INSULATED WATER TANK

Abstract

The insulated water tank includes an outer tank and a plurality of inner tanks nested inside the outer tank. A gap between adjacent tanks defines an insulation barrier. Each insulation barrier can be formed by insulation material filling the gaps. One of the insulation barriers is an open air gap that permits air circulation around the adjacent inner tank. A fan is mounted and housed in a base at the bottom of the tanks to provide positive airflow for air circulation/cooling. A solar energy system is provided for supplying power to the fan. The plurality of inner tanks and the corresponding insulation barriers therefrom maintain water in the main central holding tank at moderate temperatures for comfortable consumption.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to utility devices, and particularly to an insulated water tank that maintains water at a moderate temperature for use in a wide range of environmental temperatures.

2. Description of the Related Art

Water is a basic necessity of life. Everyone needs this substance for hydration as well as a means for cleaning, Modern amenities such as centralized water plants provide this important resource in plentiful supply and at moderate temperatures. Most modern homes and buildings even include separate devices for regulating the temperature of the water used therein.

As ubiquitous as the above modern conveniences are in most areas, there are many locales in which such conveniences are not readily available. For example, arid regions such as deserts and the like mainly use water tanks for daily needs. In these areas, not everyone has ready access to modem conveniences such as water heaters and the like, nor the power for these types of home appliances. Moreover, such regions experience extremes of temperature on a daily basis from very hot days and severely cold nights. The conventional water tanks used in these regions are correspondingly affected by the extreme temperatures, so users are forced to endure hot water during the day and cold water during the evenings.

In light of the above, it would be a benefit in the art of utility devices to provide an insulated water tank for maintaining water at moderate temperatures for everyday use. Thus, an insulated water tank solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The insulated water tank includes an outer tank and a plurality of inner tanks nested inside the outer tank. A gap between adjacent tanks defines an insulation barrier. Each insulation barrier can be fortified by insulation material filling the gaps. One of the insulation barriers is an open air gap that permits air circulation around the adjacent inner tank. A fan is mounted and housed in a base at the bottom of the tanks to provide positive airflow for air circulation/cooling. A solar energy system is provided for supplying power to the fan. The plurality of inner tanks and the corresponding insulation barriers maintain water in the main central holding tank at moderate temperatures for comfortable consumption.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an insulated water tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the insulated water tank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the insulated water tank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view in section of the insulated water tank of FIG. 1.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The insulated water tank, generally referred to in the drawings by the reference number 10, includes a main tank nested inside a plurality of outer tanks. The main tank is filled with water to be used, while the outer tanks provide insulation for maintaining the water in the main tank at a relatively moderate temperature. Additional means are provided to cool the water in extremely hot regions.

Initially, it is noted that while the following describes the insulated water tank 10 with reference to a cylindrical tank, the insulated water tank 10 can be constructed in various other dimensions and configurations. As best shown in FIG. 4, the insulated water tank 10 includes an outer, first tank 12 holding a plurality of inner tanks therein. The first tank 12 contains a first insulation layer or barrier 14 surrounding an inner, second tank 16. The first insulation layer 14 can be composed of a variety of insulation materials, such as foam, sponge, insulation matting, liquid, combinations thereof and the like. In this embodiment, the first tank 12 is filled with sponge, a relatively inexpensive and readily accessible material.

An inner, third tank 20 of smaller diameter or dimensions from the first and second tanks 12, 16 is nested inside the second tank 16. The space or gap between the second and third tanks 16, 20 forms a second insulation layer or barrier 18. In this exemplary embodiment, the second insulation layer 18 is an air barrier that allows air to circulate around the third tank 20. This facilitates cooling of the remainder of the tanks inside the third tank 20 through natural convection, which is especially effective in high temperature environs. Passive circulation may be sufficient in moderate climes, but the insulated water tank 10 also includes positive means for circulating the air, to be described further below.

An inner, fourth tank 24 is mounted inside the third tank 20. The fourth tank 24 is smaller in dimensions compared to the third tank 20, thereby defining a gap therebetween. This gap forms a third insulation layer or barrier 22. The third insulation layer 22 can be composed of a variety of insulation materials, such as foam, sponge, insulation matting, liquid, combinations thereof and the like. In the drawings, the third tank 20 is shown filled with water to form the third insulation layer 22. The water is preferably recirculated or recycled wastewater from the building B serviced by the insulated water tank 10, such as from wash sinks, laundry and rain water. This allows users to reduce water consumption and maximize the usage thereof, i.e. instead of fresh water, wastewater is being used to form the third insulation layer 22. The wastewater is supplied by a first water source or supply line 2, which is operatively connected to the water system of the building or commune.

Since wastewater or liquid is being used, the level of wastewater inside the third tank 20 must be monitored in order to prevent overflow and potential damage to property and the insulated water tank 10. To facilitate monitoring, the third tank 20 includes a sensor, such as a float 23. As the float 23 travels between user-defined minimum and maximum levels of wastewater contained in the third tank 20, the first water source 2 is automatically activated or shut off to maintain the wastewater level between the maximum and minimum levels. For example, if the wastewater level falls below minimum, the first water source 2 is automatically actuated to fill the third tank 20. Conversely, if the wastewater level rises above maximum, the first water source 2 is automatically shutoff to prevent overflow.

An inner, fifth tank 28 is mounted inside the fourth water tank 24. The fifth tank 28 is smaller in dimensions compared to the fourth tank 24, thereby defining a gap therebetween. This gap forms a fourth insulation layer or barrier 26. The fourth insulation layer 26 can be composed of a variety of insulation materials, such as foam, sponge, insulation matting, liquid, combinations thereof and the like. In the drawings, the fourth tank 24 is shown filled with sponge, a relatively inexpensive and readily accessible material, the same as the first insulation layer 14.

The fifth tank 28 is the main or central tank filled with regular or main water 27 for use by the residents of the building B on which the insulated water tank is installed. The plurality of insulation layers insures that this water 27 is maintained at moderate temperatures for comfortable consumption by the residents. The main water 27 is supplied by a second water source or supply line 4. As with the wastewater 22, the level of the main water contained in the fifth tank 28 must be monitored to prevent overflow and potential damage to property and the insulated water tank 10. The fifth tank 28 also includes a sensor, such as a float 25, which functions the same as the float 23. When the float 25 falls below a user-defined minimum level inside the fifth tank 28, the second water supply 4 automatically activates to refill the fifth tank 28. When the float 25 rises above a user-defined maximum level, the second water supply 4 automatically shuts off. An output line 30 is operatively connected to the fifth tank 28 for transferring the main water 27 to the residents.

As mentioned previously, the insulated water tank 10 includes a positive means for circulating air around the second insulation layer 18. This means includes a fan 40 disposed at the bottom of the insulated water tank 10. In areas of extreme heat, the fan 40 can be activated to force cooler, fresh, outside air to flow around the third tank 20. This will cool the third tank 20, which will also cool the wastewater in the third insulation layer 22 to thereby dissipate much of the heat inside the insulated water tank 10. The top of the insulated water tank 10 includes a cap 32 having perforations 34, which allow exhaust of the circulated air. Thus, an efficient heat transfer can be achieved by continual airflow from the bottom of the tanks through the top thereof.

As best seen in FIGS. 1-3, the first tank 12 is a substantially enclosed tank that holds the other tanks. In order to allow the air to flow, the bottom of the first tank 12 includes a plurality of slots permitting the forced air from the fan 40 to circulate around the inner third tank 20.

A base 42 supports the first tank 12 from the bottom thereof and includes a plurality of feet 46. In this embodiment, the base 42 is preferably a cylindrical ring having substantially the same diameter as that of the first tank 12 and a closed bottom. The fan 40 is housed inside the base 42 to protect the fan 40 and the associated wires (not shown). The base 42 also includes at least one opening 43 and a grill or screen 44 mounted thereon to cover the opening 43. The opening 43 permits airflow for the tanks, while the grill 44 filters unwanted debris. The feet 46 place the tanks at an elevated position relative to the support surface for the insulated water tank 10 in order to protect the same from the elements and prevent potential blocking of the grill 44 from accumulated debris. While the base 42 has been described as a cylindrical ring, it is to be understood that the base 42 can be provided in a variety of different shapes and sizes, so long as the base 42 provides support for the tanks and a protective housing for the fan 40.

The power for the fan 40 can be provided by solar energy, which is especially effective and environmentally sound in regions where electricity is at a premium or not readily accessible, e.g., arid regions such as deserts. As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, the insulated water tank 10 includes a plurality of solar cells or panels 50 mounted atop the first tank 12. The solar panels 50 are operatively connected to a rechargeable battery 52, which, in turn, supplies power to the fan 40. The location of the solar panels 50 is preferably on top of the first tank 12 for maximum exposure to the sun. However, other locations on or remote from the first tank 12 are equally viable, so long as they permit maximal sun exposure for optimal operation of the insulated water tank 10. The fan 40 can also be powered by conventional power grids, but solar energy presents a more economical and environmentally friendly solution. In light of the above, the insulated water tank 10 is preferably installed on the roof of a building or dwelling B for maximum sun exposure. The first tank 12 can also include a handle 60 for easy portability and installation.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An insulated water tank, comprising:

an outer first tank having a top and a bottom;

a plurality of inner tanks nested inside the first tank, the plurality of inner tanks having a central, main tank for holding water to be consumed by users;

an insulation gap defined between adjacent tanks, each of the insulation gaps being filled with insulation material;

a base disposed at the bottom of the first tank;

a fan mounted inside the base, the fan circulating air through the tanks to dissipate heat therein; and

a power source for powering the fan;

wherein the insulation material maintains the consumable water in the main tank at moderate temperatures for comfortable consumption by users.

2. The insulated water tank according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of inner tanks comprises a second tank, a third tank disposed inside the second tank, a fourth tank disposed inside the third tank, and said main tank, said main tank being disposed inside the fourth tank.

3. The insulated water tank according to claim 2, wherein said insulation material is selected from the group consisting of sponge, insulation matting, foam, liquid and air.

4. The insulated water tank according to claim 3, wherein the insulation material in the insulation gap between said first and second tanks comprises sponge insulation.

5. The insulated water tank according to claim 3, wherein the insulation material in the insulation gap between said second and third tanks comprises air.

6. The insulated water tank according to claim 5, further comprising a cap disposed on top of said first tank, the cap having a plurality of perforations defined therein, said fan circulating air from said base through the insulation gap between said second and third tanks and exhausting the air through the cap.

7. The insulated water tank according to claim 3, wherein the insulation material in the insulation gap between said third and fourth tanks comprises recycled wastewater.

8. The insulated water tank according to claim 7, further comprising a first water supply line connected to said first tank, the first water supply line supplying the recycled water to the insulation gap between said third and fourth tanks.

9. The insulated water tank according to claim 8, further comprising a float disposed in the insulation gap between said third and fourth tanks, the float monitoring relative levels of the recycled wastewater.

10. The insulated water tank according to claim 3, wherein the insulation material in the insulation gap between said fourth tank and said main tank comprises a sponge.

11. The insulated water tank according to claim 1, further comprising a second water supply line connected to said first tank, the second water supply line supplying the consumable water to said main tank.

12. The insulated water tank according to claim 11, further comprising a float disposed in said main tank, the float monitoring relative levels of the consumable water.

13. The insulated water tank according to claim 1, wherein said insulation material is selected from the group consisting of sponge, insulation matting, foam, liquid and air.

14. The insulated water tank according to claim 1, wherein said base has at least one opening defined therein and a grill covering the at least one opening.

15. The insulated water tank according to claim 14, further comprising a plurality of feet attached to said base, said feet being adapted for supporting and elevating said base above a support surface for the insulated water tank.

16. The insulated water tank according to claim 1, wherein said power source comprises at least one solar panel attached to said first tank and a rechargeable battery attached to said first tank, the rechargeable battery being operatively connected to the at least one solar panel, the rechargeable battery supplying power for operating said fan.

17. The insulated water tank according to claim 1, further comprising at least one handle attached to said first tank.

18. An insulated water tank, comprising:

an outer first tank having a top and a bottom;

a second tank disposed inside the first tank, a third tank disposed inside the second tank, a fourth tank disposed inside the third tank, and a main tank disposed inside the fourth tank, the main tank holding water to be consumed by users;

an insulation gap defined between adjacent tanks, each of the insulation gaps being filled with insulation material;

a base disposed at the bottom of the first tank;

a fan mounted inside the base, the fan circulating air through the tanks to dissipate heat therein; and

a power source for powering the fan;

wherein the insulation material maintains the consumable water in the main tank at moderate temperatures for comfortable consumption by users.