System and method of deactivating a fluid receptacle deicer

Abstract

A deicing system configured to heat fluid within a fluid receptacle to prevent ice from forming includes a sensing unit and a heating element. The sensing unit is configured to detect a change in at least one of capacitance and resistivity. The heating element is configured to heat the fluid. The sensing unit operates to deactivate the heating element when the sensing unit detects the change in at least one of capacitance and resistivity.

1 . A deicing system configured to heat fluid within a fluid receptacle to prevent ice from forming, the system comprising: 
 a sensing unit configured to detect a change in capacitance, said sensing unit comprising a central processing unit operatively connected to a capacitor plate; and    a heating element configured to heat the fluid, said capacitor plate being positioned over, and aligned with, said heating element, said sensing unit operating to deactivate said heating element when said sensing unit detects the change in capacitance.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a flotation member configured to provide buoyancy.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said capacitor plate has a similarly-sized outer perimeter as said heating element.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the change in capacitance is the change in capacitance that results from said capacitor plate first being exposed to water and then to air.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said heating element comprises a metal sheath positioned around a heater wire, said sensing unit being in electrical communication with said metal sheath.  
   
   
       6 . A deicing system configured to heat fluid, based on a detected change in capacitance, within a fluid receptacle to prevent ice from forming, the system comprising: 
 a sensing unit comprising a capacitor plate; and    a heating element configured to heat the fluid, said capacitor plate being positioned over, and aligned with, said heating element.    
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a flotation member configured to provide buoyancy.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said capacitor plate has a similarly-sized outer perimeter as said heating element.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the change in capacitance is the change in capacitance that results from said capacitor plate first being exposed to water and then to air.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said heating element comprises a metal sheath positioned around a heater wire, said sensing unit being in electrical communication with said metal sheath.  
   
   
       11 . A deicing system configured to heat fluid, based on a detected change in capacitance, within a fluid receptacle to prevent ice from forming, the system comprising: 
 a flotation member configured to provide buoyancy;    a sensing unit configured to detect a change in capacitance, said sensing unit comprising a central processing unit operatively connected to a capacitor plate; and    a heating element configured to heat the fluid, said capacitor plate being positioned over, and aligned with, said heating element, said heating element having a similarly-sized outer perimeter as said capacitor plate, said sensing unit operating to deactivate said heating element when said sensing unit detects the change in capacitance, wherein the change in capacitance is the change in capacitance that results from said capacitor plate first being exposed to water and then to air.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said heating element comprises a metal sheath positioned around a heater wire, said sensing unit being in electrical communication with said metal sheath.