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Claim 9.The modular heated cover of claim 1, wherein the outer layers are sealed together to form a water resistant envelope around the thermal insulation layer and electrical heating element, the envelope including a minimal quantity of air. |
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Claim 10.The modular heated cover of claim 1, wherein the first outer layer is positioned on the top of the heated cover and colored to absorb heat energy, and the second outer layer is positioned on the bottom of the heated cover and colored to retain heat energy beneath the heated cover. |
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Claim 11.The modular heated cover of claim 1, further comprising an air isolation flap configured to retain heated air beneath the heated cover. |
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In one embodiment, the insulation layer 304 provides thermal insulation to retain heat generated by the resistive element 208 beneath the thermal cover 300. In one embodiment, the insulation layer 304 is a sheet of polystyrene. Alternatively, the insulation layer may include cotton batting, Gore-Tex®, fiberglass, or other insulation material. In certain embodiments, the insulation layer 304 may allow a portion of the heat generated by the resistive element 208 to escape the top of the thermal cover 300 to prevent ice and snow accumulation on top of the thermal cover 300. For example, the insulation layer 304 may include a plurality of vents to transfer heat to the top layer 302. In certain embodiments, the thermal insulation layer 304 may be integrated with either the first outer layer 302 or the second outer layer 306. For example, the first outer layer 302 may comprise an insulation fill or batting positioned between two films of nylon. |
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In one embodiment, the directional power diode 606 is specified to operate at 240V and up to 70 A. The directional power diode 606 allows electric current to flow from the 240V line to the first electrical heating element 608, but stops electric current flow in the reverse direction. In another embodiment, the directional power diode 606 may be replaced by a power transistor configured to switch on when current flows from the 240V line and switch off when current flows from the 120V line. |
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In one embodiment, the first electrical heating element 608 is powered when the 120V plug 602 is connected, but the second electrical heating element 610 is isolated by the directional power diode 606. In an additional embodiment, the first electrical heating element 608, and the second electrical heating element 610 are powered simultaneously. In this embodiment, the first electrical heating element 608 and the second electrical heating element 610 are coupled by the directional power diode 606. |
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FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of an apparatus 600 for providing versatile power connectivity and thermal output. In one embodiment, the apparatus 600 includes a first electrical plug 602 configured for 120V power, a second electrical plug 604 configured for 240V power, a directional power diode 606, a first active electrical heating element 608, and a second active electrical heating element 610. |
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In one embodiment, the temperature sensor 514 is integrated in the thermal cover 200 to provide variable feedback signals determined by the temperature of the thermal cover 200. For example, in one embodiment, the control logic 506 may include calibration logic to calibrate the signal level from the temperature sensor 514 with a usable feedback voltage. |
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In one embodiment, the user interface 510 comprises an adjustable potentiometer. Additionally, the user interface 510 may comprise an adjustable user control 512 to allow a user to manually adjust the desired power output. In certain embodiments, the user control may include a dial or knob. Additionally, the user control 512 may be labeled to provide the user with power level or temperature level information. |
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In one embodiment, the control logic 506 may include a network of amplifiers, transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, or the like configured to automatically adjust the power output of the AC power supply 516, thereby controlling the heat energy output of the resistive element 208. In another embodiment, the control logic 206 may include an integrated circuit (IC) chip package specifically for feedback control of temperature. In various embodiments, the control logic 506 may require a 3V–25V DC power supply 508 for operation of the control logic components. |
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FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a modular temperature control unit 500. In one embodiment, the temperature control unit may include a housing 502, control logic 506, a DC power supply 508 connected to an AC power source 504, an AC power supply for the thermal cover 200, a user interface 510 with an adjustable user control 512, and a temperature sensor 514. |
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In one embodiment, the bottom connecting means 406 and the top connecting means 408 may substantially provide air and water isolation. In one embodiment, the top and bottom connecting means 408, 406 may include weather stripping, adhesive fabric, Velcro, or the like. |
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In one embodiment, the weight 404 is lead, sand, or other weighted material integrated into the air isolation flap 400. Alternatively, the weight may be rock, dirt, or other heavy material placed on the air isolation flap 400 by a user of the thermal cover 200. |
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FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional diagram of one embodiment of an air isolation flap 400. In one embodiment, the air isolation flap 400 includes a portion of a covering sheet 402, a weight 404, a bottom connecting means 406, and a top connecting means 408. In one embodiment, the air isolation flap 400 may extend six inches from the edges of the thermal covering 300. In one embodiment, the air isolation flap 400 may additionally include heavy duty riveted, or tubular edges (not shown) for durability and added air isolation. The covering sheet 402 may comprise a joined portion of the first outer cover 302 and second outer cover 306 that extends around the perimeter of the cover 200 and does not include any intervening layers such as heat spreading layer 210 or insulation layer 304. |
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In one embodiment, the heat spreading element 210 is placed in direct contact with the resistive element 208. The heat spreading element 210 may conduct heat away from the resistive element 208 and spread the heat for a more even distribution of heat. The heat spreading element 210 may comprise any heat conductive material. For example, the heat spreading element 210 may comprise metal foil, wire mesh, and the like. In one embodiment, the resistive element 208 may be wrapped in metal foil. The resistive element 208 may be made from metal such as copper or other heat conductive material such as graphite. Alternatively, the conductive layer may comprise a heat conducting liquid such as water, oil, grease or the like. |
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In one embodiment, the safety ground lines from the 120V connector 602 and the 240V connector 604 are connected to thermal cover 200 at connection point 612. In one embodiment, the safety ground 612 is connected to the heat spreading element 210. Alternatively, the safety ground 612 is connected to the outer layers 302, 310. In another alternative embodiment, the safety ground 612 may be connected to each layer of the thermal cover 200. |
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For example, the first outer layer 302 may comprise a material that is resistant to sun rot such as such as polyester, plastic, and the like. The bottom layer 306 may comprise material that is resistant to mildew, mold, and water rot such as nylon. The outer layers 302, 306 may comprise a highly durable material. The material may be textile or sheet, and natural or synthetic. For example, the outer layers 302, 306 may comprise a nylon textile. Additionally, the outer layers 302, 306 may be coated with a water resistant or waterproofing coating. For example, a polyurethane coating may be applied to the outer surfaces of the outer layers 302, 310. Additionally, the top and bottom outer layers 302, 306 may be colored, or coated with a colored coating such as paint. In one embodiment, the color may be selected based on heat reflective or heat absorptive properties. For example, the top layer 302 may be colored black for maximum solar heat absorption. The bottom layer 302 may be colored grey for a high heat transfer rate or to maximize heat retention beneath the cover. |
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In one embodiment, the first outer layer 302 may be positioned on the top of the thermal cover 300 and the second outer layer 306 may be positioned on the bottom of the thermal cover 300. In certain embodiments, the first outer layer 302 and the second outer layer 306 may comprise the same or similar material. Alternatively, the first outer layer 302 and the second outer layer 306 may comprise different materials, each material possessing properties beneficial to the specified surface environment. |
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FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a multilayer modular heated cover 300. In one embodiment, the thermal cover 300 includes a first outer layer 302, an insulation layer 304, a resistive element 208, a heat spreading element 210, and a second outer layer 306. In one embodiment, the layers of the thermal cover 300 comprise fire retardant material. In one embodiment, the materials used in the various layers of the thermal cover 300 are selected for high durability in an outdoor environment, light weight, fire retardant, sun and water rot resistant characteristics, water resistant characteristics, pliability, and the like. For example, the thermal cover 300 may comprise material suitable for one man to fold, carry, and spread the thermal cover 300 in a wet, rugged, and cold environment. Therefore, the material is preferably lightweight, durable, water resistant, fire retardant, and the like. Additionally, the material may be selected based on cost effectiveness. |
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Consequently, the present invention allows up to two or more thermal covers 200 to be modularly connected such that about five hundred and six square feet are covered and heated using the present invention. Advantageously, the five hundred and six square feet are heated using a single 120 Volt circuit protected by up to a 20 Amp breaker. Tests of certain embodiments of the present invention have been conducted in which two thermal covers 200 were modularly connected to cover about five hundred and six square feet. Those of skill in the art will recognize that more than two thermal covers may be connected on a single 120 Volt circuit with up to a 20 Amp breaker if the watts used per foot is lowered. |
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