# US 6,297,475 B2 · Method for preventing ice dams on a roof

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- Number: US 6,297,475 B2
- Document ID: US6297475B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 09/828,528
- Filed: 2001-04-06
- Published: 2001-08-09
- Granted: 2001-10-02
- Earliest claimed: 1999-10-29
- Assignees: MSX, Inc.
- Inventors: Thaddeus M. Jones
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6297475B2

## CPC

- H05B 1/0277: {Electric radiators}
- E04D 13/103: {De-icing devices or snow melters (for drainage outlets E04D13/0409, for gutters E04D13/0762, for down pipes E04D13/08)}
- H05B 3/00: Ohmic-resistance heating
- H05B 3/56: Heating cables
- H05B 2214/02: Heaters specially designed for de-icing or protection against icing
- H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- E04D: ROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS (coverings of outer walls by plaster or other porous material E04F13/00)

## Abstract

A method of preventing ice dams on an outside surface of a roof of a building includes placing a heating device below the roof. At least one of an ambient outside temperature and a presence of ambient moisture is sensed. An air-borne signal is transmitted dependent upon the sensing step. The heating device is operated dependent upon the air-borne signal.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of preventing ice dams on an outside surface of a roof of a building, said method comprising the steps of:
placing a heating device below the roof;
sensing at least one of an ambient outside temperature and a presence of ambient moisture;
transmitting an air-borne signal dependent upon said sensing step; and
operating said heating device dependent upon said air-borne signal.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said sensing step is performed by a sensor device disposed outside of the building, said method comprising the further steps of:
connecting a transmitter to said sensor, said transmitter being disposed outside of the building;
transmitting said air-borne signal with said transmitter;
connecting a receiver to said heating device, said receiver being disposed inside of the building; and
receiving said air-bore signal with said receiver.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said air-borne signal comprises a radio frequency signal.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein said radio frequency signal has a frequency of approximately between 200 MHz and 400 MHz.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said air-borne signal is transmitted for a duration of less than one minute during any one hour time interval.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein said air-borne signal is transmitted for a duration of less than 15 seconds during any one hour time interval.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein said heating device is operated for a duration of at least one hour in response to said air-borne signal.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising the further steps of:
placing an outside heater outside of the building; and
selectively controlling operation of said outside heater dependent upon said sensing step.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein said outside heater is disposed in at least one of a gutter and a downspout.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein said operating of said heating device is dependent upon said operation of said outside heater.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein said heating device is operated for a longer time period than is said outside heater.