US3668368A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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A process and apparatus for the prevention of ice formation in tunnels
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-12-07
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1990-12-07
Abstract
Abstract Processes and devices for the prevention of ice formation in tunnels, especially road and railway tunnels, mountain cuttings and the like, by the supply of heat from the outside to rock faces where the formation of ice normally occurs. More particularly, this involves installing electrical heating means distributed in a self-supporting manner in individual bores formed in a rock face substantially at right angles to a boundary surface with the air and heating a layer of rock between the air and rear-lying masses of rock to a temperature higher than the temperature at said boundary surface and lower than the temperature of said rear-lying rock masses.
Inventors
- 👤 Oddmund Moldskred
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:36
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; E; E01; E01C; E01C11/00; E01C11/24; E01C11/26; E01C11/265; E21; E21D; E21D11/00; E21D11/003; H05B2214/00; H05B2214/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
In a process for the prevention of the formation of ice in tunnels, especially road and railway tunnels, and mountain cuttings and the like by the supply of heat from the outside to rock faces where ice formation normally occurs, the improvement which comprises installing electrical heating means distributed in a self-supporting manner in individual bores formed in a rock face substantially at right angles to a boundary surface with the air and heating a layer of rock between the air and rear-lying rock masses to a temperature higher than the temperature at said boundary surface and lower than the temperature at said rearlying rock masses, whereby the transport of heat from the latter towards said boundary surface and from said layer of rock to said rear-lying rock masses is substantially counteracted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a process for the prevention of the formation of ice in tunnels, especially road and railway tunnels, and mountain cuttings and the like by the supply of heat from the outside to rock faces where ice formation normally occurs, the improvement which comprises installing electrical heating means distributed in a self-supporting manner in individual bores formed in a rock face substantially at right angles to a boundary surface with the air and heating a layer of rock between the air and rear-lying rock masses to a temperature higher than the temperature at said boundary surface and lower than the temperature at said rearlying rock masses, whereby the transport of heat from the latter towards said boundary surface and from said layer of rock to said rear-lying rock masses is substantially counteracted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1, which comprises placing the heating means at a mutual distance of between 30 and 100 cm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein the distance is about 50 cm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process according to claim 1, which comprises spacing from but anchoring indirectly to the rock face a fluid-tight cloth facing material by way of the heating means to form between said rock face and said facing material a liquid-conducting and temperature-barring layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein the facing material is gas-tight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A process according to claim 4, which comprises initially securing in the rock face heating means having outwardly projecting fixing means and thereafter threading the facing material into position on said fixing means and finally ensuring that said facing material is in current-conducting connection with said fixing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 4, which comprises utilizing relatively rigid current-conducting means between the distributed heating means to support the facing material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 4, which comprises utilizing a facing material having a light-reflecting surface directed outwardly from the covered rock face.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
85 words
A device which comprises insert means dimensioned for direct and almost complete introduction in individual bores formed in a rock face, locating means for ensuring self-supporting mounting of said insert means in said bores, a fluid-tight cloth facing material spaced from but anchored indirectly to the rock face By way of the insert means to form between said rock face and said facing material a liquid-conducting and temperature-barring layer and metal rail means interconnecting said insert means to form a supporting network beneath facing material.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
85 words
A device which comprises insert means dimensioned for direct and almost complete introduction in individual bores formed in a rock face, locating means for ensuring self-supporting mounting of said insert means in said bores, a fluid-tight cloth facing material spaced from but anchored indirectly to the rock face By way of the insert means to form between said rock face and said facing material a liquid-conducting and temperature-barring layer and metal rail means interconnecting said insert means to form a supporting network beneath facing material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein the metal wall means are made of reinforcing steel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein the facing material has a light-reflecting surface directed outwardly from the covered rock face.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein the facing material is gas-tight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein the insert means are positioned at a mutual distance of between 30 and 100 cm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 13, wherein the distance is about 50 cm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said insert means is a heating means and which further comprises current-conducting means interconnecting said heating means to a source of electric current.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 15 further including a heat conducting molding material about said heating means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 15, wherein said heating means are enclosed in outer jackets of elastic heat-conducting material so as to be self-supportingly receivable in their respective bores as a unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 17, wherein said heating means include an elastic shock-resistant portion for securing said means to the wall of a bore and for producing a heat-conducting contact with the bore.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 15 further including a fluid-tight cloth facing material secured to said heating means in spaced relation to the rock face to form between said rock face and said facing material a liquid-conducting and temperature-barring layer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 19, wherein the current-conducting means comprise rigid metal rails arranged beneath the facing material in the form of a supporting network therefor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 20, wherein the rigid metal rails are made of reinforcing steel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 19, wherein the heating means comprise metal rod heating elements having a form selected from bar and loop shapes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 22, wherein the metal rod is U-shaped in a double loop with outer end legs projecting freely outwards to form fixing means in which the cloth material is threaded and to which the current-conducting means are secured.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 22, wherein the metal rod heating elements are made of reinforcing steel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 19, wherein the facing material has a light-reflecting surface directed outwardly from the covered rock face.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 15, wherein the heating means are positioned at a mutual distance of between 30 and 100 cm.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 26, wherein the distance is about 50 cm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |