Patterned Heating Cable for Ice Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for removing or preventing ice buildup on roofs are unsafe, labor-intensive, and ineffective, as they often require climbing onto the roof and are not capable of efficiently melting existing ice dams once formed.

Innovation Solution

An ice melting device with a heating cable formed in a patterned arrangement, such as a series of arcs, that can be raised and placed onto an ice mass from the ground, applying power to melt through the ice from top to bottom, allowing for safe and effective removal without the need for roof access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional steam or hand tool methods are used to remove ice dams, then ice removal capability is improved, but safety deteriorates due to requiring roof access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice removal capabilityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a heating cable as an intermediary tool that can be lowered to the ice dam from ground level using a pole or extension mechanism. This mediator transfers thermal energy to the ice without requiring direct human contact with the roof, thus maintaining safety while achieving ice removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical ice removal methods (steam application, hand tools) with a thermal field-based heating cable system. The heating cable generates heat through electrical resistance to melt the ice dam, substituting mechanical intervention with thermal energy transfer, enabling ground-level operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If heated cables are permanently installed along roof edges to prevent ice dams, then prevention capability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates once ice dams form

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention capabilityVSAvoidremoval effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static, permanently installed heating cable system into a dynamic, movable heating device. The heating cable is now contained within a portable assembly that can be positioned and repositioned as needed, allowing it to adapt to existing ice dams rather than relying on predetermined installation locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables preliminary positioning of the heating cable directly onto the ice dam surface before activation. The device can be lowered and placed precisely where ice accumulation occurs, ensuring immediate contact and effective heat transfer to the ice, rather than relying on pre-installed cables that may not align with actual ice formation patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If heating cables are affixed to the roof surface, then contact with ice dam is improved, but appearance deteriorates and installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible heating cable enclosed within a protective sheath or wrapping that can be easily maneuvered and positioned. This flexible configuration allows the heating element to conform to the ice dam surface and be quickly deployed without permanent installation, reducing both aesthetic impact and installation complexity while maintaining thermal contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of operation

If conventional methods require climbing onto the roof, then direct access to ice dam is improved, but time consumption deteriorates due to setup and safety precautions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect accessVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the operation from a two-dimensional roof surface access problem to a three-dimensional solution by lowering the heating device vertically to the ice dam using a pole or extension mechanism. This dimensional shift allows ground-level operation while maintaining direct contact with the ice dam, eliminating the time-consuming process of roof access preparation and safety precautions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 device safely and efficiently removes ice buildup by melting through ice masses from top to bottom, maintaining constant contact and allowing trapped water to flow off, thus preventing further damage and eliminating the need for hazardous roof access.

Implementation Method 1

a heating cable formed in a patterned arrangement... applying power to melt through the ice from top to bottom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250101746A1Ice melting assembly

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 CLEAR IND

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a heating device for the removal and/or prevention of ice masses or snow. The heating device can include a heating cable formed in a pattern of loops, arcs, or other shapes. Power can be applied to the heating cable and, when placed on top of an ice mass or within a concrete or asphalt surface, the heating device can melt the ice mass or snow.