Solar pool heating

Abstract

A method for heating water in a pool using light. In one implementation, the method involves attaching a floating element to a solar heating element to form a floatation device. The method includes placing the floatation device in water and applying light on the solar heating element to focus light in the water.

1 . A pool heating apparatus, comprising: 
 a thermal mechanism for producing thermal energy in a region of water in the pool from light energy received from above the pool; and    a flotation mechanism, coupled with the thermal mechanism, for maintaining the thermal mechanism afloat on the surface of the water in a substantially horizontal position.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the thermal mechanism is configured for maintaining at least a portion of the thermal energy in the water.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the flotation mechanism is configured for maintaining at least a portion of the thermal energy in the water.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the thermal mechanism includes a lens.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a luminescent material.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a free-floating device.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the apparatus is less than four feet.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a thermal mechanism to use light to heat water in an area of a pool; and    a floating member to attach to the thermal mechanism to provide buoyancy to the apparatus to float in water, and to keep the apparatus floating in a substantially horizontal alignment with the water in the pool, wherein the apparatus is a free-floating apparatus to allow recreational use of the pool while the apparatus is in the water.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the thermal mechanism comprises a lens to focus light to heat the water.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the lens comprises glass.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the lens comprises plastic.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the thermal mechanism and the floating member are attached with glue.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the thermal mechanism and the floating member are made of a same material.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the thermal mechanism and the floating member are attached with a holder.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the floating member comprises plastic.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the floating member comprises rubber.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the floating member surrounds the thermal mechanism.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of thermal mechanisms to use light to heat water in a pool; and    a plurality of a floating element to attach to the plurality of thermal elements to allow the apparatus to float in water.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising a graphical image on the apparatus..  
   
   
       20 . A system comprising: 
 a plurality of free-floating devices to use light to heat water in a pool, each free-floating device comprising:    at least one solar heating element to use light to heat water in a pool, wherein the solar heating element is configured to retain thermal energy in water in proximity to the solar heating element; and    at least one floating element to attach to the solar heating element to allow the free-floating device to float in the water in a substantially horizontal alignment with the water.    
   
   
       21 . The system in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein the solar heating element comprises a lens.  
   
   
       22 . The system in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein the solar heating element is configured to focus light into the water to heat the water.  
   
   
       23 . The system in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein any of the solar heating element and the floating element comprise a graphical image.  
   
   
       24 . The system in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein the solar heating element and the free-floating element comprise a same material.  
   
   
       25 . A method to use light energy to heat water in a pool, the method comprising: 
 attaching a floating element to a solar heating element to enable the solar heating element to float in a substantially horizontal alignment in water;    placing the attached elements in water to enable the elements to freely float in the water; and    applying light on the solar heating element to focus light energy in the water in an area underneath the solar heating element.    
   
   
       26 . The method in accordance with  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 attaching a plurality of floating elements to a plurality of solar heating elements;    placing the plurality of attached elements in the water; and    applying light on each of the plurality of solar heating element to focus light in the water.    
   
   
       27 . The method in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein the solar heating element comprises a lens.  
   
   
       28 . The method in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein any of the solar heating element and the thermal element comprises a glow-in-the-dark substance.