Heating assembly and method for freeze protection of hollow dock support legs
AssigneeHotdock Inc.
InventorsJoshua Baergen, Stephen Pankratz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A heating assembly for a stationary dock structure and a method of mitigating freezing-related damage to a dock structure. The heating assembly includes a heating element configured to be disposed within an interior cavity of a hollow dock support leg. During operation, the heating element heats at least one of (i) a fluid within the interior cavity and (ii) a wall of the hollow dock support leg, thereby inhibiting freezing within the interior cavity and reducing ice adhesion and loading external to the dock support leg.
Claims20
A heating system for mitigating freezing-related damage to a dock structure, comprising:
- a heating element configured to be disposed within an interior cavity of a hollow dock support leg;
- and
- at least one electrical connection configured to couple the heating element to a power supply,
- wherein, during operation, the heating element heats at least one of (i) a fluid within the interior cavity and (ii) a wall of the hollow dock support leg such that freezing within the interior cavity is inhibited.
A heating system for mitigating freezing-related damage to a dock structure, comprising:
- a heating element configured to be disposed along an exterior surface of a hollow dock support leg;
- at least one attachment structure configured to secure the heating element to the exterior surface of the hollow dock support leg;
- and
- at least one electrical connection configured to couple the heating element to a power supply,
- wherein, during operation, the heating element heats at least one of (i) the hollow dock support leg and (ii) a fluid within an interior cavity of the hollow dock support leg such that freezing within the interior cavity is inhibited.
A kit for heating hollow dock support legs of a dock structure, comprising:
- a heating element having a standardized length and a waterproof sheath;
- at least one waterproof electrical connection coupled to the heating element;
- and
- a ground fault circuit interrupter device,
- wherein the heating element is configured to be positioned relative to a hollow dock support leg such that, during operation, the heating element heats at least one of (i) a fluid within an interior cavity of the hollow dock support leg and (ii) a wall of the hollow dock support leg to inhibit freezing within the interior cavity.
A method of mitigating freezing-related damage to a dock structure, comprising:
- positioning a heating element relative to a hollow dock support leg such that, during operation, the heating element heats at least one of (i) a fluid within an interior cavity of the hollow dock support leg and (ii) a wall of the hollow dock support leg;
- electrically coupling the heating element to a power supply via at least one electrical connection;
- and
- operating the heating element such that freezing within the interior cavity is inhibited.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.