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US 10,988,904 B2Granted
Snow and ice melting device, system and corresponding methods
OwnerIan R. Cooke, Elizabeth T. Cookeinventors
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a device that is configured to melt at least one of snow and ice, comprising a coil formed from an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the elongated member having a surface comprising at least one of grooves, notches and pores configured to facilitate movement of liquid by capillary action. Corresponding methods and systems also are disclosed.
Claims17
A snow and ice melting device that comprises:
- multiple spiral shaped coils, each having an axis, wherein each coil is formed from, or coated with, a material that absorbs radiant solar energy and each coil having:
- a helical shape with a decreasing radius along the axis;
- a notched, grooved or porous outer surface that facilitates capillary action and thus evaporation of melt water;
- and
- a pitch geometry that enables placement within close proximity to other coils, and
- a tether that fastens multiple coils in a fixed configuration comprising one of:
- a first configuration with the respective axes being side-by-side and parallel to one another, and
- a second configuration with the respective axes extending radially relative to one another.
5 more elements
A method of melting at least one of snow and ice, comprising:
- forming a coil comprising an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the elongated member being formed from a material that absorbs radiant solar energy,
- wherein the coil is formed to have a helical shape with an axis, and an outer surface comprising at least one of grooves, notches and pores configured to facilitate movement of liquid by capillary action;
- connecting the coil to at least one other coil having a similar configuration using a tether that fastens multiple coils in a fixed configuration comprising one of:
- a first configuration with the respective axes being side-by-side and parallel to one another, and
- a second configuration with the respective axes extending radially relative to one another, and
- placing the connected coils in contact with at least one of snow and ice.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.