The present invention provides a pavement deicing or snow-melting system, comprising a water-permeable pavement, a drainage device and a heating device, wherein the water-permeable pavement comprises, successively from the top down, a water-permeable asphalt concrete coating, a porous cement stabilized macadam layer, a reflecting layer, a waterproof layer, a semi-rigid base and a semi-rigid cushion; the drainage device comprises a drainage ditch and a sheet cover; a water inlet is formed on the drainage ditch; a lower edge of the drainage ditch is not lower than the waterproof layer; curbs are arranged on edges of the water-permeable asphalt concrete coating and the porous cement stabilized macadam layer; and, the heating device is arranged between the water-permeable asphalt concrete coating and the porous cement stabilized macadam layer.

Heated surfaces for melting snow and ice are described herein. Some implementations include a highly integrated panel having upper and lower main structures secured to one another by an attachment through openings. Multiple panels can be connected together by means of load transfer devices on the upper and lower main structures. Other implementations include a melting panel with individual tiles, adhesives, structural materials, resistance-heating materials, electrically conductive materials, and thermally conductive materials. Power to the panels in the form of electricity may be provided via electrical wires and connectors, and further transmitted between the various parts of the panels. Still other implementations include embedded heating elements with adhesives, structural materials, resistance-heating materials, electrically conductive materials, and thermally conductive materials.

A suspension mounted heating system is designed to allow easy installation of electric heating cable that is positioned against the bottom surface of a suspended stair or walkway so that heat generated by the cable is efficiently transferred up into the stair or walkway material to raise its temperature enough to prevent the accumulation of snow and ice on the material's top surface.

Structures and methods for controlling road temperature over an underpass space are disclosed, including a structure comprising: footings underlying the road supporting a support assembly comprising: an inner shell; a plurality of beams surmounting the inner shell; an insulating material for thermally isolating the road and the remainder of the support assembly from the underpass space; an outer shell; a temperature control assembly; temperature sensors disposed in the road and the support assembly; and a computer processor configured to receive temperature and weather forecast data; predict changes to the temperature of the support assembly and the road based on the temperature and forecast data; and control the application or removal of heat to the support assembly, based on the predicted changes to the temperature of the support assembly and the road, resulting in the road maintaining a temperature within a predetermined range.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

The present invention relates to tactile warning panels, and in particular to tactile warning panels that are designed and built with multi-function/multipurpose capabilities that serve the visually impaired and enable the deployment of smart city technology by integrating tactile warning systems and subsurface enclosures that can withstand pressures of five (5) tons up to and exceeding sixty (60) tons and incorporate small cells, beacons, sensors, Fog Computing, electric energy generation, rechargeable power supplies, wireless M2M communication and a plethora of other smart city technologies.

Methods, systems and devices for making a pedestrian, vehicular, or other surface resistant to frost, snow and ice by use of heat are disclosed. A composite base or deck element includes a recess to accommodate heating element. A thermal insulator has an upward facing layer of heat-conductive aluminum foil, above which sits the heating element. On top is a pedestrian, vehicular, or other exposed surface, for example a tactile warning surface.

A building system comprising of a plurality of panels wherein the building system is configured to be either superposed an existing structure or a ground surface. The plurality of panels of the building system are shaped so as to be mateable when place adjacent to each other. The panels include a bottom and walls that form an interior volume. The bottom and walls of the panels are manufactured from a thermally conductive material such as but not limited to metal. The interior volume of the panels are filled with a lightweight structural material such as but not limited to polyurethane foam or autoclaved concrete. A first temperature source is disposed within the panels and is configured to have a fluid pass therethrough. A second temperature source is present and is a heating element. The panels are operable to utilize either temperature sources.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

The grounded modular heated cover is disclosed with a first pliable outer layer and a second pliable outer layer, wherein the outer layers provide durable protection, an electrical heating element between the first and the second outer layers, the electrical heating element configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy, a heat spreading layer, and a thermal insulation layer positioned above the active electrical heating element. Beneficially, such a device provides radiant heat, weather isolation, temperature insulation, and solar heat absorption efficiently and cost effectively. The modular heated cover quickly and efficiently removes ice, snow, and frost from surfaces, and penetrates soil and other material to thaw the material to a suitable depth. A plurality of modular heated covers can be connected on a single 120 Volt circuit protected by a 20 Amp breaker. The modular heated covers are grounded for safety using the conductive heat spreading layer.