Patent Publication Number: US-6042023-A

Title: Automatic deicing unit

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/037,136, filed Feb. 13, 1997. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The application of deicing chemicals to surfaces is a well established practice, and devices used for applying chemicals currently exist. Such devices include wheel driven salt spreaders, truck mounted salt spinners and other mechanical systems, like that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,201,006, an endless chain delivery system of a salt spreader. The inventor of this device, Bernard J. Ask, has received U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,272 for an automated deicing system, with both liquid and granular chemical variants. No small scale, integrated portable reservoir/pump/controller device is known, however, for providing for icing protection by a stationary, liquid deicing agent spreader for use on small surface areas. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a machine that applies chemical deicing agents to any surface to be protected from snow and ice, i.e. driveways, walkways, rooftops, etc. More specifically, this device applies the chemical to the target surfaces by remote control or push-button operation in a manner intended to prevent snow and ice from forming a bond with the target surface. The device is a compact, integrated reservoir/pump/controller portable system. 
     An objective of the present invention is to provide a device that applies deicing agents, like a liquid chemical deicing compound, such as potassium acetate, calcium magnesium acetate, magnesium chloride etc., by automatic, manual or remote control means. 
     It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a device that can be easily maintained and left in a state of preparedness for use in the event of icing conditions. 
     Another objective of the invention is to allow for easy refilling of the liquid chemical deicing agent reservoir. 
     A primary benefit of attaining each of the above stated objectives is a greatly increased margin of safety for the users of the driveways, sidewalks etc. Additionally, removing the snow and ice through the use of chemicals means a reduction in the injuries and deaths related to the physical, strenuous activity of manually shoveling the snow and ice. 
     These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification, with the claims and the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of the automatic deicing unit. 
     FIG. 2 is a detail view of the piercing tube of the automatic deicing unit. 
     FIG. 3A is a side view of the automatic deicing unit. FIG. 3B is a cut-away top view of the automatic deicing unit showing the pump and outlet tube within the base unit. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the extruded distribution strip. 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the connecting block. 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the distribution strip. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross section of the connector block. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A preferred embodiment of an automated anti-icing system 31, as shown in FIG. 1, is housed in a watertight base 1, with an indicator light 2 to indicate system status, i.e. low deicer level, system/power on, etc. 
     The base may have a watertight permanent reservoir 3 that also serves as a receptacle for a temporary reservoir (16, FIG. 3A) of the anti-icing chemical. Contained within the reservoir 3 is the anti-icing supply tube 7 shaped so that it pierces the base of the temporary reservoir. 
     The piercing tube 7 is ringed by a sealing gasket 8 for purposes of keeping the anti-icing chemical from leaking between the watertight reservoir 3 and the body of the piercing tube 7. The power cord 5 supplies 110 volts AC or 220 volts AC from the receptacle, into which the male electrical plug 6 is inserted. The power is carried through the cord 5 to the power supply 4 for the unit, which is contained in the body of the liquid tight base 1 of the deicing unit 31. Switch controlling circuitry 61 may be used for remotely activating the unit by touch-tone phone, personal computer or other wireless means 63. 
     The piercing tube 7, shown in FIG. 2, is a formed steel pipe that has a sharpened or shaped end 9 that pierces the base of the temporary reservoir tank (16 in FIG. 3A). The chemical flows from the temporary reservoir tank into the piercing tube 7 and exits at the tube outlet. The tube outlet is attached to the pumping assembly, shown in FIG. 3A, by means of a locking fastener 12. The piercing tube 7 is ringed by a watertight, flexible gasket 8 which prevents liquid from traveling along the piercing tube 7. The piercing tube 7 is affixed to the base by a locking strap 11 and affixed to a mounting block 14. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the anti-icing unit 31 is a system of components designed to spray liquid chemical deicing agent that is contained in the temporary deicer reservoir 16. The temporary deicer reservoir 16 is inserted and removed by means of the molded container handle 15. The system power supply and control unit, with an on/off switch 17, is powered by the AC cord 5. The liquid chemical deicing agent temporary reservoir 16 is manually lowered into the receptacle reservoir 3 and onto the piercing tube 7, resting on the sealing gasket 8. 
     The liquid tight base 1 houses the pump enclosure 21 into which the piercing tube 7 is affixed by means of a locking ring 12. The liquid is forced into the inlet of the pump 20 by gravity, pressurized by the action of the pump and ejected through the outlet tube 19 to the distribution strip, as shown in FIG. 3B. 
     In another preferred embodiment, a battery back-up power supply 65 is used to operate the pump motor during periods of power failure or in the absence of available power. A solar cell battery charger 67 with current conditioning circuitry, cabling and mounting hardware may be used to provide a constant charge to the battery back-up power supply. Sensors 32 (FIG. 1) may be provided on the system for sensing ambient conditions and activating the deicer as and when required. 
     The distribution strip body 33, shown in FIG. 4, rests on the distribution strip base 35. The distribution strip body 33 contains one or more internal tubes 37 that carry the liquid chemical deicing agent from the base unit onto the targeted surface. The internal tubes 37 have penetrations 39 from the walls of the distribution strip body 33 for ejecting the anti-icing liquid that travels through the internal tubes out of the internal tubes and onto the targeted surfaces. 
     The connecting block 41, shown in FIG. 5, is used to connect two or more distribution strips (shown in FIG. 4). The connecting block 41 has plugs 43 that seal the end of the outermost tubes of the distribution strip nearest the pump assembly. Distribution tubes 45 reroute the next pair of internal tubes from an interior position of the distribution strip nearest the pump assembly to the outermost position on the distribution strip attached to the connector block 41. The connecting block 41 also includes distribution tubes 47 that route the liquid chemical deicing agent through the internal tubes to the end of the distribution strip. In another preferred embodiment, the connecting block may be configured to connect from two to four distribution strips. 
     FIG. 6 shows a top view of the distribution strip 51 depicting the internal tubes 37 that number one or more, and the outermost tubes 49 that number one or more. Both tubes 37 and 49 are filled by liquid anti-icing chemicals delivered under pressure from the pumping assembly and ejected through the apertures 39 and onto the targeted surface upon which the distribution strip base 35 rests. 
     The connector block 41 is of an identical cross sectional shape as the distribution block, as shown in FIG. 7. The connector block 41 rests on the connector block base 53. The connector block 41 is sized large enough for the ends of two or more distribution strips. The internal tubes are supplied with liquid anti-icing agents via connecting tubes 47. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims.