US3540655A - Pavement deicer - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Bert F.Hinrlchs 926 N. Hampton Blvd., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 [21] AppLNo. 750,812 [22] Filed Aug. 7, 1968 45] Patented Nov. 17, 1970 [54] PAVEMENT DEICER 14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 239/75, 239/668, 239/202; 219/213; 222/5 [51] Int.Cl. I-I05bl/02 [50] Fieldot'Search 239/71,75, 650, 202, 668;2l9/213;222/54 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,876,326 3/1959 Akmentin 219/213 2,912,555 11/1959 Jamison 2l9/2l3X 3,194,960 7/1965 Tuttle 219/213X 3,236,991 2/1966 Graham eta]. 219/213 POWER SOURCE THERMOSTAT HUMIDISTAT Primary Examiner M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Michael Y. Mar Attorney- Hood, Gust, Irish and Lundy ABSTRACT: A pavement deicer comprising means for preventing ice from forming on a pavement and control means including means for sensing the ambient conditions adjacent such a pavement and, when such ambient conditions reach a point where ice is likely to form thereon, energizing the firstnamed means to prevent such formation of ice. In one embodiment, the first-named means may be a spreader for spreading granular material, such as salt, over the top surface of the pavement; in another embodiment, the first-named means may be means for spraying a liquid deicing solution over the top surface of the pavement; and in still another embodiment of the invention, the first-named means may be a heater, such as an electrically-energized heater. The control means may include a thermostat and humidistat connected in series, the humidistat being arranged to close when the humidity is above a predetermined level and the thermostat being arranged to close when the temperature is below a predetermined level.

Patented Nov. 17, 1970 3,540,655

2 30 Q: 36 E TIMER '2 1 383 24 CF [0 Q I Q; X I K K, Fig. 5 2o\ 3O 36 POWER TIMER souRcE, 34 /4O HUMIDISTAT THERMOSTAT v THER MOSTAT HUMIDISTAT DISTAT INVENTOR BERT F. HINRICHS ZMWW ATTORNEYS HUMIDISTAT J I ITHERMOSTAT PAVEMENT DEICER It is a primary object of my invention to provide an apparatus which is sensitive to atmospheric conditions which can cause ice to form on a pavement and which is effective, when such conditions exist, to prevent such ice from forming.

Ice is likely to form on a bridge surface when the atmospheric temperature is below 32F. and the relative humidity is above, for instance, 76 percent. As everyone knows, bridges are often made hazardous by the formation of ice thereon. The reasons why ice forms on bridges more quickly than on pavement which lies on a roadbed are well known and need not be-discussed herein. However, it will be appreciated that my invention may he used to prevent ice from forming on any surface, including walkways, parking garage ramps, roads, bridges, etc. My apparatus is particularly suitable for use min- I ,tersections of roads, streets, and highways.

It is another object of my invention to provide such an apparatus comprising means for spreading a granular material,

such as salt, and control means for operating the spreading means, the control means including means for sensing the ambient conditions adjacent a pavement and, when such ambient conditions reach a point where ice is likely to form, operating the spreading means.

Another object of my invention is to provide such an apparatus comprising means for heating the top surface of a pavement and control means arranged to sense ambient conditions abovethe pavement and to operate the heating means when the ambient conditions are such that ice is likely to form on the pavement.

Still another object of my invention is to provide such an apparatus comprising means for spraying a liquid deicing material on the top surface of a pavement and control means for sensing the ambient conditions and, when the ambient conditions are such that ice is likely to form on the pavement, operating the spraying means.

In this description, and in the appended claims, the word pavement is intended to mean any roadway, walkway, ramp, and the like, as discussed above. Also, in this description and in the appended claims, deicing material is intended to mean any type of material which is effective to prevent water from forming into ice, or to melt ice.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specific constructions illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the-appended claims is not violated.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of my invention, which embodiment comprises ,means for spreading granular material, such as salt, on a pavement and control means for operating the spreading means;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another embodiment of my invention, which ,embodiment comprises means for spraying a liquid deicing material on a pavement and control means for operating the spraying means;

FIG. 2a is a block diagram of another spraying system and its control means;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of still another embodiment of my invention, which embodiment comprises electrically-energized heating means and control means for operating the heating means;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another type of control means which may be used in my invention; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of still another control means which may be used with my invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. I, it will be seen that I have illustrated a pavement l0 alongside of which a spreader 12 is mounted. The spreader 12 comprises a hopper l4 and motor-driven means 16 for spreading the granular material stored in the hopper 14 onto the top surface of the pavement 10. The motor-driven means 16 may include a conventional electric motor 18 which may be energized by current flow from a conventional 60-cycle power source, such as indicated at the reference numeral 20. Y

The spreader 12 may be any conventional spreader or broadcasternormally used on farms for spreading insecticides, herbicides, seeds, and fertilizers. Thus, the spreader 12 need not be discussed, in detail, in this description.

In FIG. 1, I show a pair of bracket arms 22 extending outwardly from a wall 24 to support the spreader 12. The spreader 12 is provided with an opening 26 through which the granular material is thrown onto the pavement 10, this opening being arranged so that the granular material is directed toward the pavement and not rearwardly toward the wall 24.

The distance which the granular material will be spread or thrown by the motor-driven means 16 depends, of course, on the size and power of the means 16. Preferably, in a bridge application as discussed previously, a plurality of spreaders 12 will be spaced along the bridge so that there is a slight overlapping of the areas serviced by adjacent spreaders. In the intersection application discussed previously, one spreader 12 should be placed on each of the four corners of an intersection between two roads.

The motor 18 is energized by current flow from the power source 20 when the illustrated switch 28 is closed. In the illustrative embodiment, this switch 28 is an output switch of a conventional motor-driven timer such as indicated generally by the'reference numeral 30. The timer 30 comprises a constant speed motor 32 which is energized by current flow from a control-voltage source applied across terminals 34, 36. It will be appreciated that these terminals 34, 36 may be connected by means ofatransformer to the power source 20.

The terminal 34 is connected to the motor 32 through a thermostat 38 and humidistat 40 and through the windings of the motor 32 back to the terminal 36. The terminal 34 is also connected through another output switch 42 of the timer 30 to the motor 32 and through the windings of the motor 32 back to the terminal 36. Thus, the motor 32 will be energized when the thermostat 38 and humidistat 40 are both closed and/or when the switch 42 is closed. The purpose of the switch 42 is to assure that the motor 32 will rotate through one complete cycle even if the thermostat 38 or humidistat 40 should open during the cycle. Thus, I have shown the cam 46 which operates the switch 42 with one notch 48 in its periphery, this notch being effective to open the switch 42. That is, the switch 42 is conventionally spring-loaded against the periphery of the cam 46 and, when the cam follower 50 on the switch 42 enters the notch 48, the switch will open.

I have illustrated the cam 52 which operates the switch 28 with peripherally spaced-apart lobes, each of which is effective to close the switch 28 for a predetermined time during each cycle of the motor 32. Thus, the spreading means 12 will be operated one time for each lobe on the cam 52 during each revolution of the cam.

The purpose of the timer 30 is to assure that the spreader 12 will operate for a predetermined time after the thermostat 38 and humidistat 40 sense a condition which is likely to result in ice formation on the surface of the pavement 10.

It will be appreciated that one control means comprising a thermostat 38, humidistat 40 and timer 30 can be used to control the operation of a plurality of spreaders 12. Thus, in a bridge application, as discussed above, one such control means can operate all of the spreaders associated with a bridge. In fact, one such control means can be used to operate all of the spreaders in any area, such as a downtown area, where the spreaders are used.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that I have shown a storage tank 60 for holding liquid deicing material and a perforated tube extending along the curb of a pavement, indicated by the reference numeral 10'. This tube 62 is connected to the tank 60 through a valve 64 which is operated by a solenoid 66. The perforations, indicated at 68, in the tube 62 are arranged so that, when the valve 64 is open, liquid deicing material is sprayed away from the curb and onto the top sur v 3 face of the pavement The tank 60 may be supported above the pavement at a height which will provide sufficient pressure to cause theliquid material to be sprayed uniformly onto. the top surface of the pavement. Alternatively, the valve 64 and solenoid 66 may be replaced by an electricallyoperatedpump which, when energized, will pump liquid from the tank 60 andinto the tube 62 with sufficient pressure to cause thematerial to be sprayed uniformly onto the top surface of the pavement 10. Thus, in FIG. 2a, 1 have illustrated, in block-diagram form, a pump 70 connected between a tank 60 and atube (52'.

In the illustration of FIG. 2, the solenoid 66 is controlled by a timer 30' which is, in turn, controlled by a thermostat 38' and humidistat 40 which connect the timer to a power source across terminals 34, 36. Thus, the valve 64 will be opened for a period of time determined by the timer 30' after the thermostat 38- and humidistat 40' have simultaneously closed.

Referring now to P16. 3, it will be seen that I have illustrated a plurality of electrical heating coils 80 embedded in the top surface of a pavement indicated generally by the reference numeral 10". These coils 80 are connected to a power source, indicated at 82, through a timer 30". The motor of this timer 30" may be connected in series with a thermostat 38" and humidistat 40 between the terminals 34", 36" as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The electrical heating coils 80 are means for preventing ice from forming on the top surface. of the pavement 10". The coils 80 will be energized by current flow from the power source 82 when the thermostat 38" and humidistat 40" close simultaneously to energize the timer 30".

It will be appreciated that the thermostat 38, humidistat 40, and timer 30 comprise control means for operating the various means for preventing ice from forming on the top surface of the pavement 10. Thus, the control means, which senses an atmospheric condition which is likely to cause ice to form on the pavement-l0, is the heart of my apparatus.

Referring now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that I have illustrated a thermostat 38 buried under the top surface of the pavement 10 so as to sense the temperature of the pavement and to close when' this temperature is below a predetermined level, such as 32F. This thermostat 38 is connected in series with the humidistat 40 which is disposed just above the top surface of the pavement 10. The advantage of the arrangement of FIG; 4 is that the thermostat 38 will close when the temperature of the pavement 10 is below a predetermined level, regardless of the temperature of the air above the pavement. When the temperature of the pavement is below a predetermined level, such as 32F., and the humidity of the air abovethe pavement is relatively high, there will be a tendency for ice to form on the top surface of the pavement, regardless ofair temperature.

Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that l have illustrated a control means comprising a timer 30 and a pair of thermostats 38a and 38b connected in series'with the timer the temperature of the pavement and to close when the tem- 7 perature is below a predetermined level. The thermostat 38a is disposed just above the top surface ofthe pavement 10 and arranged to close when the temperature of the air above the pavement exceeds a predetermined level. The arrangement of FIG. 5 contemplates that ice may form on the top surface of the pavement 10 when the pavement is extremely cold, such as below 20F., .and the temperature of the air just above the pavement is above a predetermined level, such as, for instance, 60F. Such a condition may exist after an extremely cold night and when the sun first'rises to heat the airabove the bridge.

The thermostats 38 and humidistats 40 may be conventional devices which are sold commercially. Thus, the thermostats and humidistats d not have to be described, in detail, in this description. A thermostat is a switch which closes or opens when it is subjected to a predetermined temperature and a humidistat isa device which opens or closes a circuit when it is subjected to a predetermined humidity condition.

Iclairn:

1. An apparatus of the character described comprising means for preventing ice from forming on a pavement, control means for operating said first-named means, said control means including means for sensing the ambient conditions adjacent such a pavement and, when such ambient conditions reach a point where ice is likely to form on such a pavement, energizing said first-named. means, said first-named means including means for spreading a physical deicing material on such a pavement.

2. Theapparatus of claim 1, in which said spreading means includes a hopper for storing granular material and motordriven means cooperatively associated with said hopper and arranged, when energized, to scatter such granular material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said spreading means includes a liquid storage tank, means for spraying liquid onto such a pavement, and means for connecting said spraying means to said storage tank, said connecting means including second control means connected to and energized by said first-mentioned control means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said control means in cludes a thermostat and a humidistat connected in series, said thermostat being arranged to close when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined level and said humidistat being arranged to close when the ambient humidity is above a predetermined level.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, in which said control means further includes a timer connected in series with said humidistat and thermostat and arranged, when said humidistat and thermostat are simultaneously closed, to operate said firstnamed means for a predetermined time.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said control means includes a humidistat and thermostat connected in series, said humidistat being arranged to sense the humidity just above such a pavement and to close when the humidity exceeds a predetermined level, and said thermostat being adapted to be placed under the-top surface of such a pavement and to close when the temperature of the surface is below a predetermined level. v

7. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said control means includes a first thermostat arranged to sense the temperature of the air just above such a pavement and to close when the air temperature is above a predetermined level and asecond thermostat adapted to be placed under the top surface of such a pavement and to close when the temperature of the surface is below a predetermined level.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, in which said control means includes a thermostat and a humidistat connected in series, said thermostat being arranged to close when the ambient tem-' perature is below a predetermined level and said humidistat being arranged'to'close when the ambient humidity is above a predetermined level.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, in which said control means in- ;cludes a thermostat and a humidistat connected in series, said of the air just above such a pavement and to close when the air temperature is above a predetermined level and a second thermostat arranged under the top surface of such a pavement and to close when the temperature of the surface is below a predetermined level.

11. The apparatus of claim 3, in which said control means includes a first thermostat arranged to sense the temperature of the airjust above such a pavement and to close when the air temperature is above a predetermined level and a second thermostat arranged under the top surface of such a pavement and to close when the temperature of the surface is below a predetermined level. i

12. The apparatus of claim 3, in which said spraying means includes a conduit adapted to extend alongside such a pavement, said conduit having longitudinally spaced perforations through which liquid flows onto such a pavement.

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