Passive solar heating method and product

Abstract

A resilient black flexible polymer mat is submerged on the bottom of a small pool or pond to promote the passive solar heating of the water. The upper surface is non-reflective, textured and provided with projecting elements to increase the surface area for enhancing the amount of solar radiation absorbed to heat the mat; the bottom surface has a plurality of spaced-apart projecting frictional supporting members to assist in retaining the mat in position on the bottom of the pool or pond; spaced-apart passages extending between the upper and bottom surfaces permit the movement of water.

1 . An accessory for promoting the passive solar heating of a pool or pond, the accessory comprising a resilient black or dark-colored flexible polymer mat, the polymer being chemical-resistant and having a specific gravity greater than one,
 the mat having an upper surface and a bottom surface,   the upper surface being non-reflective and textured to increase the absorption of the IR rays of the sun to heat the mat when it is placed in the water of a pool or pond,   the bottom surface having a plurality of spaced-apart projecting frictional supporting members to assist in retaining the mat in a submerged position on the bottom of the pool or pond, and   a plurality of spaced-apart passages extending between the upper and bottom surfaces.   
     
     
         2 . The accessory of  claim 1  where the polymer mat can be repeatedly folded upon itself to assume a compact form for packaging and storage, and unfolded to assume a generally flat configuration for use on the bottom of the pool or pond. 
     
     
         3 . The accessory of  claim 1  in which the elements projecting from the upper and bottom surface, respectively, are formed by molding. 
     
     
         4 . The accessory of  claim 1  in which the upper surface is textured to provide a non-reflective matte finish. 
     
     
         5 . The accessory of  claim 1  in which the upper surface includes a plurality of spaced-apart projections to thereby increase the surface area of the mat. 
     
     
         6 . The accessory of  claim 5  in which the spaced-apart upper surface projections have cross-sections that are selected from curvilinear, rectilinear, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The accessory of  claim 6  in which the projection has a curvilinear cross-section that is defined by a plane transecting a sphere at a position on or above the diameter of the sphere. 
     
     
         8 . The accessory of  claim 5  in which the upper surface projections are positioned to form a regular ornamental pattern, or a design, or a logo. 
     
     
         9 . The accessory of  claim 1  in which the bottom surface projecting frictional members are in the form of suction cups. 
     
     
         10 . The accessory of  claim 9  in which the suction cups extend from proximate the periphery of the mat across its bottom surface in a regular pattern. 
     
     
         11 . The accessory of  claim 1  in which the area of the bottom surface between the frictional members is smooth and shiny to facilitate the removal of any algal growth. 
     
     
         12 . The accessory of  claim 1  in which the polymer is selected from rubber, silicone rubber, PVC, co-polymers of PVC, [other?]. 
     
     
         13 . The accessory of  claim 1  in which the shape is selected from the group consisting of curvilinear, rectilinear, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The accessory of  claim 13  in which the mat is round with a diameter of from 16 to 20 inches and a thickness of from 1/16 to 3/32 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The accessory of  claim 1  in which the periphery of the mat terminates in firm portion that is thicker than the adjacent interior portion of the mat and extends radially inward a distance of about ⅛ inch to 3/32 inch. 
     
     
         16 . A method for passively solar heating the water in a pool or pond comprising placing at best one mat in accordance with  claim 1  in a submerged position on the bottom of the pool or pond to receive the sun's solar radiation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , where at least three mats are submerged on the bottom surface of the pool or pond.