EP0263097A1

EP0263097A1 - Solar heating device in curbstone for swimming pool and its fabrication method

Info

Publication number: EP0263097A1
Application number: EP86901098A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Max Dutilleux
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-02-14
Filing date: 1986-02-14
Publication date: 1988-04-13
Also published as: WO1987005096A1

Abstract

Le dispositif est constitué de cuves (C) avec leurs accessoires, peu profondes en matière plastique mince, dont la rigidité est obtenue par remplissage, sur place, de sa face profonde par du ciment ou du béton, recouvertes d'une vitre solide antidérapante à effet de serre, et dont la forme est telle que la pose des accessoires soit simple et précise, à disposer sur le pourtour de la piscine en lieu et place de la margelle et dans laquelle l'eau de la piscine est amenée par les tubes (T) puis (E) pour ruisseler sur un corps noir avant de ressortir vers la piscine par le trop-plein (S).The device consists of tanks (C) with their accessories, shallow in thin plastic material, the rigidity of which is obtained by filling, on site, its deep face with cement or concrete, covered with a solid non-slip glass with greenhouse effect, and whose shape is such that the installation of the accessories is simple and precise, to be placed on the periphery of the swimming pool in place of the coping and in which the water of the swimming pool is brought by the tubes ( T) then (E) to run off on a black body before coming out towards the pool via the overflow (S).

Description

- I -

SOLAR HEATER DEVICE FOR POOLS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF.

The object of the present invention is the easy production, within the reach of any do-it-yourselfer or non-specialized professional, of an _ aesthetic, space-saving and inexpensive solar swimming pool heating system, by trickling the water from the swimming pool into greenhouse tanks placed around the edge of the pool instead of the usual coping.

FIG. 1 schematically represents one of these tanks 0 - seen from above, before placing the plates 1, 2 and 3>

2 shows a section along the axis KK ¹ perpendicular to the edge of the pool.

Figure 3 shows a section along the axis 0-0 'through the exhaust system. 5_ Figure 4 shows a section along the axis M-M 'passing through the supply system.

The system has the following components:

1) shallow tanks in the form of tubs, in principle square or rectangular (C) made of thin plastic 0- (A), in one piece, transparent or colored, resistant to the sun and to swimming pool water and its additives, molded in the factory, easy and light to transport, and whose shape is such that it suffices on the spot to turn them over and fill them with their lower face of cement or concrete (B) to obtain, after hardening and 5- new turning, a tank ready to be sealed in place, the cement or concrete giving it the necessary rigidity and solidity, and the plastic giving it both the surface qualities required and the precise shape suitable to allow the installation of all the other elements in a simple and precise way to ensure optimal performance,. 0- determine the thickness of the runoff blade, direct its flow and evacuation.

These plastic tanks have a bottom in simple thickness, and side walls in double thickness leaving between them a space intended to be filled with cement or concrete, the external exceeding the level of the bottom to the level N 'so that by filling to the brim we obtain exactly the necessary thickness of reinforcement of the bottom of the tank.

The bottom of the plastic vats has corrugations _ oriented if necessary to guide the flow, embossments possibly (a) to serve as support for the capture plate (3) as well as possible supports to complement the plates 1 and 2.

The internal side wall has on its entire periphery two superimposed recesses in staircase mode to serve as support 0- for plates 1 and 2, so that plate 1 is placed flush with the edge of the tank and the plate 2 anti-fog at a suitable distance a few millimeters below. On the side opposite the swimming pool, it will also have a vertical recess in the gutter from the bottom to the upper edge which it will notch, spanning it to allow passage 5_ to the supply pipe E. (Alternatively a direct passage through the wall could be provided). On the swimming pool side, a rise in the fold-shaped bottom joining the wall will determine the level N of the runoff water by serving as an overflow, the water pouring out. above this edge in a cavity determined by this fold and by a recess S created at the expense of the wall and plunging into the base thereof shrinking until it is flush with its lower face N ^r . The volume of this cavity S will be sufficient not only to absorb the discharge rate of the water, but will include an excess of capacity to absorb any slight reflux due to the waves. This recess 5- of the wall extends to the upper edge in the form of a slightly flared gutter to serve as a chimney; P for controlling the air pressure, not only at this level, but at each level of the tank since the space between plates 1 and 2 will open there and that between plate 2 and the level of the water. This chimney will have a sufficient depth to allow the passage of a finger to lift and remove the plates if necessary. 1 and 2.

A second chimney ^"" analog may be provided at any position of the ^{"circumference} for the same purpose but with easier access. At the bottom of 5- ren oncement S ^f will connect a tube T for discharging water, possibly equipped with a simple system

anti-reflux, which will dive below the level of the pool so as to avoid cooling of the water during its flow and suppress the noise which, given the number of tanks possibly necessary, could be annoying. - All the vertical planes of the tank will be made slightly inclined so as not only to facilitate demolding, but also to be able to stack them by fitting them as deeply as possible into one another for storage and shipping. .

2) PLATE 1: the greenhouse effect is obtained by means of a 0- plate, either made of glass or of plastic material transparent to the infrared rays of the sun having a sufficient greenhouse effect, which arises on the first step of the internal wall provided for this purpose, the upper face flush with the upper edge of the tank, which then takes on the appearance of a frame. The material must be chosen to be sufficiently solid according to the size of the tank and the support points to resist the shocks and jumps normally supported by a swimming pool coping, without danger of breakage by bathers. Its upper surface must be non-slip especially for wet bare feet. For aesthetic reasons it could be colored, 0- taking into account of course that any reduction in yield will have to be offset by an increase in the overall surface of the tanks.

3) PLATE 2: a few millimeters below the plate 1 will be placed on the second step a glass or plastic plate transparent to the I.R. rays of the sun having 5- a sufficient greenhouse effect. Bathed in the heat of the greenhouse, it will prevent the deposition of mist on the plate 1 (which would reduce its performance) and isolate it from the humidity of the tank. This plate not having to resist any constraint if not its own weight, can be made of a much less resistant material and be for example - a simple clear window. This plate will be located a few millimeters above the level N of the runoff water *.

4) PLATE 3: In the bottom of the tank rests the calorie sensor constituted by a metal plate protected against oxidation and of ideally black mat color, but which may for aesthetic reasons be of another dark color having a coefficient sufficient absorption of lR rays from the sun. The exact position of this plate relative to the bottom and relative to the water level N will be determined either by its own shape, or by supports provided in the relief of the bottom of the tank, so that it captures - The maximum of solar calories while keeping with the runoff water the closest contact to quickly transmit these calories.

5) SUPPLY: all the tanks are supplied with pool water via a hose T which is either 0— connected to the outlet of the filtration system, or with the interposition of an electric circulator on the hose filtration inlet or directly into the pool. The first solution saves the circulator, but on the other hand the power supply is then dependent on filtration, which does not normally operate permanently, even during the day. The flow rate of the circulator and the size of the pipe T will be calculated according to the number of tanks to be supplied, so as to have in each tank a flow rate within acceptable limits. It is important to note that the number of calories trapped does not depend on the flow of water, which can therefore vary without disadvantage from one 0-tank to another, only the temperature of the water at the outlet will vary. The connection of the tanks to the tube T can therefore be done by a simple T-connector (r) of possibly identical gauge for each tank for the sake of standardization, or comprising a simple adjustment system, calculated so as to have a flow rate in each tank. enough

25- slow to be inaudible and fast enough to avoid excessive heating of the water, a source of loss of calories by evaporation. The pressure differences at the outlet of each fitting r are compensated for by the shape of the supply tube E designed not only to break the jet but also to drop the pressure

30- by the progressive widening of its caliber, so that the water comes to drool gently and silently at the bottom of the tank. This tube E could cross the wall, but it seems easier for mounting, the tightness of the tank and its construction make it step over the edge in a recess provided for this. The \ ujbe T

35- and the fitting r should be buried along the tanks for reasons of aesthetics and soundproofing. MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY PROCESS

The plastic tank will be produced in the factory by molding or any other process, as will the supply tube E and the evacuation tube t. Plates 1 and 3 and connection r will also be made in the factory. The plate 2 can be a simple window and the hose T an ordinary garden hose or water supply. The circulator is of the type used in residential heating installations.

For shipping and sale, the tanks could be stacked in a ^: box yes, reinforced with polystyrene of suitable form 0-, could serve as support for the tank during its filling of cement or concrete to avoid if there any deformation takes place. Others, accessories and instructions for use would be attached to it.

On site, all that remains is to return the tank to its possible support and fill it to the brim with its underside 5- with cement or concrete. If the plastic of the tank is chosen transparent, before pouring the cement the deep face could, at the customer's choice, be painted or sprinkled with gravel or any decorative elements in the places that will be visible, i.e. the upper edge and the external side swimming pool side. The thermal insulation of the bottom of the tank could be improved by the interposition of a reflective sheet or paint.

After hardening the tank will be turned over and will be, on the cement side, sealed at the edge of the swimming pool, just taking care to allow it to overflow enough to clear the outlet orifice intended for 5- the tube t and at the same time make a stop for waves. The other elements will just have to be put in place and the connections made.

COMMENTS:

1) The main interest of the invention being its simplicity and its low cost, the manufacturer will tend as much as possible to standardize the forms, the buyer personalizing his installation by the arrangement of the tanks and the choice of colors. The tanks could in particular be rectangular with the supply E and the drain S placed at opposite angles, which would make it possible to place them either 5- perpendicularly, or in parallel to the edge of the swimming pool, and to use them for the corners. 2) The dimensions of the tanks will depend above all on the resistance of the material chosen for plate I. They should be such that, once filled with cement, their weight remains compatible with easy installation by hand. Dimensions of the order of 50 x 70 cm and a thickness of 6 cm seem suitable. However, there is nothing to prevent the design of larger ones, with possible intermediate supports for plates 1 and 2.

3) The number of tanks will be calculated according to the volume of the pool, the local climate - and the desired performance. Because 0- their position figéeàl'horizontale yield per unit area will obviously be reduced accordingly compared to steerable solar panels, ^but will be easily compensated by a surface corresponding increase in low cost and without marring the landscape. On the contrary a judicious choice of the arrangement of the tanks, the 5_ colors and the possible alternation with other materials can bring a certain aesthetic effect.

4) The heating is stopped either by covering the tanks, or by interposing between the plates 1 and 2 a reflective surface or removing the plate 3 _* To do this 0- ϋ just insert a finger into the chimney p to lift the plates.

5) By means of the installation of a heat pump, the swimming pool thus equipped becomes an important source of calories for heating the house, provided that the heat loss of water is limited 5_ by the wind and by convection, if only by a simple plastic film not recoverable for lack of a real cover. Each degree, in fact, of a 100m3 swimming pool, ie approximately 12 M by 5 M. represents a sufficient reserve to bring theoretically from 20 to 70 ° C. 2,000 liters of water. This use could

30_ possibly alone make the investment profitable.

6) Even in the absence of a swimming pool, solar tanks retain interest. Instead of the swimming pool used as a caloric tank at low temperature, the storage of calories could be done in reservoirs of smaller capacity but at higher temperature. ir The solar tanks could without modification be installed on any flat surface, platform, terrace, garden or path, a piping system collecting the outlet water. This water could, by adequate slowdown of the flow, reach a temperature of around 50 ° C. without excessive loss of yield by evaporation. It would be poured into a container open to atmospheric pressure, flush toilet type (supply of additional water controlled by float and overflow) of volume calculated as a function of the flow rate - from where it would pass through an exchanger temperature-tank type usual domestic heating unit to transfer calories before returning to the tanks with the help of a circulator. To obtain a higher storage temperature, it is sufficient to interpose a heat pump on the primary circuit before the exchanger. 0- 7) Due to its slightly flared shape upwards and the absence of any tubing, the system is particularly frost resistant. Indeed the tubes t. and E can be made of flexible material and all the other pipes are buried. Few precautions should therefore be taken in winter.

Claims

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1) Solar heating device for the pool surround made up of several tanks (C) in the form of shallow tanks, in number calculated as a function of the desired calorific power, characterized in that each tank has a plate transparent to the shelves IR of the sun (1), an anti-fog plate (2) transparent to the rays I. R of the sun, a caloric sensor (3) a supply of runoff water (E) coming from the swimming pool (P), a regulator of water flow (r), a regulator of the air pressure in 0- the tanks (p), a regulator of the water level (N), an evacuation system water (S) with anti-waves and anti-reflux (t) for the return of water into the pool arranged around the edge of the pool in place of the coping that they replace.

2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in 5- that each tank (C) has a shape of shallow tank, made of thin plastic (A) molded in one piece, transparent or colored, resistant to the sun and with swimming pool water and its cleaning products, comprising a bottom in single thickness and the side walls in double thickness, has a shape and qualities such as 0- _e surface that it constitutes by its inside face a hollow mold intended to be filled with cement or concrete to give it the necessary rigidity and that it gives by its upper face to the tank the surface qualities and the precise shape necessary to allow the installation of all the other elements in a simple and precise manner for 5- to have an optimal yield, ^• determine the level (N) of the runoff water, orient its direction of flow and evacuation, and includes to achieve these objectives a flat bottom in simple thickness small • changes in relief and dents (a) for the orientation of the flow and to serve as a support 0- for the plate (3) which absorbs calories, and possibly for the two overlying plates (1 and 2) and having pool side a localized fold of height (N) - matching the side wall, determining the thickness of the blade _ runoff water serving as overflow, - 9 -

which bottom rises over its entire periphery to constitute the internal side walls which have all around the periphery two recesses superimposed in the form of stair treads intended to serve as a seat for the plates 1 and 2 on the side - opposite the swimming pool a recess substantially semi-cylindrical with a large vertical axis from the bottom of the tank to the upper edge it spans, to allow passage to the feed tube E, and on the pool side at the overflow described above, a recess S substantially semi-cylindrical with large vertical axis, the upper part 0- leading to the upper edge in the open air maintains the various levels of the tank at atmospheric pressure, and the lower one, with a capacity calculated accordingly harvest l water discharged from the overflow and brings it to the orifice on the underside of the tank at level N 'where the tube t is connected, possibly 5- fitted with a valve or other system th simple antireflux, plunging below the level of the pool water ensuring the return of the trickle water to the pool after it has warmed up, these internal walls being folded back at the upper edge so as to constitute a flush frame to the upper face of the plate 1 and folding back towards the outside in a manner substantially parallel to the internal side walls to constitute the external side walls, leaving an empty space between them and exceeding the level of the bottom of the tank up to at level N ′, that is to say the thickness of the cement or concrete necessary for strengthening the bottom, all the vertical planes 5- of the tank having a slight inclination such that the plastic tanks can be stacked in fitting as deeply as possible into each other.

3) Device according to claims 1 ° and 2 ° characterized in that the plate 1 transparent to the infrared rays of the sun 0- is glass or plastic having a sufficient greenhouse effect, has a non-slip upper face and is of a sufficient strength to be able, as a function of the support points determined by the shape of the tank, to withstand the pressure and shock forces normally supported by a swimming pool coping on its 5- upper face. - 10 -

4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate 2 transparent to the infrared rays of the sun is made of glass or plastic having a sufficient greenhouse effect, is of thickness and solidity clearly r less than the plate 1, is located a few millimeters below the plate 1, by the shape of the tank, and a few millimeters above the level N of the runoff water.

5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the calorie sensor 3 consists

I _Q _ of a metallic plate protected against oxidation of black color or dark color having a sufficient coefficient of absorption of the infrared rays of the sun and is placed near the bottom of the tank at a distance determined either by the supports provided in the shape of the bottom either by its own shape so as to be in very close permanent contact with the runoff while receiving the maximum of the infrared rays of the sun having passed through the plates 1 and 2 above acentes.

6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply of water to the tank

2 _Q _ runoff is ensured via a tube _? spanning the upper edge of the tank in the recess provided for this purpose, or by crossing one of the walls of the tank, connecting outside the tank to the water supply tube T via the connector r , having a shape such that it breaks the water inlet jet at the

25_ outlet of fitting r and lowers the pressure of the water and its flow speed by a progressive increase in its size and a wide and flattened shape at its internal end which opens at the bottom of the tank below the level NOT.

7) Device according to any one of the sells. ations -Q_ previous characterized in that the flow control system r is constituted by a tubular T connector to be connected between two sections of the water supply tube T and the perpendicular outlet branch of which connects to the tube E supply to the tank has a section possibly fitted with a simple adjustment system, i calculated as a function of the pressure and the flow rate in the tube T and the number of tanks supplied by it so as to obtain in each tank a flow rate within limits compatible with good efficiency, the tube T being itself supplied with water from the pool either by connection to the outlet of the filtration system from the pool, either, _ with the interposition of a circulator, to any of the outlet pipes from the pool or directly into the pool itself.

8) A method of manufacturing the devices according to any one of the preceding claims: it comprises the following steps:

a) Factory preparation of tanks C by press molding or any other system, plates 1, 2 and 3, supply tube E, evacuation tube t and connection r, supply tube T being of the type commonly used in water pipes.

-> ~ b) on site turning the tank and filling it to the brim with cement or concrete (B) so as to fill the space provided between the two faces of the walls and cover the bottom of the tank d 'a sufficient thickness predetermined by the shape of the tank and leave open the outlet of the evacuation cavity S, 0- with possible interposition between plastic and colored cement or concrete, gravel or any other decorative or reflective element . c) After hardening of the cement or concrete, invert the tank plastic side up, 5-cement side down and seal at the edge of the pool in place of the coping, making sure to overflow the tank side swimming pool enough to clear the exit orifice of the cavity S and at the same time kill a wave stop flange. Depending on the number of tanks required and the aesthetic appearance sought, these will be 0- placed either side by side or alternately with other materials around the edge of the pool.

d) the evacuation tube will be fixed, Lement by gluing, the tube E will be laid and possibly glued in the planned gutter and connected to the tube T via the connector r. Plates 1, 2 and 3 will simply be placed in the space provided.