Horizontal Pipe Heat Exchanger for Shallow Ground Source Heat Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ground source heat pump systems require large areas and deep excavations, making them impractical for small-scale installations and inaccessible to average consumers due to high costs and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A compact, modular ground source heat exchanger system using horizontally oriented pipes made of thermally conductive materials, spaced to prevent thermal interference, which can be installed closer to the surface and in smaller footprints, allowing for easier DIY installation and reduced land use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional ground source heat pump systems are installed, then heating and cooling efficiency is improved, but large land area and deep excavation are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional vertical borehole heat exchangers to horizontal pipe arrangements installed in shallow trenches. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve the same thermal exchange capacity using land area instead of vertical depth, reducing the excavation depth from typical 150-225 feet vertical boreholes to shallow horizontal trenches, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining heating/cooling efficiency and reducing land area requirements.
2Loss of energy
If conventional ground source heat pump systems are installed, then heating and cooling efficiency is improved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat exchanger system into modular horizontal pipe sections that can be independently installed in shallow trenches. This segmentation allows for easier installation using standard trenching equipment rather than expensive deep drilling equipment, reducing overall installation costs while maintaining the thermal efficiency benefits of ground source heat pump systems.
3Area of stationary object
If horizontal pipe heat exchangers are used, then land area usage is reduced, but thermal interference between pipes may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different spacing requirements to different sections of the horizontal pipe system. Pipes are spaced at specific intervals (e.g., 2-3 feet apart) to prevent thermal interference, while maintaining compact overall footprint. This localized quality control ensures thermal independence of individual pipe sections while achieving space-efficient installation.
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 system achieves high energy efficiency with a potential coefficient of performance (COP) of 3 to 5 and energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 18, is low maintenance, and can be used for both heating and cooling, as well as domestic hot water production, while minimizing land area and installation costs.
Implementation Method 1
horizontally oriented long pipes (14) which, upon assembly, are in closed fluid communication with one another and with an output (17) and an input (15)
Implementation Method 2
a compact, modular ground source heat exchanger system using horizontally oriented pipes made of thermally conductive materials
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump, heat pump exchanger component, and method of using a heat exchanger, the heat pump exchanger has long pipes arranged in at least one layer in fluid communication with one another, and spaced a minimum of about two (2) feet apart. Shorter pipes may be disposed between long pipes. A cylindrical HDPE insert is placed between adjacent pipes to permit socket or butt fusing. The long pipes are composed of high thermal conductive materials, such as aluminum, while the short pipes and/or connectors may be composed of flexible lower thermal conductive materials.