Floating Pool Heater with Solar Absorption and Internal Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swimming pool heating methods involve external water removal and heating, which are inefficient and costly due to rising energy prices, and do not effectively utilize solar energy for heating from within the pool.
Innovation Solution
A pool heater system that incorporates a heat-absorbing material and a pump powered by a photovoltaic panel or power supply to circulate a fluid within the pool, absorbing solar energy and transferring it to the pool water, allowing for solar energy-based heating from within the pool, independent of the pool's circulation system, and optionally using a heat-transfer fluid and radiator for efficient heat distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional external heating methods are used, then pool water can be heated, but energy costs increase and heating efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pool heater utilizes solar energy from the environment to heat the pool water, making the system self-powered without requiring external energy sources. The photovoltaic panel converts sunlight directly into electrical energy to power the pump, while the heat-absorbing material captures solar thermal energy to heat the water, creating a self-sustaining heating system that eliminates energy costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional external heating (heating water outside the pool) to internal heating (heating water within the pool). The heater is placed directly in the pool water, allowing heat transfer to occur from within the pool volume, which improves heating efficiency and reduces energy loss.
2Loss of energy
If solar energy is not utilized, then heating can be performed by conventional methods, but energy costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the energy source parameter from conventional energy sources (gas, electric, heat pump) to solar energy. The photovoltaic panel converts solar radiation into electrical energy, and the heat-absorbing material captures solar thermal energy, fundamentally changing how energy is sourced and utilized in the heating process.
3Ease of operation
If pool water is removed for external heating, then heating can be performed, but the circulation system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heating function from the pool's main circulation system by implementing an independent, self-contained heating unit. The heater operates autonomously within the pool, requiring no connection to or integration with the pool's existing circulation system, thereby simplifying operation and reducing system complexity.
4Loss of energy
If the pool is not covered, then pool water is accessible, but evaporative heat loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floating pool heater serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a heating device, a solar energy collector, and a partial pool cover. By floating on the water surface, it blocks sunlight and reduces evaporation from the pool surface while actively heating the water, thereby addressing both heat loss prevention and heating needs in one unified system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient solar-powered pool water heating from within the pool, reducing energy costs and evaporative heat loss by utilizing solar energy absorbed by the heat-absorbing material and transferring it to the pool water, providing a self-contained and cost-effective heating method.
Implementation Method 1
The heat absorbing material of the first portion absorbs solar energy and transfers the solar energy to the fluid circulating in the body structure of the pool heater and then to pool water
Implementation Method 2
transfers the solar energy to the fluid circulating in the body structure of the pool heater and then to pool water
Implementation Method 3
a power supply comprising a photovoltaic panel
Data Source
AI summary
Pool heaters, including floating pool heaters, and related methods are presented. For instance, a pool heater includes a power supply; a body structure comprising a first portion comprising a heat absorbing material forming one or more channels; and a pump powered by the power supply to circulate a fluid via the one or more channels of the body structure. The heat absorbing material of the first portion absorbs solar energy and transfers the solar energy to the fluid circulating in the body structure of the pool heater and then to pool water.