Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of using a line voltage to heat an antenna reflector. The method includes the steps of providing an electrical heater for the antenna reflector, measuring a magnitude of the line voltage, ascertaining an ambient temperature, establishing a duty cycle for the heater dependent upon each of the measuring step and the ascertaining step, and cyclically connecting the line voltage to the heater and disconnecting the line voltage from the heater in accordance with the duty cycle. The duty cycle is defined as a percentage of total heating time in which the line voltage is electrically connected to the heater. The total heating time is a total time in which the ambient temperature is below a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A reflector assembly in a satellite system includes a reflector having a reflecting surface. At least one sensor is configured for sensing a temperature of the reflecting surface or moisture associated with the reflecting surface. Each sensor is configured to provide a signal indicative of the sensing. A heater is configured for heating the reflecting surface. The heater includes a heater wire, a layer of insulation substantially surrounding the heater wire, and a conductive shield substantially surrounding the layer of insulation. A ground fault circuit interrupter is coupled with the shield of the heater. The ground fault circuit interrupter is configured for detecting a ground fault condition between the heater wire and the conductive shield and providing a signal indicative thereof. An automatic controller is connected to the at least one sensor. The controller includes heater control circuitry receiving each of the sensor signal and the ground fault circuit interrupter signal.

Abstract: An antenna reflector assembly includes a reflector having a reflecting surface and an electrical heater having a first terminal and a second terminal. The electrical heater is configured for heating the reflecting surface. A remote monitor and test device is disposed at a location remote from the reflector. The remote monitor and test device is configured for being connected to a source of electrical power. The remote monitor and test device includes a line voltage node electrically connected to the first terminal of the heater, and one of a neutral node and a ground node electrically connected to the second terminal of the heater. A ground fault circuit interrupter is configured for detecting a ground fault condition and cutting off an electrical current associated with the ground fault condition. A current sensor is configured for detecting an electrical current exceeding a predetermined current level and transmitting a signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: A heated antenna system includes an antenna having a reflecting surface and a heater associated with the reflecting surface. A base is connected with the antenna. A direct current voltage supply is connected with the heater. The direct current voltage supply is configured for providing direct current power to the heater. The direct current voltage supply is coupled with the base and has a weight sufficient to ballast the base, thereby ballasting the antenna.

Abstract: A heated antenna system includes an antenna having a reflecting surface and a heater associated with the reflecting surface. The heater has a current and at least one voltage. An electrical control system is electrically coupled to the heater of the antenna. The electrical control system is configured for monitoring at least one of the current and the at least one voltage of the heater and issuing a status signal indicative of a status of the heater. A conductor is configured for simultaneously carrying electrical energy to the electrical control system and carrying data and electrical energy to the antenna. The electrical energy provides the current and the at least one voltage to thereby power the heater.

Abstract: An antenna reflector assembly includes a reflector, a heater for heating the reflector, and a support arm connected to the reflector. The support arm has a range of directional orientations. A sensor housing is connected to the support arm. The sensor housing includes a tube having a substantially vertical orientation and a mounting device configured for at least indirectly carrying the tube. The mounting device is configured for being connected to the support arm such that the tube can be maintained in the substantially vertical orientation throughout the range of directional orientations of the support arm. At least one sensor is disposed within the tube.

Abstract: An ice and snow melting system includes at least one sensor configured for sensing a temperature or moisture associated with an ambient environment and providing a signal indicative thereof. A heater for melting the ice and snow includes a heater wire, a layer of insulation substantially surrounding the heater wire, and a conductive shield substantially surrounding the layer of insulation. A ground fault circuit interrupter is coupled with the shield of the heater. The ground fault circuit interrupter detects a ground fault condition between the heater wire and the conductive shield and provides a signal indicative thereof. An automatic controller is connected to the at least one sensor. The controller includes heater control circuitry receiving each of the sensor signal and the ground fault circuit interrupter signal. The heater control circuitry selectively controls operation of the heater dependent upon the sensor signal and the ground fault circuit interrupter signal.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an insulated layer of concrete including a plurality of closed cell plastic foam insulating blocks and a layer of concrete covering the blocks. Each block includes a plurality of sides, with each side having a length of between approximately six inches and two feet.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a substantially enclosed waveguide and a container including an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is fluidly connected to ambient air. The outlet is fluidly connected to the waveguide. A check valve is disposed within the container. The check valve is configured for allowing air passage from the inlet to the outlet while preventing air passage from the outlet to the inlet. A desiccant is disposed within the container.

Abstract: A heater tape assembly for heating an object to be heated includes an elongate first tape, an elongate second tape and at least one heater wire. The elongate first tape has a pair of opposing side edges and a first surface extending between the side edges. The first tape also has a plurality of first notches which extend into the first surface from a respective side edge thereof. The elongate second tape has a pair of opposing side edges and a pair of opposing second and third flat surfaces extending between the side edges. The second tape also has a plurality of second notches which extend into the second and third flat surfaces from a respective side edge thereof. The second notches in the second tape are substantially aligned with respective first notches in the first tape. The second flat surface is bonded with the first surface of the first tape. The third flat surface has an adhesive thereon for bonding to the object to be heated.

Abstract: A heater assembly for use with a feedhorn in an antenna system includes at least two heater bodies, with each heater body being configured to be placed directly against the feedhorn at an exterior periphery of the feedhorn. Each heater body has at least one heater disposed therein, with all of the heaters being electrically connected together. A plurality of springs are connected at opposite ends thereof with adjacent heater bodies. The plurality of springs hold the heater bodies against the feedhorn.

Abstract: A method of measuring the temperature of a wire which is surrounded by a layer of insulation includes the step of wrapping the layer of insulation with an electrically and thermally conductive ground shield having two opposing longitudinal ends, one of the ends being electrically grounded. A first relationship is determined between the temperature of the wire and a temperature of the shield. A second relationship is ascertained between an electrical resistance of the shield between the longitudinal ends and the temperature of the shield. The electrical resistance of the shield between the longitudinal ends is measured. The temperature of the wire is established by using the first relationship and the second relationship to correlate the measured electrical resistance of the shield to the temperature of the wire.

Abstract: A reflector assembly in a satellite system includes a reflector having a reflecting surface and a back surface. The back surface is opposite the reflecting surface and has a plurality of ribs extending transversely therefrom. The reflector assembly further includes a layer of air-entrapped foam insulation having an inside surface. The inside surface has a plurality of grooves configured to receive the plurality of ribs therein. The reflector assembly further includes a heater assembly attached to the inside surface of the layer of air-entrapped foam insulation. The heater assembly includes a plurality of heater pads, a plurality of jumper wires electrically interconnecting the heater pads in series, and two end wires. Each end wire is connected to a respective end one of the heater pads. Each of the plurality of heater pads is disposed between a corresponding adjacent pair of the grooves.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a reflector assembly in a satellite system including a reflector and a layer of insulation. The reflector includes a reflecting surface and a heater assembly embedded therein. The heater assembly is disposed on a side of the reflector opposite the reflecting surface. The layer of insulation covers the heater assembly and is disposed on a side of the heater assembly opposite the reflecting surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a reflector assembly in a satellite system including a reflector having a reflecting surface and a back surface. The back surface is opposite the reflecting surface and has a plurality of ribs extending transversely therefrom. The reflector further includes a heater assembly embedded therein. The reflector assembly further includes a layer of closed cell plastic foam insulation which covers the heater assembly within the reflector. An inside surface of the insulation is disposed adjacent to the back surface of the reflector and includes a plurality of grooves. The plurality of grooves are configured to receive the plurality of ribs therein. The layer of insulation also includes a coating of ultraviolet radiation protectant disposed over an outside surface of the insulation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a heatable feedhorn assembly including a feedhorn having a wide end and a heater assembly wrapped around the wide end. The heater assembly includes an elongate element in the form of a cable tie and an electrically insulated heater wire wrapped around the elongate element.

Abstract: A thermostat and method for controlling relative humidity is disclosed. The thermostat and method embodied therein controls a heater to maintain the ambient temperature a few degrees above a minimum temperature that is required to prevent condensation, frost and/or freezing. The thermostat controls heater operation from calculated saturation (dew point) temperature values derived from sensed relative humidity and ambient temperature values. The thermostat compensates for sensor non-linearity without the use of additional hardware circuitry or the use of memory intensive lookup tables. In addition, the thermostat of this invention adjusts for the inherent variances in electrical characteristics of the particular sensors used in thermostat circuitry. In one embodiment, the thermostat controls the operation of the heater to maintain the ambient temperature a few degrees above the calculated dew point.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an ice and snow melting system including at least one sensor for sensing a temperature or moisture associated with an ambient environment, and a heater for melting the ice and snow. An automatic controller is connected to each of the heater and the sensor. The controller selectively controls operation of the heater, and includes a remote control interface which is either integral or connected therewith. A remote control is connected to the remote control interface of the controller via two conductors. The remote control is configured to receive a signal from and transmit a signal to the controller. The received signal is indicative of a status indicator associated with the heater and/or controller, and the transmitted signal is used by the controller for the controlled operation of the heater.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an ice and snow melting system. At least one sensor is provided, with each sensor being configured for sensing a temperature or moisture associated with an ambient environment and providing a signal indicative thereof. A heater for melting the ice and snow includes at least two electrical conductors associated therewith. An automatic controller is connected to the at least one sensor, and includes a ground fault circuit interrupter in communication with at least two of the electrical conductors associated with the heater. The ground fault circuit interrupter detects a ground fault condition associated with the heater and provides a signal indicative thereof. The controller selectively controls operation of the heater dependent upon the sensor signal and/or the ground fault circuit interrupter signal.

Abstract: An apparatus or clip is disclosed, which can be used both to securely hold and support a heating cable or mat at a desired depth within a slab form, and to easily locate the cable or mats once embedded using a simple magnetic field. The clips of this invention are constructed from a material that has a suitable magnetic susceptibility for permitting detection by a weak magnetic field. Consequently, the clip can be located using a simple bar magnet or a common stud finder. The high magnetic permeability of the clip compared to the surrounding earth, asphalt or concrete allows the clip to be readily located by a stud finder. As a stud finder is passed over the clip, the magnetic needle is attracted to the clip apparatus by the emitted magnetic flux. The configuration of the clip includes two upright legs and two horizontal feet. The legs are bent to support and space the mat or cable above the feet.