Floating water heating system

Abstract

Floating water heating systems may be composed of a variety of components. In particular implementations, a system may include a buoyant member, a number of solar cells, and a heating element. The buoyant member may have an outer surface, a top surface, and an inner surface, with the inner surface defining a central passage. The buoyant member may also have at least one channel extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. The channel may have side walls, a bottom wall, and a height extending therefrom. The solar cells may be coupled to the top surface of the buoyant member, and the heating element may be coupled to the buoyant member near the bottom wall of the channel. The buoyant member may be ballasted such that the surface level of water in which the buoyant member will float is above the bottom wall of the channel.

1 . A floating water heating system comprising:
 a buoyant member having an outer surface, a top surface, and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a central passage through the buoyant member;   the buoyant member having at least one channel extending therethrough from the inner surface to the outer surface, the channel having side walls and a bottom wall, the channel having a height extending from the bottom wall;   a number of solar cells coupled to the top surface of the buoyant member; and   a heating element coupled to the buoyant member near the bottom wall of the channel, the heating element configured to receiving electrical power from at least of the one solar cells;   the buoyant member being ballasted such that the surface level of water in which the buoyant member will float is above the bottom wall of the channel.   
     
     
         2 . The floating water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant member is circular in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The floating water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant member is ballasted such that the surface level of water in which the buoyant member will floating is above the bottom wall of the channel between one-quarter to three-quarters of the height to the channel. 
     
     
         4 . The floating water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein there are multiple heating elements coupled to the buoyant member near the bottom wall of the channel. 
     
     
         5 . The floating water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant member is ballasted such that it may be used as a floatation aid by a human. 
     
     
         6 . The floating water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element is exposed to the channel. 
     
     
         7 . The floating water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element is sealed from the channel.