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US 2021/0222384 A1Published application
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.
Claims20
A snow and ice melting device that comprises:
- multiple spiral shaped coils, each having an axis, each coil having a notched, grooved or porous outer surface that facilitates capillary action and thus evaporation of melt water;
- and
- a tether configured to fasten multiple coils in a fixed configuration comprising one of:
- a first configuration with the respective axes being are side-by-side and parallel to one another, and
- a second configuration with the respective axes extending radially relative to one another.
2 more elements
A device configured to melt at least one of snow and ice, comprising:
- multiple spiral shaped coils, each having an axis, each coil having a notched, grooved or porous outer surface that facilitates capillary action wherein the liquid moves by capillary action against gravity, and thus evaporates melt water, and
- a tether configured to fasten 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.
1 more element
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, the coil having an outer surface comprising at least one of grooves, notches, and pores configured to facilitate movement of liquid by capillary action, fastening the coil to at least one other coil having a similar configuration using a tether, and placing the connected coils in contact with at least one of snow and ice.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.