Patent · US Expired

Portable self-contained solar powered water purifier

US5059296A · kind A · utility

50Cited by
8References
39Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 20, 1990
Grant dateOct 22, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 20, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S204/05
  • WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A portable self-contained solar powered water purifier for swimming pools, spas, and other bodies of water is disclosed. The purifier includes a buoyant housing for supporting a solar cell array above the surface of water to be treated and a purification cell below the surface of water to be treated. Suitable electrical connections, between the solar cell array and purification cell, are sealed to prevent the entry of water therebetween which could result in electrical shorts and corrosion. The purification cell includes a sacrificial anode, having a metal alloy essentially composed of copper and silver and a cathode which is preferably constructed of stainless steel so as to not react adversely with the sacrificial anode. Metallic copper and silver ions are released by the sacrificial anode to prevent algae and bacterial growth. The anode and cathode are structurally interrelated and secured to each other and to the buoyant housing and the solar cell array to provide a practical, durable and long lasting unit.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.