Self-contained solar heater and storage device with check valve

Abstract

A solar water-heating apparatus comprises an outer container sized and configured to receive a smaller inner container. The inner container includes an opening formed in an upright wall and an opening formed in a floor. The inner container defines a reservoir capable of receiving a liquid. A gap is located between the two containers. Once the device has been filled with a liquid, the liquid present within the gap may be heated by solar energy. The device may include a valve to prevent unintended flow of the liquid.

1 . A valve comprising:
 a base including a first member, an aperture formed in the first member and a second member connected to the first member; and   a portion including an aperture at least partially aligned with the aperture in the first member, the portion being located at least partially between the first and second members of the base.   
   
   
       2 . The valve as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the portion is at least partially formed from a material that has a density less than the density of water. 
   
   
       3 . The valve as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first and second members of the base have complementary rectangular profiles defined by a lower edge, an upper edge and a pair of side edges, the first member is connected to the second member at the lower edge and the side edges and at least part of the portion is positioned between the upper edges of the first and second members. 
   
   
       4 . The valve as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the portion includes a first sealed end and a second open end. 
   
   
       5 . The valve as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the aperture of the portion is formed near the first end. 
   
   
       6 . A valve including:
 a base including a gap and an opening; and   a body including a first end, a second end, a first opening located proximate the first end and a second opening located proximate the second end;   wherein at least a portion of the body extends through the gap.   
   
   
       7 . The valve as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the first opening of the body is at least partially aligned with the opening of the base. 
   
   
       8 . The valve as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the base further includes a top edge and the gap is formed in the top edge. 
   
   
       9 . The valve as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the base includes a first member and a second member with complementary profiles. 
   
   
       10 . The valve as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the body is at least partially formed from a material having a density less than water. 
   
   
       11 . A solar heater for heating a liquid including:
 a reservoir for storing the liquid;   a gap at least partially surrounding the reservoir and connected to the reservoir by an upper aperture and a lower aperture; and   means for allowing flow of the liquid through the upper aperture in substantially one direction.   
   
   
       12 . The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the means includes a base and a body, the base including a gap and at least a portion of the body extending through the gap. 
   
   
       13 . The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the base includes an opening and the body includes an opening and the openings of the base and the body substantially align with the upper aperture. 
   
   
       14 . The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the body includes a second opening and the first opening is located proximate a first end of the body and the second opening is located proximate a second end of the body. 
   
   
       15 . The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the second opening is located proximate the top level of the liquid. 
   
   
       16 . The solar heater for heating a liquid as set forth in  claim 12  wherein at least a portion of the base is formed from an insulating material.