US3598104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar heating system for swimming pools
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-03-30
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1990-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A solar heating system for swimming pools, particularly selfsupporting above ground swimming pools, in which system a pool cover is used to absorb solar heat and conduct same to surface water in the pool, a pump is used to draw off the heated surface water and circulate it to subsurface areas in the pool to mix the heated surface water with cooler subsurface water, a temperature sensing probe and associated electrical circuitry is used to compare surface water temperature with subsurface water temperature, and the pump is activated when the sensing probe detects a surface water temperature higher than subsurface water temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard M Trostler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:06
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S20/00; F24S20/02; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
In a solar heating system for swimming pools, the combination comprising: a pool cover disposed over the pool to absorb heat energy and conduct same to surface water in the pool by conduction, electrically responsive pump means for circulating water in the pool and creating a substantially even water temperature throughout the pOol, sensing means for sensing temperature differences between surface and subsurface water in the pool, said sensing means electrically connected to said pump means, said sensing means providing electrical signals activating the pump means when positive temperature differences occur between surface and subsurface water in the pool, and inactivating the pump means when there are no positive temperature differences between surface and subsurface water in the pool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a solar heating system for swimming pools, the combination comprising: a pool cover disposed over the pool to absorb heat energy and conduct same to surface water in the pool by conduction, electrically responsive pump means for circulating water in the pool and creating a substantially even water temperature throughout the pOol, sensing means for sensing temperature differences between surface and subsurface water in the pool, said sensing means electrically connected to said pump means, said sensing means providing electrical signals activating the pump means when positive temperature differences occur between surface and subsurface water in the pool, and inactivating the pump means when there are no positive temperature differences between surface and subsurface water in the pool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said sensing means includes a differential temperature sensing probe, said probe containing electrical circuitry including a first temperature sensitive element to sense surface water temperature and a second temperature sensitive element to sense subsurface water temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said differential temperature sensing probe is substantially cylindrical in shape and has a float element affixed thereto causing the probe to float vertically in water with the upper end thereof in the area of surface water and the lower end thereof in the area of subsurface water, said first temperature sensitive element being disposed in the upper end of the probe, and said second temperature sensitive element disposed in the lower end of the probe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
The combination defined in claim 3, wherein said float element has a low thermal conductivity and is disposed around said probe at the upper end thereof, said float element including a heat conductive flange protruding exteriorly of said float element to contact surface water, and said flange contacting said probe to conduct surface water temperature through the float element to the probe, and said first temperature sensitive element disposed in said probe opposite said heat conductive flange to thereby detect the temperature of surface water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second temperature sensitive elements are electrical resistors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination defined in claim 3, wherein each of the first and second temperature sensitive elements are coils of electrical resistance wire wound on a bobbin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said sensing means includes a balanced bridge circuit having a first temperature sensitive element subjected to surface water temperature, and a second temperature sensitive element subjected to subsurface water temperature, the electrical output of the balanced bridge circuit operating a switch, and said switch connecting electrical power to the pump means when positive temperature differences occur between surface and subsurface water in the pool, and disconnecting the electrical power from the pump means when there is no positive temperature difference between surface and subsurface water in the pool.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said pump means includes a surface water intake element connected to a water filter, an electrically driven pump, and a subsurface water outlet, operation of said electrically driven pump circulating surface water to subsurface areas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |