U.S. patent application number 14/005982 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-02 for system for clearing snow and ice from pavements and similar.
The applicant listed for this patent is Miguel Angel Nievas. Invention is credited to Miguel Angel Nievas.
Application Number | 20140001283 14/005982 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46929498 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140001283 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nievas; Miguel Angel |
January 2, 2014 |
SYSTEM FOR CLEARING SNOW AND ICE FROM PAVEMENTS AND SIMILAR
Abstract
A system for clearing snow, ice, or frost from pavement and
similar surfaces. The system is located underground and combines at
least one main pipe of gaseous steam flow network including
multiple independent pipe branches with valve devices, spaced apart
from one another, all of which converge at least one secondary pipe
including a series of sprinklers having snow or ice detection
sensors, as well as an automatic trigger device for triggering the
sprinklers, so as to melt the snow or ice formation.
Inventors: |
Nievas; Miguel Angel;
(Jackson Heights, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nievas; Miguel Angel |
Jackson Heights |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46929498 |
Appl. No.: |
14/005982 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
March 23, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EC2012/000019 |
371 Date: |
September 18, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 11/26 20130101;
E01H 5/106 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
239/69 |
International
Class: |
E01H 5/10 20060101
E01H005/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 1, 2011 |
AR |
20110101121 |
Claims
1-3. (canceled)
4. A system to remove ice or snow from a pavement, the system
adapted to be connected to a pre-existing underground main pipe
network conducting a flow of vapor gas, the system comprising: a
plurality of pipe branches having a first end and a second end, the
first end of each pipe branch is operatively connected to the
pre-existing underground main pipe, the pipe branches are spaced
apart from each other; a valve connected to each one of the pipe
branches; a secondary pipe operatively connected to the second end
of each pipe branch at a corresponding connection point; a
sprinkler operatively connected to each connection point; and a
snow or ice sensor operatively connected to each sprinkler; the
system is an underground system; the flow of vapor gas circulates
from the pre-existing main pipe to the pipe branches, the secondary
pipe, and then is released by the sprinklers into the pavement
melting or removing the ice or snow formation.
5. The system according to claim 4, further including a trigger
device connected to each sprinkler, each trigger device
automatically activates the corresponding sprinkler to release the
flow of vapor gas.
6. The system according to claim 4, further including a cabinet
including a vapor gas flow control device, the vapor gas flow
control device is operatively connected to one of the pipe branches
by using underground conduits.
7. The system according to claim 6, further including a hose
connected to the vapor gas flow control device, the hose releases
the vapor gas from the main pipe network upon activation by a
user.
8. The system according to claim 4, further including a radiation
panel to the second end of each branch pipe.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a national stage entry of
PCT/EC2012/000019 filed Mar. 23, 2012, under the International
Convention and claiming priority over Argentinean Patent
Application No. 20110101121 filed Mar. 01, 2011.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention refers to a system for removing snow, ice, or
frost from pavement and similar surfaces. The system is
specifically conceived and accomplished to achieve, in a fast and
efficient way, the dissipation of snow or ice accumulated over
pavements, lanes, highways, roads, and motorways.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Generally, and as it is known, climate change is getting
more dynamic and one of the arising problems is the presence of
snow, ice, or frost in different areas or places, particularly in
urban centers.
[0004] The approached problem has led to thinking about a solution,
by the development of a system, for removing snow, ice, or frost
from pavement and similar surfaces for the purpose of significantly
increasing the safety for people and reducing weather-related
traffic situations.
[0005] It is known in the art the use of a system that throws salt
by using a truck to remove snow and frost from the pavement.
Unfortunately, this system not only implies the use of a vehicle to
actually throw the salt, but it also requires at least a driver and
a workman, therefore, an investment in labor is required.
[0006] Adding to these inconveniences, it has to be added the fact
that the pavement deteriorates enormously with the salt, raising
the maintenance cost of the roads, and also affecting the
vehicles.
[0007] Another known technique of heating systems is by using
infrared rays for the reduction or annulment of the frost on
highways to warm up the pavement to defrost and melt the snow (See
for example, ES 2 072 216 B1; ES 2 116 175 B1).
[0008] ES 2237257B1 discloses a snowplow truck including a road
dryer that uses a scoop that takes off the snow in the front zone
of the cabin. The reference also discloses an assembly of tubes,
with an electric engine in its interior, that takes high-pressure
air through an exit nozzle that faces the floor.
[0009] Another technique is the use of a device to compact and
remove snow as is shown on U.S. Pat. No. 4,454,667 A.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Leading out of the present state and the previous art of the
technique mentioned above, the main objective of this invention is
based on a system for removing snow, ice, or frost from pavement
and similar surfaces, providing a solution to the multiple
inconveniences generated in the different cities of the world by
the accumulation of snow or frost in the winter season. This leads
to millions of losses of money, causing school and work closures,
and also causing traffic accidents that result mainly with terrible
casualties.
[0011] The goal of the invention is to improve the lifestyle of
citizens through a low cost, by using resources that are already in
use today.
[0012] The removal of snow, ice, or frost is done by melting, using
the underground vapor pipes already being used by cities, such as
New York, Berlin, and London.
[0013] In addition, the present invention may remove stagnation
from bridges, tunnels, railroads, airports, highways, covered
stadiums, parking lots, squares, and parks.
[0014] The system, according to the present invention, works with
the underground vapor network system that the city already has.
But, as another embodiment, the present invention may work with the
boiler networks of houses, buildings, stores, and industries that
are already in use for central heating or electricity. It can be
turned into power to serve machines.
[0015] The way in which this and other objectives and advantages of
the invention are reached will be explained in the description that
follows. This will be an example, with the preferred
accomplishments of the invention, and also with the pictures that
follows, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1, shows a schematic view of the removal system
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2, shows a schematic view of the system according to
another embodiment of the present invention showing the cleaning
and dewatering of a ramp for disabled people, which is really
important to assure the mobility of all citizens and to avoid
trials against the Government.
[0018] FIG. 3, shows a schematic view of the system according to
another embodiment of the present invention showing a hose to
which, optionally, an equipment could be plugged in to raise the
vapor pressure, and gain time and distance of work.
[0019] FIG. 4, shows a schematic view of the system according to
another embodiment of the present invention showing other ways to
allocate the vapor for the melting of snow or frost by using double
function grills, "melting and drainage", and also by placing
radiation panels.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] In all figures, the same reference numbers indicate similar
or corresponding elements, which are:
[0021] 1. Main piping network of circulation of vapor gas.
[0022] 2. Independent piping branches.
[0023] 3. Valves.
[0024] 4. Secondary piping.
[0025] 5. Sprinklers.
[0026] 6. Sensors.
[0027] 7. Cabinet with regulation means and vapor gas control.
[0028] 8. Conduits.
[0029] 9. Metal sheets.
[0030] 10. Flexible conduit (hose).
[0031] 11. Movable equipment.
[0032] C=Curb.
[0033] L=Municipal Line.
[0034] r=Anti-skid ramp.
[0035] n=Accumulated snow or ice.
[0036] A=Traffic access.
[0037] The system 1 works with the presence of snow or ice, in
which the sensors 6 catch their presence and the sprinklers 5 are
automatically activated, releasing a vapor gas fluid against the
pavement, melting or removing the ice or snow formation.
[0038] The sizing and design of the system of the present invention
and the mobile equipment may be changeable, depending on the
geographical situation and on the cost-benefit-efficiency analysis
that each particular case requires.
[0039] According to all the information exposed and illustrated
above, it is easy to understand the practicality and advantages
that this system for removing snow, ice, or frost from pavement and
similar surfaces offers. The attached list of claims deals with the
scope of the invention.
[0040] Having described and determined the nature of the invention,
and the way in which it can be put into practice in its prime idea,
it is declared an invention and an exclusive property, as
follows:
* * * * *