WO2016058011A2

WO2016058011A2 - Heating and lighting apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2016058011A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2015/050012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Magiel Barend BRITS
Original assignee: Brits Magiel Barend
Priority date: 2014-10-08
Filing date: 2015-10-06
Publication date: 2016-04-14
Also published as: WO2016058011A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a heating apparatus (600) which includes a raised platform (602) which includes a base (603) which defines a circular opening (607) therein. The platform (602) is configured to support a cooking vessel (604). The apparatus (600) further includes a heat and light source in the form of a candle (609) which is operatively arranged below the opening (607) in the base (603) such that heat released by the candle is channelled through the opening onto the vessel (604). The apparatus (600) also includes a transparent, evacuated double-walled heat insulator or tube (608) which is connected to, and depends, from the base (603) about the opening (607). The tube (608) allows light through which illuminates the surroundings and channels heat released by the candle onto the vessel (604). The invention extends to other embodiments of heating/lighting apparatus.

Description

HEATING AND LIGHTING APPARATUS

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to heating and lighting apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to efficient energy utilisation of heating and lighting apparatus in informal settings.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided a heating apparatus which includes:

a raised platform which includes a base defining an opening, the base being configured to support a vessel for heating a substance or fluid when the vessel is positioned over the opening in the base;

a heat and light source which is operatively arranged below the opening in the base such that heat released by the heat and light source is channelled through the opening in the base and onto the vessel supported on the base; and

an at least partially transparent, double-walled, evacuated heat insulator which is connected to, and depends, from the base about the opening and is configured to channel heat released by the heat and light source upward through the opening in the base onto the vessel.

The heat insulator may be configured to allow light produced by the heat and light source through to illuminate the surroundings.

The heat insulator may be in the form of an open-ended tube which depends from the base. The heat and light source may be in the form of a candle arranged below an open, operatively bottom end of the tube. The base may define a seat for receiving a flanged, operatively upper end of the tube.

The heating apparatus may be in the form of an electrical heating apparatus. The heat and light source may be in the form of a conventional light bulb which is operatively received in a socket arranged in the middle of the opening defined by the base. The heat insulator may be in the form of a transparent, double-walled evacuated bulb cover which surrounds the bulb.

The opening may be a C-shaped opening.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a heating apparatus which includes:

a solar collector which includes a tubular insulator defining an inner chamber, the tubular insulator having at least one open end which leads from the chamber and at least one elongate heat exchanger which is at least partially arranged within the chamber of the insulator;

a heat transfer substrate, one end of the heat exchanger being in thermal contact with the heat transfer substrate; and

a depending skirt which is connected to the open end of the tubular insulator, the skirt being configured to direct heat emitted from a heat source into the inner chamber.

The heat exchanger may be in the form of a conventional heat pipe which contains a heat transfer fluid. The tubular insulator may be in the form of an evacuated tube having an operatively lower open end. The skirt may be in the form of an open ended conical member, a narrow end of which is operatively connected to the open end of the tubular insulator and a wide end of which faces operatively downward. The skirt may be removably attached to the insulator. Alternatively, the skirt may be integrally formed with the insulator.

The heat transfer substrate may define an operatively upper cooking surface.

The solar collector may extend away from the heat transfer substrate at an angle with respect to the upper cooking surface. The heating apparatus may include a support base for supporting the solar collector and/or heat transfer substrate on a base surface.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a heating apparatus which includes:

a heat collector which includes: an open ended tubular insulator which defines an inner chamber which extends from an operatively upper open end to an operatively lower open end;

a heat exchanger which is disposed at least partially within the inner chamber of the tubular insulator, the heat exchanger protruding through the upper end of the tubular insulator and defining a heat transfer surface which is configured to receive a vessel.

The heat exchanger may include a conventional heat pipe including an elongate body which is disposed within the inner chamber of the tubular insulator and a heat transfer head which is connected to the body and is arranged in thermal contact with the heat transfer surface.

At least part of the tubular insulator may be at least partially transparent in order to allow light to pass through the insulator. The lower end of the tubular insulator may be configured to be arranged above a heat/light source in order to direct heat emitted from the heat/light source into the inner chamber.

The insulator may be in the form of an evacuated tube. The lower end of the tubular insulator may extend past an end of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may further include a heat sink which extends downwardly into the inner chamber and which is in thermal contact with the heat transfer surface in order to transport thermal energy to the heat transfer surface.

The heating apparatus may further include a support structure for supporting the heat collector on a base surface. In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a lighting apparatus which includes:

a body which is configured to house an electrical light source, the body comprising a light transmitting portion and a heat exchanging portion, the light transmitting portion being connected to the heat exchanging portion, wherein the light transmitting portion is thermally insulated and the heat exchanging portion is configured to be arranged in direct thermal contact with a fluid vessel in a configuration which allows thermal energy produced by the light source to be conveyed through the heat exchanging portion to the fluid vessel for the purposes of heating a fluid contained within the vessel. The vessel may be a water vessel. The light transmitting portion may be removably connected to the heat exchanging portion. To this end, the body may include a conventional socket for receiving a light bulb once the light transmitting portion has been disconnected from the heat exchanging portion. Alternatively, the body of the lighting apparatus may include a conventional male type electrical connector.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid vessel which includes:

a vessel body defining a cavity and having an inlet which leads into the cavity for receiving fluid into the cavity;

an electrical light connector which is connected to the body and is configured to receive an electrical light source which includes a heat exchanging surface, wherein the vessel body defines a heat transferring surface which is complemental to the heat exchanging surface of the light source such that when the light source is connected to the connector, the heat exchanging surface of the light source is in direct thermal contact with the heat transferring surface of the vessel in order to heat a fluid contained within the cavity of the vessel body.

The electrical light connector may be disposed toward an operatively lower part of the vessel body. The vessel may include an attachment formation for suspending the vessel. The heat transferring surface may be in the form of a recess formed in the vessel body. The vessel may include a thermally insulated, transparent cover which is removably attached to the vessel body around the electrical light connector in order, in use, to encapsulate the electrical light source.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a heating/lighting apparatus which is mountable on a roof of a structure, the apparatus including:

a receptacle for holding water or another fluid to be heated; and

a heat collector which is in direct thermal contact with the receptacle, the heat collector comprising a solar heat collection portion disposed proximate to the receptacle and a distal electrical light source receiving portion.

The electrical light source receiving portion and the solar heat collection portion may be in fluid flow communication with one another. The heat collector may have evacuated double walls to isolate an inner chamber from external atmospheric conditions. The electrical light source receiving portion may be configured to receive a conventional light bulb. The heat collector may include a heat pipe containing a heat transfer fluid, a head of the heat pipe being accommodated in the receptacle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a sectioned heating apparatus in accordance with a first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2a shows a side elevation of a sectioned heating apparatus in accordance with a second aspect of the invention;

Figure 2b shows a transverse cross-section of an evacuated tube of the heating apparatus illustrated in figure 2a, taken along lines llb-l lb;

Figure 3 illustrates a sectioned side view of a vessel in accordance with a further aspect of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of a lighting apparatus in accordance with yet another aspect of the invention;

Figure 5a shows a side elevation of a partially sectioned heating/lighting apparatus in accordance with yet another aspect of the invention;

Figure 5b shows a transverse cross-section of a heat collector of the apparatus of figure 5a, taken along lines Vb-Vb;

Figure 6a shows a partially sectioned side view of a heating/lighting apparatus in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

Figure 6b shows a top view of a platform forming part of the apparatus of figure 6a; Figure 7a shows a partially sectioned side view of a heating/lighting apparatus in accordance with yet another aspect of the invention; and

Figure 7b shows a top view of a platform forming part of the apparatus of figure 7a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

In figure 1 , reference numeral 10 refers generally to a heating apparatus in accordance with a first aspect of the invention. The apparatus 10 includes a solar collector 12 which includes an open ended evacuated tube 13 defining an inner chamber 15, the tube 13 having an operatively lower end 13.1 and an operatively upper end 13.2 which lead from the chamber 15. The solar collector 12 further includes a conventional heat pipe 14 containing a heat transfer fluid. The heat pipe 14 comprises an elongate body which is disposed within the chamber 15 and a heat transfer head 14.2 which protrudes from the upper end 13.2 of the tube 13.

The heating apparatus 10 further includes a heat transfer substrate 17 which defines an operatively upper cooking surface 18 for receiving a cooking vessel 21 , for example. The substrate 17 is composed of a thermally conductive material such as a metal alloy or copper. The heat transfer head 14.2 of the heat pipe 14 is nestled within the substrate 17 in order to achieve maximum heat transfer to the substrate and to minimise losses.

The apparatus 10 further includes a depending skirt in the form of an open ended conical member 20 which is connected to the lower end 13.1 of the tube 13 and is configured to direct heat from a heat source, e.g. a fire, below the member 20 into the chamber 15. The skirt may be formed from a metal material or any other suitable heat resistant material. The apparatus 10 also includes a support structure or a stand 22 which supports the solar collector 12 and heat transfer substrate 17 on a ground surface. The stand 22 includes a laterally projecting arm 24 which clamps around the tube 13 in order to secure it in place. The apparatus 10 thus makes use of a combination of solar energy and energy derived from biomass for cooking and/or heating purposes. The skirt directs heat emitted from the fire into the chamber 15 whilst the evacuated tube 13 prevents heat loss through radiation which concentrates the heat onto the heat pipe 14. As the heat transfer fluid in the body of the heat pipe is heated, the fluid rises into the head 14.2 and transfers its thermal energy across a temperature gradient to the substrate 17. The temperature of the heat transfer fluid in the head 14.2 then decreases and it passes back into the body of the pipe 14 to be reheated which gives rise to a thermosiphon. The substrate 17 in turn heats the cooking vessel 21 . In addition to the heat from the fire, the tube 13 being transparent allows sun rays to irradiate and heat the transfer fluid in the heat pipe 14.

A further embodiment of a heating apparatus in accordance with the invention is designated by reference numeral 100 in figure 2. In figure 2, like reference numerals have been used to refer to similar features of the apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 includes a heat collector 1 12 which comprises an open ended evacuated tube 1 13 which defines an inner chamber 15 and has an operatively lower end 1 13.1 and an upper end 1 13.2 which lead from the inner chamber 15. The heat collector 1 12 further includes a heat exchanger which comprises a base 170 which defines a heat transfer surface or cooking surface 18 for receiving a vessel and a depending skirt or sleeve 1 16 which is connected to the base 170. The sleeve 1 16 is in the form of a thermally conductive material such as copper sheet material which lines an inside of the tube 1 13 and extends at least partially along a length of the tube 1 13. In addition the heat exchanger includes a conventional heat pipe 14 which has an elongate body which is arranged within the chamber 15 and a heat transfer head 14.2 which is embedded within the base 170. The sleeve 1 16 wraps partially around the heat pipe 14 and serves to centre the heat pipe 14 within the tube 1 13 (see figure 2b). An operatively upper end of the sleeve 1 16 is connected to the base 170. The sleeve 1 16 and heat pipe 14 terminate short of the lower end 1 13.1 of the tube 1 13 such that the lower end 1 13.1 of the tube 1 13 can accommodate a light source, e.g. a candle 1 18. The heating apparatus 100 also includes a stand 22 for supporting the heat collector 1 12 in the manner illustrated in figure 2. At least a lower portion of the tube 1 13 which is not lined by the sleeve 1 16 is transparent, which, despite the fact that the candle 1 18 is arranged below the heat collector 1 12, allows light to pass through the tube 1 13 to illuminate the surroundings. Instead of just making use of the light emitted by the candle 1 18, both heat and light energy released by the candle 1 18 can be utilized by making use of the apparatus 100. The tube 1 13, sleeve 1 16 and heat pipe 14 ensure maximum heat transfer to the cooking surface 18 of the base 170. The evacuated tube 1 13 serves to thermally insulate the chamber 15 to minimise heat loss. In figure 3, reference numeral 300 refers generally to a vessel in accordance with yet another aspect of the invention. The vessel 300 includes a body 312 which defines a cavity 314 for receiving a fluid 317, e.g. water, to be heated. The body 312 has a closable inlet 316 which leads into the cavity 314 through which the fluid 317 enters/exits the cavity 314. The vessel 300 may also include a designated outlet (not shown) for dispensing the fluid 317 when needed. Furthermore, the vessel 300 includes a pair of opposing handles 320 which are connected to the body 312 whereby the vessel 300 may be suspended or carried. Externally mounted to the body 312, the vessel 300 includes a light fitting or connector 318 in the form of a socket for receiving a conventional light bulb 321 . The light fitting 318 is provided in an operatively lower, recessed part of the body 312. It is to be appreciated that the body 312 is composed of a thermally conductive material such as a metal which facilitates efficient transfer of heat energy from the light bulb 321 to the fluid 317 held within the cavity 314.

The vessel 300 further includes a transparent, insulated cover 324 which is removably attached to a corresponding mounting formation 325 formed on an edge of the body 312 surrounding the recessed part in which the light fitting 318 is disposed. The cover 324 is configured for screw-threaded engagement with the mounting formation 325. However, the invention is not limited to a screw-on configuration and it should be appreciated that any other suitable fastening mechanism can be utilised to secure the cover 324 to the mounting formation 325, for example, a snap-on or clip-on or press-fit arrangement. The cover 324 may also be in the form of an evacuated tube. An electrical cord 322 which supplies power to the light fitting 318 passes through an opening in the mounting arrangement 325. It is therefore isolated from the water contained in the vessel body 312. The cover 324 traps thermal energy released by the light bulb 321 in a light chamber 327 defined between the bulb 321 and the cover 324. As a result the recessed part of the body 312 heats up which in turn heats the water within the body 312. The heat which ordinarily would be dissipated into the surroundings is now utilised to heat water which can be used for in household routines. This may be particularly useful in informal settlements. The primary purpose of the light bulb 321 is still to provide light but in addition it also fulfils a secondary purpose of heating water 317.

The embodiment of a lighting apparatus designated by numeral 400 in figure 4 does away with the need for the removable cover 324 and complementary mounting formation 325 illustrated in figure 3. The lighting apparatus 400 includes a body 402 which houses a light source and comprises a transparent, thermally insulated portion 403 and a heat exchanging base portion 404 which are connected to each other to enclose the light source. The lighting apparatus 400 further includes a conventional male connector 405 for attachment to the light fitting 318. The thermally insulated portion 403 may be evacuated and allows light to pass through it whilst the heat exchanging portion 404 is composed of a thermally conductive material such as a metal in order to transfer thermal energy which has accumulated on the inside of the body 402 to the vessel body 312. The base portion 404 of the lighting apparatus 400 is purposefully designed snugly to abut the recessed part of the body 312 to ensure maximum heat transmission to the water 317 contained in the vessel. The body 312 may define a groove (not shown) for accommodating the electrical cord 322 to ensure it does not hinder connection of the lighting apparatus 400 to the fitting 318.

With reference to figure 5a, reference numeral 500 refers generally to a water heating/lighting apparatus in accordance with a further aspect of the invention. The apparatus 500 includes a receptacle 502 for holding water and a stand 220 which supports the receptacle 502. The stand 220 is configured to support the receptacle 502 on an inclined rooftop 520 and accordingly has short and long legs to ensure that the receptacle 502 remains horizontal. It is to be appreciated that the configuration of the stand may vary depending on the inclination of the rooftop. A heat collector 512 is connected to a base of the receptacle 502 and depends downwardly from the base. The heat collector 512 includes a modified evacuated tube 513, one end of which is connected to the base of the receptacle 502 in a manner in which an inner chamber 15 defined by the tube 513 is isolated from the external surroundings. A heat conducting adapter 515 is connected to an opposite end of the tube 513. The adapter 515 has a conventional electrical socket 517 for receiving a light bulb 321 on an operatively outer face. The socket 517 may be a screw-in type or bayonet type socket.

The heat collector 512 further includes a heat pipe 14 containing a heat transfer fluid. The heat pipe 14 is housed within the inner chamber 15 of the tube 513 and has an elongate body which extends away from the base of the receptacle 502 and a swollen or bulbous heat transfer head 14.2 which protrudes through the base of the receptacle 502 into a storage chamber of the receptacle 502. The adapter 515 defines a concave seat 516 which is configured snugly to receive a distal end of the body of the heat pipe 14 therein. In addition, the heat collector 512 is provided with a depending skirt or sleeve 1 16 formed from a thermally conductive material which lines an inside of the tube 513 and wraps around the heat pipe 14 in similar fashion to the sleeve 1 16 illustrated in figure 2b, thereby to ensure efficient heat transfer to the pipe body and to restrict movement of the pipe body within the chamber 15.

A transparent light cover 522 is removably connected to an outer periphery of the adapter 515. The cover 522 has an evacuated double wall, similar to a conventional evacuated tube, which restricts heat radiation through the cover 522 but allows light through. When connected to the adapter 515, the cover 522 defines a light cavity within which the light bulb 321 is received. The adapter 515 has three angularly spaced apart, radially extending legs 525 (see figure 5b) which define three sector-shaped openings which connect the inner chamber 15 in fluid flow communication with the light cavity. Heat radiated by the light bulb 321 is trapped within the light cavity and rises into inner cavity 15 and is conveyed to the heat pipe 14. The sleeve 1 16 collects heat from sun rays incident upon it which is also transferred to the heat pipe 14. The sleeve 1 16 extends past the legs 525 of the adapter 515 into the light cavity and doubles up as a light reflector. The adapter 515 has a groove which is configured to accommodate an electrical cord which runs to the socket 517 to power the light bulb 321 . As can be seen in figure 5a, a lower portion of the heat collector 512 which receives the light bulb 321 operatively protrudes through the roof of an informal housing structure in order to provide light on the inside of the structure. An operatively upper portion of the heat collector 512 stands proud of the rooftop 520 and is arranged to collect heat from the sun. The collector 512 therefore collects heat both from the sun and form the light bulb 321 , when in use. The heat is conveyed to the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer head 14.2 and heats the water in the receptacle 502 which can be used for household use.

In figure 6a, reference numeral 600 refers to another embodiment of a heating/lighting apparatus in accordance with the invention. The apparatus 600 includes a raised platform 602 which is configured to support the weight of a cooking vessel 604 thereon. The platform

602 has a square base 603 and a plurality of legs 605 which extend downwardly from corners of the base 603 to a ground surface below. In this example embodiment the base

603 of the platform is square but understandably it could be any other suitable shape. A circular opening 607 or aperture is provided in the middle of the base 603. An upper, inner edge of the base 603 defining the opening 607 is recessed and defines an annular seat 606 for receiving an open-ended, circular cylindrical, double-walled evacuated tube 608 which depends downwardly through the opening 607. A heat and light source, such as a candle 609, is positioned immediately below an open bottom end of the tube 608. The tube 608 is transparent and accordingly allows light produced by the candle 609 to be radiated to the surroundings. Due to the fact that the candle 609 is aligned with the open bottom end of the tube 608, most of the heat produced by the candle 609 rises upward and is conveyed along a cylindrical passage defined by the tube 608, through the opening 607, onto a base of the cooking vessel 604. The heat produced by the candle 609 therefore serves to heat the base of the cooking vessel which accordingly heats the contents of the cooking vessel. An operatively upper, open end of the tube 608 is flared or flanged and has an outwardly diverging lip 610 which is configured to be received in the recessed annular seat 606 defined by the base 603 of the platform 602 such that the tube 608 is flush with the upper surface of the base 603. The purpose of the tube 608 is to concentrate heat released by the candle upon the base of the cooking vessel and to prevent heat loss through radiation by way of the evacuated double wall whilst permitting the surroundings to be irradiated by the light produced by the candle 609.

In figure 7a, reference numeral 700 refers to yet another heating/lighting apparatus in accordance with the invention. In this case the light source is an electric light source in the form of a conventional light bulb 713 having a filament. The bulbs are known to produce a lot of heat as well as light. The apparatus 700 also includes a raised platform 702 which has a square base 703 and a plurality of legs 705 which support the base 703. An electrical light socket 701 is provided in the middle of a roughly C-shaped opening 707 defined in the middle of the base 703. An electrical cord 71 1 which powers the light bulb 713 runs through a connecting piece extending into the opening 707 in which the socket 701 is disposed. The bulb 713 hangs from the base 703. As before, the base 703 is configured to support a cooking vessel 704 which is operatively positioned over the opening 707. Acting as an insulator, the apparatus 700 also includes a dome-shaped bulb cover 708. The bulb cover 708 is evacuated and has a double-wall in order to prevent heat loss through the cover. The cover 708 is transparent to permit light produced by the bulb 713 to be radiated through the cover 708. The heat produced by the bulb 713 is trapped by the cover and passes through the opening 707 onto the base of the cooking vessel to heat the vessel. Once again the apparatus 700 provides two functions, one as a source of light, the other as a heat source. The Inventor believes that the heating apparatus 10, 100, 600, lighting apparatus 400, 500, 700 and vessel 300, in accordance with the invention, will minimise energy inefficiencies in rural or informal communities.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A heating apparatus which includes:

an at least partially transparent, evacuated double-walled heat insulator which is connected to, and depends, from the base about the opening and is configured to channel heat released by the heat and light source upward through the opening in the base onto the vessel.

2. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the heat insulator is configured to allow light produced by the heat and light source through to illuminate the surroundings.

3. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the heat insulator is in the form of an open-ended tube which depends from the base, the heat and light source being in the form of a candle arranged below an open, operatively bottom end of the tube.

4. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the base defines a seat for receiving a flanged, operatively upper end of the tube.

5. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the heating apparatus is in the form of an electrical heating apparatus and wherein the heat and light source is in the form of a conventional light bulb which is operatively received in a socket arranged in the middle of the opening defined by the base, the heat insulator being in the form of a transparent, evacuated double-walled bulb cover which surrounds the bulb.

6. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the opening is a C-shaped opening.

7. A heating apparatus which includes: a solar collector which includes a tubular insulator defining an inner chamber, the tubular insulator having at least one open end which leads from the chamber and at least one elongate heat exchanger which is at least partially arranged within the chamber of the insulator;

8. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the heat exchanger is in the form of a conventional heat pipe which contains a heat transfer fluid.

9. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tubular insulator is in the form of an evacuated tube having an operatively lower open end, the skirt being in the form of an open-ended conical member, a narrow end of which is operatively connected to the open end of the tubular insulator and a wide end of which faces operatively downward.

10. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heat transfer substrate defines an operatively upper cooking surface and the solar collector extends away from the heat transfer substrate at an angle with respect to the upper cooking surface.

1 1 . A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 10, which includes a support base for supporting the solar collector and/or heat transfer substrate on a base surface.

12. A heating apparatus which includes:

a heat collector which includes:

an open ended tubular insulator which defines an inner chamber which extends from an operatively upper open end to an operatively lower open end;

13. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the heat exchanger includes a conventional heat pipe including an elongate body which is disposed within the inner chamber of the tubular insulator and a heat transfer head which is connected to the body and is arranged in thermal contact with the heat transfer surface.

14. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least part of the tubular insulator is at least partially transparent in order to allow light to pass through the insulator, the lower end of the tubular insulator being configured to be arranged above a heat/light source in order to direct heat emitted from the heat/light source into the inner chamber.

15. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the insulator is in the form of an evacuated tube.

16. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the heat exchanger further includes a heat sink which extends downwardly into the inner chamber and which is in thermal contact with the heat transfer surface in order to transport thermal energy to the heat transfer surface.

17. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 16, which includes a support structure for supporting the heat collector on a base surface.

18. A lighting apparatus which includes:

a body which is configured to house an electrical light source, the body comprising a light transmitting portion and a heat exchanging portion, the light transmitting portion being connected to the heat exchanging portion, wherein the light transmitting portion is thermally insulated and the heat exchanging portion is configured to be arranged in direct thermal contact with a fluid vessel in a configuration which allows thermal energy produced by the light source to be conveyed through the heat exchanging portion to the fluid vessel for the purposes of heating a fluid contained within the vessel.

19. A lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the vessel is a water vessel.

20. A lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the light transmitting portion is removably connected to the heat exchanging portion, the body including a conventional socket for receiving a light bulb once the light transmitting portion has been disconnected from the heat exchanging portion.

21 . A lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the body of the lighting apparatus includes a conventional male type electrical connector.

22. A fluid vessel which includes:

23. A fluid vessel as claimed in claim 22, wherein the electrical light connector is disposed toward an operatively lower part of the vessel body.

24. A fluid vessel as claimed in claim 23, which includes an attachment formation for suspending the vessel.

25. A fluid vessel as claimed in claim 24, wherein the heat transferring surface is in the form of a recess formed in the vessel body, the vessel including a thermally insulated, transparent cover which is removably attached to the vessel body around the electrical light connector in order, in use, to encapsulate the electrical light source.

26. A heating and lighting apparatus which is mountable on a roof of a structure, the apparatus including:

a receptacle for holding water or another fluid to be heated; and

27. A heating and lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the electrical light source receiving portion and the solar heat collection portion are in fluid flow communication with one another.

28. A heating and lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the heat collector has evacuated double walls to isolate an inner chamber from external atmospheric conditions, the electrical light source receiving portion being configured to receive a conventional light bulb.

29. A heating and lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein the heat collector includes a heat pipe containing a heat transfer fluid, a head of the heat pipe being accommodated in the receptacle.