A water heating device

Abstract

A water heating device comprising a floating body 1, an associated heating element (21, Fig 3), a thermistor sensor 13 for sensing temperature of water surrounding the body, a means of calculating vol

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water heating device, in particular a water heating device for a body of water such as a swimming pool. Background Many people in many societies across the world increasingly enjoy spending time in water, such as paddling or swimming pools. These can be often be unpleasantly cold for many. Existing water heaters for domestic bodies of water do not provide information on how long is required to heat the pool up to a desired temperature, resulting in users being required to continuously check the water temperature themselves. Prior Art ES 2 686 170 (VAZQUEZ) discloses a floating heater for pools and spas. The heater is constituted from a plurality of floating modules arranged fixed to each other on the surface of the pool or spa to be covered, wherein each floating module is formed by two bodies coupled together, a first body, upper, in the form of a curved-convex bubble, with a flat perimeter expansion, body of resistant and transparent plastic material, while the second body, also made of resistant plastic material, in this case black , counting the set with holes for passage and heating of the pool water in the chamber that is defined between both parts, chamber that is filled with elements (of high capacity and thermal conductivity. ON 203 518 294 (SUN) discloses a floating type water level display solar water heater is characterized by comprising: a support; the water storage tank is arranged on the bracket, the heat collecting pipe is arranged at the upper part of the water storage tank, and the water storage tank is provided with a water filling port and a water outlet; a two-dimensional code scale is arranged on the inner wall of the water storage tank and is vertical to the bottom of the tank; the rod rail is arranged perpendicular to the bottom of the water storage tank, one end of the rod rail is in contact with the bottom, and the other end of the rod rail is in contact with the top; the buoy is sleeved on the rod rail in a sliding manner; the laser code scanner is arranged at one end of the buoy and is opposite to the two-dimensional code scale; the numerical control unit is connected with the laser code scanner and is used for converting the two-dimensional code information into depth information; and the display is connected with the numerical control unit and used for displaying the liquid level depth in the water storage tank. US 4 291 672 (RICKS) discloses a floatable solar heating module for use in heating bodies of water comprising; a heat conducting plate for transferring heat to the water, a solid heat storage means in contact with said plate and a transparent plate spaced from said heat storage means to transmit solar radiation to said heat storage means, said heat storage means being enclosed within a storage container, said container supporting said transparent plate above said heat storage means, said container being in contact with a heat conducting panel, said heat conducting panel being spaced from said heat conducting plate and receiving solar radiation through said transparent plate, said heat storage means positioned so as to receive conduction heat from said heat conducting panel and conduct a portion of said heat to said heat conducting plate, said module including a float positioned so as to surround said container. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided water heating device comprising a floating body, an associated heating element, a thermistor sensor for sensing temperature of water surrounding the body, a means of calculating volume of the water, and a local control means including an activation control. In this way the device of the present invention provides a device equipped with one or more sensors to measure water, pool and environmental parameters, and which may provide accurate time frames for when the water will be at a desired temperature. It may be envisaged that the device comprises a water heating element, or may be associated in use with a water heater so as to heat the water appropriately in collaboration with the device. For example the device may comprise a detachable water heater. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a plurality of sensors, which may be envisaged to provide a combination of inputs for control and monitoring purposes. The means for calculating volume comprises one or more proximity sensor, so as to identify the perimeter of the body of water, and a sonar sensor, so as to allow for and monitor depth. In some embodiments of the device therefore the device comprises one or more proximity sensor, for example so as to enable controlled movement of the device accommodating surroundings. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a heating element contained within an elongated member, so as to depend some distance into the water. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a cylindrical member which may comprise a plurality of vents. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises diagonal vents, such as helical vents. In some embodiments of the device the local control means comprises movement control. In some embodiments of the device for example the device comprises one or more fans or turbines. In some embodiments of the device the local control means comprises a display means to allow local monitoring of water properties. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a transceiver for wireless remote control means, so as to allow for a user to remotely control and monitor the water quality and temperature. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a wired electrical connection, which may comprise one or more weights, so as to minimise snagging hazards. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a battery which may be rechargeable, and which may be recharged by a solar of photovoltaic means. For example in some embodiments of the device the device may comprise a water quality sensor which may allow a user to monitor the water quality and accurately measure water pH (measurement of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a waterbased solution), OCR (oxygen consumption rate), EH (oxidation-reduction potential) and chlorine levels. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; And Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a water heating device 99 generally comprising a floating body 1, a heating element 21 below the body, a thermistor sensor 13 and a local control means 14 including an activation control. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises an elongated cylindrical member 3 providing the water heating element. The member depends below a circular body, with a substantially flat upper face, tapered sides and a substantially flat lower face, from which the heating member depends in use centrally. The heating element is contained behind a stainless steel cover 7, which cover has a plurality of diagonal vents 6. This metal cover provides a sheath around the heating element which protects the user from direct contact with the heating element 21, and / or protects the heating element from direct contact with external features. Helix-like slotted vents 6 allow water to circulate efficiently, and a rounded endmost plastic cap seals the member. The body is provided in a rigid plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or similar. A handle 18 extends from the top face of the embodiment and allows the user to lift the device out of the water safely, whereby it folds down flat to the surface of the top face for easy storage into an indentation 19. The body is connected to a remote or mains electrical network by a wired connection. This wire 4 includes a weight 5 so as to keep the wire underwater at all times for aesthetic and anti-snagging purposes. It may be envisaged that a plurality of such weights may be attached to the wire at intervals to drop the wire below the water without dragging the device down and preventing the device being caught on itself as it travels around. The side faces of the body comprise four thrusters 2 comprising small fixed fans 12, which are surrounded by a cylindrical shroud 11, and which are all angled towards the centreline so as to drive the embodiment through the water with each being independently ooerable to a controlled speed so as to provide improved manoeuvrability and stability. The body is formed of an upper section 51 and a lower section 53, joined at a rubber gasket 52. The thrusters are controlled by a microcontroller 55 which is operable with a plurality of sensors including proximity sensors 13 so as to allow the microcontroller to communicate with the proximity sensors so as to identify edges of the body of water and use the thrusters to change direction when necessary, as well as calculate the perimeters of the body of water, so as to identify surface area for calculating volume in relation to depth. A water temperature sensor or thermistor 19 is integrated into the lower face of the body and measures the live temperature of the water, such that the microcontroller uses an algorithm to average the temperature to avoid direct influence from a heating element. A sonar sensor 15 is located on the body’s lower face so as to measure the depth of the water or pool and allow accurate measurements for pools with varying depths, which may be used to help calculate of the total water volume. Three proximity sensors 13 on the side faces of the body of the pictured embodiment so as to be located under the water line for pools without rims and provide navigation, plotting and mapping capabilities. ■' • • A water quality sensor 16 provides information regarding the allows the user to monitor the pool water quality and accurately measure water pH, OCR, EH and chlorine levels. An air sensor 14 is located in the top face of the body to measure the live ambient air temperature and feed values for heat loss calculations. The embodiment is therefore equipped with a plurality of sensors to measure various water, pool and environmental parameters, to provide accurate time frames for when the water will be at their desired temperature. The depth values provided by the sonar sensor may thereby be plotted alongside values provided about the surface area from the proximity sensors and thereby used to help calculate of the total water volume and heat loss. The embodiment comprises a wireless transceiver which is used to feed values back to the device and / or software application which may remotely calculate values, and / or actions for the heating element and / or thrusters. The pictured embodiment further comprises a sensor integrated into the top of the body which measures the live ambient air temperature and feeds this value for heat loss calculations. The top face of the body further comprises a waterproof touchscreen 10 which allows users to monitor and adjust the settings, without the need for their wireless enabled control device, such as a smartphone. The display screen 10 displays the live water and air temperature, the desired water temperature, and the heating timeframe and allows the user to change the desired water temperature. The device comprises an air temperature sensor, and may comprise an air movement sensor to determine wind speed, and / or remote connectivity to receive local environmental condition data, e.g. wind speed, all of which may be processed to determine heating parameters, so as to determine surface heat loss of a body of water surrounding the device, and thereby calculate heating parameters. In use a user will: Plug the device into a mains outlet and place the device in the pool, heating element first. Place a suitable length of the cable into the pool alongside the device. Using the app or the device screen, turn the device on and set the desired end temperature. Once heated to the desired temperature, the user will be notified. The user can then remove the device and enjoy the pool. Once set, the autonomous device moves around the pool, taking all measurements and running calculations. The user can monitor the progress via the app or the screen. The body dimensions are 225mm length by 200mm width and 80mm height, and the 5 heating member has a length of 310mm and a diameter of 55mm, giving total dimensions of 225mm length and 200mm width by 390mm height. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing 10 from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A water heating device comprising a floating body, an associated heating element, a thermistor sensor for sensing temperature of water surrounding the body, a means of calculating volume of the water, and a local control means including an activation control.

2. A water heating device according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of sensors.

3. A water heating device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the means for calculating volume comprises one or more sonar sensor.

4. A water heating device according to any preceding claim wherein the means for calculating volume comprises one or more proximity sensor.

5. A water heating device according to any preceding claim wherein the means for calculating volume comprises one or more Lidar sensor.

6. A water heating device according to any preceding claim comprising a heating element connected below the body.

7. A water heating device according to claim 6 comprising a heating element contained within an elongated member.

8. A water heating device according to claim 7 comprising a cylindrical member.

9. A water heating device according to any preceding claim comprising a pluralityof vents.

10. A water heating device according to claim 9 comprising diagonal vents.

11. A water heating device according to claim 9 comprising helical vents.

12. A water heating device according to any preceding claim wherein the local control means comprises movement control.

13. A water heating device according to any preceding claim comprising one or more fans or propellers.

14. A water heating device according to any preceding claim wherein the local control means comprises a display means.

15. A water heating device according to any preceding claim comprising a 5 transceiver for wireless remote control means.

16. A water heating device according to any preceding claim comprising a wired electrical connection.10 17. A water heating device according to claim 17 wherein the wired electricalconnection comprises one or more weights.

18. A water heating device according to any preceding claim comprising a battery.T +44(0)30 0300 2000

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