Passive Mixing Deicer System for Ice Dam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional deicing systems are costly, aesthetically unappealing, and require power to operate, failing to provide a cost-efficient method for preventing and removing ice dams regardless of the water source or power outages, which are common during severe weather events.
Innovation Solution
A deicer system that uses a pre-pressurized water source and a deicer solution, combined through a passive mixing system to form a deicer fluid, which is dispensed along the roof via emitters, operating independently of electricity and utilizing city water, well water, or a manual pumping system, with sensors to predict ice formation conditions and control fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heating elements are used to prevent ice dam formation, then ice dam prevention is achieved, but the system becomes costly to install and operate, and creates elevated fire risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical heating elements with a fluid-based chemical deicing system. Instead of using electrical energy to generate heat, the system uses pumped deicing fluid (liquid or aerosol) that chemically melts ice through contact, eliminating fire risks associated with electrical heating elements while maintaining ice dam prevention effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a hydraulic pump to deliver deicing fluid through tubing to emitters positioned along the roof. The pump circulates liquid deicing solution or generates aerosol mist that is delivered to ice dam locations, replacing mechanical electrical heating with a fluid delivery system that safely melts ice without fire hazard
2Reliability
If conventional heating elements are used to prevent ice dams, then ice dam formation is prevented, but the system becomes costly to install and operate
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a hydraulic pump to circulate deicing fluid through a network of tubing to emitters along the roof. This fluid delivery mechanism replaces energy-intensive electrical heating elements with a mechanically-pumped chemical solution system, reducing operating costs while maintaining effective ice dam prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The deicing fluid system is designed to be self-regulating, where the fluid naturally melts ice through chemical action upon contact, eliminating the need for continuous energy input required by electrical heating elements. The pump operates only when ice dam conditions are detected, reducing overall energy consumption and operating costs
3Reliability
If conventional deicing systems are used, then ice dams can be melted, but the systems require power to operate and fail during power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrically-powered heating elements with a mechanically-pumped fluid delivery system. The hydraulic pump can be powered by alternative means (manual, battery, or mechanical power) rather than requiring electrical power, enabling the system to operate during power outages and maintain ice dam removal capability when conventional systems fail
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect ice dam formation conditions and trigger the pump to deliver deicing fluid without requiring external power control systems. This self-activating mechanism ensures the system responds autonomously to ice conditions even when electrical power is unavailable
4Reliability
If large heating elements are used for ice dam prevention, then ice dams are prevented, but the system becomes aesthetically unappealing
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the ice dam prevention function into discrete emitter units distributed along the roofline, connected by concealed tubing. Instead of one large visible heating element, multiple small emitters deliver deicing fluid locally, maintaining effectiveness while improving aesthetic appearance by eliminating large visible equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the visible heating elements from the system and replaces them with concealed tubing and small emitters. The deicing fluid delivery mechanism is routed through hidden conduits along the roof, removing the aesthetically unappealing large heating elements while preserving the ice dam prevention function through chemical melting
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents and removes ice dams without power, offering a low-cost, environmentally friendly, and aesthetically pleasing solution that functions with various water sources, ensuring ice dam mitigation even during power outages.
Implementation Method 1
a passive mixing system configured to combine the pressurized water and the deicer solution to form a deicer fluid
Implementation Method 2
The emitters are in fluid communication with the passive mixing system to receive the deicer fluid and dispense the deicer fluid along the roof
Data Source
AI summary
In some aspects, deicer systems to distribute a deicing fluid along a roof of a building to limit ice dam formation can include: a pre-pressurized water source that provides pressurized water; a deicer solution source containing a deicer solution; a passive mixing system in fluid communication with the pre-pressurized water source and the deicer solution source, the passive mixing system being configured to combine the pressurized water and the deicer solution to form a deicer fluid; and one or more emitters configured to be disposed along the roof, the emitters being in fluid communication with the passive mixing system to receive the deicer fluid and dispense the deicer fluid along the roof. In addition, certain systems described herein can be run with an electric pump.