Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable floating solar concentrator system for heating water that is capable of focusing the sunlight and collecting it on a central point to transfer it to water thereby, heating the water in an automated manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A solar water heating system uses sunlight to generate heat for water. It consists of solar collectors, usually installed on rooftops, that absorb solar energy. The collectors transfer heat to a fluid, often water or a heat-transfer fluid, which circulates through the system. The heated water is stored in a tank for domestic use, such as bathing, cooking, and cleaning. Solar water heaters are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and reduce reliance on conventional energy sources. They work best in sunny climates and can significantly lower energy bills while providing a sustainable solution for hot water needs.

[0003] Traditionally, Water heating systems mainly works on fossil fuels or grid electricity, leading to high energy costs, carbon emissions, and dependency on non-renewable energy sources. It requires significant land space for installation, making them less feasible in urban or space-constrained environments. Maintenance is also challenging due to potential corrosion, scale buildup, or damage to collectors. There is a need for an efficient, sustainable, and space-saving solution that harnesses solar energy directly over water bodies to provide thermal energy for water heating. The solution must be portable, cost-effective, and adaptable to various climatic conditions while maintaining high energy conversion efficiency.

[0004] WO2009105587A2 discloses a System collect solar radiation and convert it to useful energy. The systems do not require tracking in order to enhance the amount of solar radiation collected. The systems may be stand-alone devices for collecting solar radiation and converting it to useful energy, a set of such devices, buldings having such devices, and vehicles having such devices.

[0005] US4194949A discloses a system for substantially continuous distillation of water which comprises a plurality of parallel distillation units each comprising series of fluid and preferably also Fresnel-type lenses. Water to be distilled is preheated by circulating it through the fluid lenses on which evaporated water vapor is condensed to produce distilled water. The quantity of water circulated in the lenses is many more times the quantity of water evaporated by the solar energy concentrated by the lenses and condensed per unit of time to allow the circulated water to carry off heat recuperated within the lenses and the system. The preheated water circulated through the lenses is discharged into a central container in which the foci of the fluid and Fresnel-type lenses are located. Secondary containers are provided to receive overflow from the central container since preheated water may be discharged into the central container faster than it is being evaporated. Preferably heat exchangers having a heat exchange fluid therein are provided in the secondary containers to recover heat from the water therein. This system also may include or be combined with turbines and or a separate solar energy concentrator and collector used to superheat the heat exchange fluid and also preferably to heat excess water vapor removed from the distillation system and convert it to superheated steam and/or to externally condense the excess water vapor.

[0006] Conventionally, many systems have been developing that uses solar system for heating the water but the existing devices lack portable design due to which they are not able to harness sun’s energy efficiently. They require fixed infrastructure, limiting usability in remote/off-grid locations leading to high energy costs, carbon emissions, and dependency on non-renewable energy sources.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a system that is capable of harnessing the sun's energy more efficiently using solar concentrators, enhancing thermal absorption, providing higher temperatures for water heating. Additionally, the system benefits from natural cooling and heat storage, improving overall performance and reducing heat loss, optimized for small-scale, off-grid, and rural use.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a system that is capable of harnessing sunlight from solar system and enhancing the absorption of sunlight maintaining high energy conversion efficiency.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a system that is capable of water heating for domestic, industrial, and agricultural applications while minimizing land use and promoting renewable energy adoption.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a system that is capable of utilizing water bodies as natural cooling surfaces to improve efficiency in an automated manner.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a portable floating solar concentrator system for heating water that is capable of harnesses solar energy directly over water bodies to provide thermal energy while maintaining high energy conversion efficiency. Additionally, the system enhances solar energy absorption, utilizing water bodies as natural cooling surfaces to improve efficiency.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a portable floating solar concentrator system for heating water comprising a parabolic reflector that collects and focuses sunlight to a central point, the parabolic reflector made of lightweight aluminum or polished steel to resist corrosion and reflect sunlight efficiently, a lens connected to a supporting frame, placed at the central point of the parabolic reflector to further concentrate sunlight, a metal tube attached to the lens frame, which absorbs heat from the concentrated sunlight and transfers it to water flowing inside, the water pipe system includes insulated inlet and outlet pipes to reduce heat loss during water circulation.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the system further comprises of a floating base made of foam or air-filled material, connected to the parabolic reflector to keep the system afloat on a water body, the flotation system includes a wide base to provide stability on water under varying conditions, a rotatable joint attached to the parabolic reflector, allowing it to tilt and track the sun’s position, the movable joint is manually operated to adjust the curved mirror’s angle for tracking the sun’s movement, the reflective concentrator is collapsible for easy transport and storage.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a portable floating solar concentrator system for heating water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a portable floating solar concentrator system for heating water that is capable of harnessing and collecting the sunlight at a central point and transferring it the water while maintaining the efficiency and reducing the heat loss.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a portable floating solar concentrator system for heating water is illustrated, comprising of a parabolic reflector 101, a lens 102 connected to a supporting frame 103, a metal tube 104 attached to the lens 102 frame 103, a floating base 105 made of foam or air-filled material, connected to the parabolic reflector 101, a rotatable joint 106 attached to the parabolic reflector 101.

[0023] The system disclosed herein includes a parabolic reflector 101 is made of lightweight aluminum or polished steel to resist corrosion, collapsible for easy transport and storage. A water pipe system includes insulated inlet and outlet pipes to reduce heat loss during water circulation.

[0024] The parabolic reflector 101 collects and focuses sunlight to a central point and reflect the sunlight efficiently. The parabolic reflector 101 works by utilizing the geometric properties of a parabola, where incoming parallel sunlight rays strike the curved surface and are reflected toward a single central point. The parabolic shape ensures that all incident rays parallel to the parabola's axis are reflected and concentrated at this focus, maximizing the amount of solar energy directed onto a receiver or absorber placed at that point. This design efficiently collects and focuses sunlight, increasing the intensity of solar radiation on the water, which enhances the efficiency of solar thermal systems. The precise curvature of the parabola ensures minimal energy loss and optimal concentration of sunlight for heating or energy conversion purposes.

[0025] Herein a rotatable joint 106 attached to the parabolic reflector 101, allow the reflector 101 to tilt and track the sun’s position. It is manually operated to adjust the curved mirror’s angle for tracking the sun’s movement. It allows the reflector 101 to tilt and adjust its angle relative to the sun’s position. This joint 106 consists of a sturdy hinge that connects the reflector 101 to a supporting frame 103, enabling manual rotation around a horizontal or vertical axis. By physically turning or tilting the reflector 101 via the rotatable joint 106, the curvature of the parabola aligns to maintain optimal focus on the sun’s rays throughout the day. This manual adjustment enables the system to track the sun’s movement across the sky, maximizing solar energy collection by ensuring the reflector 101 remains perpendicular or at an optimal angle to incoming sunlight, thereby improving efficiency.

[0026] Once the reflector 101 collects the sunlight, a lens 102 is connected to a supporting frame 103 that is placed on the central point of the parabolic reflector 101. The lens 102 further concentrate the sunlight functions as a secondary concentration unit, further focusing the sunlight onto the central point. The supporting frame 103 securely holds the lens 102 precisely at the reflector’s focal point, where the converging rays from the parabola intersect. As sunlight is reflected and directed toward this focal point, the lens 102 refracts the incoming parallel rays, bending them to converge more tightly and intensively onto a smaller area, such as a thermal receiver. This combination enhances the overall concentration of solar energy, increasing thermal output efficiency. The support frame 103 ensures accurate positioning and stability of the lens 102, maintaining optimal focus despite environmental factors like wind or movement, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of the solar collection.

[0027] After concentrating the sunlight at the central point, a metal tube 104 is attached to the lens 102 frame 103 absorbs the heat from the concentrated sunlight and transfer it to the water flowing inside. The metal tube 104 attached to the lens 102 frame 103 functions as a receiver or heat transfer conduit, designed to absorb concentrated sunlight and transfer the captured heat to water flowing inside it. The metal tube 104 is positioned directly at the central point where the sunlight is concentrated by the lens 102. As the intense sunlight heats the tube’s surface, heat is rapidly transferred through conduction to the water flowing within the tube 104 via the metal’s high thermal conductivity. The water absorbs this heat as it circulates through the tube 104, increasing in temperature and effectively carrying the thermal energy for use in heating, power generation, or other applications. The metal tube’s efficient heat transfer properties and secure attachment to the lens 102 frame 103 ensure maximum absorption and minimal heat loss.

[0028] While transferring the heat into the water flowing inside the tube 104, a floating base 105 made of foam or air-filled material connected to the parabolic reflector 101 keep the system afloat on a water body. The flotation system includes a wide base 105 to provide stability on water under varying conditions. It functions as a buoyant support that keeps the parabolic reflector 101 system afloat on a water body by utilizing the principles of buoyancy. The foam or air-filled components are lightweight, displacing a volume of water equal to their weight, which generates an upward force that counteracts gravity, allowing the entire system to remain buoyant. The wide base 105 design enhances stability by increasing the surface area in contact with the water, reducing the risk of tilting or capsizing under varying environmental conditions such as waves or wind. This broad, buoyant platform ensures the parabolic reflector 101 remains level and securely positioned, optimizing its orientation toward the sun and maintaining system efficiency while preventing sinking or tipping, even in rough water conditions.

[0029] The principles of buoyancy are based on Archimedes' principle, which states that an object submerged in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the displaced fluid. This means that an object will float if the weight of the displaced fluid is greater than or equal to its own weight, and it will sink if its weight exceeds the buoyant force. The stability of an object floating depends on the center of gravity and the center of buoyancy, with a stable floating object having these centers aligned or positioned favorably to prevent tipping.

[0030] The present invention works best in the following manner, the parabolic reflector 101 that collects and focuses sunlight to a central point made of lightweight aluminum or polished steel to resist corrosion and reflect sunlight efficiently. The rotatable joint 106 attached to the parabolic reflector 101, allowing it to tilt and track the sun’s position manually operated to adjust the curved mirror’s angle for tracking the sun’s movement. The lens 102 connected to a supporting frame 103, placed at the central point of the parabolic reflector 101 to further concentrate sunlight. The metal tube 104 attached to the lens 102 frame 103 absorbs heat from the concentrated sunlight and transfers it to water flowing inside. The floating base 105 made of foam or air-filled material, connected to the parabolic reflector 101 to keep the system afloat on a water body includes a wide base 105 to provide stability on water under varying conditions.

[0031] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A portable floating solar concentrator system for heating water, comprising:

i) a parabolic reflector 101 that collects and focuses sunlight to a central point;

ii) a lens 102 connected to a supporting frame 103, placed at the central point of the parabolic reflector 101 to further concentrate sunlight;

iii) a metal tube 104 attached to the lens 102 frame 103, which absorbs heat from the concentrated sunlight and transfers it to water flowing inside;

iv) a floating base 105 made of foam or air-filled material, connected to the parabolic reflector 101 to keep the system afloat on a water body; and

v) a rotatable joint 106 attached to the parabolic reflector 101, allowing it to tilt and track the sun’s position.

2) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the parabolic reflector 101 is made of lightweight aluminum or polished steel to resist corrosion and reflect sunlight efficiently.

3) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water pipe system includes insulated inlet and outlet pipes to reduce heat loss during water circulation.

4) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable joint 106 is manually operated to adjust the curved mirror’s angle for tracking the sun’s movement.

5) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flotation system includes a wide base 105 to provide stability on water under varying conditions.

6) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflective concentrator is collapsible for easy transport and storage.