Direct insertion ground loop heat exchanger

a heat exchanger and ground loop technology, applied in geothermal energy generation, heat production devices, lighting and heating apparatus, etc., can solve the problems of requiring enormous manpower and equipment, requiring enormous effort to properly bore holes, and requiring removal of a great deal of surface soils and topography, etc., to achieve improved thermal efficiency, increase heat transfer, and avoid increasing pump energy

Inactive Publication Date: 2017-09-21
CAUCHY CHARLES J
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a direct insertion ground loop heat exchanger with a special drilling tip that can be easily inserted into the ground without damaging the environment or buildings. This allows for the heat exchanger to perform two functions simultaneously: it can be inserted into the ground and then used for heat exchanger fluid flow. The design also allows for laminar flow in the downflow pipe while turbulent flow in the upflow pipe, improving heat transfer without increasing pump energy. The design also helps maintain temperatures for improved thermal efficiency after installation.

Problems solved by technology

Currently, each of these methods have their own individual issues with cost, return on investment, environmental concerns, among other issues.
Of these methods, the green friendly method of geothermal heating and cooling is especially favorable because it meets many of the criteria, although traditionally it has been relatively expensive and labor intensive to install the requisite heat exchangers in the ground.
Needless to say, such an installation requires removal of a great deal of surface soils and topography.
The number of man hours and equipment and the attendant monetary costs in order to dig up all this terrain is enormous, and has been a barrier to its widespread use among the public.
However, installing these vertical heat exchangers, including the most common types of vertical ground loop heat exchangers, requires tremendous effort to properly bore a hole to then install the heat exchanger into the ground.
Typically a vibrating or rotating vertical boring machine needs to be used, and they become problems for the environment, ground source water contamination that is common among such vertical loop installations, and if any pockets of cavernous space need to become penetrated, the county inspectors would require a grout or cement back filling in order to stabilize and seal the borehole.
Such machines are so large that they create many problems for landscaping and noise prevention and water runoff, not to mention the vibration of the machinery itself cracking foundations and basement walls when drilling near other buildings.
In highly populated areas, such an installation can wreak havoc with all of the neighbors, as well as the streets and driveways.
Consequently, while a vertical heat loop installation may help reduce land area requirements, the traditional method that is used is not only troublesome for excavation reasons, but is much more expensive than an installer would like to have it be.
This traditionally used specialized drilling equipment is not a piece of equipment that normal heating and cooling professionals would own because it costs tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars to purchase.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

[0039]In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, there is shown a novel insertion driving tip to be secured onto the end of a concentric tube heat exchanger assembly, a novel fluid flow construction, various novel equipment aspects and methods of driving the heat exchanger assembly into the ground to alleviate any environmental disruption, and numerous other considerations pertinent to the present invention. Specific aspects will be discussed, although there are many ways to utilize the present invention. Certain examples will be more fully described herein below. Any suitable method of driving the insertion tip and heat exchanger assembly into the ground down to the desired heated earth area is feasible and desirable, depending upon the soil conditions and equipment availability. Whether insertion is completed through hand driving, machine driving, hydraulic driving, oscillating hammer driving or jackhammer driving, will depend upon the individual circumstances of...

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Abstract

A direct insertion ground loop heat exchanger, comprising an at least partially hollow pointed driving tip having at least one orifice therethrough for dispersing water through the driving tip to ease insertion into the ground, such that placing the driving tip onto the ground and urging water through the orifices will separate and part the ground easily, permitting the insertion of the driving tip deeper and deeper into the ground in combination with a hollow outer tube having an inner diameter attached to the driving tip, said tube extending upwardly from out of the driving tip and terminating above the ground for accessibility. Therefore, by urging water through the direct insertion ground loop heat exchanger, water sprays out from orifices in the driving tip, making insertion into the ground quite simple and easy.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a ground loop heat exchanger, methods of manufacturing same, methods of using same, equipment to insert a ground loop heat exchanger into the ground and methods of doing business. More particularly, the invention relates to a direct insertion ground loop heat exchanger, and methods of making and using same and equipment to insert the ground loop heat exchanger into the ground, methods of making and using same.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]Renewable energy is being heavily utilized and investigated in order to reduce our nation's contribution to greenhouse gases, as well as reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Heating homes and businesses is one of the largest energy costs realized by consumers. The search has been on for consistent, environmentally friendly and inexpensive methods of heating our homes and businesses. Solar energy, wind power and geothermal powers are all ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F24J3/08
CPCF24J2003/088F24J3/084F24T2010/53F24T10/17Y02E10/10
InventorCAUCHY, CHARLES J
OwnerCAUCHY CHARLES J