Multi-mode, eco-friendly swimming pool heater system

Abstract

The invention relates to a pool heater that includes a buoyant member configured to float on water; a tubing array positioned on the buoyant member and having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a photovoltaic cell positioned on the buoyant member; a pump having an inlet, an outlet, and positioned on the buoyant member to receive power from the photovoltaic cell and circulate water through the tubing array to be heated in the tubing array.

1 . A pool heater comprising:
 a buoyant member configured to float on water;   a tubing array positioned on the buoyant member and having at least one inlet and at least one outlet;   a photovoltaic cell positioned on the buoyant member;   a pump having an inlet, an outlet, and positioned on the buoyant member to receive power from the photovoltaic cell and circulate water through the tubing array to be heated in the tubing array.   
     
     
         2 . The pool heater of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet to the pump is positioned to receive water from a pool and the outlet to the pump is positioned to provide water to the tubing array. 
     
     
         3 . The pool heater of  claim 1 , wherein the tubing array comprises tubing of a dark color positioned on the buoyant member to receive sunlight. 
     
     
         4 . The pool heater of  claim 1 , wherein the tubing array comprising a sheet of tubing passing through the sheet. 
     
     
         5 . The pool heater of  claim 1 , wherein the tubing array is enclosed in part by a cover. 
     
     
         6 . The pool heater of  claim 5 , wherein the cover is transparent or translucent. 
     
     
         7 . The pool heater of  claim 6 , wherein the cover comprises a translucent plastic configured to maximize sunlight passing through the cover. 
     
     
         8 . The pool heater of  claim 5 , wherein the tubing array comprises at least two layers of tubing arranged vertically with respect to the buoyant member. 
     
     
         9 . The pool heater of  claim 8 , wherein the layer positioned closest to the buoyant member is elevated above the buoyant member to permit a layer of air beneath the layer of tubing. 
     
     
         10 . The pool heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a skirt surrounding at least a portion of the buoyant member and including one or more chambers for holding a fluid, wherein upon placing the pool heater on a surface of water the chambers include a lower surface in contact with the water and an upper surface oriented upward away from the water. 
     
     
         11 . The pool heater of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more chambers are fluidly interconnected. 
     
     
         12 . The pool heater of  claim 11 , wherein the chambers have at least one inlet and at least one outlet and are fluidly connected to the outlet of the tubing array whereby a fluid passing from the tubing array to the chambers passes through the at least one outlet of the chambers. 
     
     
         13 . The pool heater of  claim 12 , wherein the skirt includes at least one set of chambers in fluid connection with the outlet from the tubing array and at least one set of chambers that are fluidly connected to a valve for controlling ingress and egress of a fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The pool heater of  claim 11 , wherein the chambers are fluidly connected to a valve for controlling ingress and egress of a fluid into and out of the chambers. 
     
     
         15 . The pool heater of  claim 11 , further comprising an inflatable outer ring defining a chamber for holding fluid, the ring including a valve for controlling ingress and egress of fluid within the chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The pool heater of  claim 15 , wherein the ring includes a radially outward side including a magnetic means on the radially outward side of the ring for magnetic attachment to a similar floating heater. 
     
     
         17 . A method of heating water in a body of water, the method comprising:
 providing a pool heater comprising a buoyant member configured to float on water; a tubing array positioned on the buoyant member and having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a photovoltaic cell positioned on the buoyant member; a pump having an inlet, an outlet, and positioned on the buoyant member to receive power from the photovoltaic cell and circulate water through the tubing array to be heated in the tubing array; and   positioning the pool heater on a surface of water whereby the photovoltaic cell is positioned to receive sunlight to power the pump and circulate water from the body of water through the tubing array and return the water to the body of water, wherein the sunlight powers the photovoltaic cell and heats the water in the tubing array.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a cover enclosing at least a portion of the tubing array, wherein the cover is transparent or translucent to pass sunlight through the cover, and circulating water through the tubing array heats the water through heat created and trapped within the enclosure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a skirt surrounding at least a portion of the buoyant member and including one or more chambers for holding a fluid, wherein upon placing the pool heater on a surface of water the chambers includes a lower surface in contact with the water and an upper surface oriented upward away from the water, wherein placing the pool heater on the surface of water provides reduction in evaporative heating loss and heating of the chambers to transfer heat to the water in the body of water. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more chambers are fluidly interconnected and the chambers have at least one inlet and at least one outlet and are fluidly connected to the outlet of the tubing array wherein a fluid passing from the tubing array to the chambers passes through the at least one outlet of the chambers.