Systems and methods for coupling and decoupling drill heads for ground loop preparation for geothermal applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for installing pipes underground in geothermal systems face inefficiencies due to gaps between pipes and ground material, leading to reduced heat transfer and system performance, and existing techniques for vertical drilling are limited by the need to recover boring tools.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a first drill head attached to the pipe and a second drill head with a locking mechanism, such as a taper or ball lock, to create openings in the ground while allowing the boring tool to be removed, and a multi-channel pipe design to minimize grout usage and enhance contact with the ground material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional drilling and grout filling methods are used, then pipe installation is achieved, but air pockets form reducing heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful air pockets from the installation process by using a pipe pulling drill head that creates a cavity matching the pipe outer diameter, eliminating the need for grout filling that traps air pockets
Solution Approach 2:
The drill head creates the opening cavity in advance before pipe insertion, ensuring the cavity shape matches the pipe outer diameter, which prevents air pocket formation and eliminates the need for subsequent grout filling
2Adaptability or versatility
If pneumatic boring tool is used for horizontal drilling, then pipe installation is achieved, but tool recovery is impossible in vertical drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling system is segmented into a reusable pipe pulling drill head attached to the pipe, and a separate boring tool that creates the opening. The drill head remains on the pipe while the boring tool is removed through the pipe, enabling tool recovery in vertical drilling
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attaching the pipe to the boring tool as in traditional methods, the patent inverts the approach by attaching the drill head to the pipe and having the pipe pull itself through the opening created by the boring tool
3Stability of the object's composition
If grout is used to fill gaps between pipe and ground, then voids are eliminated, but heat transfer efficiency decreases due to air pockets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for grout filling by extracting the harmful element (air pockets trapped in grout) and replacing grout with direct ground contact achieved through the pipe pulling drill head method
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful air pockets in grout into beneficial direct ground contact by designing the drill head to create a cavity matching the pipe outer diameter, allowing the pipe to touch the ground directly for optimal heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
The technology relates to systems and methods for creating openings in ground material in order to install ground loops for geothermal heating and cooling applications. As an example, a system for creating an opening in ground material may include a first drill head configured as a pipe pulling drill head and a second drill head configured for attachment with a boring tool. When attached to an end of a pipe, the first drill head is configured to pull the pipe into the opening in ground material. The second drill head may include a drilling portion and an opening opposite of the drilling portion, the opening including a first chamber that tapers towards a second chamber. The first drill head also includes a drilling end configured for a locking fit within the second chamber.