US5710554A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pavement ice detector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-02-01
•
Granted: 1998-01-20
•
Expires: 2016-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A small puff of air is periodically exhausted through a semi-permeable stainless mesh (23) filter upward through the plane of the roadway surface. The puff of air is created by a miniature air pump (14) and timer, typically On one half second and Off 30 seconds. The timing can be adjustable. The puff of air is delivered to the sensor (20) through hose (5). When ice on pavement has formed over the sensor (20), it blocks the release of the air puff. This causes pressure to build up, triggering the pressure switch (16) which then turns on output switch (17) which can then be used to turn on any number of warning devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter R. Pettler
- 👤 Lloyd H. Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:07
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/0967; G08G1/096708; G08G1/096716; G08G1/096733; G08G1/096758; G08G1/096766; G08G1/096783
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A pavement ice detector comprising: a sensor imbedded in the pavement, a semi-permeable mesh on the top surface of said sensor, a timer and air pump creating a puff of air exhausting through said sensor and a means to signal the buildup of air pressure in said sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
A pavement ice detector comprising: a sensor imbedded in the pavement, a semi-permeable mesh on the top surface of said sensor, a timer and air pump creating a puff of air exhausting through said sensor and a means to signal the buildup of air pressure in said sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The aforementioned sensor of claim 1 is made of stainless steel contains no moving parts or critical dimensions, making it practically indestructible by snow plows, tire chains, tire studs, and salt or other deicing chemicals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Further, the aforemontioned sensor of claim 1, is designed to be installed in the pavement where the tires of traveling vehicles would encounter ice, thus indicating real ice conditions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The aforementioned periodical puff of air of claim 1 is very low pressure, allowing ice to form, from a very thin film of moisture between each individual puff.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Further, the aforementioned periodical puff of air of claim 1, also saves on battery power consumption.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2641928A
Cited
US2755456A
Cited
US2699537A
Cited
US3057198A
Cited
US2953021A
Cited
US3086393A
Cited
US4053127A
Cited
US4897597A
Cited
US5416476A
Cited
US5301905A
Cited
US5484121A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-01-19 | 2001-07-21 | 2002-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-19 | 2005-07-21 | 2006-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-19 | 2009-07-21 | 2010-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |