Electrical pipe thawing system and methods of using the same
OwnerMichael John Gillesinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a system for thawing frozen pipes utilizing electricity. Specifically, the present invention relates to electrically charging a section of frozen pipe such that heat is generated and causes the ice therein to thaw. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to one or more ports disposed above specific portions of pipe that extend upwards towards a surface thereabove and provide electrical access to the specific portions of pipe from the surface.
Claims20
A system for thawing a section of pipe having frozen water therein between a water main and a building, the system comprising:
- a water main carrying an amount of water therein;
- a building disposed a distance from the water main;
- an electrically conductive pipe disposed between the water main and the building, the electrically conductive pipe configured to supply water between the water main and the building, the electrically conductive pipe comprising ice therein causing a blockage of water flow through the electrically conductive pipe;
- a conductive patch attached to the pipe at a location in proximity to the water main;
- a first electrically conductive wire attached to the conductive patch;
- a second electrically conductive wire attached to the pipe at a location in proximity to the building;
- an electrical power source disposed between and electrically connected to the first electrically conductive wire and the second electrically conductive wire forming a closed electrical loop through a section of the pipe,
- wherein, when electricity flows through the first wire, the second wire and the section of the pipe, the resistance of the pipe causes the pipe to heat, thereby thawing ice within the electrically conductive pipe.
A method for thawing a section of pipe having frozen water therein between a water main and a building, the system comprising:
- providing a water main containing an amount of water flowing therein;
- providing a building disposed a distance from the water main;
- providing an electrically conductive pipe disposed between the water main and the building, the pipe configured to supply water between the water main and the building, the electrically conductive pipe comprising ice therein causing a blockage of water flow through the electrically conductive pipe;
- electrically connecting a first electrically conductive wire to the electrically conductive pipe at a location in proximity to the water main;
- electrically connecting a second electrically conductive wire to the pipe at a location in proximity to the building;
- electrically connecting an electrical power source to the first electrically conductive wire and the second electrically conductive wire forming a closed electrical loop through a section of the pipe,
- wherein, when electricity flows through the first wire, the second wire and the section of the pipe, the resistance of the pipe causes the pipe to heat, thereby thawing the ice within the electrically conductive pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.