Method and apparatus to either heat or cool a pool

Abstract

A method for adjusting the temperature of a swimming pool having a filter system and a waterfall, comprising running the filter system at times of the day such that heat transfer with ambient air is optimized by the action of swimming pool water falling through the ambient air, and further comprising positioning and substantially fixing the position of a movable surface below the water fall to help maximize the heat transfer with the ambient air. For pools without waterfalls, it is further disclosed to utilize a conduit from a submerged water return opening to the movable surface which could be a raft.

What I claim as my invention is:  
     
         1 . A method for adjusting the temperature of a swimming pool having a filter system and a waterfall, comprising running the filter system at times of the day such that heat transfer with ambient air is optimized by the action of swimming pool water falling through the ambient air.  
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1   , comprising positioning and substantially fixing the position of a movable surface below the waterfall to help maximize the heat transfer with the ambient air.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 2   , comprising floating the movable surface on the swimming pool.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 3   , wherein the moveable surface is a raft.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 4   , wherein the raft has an irregular surface designed to maximize the time the swimming pool water remains upon the raft and in contact with the ambient air.  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 5   , wherein the raft is double sided and wherein one side is designed for use by swimmers and an opposing side is designed for maximum heat transfer.  
     
     
         7 . A method for adjusting the temperature of a swimming pool having a surface, a filter system, a perimeter and a submerged water return opening comprising: (1) installing a conduit with a first end and a second end with the first end running from the submergerd water return opening and the second end exiting above the surface of the pool; and (2) positioning a movable surface underneath the second end of the conduit.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for either heating or cooling a swimming pool having a waterfall and a filter system; comprising a movable surface which can be positioned and substantially fixed in position underneath of the waterfall such that it is possible to optimize heat transfer from ambient air by running the filter system at times of the day designed to either heat or cool recirculating water from the swimming pool.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of    claim 8   , wherein the movable surface floats in the swimming pool.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of    claim 9   , wherein the movable surface is a raft.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of    claim 10   , wherein the raft has an irregular surface designed to optimize the heat transfer.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of    claim 11   , wherein the raft is dual purpose and can be utilized as either a heat exchanger or a normal flotation device for swimmers.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of    claim 9   , wherein the movable surface is attachable to other movable surfaces to maximize the surface area for the heat transfer.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for either heating or cooling a swimming pool having a filter system and a submerged water return opening comprising; (1) a movable surface; and (2) a conduit designed to direct water from the submerged water return opening to the movable surface such that water runs over the movable surface and heat transfer occurs as it comes into contact with ambient air.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of    claim 14   , wherein the movable surface floats in the swimming pool.  
     
     
         16 . The aparatus of    claim 15   , wherein the movable surface is a raft.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of    claim 16   , wherein the raft has an irregular surface designed to optimize the heat transfer.  
     
     
         18 . The appartus of    claim 17   , wherein the raft doubles as both a heat exchanger and a normal flotation device for swimmers.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of    claim 15   , wherein the movable surface is attachable to other movable surfaces to maximize the surface area for the heat transfer.  
     
     
         20 . A method for adjusting the temperature of a swimming pool comprising: 
 running swimming pool water over a waterfall; and transferring energy between the swimming pool water and the ambient air by impacting the water onto a movable surface wherein the transfer of energy adjusts the pool temperature to a desired state.    
     
     
         21 . The method of    claim 20   , wherein the desired state is to lower the temperature of the swimming pool water; the running step further comprising running the water when the ambient air temperature is lower than the swimming pool water temperature.  
     
     
         22 . The method of    claim 20   , wherein the desired state is to raise the temperature of the swimming pool water; the running step further comprising running the water when the ambient air temperature is higher than the swimming pool water temperature.