FR3132117A3 - Solar Energy Recovery Pond Safety Cover System - Google Patents

Abstract

A solar energy harvesting pond safety cover system (10) is disclosed, wherein the system (10) comprises - a roller (11) arranged to be mounted adjacent to a pond (1), - a security blanket (20) connected to said roll (11) at a first end flange (20.1) and arranged to be rolled up on said roll (11), said security blanket (20) comprises means for fixing (14) of at least a second opposite end edge (20.2) of said safety cover (20) to a second opposite side (1.2) of the basin (1), - flexible photovoltaic solar panels (21) integrated on said security cover (20), and - means for rotating said roller (17). Fig. 1

Description

Safety cover system for solar energy harvesting pond Field of the invention

The invention relates to a safety cover system for a solar energy harvesting pond.

Background of the invention.

The prevalence of photovoltaic solar panels on the roofs of private homes has increased significantly in recent years. The same goes for roofs of other types of buildings. It is desirable to place solar panels on existing infrastructure such as buildings, as it allows the use of unused surface area instead of occupying land elsewhere. In the future, it is likely that more and more unused surface areas, tilted to receive the sun, will be used to harvest solar energy. It is therefore necessary to find solutions that facilitate the use of new surfaces to recover solar energy.

The invention relates to a safety cover system for a solar energy harvesting pond. The system includes:

- a roller designed to be mounted next to a pool,

- a safety cover connected to said roller at a first end edge and arranged to be wound on said roller, said safety cover comprising means for fixing at least a second opposite end edge of said safety cover on a second opposite side of the pool,

- flexible photovoltaic solar panels integrated into said security cover, and

- means for rotating said roller.

The security cover with integrated flexible photovoltaic solar panels is arranged so that it can be rolled up and down on the roller to uncover and cover the pool. In this way, it can recover energy from the sun when the pool is not in use at the same time as it covers the pool and ensures its safety so that children, animals, etc. do not fall in (swimming pool in most cases).

It is most practical to use the system with a square or rectangular basin, but the system can be adapted for use with basins of other shapes. The safety cover can then be shaped to the shape of the pool and have fixing points so it can be stretched on or above the water surface.

Even for a rectangular pool, it is preferable that at least three of the four side edges of the safety cover are connected to the corresponding sides of the pool. In addition, the first edge connected to the roller is also connected to the edge or near the edge via the roller. Such an arrangement will securely tighten the safety cover on or above the water surface of the pool.

The roller can be locked to tension the safety cover on or above the pool water surface.

Flexible photovoltaic panels are preferably electrically connected to the network, batteries and/or consumers via a slip ring between the roller and the roller support.

Flexible photovoltaic panels are commercially available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes as well as with different radii of curvature.

Means for rotating said roller may be rotation means such as an electric motor arranged to rotate the roller or a handle and pinions arranged to manually rotate the roller.

The system may further include:

- a liquid circulation channel, the channel is integrated into said safety cover, said channel is arranged so that the liquid circulating in the channel is heated by the convection heat of said integrated flexible photovoltaic solar panels and the radiant heat of the sun,

- a heat exchanger in fluid communication with said channel, and

- a pump arranged to circulate the liquid in a loop between the heat exchanger and the channel in the safety cover.

Solar panels do not cover 100% of the security cover where the channel is embedded, so the liquid inside the channel will be heated both by radiant heat from the sun (where the security cover is not covered by solar panels) and by convection heat (where the security cover is covered by solar panels).

The security blanket may have a dark color to absorb more radiant heat from the sun. In particular, it is desirable that the parts of the security cover that are not covered by solar panels have a dark color or are completely black.

Those skilled in the art will understand that in order for the pump to circulate the liquid between the heat exchanger and the channel in the safety cover, flexible tubes and/or hoses may be required to convey the liquid between the pump and the channels and between the pump and the heat exchanger.

The efficiency of photovoltaic solar panels is linked to the temperature of the panels, when the solar panels are overheated, the efficiency is significantly reduced. Solar panels are usually tested at 25°C and the power rating of the panel is usually the effect it gives at 25°C. When the temperature of a solar panel reaches around 65°C, the efficiency of the solar panel decreases rapidly. Cooling solar panels can therefore significantly increase efficiency compared to allowing the panel temperature to rise well above 25°C. It is normally desirable to maintain the water temperature of a pool between 25 and 28°C. On a sunny summer day, the temperature of a solar panel normally rises well above 28°C.

The inclusion of a water (or other liquid) circulation channel in the security cover allows for both the cooling of the solar panels and the heating of the water (or other liquids). The heated water can be used to heat the pond, heat your home, heat tap water or similar uses. This can be done directly or via a heat pump. An example of direct heating is a continuous loop of the channel from the safety cover to a heat exchanger immersed in the pond water via flexible pipes. Circulation in the loop is ensured by the pump.

The channel built into the security cover should preferably have a large surface area, so that it acts as an efficient heat exchanger to exchange both convection heat from the panels and radiant heat from the sun. The surface area can be maximized in several ways, such as arranging the channel to be as long as possible by laying it in a pattern covering most of the surface area of the security cover. The security cover is preferably dark colored between the panels where it is exposed to direct sunlight. Most of the security cover will preferably be covered with solar panels, but there will be areas between and near the edges that will not be covered with panels.

To fluidly connect the channel in the safety blanket to the heat exchanger, the channels are connected by pipe to the connection points on the roller, one for the flow inlet and one for the flow outlet. The connection points can be placed in a recess in the roll, so that the safety blanket can be rolled onto the roll over the connection points. When the safety blanket is completely unrolled from the roll, the connection points are uncovered and the flexible pipes can be connected to the connection points so that the safety blanket channel is fluidly connected with the heat exchanger and the pump of circulation. Alternatively, the connection point can also be placed at one end of the roller.

The system may further include a heat pump system arranged to use heated liquid from the channel.

The liquid heated in the channels can be used directly via the heat exchanger to for example heat the pool (as described above) or via a heat pump system so that the temperature increases and is higher than the temperature of the pool. water circulating in the canals. This will allow for both more efficient cooling of the solar panels and more efficient heating where needed. The heat exchanger in fluid contact with the channel will then be in contact with the heat pump system, and another heat exchanger in contact with the heat pump will be placed where heat is needed, for example in the pool .

The heat pump system can be fully or partially powered by energy from flexible photovoltaic solar panels.

If the heat pump is entirely powered by the flexible solar panels, this makes it possible to efficiently heat a pool without the need for a connection to the electricity network. This will be a desirable configuration for a pond located in a remote location where it is impossible or expensive to connect to the electrical grid. Whether or not a connection to the grid is possible and whether the heat pump is driven partially or entirely by the energy of the flexible solar panels, the system will reduce the energy costs required to heat a pool.

The integrated flexible photovoltaic solar panels can be arranged at a distance from each other, such that parts of the security cover, having the integrated channel, are exposed to direct radiant heat from the sun. The portion of the security blanket exposed to direct radiant heat from the sun is between 5% and 50% of the total surface area of the security blanket, preferably between 10% and 25%.

The safety blanket may include two separate channel loops, one to cool the panels and one to absorb radiant heat from the sun. The channel loop arranged for cooling the panels is arranged in the safety cover under the panels and the channel loop arranged for absorbing radiant heat from the sun is arranged in the safety cover between the panels.

The obligation to separate the channel loops makes it possible to optimize the heating of the water and the cooling of the panels (recovery of convection heat from the panels). It is desirable that the liquid in the channel loop which is in contact with the panels has a lower temperature and this loop can therefore be arranged to exchange heat with the heat exchanger nearest to the cold inlet on the heat exchanger in a heat pump system. In a system without a heat pump system, two-channel loops can have separate heat exchangers submerged in the basin.

The system can, in an alternative embodiment, be arranged to circulate pool water instead of any other liquid, the system can then include:

- a water circulation channel for the pool, the channel being integrated into said safety cover, said channel being arranged so that the water circulating in the channel is heated by the convection heat of said flexible photovoltaic solar panels integrated and radiant heat from the sun, and

- a pump in fluid communication with the basin and the canal, and arranged to circulate the water in a loop between the basin and the canal in the safety cover.

An advantage of circulating pool water is that the system is less complex and provides efficient heating of the pool and efficient cooling of the panels.

Solar panels do not cover 100% of the security cover where the channel is embedded, so the liquid inside the channel will be heated both by radiant heat from the sun (where the security cover is not covered by solar panels) and by convection heat (where the security cover is covered by solar panels).

The security blanket may have a dark color to absorb more radiant heat from the sun. In particular, it is desirable that the parts of the security cover that are not covered by solar panels have a dark color or are completely black.

Those skilled in the art will understand that in order for the pump to circulate the liquid between the heat exchanger and the channel in the safety cover, flexible tubes and/or hoses may be required to convey the liquid between the pump and the channels and between the pump and the heat exchanger.

The pump may be a conventional swimming pool pump and the system may be arranged to circulate the pool water through a conventional swimming pool filtration system in the loop between the pool and the channel.

The integrated flexible photovoltaic solar panels can be arranged at a distance from each other, such that portions of the security cover, having the integrated channel, are exposed to direct radiant heat from the sun, the portion of the security cover exposed to direct radiant heat from the sun representing between 5% and 50% of the total surface area of the security blanket, preferably between 10% and 25%.

Description of figures

There schematically shows a swimming pool and the safety cover system for a solar energy harvesting pool partially in side section.

There schematically shows a swimming pool and the safety cover system for a solar energy harvesting pool seen from above. The safety cover is only half unrolled, covering only part of the pool.

There schematically shows a swimming pool and the safety cover system for a solar energy harvesting pool seen from above. The safety cover is completely unrolled from the roll here, so that the pool is completely covered. The safety cover is also connected to the ground around the pool, the roller is locked. Flexible pipes to circulate the liquid through the safety cover channel are connected to the pump.

In Figures 2 and 3 the cover is shown as transparent so that the pool and details underneath are visible, in reality it will not be transparent.

There shows part of the security cover in section. Reference numbers 1 Swimming pool (also called basin) 1.1 First side of the pool (where the roller is arranged) 1.2 Second opposite side of the pelvis 2 Pool water 2.1 Surface of the water 3 Sun 10 Safety cover system for solar energy harvesting pond (or short version system) 11 Roll 12 Circulation pump 13 Pond heat exchanger 14 Means of fixing the safety cover 15 Slip ring 16 Roll holder 17 Roller rotation means 20 Safety cover for solar energy harvesting pond (or safety cover in short version) 20.1 First end edge 20.2 Second opposite end edge 21 Flexible photovoltaic panel 22 Top layer (of the security blanket) (thin and heat conductive) 23 Channel (for liquid circulation) 23.1 Hose to circulate water through the security cover channels 23.2 Pipe for returning heated water from the safety cover 24 Bottom layer (of the security blanket) (preferably strong and flexible to support a person walking on the security blanket)

Description of the preferred embodiments of the invention

There shows the safety cover system for solar energy harvesting pool 10 (hereinafter referred to as the system 10) mounted on a swimming pool 1. The safety cover 20 is unrolled from the roller 11 and the safety cover 20 is attached to the ground on the side of the pool 1. The roller 11 is locked to keep the safety cover 20 taut, so that it gives as little as possible in the event that a person steps on or falls on the safety cover.

The safety cover 20 is, like any other safety cover for a pool, arranged to prevent people, in particular children, from falling into the pool 1. In addition, this safety cover 20 includes integrated means for recovering the solar energy 21, 23 and thus use a previously unused surface for this purpose. The recovered energy can be used to heat pool 1 or for any other use.

The embodiment shown in the figures comprises both flexible photovoltaic solar panels 21 and liquid circulation channels 23 in the safety cover 20 to directly heat the liquid using the sun 3. The liquid will be in the most cases water, which is why the term water is used in the rest of the text.

The channels 23 are connected to the heat exchanger 13 by flexible pipes 23.1, 23.2, one for the circulation of cold water 23.1 and one for the return 23.2 of the heated water. The water goes in this embodiment to a basin heat exchanger 13 where heat is exchanged from the heated water to the relatively colder water of basin 1, before following the return loop via pump 12 to 'to the safety blanket 20 to be heated again. Pump 12 ensures circulation.

The water pipes 23.1 and 23.2 are manually connected to the roller 11 after the safety cover 20 is completely unrolled from the roller 11. The electric current from the solar panels 21 is transferred through conductors in the roller 11 and out of the roller 11 via a slip ring 15 (see the and 3), so that the electrical connection can be maintained even when rotating the roller 11. Alternatively, to avoid the need for a slip ring 15, the roller 11 could also be equipped with a socket which could be plugged in after the safety cover 20 has been unrolled.

The diameter of the roller 11 must be adapted to the degree of bending of the safety cover 20. In particular, the flexible solar panels 21 have a limit in terms of the degree of bending.

There shows system 10 and basin 1 seen from above. The safety cover 20 is not completely unrolled from the roller 11, so that the safety cover 20 does not yet completely cover the basin 1.

On the , the safety cover completely covers the basin 1 and is attached to the ground or structure surrounding the basin 1. The unit containing the pump 12 is placed next to the roller 11 so that the water pipes 23.1 and 23. 2 can be easily connected.

The security cover 20 in Figures 2 and 3 appears to be transparent, but this is for illustration purposes only.

There shows part of the security cover 20 in section. On the top (the side surface intended to face the sun) are integrated flexible photovoltaic solar panels 21 facing the sun 3. Under the solar panels 21 there is at least one liquid circulation channel 23. Whether it is a continuous channel or several channels, it is preferably arranged in a pattern such that it covers as much of the surface of the safety cover 20 as possible. The solar panels 21 and the channel 23 do not are preferably separated only by an upper layer 22 which can be in the form of a thin solid sheet optimized to transfer the convection heat from the solar panels to the liquid in the channel 23.

In an alternative embodiment, the water from basin 1 is circulated in a loop between the basin and the channel (23). This embodiment is not shown in the figures, but it will be similar to what we see in the . The difference is that heat exchanger 13 is not necessary. Instead of an inlet and outlet to/from heat exchanger 13 the system will include an inlet and outlet to/from basin 1. An outlet from basin 1 to pump water 2 upwards out of from basin 1 and up to channel 23 using pump 12 and an inlet into basin 1 to return water 2 from channel 23 into basin 1.

In such a configuration, an existing conventional swimming pool pump can be used as pump 12 and water 2 can pass through an existing swimming pool filtration system already installed in any pool 1. Therefore, the pump and the Existing filter systems found in any pond can be used and require only minor modifications to be used for the purposes of the invention.

Claims (9)

Solar energy harvesting pond safety cover system (10), wherein the system (10) comprises
- a roller (11) arranged to be mounted next to a basin (1),
- a safety cover (20) connected to said roller (11) at a first end edge (20.1) and arranged to be wound on said roller (11), said safety cover (20) comprises means for fixing (14) of at least one second opposite end edge (20.2) of said safety cover (20) to a second opposite side (1.2) of the pool (1),
- flexible photovoltaic solar panels (21) integrated into said security cover (20), and
- means (17) for rotating said roller (11). The system (10) of claim 1, wherein the system (10) further comprises
- a liquid circulation channel (23), the channel (23) being integrated into said safety cover (20), said channel (23) being arranged so that the liquid circulating in the channel (20) is heated by the convection heat of said integrated flexible photovoltaic solar panels (21) and the radiant heat of the sun (3),
- a heat exchanger (13) in fluid communication with said channel (23), and
- a pump (12) arranged to circulate the liquid in a loop between the heat exchanger and the channel (23) in the safety cover (20). The system (10) of claim 2, wherein the system (10) further comprises a heat pump system arranged to utilize heated liquid from the channel (23). System (10) according to claim 3, wherein the heat pump system is powered entirely or partially with energy from the flexible photovoltaic solar panels (21). System (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the integrated flexible photovoltaic solar panels (21) are arranged at a distance from each other, so that parts of the security cover (20), having the integrated channel (23), are exposed to the direct radiant heat of the sun (3), the part of the safety cover (20) exposed to the direct radiant heat of the sun (3) representing between 5% and 50% of the total surface area of the safety cover (20), preferably between 10% and 25%. A system (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the safety blanket (20) comprises two separate channel loops (23), one for cooling the panels (21) and one for absorbing radiant heat from the sun (3), and in which the channel loop arranged to cool the panels (21) is arranged in the safety cover (20) under the panels (21) and in which the channel loop arranged to absorb radiant heat from the sun (3) is arranged in the safety cover (20) between the panels (21). The system (10) of claim 1, wherein the system (10) further comprising
- a channel (23) for circulating water (2) from the basin (1), the channel (23) being integrated into said safety cover (20), said channel (23) being arranged so that the water (2) circulating in the channel (20) is heated by the convection heat of said integrated flexible photovoltaic solar panels (21) and the radiant heat of the sun (3), and
- a pump in fluid communication with the basin (1) and the channel (23), and arranged to circulate the water (2) in a loop between the basin (1) and the channel (23) in the safety cover ( 20). System (10) according to claim 7, in which the pump is a conventional swimming pool pump and the system (10) is arranged to circulate the water (2) of the pool (1) via a conventional swimming pool filtration system in the loop between the basin (1) and the canal (23). System (10) according to claims 7 to 8, in which the integrated flexible photovoltaic solar panels (21) are arranged at a distance from each other, so that parts of the security cover (20), having the channel (23 ) integrated, are exposed to the direct radiant heat of the sun (3), the part of the safety cover (20) exposed to the direct radiant heat of the sun (3) representing between 5% and 50% of the total surface of the security coverage (20), preferably between 10% and 25%.