WO2016071740A1

WO2016071740A1 - Solar still device

Info

Publication number: WO2016071740A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/065878
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Campbell
Original assignee: John Campbell
Priority date: 2014-11-07
Filing date: 2014-11-07
Publication date: 2016-05-12

Abstract

The application concerns a solar-still device that is worn on the head, specifically for emergency survival situations, with adaptations to facilitate other practical uses. The device comprises an air-tight, solar- radiation-permeable outer-shell which forms a bulbous greenhouse like structure over the head and where the lower circumferential edge of this outer-shell curls inward to form a broad headband that is intended to fit around a wide range of head sizes. A gully is formed between the outer-shell and the headband providing a natural gutter into which the product of the device will collect.

Description

SOLAR STILL DEVICE

SPECIFICATION SUM MARY

The device relates to a collapsible, compact, lightweight, portable solar-still which provides a means of producing drinking water by forming a self-supporting, air-tight, sunlight-permeable structure over the head with the intention of harnessing the natural heat loss of the human body as an augmentation of or alternative to heat generated by sunlight, with the purpose of producing, trapping and condensing water vapour from the hair or a head-piece that has been dampened by liquid from a non-potable source.

BACKGROUND

In such circumstances that one should find oneself in remote areas where fresh drinking water is scarce, a method of purifying what potentially-contaminated liquid is available, may become necessary. The equipment currently available for this purpose includes water filtration devices, cooking equipment (to boil available liquid) and a limited selection of solar-still devices. Of these options, only the filters would be considered suitable for inclusion in compact emergency kits due to their relative compact design, however, both filters and cooking equipment require an already existing quantity of liquid water (to draw through the filter or fill a pot) to be of any use. Where the only water available is sufficient to dampen a rag or trapped in the flesh of a potentially-toxic plant, the solar still is the best option to generate a quantity of drinking water from whatever meagre source of moisture may be available. However, many such solar still devices currently commercially available for use in emergency situations are somewhat too large and heavy for carriage on one's person as part of a compact emergency kit. Such bulky solar stills also prove fairly inefficient as regards the quantity of purified water they can reliably supply from solar energy alone. This is because such designs, due to their bulky size, must be set upon a level surface to do their job, most often this is cold ground or upon the surface of a body of water. Such positions hinder the effective accumulation of the heat required to generate evaporation due to the absorption of any heat from the device into the cold ground or surrounding water. Current designs are also materially inefficient due to their size and furthermore restrict the user to utilise the devices as solar stills alone, reducing their potential for temporary adaptation for other uses.

Accordingly, there exists a definite need for a solar-still that is readily-transportable, easily stored, and that has a simple, cost-effective design for providing a supply of potable water in emergent circumstances. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides further related advantages.

The invention proposes to augment the heat generated by solar radiation by placing the device upon the user's head, so utilising the natural loss of the wearer's body-heat, thus boosting the overall effectiveness of the device in producing the desired water evaporation. The increase in efficiency means the design may thus be considerably more compact, lightweight and of utilitarian design, in that it may be adapted for other practical uses in the field.

The invention comprises an air-tight outer shell, which forms a bulbous enclosed structure over the head which is substantially transparent to solar radiation. The lower circumferential edge of this outer-shell curls inward to form a gutter which is attached to or synonymous with a head-band that is intended to fit around a wide range of head sizes. At the rearmost and lowest portion of the device is located a collection reservoir which traps any distillate in the gutter and makes it available to a tap nozzle, from which the invention's distillate may be drawn. PREFERRED EM BODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment of the invention shall be worn on the head. When worn, the device creates an enclosed greenhouse-like environment over the head which utilises solar radiation and/or body-heat to generate water vapour from the hair or an appropriated piece of absorbent material that has been pre-dampened by any available moisture source. The resultant water vapour will be trapped within this enclosed environment and condense upon the inner surface of the outer shell of the device, which is kept relatively cool by the outside air. This condensate would accumulate on the inner surface of the shell until it runs down into the gutter which encircles the rim of the device. Through normal movement of the head, the distillate will be encouraged into a collection reservoir located at the rearmost and lowest point of the device. The distillate may then be retrieved from the reservoir via a small nozzle, thereby providing the user with sufficient purified water for a basic level of sustenance.

The device for the most part may be manufactured from a combination of coloured and transparent silicon rubber, perhaps with a textile reinforcing mesh to provide further durability, all moulded into the final product shape with other suitable materials used for the additional (claimed) features. The use of silicon rubber makes the device particularly suitable for other practical uses, such as a boiling- pot when suspended inverted over an open fire, as a water-container or as a carry-bag for the collection of wild foods.

Design developments as described in the claims may include:

A means to adjust the headband for use by children or to facilitate its use on available (moisture- laden) vegetation; A means of closing the device to protect its inner surfaces; Cords, straps or merely tie-holes that may facilitate either its being secured on the head, or to facilitate its being suspended over open fire for use as a boiling pot or as a carry bag. In circumstances where cold climates might put a wearer at risk, alternative models may be provided which include an insulated and water-proof head-piece to protect the wearer's head from cold moisture whilst the device is used. In hot climates the device facilitates the body's own cooling process by effectively increasing the surface area of the head (provided of course the user can keep the hair or head-piece moist), thus allowing body-heat to escape via the condensation of water vapour upon the exposed outer- shell.

DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows the invention comprising an air-tight outer shell [C], which forms a bulbous enclosed structure over the head which is substantially transparent to solar radiation. The lower

circumferential edge of this outer-shell curls inward to form a gutter [B], which is attached to or synonymous with a head-band [A] that is intended to fit around a wide range of head sizes. At the rearmost and lowest portion of the device is located collection reservoir [D] which traps any distillate within the aqueduct and makes it available to a tap nozzle [E], from which the invention's drinkable water may be drawn.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the invention as utilised.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the invention as utilised.

Claims

1. A device comprising an air-tight, solar-radiation-permeable outer-shell which forms a bulbous greenhouse-like structure over the head and where the lower circumferential edge of this outer-shell curls inward to form a broad headband that is intended to fit around a wide range of head sizes. The gully that is formed between the outer-shell and the headband provides a natural gutter into which the product of the device will collect.

2. A device as that recited in claim 1 wherein the gutter is intersected by a void at the rearmost and lowest portion of the device, which forms a collection reservoir, its purpose to trap any distillate running down the gutter.

3. A device as that recited in claim 2 wherein a tap nozzle is pre-formed into the collection

reservoir, to allow the user to attach a drinking tube or storage pouch.

4. A device as that recited in claim 3 wherein a cap or valve for the sealing of the Tap Nozzle is provided.

5. A device as that recited in claim 4 wherein a drinking tube which can attach to the tap nozzle, to facilitate the consumption of distillate, is provided.

6. A device as that recited in claim 3 wherein a collapsible drinks pouch which can attach to the tap nozzle, is provided.

7. A device as that recited in claim 1 wherein the external surfaces are partly or entirely coloured and/or textured in such a manner as to provide a high-visibility function.

8. A device as that recited in claim 1 wherein the external surfaces are partly or entirely coloured and/or textured in such a manner as to provide a camouflaged or low-visibility function.

9. A device as that recited in claim 1 wherein a sealing strip to close the device around an object, such as a plant or other moisture-laden article or to seal it closed when not in use, is provided.

10. A device as that recited in claim 1 wherein a chinstrap or cord is provided

11. A device as that recited in claim 1 wherein the headband has a means included to adjust its overall head-fit circumference.

12. A device as that recited in claim 1 wherein handles which allow the device to be utilised as a carry-bag are included.

13. A device as that recited in claim 1 wherein a number of eyelets to provide a hanging/tying

capacity are provided.

14. A device as that recited in claim 1 wherein a headpiece featuring a combination of insulating and waterproof layers, designed to avoid contact of wet material against the scalp, is provided.

15. A device as that recited in claim 1 wherein a sealable pouch for the collection and storage of distillate is included.

16. A device as that recited in claim 1 which is a combination of two or more of any of the

preceding claims.