Method for initiating flow of fluid blocked by frozen fluid
OwnerWilliam M Murrayinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for automatically initiating the flow of fluid in a pipe that may be blocked by frozen fluid in a portion of the pipe includes urging the flow of fluid through the pipe and energizing a heater disposed in and extending the pipe portion if no flow is detected in the pipe.
Claims22
A method for initiating the flow of fluid through a pipe of a solar heating system in which a portion of the pipe may be exposed to freezing temperatures such that fluid flow through the pipe potentially be blocked by frozen fluid in the said pipe portion, the pipe portion having a length dimension, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) urging the flow of fluid through the pipe;
- and
- (b) while urging the flow of fluid through the pipe, performing the following steps:
- (c) detecting the absence or presence of fluid flow through the pipe;
- (d) when no fluid flow is detected, actuating an electric resistance heater disposed in the pipe portion and extending the length of the pipe portion, thereby transferring heat from the heater to any frozen fluid blocking the pipe portion sufficient to initiate melting of a flow passage through the blockage;
- (e) detecting the absence or presence of fluid flow through the pipe while the heater is transferring heat;
- and
- (f) when fluid flow through the pipe is detected, stopping the heating of the heater.
The method of claim wherein the pipe portion extends in a straight line along the length dimension.
A method for initiating the flow of fluid through a solar water heating system of the type having a solar collector assembly that heats water by solar energy and a pipe system supplying water to the solar collector assembly and discharging water from the solar collector assembly, the pipe system comprising a pipe portion that exposed to freezing temperatures whereby ice formed in the pipe portion from such exposure may block the flow of water through the pipe portion, the pipe portion having a length dimension, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) urging the flow of fluid through the pipe portion;
- and
- (b) while urging the flow of fluid through the pipe portion, performing the following steps:
- (c) detecting the absence or presence of fluid flow through the pipe portion;
- (d) when no fluid flow is detected, actuating an electric resistance wire disposed in the pipe portion, the wire extending the length of the pipe portion and thereby transferring heat from the heated wire to any ice blockage in the pipe portion sufficient to initiate melting of a flow passage that flows water through the ice blockage;
- (e) detecting the absence or presence of fluid flow through the pipe portion while heating the wire;
- and
- (f) when fluid flow through the pipe portion is detected, stopping the heating of the wire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.