Systems and methods for smart deicers
AssigneeAllied Precision Industries, Inc.
InventorsThomas K. Reusche, Philip E. Chumbley, James R. McHugh
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Abstract
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a deicer system for heating water within a fluid receptacle to prevent ice from forming, the system including a main body configured to be positioned within the fluid receptacle, a heating element adapted to heat the water, a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the water, a switch adapted to activate and deactivate the heating element, and a control unit in communication with the heating element, the temperature sensor, and the switch. The heating element is supported by the main body. The control unit is adapted to control the heating element using the switch based at least in part on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
Claims30
A deicer system for heating water within a fluid receptacle to prevent ice from forming, the system comprising:
- a main body configured to be positioned within the fluid receptacle;
- a heating element adapted to heat the water, wherein said heating element is supported by said main body;
- a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the water;
- a switch adapted to activate and deactivate said heating element;
- and
- a control unit that is separate and distinct from said switch, said control unit being in communication with said heating element, said temperature sensor, and said switch, wherein said control unit is adapted to control said heating element using said switch based at least in part on a temperature detected by said temperature sensor, wherein said control unit is adapted to be programmed at least in part by an input device that includes a power line receiver, said power line receiver adapted to receive a programming signal superimposed on an alternating current.
A deicer system for heating water within a fluid receptacle to prevent ice from forming, the system comprising:
- a main body configured to be positioned within the fluid receptacle;
- a heating element adapted to heat the water, wherein said heating element is supported by said main body;
- a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the water;
- a switch adapted to activate and deactivate said heating element;
- and
- a control unit that is separate and distinct from said switch, said control unit being in communication with said heating element, said temperature sensor, and said switch, wherein said control unit is adapted to control said heating element using said switch based at least in part on a temperature detected by said temperature sensor, wherein said control unit is adapted to be programmed at least in part by a sequence of being plugged in and unplugged to a power source.
A method for controlling a heating element of a deicer system configured to be positioned within a fluid receptacle to prevent ice from forming within the fluid receptacle, the method comprising:
- detecting a temperature of a fluid within the fluid receptacle;
- communicating the detected temperature to a control unit, wherein said control unit is adapted to be programmed at least in part by an input device that includes a power line receiver, said power line receiver adapted to receive a programming signal superimposed on an alternating current;
- determining whether the detected temperature is below a predetermined value stored within the control unit;
- activating a heating element if the detected temperature is below the predetermined temperature;
- and
- using a switch that is separate and distinct from the control unit to activate said heating element.
A method for controlling a heating element of a deicer system configured to be positioned within a fluid receptacle to prevent ice from forming within the fluid receptacle, the method comprising:
- detecting a temperature of a fluid within the fluid receptacle;
- communicating the detected temperature to a control unit, wherein said control unit is adapted to be programmed at least in part by a sequence of being plugged in and unplugged to a power source;
- determining whether the detected temperature is below a predetermined value stored within the control unit;
- activating a heating element if the detected temperature is below the predetermined temperature;
- and
- using a switch that is separate and distinct from the control unit to activate said heating element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.