Title of Invention

BUILT IN SOLAR WATER HEATER

Abstract

ABSTRACT: "BUILT IN SOLAR WATER HEATER". Built in solar water heater comprises of a hot water storage tray (6), with partition (14), housed inside a structure (10). The said structure is provided with inside insulation (11) and double glazed (12) top. The glazing provides the green house effect required for trapping the heat. A floating tray (13) with blackened top is provided to float on the water in the said hot water storage tray (6). The said floating tray (13) absorbs the solar heat on the top blackened surface and transmits the heat to the water in the said hot water storage tank (6).

Full Text

F0RM 2 THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10) 1. "BUILT IN SOLAR WATER HEATER" 2. CHANDAK AJAY GIRDHARILAL at "SHAMGIRI", AGRA ROAD, DEOPUR, DHULE: 424 005, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA. PH: 02562- 271795, MB: 9823033344, email: [email protected], NATIONALITY: INDIAN The following specification describes the nature of invention and the manner in which it is to be performed. 3. Present invention relates to a built in solar water heater. Solar water heaters have been in use since long. Fig. 1 shows a pictorial view, explaining the principle of working of a conventional solar water heater. A solar collector (1), consisting copper tubes (2), with or without fins, is placed in inclined position and an insulated storage tank (3) is placed at slightly higher elevation than the collector. The insulated tank gets the water supply from another cold-water tank (4) placed at higher elevation than the insulated tank. As the sun radiation falls on the solar panel the water inside the copper tubes heat up and travels upwards in the insulated tank while the cold water from insulated tank is fed to the solar panel This cycle continues throughout the day and the hot water so generated is stored in the insulated tank. This hot water being stored in insulated tank can be utilized in the morning hours. This hot water is fed to the application through connection (5). This conventional water heater system has following major shortcomings. a. The conventional solar water heater system i.e. the solar panel and the insulated tank has to withstand the pressure equivalent to the water level in the cold-water tank. Hence these elements are to be manufactured structurally strong. This increases the cost of the system. b. Special constructional materials like copper for tubes, stainless steel for insulated tank, and aluminum for panel structure are required, which makes the conventional solar water heater system costly and unaffordable to many. c. In conventional system when hard water is used, there is scaling formed inside the copper tubing and the insulated tank. It is almost impossible to clean the copper tubing and the insulated tank. Using chemicals to clean the system reduces the life of the system and hence in practice the conventional water heaters are seldom used when dealing with hard water heating. d. If a conventional system is to be used for hard water application then a special design needs to be used which reduces the effective utilization of the system. It is observed that a conventional solar water heater with 2 square meters panel can heat 125 liters of normal water while the same system when employed with modification to the hard water will deliver only 100 liters. Also the cost of the system for hard water is about 20% extra than the system for normal water. e. Minimum elevation of cold water supply tank (4) for this conventional design is 1.25 meters. Many houses have supply tank constructed on the roof slab itself or at smaller elevation than 1.25 m. In all such cases provision for extra cold storage tank at higher elevation is required. Hence there is additional cost burden for the cold water storage tank and stand for the same. For the said reasons the conventional solar water heaters are still not used for hard water. Also as the cost is higher acceptance by common people is poor. The shortcomings mentioned above will invariably be there because of the design and mechanism employed for these conventional solar water heaters. Object of the present invention, therefore aims at devising a low cost, ingenious solar water heating system suitable for hard water application. Working of a proposed invention, a built in solar water heater, is shown in fig. 2a, fig. 2b and fig. 3. Fig. 2a shows the plan of a proposed solar water heater, while the Fig. 2b shows the sectional elevation of the same. This consists of a hot water storage tank (6) in the shape of a tray, where water of designed capacity can be stored. A float valve (7) is provided in another chamber (8). Chamber (8) can be placed inside or outside the proposed structure. This chamber (8) is connected to the hot water storage tank (6) through an inlet pipe (9). The water level in chamber (8) and hot water storage tank (6) will remain same because of the interconnecting inlet pipe (9) and this level will be governed by the float valve (7). The float valve (7) can be made adjustable to accommodate different quantity of water in the hot water tank (6). The hot water storage tank (6) is housed in a structure (10) of constructional material like brickwork or concrete. This constructional material can be covered from inside with good insulating material (11) like rock wool or polyurethane foam. Double glass glazing (12) in a removable frame (17) is mounted on the top of the structure with some fixtures. This double glass glazing (12) works as insulator and permits the solar radiation to enter in to the system but does not allow the heat to get out of system because of green house effect. This way the trapped heat is used in heating the water. If the hot water storage tank (6) is used alone then part of the solar energy may be reflected from the top surface of the water. To take care of this problem another floating tray (13) is placed in the hot water storage tank (6). This tray (13) is kept floating tike a boat, in water, in hot water storage tank (6). Fig. 3 shows the pictorial view of floating tray (13). The top surface (18) of the floating tray (13) is painted black to absorb maximum solar radiation. This floating tray (13) is in direct contact with the water and will heat the water. The outer side (19) of the floating tray (13) may be made corrugated or finned to increase the heat transfer surface. Fig. 4 shows pictorial view of hot water storage tank (6). Hot water storage tank (6) has a partition (14) of slightly lower height than the level of water. This partition (14) can be provided with triangular notches for uniform flow throughout the width of the hot water storage tank (6). On the other side of the partition (14) outlet pipe (15) for hot water utility is provided. As the water is used through this outlet pipe (15) the level in the hot water storage tank (6) drops and fresh cold water from the float chamber (8) is delivered in the system through inlet pipe (9). As the water is used from the top portion of the hot water storage tank (6) only hot water is delivered to the application. This system is to be placed on the flat roofing and not in inclined position. To enhance heating additional reflectors (16) can be used. Reflectors on wall or foldable structure can also be used. This invention has many advantages over the conventional system. As the system is an open system the water pressure in the hot water tray (6) is negligible, the hot water storage tank (6) and the floating tray (13) can be constructed in thin sheets of cheaper material like galvanized iron, with huge cost saving. This invention eliminates the need of separate hot water storage tank as required in conventional solar water heating system. In new system the hot water storage tank (6) with floating tray (13) and other elements as shown in figure 2a and 2b constitutes the collector cum storage tank. This results in cost saving. In case of hard water there is salt deposition in the system. In conventional system it is extremely difficult and at times impossible to clean the copper tubing (2) and the insulated tank (3). In this invention it is extremely easy. In this invention by removing the top glazing cover (12) the floating tray (13) and hot water storage tank (6) can be removed and cleaned easily and placed back in operatton. The system is a low pressure system and requires very low driving head. The cold water supply tank already available at the roof top level or at small elevation can be easily used. Hence no need of extra cold water supply tank and stand, which saves the cost. If site permits use of reflectors on parapet wall then there will be additional cost saving. Major advantage is overall huge cost saving and suitability of the system for hard water. CLAIMS: 1. A built in solar water heater comprising: a. a hot water storage tank, b. a floating tray with top side coated with heat absorbing coat and other side in contact with water in said hot water storage tank, and said floating tray receiving and absorbing solar radiation on the top black surface and conducting the heat to the water in contact in said hot water storage tank on other side, c. insulating material surrounding said hot water storage tank, d. a structure forming envelop around said insulating material, e. transparent covers, covering said structure, to allow greenhouse effect, f. a float valve for maintaining water level in said hot water storage tank, g. single or plurality of reflectors for additional heat gain, h. inlet arrangement for water flow to said hot water storage tank, i. outlet arrangement for water flow from said hot water storage tank, 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said hot water storage tank is provided with partitions. 3. The combination of claim 1, wherein heat absorbing coat on top side of said floating tray is made of dark heat absorbing paints and selective metal coatings. 4. The combination of claim 1, including integral construction of said hot water storage tank and said floating tray as a single unit. 5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said hot water storage tank is kept in horizontal or inclined position, and open to atmosphere. 6. The combination of claim 1, wherein said transparent covers comprise of glass, plastic or similar thermally transparent materials. Dated this 19th Day of September 2003. To, The Controller of Patents, The Patent Office Branch, 3rd Floor, Todi Estates, Sun Mill Compound, LOWER PAREL (WEST) MUMBAI:400 013.

Documents:

1014-mum-2003 abstract.doc

1014-mum-2003 abstract.pdf

1014-mum-2003 claims.doc

1014-mum-2003 claims.pdf

1014-mum-2003 correspondence(ipo).pdf

1014-mum-2003 correspondence.pdf

1014-mum-2003 description(granted).doc

1014-mum-2003 description(granted).pdf

1014-mum-2003 drawing.pdf

1014-mum-2003 form 1.pdf

1014-mum-2003 form 19.pdf

1014-mum-2003 form 2(cancelled).pdf

1014-mum-2003 form 2(garanted).doc

1014-mum-2003 form 2(granted).pdf

1014-mum-2003 form 3.pdf

1014-mum-2003 form 5.pdf

1014-mum-2003 form2(title page).pdf

1014-mum-2003-abstract(30-03-2005).doc

1014-mum-2003-abstract(30-03-2005).pdf

1014-mum-2003-cancelled pages(30-03-2005).pdf

1014-mum-2003-claims(granted)-(30-03-2005).doc

1014-mum-2003-claims(granted)-(30-03-2005).pdf

1014-mum-2003-correspondence(30-03-2005).pdf

1014-mum-2003-correspondence(ipo)-(31-03-2004).pdf

1014-mum-2003-drawing(30-03-2005).pdf

1014-mum-2003-form 1(29-05-2003).pdf

1014-mum-2003-form 19(09-02-2004).pdf

1014-mum-2003-form 2(granted)-(30-03-2005).doc

1014-mum-2003-form 2(granted)-(30-03-2005).pdf

1014-mum-2003-form 3(29-09-2003).pdf

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