Soil Penetrating Plate Assembly for Geothermal Loop Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for installing geothermal conduit loops in soil are costly and lack efficient retrieval mechanisms, complicating the installation process.

Innovation Solution

A soil penetrating plate assembly with a leading soil penetrating formation and hook means to secure and position flexible geothermal conduit loops, combined with attachment means for easy deployment and retrieval using a force transmitting shaft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a soil penetrating head is used to install conduit loops, then installation is facilitated and costs are reduced, but the device complexity and retrieval difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation costVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The soil penetrating head is divided into separate functional components: a penetrating plate for soil penetration, hook means for securing the conduit loop, and attachment means for connecting to the force transmitting shaft. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier retrieval by allowing the plate to be detached from the shaft after use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The penetrating plate is designed to be temporarily attached to the force transmitting shaft during installation, then easily detached and retrieved. The plate performs its function of penetrating the soil and securing the conduit loop, then can be recovered for potential reuse or disposal, while the conduit loop remains in the ground. This temporary attachment and recovery approach reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Productivity

If existing installation methods are used, then conduit loops can be installed in soil, but installation costs are high and efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated assembly: the penetrating plate combines soil penetration capability, conduit loop securing via hook means, and attachment to the force transmitting shaft. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate operations and equipment, thereby improving installation efficiency and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The penetrating plate assembly is designed to perform the installation operation autonomously when attached to the force transmitting shaft. The hook means automatically engages the conduit loop, and the entire assembly is driven into the ground in a single operation, reducing the need for manual labor and multiple installation steps, thus improving productivity and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8221032B2Soil penetrating plate assembly to position geothermal conduit loops in soil

Publication Date: 2012.07.17 DESANTIS BROOKE ERIN

AI summary

A soil penetrating plate to position a flexible geothermal conduit loop in spoil is described. The soil penetrating plate has a leading soil penetrating formation which is provided with hook arrangements to hook an end loop portion of a conduit loop. The soil penetrating plate is securable to a force transmitting shaft or cable to displace the soil penetrating plate in soil whereby to position the conduit loop thereinto.