Foundation-Integrated Ground Heat Exchanger for Moisture-Safe Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building ventilation systems lack efficient and cost-effective methods to harness geothermal energy for heating and cooling, often requiring direct contact with the ground and complex thermal isolation, which limits energy savings and microclimate control.
Innovation Solution
A ground heat exchanger utilizing a horizontal or slightly inclined layer of air-permeable materials, such as a gravel or square stone prime coat filled with sand, with a delivery pipe conduit and air circulation channels connected to the building's ventilation system, featuring a process air collector and sensors to manage airflow and humidity, ensuring direct contact with the ground while preventing moisture exchange and maintaining a stable microclimate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If vertical wells and conduits are used to access ground thermal energy, then geothermal heating and cooling can be achieved, but the system requires complex thermal isolation and direct ground contact, increasing device complexity and installation difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical well-based ground heat exchangers to a horizontal system integrated within the building foundation slab. This dimensional change allows the heat exchanger to utilize the building structure itself as the medium, eliminating the need for separate vertical access points and complex thermal isolation measures, while still effectively harnessing geothermal energy for heating and cooling.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the heat exchanger is integrated within the building foundation, then direct contact with ground is achieved, but moisture exchange between circulating air and ground becomes possible, creating harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different material properties to different zones of the foundation slab. The heat exchanger channels are surrounded by materials with specific thermal conductivity properties to enhance heat transfer, while moisture barrier properties are selectively applied in areas where moisture exchange could occur. This localized differentiation of material qualities allows simultaneous optimization of thermal efficiency and moisture protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer or membrane between the circulating air and the ground contact surfaces. This intermediary structure allows thermal energy transfer while preventing direct moisture exchange, effectively decoupling the thermal and moisture transfer pathways to eliminate harmful moisture accumulation while maintaining efficient heat exchange.
3Device complexity
If conventional ventilation systems are used without ground heat exchanger integration, then system simplicity is maintained, but significant energy savings during extreme temperatures cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ventilation system with the building foundation structure, integrating the heat exchanger channels directly into the foundation slab. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate ground heat exchanger installations while maintaining energy efficiency benefits, thereby reducing overall system complexity and eliminating energy losses associated with conventional separate systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides significant energy savings by utilizing the consistent year-round ground temperature, effectively heating or cooling air, and maintaining a desired microclimate, while reducing investment and operational costs, and preventing detrimental moisture accumulation in the building.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of air-permeable materials having good thermal conductivity, formed on the virgin soil
Implementation Method 2
air circulation channels mounted within the heat exchanger... effectively heating or cooling air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
This invention relates to a ground heat exchanger utilizing the geothermal energy of the ground, comprising pipe conduits and channels mounted within a support structure. According to the invention, a layer of air-permeable materials is formed on the virgin soil (1), horizontally and/or at a small inclination angle relative to the horizontal direction, creating a circulation channel (9) of the exchanger, the channel being confined by a support slab (14) with spacer elements (11) coupled with a construction net (8) seated onto a stabilizing net (7), the whole structure being covered by an insulating layer (19). Furthermore, the heat exchanger is equipped with a collector of the process air having an appropriate shape.