# US 5,710,554 A · Pavement ice detector

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,710,554 A
- Document ID: US5710554A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/595,569
- Filed: 1996-02-01
- Granted: 1998-01-20
- Earliest claimed: 1996-02-01
- Inventors: Peter R. Pettler; Lloyd H. Roberts
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5710554A

## CPC

- G08G 1/096716: {where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control}
- G08G 1/096758: {where no selection takes place on the transmitted or the received information}
- G08G 1/096783: {where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element}
- G08G: TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS (guiding railway traffic, ensuring the safety of railway traffic B61L; arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00; radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91, G01S15/88, G01S17/88; {radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for anti-collision purposes G01S13/93, G01S15/93, G01S17/93})

## Abstract

A small puff of air is periodically exhausted through a semi-permeable stainless mesh (23) filter upward through the plane of the roadway surface. The puff of air is created by a miniature air pump (14) and timer, typically On one half second and Off 30 seconds. The timing can be adjustable. The puff of air is delivered to the sensor (20) through hose (5). When ice on pavement has formed over the sensor (20), it blocks the release of the air puff. This causes pressure to build up, triggering the pressure switch (16) which then turns on output switch (17) which can then be used to turn on any number of warning devices.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A pavement ice detector comprising: a sensor imbedded in the pavement, a semi-permeable mesh on the top surface of said sensor, a timer and air pump creating a puff of air exhausting through said sensor and a means to signal the buildup of air pressure in said sensor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The aforementioned sensor of claim 1 is made of stainless steel contains no moving parts or critical dimensions, making it practically indestructible by snow plows, tire chains, tire studs, and salt or other deicing chemicals.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

Further, the aforemontioned sensor of claim 1, is designed to be installed in the pavement where the tires of traveling vehicles would encounter ice, thus indicating real ice conditions.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The aforementioned periodical puff of air of claim 1 is very low pressure, allowing ice to form, from a very thin film of moisture between each individual puff.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

Further, the aforementioned periodical puff of air of claim 1, also saves on battery power consumption.