Asset Protection Method and Apparatus

Abstract

A method for removing accumulated snow, ice, or other solid material from the exterior of an asset protection apparatus is disclosed. The asset protection apparatus comprises at least one interior layer contacting an asset surface; a first inflatable layer affixed to said interior layer, a second inflatable layer affixed to said first inflatable layer, wherein said first and second inflatable layers each contain a plurality of inflatable cells mechanically and fluidly connected to one another, and wherein each cell is capable of inflation and expansion and deflation; and at least one exterior layer affixed to said second inflatable layer; wherein said first inflatable layer is inflated and expanded to fragment and remove a substance accumulated on said exterior layer. Alternatively, the second inflatable layer may be inflated and expanded to fragment and remove a substance accumulated on said exterior layer.

1 . A method for dislodging an accumulated substance from an asset cover comprising:
 a. allowing a predetermined amount of said accumulated substance to accumulate on said exterior layer of said asset cover, wherein said asset cover comprises:
 i. at least one interior layer contacting the exterior surface of an asset; 
 ii. a first inflatable layer affixed to said at least one interior layer, wherein said first inflatable layer comprises a plurality of inflatable cells mechanically and fluidly connected to one another wherein each cell is capable of inflation and expansion and deflation; 
 iii. a second inflatable layer affixed to said first inflatable layer, wherein said second inflatable layer comprises a plurality of inflatable cells mechanically and fluidly connected to one another wherein each cell is capable of inflation and expansion and deflation; 
 iv. a pump, wherein said pump is in fluid communication with at least one cell of said plurality of inflatable cells in said first inflatable layer and at least one cell of said plurality of inflatable cells in said second inflatable layer, and wherein said pump and said plurality of inflatable cells in said second inflatable layer are sized and configured so that upon activation of said pump, said plurality of inflatable cells in said second layer expand with enough force to dislodge or fragment an ice coating of 2.5 centimeters thick positioned on said exterior of said asset cover; 
   b. inflating said second inflatable layer of said asset cover with said pump;   c. fragmenting said accumulated substance through the inflating and expansion of said second inflatable layer; and   d. allowing said fragmented accumulated substance to fall from said exterior of said asset cover through the force of gravity.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said asset cover further comprises an exterior layer affixed to said second inflatable layer. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein said exterior layer is further defined is being constructed of a material or combination of materials that alone or in combination provide resistance to water, pollutants, UV rays, and abrasion, and wherein said exterior layer is constructed of a material that is flexible. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said asset cover further comprises a heating layer affixed to said second inflatable layer and said exterior layer. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said accumulated substance is further defined as ice. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said accumulated substance is further defined as snow. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said accumulated substance is further defined as volcanic ash. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said pump and said second inflatable layer are configured so that upon activation of said pump, said plurality of inflatable cells in said second layer expand with enough force to dislodge or fragment an ice coating of 2.5 inches thick positioned on said exterior of said asset cover. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 4  further comprising heating said heating layer prior to the step of inflating said second inflatable layer. 
   
   
       10 . A method for dislodging an accumulated substance from an asset cover comprising:
 a. allowing a predetermined amount of said accumulated substance to accumulate said asset cover, wherein said asset cover comprises:
 i. at least one interior layer contacting the exterior surface of an asset; 
 ii. a first inflatable layer affixed to said at least one interior layer, wherein said first inflatable layer comprises a plurality of inflatable cells mechanically and fluidly connected to one another wherein each cell is capable of inflation and expansion and deflation; 
 iii. a second inflatable layer affixed to said first inflatable layer, wherein said second inflatable layer comprises:
 1. a plurality of inflatable cells mechanically and fluidly connected to one another wherein each cell is capable of inflation and expansion and deflation; and 
 2. a pump, wherein said pump is in fluid communication with at least one cell of said plurality of inflatable cells in said first inflatable layer and at least one cell of said plurality of inflatable cells in said second inflatable layer, and wherein said pump and said plurality of inflatable cells in said second inflatable layer are sized and configured so that upon activation of said pump, said plurality of inflatable cells in said second layer expand with enough force to dislodge or fragment an ice coating of 2.5 centimeters thick positioned on said exterior of said asset cover; 
 
 iv. an exterior layer, wherein said exterior layer is affixed to said second inflatable layer; 
   b. inflating said second inflatable layer of said asset cover with said pump;   c. fragmenting said accumulated substance through the inflating and expansion of said second inflatable layer; and   d. allowing said fragmented accumulated substance to fall from said exterior layer of said asset cover through the force of gravity.   
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said asset cover further comprises a heating layer affixed to said second inflatable layer and said exterior layer. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said accumulated substance is further defined as ice. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said accumulated substance is further defined as snow. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said accumulated substance is further defined as volcanic ash. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said pump and said second inflatable layer are configured so that upon activation of said pump, said plurality of inflatable cells in said second layer expand with enough force to dislodge or fragment an ice coating of 2.5 inches thick positioned on said exterior of said asset cover. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said exterior layer is further defined is being constructed of a material or combination of materials that alone or in combination provide resistance to water, pollutants, UV rays, and abrasion, and wherein said exterior layer is constructed of a material that is flexible. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising heating said heating layer prior to the step of inflating said second inflatable layer.