A refrigeration and/or heat transfer device includes a heating section and cooling section, a release member, and a one-way check valve affixed together in a continuous loop so working fluid may flow in one direction therein. The heating section absorbs heat and transfers such heat to the working fluid, thereby heating, expanding and increasing pressure upon the working fluid therein. The pressurized working fluid is released in a regulated manner from the heating section to the cooling section, thereby carrying the heat away. The released working fluid cools and transfers its heat to the surroundings within the cooling section. As released working fluid enters the cooling section, such fluid displaces already cooled working fluid, pushing such fluid through the one-way check valve back into the heating section to absorb heat. The working fluid may undergo a phase change or remain in a single phase throughout to enhance heat transfer.

A snow plow-blower operates as a snow plow, snow blower/thrower or as a snow plow-blower combination. The snow plow-blower includes a plow head blade and at least one blower door. The cavity contains a snow moving means, single, dual, or multi staged, for moving snow, ice and other materials out through at least one discharge chute and/or at least one opening. The blower door is adapted to move to an open configuration to expose said cavity, and from the open configuration to a closed configuration to thereby prevent snow, ice and other material ingress into the snow blower unit. Preferably, at least one retractable and extendable wing is located on the plow head blade to advantageously provide varying closed and open extended position configurations or positions for the removal of snow, ice or other material and debris.

A snow plow-blower operates as a snow plow, snow blower/thrower or as a snow plow-blower combination. The snow plow-blower includes a plow head blade and at least one blower door. The cavity contains a snow moving means, single, dual, or multi staged, for moving snow, ice and other materials out through at least one discharge chute and/or at least one opening. The blower door is adapted to move to an open configuration to expose said cavity, and from the open configuration to a closed configuration to thereby prevent snow, ice and other material ingress into the snow blower unit. Preferably, at least one retractable and extendable wing is located on the plow head blade to advantageously provide varying closed and open extended position configurations or positions for the removal of snow, ice or other material and debris.

Disclosed herein is a device that is configured to melt at least one of snow and ice, comprising a coil formed from an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the elongated member having a surface comprising at least one of grooves, notches and pores configured to facilitate movement of liquid by capillary action. Corresponding methods and systems also are disclosed.

Disclosed herein is a device that is configured to melt at least one of snow and ice, comprising a coil formed from an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the elongated member having a surface comprising at least one of grooves, notches and pores configured to facilitate movement of liquid by capillary action. Corresponding methods and systems also are disclosed.

A portable snow and ice melting apparatus including a hopper with opposite side walls and opposite end walls, the side and end walls extending vertically from a base as to define an internal cavity, a first melting panel and a second melting panel positioned within the internal cavity, the second melting panel rotating between an open position and the closed position, a first heating element heating the first melting panel to an operating temperature and a second heating element heating the second melting panel to the operating temperature, the operating temperature sufficient to melt snow and ice deposited within the hopper.

A portable ground thawing system for excavating Shovel Test Pits (STPs) includes a cylindrical heat chamber having an open bottom and a closed top. A charging inlet is disposed on one side and a flue is on the other. An adjustable baffle is stationed in the flue. A salamander style heater is positioned to emit a stream of hot gas through the charging inlet, creating a swirling internal current of hot gas that loops through an internal heat loft. The heat loft provides both radiant heat properties as well as supports convection via the gas current that sweep across the frozen ground before exiting the flue. Electricity to power the heater is supplied by a generator. The method of use includes orienting the heat chamber so that its charging inlet is leeward and its flue is windward relative to the prevailing wind direction.

A modular heated surface system which can quickly be assembled from several pieces. The system can be designed to fit sidewalks and driveways of any size and includes durable surfaces for driving vehicles across the platforms. A drain assembly is included to ensure that the water produced from melted ice and snow is properly drained away from the heated surface. The system is powered by plugging the system into a standard 120V outlet.

A concrete heating system for electrically melting snow and ice. The concrete heating system generally includes a heating device for embedding in conductive concrete, the device having a spacing member and a plurality of electrically isolated conductors extending outward at an angle from the spacing member along its length. The device also includes a first electrode near the first end of the spacing member, and a second electrode extending outward from the spacing member at the second end. The plurality of conductors conduct an electrical current between the first electrode and the second electrode when the concrete heating device is embedded in conductive concrete and the power source applies a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.

A concrete heating system for electrically melting snow and ice. The concrete heating system generally includes a heating device for embedding in conductive concrete, the device having a spacing member and a plurality of electrically isolated conductors extending outward at an angle from the spacing member along its length. The device also includes a first electrode near the first end of the spacing member, and a second electrode extending outward from the spacing member at the second end. The plurality of conductors conduct an electrical current between the first electrode and the second electrode when the concrete heating device is embedded in conductive concrete and the power source applies a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.