Ground Thawing Device

Abstract

A ground thawing device. The ground thawing device includes an insulated rectangular housing defining an interior volume with parallel sidewalls, end walls, and an open bottom. A pipe having a burn chamber connected to a first end and a second end adapted to connect to an external source of combustible gases is configured to be received through apertures disposed on the end walls. Perforations disposed along the length of the pipe allow for the combustible gas to be released in the interior volume of the housing. The burn chamber allows for an ignition source to be applied to the combustible gases carried therein. Once ignited, heat emanating from the pipe warms the interior volume and thaws the ground beneath, softening frozen soil to be excavated.

Claims

1) A ground thawing device comprising: a housing having a base and a sidewall defining an interior volume having an open end, the sidewall comprising an interior side and an exterior side; one or more apertures disposed on the sidewall, wherein each of the one or more apertures includes a flange extending from the exterior side, the one or more apertures configured to receive a pipe therein, wherein the pipe is configured to dispense a fuel through one or more nozzles disposed along the pipe; a burn chamber affixed to the pipe, the burn chamber including an ignition source configured to ignite the fuel; a valve disposed on a second end of the pipe, the valve adapted to regulate a flow of the fuel from a fuel source therethrough.

2) The ground thawing device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a rectangular shape.

3) The ground thawing device of claim 1, wherein a pair of apertures of the one or more apertures are in axially alignment and configured to receive the pipe.

4) The ground thawing device of claim 1, wherein the pipe comprises two or more pipes disposed parallel to each other and extending through the housing.

5) The ground thawing device of claim 1, further comprising a handle disposed on an exterior of the sidewall.

6) The ground thawing device of claim 1, wherein the one or more nozzles are oriented facing the open end of the housing.

7) The ground thawing device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a layer of heat insulation material.

8) The ground thawing device of claim 1, further comprising a heat capture flap disposed on the exterior of the sidewall.

9) The ground thawing device of claim 1, wherein the flange comprises a fastener for securing the pipe to the sidewall.

10) The ground thawing device of claim 1, further comprising a bracket disposed on the exterior of the sidewall, wherein the bracket is configured to secure an indicator to the sidewall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0020] FIG. 1A shows a side elevation view of a first end of an embodiment of the ground thawing device.

[0021] FIG. 1B shows a front elevation view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device.

[0022] FIG. 1C shows a side elevation view of a second end of an embodiment of the ground thawing device.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device.

[0024] FIG. 3A shows side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device taken along line 3A-3A of FIG. 4A.

[0025] FIG. 3B shows side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device taken along line 3B-3B of FIG. 4.

[0026] FIG. 4A shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device.

[0027] FIG. 4B shows an overhead view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device.

[0028] FIG. 4C shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device.

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the pipe utilized in an embodiment of the ground thawing device.

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device with heat capture flap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the ground thawing device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for thawing a section of soil on level ground. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 2, there is shown a side elevation view of a first end, a front elevation view, and a side elevation view of a second end of the ground thawing device as well as a perspective view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device, respectively. The ground thawing device 11 comprises a housing having a base 12 and a sidewall 13 extending from the perimeter thereof. The base 12 and sidewall 13 define an enclosed interior volume having an open lower side. In the shown embodiment, the ground thawing device 11 has a rectangular configuration. However, in alternative embodiments, the ground thawing device 11 may be circular or any other suitable shape.

[0033] One or more apertures 19 are disposed along the sidewall 13 of the housing. In the shown embodiment, the apertures 19 are axially aligned in the sidewall 13 such that a straight length of pipe may be received through opposing apertures 19 disposed on an opposite end of the sidewall 13. Flanges 17 extend outwardly from the apertures 19 and away from the enclosed volume of the housing. In this way, the flanges 17 assist with the receiving and securement of the pipe therethrough. Fasteners 18 located on the flange 17 extending from the sidewall 13 are adapted to removably secure a length of pipe in place within the aperture 19.

[0034] In the shown embodiment, a pair of pipes extend from opposing apertures 19 to traverse the housing. The pipes are configured to be in fluid communication with a valve, wherein the valve is adapted to regulate a flow of fuel from a fuel source therethrough.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, and 4C there is shown a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device taken along line 3A-3A of FIG. 4A, a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device taken along line 3B-3B of FIG. 4, a side elevation view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device, an overhead view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device, and a side elevation view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, a layer of insulating material 21 is utilized between the interior 23 and exterior surfaces 22 of the housing for the ground thawing device 11. One or more handles 16 disposed on the exterior 22 of the sidewall 13 allow for the ground thawing device 11 to be easily transported. In the illustrated embodiment, apertures 19 are aligned such that that lengths of pipe may be received through the interior volume in a parallel configuration.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of the pipe utilized in an embodiment of the ground thawing device. The pipe 24 is configured to be received through the apertures of the sidewall. The pipe 24 includes a first open end 30 adapted to connect to a valve regulating a fuel source. A burn chamber 14 is attached to a second end of the pipe 24 wherein a fuel being transported within the pipe 24 may be ignited. The burn chamber 14 comprises an angled section of pipe wherein slots allow for an ignition source to encounter the fuel being carried within the pipe. A semi-spherical wind guard 15 disposed on an end of the burn chamber 14 allows for air flow into and out of the pipe 24 while also protecting the burn chamber 14 from the weather.

[0037] A flange 25 located on the exterior of the pipe 24 just below the burn chamber 14 rests flush against the exterior surface 22 of the sidewall 13 when the pipe 24 is fully installed, such that the length of pipe 24 goes through opposing apertures 19 in the sidewall 13 of the ground thawing device 11. In an alternate embodiment, nozzles disposed at intervals along the length of the pipe 24 are configured to dispense fuel and heat the internal volume directly when the fuel source is ignited.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the ground thawing device with heat capture flap. In an alternate embodiment, a heat capture flap 26 is provided and secured around the exterior surface 22 of the sidewall 13. The heat capture flap 26 comprises an L-shape design having a first surface that rests against the ground and a rim 29 that rests flush against the exterior surface 22 of the sidewall 13 of the ground thawing device 11. The heat capture flap 26 is adapted to envelope the entire exterior surface 22 of the sidewall 13 and secure to itself via fasteners 28. A bracket 20 is disposed on the exterior surface 22 of the sidewall 13 and adapted to secure an indicator 27. In the illustrated embodiment, a pole with a reflector attached to an end thereon serves as an indicator 27. In other embodiments, any suitable indicator 27 may be utilized.

[0039] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0040] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.