Chromalox, Inc.

Adam Heiligenstein

Paul R Neilson

Christopher J Molnar

Martin P Konieczny

Mark Wheeler

Scott Treser

Mark Crombie

Thomas Robinson

An apparatus and method heat a structure during frozen precipitation. The apparatus comprises: (i) heating means for heating the structure; a control unitfor controlling operation of the heating means; and a frozen precipitation forecast sensor that: receives, over a time frame, weather data for a geographic region of the structure; determines, at time instances during the time frame, whether there is a likelihood of frozen precipitation in a geographic zone around the structure based on the received weather data; and transmits command signals to the control unit based on the determinations of whether there is a likelihood of frozen precipitation in the geographic zone around the structure. The command signals can be commands to the control unit for the operational state of the heating means.

Digital snow and ice sensor and heating apparatus including same

An extrusion assembly, a method of constructing an extrusion assembly, and an additive manufacturing system including an extrusion assembly are disclosed. The extrusion assembly includes an extrusion die; a channel having an inlet and an outlet, which is in fluid communication with the extrusion die; and a heating element that melts a filament material drive through the channel so that the melted material is extruded by the extrusion die. The heating element can be helically wound about the channel or extend parallel to the channel, among other configurations. Further, the extrusion assembly includes a temperature sensor that is positioned adjacent to the channel between the extrusion die and the heating element. The channel, heating element, and temperature sensor are enclosed together within a sheath as a single integral unit. An additive manufacturing system utilizing the extrusion assembly can include a drive assembly, a support assembly, and a controller.

Extrusion assembly for an additive manufacturing system

An improved signal light unit for heat trace cables includes an energy storage device that stores energy during normal operation of the heat trace cable. During the normal operation, the light source of the signal light unit has a first illumination status. When there is a fault or other type of interruption in the electrical power in the heat trace cable, the energy storage device can discharge to power the light source. The light source can be illuminated in a different manner when it is powered by the energy storage device than during normal operation. Keeping the light energized in this manner when there is a fault in the heat trace cable and, moreover, making the light illuminate differently when there is a fault compared to normal operation, will facilitate inspection of the facility in which the heat trace cable is installed.

Heat trace signal light

A heat trace system heats (or maintains the temperature of) vessels of a piping system. Heat trace cables are connected to power control devices in respective wireless modules such that when the power control device in a wireless module is on, the heat trace cable connected to that wireless module conducts current, and thereby heats the vessel contacting the heat trace cable. The wireless module receives control commands for controlling its power control device wirelessly from the main power distribution and control system via a wireless communication network. A wireless module can include a sensor, where the wireless module report backs conditions sensed by the sensor to the main power distribution and control system via the wireless network. The main power distribution and control system can use that information in its control loops to control the switching of the power control devices in the wireless modules, to thereby control whether the associated heat trace cable conducts current or not, to thereby control the temperature at the vessel that is heated by the heat trace cable.

Wireless modules with power control circuits for heat trace system

Heat trace system for heating vessels of a piping system comprises a main control system, a plurality of heat trace elements, and a plurality of wireless modules. Each heat trace element is adjacent to one of the vessels of the piping system and connected to an electrical power source of the main control system. Each of the wireless modules: (a) is connected to and powered by an associated heat trace element; (b) comprises an energy storage device connected to the associated heat trace element for storing energy from the associated heat trace element to power the wireless module; and (c) comprises an RF module for communicating wirelessly with the main control system via a wireless communication network. The stored energy in the energy storage device can be used to power components of the wireless module, even when no current is flowing in the heat trace element to which the wireless module is connected.

Powering wireless components in a heat trace system

Energy storage systems and methods use medium voltage (MV) electrical heat exchangers to increase the efficiency of the energy storage system and/or reduce emission of pollutants. MV electrical heat exchangers use medium range voltages to heat a fluid, such as a gas or liquid. The heated fluid is used in the energy storage system to either drive a turbine generator directly or indirectly, such as by generating steam to drive the turbine generator. The electricity used to power the MV electrical heat exchangers can be from renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind-powered sources, further increasing efficiency of the energy storage system.

Energy storage systems with medium voltage electrical heat exchangers

Powering a sensor module of a heat trace system used for heating vessels. The sensor module may comprise a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of a vessel. A microprocessor-based controller of the heat trace system uses the sensed temperature from the sensor module to control the voltage applied to the heat trace, and thereby control the heat provided by the heat trace to the vessel. The sensor module may comprise an energy storage device that stored energy from the voltage difference across a pair of buss wires in the heat trace cable, and the stored energy is used to power the components of the sensor modules.

Growing community of inventors

Gibsonia, PA, United States of America

Adam Heiligenstein