods of removing snow and ice from the travel networks generally require training and the use of man hours, large expensive snow removal equipment, or other chemical means, such as the application of salt or sand to the roadways. While such measures result in clearing the travel networks, they can be expensive to maintain. In addition, they can be less efficient as snow falls at a continued rate over a time period, requiring such measures to be repeated on a continuous basis to maintain any previously cleared pathways. As such, there is a need in the art for an improved system for maintaining travel networks free of snow or ice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a self-heating surface for use in a transportation network. The present invention also includes a heated surface which does not require electricity to generate heat as a heating source. A system for preventing accumulation of snow or ice on a surface used for the transportation of people or powered machines (bicycles, cars, airplanes, trains, motorcycles) from one destination to a second destination is also provided. The present invention also provides for a method of maintaining a transportation network at a temperature which prevents or minimizes accumulation of snow or ice thereupon.

The self-heating surface preferably forms one or more portions or sections of a transportation network, including pedestrian walkways, roads, railways, or airport runways. The self heating surface comprises an inner heating member which is fully encapsulated by an outer shell material. The self-heating surface is designed to prevent or minimize accumulation of snow or ice upon the surface by providing a heated surface capable of melting any snow or ice falling on, resting on, or forming thereupon. In an illustrated example, the self-heating surface comprises an inner heating member formed from spent fuel and a concrete outer material. The spent fuel (used to form the inner heating member) continues to generate heat as a result of the radioactive decay of elements inside the fuel. To prevent damage to the user, the spent fuel may be enclosed in a protective shield, such as a lead wrap and/or concrete wrap.

In one embodiment, a heated surface which does not require electricity to generate heat as a heating source comprises an inner heating member configured to self-generate heat, an an outer shell material, said outer shell fully encapsulating said inner heating member.

In one embodiment, a system for preventing accumulation of heat or ice on a surface used for the transportation of people or powered machines from one destination to a second destination comprises: a pathway configured to allow a person or a powered machine to move thereon from one destination to a second destination, said pathway having at least one portion containing a heated surface configured to maintain said portion of said pathway at a temperature that prevents the accumulation of snow or ice.

In one embodiment, a method of maintaining a transportation network at a temperature which prevents or minimizes accumulation of snow or ice thereupon comprises: providing a pathway configured to allow a person or a powered machine to move thereon from one destination to a second destination, said pathway having at least one portion containing a heated surface configured to maintain said portion of said pathway at a temperature that prevents the accumulation of snow or ice.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the invention to provide a self-heating surface.

It is an objective of the invention to provide travel ways for pedestrians which minimize the requirement for snow removal machinery to remove accumulated snow or ice therefrom.

It is an objective of the invention to provide travel ways for motorized vehicles which minimizes the requirement for snow removal machinery to remove accumulated snow or ice therefrom.

It is an objective of the invention to provide a heated surface which does not require electricity to generate heat as a heating source.

It is an objective of the invention to provide a system for preventing accumulation of snow or ice on a surface used for the transportation of people or powered machines from one destination to a second destination.

It is an objective of the invention to provide a method of maintaining a transportation network at a temperature which prevents or minimizes accumulation of snow or ice thereupon.

It is a further objective of the invention to provide a self-heating surface for use in a transportation network.

It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a self-heating surface configured to prevent accumulation of snow and ice.

It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a self-heating surface configured to prevent accumulation of snow and ice over a predetermined time period.

It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a self-heating surface configured to be maintained at a predetermined temperature.

It is a further objective of the invention to provide one or more portions of a travel network which does not require external power sources to provide a heated surface.

It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a self-heating surface having a self-generating heating source configured to prevent accumulation of snow and ice.

It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a self-heating surface having a self-generating heating source configured to prevent accumulation of snow and ice over a predetermined time period.

It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a self-heating surface using spent fuel as the self-generating heating source to prevent accumulation of snow and ice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1, an illustrative embodiment of a self-heating transportation network surface, referred to generally as a self-heating surface10, is shown. The self-heating surface10preferably forms one or more portions or sections of a transportation network. As used herein, the term “transportation network” is defined to mean any surface or pathway associated with or directly used to transport or move individuals or powered vehicles, such as automobiles or aircraft, from one position to another position. The network may include, for example, a pedestrian walkway or travel-way, a pedestrian sidewalk, a vehicle travel-way or a street or road, an airplane runway, a taxiway, a subway or railway, or a bridge surface. The self-heating surface10is designed to prevent or minimize accumulation of snow or ice upon the surface by providing a heated surface capable of melting any snow or ice falling on, resting on, or forming thereupon.

The self-heating surface10contains an inner heating member12fully encapsulated by an outer shell material14. The heating member12comprises an outer protective shield material and a self-generating heating material18. The self-generating heating material18provides heat without the need for external heat producing components, such as power sources to generate electricity, or electrodes. This is in contrast to radiant floor heating systems that use mats containing coils warmed by electricity. The requirement of electricity for providing a heated system makes such systems too costly for use in transportation networks as such systems can stretch for miles, and adds additional associated costs for upkeep and maintenance. In addition, providing electricity for such heating systems might be impractical in some areas. A material capable of self-generating heat allows for heat generating transportation networks to be used over vast distances and is more economical to operate over the long run as such systems do not require heat generating equipment.

Preferably, the self-generating heating material18is spent fuel, or nuclear fuel that has been irradiated in a nuclear reactor. The spent fuel removed from reactors and used as the self-generating heating material18must be capable of generating heat over a period of time. The nuclear fuel used as spent fuel can be any material that can be burned by a nuclear fission or fussion to derive nuclear energy. Such materials often include heavy fissle elements that are capable of nuclear fussion, including, but not limited to uranium-235, plutonium-239.

The protective shield material16surrounds the self-generating heating material18and is made of a material that prevents any harmful effects, such as radiation, from the self-generating heating material18. The protective shield material16may be lead or a lead based material, steel, concrete, or any other material calculated to be sufficiently protective against harmful effects of the self-generating heating material18to humans or other mammals. In an alternative embodiment, a protective shield material16will not be used. The self-generating heating material18is further fully encapsulated by the outer shell material14. The outer shell material14is preferably a material that 1) can support the weight and continued use of any component of the travel network system, i.e. people, cars, airplanes, trains; 2) does not interact with the self-generating heating material18; or 3) maintains the self-generating heating material18in proper position.

Preferably, the outer shell material14is a concrete surface, such as a Portland cement concrete (Portland cement, coarse aggregates, sand and water).

Several parameters are used to provide a mechanism to prevent accumulation of snow and ice on the self-heating surface10. Such parameters include thickness of the outer shell material14, the distance between the upper surface20and the self-generating heating material18(see X,FIG. 2), the amount of self-generating heating material18used, the type of self-generating heating material18used, the age of the self generating material used (i.e. how long it has been generating heat), and the placement of the self-generating heating material within the outer material14. One or more of these parameters can be used to maintain the self-heating surface10at or near a predetermined temperature. Referring back toFIGS. 1 and 2, the self-heating surface10illustrates the positioning of the self-generating heating material18within the outer shell material14. One or more of the parameters may be used to ensure that at least the upper surface20of the self-heating surface10maintains a predetermined temperature. As an illustrative example, an upper surface20temperature above freezing, such as between 5 and 10 degrees C., may be desirable so that as the snow or water hits the upper surface20, the snow would melt or the water would not be able to form ice. In very cold climates, the upper surface may be maintained at temperatures above 10 degrees C. to counter the effect air temperature has on the upper surface20. In addition to maintaining the upper surface20at a predetermined temperature, one or more parameters described above may be used to maintain the entire self-heating surface10at a predetermined temperature as well.

FIGS. 6 and 7are schematic representations of the self-heating transportation network surface10illustrated as a concrete pedestrian walkway or sidewalk21(FIG. 6), or a public road for vehicle travel (FIG. 7).FIG. 6shows the self-heating surface10forming a pedestrian walkway, allowing individuals to travel between multiple buildings, including a high-rise apartment complex22, a grocery store24, and a high-rise commercial shopping mall26. In this embodiment, the self-heating surface10is formed by the inner heating member12being made of a protective lead shielding material surrounding the self-generating heating material18of spent fuel. Within multiple areas of the self-heating surface10is a plurality of spaced apart inner heating members12, illustrated as dashed lines to indicate being positioned below the upper surface28of the concrete pedestrian walkway or sidewalk21. The self-heating surface10provides a mechanism to heat the upper surface28of the concrete pedestrian walkway or sidewalk21to a predetermined temperature or temperature range in order to prevent snow or ice accumulation or formation. As such, a safer pedestrian walk-way is formed as there is a reduced risk of falling as a result of snow or ice. In addition, there are there is less requirement for humans to clear and maintain the clear pathway between the high-rise apartment complex22, the grocery store24, and the high-rise commercial shopping mall26.

FIG. 7shows the self-heating surface10forming a series of vehicular roadways or streets31, allowing moving vehicles (not shown), such as automobiles, to travel between multiple buildings, including a high-rise commercial office building30, a restaurant32, and a movie theater34. The commercial office building30includes an outdoor parking lot36. The restaurant32includes an outdoor parking lot38. The movie theater34includes an indoor parking lot40. In this embodiment, the self-heating surface10forming the vehicular roadways or streets31is formed by the inner heating member12being made of a protective lead shielding material surrounding the self-generating heating material18of spent fuel. Within multiple areas of the vehicular roadways or streets31are a plurality of spaced apart inner heating members12, illustrated as dashed lines to indicate being positioned below the vehicular roadway or street surfaces42. The self-heating surface10provides a mechanism to heat the vehicular roadway or street surface42to a predetermined temperature or temperature range in order to prevent snow or ice accumulation or formation. As such, a safer vehicle travel way is formed as there is a reduced risk of accidents associated with snow or ice on the roads. There are also fewer requirements for use of machines and manpower to clear and maintain cleared pathways on the vehicular roadways or streets31. As shown inFIG. 7, the self-heating surface10may also be used in the outdoor parking lots36and38. Parking lot40is an indoor lot, and does not include the self-heating surface10because removal of snow and ice is not required.

Whether the self-heating surface10forms the concrete pedestrian walkway or sidewalk21, the vehicular roadways or streets31, or any other transportation network pathways, the inner heating members12should provide a sufficient zone of heat44, seeFIG. 8, to provide a sufficiently sized heated surface to maintain all areas of the concrete pedestrian walkway or sidewalk21, the vehicular roadways or streets31, or any other transportation network pathways by prohibiting formation of snow or ice thereupon. In places where multiple inner heating members12are used, zones of heat overlap46may be desired to prevent non-heated areas.

To aid in dispersal of heat generated from inner heating members12, one or more heat conducting members48may be used. As shown inFIG. 5, the inner heating member12is positioned in the middle of the self-heating surface10. Secured to, or integrally formed to, the inner heating members12are four heat conducting members48extending away from and outwardly from the inner heating members12. Each of the heat conducting members48are sized to extend to the corners of the self-heating surface10, thereby transferring the heat from the center to the outer portions. The heat conducting members48may be, for example, a ceramic material, a metal wire, a copper wire, or a silver wire.

Referring toFIG. 4, the self-heating surface10is illustrated with a plurality of smaller, encapsulated inner heating members, shown as capsules50. The capsules50contain the outer protective shield material16and the self-generating heating material18dispersed within the outer shell material14.

If needed, a secondary protective layer52(i.e. lead), seeFIG. 3, may also enclose the inner heating member12to provide additional protection against any harmful effects.