Patent · US10036559B2 · B2 · US

Heatable pathway system for traffic

(11) Publication number

US10036559B2

(21) Application number

14/955,233

(22) Filing date

2015-12-01

(30) Priority date

2014-12-02

(43) Publication date

2018-07-31

(45) Date of grant

2018-07-31

(51) IPC

E01C 11/00; E01C 15/00; E01C 5/00; F24D 13/02; H05B 3/00; H05B 3/02; H05B 3/26; H05B 3/28

(52) CPC

E01C Construction of, or surfaces for, roads, sports grounds, or the like; machines or auxiliary tools for construction or repair: 5/005, 11/00, 11/245, 11/26, 11/265, 15/00, 2201/02, 2201/14, 2201/16, 5/00, 5/003, 5/20, 5/22
B32B Layered products, i.e. products built-up of strata of flat or non-flat, e.g. cellular or honeycomb, form: 2255/26, 2262/101, 2307/302, 3/06, 5/02, 7/12
F16B Devices for fastening or securing constructional elements or machine parts together, e.g. nails, bolts, circlips, clamps, clips or wedges; joints or jointing: 5/0012
F24D Domestic- or space-heating systems, e.g. central heating systems; domestic hot-water supply systems; elements or components therefor: 13/02
H05B Electric heating; electric light sources not otherwise provided for; circuit arrangements for electric light sources, in general: 2203/026, 3/26, 3/28, 3/32
Y02B Climate change mitigation technologies related to buildings, e.g. housing, house appliances or related end-user applications: 30/00, 30/26

(73) Assignee

Astra Capital Inc

(72) Inventors

Kenneth Szekely

(54) Title

Heatable pathway system for traffic

(57) Abstract

A heatable pathway system for traffic comprises a first module having a first electrically powerable heater member and a second module having a second electrically powerable heater member. The first module and the second module are each installable in place to form a heatable pathway system for traffic. An electrical power controller circuit has a first power output connected in power supplying relation to the first electrically powered heater member and a second power output connected in power supplying relation to the second electrically powerable heater member. The electrical power controller circuit is operable to provide electrical power from the power outputs in a heating cycle that comprises a first heating sub-cycle and a second heating sub-cycle such that, during a heating cycle, a first one of the electrically powerable heater members is on and a second one of the electrically powerable heater members is off during the first heating sub-cycle, and the second electrically powerable heater member is on and the first electrically powerable heater members is off during the second heating sub-cycle.

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Claims (22)

A heatable pathway system for traffic comprising: a first module having a first electrically powerable heater member and a second module having a second electrically powerable heater member, wherein said first module and said second module are made of plastic and each installable in place to form a heatable pathway system for traffic; and, an electrical power controller circuit having a first power output connected in power supplying relation to said first electrically powered heater member and a second power output connected in power supplying relation to said second electrically powerable heater member; wherein said electrical power controller circuit is operable to provide electrical power from said power outputs in a heating cycle that comprises a first heating sub-cycle and a second heating sub-cycle such that, during a heating cycle, a first one of said electrically powerable heater members is on and a second one of said electrically powerable heater members is off during said first heating sub-cycle, and said second electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater members is off during said second heating sub-cycle; wherein each module comprises a top plate that is removably attachable to a base member, and wherein said electrically powerable heater member is disposed between said top plate and said base member; and wherein the top plate comprises a first end flange extending from a first end thereof and a second end flange extending from a second end thereof, and the base member comprises a peripheral recess at the top thereof for receiving at least the bottom portions of the first end flange and the second end flange.
The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 1, wherein said first module and said second module are placed in perimeter-edge-to-perimeter-edge relation one to the other.
The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 1, wherein each of said power outputs is connectable in electrical power supplying relation to at least one of a plurality of said electrically powerable heater members.
The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 3, wherein said plurality of electrically powerable heater members comprises a third electrically powerable heater member, a fourth electrically powerable heater member, and a fifth electrically powerable heater member.
The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 4, wherein said heating cycle additionally comprises a third heating sub-cycle, a fourth heating sub-cycle, and a fifth heating sub-cycle.
The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 5, wherein during a heating cycle, said first electrically powerable heater member is on and said second electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member, said fourth electrically powerable heater member and said fifth electrically powerable heater member are off during said first heating sub-cycle.
The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 5, wherein said second electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member, said fourth electrically powerable heater member and said fifth electrically powerable heater member are off during said second heating sub-cycle.
The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 7, wherein said fourth electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater member, said second electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member and said fifth electrically powerable heater member are off during said fourth heating sub-cycle.
The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 8, wherein said fifth electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater member, said second electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member and said fourth electrically powerable heater member are off during said fifth heating sub-cycle.
The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 1, wherein said top plate includes a heat conductive polymer material.
The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 1, wherein said top plate includes a heat retentive polymer material.
The heatable pathway system of claim 1, further comprising a heat control layer disposed between the heater member and the top plate.
The heatable pathway system of claim 12, wherein said heat control layer includes one or more of the following: a heat conductive material, a heat retentive material, and a heat reflective material.
The heatable pathway system of claim 13, further comprising a heat reflective layer disposed between the heater member and the base member.
The heatable pathway system of claim 1, further comprising an insulation disposed between cross support members and walls of the base member.
A method of heating a heatable pathway system for traffic having a first module with a first electrically powerable heater member, and a second module with a second electrically powerable heater member, said method comprising the steps of: connecting a first power output of an electrical power controller circuit in power supplying relation to said first electrically powerable heater member, and connecting a second power output of an electrical power controller circuit in power supplying relation to said second electrically powerable heater member; operating said electrical power controller circuit to provide electrical power from said first and second power outputs in a heating cycle that comprises a first heating sub-cycle and a second heating sub-cycle such that, during a heating cycle, a first one of said electrically powerable heater members is on and a second one of said electrically powerable heater members is off during said first heating sub-cycle, and said second electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater members is off during said second heating sub-cycle; wherein each module comprises a top plate that is removably attachable to a base member, and wherein said electrically powerable heater member is disposed between said top plate and said base member; and wherein the top plate comprises a first end flange extending from a first end thereof and a second end flange extending from a second end thereof, and the base member comprises a peripheral recess at the top thereof for receiving at least the bottom portions of the first end flange and the second end flange.
The method of heating a heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 16, wherein said heating cycle additionally comprises a third heating sub-cycle, a fourth heating sub-cycle, and a fifth heating sub-cycle.
The method of heating a heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 16, wherein during a heating cycle, said first electrically powerable heater member is on and said second electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member, said fourth electrically powerable heater member and said fifth electrically powerable heater member are off during said first heating sub-cycle.
The method of heating a heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 18, wherein said second electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member, said fourth electrically powerable heater member and said fifth electrically powerable heater member are off during said second heating sub-cycle.
The method of heating a heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 19, wherein said fourth electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater member, said second electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member and said fifth electrically powerable heater member are off during said fourth heating sub-cycle.
The method of heating a heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 20, wherein said fifth electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater member, said second electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member and said fourth electrically powerable heater member are off during said fifth heating sub-cycle.
The method of heating a heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 16, wherein a first one of said heating cycle is longer than subsequent ones of said heating cycle.

Description

The present invention relates to heatable pathway systems for traffic such as pedestrian walkways and driveways for vehicles, and more particularly to heatable pathway systems for traffic, wherein the heatable pathway systems are efficient in its use of energy, and wherein the heatable modules used therein can include detectable warning indicators at the top surface thereof.

In areas where there is pedestrian and vehicular traffic, particularly in publically accessible areas, it is universally common to have specific pathways, such as walkways for pedestrians and driveways for vehicles.

Such walkways might include sidewalks, pedestrian bridges, paved walkways through parks, patios, floor surfaces, and the like. Further, such pedestrian walkways exist in public transit facilities, such as subway stations, light rapid transit, bus rapid transit, railway stations, and the like, where there is very significant amount of pedestrian traffic. In many types of pedestrian walkways, there is a requirement for pedestrians to be able to safely navigate such walkways and to remain on the walkways, especially where public transit vehicles are passing closely by. This is particularly important for mass transit platforms in public transit facilities, where there is presently the most significant need for safe pedestrian walkways, such as mass transit platforms and the like.

Citations (7)

US2912555A
US3236991A
US3454746A
US4310745A
US4447712A
US4829159A
US6188839B1

Record as JSON

{
  "publication_number": "US10036559B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Heatable pathway system for traffic",
  "abstract": "A heatable pathway system for traffic comprises a first module having a first electrically powerable heater member and a second module having a second electrically powerable heater member. The first module and the second module are each installable in place to form a heatable pathway system for traffic. An electrical power controller circuit has a first power output connected in power supplying relation to the first electrically powered heater member and a second power output connected in power supplying relation to the second electrically powerable heater member. The electrical power controller circuit is operable to provide electrical power from the power outputs in a heating cycle that comprises a first heating sub-cycle and a second heating sub-cycle such that, during a heating cycle, a first one of the electrically powerable heater members is on and a second one of the electrically powerable heater members is off during the first heating sub-cycle, and the second electrically powerable heater member is on and the first electrically powerable heater members is off during the second heating sub-cycle.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A heatable pathway system for traffic comprising: a first module having a first electrically powerable heater member and a second module having a second electrically powerable heater member, wherein said first module and said second module are made of plastic and each installable in place to form a heatable pathway system for traffic; and, an electrical power controller circuit having a first power output connected in power supplying relation to said first electrically powered heater member and a second power output connected in power supplying relation to said second electrically powerable heater member; wherein said electrical power controller circuit is operable to provide electrical power from said power outputs in a heating cycle that comprises a first heating sub-cycle and a second heating sub-cycle such that, during a heating cycle, a first one of said electrically powerable heater members is on and a second one of said electrically powerable heater members is off during said first heating sub-cycle, and said second electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater members is off during said second heating sub-cycle; wherein each module comprises a top plate that is removably attachable to a base member, and wherein said electrically powerable heater member is disposed between said top plate and said base member; and wherein the top plate comprises a first end flange extending from a first end thereof and a second end flange extending from a second end thereof, and the base member comprises a peripheral recess at the top thereof for receiving at least the bottom portions of the first end flange and the second end flange.",
    "2. The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 1, wherein said first module and said second module are placed in perimeter-edge-to-perimeter-edge relation one to the other.",
    "3. The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 1, wherein each of said power outputs is connectable in electrical power supplying relation to at least one of a plurality of said electrically powerable heater members.",
    "4. The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 3, wherein said plurality of electrically powerable heater members comprises a third electrically powerable heater member, a fourth electrically powerable heater member, and a fifth electrically powerable heater member.",
    "5. The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 4, wherein said heating cycle additionally comprises a third heating sub-cycle, a fourth heating sub-cycle, and a fifth heating sub-cycle.",
    "6. The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 5, wherein during a heating cycle, said first electrically powerable heater member is on and said second electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member, said fourth electrically powerable heater member and said fifth electrically powerable heater member are off during said first heating sub-cycle.",
    "7. The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 5, wherein said second electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member, said fourth electrically powerable heater member and said fifth electrically powerable heater member are off during said second heating sub-cycle.",
    "8. The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 7, wherein said fourth electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater member, said second electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member and said fifth electrically powerable heater member are off during said fourth heating sub-cycle.",
    "9. The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 8, wherein said fifth electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater member, said second electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member and said fourth electrically powerable heater member are off during said fifth heating sub-cycle.",
    "10. The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 1, wherein said top plate includes a heat conductive polymer material.",
    "11. The heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 1, wherein said top plate includes a heat retentive polymer material.",
    "12. The heatable pathway system of claim 1, further comprising a heat control layer disposed between the heater member and the top plate.",
    "13. The heatable pathway system of claim 12, wherein said heat control layer includes one or more of the following: a heat conductive material, a heat retentive material, and a heat reflective material.",
    "14. The heatable pathway system of claim 13, further comprising a heat reflective layer disposed between the heater member and the base member.",
    "15. The heatable pathway system of claim 1, further comprising an insulation disposed between cross support members and walls of the base member.",
    "16. A method of heating a heatable pathway system for traffic having a first module with a first electrically powerable heater member, and a second module with a second electrically powerable heater member, said method comprising the steps of: connecting a first power output of an electrical power controller circuit in power supplying relation to said first electrically powerable heater member, and connecting a second power output of an electrical power controller circuit in power supplying relation to said second electrically powerable heater member; operating said electrical power controller circuit to provide electrical power from said first and second power outputs in a heating cycle that comprises a first heating sub-cycle and a second heating sub-cycle such that, during a heating cycle, a first one of said electrically powerable heater members is on and a second one of said electrically powerable heater members is off during said first heating sub-cycle, and said second electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater members is off during said second heating sub-cycle; wherein each module comprises a top plate that is removably attachable to a base member, and wherein said electrically powerable heater member is disposed between said top plate and said base member; and wherein the top plate comprises a first end flange extending from a first end thereof and a second end flange extending from a second end thereof, and the base member comprises a peripheral recess at the top thereof for receiving at least the bottom portions of the first end flange and the second end flange.",
    "17. The method of heating a heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 16, wherein said heating cycle additionally comprises a third heating sub-cycle, a fourth heating sub-cycle, and a fifth heating sub-cycle.",
    "18. The method of heating a heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 16, wherein during a heating cycle, said first electrically powerable heater member is on and said second electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member, said fourth electrically powerable heater member and said fifth electrically powerable heater member are off during said first heating sub-cycle.",
    "19. The method of heating a heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 18, wherein said second electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member, said fourth electrically powerable heater member and said fifth electrically powerable heater member are off during said second heating sub-cycle.",
    "20. The method of heating a heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 19, wherein said fourth electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater member, said second electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member and said fifth electrically powerable heater member are off during said fourth heating sub-cycle.",
    "21. The method of heating a heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 20, wherein said fifth electrically powerable heater member is on and said first electrically powerable heater member, said second electrically powerable heater member, said third electrically powerable heater member and said fourth electrically powerable heater member are off during said fifth heating sub-cycle.",
    "22. The method of heating a heatable pathway system for traffic of claim 16, wherein a first one of said heating cycle is longer than subsequent ones of said heating cycle."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to heatable pathway systems for traffic such as pedestrian walkways and driveways for vehicles, and more particularly to heatable pathway systems for traffic, wherein the heatable pathway systems are efficient in its use of energy, and wherein the heatable modules used therein can include detectable warning indicators at the top surface thereof.\n\nIn areas where there is pedestrian and vehicular traffic, particularly in publically accessible areas, it is universally common to have specific pathways, such as walkways for pedestrians and driveways for vehicles.\n\nSuch walkways might include sidewalks, pedestrian bridges, paved walkways through parks, patios, floor surfaces, and the like. Further, such pedestrian walkways exist in public transit facilities, such as subway stations, light rapid transit, bus rapid transit, railway stations, and the like, where there is very significant amount of pedestrian traffic. In many types of pedestrian walkways, there is a requirement for pedestrians to be able to safely navigate such walkways and to remain on the walkways, especially where public transit vehicles are passing closely by. This is particularly important for mass transit platforms in public transit facilities, where there is presently the most significant need for safe pedestrian walkways, such as mass transit platforms and the like.",
  "cpc": [
    "E01C 5/005",
    "B32B 2255/26",
    "B32B 2262/101",
    "B32B 2307/302",
    "B32B 3/06",
    "B32B 5/02",
    "B32B 7/12",
    "E01C 11/00",
    "E01C 11/245",
    "E01C 11/26",
    "E01C 11/265",
    "E01C 15/00",
    "E01C 2201/02",
    "E01C 2201/14",
    "E01C 2201/16",
    "E01C 5/00",
    "E01C 5/003",
    "E01C 5/20",
    "E01C 5/22",
    "F16B 5/0012",
    "F24D 13/02",
    "H05B 2203/026",
    "H05B 3/26",
    "H05B 3/28",
    "H05B 3/32",
    "Y02B 30/00",
    "Y02B 30/26"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E01C 11/00",
    "E01C 15/00",
    "E01C 5/00",
    "F24D 13/02",
    "H05B 3/00",
    "H05B 3/02",
    "H05B 3/26",
    "H05B 3/28"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Astra Capital Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Kenneth Szekely"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-12-01",
  "publication_date": "2018-07-31",
  "grant_date": "2018-07-31",
  "priority_date": "2014-12-02",
  "application_number": "US-201514955233-A",
  "family_id": "56027742",
  "cited_by_count": 6,
  "citations": [
    "US2912555A",
    "US3236991A",
    "US3454746A",
    "US4310745A",
    "US4447712A",
    "US4829159A",
    "US6188839B1"
  ]
}

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