Integrated Thermal System

Abstract

A thermal energy system includes a solar energy collector, a ground loop having an inlet and an outlet, and a heat pump. A first fluid conduit extends from the outlet to the solar energy collector, and from the solar energy collector to the inlet, for transporting a heat exchange fluid, from the outlet to the inlet through the solar energy collector. A second fluid conduit extends from the outlet to the heat pump, and from the heat pump to the inlet, for transporting the heat exchange fluid, from the outlet to the inlet through the heat pump. A fluid pump is provide for urging the fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet through the ground loop, and from the outlet to the inlet through at least one of the first and second conduits. Control valves and a controller may be provided to automatically select a fluid flow mode from a number of selectable modes.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This applications claims the benefits of related U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 776,225, filed Feb. 24, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to integrated thermal energy systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Geothermal systems are useful for providing the energy needs of a building, such as heating, cooling and air conditioning. A typical geothermal system includes a geothermal heat pump, and a ground loop connected to heat pump. On the one hand, ground loop exchanges heat with the earth (either the ground or a large water body such as a lake), where the earth acts as both a heat source and a heat sink. On the other hand, ground loop supplies or removes heat from heat pump depending on its mode of operation. Thus, a geothermal system can efficiently utilize natural sources of energy, such as the thermal energy stored in the earth, and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a thermal energy system that uses solar energy and a ground loop to transfer heat. The system includes a heat pump and two fluid conduits that connect the solar energy collector and the heat pump. A fluid pump is used to circulate the fluid through the ground loop. The system can automatically select the best mode for fluid flow based on detected temperatures in the conduits. The modes include a mode where the fluid flows from the ground loop to the heat pump and then back again, a mode where the fluid flows from the ground loop to the solar energy collector and then back again, and a mode where a portion of the fluid flows from the ground loop to the heat pump and the rest flows from the ground loop to the solar energy collector and back again. The technical effect of this invention is a more efficient and flexible thermal energy system that can adjust to varying temperatures and demands."

Problems solved by technology

However, a simple geothermal system is often not sufficient to meet the needs of the building it services.

However, such conventional integrated systems have some drawbacks.

One problem is that such integrated systems often require expensive and extensive additional equipment and control components, such as additional pumps, valves and the like.

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