Apparatus and method for melting ice, snow or the like in connection with a furnace
OwnerDaniel Clemenz, Gary Apfelbauminventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for preventing the accumulation of snow, ice, frost, hail or the like from obstructing the flow of primary air, air or the exhaust into or out of a high-efficiency 90% sealed combustion condensing furnace. The apparatus is also suitable to prevent leaves, animals or other debris from becoming trapped within the air flow pipes of the furnace. The apparatus has a screen which may be electrically connected to a heating device. The apparatus may further be attached to a thermostat to automatically turn the heating device on or off at preset temperatures. The apparatus may be incorporated into new pipes or may be attached onto existing pipes.
Claims7
1) An apparatus for maintaining air flow through a pipe into a high-efficiency 90% sealed combustion condensing furnace comprising:
- a generally cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end and a generally hollow interior;
- a screen located within the generally hollow interior wherein air passing from the first end to the second end passes through the screen and thereafter mixes with a combustible gas and wherein the mixture of the combustible gas and air are heated in a furnace;
- a heating device located in the generally hollow interior of the cylindrical tube wherein the heating device is electrically connected to the screen wherein the heating device heats the screen and wherein the screen obtains a temperature hot enough to melt ice and snow located on the screen thereby maintaining air flow into the furnace for combustion;
- an opening along a circumference of the generally cylindrical tube wherein water accumulated within the generally hollow interior may exit the generally cylindrical tube through the plurality of openings;
- and
- an electrical cable connecting the heating device to a power source.
6) An apparatus for maintaining air flow through a pipe of a high-efficiency 90% sealed combustion condensing furnace comprising:
- a generally cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end and a generally hollow interior;
- a screen located within the generally hollow interior wherein air passing from the first end to the second end passes through the screen directly into a sealed compartment and into a furnace and wherein the screen acts as a heating device and wherein the screen is electrically connected to a power source.
7) An apparatus for maintaining air flow through a pipe of a high-efficiency 90% sealed combustion condensing furnace comprising:
- a generally cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end and a generally hollow interior;
- a screen located within the generally hollow interior wherein air passing from the first end to the second end passes through the screen directly into a sealed compartment and then into a furnace;
- a metal wire located within the generally hollow interior wherein the metal wire is in contact with an interior wall of the cylindrical tube;
- a heating device electrically connected to the metal wire wherein the heating device transfers heat to the metal wire and wherein the metal wire obtains a temperature hot enough to melt ice and snow;
- and
- an electrical cable connecting the heating device to a power source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.