GB2478786A

GB2478786A - Road de-icing system

Info

Publication number: GB2478786A
Application number: GB1004607A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christina Haycock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-19
Filing date: 2010-03-19
Publication date: 2011-09-21
Also published as: GB201004607D0

Abstract

The road de-icing system comprises at least one road stud 100, a temperature sensor within the road stud and a system for receiving a de-icing substance within the road stud and subsequently spraying the substance. The road stud preferably includes at least one reflective surface 104. The system for spraying a de-icing substance preferably comprises at least one pressurised canister for containing the substance, at least one nozzle 106 in the stud and at least one stud pipe connecting the canister and nozzle. The canister is preferably supplied from a storage tank in an external maintenance box via an underground pipe. The de-icing substance is preferably anti-freeze or grit. There are preferably a number of road studs connected to the or each maintenance box.

Description

INTELLECTUAL

. .... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. GB 1004607.6 RTM Date:8 July 2011 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Cat's eye Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk Patent Application of Christina Haycock for Road Stud with De-Icing and Gritting Functions

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to road studs and in particular to temperature sensitive road studs.

[2] Road studs (also known as cat's eyes) are known in the art for providing reflective road markings.

[3] Road studs which provide an ice warning when temperatures drop below zero are known in the art. For example, GB 2299358 to Shields discloses a temperature-sensitive reflective road marker which is adapted to reflect light of a different wavelength in a light spectrum when at a temperature at or above 0°C than when at a temperature at or below 0°C. The marker suitably comprises a road stud having a recess in which is mounted an assembly including a reflector, a temperature sensitive lens and a protective lens.

[4] Furthermore, GB 2121460 to Harrell discloses a road marker stud wherein glass reflex reflectors are mounted in a depressible rubber housing located in the road. Each reflector comprises a hollow lens containing a crystal or liquid which changes colour as the temperature approaches the temperature at which ice forms. The change in colour of light reflected back to the driver indicates the possibility of ice formation.

[5] Road studs which resist damage or interference by icy conditions are known in the art.

[6] For example, US 5529430 to Jenkins discloses a reflective road stud which comprises a hollow body, a reflector support integral with the body and extending above the body, and a reflector supported by the reflector support. The support is movable into or towards the body upon receiving an impact from at least one of two opposite sides of the road stud. The reflector support includes two ramp surfaces on said at least one side of the road stud, the ramp surfaces extending in a direction substantially parallel to the in use direction of traffic flow.

Wiper means may be provided for cleaning the reflector when the reflector is moved into or towards the body. The hollow body contains compressible, non-water absorbent means to prevent ice build-up which may otherwise resist or prevent movement of the reflector support into or towards the body.

[7] Similarly, JP 8260431 to Deibitsudo discloses a similar reflective road stud having a hollow body. The hollow body further contains a closed-cell foam material, a blow molding material or a solid elastomer material, and these materials resist the movement of the reflector supporter towards the inside of the main body and prevent the formation of obstructing ice.

Brief Siiimiiry of the Invention [8] It can be seen from the forgoing that a need has arisen to warn road users of icy conditions. It can further be seen that a need has arisen to protect roads from ice. It would be advantageous to have road studs which automatically act to clear ice and snow from a road upon detection of icy conditions.

[9] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a road stud which detects icy road conditions and automatically acts to improve the safety of the road.

[10] To this end, a road de-icing system is disclosed comprising: at least one road stud; temperature sensing means disposed in said road stud; means for receiving a de-icing substance; and means for spraying a de-icing substance through said road stud.

[11J An advantage of the present invention is that roads can be gritted, de-iced, or both, automatically upon detection of icy conditions, reducing the danger to road vehicles of slipping, skidding, or the like, due to ice or snow.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [12] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [13] Figure 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the road stud of the present invention; [14] Figure 2 shows an exploded diagram of the present invention; and [15] Figure 3 shows the de-icing system of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[16] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1-3 wherein like numerals refer to like components, a road de-icing system is disclosed comprising: at least one road stud; temperature sensing means disposed in said road stud; means for receiving a de-icing substance; and means for spraying a de-icing substance through said road stud.

[17] The road stud may be any road stud as known in the art and preferably comprises at least one reflective surface. Such road studs are commonly known as cat's eyes and are widely known in the art.

[18] The most preferred embodiment of the road stud comprises a housing 100 and base 102, shaped as shown in the figures. The housing may comprise polycarbonate or other materials and the base may comprise cast iron or the like as known in the art. The stud preferably comprises cat's eyes or similar reflectors 104 as known in the art.

[19] The temperature sensing means may be any temperature sensor as known in the art, such as a bimetallic strip, thermometer, or other means. The temperature sensing means is preferably connected to a PCB which sends a signal to the canisters and/or nozzles to operate to spray the road surface when the temperature drops below zero. The PCB may further comprise a timer which periodically checks the temperature and sprays the road if the temperature continues to be below zero.

The means for programming a PCB to carry out such functions is widely known in the art.

[20] The means for spraying a de-icing substance preferably comprises: at least one pressurized canister for containing said substance. The canister is preferably disposed beneath said stud under the road surface although it may be elsewhere. The means for spraying further comprises at least one nozzle in said stud which is preferably angled such that the de-icing substance is sprayed across the road surface to cover a maximum road area. A stud pipe preferably connects the canister to the nozzle.

[21] The means for receiving a de-icing substance preferably comprises: a maintenance box 120 external to said stud comprising at least one de-icing substance storage tank; and at least one underground pipe connecting the canister of the road stud to the de-icing substance tank.

[22] The maintenance box may be any weatherproof material for example polycarbonate. The box preferably comprises an access door 124 and an electronics console 122 via which the PCBs disposed in the studs can be controlled.

[23] In a most preferred embodiment, there are two de-icing substances; anti-freeze, and grit, both of which are known in the art for de-icing road surfaces. Thus there are preferably two sets of receiving and spraying means, that is, two of each of the following: tank, underground pipe, canister, stud pipe, nozzle.

One set is dedicated to receiving and spraying grit, and one to anti-freeze. The sets of receiving and spraying means may be adapted for these purposes.

[24] Thus the figures show anti-freeze storage tank 126 connected via underground anti-freeze pipe 113 to anti-freeze canister 116 which is connected via anti-freeze stud pipe 112 to anti-freeze nozzle 106. Alongside this set of equipment is shown grit storage tank 128 connected via underground grit pipe 115 to grit canister 118 which is connected via grit stud pipe 114 to grit nozzle 108.

[25] Alternatively there may be only one set and only one de-icing substance. Furthermore, other de-icing substances may be used.

[26] In a most preferred embodiment, the system comprises a multiplicity of road studs, connected via underground pipes to a multiplicity of maintenance boxes. Each box is connected to many studs and feeds the studs with de-icing substance.

[27] An advantage of the present invention is that roads can be gritted, de-iced, or both, automatically upon detection of icy conditions, reducing the danger to road vehicles of slipping, skidding, or the like, due to ice or snow.

Claims

Claims 1. A road de-icing system comprising: at least one road stud; temperature sensing means disposed in said road stud; means for receiving a de-icing substance; and means for spraying a de-icing substance through said road stud.
2. The road de-icing system of claim 1 wherein said road stud comprises at least one reflective surface.
3. The road de-icing system of claim 1 wherein said means for spraying a de-icing substance comprises: at least one pressurized canister for containing said substance; at least one nozzle in said stud; at least one stud pipe connecting said canister to said nozzle.
4. The road de-icing system of claim 3 wherein said means for receiving a de-icing substance comprises: a maintenance box external to said stud comprising at least one de-icing substance storage tank; and at least one underground pipe connecting said canister to said tank.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said de-icing substance comprises at least one selected from the list comprising: anti-freeze, grit.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one road stud comprises a multiplicity of road studs, wherein said at least one maintenance box is connected to said multiplicity of road studs.