Insect eradication system and method

• US 20100071258A1
• Filed: 09/25/2008
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chromalox Incorporated (Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC)
• Original Assignee: Chromalox Incorporated (Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC)
• Inventors: Molnar, Christopher, Rannick, Paul R., Jarzynka, Tom
• Granted Patent: US 7,926,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 43/132.100
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2094 killing insects by using temperature, e.g. flames, steam or freezing A01M1/22 takes precedence

Abstract

System, kit, and method for treating bed bugs or other pests in a room. The system comprises an electric heater that is formed by joining separate parts or sections. A first heater section may comprise a number of electrically energized heater coils and the second section may comprise a fan and a fan motor. The system may also comprise a number of temperature-sensing probes to be installed at locations within the room. The system may also comprise an electronic data recorder to receive and record temperature readings from the temperature-sensing probes. The room may be gradually heated to a temperature that is lethal for bed bugs and other pests. Once the lethal temperature is reached, the room may be heated for a time period.

Claims

1. A system for treating pests in a room of a multi-room building, the system comprising:

a first heater section comprising a plurality of electrically energized heater coils;

a second heater section, separate from the first heater second, that comprises a fan and a fan motor, wherein the fan motor is for powering the fan, and wherein the first heater section is connectable to the second heater section to form an electric heater to heat the room;

a plurality of temperature-sensing probes to be installed at locations within the room to measure the temperature in the room; and

a data recorder in communication with the plurality of temperature-sensing probes to receive and record temperature readings from the plurality of temperature-sensing probes.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an electric generator for powering the electric heater.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the heater comprises one or more lockouts that prevent powering of the heater coils unless the fan motor is energized.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the heater further comprises a power box, wherein the power box comprises:

a first power circuit for receiving electric power from a first power source for powering the motor;

a second power circuit for receiving electric power from a second source for powering a first portion of the heater coils; and

a third power circuit for receiving electric power from a third source for powering a second portion of the heater coils, wherein the third power circuit is rated for a higher voltage than the second power circuit.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising one or more lockouts that prevent the first and second portions of the heater coils from being energized unless the motor is energized.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a first switch for selectively turning on and off the second power circuit; and

a second switch for selectively turning on and off the third power circuit.

7. A method of treating pests in a room of a multi-room building, the method comprising:

preparing the room for treatment, wherein preparing the room for treatment comprises fully closing one or more windows of the room;

placing a plurality temperature-sensing probes throughout the room, wherein the plurality temperature-sensing probes are in communication with a data recorder;

connecting a first heater section to a second, separate, heater section to form an electric heater, wherein the first heater section comprises a plurality of electrically energized heater coils, and wherein the second heater section comprises a fan and a fan motor;

heating the room, with the electric heater, such that ambient air in the room is heated to at least 120°

F. for a treatment time period and such that interior structural voids for the room exceed 111°

F. for the treatment time period, wherein the treatment time period is at least two hours; and

during the heating, recording and storing, by the data recorder, temperature readings from the plurality temperature-sensing probes.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein preparing the room comprises:

modifying a water sprinkler system for the room so that the water sprinkler system is not activated during the heating; and

deactivating a smoke detector for the room.

9. A kit for treating pests in a room of a multi-room building, the kit comprising:

at least one first heater section comprising a plurality of electrically energized heater coils;

a second heater section, separate from the first heater second, that comprises a fan and a fan motor, wherein the fan motor is for powering the fan, and wherein the at least one first heater section is connectable to the second heater section to form an electric heater to heat the room;

a plurality of temperature-sensing probes to be installed at locations within the room to measure the temperature in the room; and

a data recorder for communicating with the plurality of temperature-sensing probes to receive and record temperature readings from the plurality of temperature-sensing probes.

10. The kit of claim 9, further comprising an electric generator for powering the electric heater.

11. The kit of claim 9, wherein the heater comprises one or more lockouts that prevent powering of the heater coils unless the fan motor is energized.

12. The kit of claim 9, wherein the heater further comprises a power circuit, wherein the power circuit comprises:

a first power circuit for receiving electric power from a first power source for powering the motor;

a second power circuit for receiving electric power from a second source for powering a first portion of the heater coils; and

a third power circuit for receiving electric power from a third source for powering a second portion of the heater coils, wherein the third power circuit is rated for a higher voltage than the second power circuit.

13. The kit of claim 12, further comprising one or more lockouts that prevent the first and second portions of the heater coils from being energized unless the motor is energized.

14. The kit of claim 13, further comprising:

a first switch for selectively turning on and off the second power circuit; and

a second switch for selectively turning on and off the third power circuit.

15. The kit of claim 9, wherein the at least one first heater section comprises:

a first first heater section, comprising a first set of heater coils; and

a second first heater section, comprising a second set of heater coils, wherein the second set of heater coils comprises heater coils rated for different voltages that the first set of heater coils.