A puncture-resistant, electrically-energized sheet heater comprises a conductive polymeric film laminated between a top puncture-resistant, polymeric protective layer and a bottom backing layer that may comprise an insulated backing layer of extruded polystyrene closed-cell foam board. The heater is appointed to be placed beneath, or embedded in, a pavement material, and energized to provide heat to remove frozen precipitation from the pavement, or prevent it from accumulating thereon.

An apparatus and method heat a structure during frozen precipitation. The apparatus comprises: (i) heating means for heating the structure; a control unit 14 for 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.

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.

The illuminated heated driveway is an overlay panel that covers and heats a covered area exemplified by, but not limited to, a driveway or a sidewalk. Multiple overlay panels may be conjoined to cover an area larger than a single overlay panel. The overlay panels are powered by a power assembly that couples to a connector on one of the overlay panels. Additional connectors may electrically couple adjacent overlay panels. Within each overlay panel, a heating element and a lighting system is electrically connected to the power connectors. The heating element may melt wintry weather that accumulates on the panel and the lighting system may cause the panel to glow for improved visibility. The power assembly may comprise a time to turn the panel on and off throughout the day.

A modular system for streets formed of a top module, a bottom module, an internal cavity formed within the bottom module, cables positioned within said bottom module, a computing device, sensors operatively associated with said computing device, and communications hardware configured to communicate information from said sensors to a second computing device positioned exterior to said modular system.

A modular system for streets formed of a top module, a bottom module, an internal cavity formed within the bottom module, cables positioned within said bottom module, a computing device, sensors operatively associated with said computing device, and communications hardware configured to communicate information from said sensors to a second computing device positioned exterior to said modular system.

A customizable playing field includes a turf system comprising a tile with a turf layer. The tile overlays a subfloor, defining a reservoir thereunder. A forced air system includes a pipe disposed within the reservoir and operatively coupled to a pump; and a sensor. A control system controls the pump, and includes a processor in data communication with at least one input/output device and computer memory. The computer memory has a program with machine readable instructions that, when effected by the processor, perform the following steps: if the temperature is above a predetermined threshold as measured by the sensor, forcing a cool fluid through the pipe; and if the temperature is below a predetermined threshold as measured by the sensor, forcing a warm fluid through the pipe.

A method for manufacturing a road surfacing on the surface pipes of a heat exchanger device by a) spreading asphalt mix comprising a granular fraction, a hydrocarbon-based binder at a temperature below 160 C., wherein the asphalt mix has a workability of less than 400 N, b) depositing the pipes, said pipes having a crushing strength greater than 3000 N per linear metre of pipe at 100 C., a thermal expansion less than 200.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1 at 20 C. in such a way as to enable their indentation even in the absence of cooling means or pressure application means, c) indenting the deposited pipes into said integration layer by compacting said asphalt mix during the workability period of said asphalt mix, to form an integration layer comprising the pipes of a heat exchanger device, and d) applying a surface layer there above for the road surface.

A method for manufacturing a road surfacing on the surface pipes of a heat exchanger device by a) spreading asphalt mix comprising a granular fraction, a hydrocarbon-based binder at a temperature below 160 C., wherein the asphalt mix has a workability of less than 400 N, b) depositing the pipes, said pipes having a crushing strength greater than 3000 N per linear metre of pipe at 100 C., a thermal expansion less than 200.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1 at 20 C. in such a way as to enable their indentation even in the absence of cooling means or pressure application means, c) indenting the deposited pipes into said integration layer by compacting said asphalt mix during the workability period of said asphalt mix, to form an integration layer comprising the pipes of a heat exchanger device, and d) applying a surface layer there above for the road surface.

Systems and methods for a permeable pavement system are described. The permeable pavement system includes blocks designed to facilitate water seepage between the blocks and to permit water storage within the blocks. The blocks may be cabled together to create paving units that facilitate installation and maintenance of the pavement system. The permeable pavement system may also be heated to a predetermined range with either electrical energy or hydronic heating.