Abstract
A solar heater for floating on water generally comprises a flexible outer ring and a bottom cover. The ring and the cover can absorb solar radiation, reduce pool water evaporation and preserve heat in pool. Holes through the cover permit drain of rain from above the cover and egress of air from under the cover.
Claims
1. A floating solar pool heater comprising: an outer ring and a bottom cover; said outer ring defining a closed shape; said bottom cover attached to said ring to form a half open space; whereby said one or more floating solar pool heaters inherently float on the pool water surface, and heat the water by absorbing solar radiation.
2. The solar pool heater as defined in claim 1 wherein: said outer ring are formed of synthetic plastic material.
3. The solar pool heater as defined in claim 1 wherein: said outer ring is constructed of flexible pipes and couplings; in the preferred embodiment of the invention said outer ring is constructed of one pipe and one coupling to form a circle shape; in a second embodiment said outer ring is constructed of four pipes and four couplings to form a square shape.
4. The solar pool heater as defined in claim 1 wherein: said bottom cover comprises a transparent upper film and a dark color lower film; and the upper film and lower film form a thermo sheet with a plurality of bubble chambers in between; the lower side of cover rests substantially on the water when solar pool heater is placed on water.
5. The solar pool heater as defined in claim 1 wherein: said bottom cover is made of sufficiently pliable plastic material so as to be rolled into a bundle.
6. The solar pool heater as defined in claim 1 wherein: said bottom cover has holes for flow of rain from above the cover and egress of air from under the cover when solar pool heater is placed on water.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention, before construction
[0020] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment in FIG. 1, after construction.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment in FIG. 2.
[0022] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross session taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross session taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of second embodiment of the invention, before construction.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of second embodiment of the invention, after construction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Throughout the several Figures, identical call outs are used to identify identical structure. FIG. 1 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the solar pool heater of the invention before construction. Flexible plastic pipe 101, typically varies from 1/2 inch in diameter to 2 inches as a maximum diameter. Depending upon the end use of the solar pool heater, the length thereof will also vary. Flexible plastic coupling 102, typically the outer diameter of 102 is a little less than the inner diameter of 101. Hence, 102 can be placed into 101 to connect two ends of 101 to form a closed ring shape. Different means of method could be used to connect 101 and 102. One method would be to use plastic glue to glue 101 and 102 to ensure the ring shape will last. Plastic coupling 102, typically varies from 3 inches long to 6 inches. The length of plastic coupling 102 is much shorter than the length of plastic pipe 101. Bottom cover 103 is a multilayers thermo material. The upper side of 103 is transparent or semitransparent plastic film. The lower side of 103 is a dark color film, which absorbs solar radiation. There is a plurality of small air pockets 105 between upper side film and lower side film. A plurality of small air pockets 105 enable solar heater to reduce heat lost when the pool water temperature is higher than air temperature. Bottom cover 103 includes air escape means, such as a plurality of through holes 104, for allowing rain to flow from the top of bottom cover 104 and air to escape from below the bottom cover 104, when solar heater is placed on water. Through-hole 104 also allows water on the bottom cover 104 to drain down to pool.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the solar pool heater of the invention after construction; In FIG.2 coupling 102 has been installed into plastic pipe 101. A portion of 102 residues in one end of plastic pipe 101, while the other portion of 102 residues in the other end of plastic pipe 101. Connection line 201 is where the two ends of plastic pipe 101 meet. Coupling 102 connects both ends of 101 to form a plastic ring 200. Bottom cover 103 has been attached to outer ring 200. The upper side of bottom cover 103 has contacts with outer ring 200.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 2. It shows the outer ring 200, the bottom cover 103 and the connection line 201
[0029] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross session taken on line 2-2 of FIG.2. The dark shade area 401 is the cross session of plastic pipe 101. The dark shade area 402 is the cross session of the coupling 102. 403 is the cross session of bottom cover 103, which has two films, the upper film 405 and the lower film 404. Lower film 404 is made of dark color thermo material, allowing the solar pool heater to absorb solar radiation. Upper film 405 is made of transparent or light color thermo material. 406 is the cross session of air pocket 105, air pocket 105 enable solar heater to reduce heat lost when the pool water temperature is higher than air temperature.
[0030] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross session taken on line 3-3 of FIG.2. The dark shade area 401 is the cross session of plastic pipe 101. FIG.5. shows one embodiment of cross session that only has plastic pipe 101, but not has coupling 102. The bottom cover has two films, the upper film 405 and the lower film 404. Lower film 404 is made of dark color thermo material, allowing the solar pool heater to absorb solar radiation. Upper film 405 is made of transparent or light color thermo material. 406 is the cross session of air pocket 105, air pocket 105 enable solar heater to reduce heat lost when the pool water temperature is higher than air temperature.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of second embodiment of the invention, before construction. Flexible plastic pipe 601, typically varies from ½ inch in diameter to 2 inches as a maximum diameter. Depending upon the end use of the solar pool heater, the length thereof will also vary. Flexible plastic coupling 602, which has a 90 degree angle, typically has outer diameter a little less than the inner diameter of 601. Four plastic pipe 601 and four right 602 can connect together to form a closed square shape. Different means of method could be used to connect 601 and 602. One method would be to use plastic glue to glue 601 and 602 to ensure the square shape will last. Bottom cover 603 is a square shaped, multilayers thermo material. The upper side of 603 is transparent or semitransparent plastic film. The lower side of 603 is a dark color film, which absorbs solar radiation. There is a plurality of small air pockets 105 between upper side film and lower side film. A plurality of small air pockets 105 enable solar heater to reduce heat lost when the pool water temperature is higher than air temperature. Bottom cover 603 includes rain draining means and air escape means, such as a plurality of through holes 104, for allowing air to escape from below the bottom cover 104, when solar heater is placed on water. Through-hole 104 also allows water on the bottom cover 104 to drain down to pool.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of second embodiment of the invention, after construction. Square shape floating solar pool heater 700 is made from four plastic pipes, four connect couplings and one bottom cover.
