초록 ▼

A machine that improves the management of thermal energy for a residence or other building by serving as both a swimming pool 26 water heater and an attic space 22 ventilator. The heating of air within an attic space 22, resulting primarily from the insolation of the roof surface 24, is exploited to

A machine that improves the management of thermal energy for a residence or other building by serving as both a swimming pool 26 water heater and an attic space 22 ventilator. The heating of air within an attic space 22, resulting primarily from the insolation of the roof surface 24, is exploited to heat water 26. The device consists of an air-to-water heat exchanger coil 28, a fan 30, an air outlet passage 32 between the attic 22 and the outside air with the necessary mounting 90 and weather excluding structure 86. When water heating is not required, the device retains its attic ventilation function in order to reduce the cooling load on the air refrigeration system for the building. The device may be used as either an alternative to a fuel burning or electric powered water heater or as a means to minimize the use and expense of such heaters.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pool heating system comprising: a pool of liquid to be heated;a building structure having an interior and an exterior with a roof having a slope forming a boundary between the interior and the exterior, the interior including attic space subject to solar heating, the attic space in communicatio

1. A pool heating system comprising: a pool of liquid to be heated;a building structure having an interior and an exterior with a roof having a slope forming a boundary between the interior and the exterior, the interior including attic space subject to solar heating, the attic space in communication with the exterior of the building structure through an opening;the roof forming an overhang around the periphery of the building structure, the overhang having a soffit;a plurality of air inlets in the soffit of the overhang in communication with the attic space;an air-to-liquid heat exchanger on the building structure exterior such that heated air exiting the attic space through the opening passes through the heat exchanger and positioned adjacent to and down the slope from the opening or laterally spaced apart from the opening, such that any liquid leaking from the heat exchanger will not enter the opening into the interior of the building structure;a liquid pump for moving liquid from the pool through the heat exchanger;a first conduit between the pump and the heat exchanger;a second conduit between the heat exchanger and the pool; andthe first and second conduits feeing attached to the exterior of the building structure and not entering the interior of the building structure such that any liquid that leaks from the conduit is on the exterior of the building structure and may not pass to the interior. 2. The pool heating system of claim 1 further comprising: a fan to move heated air from the attic through the heat exchanger. 3. The pool heating system of claim 2 wherein: the fan is positioned between the opening and the heat exchanger. 4. The pool heating system of claim 2 wherein: the fan is positioned in the opening. 5. The pool heating system of claim 2 wherein: the fan is upstream of the heat exchanger. 6. The pool heating system of claim 2 wherein: the fan is downstream of the heat exchanger. 7. The pool heating system of claim 2 further comprising: a second fan within the attic space to mix heated air within the attic space. 8. The pool heating system of claim 1 further comprising: a duct in the attic space that directs heated air from the attic space towards the opening. 9. The pool heating system of claim 8 further comprising: a fan associated with the duct to direct the heated air towards the opening. 10. The pool heating system of claim 8 further comprising: a fan at one end of the duct to direct the heated air towards the opening. 11. The pool heating system of claim 8 further comprising: a fan at each end of the duct to direct the heated air towards the opening. 12. The pool heating system of claim 8 further comprising: a fan within the duct to direct the heated air towards the opening. 13. The pool heating system of claim 1 further comprising: an air temperature sensor in the attic to measure the air temperature within the attic space and send an air temperature signal based on that measurement;a water temperature sensor in communication with the pool to measure the liquid temperature in the pool and send a water temperature signal based on that measurement;a control system that reads the air temperature signal and the water temperature signal and determines whether the pump should be active or inactive based on preset parameters, the control system activating or deactivating the pump based on the determination. 14. The pool heating system of claim 13 wherein: the water temperature sensor is within the pool. 15. The pool heating system of claim 13 wherein: the water temperature sensor is within the skimmer of the pool. 16. The pool heating system of claim 2 further comprising: an air temperature sensor in the attic to measure the air temperature within the attic space and send an air temperature signal based on that measurement;a water temperature sensor in communication with the pool to measure the liquid temperature in the pool and send a water temperature signal based on that measurement;a control system that reads the air temperature signal and the water temperature signal and determines whether the pump should be active or inactive based on preset parameters, the control system activating or deactivating the pump based on the determination. 17. The pool heating system of claim 16 wherein: the water temperature sensor is within the pool. 18. The pool heating system of claim 16 wherein: the water temperature sensor is within the skimmer of the pool. 19. The pool heating system of claim 1 wherein: the heat exchanger is mounted to a vertical gable surface on the exterior of the structure. 20. The pool heating system of claim 1 wherein: the heat exchanger is coupled to the roof of the building structure and the opening is such that any liquid flow on the roof will not flow into the opening. 21. The pool heating system of claim 1 wherein: the pump is a pool main pump. 22. The pool heating system of claim 1 wherein: the pump is an auxiliary pump separate from a pool main pump. 23. The pool heating system of claim 1 wherein: the heat exchanger is coupled to the roof of the building structure and surrounds the opening such that any liquid leaking from the heat exchanger will not enter the opening into the interior of the building structure.