Digital snow and ice sensor and heating apparatus including same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow melt heating systems are oversized due to the inability to anticipate frozen precipitation, leading to inefficient energy use, increased costs, and safety concerns from delayed heat-up and sensor damage from environmental exposure.
Innovation Solution
A processor-based frozen precipitation forecast sensor that receives weather data to anticipate and remotely control the heating system, allowing it to turn on before precipitation occurs, reducing the need for oversized systems and minimizing sensor exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the heating system is oversized to quickly heat up and overcome snow/ice accumulation, then the response time is improved, but the energy consumption and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor receives weather data to detect frozen precipitation before it reaches the structure, allowing the heating system to be activated in advance. This preliminary detection and activation eliminates the need for oversized heating capacity while ensuring timely response, as the system heats gradually during the precipitation event rather than needing to rapidly melt accumulated snow.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor is placed on or near the structure to be heated, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the sensor is more susceptible to environmental damage and physical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor detects frozen precipitation through weather data from remote sources rather than direct exposure at the structure. This intermediary approach using weather data feeds allows the sensor to be placed in a protected location while still accurately detecting precipitation conditions that will affect the structure.
3Measurement precision
If additional control wiring is run to the structure for sensor placement, then the detection capability is improved, but the labor and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses weather data from remote sources as an intermediary to detect frozen precipitation conditions. This eliminates the need for physical sensor placement at the structure and the associated wiring infrastructure, significantly reducing installation complexity and costs while maintaining detection capability.
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
This solution enables efficient energy use by preheating before precipitation, reducing material and labor costs, and protecting sensors from environmental damage by allowing remote placement.
Implementation Method 1
heater for heating the structure
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method heat a structure during frozen precipitation. The apparatus comprises: (i) heating means for heating the structure; a control unit 14 for controlling operation of the heating means; and a frozen precipitation forecast sensor that: receives, over a time frame, weather data for a geographic region of the structure; determines, at time instances during the time frame, whether there is a likelihood of frozen precipitation in a geographic zone around the structure based on the received weather data; and transmits command signals to the control unit based on the determinations of whether there is a likelihood of frozen precipitation in the geographic zone around the structure. The command signals can be commands to the control unit for the operational state of the heating means.