Pedestal mounted paver heating system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paver heating systems for decks and patios are labor-intensive, prone to mechanical damage, and inefficient in uniformly heating pavers to prevent snow and ice accumulation, often requiring complex plumbing setups.
Innovation Solution
A modular, pedestal-mounted paver heating system with thermally conductive support trays and self-regulating heater cables that efficiently transfer heat through thermally conductive pavers, featuring insulation to minimize heat loss and a controller for automated snow and ice detection and heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a support tray with plumbing is used to direct heated fluid to melt snow or ice, then snow and ice can be melted, but the system becomes complex requiring leak testing, boilers, pumps, valves, and gauges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from a complex plumbing system and implements it through a simpler electric heating cable embedded in the support tray. This eliminates the need for boilers, pumps, valves, and gauges while maintaining the snow and ice melting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical plumbing system with an electrical heating system. The electric heating cable provides the necessary thermal energy without requiring fluid transport infrastructure, thereby simplifying the overall system design.
2Reliability
If heating cable is installed directly under pavers, then heating can be provided, but the cable is prone to mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The heating cable is nested within the support tray structure, which is itself positioned between the pedestals and the pavers. This nested arrangement protects the cable from mechanical damage while maintaining its heating function.
Solution Approach 2:
The support tray acts as a protective barrier that cushions the heating cable from mechanical damage before such damage can occur. The tray is installed beforehand to provide this protective function.
3Reliability
If manual shoveling is used to remove snow from pavers, then snow can be removed, but the process becomes labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The heating cable provides preliminary action by melting snow and ice before they can accumulate to problematic levels. This preventive heating approach eliminates the need for manual shoveling and reduces labor intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically melting snow and ice through the heating cable, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The tray structure ensures uniform heat distribution for effective self-clearing.
4Reliability
If external heat source is applied to paver, then snow and ice can be melted, but uniform heating is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The support tray is designed with thermally conductive material and specific geometric features that distribute heat locally and uniformly across the paver surface. The tray's structure ensures consistent thermal properties throughout the heating area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the support tray by using thermally conductive material and optimizing its geometry. This ensures uniform heat distribution across the paver surface, achieving consistent melting without hot or cold spots.
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 provides efficient, uniform heating of pavers, reducing labor and mechanical damage risks while ensuring effective snow and ice melting, with a modular design for easy installation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a self-regulating heater cable electrically connecting to a power supply and disposed within a first support tray and a second support tray of the plurality of support trays
Implementation Method 2
a base formed of thermally conductive sheet metal and sized to rest on the pedestals beneath a corresponding paver
Implementation Method 3
an insulation layer disposed to reduce heat loss through the base
Data Source
AI summary
Some deck or patio areas constructed of pavers mounted on adjustable pedestal supports must remain snow and ice free on their top surfaces. The pedestal-mounted paver heating system is designed to allow easy installation of electric heating cable that is positioned against the bottom surface of pavers so that heat generated by the cable is efficiently transferred up into the pavers to raise their temperature enough to prevent the accumulation of snow and ice on their top surfaces.