Abstract:
A system for heating storage containers and bodies of water to prevent freezing and ice buildup. Heated fluid lines are utilized to achieve improved thermal transfer of heat energy to bodies of water.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/381,176, filed on Sep. 9, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to preventing ice buildup in storage containers. More particularly, the invention relates to providing a heating a fluid to warm a liquid inside storage devices such as dugouts, tanks and ponds. The coiled heating line thaws and prevents the accumulation of ice in a large liquid storage device and the heating of large amounts of fluid in these large storage devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In particular climates it is desired to heat, thaw and prevent the freezing of fluid sources such as dugouts, tanks and ponds. 
         [0004]    In large storage containers, keeping fluids from freezing has always been a serious problem. In the past hot oilers and heat exchangers have been used. The drawbacks of these are that they are inefficient and have high safety risks. Hot oilers arrive at a site and circulate fluid through an onboard heat exchanger, raising the temperature of the fluid to a very high temperature. In addition to being highly inefficient, these high temperatures, operating a high pressure creates a safety risk. 
         [0005]    The hot oiler leaves the site and later returns to start the process over again. Because of the in-efficiency of the hot oiler it also makes the operating cost very high. The process of heating fluids is less efficient the higher the temperature of the fluid. It is more efficient to heat a large volume of fluid to just above freezing and keep it at this temperature constant then to heat it up to high temperature and let cool once again. 
         [0006]    Therefore, a system for keeping high volumes of fluid from freezing is desired. 
         [0007]    Further, a system for keeping fluids from freezing with minimal intervention is desired. 
         [0008]    Even further, a system to provide safe, continuous heat, and to easily and quickly thaw or warm bodies of fluid is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In one form the invention relates to a system for heating liquid within a storage container such as a tank, pond, dugout, cistern or the like. The storage container having a coiled heating line with an inlet and an outlet port to pass heated fluid through the coiled line. The coiled line is at least partially submerged in the fluid of the storage container. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for heating liquid within a body of water. The system having a cylindrical housing having a bottom surface and an upper lid and a cylindrically coiled heating line having an inner coil, an outer coil disposed within the cylindrical housing. The cylindrically coiled heating line having a first port connected to and extending vertically from the outer coil and through the upper lid of the cylindrical housing. The cylindrically coiled heating line having a second port connected to and extending vertically from the inner coil and through the upper lid of the cylindrical housing. The cylindrically coiled heating line forming a continuous opening extending from the first port, through the outer coil, through the inner coil and to the second port. 
         [0011]    In yet another form, the invention relates to a system for heating liquid within a body of water. The system having a boiler with a first line and second line, a cylindrical housing having a bottom surface and an upper lid and a cylindrically coiled heating line having an inner coil, an outer coil disposed within the cylindrical housing. The cylindrically coiled heating line having a first port connected to and extending vertically from the outer coil and through the upper lid of the cylindrical housing and connected to the first line. The cylindrically coiled heating line also having a second port connected to and extending vertically from the inner coil and through the upper lid of the cylindrical housing and connected to the second line. The cylindrically coiled heating line forms a continuous opening extending from the first port, through the outer coil, through the inner coil and to the second port. 
         [0012]    In another form, the invention relates to a method for heating a body of water. The method having the steps of: Placing a cylindrical housing in a body of water, said cylindrical housing having a bottom surface, an upper lid, at least one attachment point and a cylindrically coiled heating line having an inner coil, an outer coil disposed therein. Connecting a first line of boiler to a first port that is connected to and extending vertically from the outer coil and through the upper lid of the cylindrical housing. Connecting a second line of boiler to a second port that is connected to and extending vertically from the inner coil and through the upper lid of the cylindrical housing. Pumping heated fluid from the boiler and through a continuous heating lines extending through the first line, the first port, the outer coil, the inner coil, the second port and the second line. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The present invention is disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0014]      FIGS. 1A-1C  are isometric views of a cylindrical housing having a cylindrically coiled heating line according to one embodiment; and 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2A-2E  are various views of the cylindrically coiled heating line. 
       
    
    
       [0016]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples set out herein illustrates several embodiments of the invention but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-2E , there is shown a cylindrical housing  100  having a cylindrically coiled heating line  110  within. The housing  100  has a lid  101  and at least one attachment  102 . The attachment points are used to hoist the cylindrical housing into a body of water and are sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the cylindrical housing, the cylindrically coiled heating line and any fluid therein when attached to a crane and suspended in the air. 
         [0018]    Bodies of water include, but are not limited to ponds, rivers, dugouts, cisterns and tanks. In cold weather the liquid is at risk of freezing or forming ice. To prevent freezing of the liquid, a cylindrically coiled heating line  110  inside of a cylindrical housing  100  is used. The cylindrical housing  100  is at least partially submerged in the body of water. In the instance that the body of water is frozen, the cylindrical housing  100  is placed directly on top of the ice. Heated fluid enters the cylindrically coiled heating line  110  through the inlet  111 . The heating fluid travels through the length of the line thereby transferring heat to the liquid in the cylindrical housing  100 , and then exits through the outlet  112 . The coiled heating line  110  contains an outer coil  113  and an inner coil  114  to increase heat transfer. In one embodiment additional coils are used. In one embodiment, the cylindrically coiled heating line is made from a material that is resistant to any adverse effects of the liquid, and promotes thermal energy transfer such as copper. 
         [0019]    The cylindrically coiled heating line  110  has an inlet  111  and an outlet  112  that extend vertically up through the lid  101  of the cylindrical housing  100 . The inlet  111  and the outlet  112  provide connection points to attach fluid lines to the device. In one embodiment a boiler is used to deliver heated fluid to the cylindrically coiled heating line  110  through the inlet  111 . The fluid returns to the boiler through the outlet  112 . It is understood that while the inlet  111  is shown extending from the inner coil  114  and the outlet  112  is shown extending from the outer coil  113 , that these ports can be switched such that the inlet extends from the outer coil and the outlet extends from the inner coil. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the cylindrically heating coil line  110  self regulates the temperature of the fluid in the cylindrical housing  100 . The cylindrically heating coil line  110  is attached to a buoy with a cable long enough to allow the cylindrically heating coil line  110  to be completely submerged. Hot fluid enters the inlet port  111  and circulates through the coil line  110 . As the liquid is heated in the housing  100 , it rises to the top and exits the housing  100 , drawing fresh liquid from the bottom. As the liquid in the body of water heats, the cylindrical housing rises out of the water. The temperature and flow of the liquid exiting the top of the storage container is proportionate to the temperature of the coil, making the pod self regulating, promoting the system to operate and optimum efficiency. 
         [0021]    In use, the dugout heating device is lowered into a body of water. A crane is attached to the attachment points of the cylindrical housing to move the dugout heating device to the desired location. Heated fluid is pumped from a boiler into the inlet port and through the cylindrically coiled heating line. The cylindrically coiled heating line having an inner and an outer coil. The cylindrically coiled heating line is made from a material that promotes heat transfer to heat the body of water in the vicinity of the dugout heating device. The heating fluid returns to the boiler through the outlet port to be reheated and the process is continued. As the heated fluid flows through the cylindrically coiled heating line the body of water is thawed (if frozen) and heated to a sufficient temperature for the desired application. Once heated, the water can be pumped away from the body of water and used, even in harsh conditions. 
         [0022]    While the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0023]    Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. 
       PARTS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           100  cylindrical housing 
           101  lid 
           102  attachment point 
           110  cylindrically coiled heating line 
           111  inlet 
           112  outlet 
           113  outer coil 
           114  inner coil