Method for preventing ice dams on a roof
AssigneeMSX, Inc.
InventorThaddeus M. Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heating apparatus for preventing ice dams on an outside surface of a roof of a building includes a heating device placed below the roof. An automatic controller includes a ground fault circuit interrupter in communication with the heating device. The ground fault circuit interrupter detects a ground fault condition associated with the heating device. The controller selectively controls operation of the heating device dependent upon the ground fault condition. A transmitter is connected with the controller. The transmitter transmits an air-borne ground fault signal dependent upon the ground fault condition. A remote receiver receives the ground fault signal. The remote receiver provides at least one of a visible indication and an audible indication of the ground fault signal.
Claims20
A heating apparatus for preventing ice dams on an outside surface of a roof of a building, said heating apparatus comprising:
- a heating device configured for being placed below the roof;
- an automatic controller including a ground fault circuit interrupter in communication with said heating device, said ground fault circuit interrupter detecting a ground fault condition associated with said heating device, said controller selectively controlling operation of said heating device dependent upon said ground fault condition;
- a transmitter connected with said controller, said transmitter transmitting an air-borne ground fault signal dependent upon said ground fault condition;
- and
- a remote receiver configured for receiving said ground fault signal, said remote receiver providing at least one of a visible indication and an audible indication of said ground fault signal.
A method of preventing ice dams on an outside surface of a roof of a building, said method comprising the steps of:
- placing a first heating device below the roof;
- providing a first automatic controller including a first ground fault circuit interrupter in communication with said first heating device;
- detecting a ground fault condition associated with said first heating device using said ground fault circuit interrupter;
- selectively controlling operation of said heating device using said first controller dependent upon said ground fault condition;
- providing a transmitter connected with said first controller;
- transmitting an air-borne ground fault signal with said transmitter dependent upon said ground fault condition;
- receiving said ground fault signal with a remote receiver;
- and
- providing at least one of a visible indication and an audible indication of said ground fault signal using said remote receiver.
A method of preventing ice dams on an outside surface of a roof of a building, said method comprising the steps of:
- placing a heating device below the roof;
- sensing at least one of an ambient outside temperature and a presence of ambient moisture;
- transmitting an air-borne signal dependent upon said sensing step;
- and
- operating said heating device dependent upon said air-borne signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.