| 摘要 |
A method for the inhibition of ice formation in a pipe exposed to a low ambient temperature comprises providing an electrically powered fan 28 and heater 29 that are arranged to provide a forced flow of heated air at a temperature above the ambient, and directing the heated air through the pipe. The heater and fan may be controlled based upon a sensed temperature of the heated air and/or the ambient temperature. In other claimed aspects, an icing inhibitor device 20 may prevent the formation of ice in a condensate drain pipe 13 of a condensing boiler 11 or air conditioner. The device may comprise an enclosure 22 having an air inlet 26 and outlet 30, wherein the outlet is connected to the pipe. The device may include a temperature sensor 36 for measuring an air temperature at or in the vicinity of the outlet end of the pipe and a controller (39, figure 4) to control the supply of electrical power to the heater as a function of the sensed temperature. The device may include a built in test facility (62, figure 7) to determine a fault condition of the heater and fan.
|
