Solar-powered water heating system
AssigneeSnyder National Corporation
InventorDarryl L. Snyder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solar-powered water heating system provides heated water to a pool in an aesthetically-pleasing, leak-resistant manner. The invention provides a heat gathering unit disposed in a tray that fits within the deck boards of a typical roof. Shingles are disposed over the heat gathering unit and any leaks that occur within the heat gathering unit flow out over the top of the shingles. A drain conduit is provided below supply and return pipes so that any leaks flowing out of the supply and return pipes and their connections with the heat gathering unit will be directed out of the building structure to a location where the leak may be readily detected.
Claims25
An improved solar-powered water heating system adapted to be at least partially mounted to the roof of a structure;
- the roof having a plurality of joists with a deck material disposed on the joists;
- the roof including a roof covering disposed over the deck material;
- the deck material having a thickness;
- the deck material defining an opening;
- the heating system including a primary supply pipe and a primary return pipe;
- the improvement comprising:
- a heat gathering unit adapted to be disposed in the opening of the deck material of the roof;
- the primary supply pipe and the primary return pipe being connected to the heat gathering unit;
- the heat gathering unit being disposed in the opening of the deck material;
- the heat gathering unit being supported by the joists;
- and
- portions of the heat gathering unit extending out from under the roof covering to provide a visual position indicator for the heat gathering unit.
An improved solar-powered water heating system adapted to be at least partially mounted to the roof of a structure;
- the roof having a plurality of joists with a deck material disposed on the joists;
- the roof including a roof covering disposed over the deck material;
- the deck material having a thickness;
- the deck material defining an opening;
- the heating system including a primary supply pipe and a primary return pipe;
- the improvement comprising:
- a heat gathering unit adapted to be disposed in the opening of the deck material of the roof;
- the primary supply pipe and the primary return pipe being connected to the heat gathering unit;
- the heat gathering unit being disposed in the opening of the deck material;
- the heat gathering unit being supported by the joists;
- and
- a primary drain conduit adapted to be mounted to the roof under the deck material;
- portions of the primary supply tube and the primary return pipe being disposed in the primary drain conduit.
An improved solar-powered water heating system adapted to be at least partially mounted to the roof of a structure;
- the roof having a plurality of joists with a deck material disposed on the joists;
- the roof including a roof covering disposed over the deck material;
- the deck material having a thickness;
- the deck material defining an opening;
- the heating system including a primary supply pipe and a primary return pipe;
- the improvement comprising:
- a heat gathering unit adapted to be disposed in the opening of the deck material of the roof;
- the primary supply pipe and the primary return pipe being connected to the heat gathering unit;
- the heat gathering unit being disposed in the opening of the deck material;
- the heat gathering unit being supported by the joists;
- the heat gathering unit including a tray disposed in the opening of the deck material;
- at least one conduit disposed in the tray;
- the conduit being adapted to receive water from the primary supply pipe and return water to the primary return pipe;
- the tray being supported by the joists;
- and
- the tray including a bottom member, a hinge, and a top member;
- the top member being hingedly connected to the bottom member with the hinge.
An improved solar-powered water heating system adapted to be at least partially mounted to the roof of a structure;
- the roof having a plurality of joists with a deck material disposed on the joists;
- the roof including a roof covering disposed over the deck material;
- the deck material having a thickness;
- the deck material defining an opening;
- the heating system including a primary supply pipe and a primary return pipe;
- the improvement comprising:
- a heat gathering unit adapted to be disposed in the opening of the deck material of the roof;
- the primary supply pipe and the primary return pipe being connected to the heat gathering unit;
- the heat gathering unit being disposed in the opening of the deck material;
- the heat gathering unit being supported by the joists;
- the heat gathering unit including a tray disposed in the opening of the deck material;
- at least one conduit disposed in the tray;
- the conduit being adapted to receive water from the primary supply pipe and return water to the primary return pipe;
- the tray being supported by the joists;
- the tray being adapted to gather leaks from the conduit;
- the tray having a leak outlet that is adapted to dispense leaks from the conduit over the top of the roof covering.
An improved solar-powered water heating system adapted to be at least partially mounted to the roof of a structure;
- the roof having a plurality of joists with each joist having an upper surface;
- a deck material disposed on the upper surfaces of the joists;
- the roof including a roof covering disposed over the deck material;
- the deck material having a thickness;
- the deck material defining an opening;
- the heating system including a primary supply pipe and a primary return pipe;
- the improvement comprising:
- a heat gathering unit adapted to be disposed in the opening of the deck material of the roof;
- the primary supply pipe and the primary return pipe being connected to the heat gathering unit;
- the heat gathering unit being disposed in the opening of the deck material;
- the heat gathering unit including a tray that is substantially perpendicular to and supported by the joists;
- the tray being disposed under the roof covering;
- the tray having a lower surface;
- the lower surface of the tray being supported by the upper surfaces of the joists;
- the tray disposed in the opening of the deck material;
- at least one conduit disposed in the tray;
- and
- the conduit being adapted to receive water from the primary supply pipe and return water to the primary return pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.