Self-sufficient portable heating system using renewable energy

Abstract

The present invention discloses a heating system using renewable energy, comprising a portable heat collector using renewable energy to heat water. The present invention further includes a portable power source using renewable energy to generate electricity, and a portable pump coupled with the portable power source and powered to move water from a source into and through the portable heat collector for increasing water temperature, and return water back to the source as heated water.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. Utility Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/680,301 filed May 13, 2005, the entire disclosure of which application is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a self-sufficient portable heating system that uses renewable energy and, more particularly, to a self-sufficient portable solar heating system for heating water for swimming pools.

(2) Description of Related Art

Conventional water heaters (solar or otherwise) are well known and have been in use for a number of years. Reference is made to the following few exemplary U.S. Patent publications, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,837,236; 5,823,177; 5,586,548; 5,388,567; 5,293,447; 5,074,282; 4,766,885; 4,312,323; and D312,069. Regrettably, most prior art conventional water heaters suffer from obvious disadvantages in terms of cost of the heating system equipment, complicated and costly installation, inefficient operational and maintenance costs and generation of environmental pollutants, and fuel costs. In particular, with relation to known solar heating systems for heating swimming pool water, the conventional solar systems continue to be dependent on conventional non-solar energy resources. For example, known solar heating systems use the pool pump to deliver water from the pool into the solar panels to heat the water, and return the water back to the pool. The pool pump relies on conventional, non-solar energy resources for its function.

Accordingly, in light of the current state of the art and the drawbacks to current water heater systems mentioned above, a need exists for a self-sufficient portable heating system using renewable energy for water that would be lightweight, portable, inexpensive, easily installed, and be completely self-sufficient without relying on external non-renewable energy sources. In particular, a need exists for a self-sufficient portable heating system that uses renewable energy for heating water that would include as an integral part of the system a portable heat collector, a portable pump, and a portable mechanism that uses renewable energy source for generating power to run the portable pump.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, comprising:

• • a portable heat collector using renewable energy to heat water;
  • a portable power source using renewable energy to generate electricity;
  • a portable pump coupled with the portable power source and powered to move water from a source into and through the portable heat collector for increasing water temperature, and return water back to the source as heated water.

An optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the portable heat collector is comprised of a dark color, single piece flexible plastic vinyl material that is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, and is folded about a fold line onto itself forming a wrap having a folded side and a free periphery side that is sealed;
  • the portable heat collector includes a plurality of spaced apart transversely extending sealed seams joining an upper and a lower sections of the wrap having end points alternately spaced from and joined to sides of the portable heat collector to define a plurality of transverse passageways forming a continuous serpentine water pathway through the portable heat collector;
  • the portable heat collector includes an inlet at a first of the passageways and an outlet at a last of the passageways, and when in use water is introduced at the inlet and heated from thermal energy absorbed from solar radiation by the portable heat collector, and is moved out of the portable heat collector at the outlet as heated water.

Another optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the portable heat collector has a thickness of approximately 20 to 30 mils.

Still another optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the portable heat collector is approximately 90 to 100 inches in length and approximately 20 to 24 inches in width, with the heat sealed seams spaced approximately 2 to 2.3 inches apart.

Yet another optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the inlet and the outlet of the portable heat collector are oriented parallel, and longitudinally along the axial length of the respective first and last of the passageways.

A further optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • an inlet tube that has a first proximal end coupled to the inlet and has a first distal end coupled to the portable pump, allowing water to flow from the portable pump into the first of the passageways of the portable heat collector; and
  • an outlet tube that has a second proximal end coupled to the outlet and has a second distal end free, allowing water to exit from the last of the passageways of the portable heat collector.

Yet a further optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the inlet tube has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the inlet allowing for insertion of the inlet tube inside the inlet; and
  • the outlet tube has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the outlet, allowing for insertion of the outlet inside the outlet tube, thereby reducing backpressure of water.

Still a further optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the portable heat collector further includes transparent insulating cover coupled with the portable heat collector, with an air gap in between the transparent insulating cover and the portable heat collector, creating a greenhouse effect for maximizing heat absorbed as a result of incident radiation onto the portable heat collector.

Another optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the transparent insulating cover is comprised of a flexible transparent plastic vinyl.

Yet another optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the air gap is integrated into the transparent insulating cover as one or more air pockets, which are integrated into the flexible transparent plastic vinyl as air bubbles to construct the transparent insulating cover.

Still another optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the portable power source is integrally coupled with the portable heat collector, with the portable power source comprising an array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panel integral with a surface of the portable heat collector, under the transparent insulating cover, forming a single piece heating system.

A further optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

the portable heat collector is integrally coupled with the portable power source, with the portable power source comprising an array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panel integral with the portable heat collector as a single piece heating system.

Yet a further optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the portable heat collector is integrally coupled with the portable pump, forming a single piece heating system.

Still a further optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the portable heat collector is integrally coupled with the portable power source and the portable pump, with the portable power source comprising an array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panel, and the portable heat collector, the portable power source, and the portable pump forming an integral, a single piece heating system.

Another optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the portable heat collector is comprised of a plurality of portable heat collectors couple in series, with a preceding outlet of one or more portable heat collectors of the plurality of portable heat collectors coupled to a subsequent inlet of one or more portable heat collectors of the plurality of portable heat collectors in a sequence.

Yet another optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • at least one of the one or more of the portable heat collectors of the plurality of portable heat collectors is integrally coupled with the portable power source, with the portable power source comprising an array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panel integral with a surface of the at least one portable heat collector, forming a single piece heating system.

Still another optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the portable power source is comprised of an array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panel, forming a solar panel.

A further optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the solar cells are photovoltaic solar cells.

Still a further optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the solar panel is comprised of a plurality of solar panels for increased power.

Another optional aspect of the present invention provides a heating system using renewable energy, wherein:

• • the portable pump is comprised of a sump pump.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments, taken together with the drawings and the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposes of exemplary illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. Throughout the disclosure, the word “exemplary” is used exclusively to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference character(s) present corresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of the components of a portable heating system that uses renewable energy in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration for an unfolded and fully assembled portable heating system illustrated in FIG. 1, in an exemplary environment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration for manufacture and assembly of the portable heat collector that is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of the inlet tube and the outlet connections for the portable heat collector that is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary cross-sectional illustration of the passageways of the portable heat collector that is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6A is an exemplary illustration of a portable power source in the form of a flexible solar panel that is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6B is an exemplary enlarged illustration of the electrical connection of the flexible solar panel that is illustrated in FIG. 6A in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of a portable power source and the portable pump in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary illustration of a self-sufficient portable heating system that includes a portable power source as an integral part of the portable heat collector in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are exemplary illustrations of a self-sufficient portable heating system that includes a transparent insulating covering in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary illustration of a self-sufficient portable heating system that includes a portable power source as an integral part thereof and a transparent insulating covering in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exemplary illustration of a self-sufficient portable heating system that includes an integral pump in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exemplary illustration of a self-sufficient portable heating system that includes an integral pump and power source in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of a self-sufficient portable heating system that includes a plurality of portable heat collectors coupled in series in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an exemplary illustration of a self-sufficient portable heating system that includes a plurality of portable heat collectors coupled in series, with one thereof having an integral power source in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is an exemplary illustration of a self-sufficient portable heating system that includes a plurality of portable heat collectors coupled in series with one another, with a plurality of power sources coupled thereto in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and or utilized.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of the components of a portable heating system 100 of the present invention that uses renewable energy. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the portable heating system 100 is a self-sufficient portable heating system using renewable energy for heating water that is lightweight, portable, inexpensive, easily installed, and self-sufficient without relying on external non-renewable energy sources. In particular, the present invention provides a self-sufficient portable heating system 100 that uses renewable energy for heating water that would include as an integral part of the system 100 a portable heat collector 102, a portable power source 104, a portable pump 106, and a set of tubes 108, all of which use renewable energy source for heating water. The entire portable heating system 100 of the present invention may be packaged into a carrying case for use anywhere.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration for an unfolded and fully assembled portable heating system 100 in an exemplary environment in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the portable heating system 100 of the present invention is illustrated in use for heating water in the swimming pool 202. The portable heat collector 102 of the portable heating system 100 is unfolded and placed across a footpath 206, along an edge 204 of the swimming pool 202 under sunlight to absorb solar energy from the sun for heating the water in the pool 202.

An outlet tube 108B is comprised of a first proximal end 230 that is coupled with a first end 210 of the portable heat collector 102 for allowing heated water to exist from a free first distal end 232 thereof from the portable heat collector 102. An inlet tube 108A is comprised of a second proximal end 222 is coupled with a second opposite end 212 of the portable heat collector 102 to allow water to enter therein. As further illustrated, the inlet tube 108A is further comprised of a second distal end 220 that is coupled with the portable pump 106 that is powered by the portable power source 104 for moving water from the pool 202 through the inlet tube 108A and into the portable heat collector 102, and out. The water moving through within the portable heat collector 102 is heated using absorbed solar energy from the sunlight, and is exited out from the outlet tube 108B by the power of the pump 106. The pump 106 is electrically coupled with the portable power source 104 by an electrical connector 208, and is powered by the portable power source 104, which uses renewable energy to generate electricity, which runs the portable pump 106.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration for manufacture and assembly of the portable heat collector 102 that is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In general, the portable heat collector 102 is comprised of a dark color, waterproof, one single sheet or piece flexible plastic vinyl material that is resistant to ultraviolet radiation and most other corrosive material, a non-limiting example of which may include chlorine. The portable heat collector 102 is folded about a fold line 302 onto itself forming a wrap having a folded side 304 and a free periphery side 306 that is sealed. Two holes are made along the fold line 302, one at the first end 210 of the portable heat collector 102 and the other at the second opposite end 212 for installation (welding) of the inlet 316 and the outlet 320 pieces therein. It should be noted that the portable heat collector 102 of the present invention does not require fasteners, washers, rivets, nuts, or bolts for assembly because it is a low-pressure application heat collector, which also means that the heat collector 102 further does not require a pressure relief device.

The portable heat collector 102 includes a plurality of spaced apart transversely extending sealed seams 308 joining an upper section 312 and a lower section 314 of the wrap. The upper section 312 is welded to the lower section 314 at approximately every 2.3 inches, forming the seams 308. The seams 308 have end points 324 alternately spaced from and joined to the sides 304 and 306 of the portable heat collector 102 to define a plurality of transverse passageways 310 forming a continuous serpentine water pathway 340 through the portable heat collector 102. The passageways 310 are made as thin as possible to allow more water to contact the actual surface of the heat collector 102 for a more efficient conductive heat transfer of solar radiation to water therein.

The portable heat collector 102 includes the inlet 316 at a first passageway 318 of the passageways 310 and an outlet 320 at a last passageway 322 of the passageways 310. When in use, water is introduced at the inlet 316 and heated from thermal energy absorbed from solar radiation by the portable heat collector 102, and is moved out of the portable heat collector 102 at the outlet 320 as heated water. The inlet 316 and the outlet 320 of the portable heat collector 102 are oriented substantially parallel (+/−5° degrees) from the horizontal (the ground), and are longitudinally positioned along the axial length of the respective first and last passageways 318 and 322. Both the inlet 316 and the outlet 320 are comprised of approximately ¾ inch outer diameter (OD) hose connector. The inlet and the outlet will accommodate a ⅝ inch outer diameter or ¾ inch inner diameter tubes.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the inlet tube 108A has the first proximal end 222 coupled to the inlet 316, allowing water to flow from the portable pump 106 into the first passageway 318 of the portable heat collector 102. The outlet tube 108B that has the second proximal end 230 is coupled to the outlet 320, allowing water to exit from the last passageway 322 of the portable heat collector 102. The inlet tube 108A has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the inlet 316 allowing for insertion of the first proximal end 222 of the inlet tube 108A inside the inlet 316. The outlet tube 108B has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the outlet 320, allowing for insertion of the outlet 320 inside the second proximal end 230 of the outlet tube 108B, thereby reducing backpressure of water. This type of connection arrangement also allows for a faster, quicker transfer of already heated water 400 back to the source. The portable heat collector 102 has an exemplary thickness of approximately 20 to 30 mils, and approximate exemplary length of about 90 to 100 inches, with an exemplary approximate width of about 20 to 24 inches, with the heat-sealed seams spaced approximately 2 to 2.3 inches apart. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the passageways 310 have an exemplary horizontal length 502 of approximately 1.75 inches, and an exemplary vertical length 504 of about 1 and ⅛ inches. The dimensions for the preferred embodiment of the present invention would be approximately 12 to 24 inches wide by 8 to 10 feet long by 1 to 2 inches deep for convenient placement and portability on the periphery 206 of a swimming pool. All dimensions may be varied depending on the application. It should be noted that a smaller sized volume for the passageways is preferable because it will accommodate for a more efficient conduction of heat transfer from the heat collector surface to the water passing through.

FIG. 6A is an exemplary illustration of a portable power source in the form of a flexible solar panel, and FIG. 6B is an exemplary enlarged illustration of the electrical connection for delivery of power to outside equipment. As illustrated in both FIGS. 6A and 6B, the well-known portable power source 104 is comprised of a plurality of array of solar cells 602 on a flexible, portable panel, forming a solar panel 622. The plurality of photovoltaic arrays 624 generate electrical power responsive to incident solar energy impinged on the solar cells 602. As illustrated, the plurality of photovoltaic arrays 624 includes a large number of generally conventional photovoltaic cells 602, which are well-known. The electrical energy that is generated by the plurality of photovoltaic arrays 624 is used to power electrical equipment such as the portable pump 106 (FIG. 7) through the electrical connectors 604 and 606 that mate with an adaptor 608 and 610 that plug into a receptacle 620 (FIGS. 6B and 7) of an electrical equipment. The portable pump 106 may be a dry or a sump pump, and is a low pressure pump, which does not require any washers, rivets, or fasteners when coupled with the portable heat collector 102.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary illustration of a self-sufficient portable heating system 800 that includes a portable power source as an integral part of the portable heat collector in accordance with the present invention. The self-sufficient portable heating system 800 includes similar corresponding or equivalent components as the self-sufficient portable heating system 100 that is shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, and described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, clarity, convenience, and to avoid duplication, the general description of FIG. 8 will not repeat every corresponding or equivalent component that has already been described above in relation to the self-sufficient portable heating system 100 that is shown in FIGS. 1 to 7. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the self-sufficient portable heating system 800 includes a portable heat collector 802 that is integrally coupled with the portable power source 804, with the portable power source 804 comprising a plurality of array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panel integral with the portable heat collector 802 as a single piece portable heating system.

Electricity that is generated from the incident solar radiation by flexible photovoltaic arrays is used to power a water pump 106 to move water along intake water tube 108A towards and into the portable heat collector 802. Incident solar radiation falls and impinges on the body of portable heat collector 802 and heats the water inside therein. It should be noted that the heated surface area of the portable heat collector 802 is reduced by the inclusion of the portable power source 804 on top of the portable heat collector 802 as a single piece integral part thereof, which may reduce the amount of heat generated. However, the heat generated from the semiconductor photovoltaic cells compensates for any possible reduction in solar radiation absorption, which continues to increase the temperature of water. Given that photovoltaic cells are semiconductor devices, they generate additional heat, which is dissipated by conduction through the under skin of the portable heat collector 802 that is covered by the portable power source 804 and into the water that is pumped therein, which further aids in increase of the water temperature. The heated water is returned to the water source 202 by the outflow tube 108B propelled by the water pressure from water pump 106.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are exemplary illustrations of a self-sufficient portable heating system 900 that includes a transparent insulating covering in accordance with the present invention. The self-sufficient portable heating system 900 includes similar corresponding or equivalent components as the self-sufficient portable heating systems that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, and described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, clarity, convenience, and to avoid duplication, the general description of FIGS. 9A and 9B will not repeat every corresponding or equivalent component that has already been described above in relation to the self-sufficient portable heating systems that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 8.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the portable heat collector 102 includes a transparent insulating cover 902 coupled with the portable heat collector 102, with an air gap 904 in between the transparent insulating cover 902 and the portable heat collector 102, creating a greenhouse effect for maximizing heat absorbed as a result of incident radiation impinged onto the portable heat collector 102. The drawings are not to scale, and therefore, the air gap 904 (the volume in between transparent insulating cover 902 and the portable heat collector 102) is exaggerated for illustrative purposes only. Non-limiting example of material from which the transparent insulating cover 902 may comprise may include a flexible transparent plastic vinyl. As further illustrated, the air gap 904 may also be integrated into the transparent insulating cover 902 as one or more air pockets 906, which are integrated into the flexible transparent plastic vinyl 902 as air bubbles 906 to construct the transparent insulating cover 902.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary illustration of a self-sufficient portable heating system 1000 that includes a transparent insulating covering in accordance with the present invention. The self-sufficient portable heating system 1000 includes similar corresponding or equivalent components as the self-sufficient portable heating systems that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 9B, and described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, clarity, convenience, and to avoid duplication, the general description of FIG. 10 will not repeat every corresponding or equivalent component that has already been described above in relation to the self-sufficient portable heating systems that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 9B.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, a portable power source 804 is integrally coupled with the portable heat collector 802, with the portable power source 804 comprising an array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panel integral with a surface of the portable heat collector 802, under the transparent insulating cover 902, forming a single piece heating system 1000.

Electricity that is generated from the incident solar radiation by flexible photovoltaic arrays is used to power a water pump 106 to move water along intake water tube 108A towards and into the portable heat collector 802. Incident solar radiation falls and impinges on the body of portable heat collector 802 and heats the water inside therein. It should be noted the heated surface area of the portable heat collector 802 is reduced by the inclusion of the portable power source 804 on top of the portable heat collector 802 as a single piece integral part thereof, which may reduce the amount of heat generated. However, the heat generated from the semiconductor photovoltaic cells compensates for any possible reduction in solar radiation absorption, which continues to increase the temperature of water. Given that photovoltaic cells are semiconductor devices, they generate additional heat, which is dissipated by conduction through the under skin of the portable heat collector 802 that is covered by the portable power source 804 and into the water that is pumped therein, which further aids in increase of the water temperature. In addition, the heat generated is also compounded by the greenhouse effect due to the covering 902. The heated water is returned to the water source 202 by the outflow tube 108B propelled by the water pressure from water pump 106.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary illustration of a self-sufficient portable heating system 1100 that includes an integral pump in accordance with the present invention. The self-sufficient portable heating system 1100 includes similar corresponding or equivalent components as the self-sufficient portable heating systems that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, and described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, clarity, convenience, and to avoid duplication, the general description of FIG. 11 will not repeat every corresponding or equivalent component that has already been described above in relation to the self-sufficient portable heating systems that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 10. As illustrated, the portable heat collector 1102 is integrally coupled with the portable pump 1106, forming a single piece heating system 1100. In this particular instance the pump 1106 is not a sump, but a dry pump.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary illustration of a self-sufficient portable heating system 1200 that includes an integral pump and power source in accordance with the present invention. The self-sufficient portable heating system 1200 includes similar corresponding or equivalent components as the self-sufficient portable heating systems that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, and described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, clarity, convenience, and to avoid duplication, the general description of FIG. 12 will not repeat every corresponding or equivalent component that has already been described above in relation to the self-sufficient portable heating systems that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 11. As illustrated, the heating system 1200 using renewable energy includes a portable heat collector 1202 that is integrally coupled with the portable power source 1204 and the portable pump 1206. The portable power source 1204 is comprised of an array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panel, and the portable heat collector 1202, the portable power source 1204, and the portable pump 1206 form an integral, single piece heating system 1200. Although not illustrated, a transparent insulating cover 902 may also be used with the heating system 1200, similar to that illustrated in relation to FIGS. 9A and 9B.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of a self-sufficient portable heating system 1300 that includes a plurality of portable heat collectors coupled in series in accordance with the present invention. The self-sufficient portable heating system 1300 includes similar corresponding or equivalent components as the self-sufficient portable heating systems that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, and described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, clarity, convenience, and to avoid duplication, the general description of FIG. 13 will not repeat every corresponding or equivalent component that has already been described above in relation to the self-sufficient portable heating systems that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 12. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the portable heat collector is comprised of a plurality of portable heat collectors 102 and 1302 couple in series. The preceding outlet 320 of one or more portable heat collectors 1302 of the plurality of portable heat collectors is coupled to a subsequent inlet 316 of one or more portable heat collectors 102 of the plurality of portable heat collectors in a sequence via tubes 108A. Connection of the plurality of portable heat collectors in series provides for an increased surface area that is exposed to solar radiation absorbed and conductively transferred to greater volume of water that remains within the heat collector at longer travel time before being discharged.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary illustration of a self-sufficient portable heating system 1400 that includes a plurality of portable heat collectors coupled in series, with one thereof having an integral power source in accordance with the present invention. The self-sufficient portable heating system 1400 includes similar corresponding or equivalent components as the self-sufficient portable heating systems that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, and described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, clarity, convenience, and to avoid duplication, the general description of FIG. 14 will not repeat every corresponding or equivalent component that has already been described above in relation to the self-sufficient portable heating systems that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 13. As illustrated in FIG. 14, at least one of the one or more of the portable heat collectors 802 of the plurality of portable heat collectors is integrally coupled with the portable power source 804, with the portable power source 804 comprising an array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panel integral with a surface of the at least one portable heat collector 802, forming a single piece heating system.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary illustration of a self-sufficient portable heating system 1500 that includes a plurality of portable heat collectors coupled in series with one another, with a plurality of power sources coupled thereto in accordance with the present invention. The self-sufficient portable heating system 1500 includes similar corresponding or equivalent components as the self-sufficient portable heating systems that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 14, and described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, clarity, convenience, and to avoid duplication, the general description of FIG. 15 will not repeat every corresponding or equivalent component that has already been described above in relation to the self-sufficient portable heating systems that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 14. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the portable power sources 104 and 1504 are each comprised of an array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panels, forming the solar panels, with the solar panel comprised of a plurality of solar panels 104 and 1504 for increased power.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the portable heat collector can be in any shape with any dimensions, including size, volume, thickness, which is also applicable to the channels or passageways; non-limiting examples of shapes may include animals, cartoon characters, etc. Although not illustrated in every FIG., it should be noted that all portable heat collectors may include a transparent insulating covering. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, proximal, distal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.

In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) is not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead is used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.

Claims

1. A heating system using renewable energy, comprising:

a portable heat collector using renewable energy to heat water;

a portable power source using renewable energy to generate electricity;

a portable pump coupled with the portable power source and powered to move water from a source into and through the portable heat collector for increasing water temperature, and return water back to the source as heated water.

2. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the portable heat collector is comprised of a dark color, single piece flexible plastic vinyl material that is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, and is folded about a fold line onto itself forming a wrap having a folded side and a free periphery side that is sealed;

the portable heat collector includes a plurality of spaced apart transversely extending sealed seams joining an upper and a lower sections of the wrap having end points alternately spaced from and joined to sides of the portable heat collector to define a plurality of transverse passageways forming a continuous serpentine water pathway through the portable heat collector;

the portable heat collector includes an inlet at a first of the passageways and an outlet at a last of the passageways, and when in use water is introduced at the inlet and heated from thermal energy absorbed from solar radiation by the portable heat collector, and is moved out of the portable heat collector at the outlet as heated water.

3. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

the portable heat collector has a thickness of approximately 20 to 30 mils.

4. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

the portable heat collector is approximately 90 to 100 inches in length and approximately 20 to 24 inches in width, with the heat sealed seams spaced approximately 2 to 2.3 inches apart.

5. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

the inlet and the outlet of the portable heat collector are oriented parallel, and longitudinally along the axial length of the respective first and last of the passageways.

6. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 2, further including:

an inlet tube that has a first proximal end coupled to the inlet and has a first distal end coupled to the portable pump, allowing water to flow from the portable pump into the first of the passageways of the portable heat collector; and

an outlet tube that has a second proximal end coupled to the outlet and has a second distal end free, allowing water to exit from the last of the passageways of the portable heat collector.

7. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

the inlet tube has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the inlet allowing for insertion of the inlet tube inside the inlet; and

the outlet tube has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the outlet, allowing for insertion of the outlet inside the outlet tube, thereby reducing backpressure of water.

8. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

the portable heat collector further includes transparent insulating cover coupled with the portable heat collector, with an air gap in between the transparent insulating cover and the portable heat collector, creating a greenhouse effect for maximizing heat absorbed as a result of incident radiation onto the portable heat collector.

9. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

the transparent insulating cover is comprised of a flexible transparent plastic vinyl.

10. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

the air gap is integrated into the transparent insulating cover as one or more air pockets, which are integrated into the flexible transparent plastic vinyl as air bubbles to construct the transparent insulating cover.

11. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

the portable power source is integrally coupled with the portable heat collector, with the portable power source comprising an array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panel integral with a surface of the portable heat collector, under the transparent insulating cover, forming a single piece heating system.

12. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

the portable heat collector is integrally coupled with the portable power source, with the portable power source comprising an array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panel integral with the portable heat collector as a single piece heating system.

13. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

the portable heat collector is integrally coupled with the portable pump, forming a single piece heating system.

14. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

the portable heat collector is integrally coupled with the portable power source and the portable pump, with the portable power source comprising an array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panel, and the portable heat collector, the portable power source, and the portable pump forming an integral, a single piece heating system.

15. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

the portable heat collector is comprised of a plurality of portable heat collectors couple in series, with a preceding outlet of one or more portable heat collectors of the plurality of portable heat collectors coupled to a subsequent inlet of one or more portable heat collectors of the plurality of portable heat collectors in a sequence.

16. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 15, wherein:

at least one of the one or more of the portable heat collectors of the plurality of portable heat collectors is integrally coupled with the portable power source, with the portable power source comprising an array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panel integral with a surface of the at least one portable heat collector, forming a single piece heating system.

17. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the portable power source is comprised of an array of solar cells on a flexible, portable panel, forming a solar panel.

18. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 15, wherein:

the solar cells are photovoltaic solar cells.

19. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 15, wherein:

the solar panel is comprised of a plurality of solar panels for increased power.

20. The heating system using renewable energy as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the portable pump is comprised of a sump pump.