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US 4,991,773 AGranted
Method and apparatus for dissipating fog
OwnerDarrell R. Jonesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for dissipating fog. A low enclosure includes a plurality of slits in the top thereof. A space heater is in communication with the enclosure and provides a flow of heated air thereinto. Heat is transferred to the air above the enclosure by convection through the slits and by radiation from the heated top. A plurality of such enclosures are positioned adjacent a runway to evaporate fog in the air surrounding the runway.
Claims29
A method for dissipating fog comprising the steps of:
- positioning a substantially planar member comprising an enclosure having a top and a side, said side having less than 10% of the area of said top, generally parallel and above a horizontal surface;
- creating a plurality of openings in said planar member;
- generating a flow of heated air;
- and
- directing the heated air beneath said planar member.
2 more elements
Apparatus for dissipating fog comprising:
- means for generating a flow of heated air;
- an enclosure in fluid communication with the heated airflow and having a top and a side, said side having less than 10% of the surface area of said top;
- and
- a plurality of openings formed in said enclosure top.
1 more element
Apparatus for dissipating fog adjacent an airport runway comprising:
- a substantially planar member adjacent said runway and substantially parallel therewith;
- a side member disposed about the perimeter of said planar member and in combination therewith defining an enclosed space beneath said planar member, said planar member and side member together being in the shape of a parallelepiped;
- means for generating a flow of heated air into said enclosed space;
- and
- a plurality of openings formed in said planar member, said enclosed space having a relatively low ratio of the total surface area of the side member to the total surface area of the planar member.
2 more elements
Apparatus for dissipating fog comprising:
- means for heating air;
- a substantially planar member;
- a side member disposed about the perimeter of said planar member and in combination therewith defining an enclosed space beneath said planar member, said enclosed space having a relatively low ratio of total surface area of the side member to the total surface area of the planar member;
- means for distributing such heated air beneath said planar member for heating the same thereby radiating heat upwardly from said planar member;
- a plurality of openings formed in said planar member and substantially uniformly distributed thereover for enabling convection heating of the air above said planar member;
- and
- one or more ports for communicating such heated air to said enclosed space, said openings having a combined cross-sectional area greater than the combined cross-sectional area of said ports.
4 more elements
Apparatus for dissipating fog adjacent an airport runway comprising:
- a substantially planar member adjacent said runway and substantially parallel therewith;
- a side member disposed about the perimeter of said planar member and in combination therewith defining an enclosed space beneath said planar member;
- means for generating a flow of heated air into said enclosed space;
- and
- a plurality of openings formed in said planar member, said planar member and side member together are in the shape of a parallelepiped.
2 more elements
Apparatus for dissipating fog adjacent an airport runway comprising:
- a substantially planar member adjacent said runway and substantially parallel therewith;
- a side member disposed about the perimeter of said planar member and in combination therewith defining an enclosed space beneath said planar member;
- means for generating a flow of heated air into said enclosed space;
- and
- a plurality of openings formed in said planar member, a flow of heated air being communicated to said enclosed space via one or more ports, the combined cross-sectional area of said openings being greater than the combined cross-sectional area of said ports.
2 more elements
Apparatus for dissipating fog adjacent an airport runway comprising:
- a substantially planar member adjacent said runway and substantially parallel therewith;
- a side member disposed about the perimeter of said planar member and in combination therewith defining an enclosed space beneath said planar member, said side member has less than 10% of the surface area of said planar member;
- means for generating a flow of heated air into said enclosed space;
- and
- a plurality of openings formed in said planar member.
2 more elements
Apparatus for dissipating fog comprising:
- means for heating air;
- a substantially planar member;
- a side member disposed about the perimeter of said planar member and in combination therewith defining an enclosed space beneath said planar member, said side member having less than 10% of the surface area of said planar member;
- means for distributing such heated air beneath said planar member for heating the same thereby radiating heat upwardly from said planar member;
- and
- a plurality of openings formed in said planar member and substantially uniformly distributed thereover for enabling convection heating of the air above said planar member.
3 more elements
Apparatus for dissipating fog comprising:
- means for heating air;
- a substantially planar member;
- a side member disposed about the perimeter of said planar member and in combination therewith defining an enclosed space in the shape of a parallelepiped, said enclosed space having a relatively low ratio of total surface area of the side member to the total surface area of the planar member;
- means for distributing such heated air beneath said planar member for heating the same thereby radiating heat upwardly from said planar member;
- and
- a plurality of openings formed in said planar member and substantially uniformly distributed thereover for enabling convection heating of the air above said planar member.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.