Remote control for use with a deicing apparatus

• US 6,172,647 B1
• Filed: 06/15/1999
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ETI, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MSX, Inc.
• Inventors: Jones, Thaddeus M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Hoanganh
• Application Number:
  US09/333,715
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: H01/Q.102, 343/704, 219/213, 392/422, 392/426, 392/424
• US Class Current: 343/704
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/103 De-icing devices or snow melters for drainage outlets E04D13/0409, for gutters E04D13/0762, for down pipes E04D13/08
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/02 Arrangements for de-icing; Arrangements for drying-out ; Arrangements for cooling; Arrangements for preventing corrosion
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/005 using remotely controlled antenna positioning or scanning

Abstract

An antenna reflector assembly includes a reflector having a reflecting surface and an electrical heater for heating the reflecting surface. An ambient condition sensor senses an ambient temperature and/or an ambient moisture associated with an ambient environment and applies electrical power to the heater dependent upon the ambient temperature and/or the ambient moisture. A test device is connected to a source of electrical power. The test device includes a circuit breaker for cutting off an input current to the test device when the input current exceeds a predetermined threshold current. A ground fault circuit interrupter detects a ground fault condition and cuts off an electrical current associated with the ground fault condition. A current indicator senses a current through the heater and provides an indication thereof. At least one voltage indicator senses a voltage and provides an indication thereof.

Claims

1. An antenna reflector assembly, comprising:

a reflector having a reflecting surface;

an electrical heater configured for heating said reflecting surface;

an ambient condition sensor configured for sensing at least one of an ambient temperature and an ambient moisture associated with an ambient environment and applying electrical power to said heater dependent upon said at least one of an ambient temperature and an ambient moisture; and

a test device configured for being connected to a source of electrical power, said test device including;

a circuit breaker configured for cutting off an input current to said test device when said input current exceeds a predetermined threshold current;

a ground fault circuit interrupter configured for detecting a ground fault condition and cutting off an electrical current associated with said ground fault condition;

a current indicator configured for sensing a current through said heater and providing an indication thereof; and

at least one voltage indicator configured for sensing a voltage and providing an indication thereof.

2. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one voltage indicator includes a voltage indicator configured for sensing a voltage applied across a series combination of said ambient condition sensor and said heater.

3. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 2, wherein said at least one voltage indicator includes a voltage indicator configured for sensing a voltage applied across said heater.

4. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said current indicator and said at least one voltage indicator includes at least one light-emitting device.

5. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a feedhorn associated with said reflector; and

a second electrical heater connected in series with said reflector heater, said second electrical heater being configured for heating said feedhorn.

6. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, wherein said test device is disposed at a location remote from said reflector.

7. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, wherein said source of electrical power provides a line current and one of a neutral current and a ground current, said ground fault circuit interrupter being configured for comparing said line current to said one of a neutral current and a ground current.

8. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, wherein said test device includes a test switch having a first position and a second position, said test switch being configured for applying said electrical power to said ambient condition sensor in said first position, said test switch being configured for allowing electrical current to flow through said current indicator and for applying said electrical power to said heater in said second position.

9. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 8, wherein said test switch comprises a double-pole double-throw switch.

10. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, wherein said ambient condition sensor includes a thermostat configured for sensing temperature of said ambient atmosphere and applying said electrical power to said heater when said ambient temperature falls below a first predetermined temperature.

11. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 10, wherein said thermostat is configured for removing said electrical power from said electrical heater when said ambient temperature rises above a second predetermined temperature, said second predetermined temperature being greater than said first predetermined temperature.

12. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1 wherein said ambient condition sensor comprises a snow detector configured for sensing said ambient temperature and said ambient moisture and applying said electrical power to said electrical heater when said ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature and said ambient moisture is above a predetermined level.

13. An antenna reflector assembly, comprising:

a reflector having a reflecting surface;

an electrical heater configured for heating said reflecting surface;

an ambient condition sensor configured for sensing at least one of an ambient temperature and an ambient moisture and applying an alternating current electrical power to said heater dependent upon said at least one of an ambient temperature and an ambient moisture; and

a current indicator configured for sensing an AC electrical current through said heater and providing an indication thereof, said current indicator including;

a relay having a coil and a relay switch, said coil carrying said AC heater current, said relay switch being configured for closing when an instantaneous voltage across said heater exceeds a first threshold voltage, and for opening when said instantaneous heater voltage drops below a second threshold voltage; and

an indicator device connected in series with said relay switch, said indicator device being configured for drawing current only when said instantaneous heater voltage exceeds a third threshold voltage, said third threshold voltage being greater than each of said first threshold voltage and said second threshold voltage.

14. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 13, further comprising a test switch configured for selectively allowing said AC heater current to flow through said coil, and for selectively applying said electrical power to said electrical heater.

15. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 13, wherein said indicator device includes a neon light-emitting device.

16. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 13, wherein said indicator device is configured as an open circuit whenever said relay switch is open, thereby preventing arcing across said relay switch.

17. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 13, wherein said relay switch comprises a reed switch.

18. An electrical heater assembly, comprising:

an electrical heater; and

a current indicator configured for sensing an AC electrical current through said heater and providing an indication thereof, said current indicator including;

a relay having a coil and a reed switch, said coil carrying said AC heater current, said reed switch being configured for closing when an instantaneous voltage across said heater exceeds a first threshold voltage, and for opening when said instantaneous heater voltage drops below a second threshold voltage; and

an indicator device connected in series with said reed switch, said indicator device being configured for drawing current only when said instantaneous heater voltage exceeds a third threshold voltage said third threshold voltage being greater than each of said first threshold voltage and said second threshold voltage.