De-icing device in a gutter

Abstract

 A device for melting ice in gutters comprising a closed fluid circuit with at least one heating element, where the heating element is in the form of a spiral-shaped fluid conduit adapted for placing in the gutter. The fluid circulates in the fluid circuit and is heated by a heat source.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for melting ice in gutters in order to prevent ice and/or snow from falling down from a roof portion of buildings.

[0002] In winter time, and particularly when temperatures are variable, a problem arises where ice and snow collect along and outside the edge of roofs on buildings. This ice and snow can fall down and harm people or objects located below the ice/snow-filled area.

[0003] Several devices are known for preventing this, such as for example heating cables placed in the roof or the gutters for melting snow and ice, or barriers mounted on the roof to prevent snow and ice from sliding down the roof and on to the ground.

[0004] These barriers, however, are not capable of preventing the formation of icicles along the edge of the roof, and at times these icicles represent a serious problem, particularly on buildings located along busy roads, footpaths and pavements. Heating cables in roofs/gutters have not proved to be sufficiently effective and in addition require a great deal of electricity in order to have an effect.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a device for melting ice in gutters which solves the problems associated with the prior art.

[0006] In an embodiment of the invention a device for melting ice in gutters comprises a closed fluid circuit comprising at least one heating element, where the heating element is in the form of a spiral-shaped fluid conduit adapted for placing in a gutter, a pump connected with the fluid circuit for circulation of fluid in the fluid circuit and a heat source for heating the fluid in the fluid circuit.

[0007] The closed fluid circuit may, for example, comprise a fluid reservoir and pipes or hoses connected with the reservoir and with the heating element or it may comprise only pipes/hoses.

[0008] In this description the term "gutters" is also meant to include other types of roof edges/ends than channels for water, since the formation of icicles can also be a problem in roofs without ordinary gutters.

[0009] The heating element comprises a cavity in which fluid can flow. The fluid is warmer than the environment, thereby causing the environment near the heating element to be heated. The material and design of the heating element is such that it transfers heat from the fluid to the environment, for example composed of a copper pipe or a pipe of another material with good thermal conductivity. The rest of the closed fluid circuit may be insulated or be made of a material with low thermal conductivity so that the heat is retained in the fluid and as far as possible is only given off in the heating element. For example, these portions of the fluid circuit may consist of insulated pipes or hoses or insulating material may be provided round uninsulated pipes, hoses or other elements for transport of the fluid constituting the fluid circuit.

[0010] The spiral-shaped fluid conduit forming the heating element ensures that sufficient heat is supplied to the areas where ice is to be melted. This is best achieved with a spiral shape since a larger surface area is obtained and thereby better heat transfer to the surroundings. In many cases the gutters are also rounded and a spiral-shaped heating element will abut against the internal surface of the gutter. In this case the external diameter of the spiral may be adapted to the gutter's internal diameter. Water and desired elements will also be able to run between the spiral's turns, into the interior of the spiral and out through the gutter's outlet pipe.

[0011] The heat source will heat the fluid in parts of the fluid circuit. In an embodiment the heat source is arranged to heat the fluid in the fluid reservoir, for example in the form of a water heater. In other embodiments the heat source may heat the fluid in parts or portions of pipes in the fluid circuit. The heat source may be provided inside the fluid circuit, for example in contact with the fluid, thereby heating the fluid directly, or it may be provided separately from the fluid, thereby heating it indirectly.

[0012] The pump provides circulation in the fluid circuit and may be mounted at any suitable point in the fluid circuit. In an embodiment the pump is mounted near or in a fluid reservoir, for example a heater.

[0013] A device may also be provided for measuring the amount of ice in the gutters and regulating the heat supply according to the measured amount of ice. In this way the ice level can be kept sufficiently low to avoid icicles, but no more ice is melted that is necessary in order to keep the energy consumption at the lowest possible level.

[0014] In an embodiment the heating fluid is antifreeze solution or another liquid with a raised freezing point relative to water.

[0015] In an embodiment the heat source is a heating spiral or ordinary water heater. A spiral heat source may be provided round a portion of the fluid circuit for heating the fluid in this portion. In this case this portion may be made of a material with good thermal conductivity, for example copper piping.

[0016] In an embodiment a temperature sensor is placed in an external position, for example on the outside of an outer wall of a building and the device comprises a thermostat for activating a pump when the temperature falls below a threshold value.

[0017] In an embodiment the fluid circuit comprises supply pipes and outlet pipes arranged respectively in front of and following the heating element in the fluid circuit, and supply pipes and outlet pipes are arranged in the gutter down-pipe.

[0018] Supply pipes and/or outlet pipes may, for example, be composed of reinforced pvc-hose.

[0019] The invention will now be described by means of an example and with reference to the attached figures.

Figure 1 is a view of a house where a device according to the invention is provided.

Figure 2 illustrates an example of a part of a heating element for use in the device according to the invention.

[0020] Figure 1 is a view of a house 10 where a device according to the invention is employed for melting ice in the gutters/keeping the gutters free of ice. The device comprises a closed fluid circuit which in this embodiment consists of a fluid reservoir 14, which may, for example, be an ordinary water heater, a pump 15 to provide circulation in the fluid circuit and pipes or hoses (not shown) connected to the fluid reservoir and the pump. In this embodiment pipes/hoses are partially inserted into down-pipe 11 from gutter 12. Other embodiments do not comprise a reservoir or have only a small reservoir where the fluid is heated directly during use. An example of a device for heating the fluid without the use of an ordinary water heater is Eemax™ tankless water heaters (www.eemax.com).

[0021] In the gutter 12, which extends along the lower edges of the house's roof 16, a heating element 13 is mounted which in this embodiment is a spiral-shaped pipe which is connected to pipes/hoses from/to the fluid reservoir, thereby forming the closed fluid circuit. In the figure only a section of the heating element 13 is shown, extending along the whole or parts of the length of the gutter. For example, in the case of gutters extending parallel to the road/pavement it will be expedient to have a heating element along the whole length of the gutter, while in other cases it may be expedient to have a heating element only in parts of the length of the gutter.

[0022] Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged section 20 of the heating element 13 in a gutter 23. The heating element 13 is a pipe in the form of a spiral and located down in the gutter. The spiral has a diameter 21 adapted to the gutter's width/diameter and has a lead/distance 22 between the turns which permit water and litter to run through the turns. By using this spiral shape, an increased surface area is obtained while unnecessary heat loss is avoided, thereby maintaining the fluid's temperature at a sufficiently high level to heat the whole length of the gutter. The required temperature may vary with the outside temperature and length of the gutter/roof that has to be heated, but will, for example, be around 85°C.

[0023] In the case of long gutters, two devices may be provided or one device comprising two fluid circuits with opposite flow direction in order to be able to supply enough heat to the whole of the desired section. In the case of two fluid circuits, one heating element will, for example, be mounted along half of the length of the gutter in one circuit, while a second heating element in the second circuit is mounted in the other half of the length of the gutter.

Claims

1. A device for melting ice in gutters, comprising:

- a closed fluid circuit comprising at least one heating element mounted in at least parts of the gutters, where the heating element is in the form of a spiral-shaped fluid conduit adapted for placing in a gutter,

- a pump connected to the fluid circuit for circulation of fluid in the fluid circuit,

- a heat source for heating the fluid in the fluid circuit.

2. A device according to claim 1, where the heating fluid is antifreeze solution.

3. A device according to claim 1, where the heat source is a spiral or ordinary water heater.

4. A device according to claim 1, where a temperature sensor is placed in an external position and where the device comprises a thermostat for activating a pump when the temperature falls below a threshold value.

5. A device according to claim 1, where supply pipe and outlet pipe are mounted in the gutter down-pipe.

6. A device according to claim 5, characterised in that supply pipe and/or outlet pipe are in reinforced pvc-hose.

Drawing