A system and method for heating concrete structures to either prevent the build-up of freezing precipitation or eliminate freezing precipitation on a top surface of the concrete structures. The system includes a heating assembly integrally formed with a concrete structure to apply thermal energy to the top surface of the concrete structure. Optionally, the heating assembly includes heating elements formed of carbon fiber tape. Following formation of the concrete structure, the heating assembly is configured for unified movement with the concrete structure. The system optionally includes a control assembly operatively coupled to the heating assembly. The control assembly selectively powers the heating assembly and can be configured for remote operation. In use, the control assembly can be selectively activated from a remote location to power the heating assembly and heat the concrete structure.

Structures, systems, and methods for controlling water flow in relation to an underpass space of a road support structure are disclosed, including a method comprising receiving precipitation forecast data; receiving water volume data for water flowing toward an underpass space of a support assembly underlying a road, wherein a first culvert is positioned through the underpass space and a second culvert positioned around the support assembly configured to transfer water around the support assembly, and wherein one or more barriers are positioned to control flow of water within the first and second culvert; predicting water volume input to the underpass space based on the water volume data and the precipitation forecast data; and controlling the position of the one or more barriers to control flow of water within the first culvert and the second culvert based on the predicted water volume input.

A snow melting apparatus for melting snow on sidewalks, driveways, and other walkways is provided. The snow melting apparatus comprises a plurality of individual heating cables with the heat cables woven together to form a mesh-like covering mat and the covering mat having a top surface and a bottom surface. An outer perimeter border surrounds the covering mat. A snowfall sensor mechanism is mounted to the covering mat with the snowfall sensor mechanism detecting precipitation and automatically activating the heating cables. The top surface of the covering mat is presented for a person to walk and or stand while the bottom surface of the covering mat is capable of being positioned against the sidewalk, driveway, or other walkway. Upon activation of the heating cables, the temperature of the heating cables increases thereby heating the entire covering mat.

An electrical power generating apparatus for generating electrical power using a generator connected directly or indirectly to a flywheel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises platforms, protrusions, generators, flywheels and other components. The platforms are configured to be laid on a surface and easily allow an object, e.g., a vehicle to traverse over the platforms. Each protrusion is configured to move downward and upward through apertures located in a top portion of the platform. The protrusions interact with reset members. The protrusions move in a linear/angle downward/downward-upward motion when the object pushes/strikes/depresses the protrusions. Each protrusion is connected in an operative manner to a shaft via a gear, and/or to a lever which is connected in an operative manner to shaft, thereby rotating the shaft by converting linear motion to rotational motion. A generator, flywheel, and gearbox can be coupled to the shaft.

An electrical power generating apparatus for generating electrical power using a generator connected directly or indirectly to a flywheel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises platforms, protrusions, generators, flywheels and other components. The platforms are configured to be laid on a surface and easily allow an object, e.g., a vehicle to traverse over the platforms. Each protrusion is configured to move downward and upward through apertures located in a top portion of the platform. The protrusions interact with reset members. The protrusions move in a linear/angle downward/downward-upward motion when the object pushes/strikes/depresses the protrusions. Each protrusion is connected in an operative manner to a shaft via a gear, and/or to a lever which is connected in an operative manner to shaft, thereby rotating the shaft by converting linear motion to rotational motion. A generator, flywheel, and gearbox can be coupled to the shaft.

There is described a system for preventing accumulation of meltable precipitation on a surface. The system generally has: a concrete slab having a slab body with a top surface opposed to a bottom surface, the slab body having electrically conductive concrete; a plurality of elongated electrodes within said slab body, a first set of said elongated electrodes being spaced apart from one another proximate to said top surface and a second set of said elongated electrodes being spaced apart from one another away from said elongated electrodes of said first set, the elongated electrodes of the first set being interspersed with the elongated electrodes of the second set; and a voltage source being electrically connected to the elongated electrodes and being operable to apply a voltage to said elongated electrodes, thereby generating heat within said slab body for melting said accumulation on said top surface.

A subsurface energy storage system includes roadway housings arranged to define a surface to carry vehicles. Each roadway housing has an energy storage assembly having a housing defining cavities, and energy storage units respectively carried within the cavities and being electrically coupled together. Each roadway housing also includes a layer adjacent to the energy storage assembly and to provide the surface to carry vehicles. The subsurface energy storage system also includes an energy storage management controller coupled to the energy storage units in the roadway housings.

A paving slab is provided, including a slab body having a recess, a module which is arranged in the recess, wherein the module extends in a planar manner along a module plane, and a flat cover element, which is oriented along the module plane and is translucent at least in sections, for protecting the at least one module. The module is enclosed in a liquid-tight manner by the slab body and the cover element. The module includes a photovoltaic layer, a luminous layer and a support element to which the photovoltaic layer and the luminous layer are applied by screen printing, wherein the photovoltaic layer, the luminous layer and the entire module are flexible. Also provided is a paving system including the paving slab and to a method for producing the paving slab.

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.

Some deck or patio areas constructed of pavers mounted on adjustable pedestal supports must remain snow and ice free on their top surfaces. The pedestal-mounted paver heating system is designed to allow easy installation of electric heating cable that is positioned against the bottom surface of pavers so that heat generated by the cable is efficiently transferred up into the pavers to raise their temperature enough to prevent the accumulation of snow and ice on their top surfaces.