DE-ICING ASSISTIVE SYSTEM FOR DRIVEWAYS/ROOFS

Abstract

A de-icing assistive system for driveways/roofs, comprising a framework 101 installed on a ground surface of a driveway/roof of a premises, an imaging unit 102 integrated in the framework 101 to determine deposition of snow layer on the surface, multiple curved conduits 103 configured with the framework 101 and connected to a cuboidal shaped tank 104 stored with water arranged in the framework 101, an electronic valve 105 integrated on the tank 104, multiple Peltier units 106 integrated in the conduits 103 at varying distances for heating the flowing water to melt the deposited snow, a laser measurement sensor embedded on the framework 101 for monitoring thickness of the deposited snow layer, multiple motorized iris lids 107 arranged at curved ends of the conduits 103 to get opened/closed for allow the conduits 103 to hold the heated water for a longer time for melting the thickest snow layer easily.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a de-icing assistive system for driveways/roofs which is capable of assisting a user in de-icing a snow layer deposited on surface of a driveway/roof of a premises according to thickness of the layer by reducing human effort and also helps in converting mechanical stress into AC electrical voltage to generate electricity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Snow comprises individual ice crystals that grow while suspended in the atmosphere usually within clouds and then fall, accumulating on the ground where they undergo further changes. It consists of frozen crystalline water throughout its life cycle, starting when, under suitable conditions, the ice crystals form in the atmosphere, increase to millimeter size, precipitate and accumulate on surfaces and ultimately melt, slide or sublimate away. Snow flake accumulation concerns become increasingly more pronounce as people become litigation conscientious or to the aging population in the suburban areas where the practical and financial demands and cost attendant the removal of snow increases. The residential occupants required to remove snow from the sidewalks, passageways and the like of their house by themselves.

[0003] Traditionally, such snow removal is generally accomplished manually with the use of such equipment as snow shovels, mechanical assisted shovels, snow blowers and plows. The snow shovels and mechanical assisted shovels are used and operated manually. The user required to apply the force manually by his hands which causes problem and sometimes injuries to the user. The snow blowers and plows may be electrically or gasoline actuated. In all of the above recited means of snow removal, they each require one or more persons to physically utilize such tools while exposed to the inclement weather conditions during or after a snow storm. Consequently, there has arisen a need to provide an unmanned automatic removal or prevention system which will provide a convenient means for preventing the accumulation and removal of unwanted fallen snow from selected ingress and egress passageways of residential and certain commercial properties.

[0004] US5550349A discloses about an unmanned snow prevention and removal system is provided which prevents or eliminates the accumulation of falling snow in selected ingress and egress passageways on the ground, such as sidewalks and driveways. An array of disposed parallel linear cooperative panels is provided covering such passageways upon which the accumulated falling snow is caught, and is subsequently intermittently and automatically thrown off such panels on either side of their respective lengths by their sweeping motion through an arc of a circle from an initial near horizontal intersecting position by an electrical motor drive. Removal of accumulated snow from the panel array during their sweeping-throw and return motion as a result of the snow sliding downward of the panels is assisted by the provision of electrical heater elements disposed along the full length thereof and contained within the body of each panel which enables the accumulated snow to slide off the panel more readily. Operation of the system may be controlled by electrical controls at the site of the panel array or by means of a remote electrical control device connected thereto by electrical wiring cables which provide the electrical signals needed to operate the system. US'349 discloses about an unmanned snow prevention and removal system that eliminates the accumulation of falling snow in selected ingress and egress passageways on the ground. However, the above mentioned invention lacks in removing the accumulated snow properly according to the thickness of the snow layer. The above mentioned invention also lacks in generating electricity by converting mechanical stress into an AC electrical voltage and accordingly stores electricity for further use.

[0005] US6184496B1 discloses about a relatively lightweight and easy to use flexible heating mat for melting snow and ice that can be cut in the field to custom length or to accommodate direction changes or avoid obstructions. The heating mat includes one or more planar flexible heaters sandwiched between two vulcanized polymer protective sheets. The heating mat may be activated remotely or manually and can be powered from either end of the heating mat. Nonskid patterns ate typically included in heating mats used on driveways and walkways. US'6B1 discloses about a relatively lightweight and easy to use flexible heating mat for melting snow and ice. However, the above mentioned invention lacks in determining thickness of the snow accumulated on the required location and accordingly regulates the temperature to remove the snow properly.

[0006] Conventionally, many systems available which are capable of assisting a user in removing the snow, but there are no features available by means of which the snow is removed according to the thickness of accumulated snow's layer, also no devices available which generates the electricity by converting mechanical stress into AC voltage. Additionally, no devices available which melts the ice with the help of hot water and holds the water at the location where the accumulated snow is in large amount.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a system which is capable of providing a mean to a user to assist in melting and removing the snow layer from the user-desired location by the use of hot water. Also the proposed system is capable of capable of determining thickness of the snow layer accumulated at the user-specified location and detects the temperature of the snow to accordingly melt the snow properly and efficiently.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a system which is capable of assisting a user in de-icing a snow layer deposited on surface of a driveway/roof of a premises by flowing hot water through the layer in a regulated manner.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a system which is capable of determining thickness of the deposited snow layer and accordingly hold the heated water in the area of thickest snow layer to remove the deposited snow from the driveway/roof properly.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a system which is capable of monitoring temperature of the water and accordingly maintain the temperature of the water at an optimum temperature for melting the snow layer properly.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to develop a system which is capable of converting mechanical stress into an AC electrical voltage and accordingly generates and stores electricity for further use.

[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a system which is capable of detecting water level presents and accordingly notifies the user to re-fill the water for proper heating effect on the snow layer.

[0014] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention relates to a de-icing assistive system for driveways/roofs that is capable de-icing a snow layer deposited on ground surface of a driveway/roof of a premises according to thickness of the layer by flowing hot water through the snow layer in a regulated manner. Additionally, the proposed system also helps in generating electricity by converting mechanical stress into AC electrical voltage.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a de-icing assistive system for driveways/roofs comprises of a framework developed to be installed on a ground surface of a driveway/roof of a premises, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit integrated in the framework and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the framework to determine deposition of snow layer on the surface, multiple curved conduits configured with the framework and connected to a cuboidal shaped tank arranged in the framework stored with water, by means of an electronic valve that is actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to dispense an optimum amount of water into the conduits for allowing the water to flow in the conduits, multiple Peltier units integrated in the conduits at varying distances to provide an optimum heating effect on the conduits for heating the flowing water radiating through the conduits to the deposited snow for melting the deposited snow, a laser measurement sensor embedded on the framework for monitoring thickness of the deposited snow layer and a temperature sensor embedded on the framework to monitor temperature of the water to regulate actuation of the Peltier units.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed system further comprises of multiple motorized iris lids arranged in the conduits at curved ends of the conduits to get opened/closed, in a manner that the conduits laid under areas with thickest snow layer are allowed to hold the heated water for a longer time to allow the thickest snow layer to get melted easily, thereby removing the deposited snow from the driveway/roof, a level sensor embedded in the tank for monitoring water level in the tank, a speaker installed on the framework to produce audio signals for notifying the user to re-fill the tank, a piezoelectric material fabricated on the conduits for converting any mechanical stress applied on the conduits into AC electrical voltage, a rectifier configured with the system for converting the AC electrical voltage into DC electrical voltage and a battery configured with the system to store the generated electricity for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with the system.

[0018] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a de-icing assistive system for driveways/roofs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0021] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0022] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0023] The present invention relates to a de-icing assistive system for driveways/roofs which is capable of assisting in de-icing a snow layer deposited on surface of a driveway/roof of a premises. Additionally, the proposed system is also capable of converting mechanical stress into an AC electrical voltage to generate and store electricity in automatic manner.

[0024] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a de-icing assistive system for driveways/roofs is illustrated, comprising a framework 101 developed to be installed on a ground surface, an imaging unit 102 integrated in the framework 101, multiple curved conduits 103 configured with the framework 101 and arranged in a coiled manner, the conduits 103 connected to a cuboidal shaped tank 104 arranged in the framework 101 by means of an electronic valve 105, multiple Peltier units 106 integrated in the conduits 103, multiple motorized iris lids 107 arranged in the conduits 103 at curved ends, a speaker 108 installed on the framework 101 and a piezoelectric material 109 fabricated on the conduits 103.

[0025] The proposed system comprises of a framework 101 developed to be installed on a ground surface of a driveway/roof of a premises, where the snow is usually gets deposited in a considerable amount. Herein, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 is integrated in the framework 101 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the framework 101, respectively to determine deposition of snow layer on the surface. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 used herein incorporates AI protocols to enhance its functionality and capabilities.

[0026] The AI (artificial intelligence) protocols used herein enables immediate responses and faster decision-making. The imaging unit 102 captures images or records videos in vicinity of the framework 101 by the help of specialized lenses designed to capture high-quality visuals. The captured data is pre-processed and is fed into AI protocols for analysis which utilizes machine learning techniques, such as deep learning neural networks, to extract meaningful information from the visual data. This acquired data is processed by the processor and then an inbuilt microcontroller analysed the processed data to determine deposition of the snow layer on the surface.

[0027] Further, multiple curved conduits 103 are configured with the framework 101 and arranged in a coiled manner. The conduits 103 are in the range of six to ten in number and arranged in the coiled manner to cover the maximum surface area of the driveway/roof of the premises where it is installed. Also a cuboidal shaped tank 104 is arranged in the framework 101 and is stored with water. Herein, the conduits 103 are connected to the cuboidal shaped tank 104 by means of an electronic valve 105. The electronic valve 105 is actuated by the microcontroller to dispense an optimum amount of water into the conduits 103 for allowing the water to flow in the conduits 103.

[0028] The electronically controlled valve 105 used herein to control the flow of water consists of a gate, a nozzle and a magnetic coil which is energized by the microcontroller. The nozzle is made up of a varying cross-sectional area for increasing/decreasing the speed of flow of the water. On energizing by the microcontroller, the magnetic force is generated within the magnetic coil which pushes the gate to open thus allowing the water to flow out of its nozzle in a regulated manner. Thus, the electronic valve 105 dispensed the optimum amount of water into the conduits 103 and allows the water to flow in the conduits 103.

[0029] Upon ensuring the flow of water in the conduits 103, the microcontroller actuates a temperature sensor embedded on the framework 101 to monitor temperature of the water. The temperature sensor is composed of two type of metal wire joint together. When the sensor experiences a heat in the water flowing in conduit, then a voltage is generated in the two terminal of the temperature sensor. This voltage is proportional to the temperature, so this voltage is sent to the microcontroller after converting in an electrical signal for detecting the temperature. The microcontroller calibrates the voltage in terms of temperature and calculates the temperature of the water.

[0030] In accordance with the detected temperature, the microcontroller actuates multiple Peltier units 106 integrated in the conduits 103 at varying distances to provide an optimum heating effect on the conduits 103 for heating the flowing water, which is radiating through the conduits 103 to the deposited snow, in order to melt the deposited snow. The Peltier unit 106 employed herein are in the range of eight to twelve in number and is based on the Peltier effect that stated that the cooling of one junction and the heating of the other takes place when the electric current is continuously maintained in a circuit of material consisting of two dissimilar conductors and hence heated the flowing water that as a result melted the deposited snow.

[0031] The Peltier unit 106 consists of two semiconductor plates, known as Peltier plates which are connected in series and are sandwiched between two ceramic plates. When an electric current is applied to the Peltier unit, one side of the unit absorbs heat from its surroundings, while the other side releases heat according to the requirement. Hence in this way, the Peltier unit 106 generates the heating effect in the conduits 103 in order to provide the optimum amount of heating effect on the conduits 103 for heating the flowing water radiating through the conduits 103 to the deposited snow in order to melt the deposited snow from the surface of the driveway/roof of the premises.

[0032] Upon starting the melting of the deposited snow, a laser measurement sensor is embedded on the framework 101 for monitoring thickness of the deposited snow layer. The laser measurement sensor works with laser technology and turned the physical measured value into an electric signal. The laser measurement sensor is conceived for contactless measurement which is based on the triangulation principle. Triangulation stands for distance measurement by angle calculation where the sensor projects a laser spot on the deposited snow layer. The reflected light falls incident onto a receiving unit at a certain angle depending on the distance. From the position of the light spot on the receiver unit and the distance from the sender to the receiver unit, the distance is calculated in the sensor which is then converted into an electrical signal and is sent to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the electrical signal received from the sensor to determine the thickness of the deposited snow layer.

[0033] In case of thick snow layer is detected, the microcontroller regulates the re-actuation of the Peltier units 106 to provide the heat for a longer time-duration. Simultaneously, the microcontroller actuates plurality of motorized iris lids 107 arranged in the conduits 103 at curved ends of the conduits 103 to get opened/closed. The iris lids 107 employed herein is in the range of six to ten in number get opened and closed in a manner that the conduits 103 laid under areas with thickest snow layer are allowed to hold the heated water for a longer time for allowing the thickest snow layer to get melted easily. The iris lid 107 is the covering utilized for allowing the passage of heated water within the conduits 103 and includes an inner flat ring, an outer flat ring, and an even number of iris blades (upper and lower) and is connected with a bi-directional direct current motor.

[0034] The motor is capable of converting direct current into mechanical work by following the principle of Lorentz Law which states that, the current carrying conduction when placed in magnetic or electrical field experiences a force. Such that, the motor converts the electrical current derived from an external source into a mechanical torque for providing the required power to the iris lid. The iris lid 107 used the power and is opened by turning the outer ring around the center while holding the inner ring stationary to hold the heated water within the conduits 103 laid under areas with thickest snow layer, thereby removing the deposited snow from the driveway/roof.

[0035] Furthermore, a level sensor is embedded in the tank 104 for monitoring water level present in the tank 104. The level sensor comprises of an infrared (IR) emitter and a photodiode. The sensor detects the level of water present in the tank 104 by measuring the intensity of infrared light that is reflected back into the photodiode. The received intensity of the infrared light is then sent in the form of electrical signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processed the acquired signal and detects the level of water level present in the tank 104.

[0036] In case the monitored level recedes a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates a speaker 108 installed on the framework 101 to produce audio signals for notifying the user to re-fill the tank 104. The speaker 108 converts the electrical signal into sound wave for producing sound. The part of the speaker 108 that converts electrical signal into mechanical energy is called a voice coil and also consists of a diaphragm. The motor upon getting actuation command from the microcontroller, vibrates the diaphragm that in turn vibrates the air in immediate contact with it according to specific pattern. This specific pattern's vibration produces the pre-fed audio signals for notifying the user to re-fill the tank 104.

[0037] Moreover, the conduits 103 are fabricated with a piezoelectric material 109 for converting any mechanical stress applied on the conduits 103 into AC electrical voltage. In starting, the piezoelectric material 109 is positioned stably at one place and the electric charges are well balanced with the piezoelectric material 109. When the mechanical stress is applied to the material 109, the electric charges within the piezoelectric material 109 are forced to out of balance and becomes unbalanced due to deformity and starts moving. Excess negative and positive charges appear on opposite sides of the crystal face which continuously moves. These movement of the charges result in the production of the AC electrical voltage.

[0038] This AC electrical voltage is transferred to a rectifier configured with the system for converting the AC electrical voltage into DC electrical voltage. The rectifier is an electronic component that converts an alternating current into a direct current by using one or more P-N junction diodes. A diode behaves as a one-way valve 105 that allows current to flow in a single direction. This process is known as rectification. Hence, the rectifier converts the AC electrical voltage into DC electrical voltage.

[0039] This converted DC voltage power is stored in a battery configured with the system for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with the system. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrodes named as a cathode and an anode. The battery uses a chemical reaction of oxidation/reduction to do work on charge and produce a voltage between their anode and cathode and thus produces electrical energy that is used to do power various components associated with the system.

[0040] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the framework 101 as disclosed in the invention is developed to be installed on the ground surface of the driveway/roof of the premises. Upon installing the system, the imaging unit 102 captures and processes multiple images in vicinity of the framework 101 and determines the deposition of snow layer on the surface. Further, multiple curved conduits 103 are connected to the cuboidal shaped tank 104 stored with water by means of the electronic valve 105. Then, the electronic valve 105 is actuated by the microcontroller to dispense the optimum amount of water from the tank 104 into the conduits 103 for allowing the water to flow in the conduits 103. Upon ensuring the flow of water, the microcontroller actuates the temperature to monitor temperature of the water. In accordance with the detected temperature, the microcontroller actuates multiple Peltier units 106 to provide the optimum heating effect on the conduits 103 for heating the flowing water, which is radiating through the conduits 103 to the deposited snow, in order to melt the deposited snow. Thereafter, the laser measurement sensor monitors the thickness of the deposited snow layer. In case of thick snow layer is detected, the microcontroller regulates the re-actuation of the Peltier units 106 to provide the heat for a longer time-duration. Simultaneously, the microcontroller actuates the multiple motorized iris lids 107 to get opened/closed, in a manner that the conduits 103 laid under areas with thickest snow layer are allowed to hold the heated water for a longer time for allowing the thickest snow layer to get melted easily, thereby removing the deposited snow from the driveway/roof. Then, the level sensor starts monitoring the water level present in the tank 104. In case the monitored level recedes the threshold value, the microcontroller actuates the speaker 108 to produce audio signals for notifying the user to re-fill the tank 104. Moreover, the conduits 103 are fabricated with the piezoelectric material 109 for converting any mechanical stress applied on the conduits 103 into AC electrical voltage. This AC electrical voltage is transferred to the rectifier for converting the AC electrical voltage into DC electrical voltage. This converted DC voltage power is stored in the battery configured with the system for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with the system.

[0041] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A de-icing assistive system for driveways/roofs, comprising:

i) a framework 101 developed to be installed on a ground surface of a driveway/roof of a premises, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 integrated in said framework 101 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of said framework 101, respectively to determine deposition of snow layer on said surface;
ii) plurality of curved conduits 103 configured with said framework 101 and arranged in in a coiled manner, wherein said conduits 103 are connected to a cuboidal shaped tank 104 arranged in said framework 101 stored with water, by means of an electronic valve 105 that is actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to dispense an optimum amount of water into said conduits 103 for allowing said water to flow in said conduits 103;
iii) plurality of Peltier units 106 integrated in said conduits 103 at varying distances, wherein said microcontroller actuates said Peltier units 106 to provide an optimum heating effect on said conduits 103 for heating said flowing water, which radiates through said conduits 103 to said deposited snow, in order to melt said deposited snow; and
iv) a laser measurement sensor embedded on said framework 101 for monitoring thickness of said deposited snow layer, based on which said microcontroller actuates plurality of motorized iris lids 107 arranged in said conduits 103 at curved ends of said conduits 103 to get opened/closed, in a manner that said conduits 103 laid under areas with thickest snow layer are allowed to hold said heated water for a longer time, in view of allowing said thickest snow layer to get melted easily, thereby removing said deposited snow from said driveway/roof.

2) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microcontroller processes said monitored thickness to regulate actuation of said Peltier units 106 aimed at providing heat for a longer time-duration, in case of thick snow layer.

3) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a temperature sensor is embedded on said framework 101 to monitor temperature of said water, based on which said microcontroller regulates actuation of said Peltier units 106.

4) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a level sensor is embedded in said tank 104 for monitoring water level in said tank 104, in case said monitored level recedes a threshold value, said microcontroller actuates a speaker 108 installed on said framework 101 to produce audio signals for notifying said user to re-fill said tank 104.

5) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conduits 103 are fabricated with a piezoelectric material 109 for converting any mechanical stress applied on said conduits 103 into AC electrical voltage that is transferred to a rectifier configured with said system for converting said AC electrical voltage into DC electrical voltage.

6) The system as claimed in claim 1 and 5, wherein said converted DC voltage power is stored in a battery configured with said system for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with said system.

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