초록 ▼

A solar water-heating apparatus comprises an outer container sized and configured to receive a smaller inner container. The inner container includes an opening formed in an upright wall and an opening formed in a floor. A gap is located between the two containers. Once the device has been filled wit

A solar water-heating apparatus comprises an outer container sized and configured to receive a smaller inner container. The inner container includes an opening formed in an upright wall and an opening formed in a floor. A gap is located between the two containers. Once the device has been filled with a liquid, the liquid present within the gap may be heated by solar energy. The device may include a valve to prevent unintended flow of the liquid.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A solar heater for heating a liquid including: a first container having an inner side wall, an outer side wall, an outer floor, an inner floor, and an upper wall connecting said inner side wall and said outer side wall, said inner side wall and said inner floor defining a reservoir external to sa

1. A solar heater for heating a liquid including: a first container having an inner side wall, an outer side wall, an outer floor, an inner floor, and an upper wall connecting said inner side wall and said outer side wall, said inner side wall and said inner floor defining a reservoir external to said inner and outer side walls;a second container having a side wall and a floor, said second container contained within said first container and in a space defined between said inner and outer side walls and said inner and outer floors;a first gap between said first container outer side wall and said second container side wall;a second gap between said first container inner side wall and said second container side wall; anda third gap between said inner floor of said first container and said floor of said second container. 2. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 1, further including an opening in said side wall of said second container, an opening in said floor of said second container, and a check valve mounted in said opening of said second container allowing water to flow from said third gap to said first gap, but restricting flow in an opposite direction. 3. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 2, wherein the opening in said side wall of the second container includes a baffle configuration having a baffle plate and an inner wall portion that extends higher than an outer wall portion. 4. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 3, wherein said baffle configuration also includes a central wall portion in said side wall of said second container, and said baffle plate is mounted in slots in said side wall of said second container, said slots extending below said outer wall portion and said inner wall portion and close to but not down to said central wall portion. 5. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 4, wherein said floor of said second container includes slots extending in a radial direction from said opening to an outer edge of said floor in said second container to provide a path for liquid to communicate between said third gap and said first gap. 6. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 2, wherein said inner side wall and said inner floor of said first container define a reservoir for containing a liquid intended to be heated. 7. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 6, wherein a liquid is contained in said first, second, and third gaps, but said liquid is not in contact with said liquid in said reservoir. 8. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 7, wherein heat is transferred from liquid in said second gap and said third gap to liquid in the reservoir through said inner side wall and said inner floor of said first container. 9. A solar heater for heating a liquid including: a first container having an upright wall;a second container located within the first container and including an upright wall, both of said walls having a generally circular cross-sectional configuration in a direction generally perpendicular to an axis of the containers;a gap intermediate the wall of the first container and the wall of the second container; anda check valve mounted in an aperture extending through said floor in said second container, said check valve including a base portion having an opening there through, a hollow extension attached and extending at an angle to said base and surrounding said opening, and a flexible member attached to said extension, wherein said base is rigid and includes a flange having a chamfer around an outer edge thereof, said flange extending generally perpendicular to said extension, and said extension on said base of said check valve has an elliptical configuration. 10. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 9, wherein said aperture includes a counterbore, and said base is mounted in said counterbore. 11. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 10, wherein said flexible member has a length approximately 6 to 8 times the width of the extension. 12. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 9, wherein said opening in said base portion of said extension is also elliptical. 13. A solar heater for heating a liquid including: a first container having a first upright wall, a second inner upright wall, an outer floor connected to said first upright wall, an inner floor connected to said inner upright wall, and an upper wall connecting said upright walls;a second container located within the first container and including an upright wall, both of said walls having a generally circular cross-sectional configuration in a direction generally perpendicular to an axis of the containers;a gap intermediate the wall of the first container and one of the walls of the second container; anda check valve mounted in an aperture extending through said floor in said second container, said check valve including a base portion having an opening there through, a hollow extension attached and extending at an angle to said base and surrounding said opening, and a flexible member attached to said extension. 14. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 13, wherein said upright wall of said second container encompasses said inner wall of said first container defining a second gap, and a third gap is formed between said inner floor of said first container and a floor of said second container. 15. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 9, further including an opening in said upright wall of said second container and a baffle arrangement contained in said opening to regulate flow of the liquid through the opening. 16. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 15, wherein said baffle arrangement includes a baffle plate mounted between an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion of said baffle arrangement and wherein said inner wall portion extends higher than said outer wall portion. 17. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 16, wherein said upright wall of said second container includes slots in which said baffle plate is mounted, said slots extending below said inner wall portion and said outer wall portion but stopping short of a central portion, thereby defining a flow path through said opening in said side wall of said second container. 18. The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in claim 9, wherein the cross-sectional configuration forms three concentric circular rings with the wall of the second container forming an inner ring, the wall of the first container forming an outer ring, and liquid in the gap forming a ring in between the inner and outer rings.