Gutter heating system

Abstract

A gutter heating system incorporates pipes carrying a heated fluid and being secured to heat transfer panels attached to a lower side of the gutter. The pipes are attached to a channel formed in the heat transfer panels. The water or other fluid may be recirculated in a closed system.

1 . A gutter heating system for a gutter having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, the gutter heating system comprising:
 a heater configured to heat a fluid; and   a tube in fluid communication with the heater and configured to carry the fluid heated by the heater, the tube being positioned beneath the lower surface of the gutter and attached to the gutter, the tube further being thermally coupled to the gutter.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The gutter heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat transfer panel attached to the lower surface of the gutter, the tube being attached to the lower surface of the gutter via the heat transfer panel, whereby the tube is thermally coupled to the lower surface of the gutter through the heat transfer panel. 
     
     
         4 . The gutter heating system of  claim 3 , wherein the heat transfer panel is attached to the gutter via an adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . The gutter heating system of  claim 3 , further comprising thermal paste positioned at the interface between the heat transfer panel and the gutter. 
     
     
         6 . The gutter heating system of  claim 3 , wherein the tube forms part of a closed system and is further configured to return the fluid to the heater for reheating by the heater and recirculation by the tube. 
     
     
         7 . The gutter heating system of  claim 6 , further comprising a pump positioned within the closed system and configured to move the fluid through the tube. 
     
     
         8 . The gutter heating system of  claim 7 , further comprising a tank positioned within the closed system and configured to receive a volume of fluid for further circulation within the closed system. 
     
     
         9 . The gutter heating system of  claim 7 , wherein the tube comprises a plurality of tubes each being thermally coupled to the gutter, the system further comprising a manifold configured to direct the heated fluid to the plurality of tubes. 
     
     
         10 . A method for forming a gutter heating system for a gutter having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, the method comprising:
 positioning a tube along the lower surface of the gutter wherein the tube is thermally coupled to the gutter; and   attaching the tube to a source of a heated fluid;   whereby the heated fluid can pass from the source of heated fluid through the tube and heat the gutter.   
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of positioning the tube further comprises attaching a heat transfer panel to the lower surface of the gutter and attaching the tube to the heat transfer panel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of attaching the heat transfer panel to the gutter further comprises using adhesive to attach the heat transfer panel to the gutter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising applying thermal paste to the interface between the heat transfer panel and the gutter. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising forming a closed system via the tube whereby the fluid is returned to the heater for reheating by the heater and recirculation by the tube. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising positioning a pump within the closed system and configuring the pump to move the fluid through the tube. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further positioning a tank within the closed system, the tank being configured to receive a volume of fluid for further circulation within the closed system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of positioning the tube further comprises positioning a plurality of tubes adjacent the gutter, each of the plurality of tubes being thermally coupled to the gutter, and further comprising positioning a manifold within the closed system, the manifold being configured to direct the heated fluid to the plurality of tubes. 
     
     
         19 . The gutter heating system of  claim 3 , wherein the heat transfer panel comprises a planar portion and a channel formed by a pair of uprights, the planar portion being attached to the lower surface of the gutter and the tube being received and retained within the channel. 
     
     
         20 . The gutter heating system of  claim 19 , wherein the planar portion and the pair of uprights of the heat transfer panel are integrally formed from aluminum.