Soil heat transfer energy storage apparatus and system

Abstract

The apparatus (100) of the present invention is adapted to use the heat in the ground soil to convect air through an air chamber (18) in an insulated pipe or duct and enter a "hot box or hot plate" circular in shape or square shape or any shape for that matter to all of the dimensions and materials mentioned in the attached specification and drawings. The apparatus (100) is adapted to be piled or hand driven into the ground manually or by motorised pile connections with the help of helical shaped blade / blades (12) on the bottom of the heat transfer apparatus (100) downpipe (18). The heat from the ground soil of approx. (8) degrees to (12) degrees centigrade will enter the air chamber (18) in the heat exchanger and be transferred to the working / living space of any building.

Description

[0001] IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SOIL HEAT TRANSFER ENERGY STORAGE APPARATUS AND SYSTEM

[0002] Field of invention:

[0003] The present invention relates to an improved heat transfer energy storage apparatus and system.

[0004] In particular, the present invention relates to a pre-insulated piling pipe or duct and shall be a "manufactured" tool and equipment type for the housing, commercial, industrial, agricultural, Data centres or any building for working or living in.

[0005] Background to invention:

[0006] The apparatus and system of the present invention has the advantage that it is configured to transfer heat from the ground soil to the living or working space that can be in the subfloor foundation, above pre-insulated foundations systems in floors screeds, below floor screeds, intermediate floors etc of working or living spaces acting as a heat exchanger or underfloor radiator.

[0007] Summary of the Invention:

[0008] Features of the present invention are recited in the appended Claims which are incorporated herein.

[0009] The present invention accordingly provides an apparatus for an insulated geothermal pile, the apparatus comprising an insulated pipe or duct; and comprising a header plate for heating and cooling buildings; a heat exchanger; wherein the apparatus is configured for being driven into the ground manually or by piling and for transferring heat in ground soil by transferring heated air by convection through an air chamber provided in the insulated pipe or duct and wherein the apparatus is configured for transferring the heated air to enter the Heat exchanger whereby, in use, the insulated pipe transfers, by convection, heated air up the air chamber of the insulated pipe to the Heat exchanger and the air is transferred out from the Heat exchanger into living or working spaces; and where in the apparatus is adapted to be located in the subfloor foundation, above pre-insulated foundations systems in floors screeds or below floor screeds, intermediate floors and such like of working or living spaces.

[0010] The apparatus of the invention has the advantage that the heat exchanger in the apparatus is adapted to assist in transferring heat from geothermal source in the ground and among other advantages of heating a building including a dwelling house, the apparatus is also advantageous for assisting in curing floor screeds by assisting in the drying process of wet concrete poured to form the floor.

[0011] The apparatus of the invention is driven into the ground soil by means of a helical shaped or screw shaped variant driving pipe provided at the bottom of the insulated pipe.

[0012] Preferably, the pre-insulated pipe comprises an air chamber inside and seal to the outside of the ground soil.

[0013] Advantageously, the heat exchanger in the apparatus of the present invention comprises an insulated or uninsulated covering and preferably, is lightly covered in a plastic coating or uncovered in open spaces to prevent chemical corrosive reactions with floor screeds or concrete. The apparatus of the present invention comprises the heat exchanger which may be circular in shape or square shape or any shape to the dimensions of 25mm to 5 meters wide and to 1 meter in height.

[0014] The apparatus of the present invention is configured for long life and to protect against the corrosion of the system via high acidity ground soil or PH levels.

[0015] Advantageously, the apparatus of the present invention is configured to be inserted into the ground to a depth where the minimum temperature of the soil is 8 degrees Centigrade to 12 degrees Centigrade.

[0016] Furthermore, the apparatus of the present invention is adapted to be driven into the ground at a depth of between 100mm to 5 meters in Ireland, for instance, or in depth or in total depth of 25 meters in other countries whereby the longer the pile, the more energy is captured / harvested by the heat exchanger.

[0017] Preferably, the insulated part of the pile / duct is 100mm to 7 meters in height / depth and the non- insulated or lower part of the pipe is up to 18 meters in height / depth extra.

[0018] Ideally, the insulation thickness in the upper part of the air chamber is 15mm to 1.2 meters in thickness.

[0019] The apparatus of the present invention is adapted to be fitted in subfloors, floating timber floors, extensions, cabins, pre-fabricated floors et.

[0020] The apparatus of the present invention can be interconnected to a second or multiple other apparatuses via pipework or ducts. The pipework or ducts can be insulated or uninsulated.

[0021] The heat exchanger head / radiator head comprises an "Air plenum box" that connects to the back of air grilles or to perforated holes in the flooring of any shape or size to fit in between timber rafters or floor voids, and be of suitable gauge to get the heat transferred from the ground soil to the living / working space of a building.

[0022] The header plate of the apparatus of the present is formed of any of the following: Zinc, Copper, Aluminium, Tin, Steel, Carbon steel, Titanium, and Stainless steel; and PVC plastic or recycled moulded plastic.

[0023] Preferably, the header plate is formed of Galvanised hot dipped zinc or Copper hot dipped in any alloy or Galvanised Steel in general.

[0024] The header plate may have a gauge thickness of the of 1mm gauge to 100mm gauge.

[0025] The header plate and hot box are preferably formed by pressing, hot rolled, cold rolling, forming or welding.

[0026] The surfaces of the Heat exchanger or plate (T) can be lightly coated with plastic to prevent reactions with floor screeds and concrete etc.

[0027] Preferably, the apparatus comprises as joint (W) connecting the header plate to the insulated pipe.

[0028] The joint can be screwed, welded, cold formed, hot formed or rolled, or pressed and can be fitted with fittings such as screwed, flanged, welded, unions, nipples, sockets, female adaptor's, male adaptor and can also Bi-metal adaptors in purpose for adapting the heat exchanger to be formed of any metal or plastic as claimed in claim 15.

[0029] The joint connecting the insulated pipe to the header plate (W) can be U, V, funnelled or of any tapered shape to create strength at the joint while piling and it can just go straight to the heat exchanger apparatus.

[0030] Where the apparatus is buried in the concrete or anywhere above the concrete zones, the outer layer can be cut level (prefabricated) with the inner pipe and welded shut from the ground with a metal plate to a stop cold bridging effect occurring running up through the ground and exchanging the permafrost zone temperature to the heat transfer apparatus and thus reducing the energy efficiency of the apparatus.

[0031] A "Water Non return valve" in and air system pile of any type can be fitted internally to the air chamber in the insulated part of the air pile chamber to give extralong life in case of single point of failure in design to the lower parts of the pile. i.e. below the insulated part of the pile corrodes due to high levels of PH or acidity in the ground.

[0032] The apparatus preferably comprises an injection point at point "0" if various gases are used in a closed pile or closed piping or ducting system i.e. Helium under pressures of 0-10 bar to make heat travel quickly to various part of buildings.

[0033] Optionally, the inner part of the air pipe / pile chamber can be double skinned lined in a plastic coating of pipe wall for even further extension a longer life to the piling system.

[0034] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process of heat transfer for transferring heat from ground soil having a temperature of approx. 8 degrees to 12 degrees Centigrade and into the working / living space of any building, the process comprising the following steps: locating an apparatus of the present invention in the ground by piling or hand driving the apparatus into the ground manually or by motorised pile connections and by means of the helical shapes blade / blades or screw type variant provided on the bottom of the apparatus.

[0035] Advantageously, the apparatus of the present invention is adapted to assist in curing floor screeds by assisting in the drying process of wet concrete poured to form the floor.

[0036] The present invention accordingly provides an air-soil heat exchanger apparatus adapted for being buried into the soil, which comprises an outer tube and an inner tube, the outer tube is sleeved with an inner tube, and the outer tube is formed of a heat conductive material (primarily galvanised steel); and wherein the lower end is a closed conical shape with a pointed downward direction, the upper end opening is exposed on the ground inside a building or dwelling; the inner tube is made of heat insulating material in the permafrost zones.

[0037] The heat exchanger head can be primarily closed totally to the atmosphere without any flow and return connections which would the primary function.

[0038] Herein, when we refer to "totally closed to atmosphere", this is understood in the art to mean that the apparatus is protected to any outside elements or soil as it should be fully welded or screwed shut and air tight in the manufacturing process and be for it is urged into the soil, for instance, preferably by using known piling equipment

[0039] In the instance of the gas type apparatus, it is preferable to pump the various gases at different pressures and lock off at the apparatus or at a gas manifold in the building ideally linked back separately from each heat exchanger head to avoid single point of failure occurring everywhere if the gas points where interlinked.

[0040] The only item it can really be exposed to is corrosion in various types, i.e. soil PH levels etc.

[0041] The apparatus comprises a screw pile which is insulated inside an air chamber. The air chamber, preferably, comprises a singular air chamber. The energy will naturally flow to the heat exchanger head by convection in a closed pipe or will flow from heat exchanger head to other heat exchanger heads via an inlet and outlet pipe duct connection at the heat exchanger head.

[0042] The apparatus of the present invention is adapted such that the energy created from the apparatus of the present invention is delivered to the living areas of a dwelling house, mainly via the heat exchanger head. In some embodiments of the present invention, some energy may be delivered by coming from interconnected pipes or ducts.

[0043] There is a water / gas tight non-return or check valve installed in the air system for prolonged life protecting the upper chamber.

[0044] The apparatus of the present invention is adapted to be installed in 1 single chamber with the heat exchanger heat fitted in the concrete foundation, in insulated foundations systems or for maximum effect below floor screeds and not in the Subaerial zone.

[0045] In one optional embodiment, the Heat exchanger head is fitted to walls of the living space but with an Air system. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger head would have to be approximately twice the size of a standard LPHW (low pressure hot water radiator) unless the heat exchanger head is combined with a heat pump system.

[0046] But the primary function of the apparatus is as a "standalone" apparatus but can be provided as a plurality i.e. in multiples distributed at locations across a floor space in order to provide optimised heat extraction from the surrounding soil and heat transfer into the building.

[0047] The heat transfer apparatus of the present invention has the advantage of being adapted to use the heat in the ground soil to transfer warm air by convection through an air chamber in an insulated pipe or duct and enter a heat exchanger which is also referred to as a "hot box or hot plate". The heat exchanger may be circular in profile or may be square shape or any shape.

[0048] The heat transfer apparatus of the present invention is driven into the ground by piling or may be or hand driven into the ground manually or by motorised pile connections with the help of Helical shapes Blade / Blades on the bottom of the downpipe of the heat transfer apparatus of the present invention. The Heat from the ground soil of approx. 8 degrees to 12 degrees Centigrade will enter the air Chamber in the heat transfer apparatus "hot box or plate" and be transferred to the working / living space of any building.

[0049] The reverse will happen in the summer where the heat transfer apparatus will give free cooling to the working / living space. The idea is to reduce energy bills by 30% to 50% in any living / working space and thus reduce the sizes of plant needed for the living or working space i.e., boilers, heat pumps etc.

[0050] When the heat transfer apparatus is fully installed only 10 degrees centigrade is expected to be released to the building space as an expected loss of approximately 2 degrees centigrade will be lost to floor covering, underlays, wooden floors so it is important for design engineers when selecting this apparatus that the maximum efficiency can only be achieved by architectural and engineering procurement or specified floor coverings etc.

[0051] This in turn will reduce the carbon footprint of any living / working space or any building for that matter.

[0052] The heat transfer apparatus of the present invention also provides a solution to the worldwide problem of floor screed curing times.

[0053] It is common knowledge that floor screed can only be laid at certain temperatures in winter and summer periods i.e. not below frost levels or below 5 degrees centigrade and not above 25 degrees centigrade.

[0054] Laying floor screed at these temperatures leads to all sorts of problems with curing times and large delays to construction programmes.

[0055] It also can lead to very costly law suits on floor screeding companies and floor screeding mix manufacturers as when the screeds are installed incorrectly on the above conditions it will lead to cracking of floor screeds etc which in turn leads to long payment disputes from the main contractors to the flooring subcontractors. More often than not the floor screed is taken out along with underfloor heating piping elements at huge cost to the liable parties.

[0056] The screed and underfloor heating pipes are then re-laid at a further expense to the liable parties.

[0057] The above apparatus solves this issue as they are installed before the floor screed laid and when the heat exchanger head sizes are designed to proportionate sizes throughout a building, this will lead to a phenomenon not seen in the building industry until now that gives a constant low temperature floor slab and screed area where the screed will cure at a constant temperature through the building with multiple heat exchanger heads spaced and designed accordingly.

[0058] The only possible outcome of the floor screed cracking is not installing expansion joints or the delivery of screed mix to the site is spoiled by the flooring mixing manufacturer and thus the floor mix manufacturers quality assurance to site would have to tightly regulated even further.

[0059] Of course, it is to be understood that poor quality workmanship by floor screeding contractors can cause problems which is a separate issue but the basic fundamentals of the apparatus of the present apparatus avoids the need for the use of chemical rapid driers and rapid binders with the screed mixes which help the curing of floor screeds during bad weather conditions by giving a constant source of heating at a low temperature floor slab or heated insulation face area. Thus, the use of heat transfer apparatus of the present invention has significant advantages for the environment and climate change by reducing the amount of chemicals needed for screed drying times in adverse weather conditions.

[0060] The life span of the heat transfer apparatus should be up to 200 years on current studies of piles of this nature depending of the acidity of the soil or the PH level in the soil to where the heat transfer apparatus is installed.

[0061] At the rate of climate change is going it is essential these types of apparatuses are introduced to the construction industry with immediate effect due to the fact that construction contributes to 25% of world carbon emissions.

[0062] This heat transfer energy storage apparatus could also be used as a carbon capture apparatus as it could be mixed lightly with other gases including carbon to store captured carbon around the world.

[0063] As we already know from previous studies, a fully carbon injected apparatus would not work as it is essentially very good insulator and not thermally conductive, but with the right number of gaseous mixtures it could be used to capture carbon.

[0064] In order to prevent condensate especially in high summer temperatures, a de-humidifier of known type can be fitted into the ventilation system. This is critical to stop the floor condensation in the buildings.

[0065] The de-humidifier is also available in current Mechanical heat recovery units with full control systems available to the HVAC markets already.

[0066] HEAT TRANSFER APPARATUS

[0067] The heat transfer apparatus of the present invention comprises a heat exchanger also referred to as a "hot box" or "Geothermal Head heat exchanger" or "Geothermal hot plate" that is driven into the ground soil via a pre-insulated pipe via a helical shaped driving pipe located in the region of the lower end of the heat transfer apparatus .

[0068] This pre-insulated pipe then through convection via geothermal heated air up the chamber of the pipe to the "hot box or hot plate" and out into the living or working spaces.

[0069] The pre-insulated pipe shall be an air chamber inside and seal to the outside of the ground soil.

[0070] The "hot box or plate" can be insulated or uninsulated and lightly covered in a plastic coating or / uncovered in open spaces.

[0071] The heat transfer apparatus of the present invention will be to all specifications, metals, sizes, dimensions, shapes, gases, refrigerants and options mentioned in the description, specification and drawing associated.

[0072] The design of the heat transfer apparatus of the present invention is specifically designed for long life and to protect against the corrosion of the system via high acidity ground soil or PH levels.

[0073] The piling equipment OR tool will have the added advantage of being a geothermal pre-insulated pipe heating a heat exchanger that converts the ground heat to the living or working space in any building. The insulated part of the pile shall only be necessary in the permafrost or freeze zones which varies in different countries. The lower parts of the pile head can be un-insulated as it will be already driven into the shallow earth geothermal zone of 10-12 degrees centigrade. This makes the apparatus exceptionally commercially viable.

[0074] The longer the length of the pile the more energy the pile can produce, but it is the intension of the manufacturing of this apparatus to be of minimal depth to produce 10-12 degrees centigrade in the living space with the Heat transfer apparatus giving off the most amount of energy.

[0075] This can be achieved by bigger heat transfer heads that also have a workability to certain type of buildings.

[0076] The head of the pile is not only a driving mechanism for the pile but is also the main heat exchanger element of the pile. The apparatus is a singular chamber which is primarily ordinarily air or gas at various pressures such as helium or can be sealed at atmospheric pressure.

[0077] The apparatus can be water filled also and connected via various ducts or pipes already existing on the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning) markets and attached to various heat pumps vial plate heat exchangers etc.

[0078] The pile with heat exchanger head is primarily designed to be piled on its own, but can be added to the aforementioned piping and ducting circuits as above.

[0079] The heat exchanger apparatus head can also just be a thick metal-based plate with no air and conducts the heat to various areas of the building via the metal plate by heat convection on top of the pile apparatus throughout the surface of the plate which be to all dimensions as the previously mentioned Heat transfer apparatus head.

[0080] The apparatus of the present invention and the process for using geothermal energy pierces through the radon barrier of a building. This saves on extremely high excavation costs of deep trenches. The piercing of the radon barrier or DPM of a building is simply covered around the apparatus using existing gas proof upstands similar to sealing a 100mm soil upstand with gas proof adhesives that are lapped around or over the apparatus (currently on the market). The apparatus purposely has no moving parts as it is to be buried and tested before and after installations.

[0081] In the case of a Gas type helium heat exchanger apparatus or any air pile apparatus, each pile will have a small-bore pipe connected to the injection point for piles joining each other in multiples but separately piped to the main gas controller and joined at gas controller unit within the building with pressure gauges at a controller system already available to current markets. Any joint which should be avoidable at all costs that are beneath the surface buried in the insulation of screeds etc will be welded or screwed etc shall be fitted with gas type tape and gas compound mixtures and tested before any pouring of concrete or screeds. They shall then be wrapped in a radon type and corrosive proof membrane so as not to reacts with screed and cement etc.

[0082] It is to be understood that known apparatus that is connected to the heat transfer apparatus of the present invention is only referred to as a retrofitting item and does not part of the present invention.

[0083] For example, the system could be connected into an Air handling unit mixing box or preheat unit for incoming air or a mechanical heat recovery unit or in the case of water-based pile, a stand-alone plate heat exchanger.

[0084] The present invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. Description of Drawings:

[0085] The Drawings are NOT TO SCALE.

[0086] Figure 1 is a cross elevation of the heat transfer apparatus of the present invention;

[0087] Figure 2 is a plan view of the heat transfer apparatus of the present invention;

[0088] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the heat transfer apparatus having similar features to the heat transfer apparatus of Figure 1; and

[0089] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a plurality of heat transfer apparatuses installed inside a building such as a dwelling house.

[0090] Each item or abbreviations contains an explanation in the Specification and are itemised in the abbreviations section hereinbelow of the specification.

[0091] HEAT TRANSFER APPARATUS

[0092] Referring initially to Figures 1 and 1, the first embodiment of the heat transfer apparatus is indicated generally by reference numeral 100 and comprises a downpipe adapted to be located in the ground at a site underneath a building such as a dwelling house or office block.

[0093] The heat transfer apparatus 100 comprises a heat exchanger indicated generally by reference numeral 21.

[0094] The heat transfer apparatus 100 also comprises a lock key 22 formed in the head 120 formed in upper section of the heat transfer device 100. The lock key 22 is a generally G-shaped lock key (indicated by reference numeral 22 on Figure 2), and is driven by a block die (not shown on drawings) but moulded or formed in the exact same corresponding shape as the head of the block die and fits perfectly over intruding or protruding from the "G" shape on the heat transfer apparatus 100.

[0095] The "G" Shape can be of any shape or can have any lock key piling device block die connected to the heat transfer apparatus of the present invention that has enough depth to drive the heat transfer apparatus of the invention" into the ground via a manual bar connected to the heat transfer apparatus block die without sheering the lock key.

[0096] If the bar connected to the block die is insufficient for increased piling depths, then a motorised piling devise shall be used to drive the heat transfer apparatus into the ground.

[0097] The pointed edge at point 19 can be closed / or unclosed, but preferably, is closed. The pointed edge shall be of any screw or pointed shape or of any shape for that matter that it gains enough grip in the ground to start the pilot hole for the initial driving of the heat transfer apparatus into the ground for further depths. Preferably, the heat transfer apparatus is embedded in the ground to a depth where the minimum temperature of the soil is 8 degrees Centigrade to 12 degrees Centigrade all year round.

[0098] In the case of Ireland, the heat transfer apparatus shall ideally, be driven for 100mm to 5 meters in depth approximately.

[0099] The preferred depth can vary all over the world and the min / max size or length of the "HEAT TRANSFER APPARATUS" represented on figure 1. As (G) 500mm to 7meters combined with the Helical shaped part of the driving part in Figure 1 (H) 50mm to 18 meters. After 25 meters deep in the ground, it is proven from previous studies that these types of piles will not drive any further. An advantage of the heat transfer apparatus of the present invention is that it is adapted to use and extract for heating dwellings, the shallow geothermal energy available in the ground, anywhere all over the world.

[0100] The "hot box or hot plate" or heat transfer apparatus head as shown in figure 1 (T) can be fitted into concrete foundations, strip foundations, above insulated foundations, or on the bottom of floor screeds or in floor screeds carved into insulated foundation via a cutting template leaving the "heat transfer apparatus" head sitting level with the line of the top part of the insulation.

[0101] The "Hot box or hot plate" or heat transfer apparatus head figure 1 (T) can also be fitted in subfloors, floating timber floors, extensions, cabins, pre-fabricated floors etc and can be interconnected to and with other heat transfer apparatuses via insulated Pipework or ducts or un-insulated.

[0102] When the heat transfer apparatus is used above the subfloor of a concrete foundation, the Hot box or hot plate of the heat transfer apparatus can be changed to an "Air plenum box" of any shape or size to fit in between timber rafters or floor voids, and be of thinner gauge to get the heat transferred from the ground soil to the living / working space of a building.

[0103] The "Air plenum sealed box" can have perforated holes in it with filters to get the air quicker to the living or working space. (Not shown on drawing).

[0104] The heat transfer apparatus comprises a heat exchanger head (21) (also indicated by the letter T in Figure 1) in the form of a plate or hot box. The heat exchanger head 21 can range in the dimension of the following with reference to the dimensions indicated by the letters, B, D and E on figure 1:

[0105] B. 25mm to lOmeters width.

[0106] D. Air gap 1mm to 1000mm, CAN BE 0MM WITH THE HEAT TRANFER APPERATUS BECOMING JUST A "HOT PLATE" BEING OF 1MM TO 100MM IN GAUGE THICKNESS; and

[0107] E. 5mm to 1100mm depth.

[0108] Furthermore, the heat transfer device comprises a lock key base which is indicated generally by reference numeral 120 on Figure 1 and Figure 2 having the dimension indicated by the letter C on Figure 2. The lock key has a pre-defined shape such as that generally of the shape of the letter G and is adapted to be engageable with a tool for piling or drilling the heat transfer device into the ground.

[0109] The G-shaped lock key has preferably dimensions 2mm to 1000mm width and 2mm to 200mm height.

[0110] The gauge thickness of the heat transfer apparatus Hot box or hot plate can be of 1mm gauge to 100mm gauge Galvanised hot dipped zinc(preferred) or Copper (preferred) hot dipped in any alloy or can be made of the following metals / plastics with the same gauge thickness.

[0111] The internal part of the heat transfer apparatus head can be supported with internal steel baffles that are also perforated with holes to allow transfer of heat but help with the driving of the pile and reduce stress on welds on the heat transfer head apparatus (Shown on Figure 3 by reference numeral 224)

[0112] 1. Aluminium.

[0113] 2. Tin.

[0114] 3. Steel. 4. Carbon steel.

[0115] 5. Titanium.

[0116] 6. Stainless steel

[0117] 7. PVC plastic or recycled moulded plastic.

[0118] Or any of the metals in the Periodic table.

[0119] The heat transfer apparatus hot box can be pressed, cold rolled, hot rolled, formed or welded.

[0120] The joint 23 (Figure 1) connecting the pipe to the heat transfer apparatus can be U, V, funnelled or of any tapered shape to create strength at the joint.

[0121] The point at the joint 23 indicates where the pipe can continue straight on to the heat transfer apparatus Hot box or plate 120. Optionally, the plate 120 may not be insulated.

[0122] The surfaces 120 of the heat transfer apparatus hot box or plate (for example, the area indicated by the reference letter T) can be lightly coated with plastic to stop reactions with floor screeds and concrete etc.

[0123] The joint 23 can also be screwed, welded, cold formed or rolled, or pressed and can be fitted with fittings such as screwed, flanged, welded, unions, nipples, sockets, female adaptor's, male adaptor and can also Bi-metal adaptors in purpose for changing the "HEAT TRANSFER APPARATUS" Hot box or plate to any different metal or plastic mentioned above.

[0124] The inner pipe / duct Figure 1. (18) can be of any shape but preferably Circular pipe and be of a diameter 5mm to 1500mm in diameter and preferably made of Hot dipped Galvanised pipe dipped in any alloy or be a copper pipe.

[0125] The inner pipe (18) can also have a double inner pipe (17 )made of PVC / plastic / HDPE to prevent corrosion when or if the inner pipe fails and can be of gauge thickness for (q) 0.01mm to 100mm

[0126] This pipe can be made of any metal mentions above or in the periodic table and / or ANY plastic PVC or ANY recycled PVC HDPE Plastic.

[0127] The pipe / duct on the vertical to the ground shall be of length (G) and should be insulated at point 10 all around the pipe and down accordingly to the end of point G

[0128] The insulation thickness shall be of 1.5mm to 1200mm.

[0129] The insulations shall be EPS / or recycled EPS or PIR / OR recycled PIR Preferred but can also be as follows.

[0130] 1. Polystyrene.

[0131] 2. Mineral wools.

[0132] 3. Fibre glass.

[0133] 4. Phenol formaldehyde resin.

[0134] 5. Expanding foam of any type.

[0135] 6. Cementous foam insulations.

[0136] 7. Cellulose.

[0137] 8. Perlite.

[0138] 9. Polyurethane.

[0139] 10. Hemp.

[0140] 11. Straw. 12. Cotton.

[0141] 13. Cork.

[0142] 14. Natural Fibres.

[0143] 15. Wood.

[0144] 16. Perlite loose fill.

[0145] 17. Vermiculite loose fill.

[0146] 18. Sheep's wool.

[0147] 19. Cement CEM1. CEM1 or CEM3.

[0148] 20. Green Cement.

[0149] 21. Eco cement

[0150] 22. Lime

[0151] 23. Granulated glass or bead.

[0152] 24. Recycled glass granulates or bead.

[0153] 25. XPS

[0154] 26. PVC. l. HDPE.

[0155] 28. Polyurethane or polyurethane foam OF any type

[0156] 29. Polyurethane foam with Pentane.

[0157] 30. Rubber or any variant of rubber.

[0158] 31. Nitrile rubber of any variant of Nitrile rubber.

[0159] 32. EPDM or any variant of EPDM.

[0160] 33. EPDM Foam Rubber

[0161] 34. FEF

[0162] 35. Any open or closed cell insulation.

[0163] 36. Polyethylene or any Variant of Polyethylene

[0164] 37. Aerogel

[0165] OR ANY VARIANT OF THE ABOVE INCLUDING ALL INSULATIONS RANGINGING FROM 0.010 W / K TO

[0166] 1.5 W / MK IN THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY.

[0167] Or ALL OF THE ABOVE IN THEIR RECYCLED FORM.

[0168] Any of the cement mixed or just containing the following.

[0169] 1. Fly ash.

[0170] 2. Potalana Ash.

[0171] 3. GGBS.

[0172] 4. Rapid driers.

[0173] 5. Rapid binders.

[0174] 6. Modern concrete and / mixed with any of the above with rebar strategically placed in this area and made from any mentioned above and be any diameter from 10mm to 100mm made from any item mentioned above or on the metal periodic table including Basalt.

[0175] OR ANY VARIANTS OF THE ABOVE

[0176] Or ALL OF THE ABOVE IN THEIR RECYCLED FORM.

[0177] The outer sleeve 9 of the heat transfer apparatus down pipe shown in Figure 1 shall preferably be formed of Galvanised steel

[0178] Or any metals and PVCs mentioned above.

[0179] The gauges thickness of the outer protective sleeve shall be of 1.0 mm to 100mm and can be also made from any of the metals mentioned above or in this document. The HELICAL driving or piling blade of the heat transfer apparatus shall comprise single helical, double helical or triple helical and may even comprise Quadruple helical blade depending on the pile depths to reach required temperatures.

[0180] In other embodiments, the driving or piling blade may comprise any helical screw type variant.

[0181] The Helical blades or blade 12 shall be of height figure 1 and shall be preferably Galvanised hot dipped in any alloy or be copper.

[0182] The blade 12 can also be of any of the metal on the periodic table.

[0183] The gauge thickness of the blade / blades 12 shall be 1mm to 100mm.

[0184] The WIDTH of the Helical blade 12 shall be 2no times to lOno times the diameter of the downpipe (Q). or 18

[0185] Optional features and alternative embodiments.

[0186] The heat transfer apparatus down pipe (18) can be fitted with a non-return or check valve

[0187] 13. (Gas, Air or water valve type)

[0188] The Non return valve 13 can be swing type, spring loaded, lift (piston & ball), stop and tilting disk.

[0189] This non return valve 13 or check valve 13can be single / double or triple spring-loaded type or bimetallic type and can be installed in case the heat transfer apparatus downpipe is exposed for prolonged periods to corrosion of high PH soils.

[0190] This Non return valve 13 will stop water getting into the upper Air chambers (R) of the pipe and give prolonged lifetime expectancy of the whole heat transfer apparatus system in its entirety.

[0191] The Non return Valve 13 can be made of any metal mentions above but preferably Galvanised hot dipped or Copper or any metal mentioned above and it also can be Bi-metallic.

[0192] GAS TYPE NON-RETURN VALVES CAN BE USED IN GAS TYPE SYSYEMS.

[0193] Rubber / cork gaskets / haloid etc etc seals may be fitted inside the valves.

[0194] There can also be another commercial option of replacing the non-return valve (13) with a solid piece of metal / pvc with no holes the same thickness of the pipe or air chamber and be of length of 0.10mm to 2meters in height fitted in the same position as the non-return valve.

[0195] Optional features and other embodiments:

[0196] The heat transfer apparatus can also have an injection point later (15) to be sealed when fully charged with any of the inert gases on the periodic table but preferably Helium or can also be Nitrogen or hydrogen, Argon or any of the gases mention in this document.

[0197] The pressure of the gases can be 0 bar to 10 bar.

[0198] The use of refrigerant gases R22 R410A and R134 or environmentally friendly refrigerants can also be used to be injected into the pipes air chamber and can be used later in a refrigeration cycle with compressor and expansion valve etc connected to a heat pump, but the primary function of the apparatus is generally as a stand alone heat exchanger apparatus but can be provided as a plurality of heat exchanger apparatus. Optional features and other embodiments:

[0199] The heat transfer apparatus can also be fitted with a slip over plate Steel plate (14) OR any metals mentioned above and welded together with rebar (16) of various sizes for 10mm up to 100mm and fitted into concrete subfloors to help to structural aspect of the heat transfer apparatus. Alternatively, the plate 14 and 16 can consist of rebar. Rebar is known in the art as being an abbreviation for "reinforcing bar", known when massed as reinforcing steel or steel reinforcement, and is a tension device added to concrete to form reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry structures to strengthen and aid the concrete under tension.

[0200] Optional features and other embodiments:

[0201] The heat transfer apparatus Screw type variant.

[0202] The heat transfer apparatus can also be a screw type variant instead of using Helical blades at point (12) figure 1.

[0203] The whole of the length (H) can be a screw type driving pile.

[0204] Abbreviations used in Figures 1 and 2

[0205] A. width of insulation

[0206] B. width of the heat transfer apparatus hot box or plate

[0207] C. width of G shaped lock piling key

[0208] D. Air gap width.

[0209] E. Height of the hot box or plate of the heat transfer apparatus

[0210] F. Height of insulation

[0211] G. Length of the heat transfer apparatus which is insulated

[0212] H. Length of heat transfer apparatus Driving pile which is Non insulated

[0213] 9. Outer protective sleeve of heat transfer apparatus

[0214] 10. Insulation to heat transfer apparatus

[0215] 11. Air flow direction up the chamber pipe.

[0216] K. Direction of air flow carrying heat from ground soil - heated air flow direction from ground soil conducted via convection through the inner pipe 18 of the heat transfer apparatus of the present invention

[0217] 12. Helical blade

[0218] 13. Non return - check valve or just a metal / pvc plate with no hole with aforementioned height and types of metals / pvc mentioned in this document.

[0219] 14. Plate steel or rebar

[0220] 15. Injection point for air or gases or water

[0221] 16. Re-bar 17. Inner pipe double lining

[0222] 18. Air Chamber and inner pipe

[0223] 19. Pointed grip (open or closed)

[0224] 20. Piling lock / key device

[0225] (T_). Overall area identification of the hot box or plate of the heat transfer apparatus

[0226] 21. Slip grooves (any shape or size)

[0227] 22. heat transfer apparatus Lock key

[0228] 23. Junction point of heat transfer apparatus and down pipe.

[0229] Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, a further alternative embodiment of the heat transfer apparatus will be shown and described. The heat transfer apparatus in the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 is indicated generally by reference numeral 200. Like features are indicated by like numerals as used to refer to the first embodiment that is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0230] Abbreviations used in Figures 3 and 4:

[0231] A. width of insulation

[0232] B. width of the heat transfer apparatus hot box or plate

[0233] C. width of G shaped lock piling key

[0234] D. Air gap width.

[0235] E. Height of heat transfer apparatus 200

[0236] F. Height of insulation

[0237] G. Length of heat transfer apparatus

[0238] H. Length of heat transfer apparatus Driving pile.

[0239] 209. Outer protective sleeve of the heat transfer apparatus (generally hardened PVC)

[0240] 210. Insulation of the heat transfer apparatus

[0241] K. Direction of air flow carrying heat from ground soil - heated air flow direction from ground soil conducted via convection through the inner pipe 217 of the heat transfer apparatus of the present invention and heat flow direction up through floor screed and direction flow through optional pipes or ducts

[0242] 212. Helical blade

[0243] 213. Non return - check valve or just a metal / pvc plate with no hole with aforementioned height and types of metals / pvc mentioned in this document.

[0244] 214. Plate steel- NOT INDICATED BUT 14 ON FIGURE 2

[0245] 215. Injection point- NOT INDICATED BUT 15 ON FIGURE 2

[0246] 216. Re-bar NOT INDICATED BUT 16 ON FIGURE 2 217. Heat transfer apparatus Inner pipe DOUBLE LINING NOT INDICATED BUT 17 ON FIGURE 2.

[0247] 218. Air Chamber and inner pipe NOT INDICATED BUT 18 ON FIGURE 2

[0248] 219. Pointed grip (open or closed)

[0249] 220 (T_). Overall area identification of the heat transfer apparatus hot box or plate. NOT INDICATED on Figure 3 but corresponding feature is shown as he hot box or hot plat 120 in Figure 2 and also indicated by reference letter T on Figure 1.

[0250] 221. Slip grooves (any shape or size) not indicated on Figure 3 but corresponding feature 21 is shown in Figure 2.

[0251] 222. heat transfer apparatus recessed (intruded) Lock key and extruded lock key aperture 120 on Figure 1

[0252] 223. Junction point of heat transfer apparatus and down pipe, (not indicated in Figure 3 but corresponding feature is shown as junction point 23 in the embodiment of the heat transfer apparatus shown in Figure 1).

[0253] 224 Support baffle or plurality of support baffles

[0254] 230 fan or pump

[0255] 250, 251, 252 interconnecting pipes as required, if the heat exchanger apparatus of the present invention is to be used in conjunction with known ducted or piped systems for conducting heat to other locations.

[0256] Referring to the heat transfer apparatus 200, the features are similar to those in the heat transfer apparatus 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0257] The heat transfer apparatus 200 comprises a downpipe adapted to be located in the ground at a site underneath a building such as a dwelling house or office block.

[0258] The heat transfer apparatus 200 comprises a heat exchanger indicated generally by reference numeral 221.

[0259] The heat transfer apparatus 200 also comprises a lock key 222 formed in the head in upper section of the heat transfer device 200. The lock key in this embodiment is a generally cruciform or X shape as shown in Figure 3. The lock key is driven by a block die (not shown on drawings) but moulded or formed in the exact same corresponding shape as the head of the block die.

[0260] Accordingly, in this embodiment, as shown in figure 3, there is a key which is generally a cruciform shape which is generally in the shape of an X or crossed shape formed in the heat exchanger head 120 or pile head 120.

[0261] (In Figure 1 AND 2, the key indicated by reference numeral 120 is a G shape key).

[0262] In this embodiment, as for the embodiment of Figure 1 and 2, the piling device or machine or mini piling machine can lock into the heat exchanger head by engaging with the key. The key can be formed on the surface by recessing i.e. ingressing (see FIGURE 3, feature 222) or the key can be proud of the surface i.e. formed by extruding (see FIGURES 1 AND 2, feature 120) with the key. From the pile head as per specifications and be of any lock / key shape of any size in the aforementioned specifications. This has the advantage of providing a quicker method of piling than a standard known piling pipe . Referring to Figure 4, a plurality of heat transfer apparatus 200 are shown formed in the foundation structure of a dwelling house, by way of example only. Of course, the heat transfer apparatus in the first embodiment 100 can also be formed in the foundation structure of a dwelling house or other building and the second embodiment with reference numeral 200 is shown in Figure 4, by way of example only.

[0263] The present invention has been described by way of example only, and various modifications, variations, and adaptations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It should be understood that the features described in the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. For example, cutting of the outer layer as shown in Figure 1 from the outer protective sleeve 9 of the heat transfer apparatus to the inner layer at the Inner pipe double lining 17 or the Air Chamber and inner pipe 18 at the top of the head in the floor space to increase efficiency of the heat exchanger apparatus head and to prevent thermal bridging from occurring.

[0264] It is also to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific arrangements, configurations, or methods disclosed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that substitutions, equivalents, and alternative implementations may be employed to achieve the same objectives and results as described herein, and all such modifications are intended to be encompassed within the scope of this invention.

Claims

Claims1. A geothermal heat transfer apparatus, the apparatus comprising an insulated pipe or duct; and comprising a header plate for heating and cooling buildings; a heat exchanger; wherein the apparatus is configured for being driven into the ground manually or by piling and for transferring heat in ground soil by transferring heated air by convection through an air chamber provided in the insulated pipe or duct and wherein the apparatus is configured for transferring the heated air to enter the Heat exchanger whereby, in use, the insulated pipe transfers, by convection, heated air up the air chamber of the insulated pipe to the Heat exchanger and the air is transferred out from the Heat exchanger into living or working spaces; and where in the apparatus is adapted to be located in the subfloor foundation, above pre-insulated foundations systems in floors screeds or below floor screeds, intermediate floors and such like of working or living spaces.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is driven into the ground soil by means of a helical shaped or screw shaped variant driving pipe provided at the bottom of the insulated pipe.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the pre-insulated pipe comprises an air chamber inside and seal to the outside of the ground soil.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim where in the Heat exchanger comprises an insulated or uninsulated covering and preferably, is lightly covered in a plastic coating or uncovered in open spaces to prevent chemical corrosive reactions with floor screeds or concrete.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the Heat exchanger comprises of the Heat exchanger which may be circular in shape or square shape or any shape to the dimensions of 25mm to 5 meters wide and to 1 meter in height.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apparatus is configured for long life and to protect against the corrosion of the system via high acidity ground soil or PH levels.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apparatus is configured to be inserted into the ground to a depth where the minimum temperature of the soil is 8 degrees Centigrade to 12 degrees Centigrade.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the apparatus is adapted to be driven into the ground at a depth of between 100mm to 5 meters in Ireland or in depth or in total depth of 25 meters in different countries whereby the longer the pile, the more energy is emitted to the Heat exchanger.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insulated part of the pile / duct is 100mm to 7 meters in height / depth and the non- insulated or lower part of the pipe is up to 18 meters in height / depth extra.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insulation thickness in the upper part of the air chamber is 15mm to 1.2 meters in thickness.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apparatus is adapted to be fitted in subfloors, floating timber floors, extensions, cabins, pre-fabricated floors et.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim which can be interconnected to a second or multiple other apparatus of claim 1 via Pipework or ducts.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the pipework or ducts is insulated or uninsulated.

14. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the Heat exchanger head / radiator head comprises an "Air plenum box" that connects to the back of air grilles or to perforated holes in the flooring of any shape or size to fit in between timber rafters or floor voids, and be of suitable gauge to get the heat transferred from the ground soil to the living / working space of a building.

15. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the header plate is formed of any of the following: Zinc, Copper, Aluminium, Tin, Steel, Carbon steel, Titanium, and Stainless steel; and PVC plastic or recycled moulded plastic.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the header plate is formed of Galvanised hot dipped zinc or Copper hot dipped in any alloy or Galvanised Steel in general.

17. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the header plate has a gauge thickness of the of 1mm gauge to 100mm gauge.

18. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the header plate and hot box are formed by pressing, hot rolled, cold rolling, forming or welding.

19. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the surfaces of the Heat exchanger or plate (T) can be lightly coated with plastic to prevent reactions with floor screeds and concrete etc.

20. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apparatus comprises as joint (W) connecting the header plate to the insulated pipe.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein the joint can be screwed, welded, cold formed, hot formed or rolled, or pressed and can be fitted with fittings such as screwed, flanged, welded, unions, nipples, sockets, female adaptor's, male adaptor and can also Bi-metal adaptors in purpose for adapting the heat exchanger to be formed of any metal or plastic as claimed in claim 15.

22. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the joint connecting the insulated pipe to the header plate (W) can be U, V, funnelled or of any tapered shape to create strength at the joint while piling and it can just go straight to the heat exchanger apparatus.Where the apparatus is buried in the concrete or anywhere above the concrete zones. The outer later can be cut level (prefabricated)with the inner pipe and welded shut from the ground with a metal plate to a stop cold bridging effect occurring running up through the ground andexchanging the permafrost zone temperature to the heat transfer apparatus and thus reducing the energy efficiency of the apparatus.

23. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a "Water Non return valve" in and air system pile of any type can be fitted internally to the air chamber in the insulated part of the air pile chamber to give extralong life in case of single point of failure in design to the lower parts of the pile. i.e. below the insulated part of the pile corrodes due to high levels of PH or acidity in the ground.

24. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apparatus comprises an injection point at point "0" if various gases are used in a closed pile or closed piping or ducting system i.e. Helium under pressures of 0-10 bar to make heat travel quickly to various part of buildings.

25. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inner part of the Air pipe / pile chamber can be double skinned lined in a plastic coating of pipe wall for even further extension a longer life to the piling system.

26. A process of heat transfer for transferring heat from ground soil having a temperature of approx. 8 degrees to 12 degrees Centigrade and into the working / living space of any building, the process comprising the following steps: locating an apparatus as claimed in claim 1 into the ground by piling or hand driven into the ground manually or by motorised pile connections and by means of the helical shapes blade / blades or screw type variant provided on the bottom of the apparatus.

27. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 25 wherein the heat exchanger is adapted to assist in curing floor screeds by assisting in the drying process of wet concrete poured to form the floor.

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