AU2009100152B4 - Solar pool heating system - Google Patents

Abstract

A solar pool heating system in which a solar collector is connected to the pool by flow pipe from the pool and a return pipe to the pool. A pump is located in the flow pipe and a first temperature sensor is located in or adjacent to the solar collector 5 and a second temperature sensor is located adjacent to the pump. A controller is linked to both temperature sensors and the pump and programmed to operate the pump when the temperature differential between the first and second sensors is greater than a predetermined value. The controller and second temperature sensor are integrated into the casing of the pump.

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION 200910 Filed 17 th February 2009 Invention Title: SOLAR POOL HEATING SYSTEM Applicant: Sunbather Pty Ltd Innovator: Simon Boadle The innovation is described in the following statement: 1 SOLAR POOL HEATING SYSTEM This invention relates to improvements in solar pool heating systems. Background to the invention 5 A convenient solar heat exchange system for pools consists of a mat of tubing that connects to inlet and outlet manifolds. Such a system is described in USA patent 4354546 and in USA patent 4823771. These solar heating systems typically include the solar collector mat located on a roof with flow and return pipe work from the mat to the pool. The system also includes a pump and a temperature 10 actuated switch to turn the pump on and off. USA patent 5206819 discloses a typical installation. Often the pump and the temperature actuated switch are incompatible. The installation of separate temperature sensors and check valves for the system to work effectively and to protect the pump, is time consuming and expensive. If the 15 temperature sensor is not installed correctly it will not give a true temprerature reading and the system may not operate at optimal performance. A slow drain back check valve is needed for the solar collector pump to prevent loss of prime for the pump and consequential impeller damage. It is an object of this invention to simplify installation improve performance and 20 prevent pump damage. Brief Description of the Invention To this end the present invention provides a solar pool heating system which includes 25 a) a solar collector connected to the pool by flow pipe from the pool and a return pipe to the pool b) a pump located in the flow pipe c) a first temperature sensor located in or adjacent to the solar collector d) a second temperature sensor located adjacent to the pump 30 e) a controller linked to both temperature sensors and the pump and programmed to operate the pump when the temperature differential between the first and second sensors is greater than a predetermined value.

2 It is preferred that the pump controller and second sensor are integrated into the pump outer casing. The second or cool sensor is located adjacent the pump and the pool and the warm sensor is located adjacent the solar collector. Should the pump fail to prime it will heat up but this will be detected by the second sensor and 5 the pump would be switched off once the temperature approached that of the first sensor. In prior art systems overheating of the pump could not be detected because the second sensor was usually located in the pipe work some distance from the pump. By locating the temperature sensor in the pump casing it can be protected from direct sunlight. In prior art systems the cool water sensor was often 10 fitted to the pipe work in an exposed location and this leads to an elevated temperature reading which reduces the activity of the pump and thus decreases the efficiency of the system. The controller and the pump can be powered from the one power outlet. Another advantage of the present invention is the simplicity of installation as one 15 unit is plumbed into the pipe work between the pool and the solar collector and only one power connection is required instead of two as in the prior art. Detailed Description of the Invention A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the 20 drawings in which Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an integrated solar pump according to this invention; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the system of this invention in a new pool installation; 25 Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the system of this invention for an existing pool where the solar heater is connected to the pool filter circuit. The system of this invention consists of a solar pump 11 with a casing that includes an inlet 18 from the pool and an outlet 19 directed to the solar collector 25. 30 The controller 15 is connected electrically to the solar mat sensor 16 and the cold water sensor 17 located in the pump casing as well as to the pump 11. The solar mat sensor 16 or roof sensor is located adjacent the soar mat heat collector and senses the temperature of the mat. The sensor 16 may be connected by cable to 3 the controller 15 or may communicate wirelessly with the controller 15. The pump 11 and the controller use the same power supply. The provision of an integrated pump with a controller and cool temperature sensor and a lead for the hot temperature sensor makes installation much easier and improves the efficiency of 5 the system. The system also includes strainer 12 in the inlet line to the solar mat, to prevent hair and lint from clogging the pipes and mat tubing. The ball valve 13 and vacuum break valve 14 are installed in the return line between the solar collector and the pool. The installation illustrated in figure 2 is preferred for new pools where the 10 solar system is installed at the same time as the pool. In existing pools the solar system is installed in to the pool filter circuit so that a check valve 23 is inserted between the pool filter 21 and the solar pump 11. If the solar pump 11 is not operational, the pool pump 20 circulates the pool water through the filter 21 and back to the pool. 15 By utilizing the integration of this invention a sophisticated processor may be used as the controller. By logging the run times of the solar pump and monitoring the temperature differentials the heat generated can be calculated and this can be used for calculating power savings compared to using a non solar heater. Such calculations will become of importance for carbon trading credits in the future. The 20 controller may also log the number of pump switchings to assist in service analysis of the unit. Also logging the number of times the eeprom has been reset also assists in dealing with service problems. The controller 15 may have a wireless connection to a portable or fixed control pad using a wireless technology such as blue tooth. This enables the pool owner to 25 rest the pool temperature or read the various temperatures from a remote location. From the above it can be seen that the present invention provides an easily installable and operationally efficient solar pump and controller. Those skilled in the art will realize that this invention can be implemented in embodiments other than those described without departing from the core teachings of this invention. 30

Claims (2)

1. A solar pool heating system which includes a) a solar collector connected to the pool by flow pipe from the pool and a 5 return pipe to the pool b) a pump located in the flow pipe c) a first temperature sensor located in or adjacent to the solar collector d) a second temperature sensor located on the pump e) a controller mounted on said pump linked wirelessly to said first 10 temperature sensor and connected to the second sensor and to the pump; said controller programmed to operate the pump when the temperature differential between the first and second sensors is greater than a predetermined value. 15

2. A solar pool heating pump for use in the system claimed in claim 1 in which the pump controller and second sensor are integrated into the pump outer casing and the controller is in wireless communication with said first temperature sensor. 20