System for preventing snow or ice blockages in exhaust and intake conduits

Abstract

A system is provided for preventing the accumulation of snow or ice that may prevent the proper and safe functioning of a fuel burning device. The system includes at least one moisture sensor, a temperature sensor, at least one mat configured to generate heat upon receiving an electrical current, and the fuel burning device. A control module is connected to the at least one moisture sensor, the temperature sensor, power sources for the mat and the fuel burning device. The control module is configured to switch on and provide power to the at least one mat if moisture is detected and the temperature is at or below a predetermined threshold. In the event the at least one mat is not properly receiving current flow, the control module is able to power off the fuel burning device.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 at least one moisture sensor;   a temperature sensor;   at least one mat configured to generate heat upon receiving an electrical current from a first power source;   a fuel burning device receiving power from a second power source; and   a control module connected to the at least one moisture sensor, the temperature sensor, the first power source and the second power source;   wherein the control module is configured to switch on and provide power to the first power source if the at least one moisture sensor detects the presence of moisture and the temperature sensor detects a temperature at or below a predetermined threshold, and to switch off the first power source if the at least one moisture sensor does not detect the presence of moisture or the temperature sensor detects a temperature above the predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the control module comprises a current detector configured to detect if the at least one mat is receiving electrical current. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the control module is configured to switch off the second power source and the fuel burning device, when the current detector detects that the at least one mat is not receiving electrical current after the at least one moisture sensor detects the presence of moisture and the temperature sensor detects a temperature at or below the predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mat is positioned underneath an exhaust or intake conduit from the fuel burning device extending out of a structure, to melt any precipitation underneath the exhaust or intake conduit. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one moisture sensor is positioned on the at least one mat and the temperature sensor is positioned on the structure. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one moisture sensor detects the presence of precipitation on the at least one mat. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first power source is a 120 volt alternating current outlet, and the at least one mat comprises a waterproof power cable with a terminating male end to plug into the outlet, either directly or via an adapter. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one mat comprises a further waterproof power cable with a terminating female end to receive the terminating male end of a power cable of a second mat. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , comprising a plurality of mats arranged in a daisy chain. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the control module comprises a touch screen display configured to display the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and to display if moisture is detected by the at least one moisture sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the control module is configured to wirelessly transmit data relating to the at least one mat, at least one moisture sensor, temperature sensor and fuel burning device to a wireless computing device. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the control module is configured to receive transmissions from and be controlled by the wireless computing device. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the control module comprises a user interface that allows a user to control the system and set the predetermined threshold for the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the system comprises more than one fuel burning device, and the at least one mat is provided for each exhaust and intake conduit for each fuel burning device. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one mat is positioned on a roof of a structure, with a spacer positioned between the at least one mat and the roof. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a camera positioned adjacent to the at least one mat and configured to record and transmit video of the at least one mat to the wireless computing device. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mat comprises perforations. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one mat is positioned underneath a condensate drain for draining condensate created by the fuel burning device extending out of a structure, to melt any precipitation underneath the condensate drain. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one mat is positioned atop a box comprising perforations and heating the mat causes the condensate to disperse through the perforations in the mat and the perforations in the box. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the control module comprises a current detector configured to detect if the at least one mat is receiving electrical current, and wherein the control module is configured to switch off the second power source and the fuel burning device, when the current detector detects that the at least one mat is not receiving electrical current after the at least one moisture sensor detects the presence of moisture and the temperature sensor detects a temperature at or below the predetermined threshold.