EP3507433A1 - Thermal insulation structure for a liquid enclosure - Google Patents
Thermal insulation structure for a liquid enclosureInfo
- Publication number
- EP3507433A1 EP3507433A1 EP17845641.4A EP17845641A EP3507433A1 EP 3507433 A1 EP3507433 A1 EP 3507433A1 EP 17845641 A EP17845641 A EP 17845641A EP 3507433 A1 EP3507433 A1 EP 3507433A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- insulation
- layer
- insulation layer
- plug
- liquid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
- E04H4/06—Safety devices; Coverings for baths
- E04H4/10—Coverings of flexible material
- E04H4/103—Coverings of flexible material with inflatable chambers
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
- E04H4/06—Safety devices; Coverings for baths
- E04H4/10—Coverings of flexible material
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a thermal insulation structure for a liquid enclosure, and more particularly, to a thermal insulation structure for a pool or spa including a cover and/or a plug.
- the temperature of the liquid in the pool or spa can change based on the temperature of the ambient environment. For example, in the case of an outdoor pool or spa, the temperature of the liquid may increase during daytime hours due to the presence of heat from the sun and decrease during nighttime hours due to the lack of heat from the sun. Additionally, in pools or spas with heating capabilities, additional energy may be required by the heating system to maintain the temperature of the liquid when the liquid temperature decreases due to heat dissipation.
- the present disclosure provides a thermal insulation structure for liquid enclosures where the thermal insulation structure improves the liquid enclosure's thermal insulation thereby requiring less work by external components to maintain the temperature within the liquid enclosure.
- the thermal insulation structure includes a cover and a plug. Both the cover and the plug each include a plurality of layers, which contribute to their insulating properties.
- an insulation structure configured for use with a liquid enclosure is provided.
- the insulation structure includes: a cover including an inner coating that faces the liquid enclosure and an outer coating that faces the ambient environment; the inner coating including a thermal insulation layer comprising at least one insulating material; and the outer coating including a reflective layer adjacent to the inner coating.
- the thermal insulation layer defines an inflatable air chamber.
- the inflatable air chamber is filled with at least one insulating material.
- the at least one insulating material includes a polymer sponge or foam, mineral wool, cellulose insulation, fiber insulation, or fleece.
- the reflective layer has a high refractive index to reflect incoming solar radiation.
- the reflective layer includes a polymer base layer coated with a metal coating layer.
- the polymer base layer is selected from the group consisting of: oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon and cast polypropylene; and the metal coating layer is selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, nickel, and chromium.
- the inner coating further including an external film that coats the thermal insulation layer.
- the liquid enclosure includes a side wall coupled to a bottom wall to define a cavity that receives a liquid, the cover being sized to cover the cavity and hang at least partially over the side wall.
- the outer coating further includes a flexible layer adjacent to the reflective layer, wherein the reflective layer is closer to the liquid enclosure.
- an insulation structure configured for use with a liquid enclosure having a side wall coupled to a bottom wall to define a cavity that receives a liquid.
- the insulation structure includes: a first insulation layer; a second insulation layer; a third insulation layer positioned between the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer, wherein the third insulation layer is an inflatable air chamber.
- the first insulation layer includes at least one insulating material including: a polymer sponge or foam, mineral wool, cellulose insulation, fiber insulation, or fleece.
- the inflatable air chamber of the third insulation layer is filled with at least one insulating material including: a polymer sponge or foam, mineral wool, cellulose insulation, fiber insulation, or fleece.
- the second insulation layer faces the liquid enclosure and the first insulation layer faces the ambient environment.
- the plug is configured to float on the liquid in the cavity of the liquid enclosure.
- an insulation system configured for use with a liquid enclosure having a sidewall coupled to a bottom panel to define a cavity configured to contain a liquid.
- the insulation system includes: a cover including an inner coating that faces the liquid enclosure and an outer coating that faces the ambient environment; the inner coating including a thermal insulation layer comprising at least one insulating material; and the outer coating including a reflective layer adjacent to the inner coating; a plug coupled to the liquid enclosure and positioned intermediate the cover and the cavity, the plug further including: a first insulation layer; a second insulation layer; a third insulation layer positioned between the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer.
- the cover is integrally formed with the plug.
- the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer of the plug each includes at least one insulating material including a polymer sponge or foam, mineral wool, cellulose insulation, fiber insulation, or fleece; and the third insulation layer of the plug is an inflatable air chamber.
- the third insulation layer of the plug is filled with at least one insulating material including: a polymer sponge or foam, mineral wool, cellulose insulation, fiber insulation, or fleece.
- the second insulation layer of the plug faces the liquid enclosure and the outer coating of the cover faces the ambient environment.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an insulated liquid enclosure with a thermally insulated cover in accordance with the present disclosure
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an insulated liquid enclosure with a thermally insulated plug in accordance with the present disclosure
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an insulated liquid enclosure with the thermally insulated cover of FIG. 1 and the thermally insulated plug of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is a detailed, cross-sectional view of a thermally insulated outer coating of the thermally insulated cover of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a detailed, cross-sectional view of a thermally insulated inner coating of the thermally insulated cover of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is a detailed, cross-sectional view of the thermally insulated plug of FIG. 2.
- a liquid enclosure 4 such as a swimming pool or spa, is provided having an internal cavity 40 where liquid 41 resides between side walls 42 and bottom wall 44.
- Side walls 42 of the illustrative liquid enclosure 4 are inflatable structures, but it is also within the scope of the present disclosure for side walls 42 to include a non-inflatable liner coupled to a frame, for example.
- the illustrative liquid enclosure 4 is an above-ground structure, but it is also within the scope of the present disclosure for liquid enclosure 4 to be a built-in or below-ground structure.
- a cover 10 is coupled to the liquid enclosure 4 and covers internal cavity 40 of liquid enclosure 4 and liquid 41 contained therein. Cover 10 also hangs over the side walls 42 toward bottom wall 44 of liquid enclosure 4 in FIG. 1. At least one fastening structure (not shown), such as a rope or elastic cord, may be used to tie or otherwise secure the cover 10 to side walls 42 of liquid enclosure 4. Other suitable fastening structures may include clips, pins, snaps, fasteners, etc.
- Cover 10 insulates liquid enclosure 4 from external or ambient environmental conditions. As shown in FIG. 1, cover 10 includes an outer coating 1 that faces the ambient environment and at least one inner coating 2 that faces liquid enclosure 4. Although a single inner coating 2 is shown in FIG. 1 , it is within the scope of the present disclosure for a plurality of inner coatings 2 to be stacked on outer coating 1.
- outer coating 1 of cover 10 includes a flexible layer 11 and a reflective layer 12, where flexible layer 11 is illustratively positioned outside of reflective layer 12. That is, reflective layer 12 is closer to liquid 41 of liquid enclosure 4 and flexible layer 11 is closer to the ambient environment.
- the physical properties of flexible layer 11 and reflective layer 12 serve to insulate liquid enclosure 4 from external or ambient environmental conditions.
- Flexible layer 11 may be porous (i.e., have holes) or transparent to at least partially expose the underlying reflective layer 12 to the ambient environment while also insulating the underlying liquid enclosure 4.
- Flexible layer 11 may be made of a woven material, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) patch material, PVC netting material, or another suitable film material.
- PVC polyvinyl chloride
- Reflective layer 12 has a high refractive index to reflect incoming solar radiation that passes through flexible layer 11 away from liquid 41 in liquid enclosure 4, rather than absorbing and transmitting the radiation to liquid 41 in liquid enclosure 4. Thus, reflective layer 12 may avoid undesired heating of liquid 41 in liquid enclosure 4.
- Reflective layer 12 may be made of a metallized film or another material having a high refractive index.
- Metallized films have insulating properties and are resistant to radiation.
- Exemplary metallized films include a polymer base layer, such as oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, or cast polypropylene, and a thin metal coating layer , such as aluminum, nickel, or chromium. However, it is contemplated that other metallized films may also be used.
- Flexible layer 11 and reflective layer 12 also cooperate to prevent heat/energy dissipation and evaporation from liquid enclosure 4 to the ambient environment by providing a physical barrier over the entirety of internal cavity 40 of liquid enclosure 4.
- inner coating 2 of cover 10 includes an insulation layer 21 that is coated by an external film 22.
- External film 22 may be waterproof to help protect the underlying insulation layer 21, if necessary.
- External film 22 may be made of PVC film material, PVC netting material, or another suitable film material.
- Insulation layer 21 may include one or more insulating materials each having a low thermal conductivity to resist heat transfer to and from liquid 41 in liquid enclosure 4.
- Insulation layer 21 may define an inflatable air chamber with an air valve (not shown). When cover 10 is in use, the air chamber of insulation layer 21 may be filled with air, which has a low thermal conductivity. When cover 10 is not in use, the air chamber of insulation layer 21 may be deflated for storage.
- insulation layer 21 may include other insulating materials such as polymer sponges or foams (e.g., polyurethane (PU) foam, PVC foam, expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam (i.e., pearl wool)), mineral wool, cellulose insulation, fiber insulation, or fleece, for example.
- PU polyurethane
- PVC foam polyurethane foam
- EPE expanded polyethylene
- mineral wool mineral wool
- cellulose insulation fiber insulation, or fleece, for example.
- the materials may be capable of collapsing and folding when the air chamber is deflated to facilitate storage of cover 10.
- a plug 3 is sized for receipt in internal cavity 40 of liquid enclosure 4 in a manner that spans and closes internal cavity 40 of liquid enclosure 4 such that cavity 40 is not exposed to the external environment (e.g., ambient temperature conditions, etc.).
- Plug 3 may include a cover body 5 integrally connected or otherwise coupled to plug 3.
- the illustrative cover body 5 rests atop the side walls 42 of liquid enclosure 4 and allows plug 3 to hover over liquid enclosure 4 such that plug 3 closes cavity 40 of liquid enclosure 4 as mentioned earlier.
- Plug 3 may have a lower density than liquid 41, which enables plug 3 to float on liquid 41 and may eliminate the need for cover body 5.
- plug 3 further includes a plug body 20 that includes a first or upper layer 31, a second or lower layer 33, and a third or intermediate layer 32 positioned between first layer 31 and second layer 33.
- First layer 31 and second layer 33 may be made of insulating materials similar to those described above with respect to insulation layer 21, such as polymer sponges or foams (e.g., polyurethane (PU) foam, PVC foam, expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam (i.e., pearl wool)), mineral wool, cellulose insulation, fiber insulation, or fleece, for example.
- Third layer 32 may define an inflatable air chamber with an air valve (not shown). When plug 3 is in use, the air chamber of third layer 32 may be filled with air, which has a low thermal conductivity. When plug 3 is not in use, the air chamber of third layer 32 may be deflated for storage. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure to fill the air chamber of third layer 32 with insulating materials, as described above with respect to insulation layer 21.
- a combined insulation structure 30 is used to cover liquid enclosure 4 and provide thermal insulation to liquid enclosure 4 and liquid 41 within cavity 40.
- Insulation structure 30 is removably coupled to liquid enclosure 4 and includes both cover 10 and plug 3.
- the central portion of cover 1 may be integrally formed with or otherwise coupled to plug 3.
- Cover 10 and plug 3 of the combined insulation structure 30 may have the same properties as previously described herein with respect to FIGS. 1-2 and 4-6.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Insulation (AREA)
- Building Environments (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CN201621029696.1U CN206016342U (en) | 2016-08-31 | 2016-08-31 | A kind of pond thermal insulation cover, insulation plunger and insulation enclosing cover |
PCT/IB2017/055248 WO2018042369A1 (en) | 2016-08-31 | 2017-08-31 | Thermal insulation structure for a liquid enclosure |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3507433A1 true EP3507433A1 (en) | 2019-07-10 |
EP3507433A4 EP3507433A4 (en) | 2020-04-22 |
Family
ID=58259387
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17845641.4A Withdrawn EP3507433A4 (en) | 2016-08-31 | 2017-08-31 | Thermal insulation structure for a liquid enclosure |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20190194964A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3507433A4 (en) |
CN (1) | CN206016342U (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018042369A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN206016342U (en) * | 2016-08-31 | 2017-03-15 | 明达实业(厦门)有限公司 | A kind of pond thermal insulation cover, insulation plunger and insulation enclosing cover |
CN108458617B (en) * | 2018-03-15 | 2024-02-27 | 樊建华 | Microchannel exhaust and drainage device for large-volume heat storage pool |
CN108491676B (en) * | 2018-06-29 | 2021-10-22 | 北京汽车股份有限公司 | Heat insulation performance simulation analysis method and system of heat shield |
CN111946947A (en) * | 2020-08-20 | 2020-11-17 | 郑州市卧龙游乐设备有限公司 | Processing method of portable heat-insulation shell |
CN114809739B (en) * | 2022-04-13 | 2023-09-22 | 博西美诺电气有限公司 | Constant temperature swimming pool integration intelligent system |
Family Cites Families (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3072920A (en) * | 1959-07-23 | 1963-01-15 | John I Yellott | Swimming pool cover for collection or reflection of solar heat |
US3949095A (en) * | 1974-07-10 | 1976-04-06 | Michael Pelehach | Solar energy pool heating apparatus |
DE2930596A1 (en) * | 1979-07-27 | 1981-03-26 | Vama Vertrieb Von Anlagen Und Maschinen Gmbh & Co Kg, 3200 Hildesheim | FLEXIBLE POOL COVER |
US4606083A (en) * | 1984-03-19 | 1986-08-19 | Marlys A. Sliger | Tub cover |
US5144704A (en) * | 1990-11-01 | 1992-09-08 | Genzel Charles C J | Swimming pool cover with multiple air compartments |
US5843554A (en) * | 1994-02-18 | 1998-12-01 | Katman, Inc. | Multi-layer covering articles |
US5511536A (en) * | 1995-03-23 | 1996-04-30 | Cpi Packaging, Inc. | Solar-type pool cover |
US5901503A (en) * | 1998-02-17 | 1999-05-11 | Dalene; Steven J. | Swimming pool dome |
FR2783006B1 (en) * | 1998-09-04 | 2000-10-20 | Bouvier Alain | MIXED ISOTHERMAL AND SAFETY ROLL-UP COVER FOR SWIMMING POOL |
US7465484B2 (en) * | 2002-02-19 | 2008-12-16 | Midwest Canvas Corporation | Concrete cure blanket having reflective bubble layer |
US20050022297A1 (en) * | 2003-07-31 | 2005-02-03 | Furio Orologio | Solar heat reflective pool covering |
US7093593B2 (en) * | 2004-06-24 | 2006-08-22 | Rosene Richard C | Floating solar pool heater |
AU2006100736A4 (en) * | 2006-08-30 | 2006-09-28 | Elite Pool Covers Pty Ltd | A cover for a body of water |
US7847023B2 (en) * | 2007-03-12 | 2010-12-07 | Sabic Innovative Plastics Ip B.V. | Polysiloxane/polyimide copolymer blends |
US8201285B1 (en) * | 2008-03-12 | 2012-06-19 | Gennaro Pugliese | Inflatable pool covering system and associated method |
CN203487817U (en) * | 2013-08-02 | 2014-03-19 | 佛山市水晶岛休闲设备有限公司 | Swimming pool insulation apparatus |
CN206016342U (en) * | 2016-08-31 | 2017-03-15 | 明达实业(厦门)有限公司 | A kind of pond thermal insulation cover, insulation plunger and insulation enclosing cover |
-
2016
- 2016-08-31 CN CN201621029696.1U patent/CN206016342U/en active Active
-
2017
- 2017-08-31 EP EP17845641.4A patent/EP3507433A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2017-08-31 US US16/329,598 patent/US20190194964A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2017-08-31 WO PCT/IB2017/055248 patent/WO2018042369A1/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3507433A4 (en) | 2020-04-22 |
CN206016342U (en) | 2017-03-15 |
WO2018042369A1 (en) | 2018-03-08 |
US20190194964A1 (en) | 2019-06-27 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20190329 |
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AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
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AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
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RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: INTEX MARKETING LTD. |
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DAV | Request for validation of the european patent (deleted) | ||
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20200319 |
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RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: E04H 4/10 20060101AFI20200313BHEP |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20201020 |