Geographical Patents (Class 165/45)
  • Patent number: 6769487
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for actively cooling instrumentation, such as electronic circuits, in a downhole tool. This apparatus includes a compressor, condenser and expansion valve connected in circuit to an evaporator or heat exchanger. The evaporator/heat exchanger includes an inner container positioned about the instrumentation, and an outer chamber positioned about the inner container. A cooling fluid absorbs heat from the instrumentation as it passes through the inner container. The fluid then passes into the outer container where it may absorb heat from the wellbore. The heated fluid is then pressurized via the compressor, condensed into liquid via the condenser and selectively released back into the internal container upon cooling via the expansion valve. The fluid continuously circulates through the system whereby the instrumentation is insulated from heat and/or cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Hache
  • Publication number: 20040144115
    Abstract: A geothermal accumulator and a air-conditioning system using the geothermal accumulator, said geothermal accumulator includes a well pipe and a heat-accumulating pipe inserted within the well pipe coaxially, the lower portion and the upper portion of the well pipe are provided with inlet holes and outlet holes for underground water respectively, said heat-accumulating pipe is provided with a water-collecting chamber, a different chamber, a heat-exchanging chamber and a water-accumulating chamber from the bottom up in sequence, the heat-exchanging chamber is provided with a plurality of axially disposed heat-exchanging pipes communicating with the different chamber and water-accumulating chamber respectively, and a plurality of baffles attached to the outside of the heat-exchanging pipes, gap exists between the baffles and the heat-exchanging pipes, the upper portion of the heat-exchanging chamber is connected with a returning pipe, and the lower portion is connected with a discharging pipe, water inlet holes
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Shengheng Xu
  • Publication number: 20040129413
    Abstract: An environmental air treatment system has a living space, a rooftop combination air intake and exhaust housing with an internal hollow chamber, and a thermal exchange unit within the chamber forming intake and exhaust sides and openings. A plurality of ducts form a continuous duct work system and have a plurality of duct work registers. An air movement fan housing is coupled to the duct work and the registers. Within the fan housing are a plurality of components: a fan, fan motor, a plurality of heat exchange units, and a plurality of pipe connections coupling with the heat exchange units. A hot water source and a cold water source are coupled to the heat exchangers. A thermostat is electronically controlled. A plurality of water mixing valves are coupled in-line of the hot and cold water supply pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Robert W. Yoho
  • Publication number: 20040129408
    Abstract: A direct expansion geothermal heat exchange unit, which can be placed in sub-surface ground and/or water, consisting of at least one insulated refrigerant liquid/fluid line, with a liquid trap at the bottom of the liquid/fluid line, with at least one un-insulated refrigerant vapor/fluid line operatively connected to the insulated liquid/fluid line at a point above the liquid trap, where the un-insulated vapor/fluid line is in thermal contact with its adjacent sub-surface surrounding elements by means of a heat conductive fill material inserted as necessary to fill any void space, in any borehole or excavated area, between the vapor/fluid line and its respective adjacent sub-surface surroundings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: B. Ryland Wiggs
  • Publication number: 20040108096
    Abstract: This invention is a geothermal heating and cooling system for providing space conditioning, including heating, cooling and humidity control, by transferring heat, or cooling, from a city water main supply, or other like flooded state water source, thereby allowing for a more economical heating, cooling and climate control of the building. The geothermal system may also provide water heating, either to supplement or replace conventional water heaters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Terrance Ernest Janssen
  • Patent number: 6736191
    Abstract: A heat exchanger having a set of heat exchanging coils supported in a horizontal direction. The coils operate to exchange heat in fluids provided to the coils from a source device via a supply header tube and returned to the source device (or provided to a second device) via a return tube. A backbone supports the heat exchanging coils. Preferably, the backbone runs inside the heat exchanging coils. A bracket attached to the backbone secures a set of exchange tube supports to which the exchanging coils are attached. The heat exchanger provides a strong structure that is able to withstand currents and tidal action when mounted under a pier or in other aquatic environments. An adjustable riser device provides for flexible installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Power Engineering Contractors, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Lindberg, Robert Longwell, David Mik, Danny Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6709198
    Abstract: An irrigation system comprising a closed-loop piping system, a portion of which is a condensing section extending on or below ground surface, and at least another portion of which is a cool-collecting section buried under ground at a cool ground zone. The closed-loop piping holds a liquid which is propelled by a circulating system through the piping system. The liquid is chilled by heat exchanging at the cool ground zone and then flows to the condensing section where moisture from the vicinity is extracted by condensation over the condensing section. The moisture is readily available for consumption by agriculture growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: International Water & Energy Savers, Ltd.
    Inventor: Boaz Wachtel
  • Patent number: 6705043
    Abstract: Market garden greenhouse system in which plant products can be cultivated, which market garden greenhouse is substantially not provided with ventilating openings, wherein the market garden greenhouse comprises: heat regulating means for regulating the beat in the greenhouse, which heat originates substantially from the solar energy which comes into contact with the market garden greenhouse; and/or a heating system, and/or air humidity regulating means for regulating the air humidity in the greenhouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ecofys B.V.
    Inventors: Joannes Jozef Gerardus Opdam, Gilbertus Gualtherus Schoonderbeek, Kornelis Blok
  • Publication number: 20040045700
    Abstract: A heating and cooling apparatus comprises a generally hollow heating and cooling tower body having a ceiling part for receiving solar heat and a columnar part for storing the solar heat received by the ceiling part. The columnar part has a lower portion adapted to be positioned in the ground for receiving a flow of cool air from the ground and a heat absorbing-and-radiating section for absorbing and radiating heat to heat the heating and cooling tower body using the stored solar heat and to cool the heating and cooling tower body using the flow cool air from the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Hideo Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20040035552
    Abstract: A well-water-type liquid cooling and heating resource system of the present invention, comprises a well, an energy lift device, a discharging pump and a suction pump sequentially connected by conduits. The well is separated into an upper portion and a lower portion by a baffle plate, and can supply constant temperature water at about 15° C. using as the low level cold and heat resources. The discharging tube and returning tube of the well is connected respectively with a liquid inlet tube and returning tube of the energy lift device. The suction pump is mounted at the lower portion of the well or on the baffle plate. The discharging tube of energy lift device, which is equipped with a discharge pump, is connected to a load such as an air conditioner. The load such as the air conditioner's returning tube is connected with the liquid inlet tube of a heat-exchanging pipeline coupling with the condenser of the energy lift device. The system costs lower and has no pollution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Shengheng Xu
  • Publication number: 20040035110
    Abstract: An energy exchanger (2) is connected to an earth energy exchanger (18) via a flow line (10) and a return flow line (14). The flow line (10) and the return flow line (14) are both provided with a regulatable stop valve (12, 16). At least one heat-insulated flow pipe (20) is surrounded by a separation pipe (24) in a bore hole (22), whereby a return flow area (28) for circulatory water is connected thereto in a radially outward manner. The return flow area (28) contains at least one return flow pipe (30) connected to the return flow line (14) and a porous filling (38) in addition to being connected, at least on the base of the bore hole (22), to the lower inlet (46) of the flow pipe (20) or the lower inlets (46, 46a) of the flow pipes(20,20a) via one or several through openings (44) in the separation pipe (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Hans Hildebrand
  • Publication number: 20040031585
    Abstract: Wellbore heat loop ssystems, fillers for bores in the systems, and methods of the use of such systems; the systems in certain aspects having a heat loop wellbore in the earth having heat loop pipe extending down to one side of a bottom memeber and up therefrom on another side thereof, the bottom member in certaqin aspects having a body with first and second bores therethrough, the second bore sized and configured for securement thereat of an end of coil tubing; and, in certain aspects, filler material around the heat loop in the wellbore with a gel material mixed with the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Howard E. Johnson, Gregory M. Tinkler, Thomas R. Amerman
  • Patent number: 6691766
    Abstract: An electronics cooling system in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes an electronics cabinet that is thermally connected with the ground in the vicinity of the cabinet. The cabinet may or may not sit directly on the earth, but the thermal connection is made with the earth below, and in the near vicinity of, the cabinet, thereby employing the earth as a heat sink. In an illustrative embodiment, an enclosed cabinet includes a heat pipe that makes thermal contact with the ground in the immediate vicinity of the electronics cabinet. An electronics cabinet in accordance with the principles of the present invention is particularly suited for use in uncontrolled environments, such as may be encountered by remote telecommunications switches and wireless telecommunications equipment, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Kaveh Azar
  • Patent number: 6688129
    Abstract: An excavationless geothermal system for heating and cooling applications includes a potable water storage container that receives water from a water supply through a supply line and a reversible water meter. The water in the storage container is circulated through a heat pump, and when the temperature of the water in the container is increased or decreased by the heat pump, the water is returned to the supply through the reversible meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald S Ace
  • Patent number: 6679655
    Abstract: A system for supporting pipe within soil or fill material which minimizes positional disturbances of the pipe despite seasonal fluctuations in atmospheric temperature is provided. The system provides a length of double walled pipe, a support member placed in the soil or fill material and a wicking device which transfers energy between the inner pipe of the double walled pipe which is typically full of a cryogenic fluid and the support. The energy transfer stabilizes the soil or fill material, typically by freezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Bonn
  • Publication number: 20040007006
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an on-vehicle air-conditioner, resolving problems of the prior art, and allowing to perform cooling, heating, dehumidification or others efficiently even for vehicles of low waste heat, such as hybrid cars taking electricity and gasoline as energy source, idle stop coping cars or battery cars taking only electricity as energy source, or other vehicles, by cooling by loading a refrigeration circuit, using for example CO2 refrigerant, and provided with an electrically driven two-stage compression system compressor, and at the same time, installing a refrigerant heat exchanger for cooling the refrigerant, compressed in the first stage in a way to exchange heat with the car interior air, and using conveniently also for heating together with the heat of the cooling water for cooling the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ebara, Hiroshi Mukaiyama, Osamu Kuwabara, Toshikazu Ishihara
  • Patent number: 6675872
    Abstract: Featured are a device, system and method for dissipating at least some heat energy generated by one or more heat generating components of a flywheel energy storage system (FESS). The method includes providing a heat pipe member, having first and second ends, and a heat dissipating member thermally engaged with the heat pipe member second end and configured to transfer heat energy therefrom. The method also includes thermally engaging the heat pipe member first end to the FESS so that at least some heat energy generated by the FESS heat generating component is communicated to the first end and thence through the heat pipe member to the heat dissipating member. Further, the method includes locating the heat dissipating member in a heat sink remote from the FESS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Beacon Power Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Lewis, Todd A. Ebert
  • Patent number: 6675874
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided for cooling a canister. A first heat pipe is mounted around the perimeter of the canister. The first heat pipe has a condenser. A second heat pipe has an evaporator conductively coupled to the condenser of the first heat pipe. The second heat pipe has a condenser. A heat sink is conductively coupled to the condenser of the second heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Thermal Corp.
    Inventors: Brian E. Mast, Nelson J. Gernert, James E. Lindemuth
  • Patent number: 6672371
    Abstract: An earth wellbore heat loop system has been developed which has, in certain aspects, a heat loop wellbore in the earth extending from an earth surface down into the earth to a bottom of the wellbore, a heat loop disposed in the heat loop wellbore and extending down to a position near the bottom thereof, the heat loop including a heat loop comprising pipe and a bottom member, the pipe extending down to the bottom member on one side thereof and up from the bottom member on another side thereof, the bottom member comprising a body, a first bore through the body extending from a first opening of the body to a second opening of the body, the first opening and the second opening each sized and configured for receipt therein of an end of a heat loop pipe, a second bore having at least a one opening on the body, the second bore sized and configured for securement thereat of an end of coil tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Enlink Geoenergy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Amerman, Howard E. Johnson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040000159
    Abstract: A liquid air conditioner of geothermal energy type, wherein comprises a heat collector (1) of geothermal energy type, a heat exchanger (2), an energy lift device (3), a discharging pump (4), a returning pump (5), an air conditioner (6); said energy lift device consisting of a heating cycle (30) and a heat exchanging cycle (38), said two cycles are sequentially connected through pipelines by a compressor (31), a condenser (32), a liquid reservoir (33), a drying filter (34), a restriction choke (35), an evaporator (36) and a gas-liquid separator (37); Discharging tube (32a) of the heat exchanging cycle connects with air conditioner (6). Returning tube (103) of air conditioner connecting to a liquid inlet tube (32b) of heat exchanging cycle (38); discharging tube (36a) of the heat exchanging cycle connecting to a returning tube (22b); discharging tube (22a) of said heat exchanger (2) connecting to liquid inlet tube (36b); is used for in-door cooling and heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Shengheng Xu
  • Patent number: 6668573
    Abstract: A geothermal heat collector for heat pumps and of the type having a heat conducting fin (18) which communicates at its conducting suface (18a) with the surface of the earth (14). A heat transfer fluid flows through the fin by way of a conduit (16) which carries the fluid to and from a load (10). An insulating cover (20) limits heat loss from the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Russell H. Gilsdorf
  • Publication number: 20030209340
    Abstract: A wellbore method which, in certain aspects, includes providing a fluid with microorganisms and introduction apparatus for introducing the fluid into an earth formation bearing hydrocarbons to facilitate removal of the hyrdrocarbons, effecting heat exchange between the fluid and a heat transfer medium that has traversed an earth loop of an earth loop heat exchange system, the earth loop extending from an earth surface down into the earth and the heat transfer medium flowable through the earth loop and transfer apparatus for transferring heat between the fluid and the heat transfer medium; and, in certain aspects wherein effecting the heat exchange between the fluid and the heat transfer medium prolongs life of and/or enhances activity of the microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Guy L. McClung
  • Patent number: 6619557
    Abstract: A system for the thermoregulation of a room, including radiant panels, wherein the radiant panels are built up from thin rectangular cross-section channel elements which are assembled side-by-side, by inserting them by extremities thereof into slits made in two manifolds for feeding them with thermovector liquid. The radiant panels and frame element are endowed with complementary lock elements and with hinge elements for hinging a radiant panel on the frame elements. The hinge elements include hinged hydraulic fittings, and the frame elements are endowed with hydraulic fitting elements for a connection to a thermovector liquid feed circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Giuseppe Bonura, Marco Bonura, Vanessa Bonura, Francesca Di Franco
  • Patent number: 6615601
    Abstract: A sealed well direct expansion geothermal heat exchange unit, whose sealed well can be placed in ground and/or in water, consisting of a conventional direct expansion, or other heat pump, system wherein the exterior refrigerant heat exchange lines are placed within an insulated and sealed container, which container is supplied with a circulating heat conductive liquid from and to a sub-surface sealed well encasement, which container liquid may be supplemented with heat from a solar heating system, and which unit's hot refrigerant vapor line may be supplementary cooled by means of condensate water evaporative cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: B. Ryland Wiggs
  • Patent number: 6604577
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing deposits from a heat transfer wall of a heat exchanger. The apparatus includes a cleaning cycle control system that operates through the control system of the heat pump and eliminates the need for periodic acid cleaning of heat exchanger. The cleaning cycle control system engages a heating cycle of the heat pump to at least partially freeze the fluid adjacent to the heat transfer wall and then engages the cooling cycle of the heat pump to thaw the fluid adjacent to the heat transfer wall. The thermal expansion and contraction of the deposits on the heat transfer wall and the flow of fluids through the heat exchanger flush deposits from the heat transfer wall of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Eric P. Mulder
  • Publication number: 20030121641
    Abstract: A cold storage facility energy transfer system has a building which includes walls, a roof, and a floor. The building defines an enclosed space, which is to be cooled. A cooling system, which includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, is provided to cool the air within the enclosed space of the building. A ground water heat transfer mechanism reduces the operating temperature of the cooling system and raises the temperature of the building floor. A heat exchange mechanism draws heat from the compressor and the condenser to reduce operating temperature of the condenser and/or compressor. The heat exchange mechanism includes a mechanism associated with an area adjacent to the building floor for maintaining that area at a temperature so that underfloor icing is prohibited. An additional objective of the system reduces the temperature of the walls and roof of the building, reducing heat loss and improving the energy efficiency of the building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Edward R. Schulak, J. Benjamin Horvay
  • Patent number: 6585036
    Abstract: An earth energy transfer system with a moving energy transfer fluid, the system for transferring energy for an entity, the system, in certain aspects, having apparatus and related items for measuring an amount of energy transferred for the entity to or from the moving energy transfer fluid, and apparatus and related items for invoicing the entity for the amount of energy transferred. The system, in certain aspects, including apparatus and related items for calculating a price for the amount of energy transferred, said invoicing based on said price. The system, in certain aspects, including apparatus and related items for transmitting a signal indicative of a measured amount of energy transferred from the apparatus and related items for measuring to the apparatus and related items for invoicing. Methods are disclosed for using such systems to measure and calculate an amount of energy transferred and/or to invoice an entity for the transferred energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Enlink Geoenergy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Amerman, Howard E. Johnson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030056936
    Abstract: A system for cooling a canister has first, second and third heat pipes. The first heat pipe has an evaporator and a condenser. The first heat pipe is mounted with its evaporator inside the canister and its condenser outside the canister. The second heat pipe has an evaporator conductively coupled to the condenser of the first heat pipe. The second heat pipe has a condenser. The third heat pipe has an evaporator conductively coupled to the condenser of the second heat pipe. The third heat pipe has a condenser with a plurality of fins on the condenser of the third heat pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: James E. Lindemuth, Brian E. Mast, Nelson J. Gernert, James L. Smith, John J. Todd
  • Patent number: 6523602
    Abstract: A switchgear cabinet with an air-conditioning device having a heat exchanger, wherein the air in the interior of the switchgear cabinet can be or is conducted to the heat exchanger and can be conditioned by the heat exchanger. Effective air-conditioning of the interior of the switchgear cabinet, along with simultaneously reduced energy requirements, is possible if the heat exchanger is embodied as an underground heat exchanger and is placed into the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rittal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Holighaus, Walter Nicolai
  • Publication number: 20030024684
    Abstract: A module for thermal exchange with a portion of a mammal is provided. The module is used with advanced methods related to body temperature control and management. A portion of a mammal is placed in a sealed enclosure that is in thermal communication with a heat exchange fluid. The enclosure is also adapted to provide a negative pressure environment and includes an improved interface with the external environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: David Frederick Lyons, Dennis A. Grahn, Bruce G. Macgregor, Todd Allen Pelman, Mark A. Zeh, Rudy Lucas Samuels, David William Licata, Matthew D. Inouye
  • Publication number: 20030024685
    Abstract: An excavationless geothermal system for heating and cooling applications includes a potable water storage container that receives water from a water supply through a supply line and a reversible water meter. The water in the storage container is circulated through a heat pump, and when the temperature of the water in the container is increased or decreased by the heat pump, the water is returned to the supply through the reversible meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Ronald S. Ace
  • Patent number: 6513577
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the heat insulation of at least one underwater pipe (1) intended to be laid on the sea bed at great depth, comprising an insulating coating surrounding the latter and a protective envelope (3), characterized in that said insulating coating comprises a virtually incompressible liquid/solid phase change material (4) with a melting temperature T0 higher than that T2 of the medium surrounding the pipe in operation and less than that T1 of the effluents circulating in the pipe, and said material (4) preferably being impregnated in an absorbent matrix (2) surrounding the pipe (1), preferably nearest its outer surface, which protective envelope (3) is resistant and deformable and ensures a containment against and about said insulating coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Bouygues Offshore
    Inventors: Michel Baylot, Raymond Hallot, Regis Pionetti, Xavier Rocher
  • Patent number: 6508068
    Abstract: Provision of a chilling system accomplishing a reduction in the amount of energy expended and in energy loss. The chilling system includes a load (H); a chilling circuit (A) for chilling or cooling the load with a refrigerant; a heat-dissipating mechanism (5) for dissipating heat of the refrigerant in the chilling circuit (A) to the outside; a refrigerant tank (8) connected to the chilling circuit (A) via a confluent valve (13); a chiller for maintaining the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank (8) at a predetermined temperature; a controller (12) for controlling the degree of valve opening of the confluent valve (13); and a temperature sensor (14) for detecting a temperature of the refrigerant in the chilling circuit (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Innotech Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Ohkawara
  • Patent number: 6508409
    Abstract: A heat producing system for a building including a cylindrical housing having a closed upper end, a closed lower end, a cylindrical side wall therebetween, and a hollow interior. The closed upper end has an opening therethrough exposing the hollow interior. A piping system is disposed within the hollow interior of the cylindrical housing. The piping system includes a series of air inlets extending outwardly of the cylindrical housing adjacent to the closed lower end thereof. The piping system includes a single outlet pipe extending outwardly of the cylindrical housing adjacent to the closed upper end thereof. The single outlet pipe is coupled with a heating duct system of a building. A quantity of vegetable matter is positioned within the hollow interior of the cylindrical housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Grantz
  • Publication number: 20030000680
    Abstract: The installation stores thermal energy, i.e., heat energy and/or cold energy. A plurality of conduits are laid underground. Several regions that are arranged one inside the other and contain energy-saving material and conduits respectively are provided. The conduits that are arranged in the individual areas can be connected to users having different temperature levels. The innermost region is maintained at a highest temperature differential relative to the outside of the installation and the innermost region can be connected, inter alia, to drive an electrical generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Alois Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6494251
    Abstract: A thermodynamic cycle is disclosed that uses compression and expansion to generate refrigeration or power in which at least some of the compression is effected by hydrostatic head of the heat-exchange medium used in the cycle. In a refrigeration cycle, the head of a heat-exchange medium in the refrigeration cycle is used to compress the heat-exchange medium. A vaporous heat-exchange medium is introduced into the upper end of a down riser that extends downwardly through a heat sink. The vaporous heat-exchange medium descends through the down riser and the head of the heat-exchange medium compresses the heat-exchange medium. The heat generated by the compression is transferred to the heat sink. The heat-exchange medium is then pumped up through a return riser and passed through a pressure expansion means and evaporator. From the evaporator the heat-exchange medium is returned to the upper end of the down riser for recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Bruce T. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20020179298
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system with thermal storage system for storing cooling capacity. The storage system comprises a quantity of fill material that preferably comprises water or similar liquid that is located in a cavity in the ground. The fill material may also include a bed of gravel with the pool of liquid filling the void spaces in the gravel. Sidewalls of the cavity are preferably supported primarily by the mechanical properties of the earth and the fill material. The lower boundary of the cavity is impermeable liner. A cover that blocks solar radiation and preferably with thermal insulation covers the top of the fill material. A chiller and a pump supply cooled liquid during night or other times of reduced electrical costs and liquid from the storage flows through a liquid-to-air heat exchanger during peak demand periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: William L. Kopko
  • Patent number: 6484794
    Abstract: A cold storage facility energy transfer system has a building which includes walls, a roof, and a floor. The building defines an enclosed space, which is to be cooled. A cooling system, which includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, is provided to cool the air within the enclosed space of the building. A ground coupled heat transfer mechanism reduces the operating temperature of the cooling system and raises the temperature of the building floor. A heat exchange mechanism draws heat from the compressor and the condenser to reduce operating temperature of the condenser and/or compressor. The heat exchange mechanism includes a mechanism associated with an area adjacent to the building floor for maintaining that area at a temperature so that underfloor icing is prohibited. An additional objective of the system reduces the temperature of the walls and roof of the building, reducing heat loss and improving the energy efficiency of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventors: Edward R. Schulak, J. Benjamin Horvay
  • Patent number: 6460374
    Abstract: A glass-impregnated, fiber-reinforced ceramic comprises a ceramic matrix having open voids, inorganic fibers embedded in the ceramic matrix in a regular or irregular orientation, and a glass matrix filling up the open voids in the ceramic matrix. The glass-impregnated, fiber-reinforced ceramic is manufactured by a manufacturing method comprising the steps of forming a fiber-reinforced ceramic comprising the ceramic matrix having open voids, and inorganic fibers embedded in the ceramic matrix, impregnating the fiber-reinforced ceramic with a glass precursor solution containing a glass precursor to stop up the open voids of the ceramic matrix with the glass precursor solution, and subjecting the fiber-reinforced ceramic impregnated with the solution to a heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihito Sakai, Jun Gotoh, Keiichi Tsugeki, Masaki Shibuya, Yasuhiro Shioji
  • Patent number: 6450247
    Abstract: The system uses a well drilled deep into the ground and filled with water. The well is encased and sealed at its bottom to prevent the loss of water. The casing of the well is in contact with the surrounding earth for heat conduction. A pipe is placed within the well with a pump at its distal end. The pump draws cold water from within the well into the pipe, out of the well into a heat exchanger where it cools the air which, in turn, cools the house. After the water has gone through the heat exchanger, it is returned to the well. Heat pipes are used to dissipate, in winter, the heat accumulated during the summer cooling months. The heat pipes extend outwardly from near the top of the well and contain a substance that will absorb heat and evaporate at the end in the well and condense and release heat at the opposite end. An upward slant of the heat pipe ensures that this heat transfer occurs only in the direction away from the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Samuel Raff
  • Publication number: 20020104643
    Abstract: An earth energy transfer system with a moving energy transfer fluid, the system for transferring energy for an entity, the system, in certain aspects, having apparatus and related items for measuring an amount of energy transferred for the entity to or from the moving energy transfer fluid, and apparatus and related items for invoicing the entity for the amount of energy transferred. The system, in certain aspects, including apparatus and related items for calculating a price for the amount of energy transferred, said invoicing based on said price. The system, in certain aspects, including apparatus and related items for transmitting a signal indicative of a measured amount of energy transferred from the apparatus and related items for measuring to the apparatus and related items for invoicing. Methods are disclosed for using such systems to measure and calculate an amount of energy transferred and/or to invoice an entity for the transferred energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas R. Amerman, Howard E. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20020100576
    Abstract: A multifunctional thermal installation includes a compressor, a switch valve, an evaporator, a condenser, a water heater, and an expansion valve. The water heater has a water inlet that is connected to an underground well. The evaporator and the condenser include at least a first group of heat exchangers and a second group of heat exchangers. The first group of heat exchangers is disposed in the water heater and the second group of heat exchangers and a fan associated with the second group of heat exchangers are disposed in a room. After integrating separate installations into a system, the present invention uses only a small amount of a non-renewable energy source and most of the required energy sources can be replaced by the renewable energy sources collected from the system itself. Thus, the environmental pollution caused by the consumption of energy sources can be reduced significantly. In addition, non-renewable energy sources can be conserved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Hongsun Hua
  • Patent number: 6419422
    Abstract: An irrigation system comprising an energized cooling system for cooling the fluid to a temperature below ground temperature, colosed-loop condensation piping buried under ground surface and an energized fluid circulating arrangement for circulating the fluid through the system, whereby propelling the cooled fluid through the piping extracts moisture from the ground by condensation over the piping, for consumption by agriculture growth in the vicinity of the piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: International Water & Energy Savers, Ltd.
    Inventor: Boaz Wachtel
  • Publication number: 20020088604
    Abstract: A switchgear cabinet with an air-conditioning device having a heat exchanger, wherein the air in the interior of the switchgear cabinet can be or is conducted to the heat exchanger and can be conditioned by the heat exchanger. Effective air-conditioning of the interior of the switchgear cabinet, along with simultaneously reduced energy requirements, is possible if the heat exchanger is embodied as an underground heat exchanger and is placed into the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Heiko Holighaus, Walter Nicolai
  • Patent number: 6412550
    Abstract: A system for providing heat conduction for a structure, comprising: a storm water management system located below a frost line and located near the structure, wherein a predetermined level of liquid is maintained within the storm water management system; a first heat exchanger located within the storm water management system, the first heat exchanger located such that the first heat exchanger is continuously immersed within the liquid maintained within the storm water management system; a connecting line connected to the first heat exchanger; and a second heat exchanger connected to the connecting line, wherein the second heat exchanger is associated with the structure and directly transfers heat with the structure; wherein the second heat exchanger transfers heat with the first heat exchanger via the connecting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Melvin D. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 6397933
    Abstract: A cooling system for cooling electronic/computer equipment in an equipment room in a station. A fan device causes heat exchanging air circulation between a battery and the equipment, where the air is guided by an air guiding device. The air guiding device is in a first chamber with an inlet which communicates with a battery and a second chamber with an outlet which communicates with the equipment. The first and second chambers are separated by a low impulse device preferably in the form of a perforated partition wall equipped with filter cloth. Turbulent flow which leaves the fan changes the laminar flow when the flow is towards the equipment so that warm surrounding air is not mixed in the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Telia AB
    Inventor: Svante Enlund
  • Publication number: 20020036076
    Abstract: The apparatus is a loop heat pipe with the heat input above the heat output, so that the loop heat pipe is used to cool a transformer or equipment enclosure above ground with the condenser located and the heat being dissipated in the ground below the location at which the heat is being generated. One embodiment uses a coiled pipe for a condenser and buries it in the ground encased in concrete. Another embodiment of the invention is used to cool a diesel electric locomotive by placing the condenser below the engine and attaching multiple cooling fins to it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventor: G. Yale Eastman
  • Patent number: 6347527
    Abstract: An integrated compression based heating/cooling, humidification and mid or high efficiency heat recovery ventilation system is provided. The integrated system is a centralized apparatus that offers a very efficient method for heating/cooling with more winter and summer humidity control plus offering heat recovery ventilation in a structure having a regulated indoor temperature and specific ventilation/energy recovery rate. The heating and cooling section of the apparatus would most commonly be configured as a forced air geothermal or air-to-air heat pump. The heat recovery ventilation section of the apparatus will incorporate a heat recovery chamber complete with a primary passive cross flow heat recovery core. Plus, a secondary refrigeration based high efficiency reversible energy recovery evaporator/condenser coil. The integrated system will also incorporate a humidification system designed to operate during the winter heating season.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventors: Louis J. Bailey, Ralph Haan
  • Patent number: 6338381
    Abstract: A system for heating or cooling a wellhead, the system including a header in fluid communication via a pipe with a wellhead so that header heat transfer fluid is flowable from the header to the wellhead and back to the header, an earth heat exchange system with earth heat exchange fluid flowable therethrough to provide heat exchange between the earth heat exchange fluid and the earth, and the earth heat exchange fluid flowable in heat exchange relation to heat or cool the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Guy L. McClung, III
  • Patent number: 6293120
    Abstract: A building air conditioning system using geothermal energy comprising an underground pipe being buried underground for transmitting geothermal energy from the underground to air from the outdoors and for controlling humidity of said air and cleaning said air, a cobble stone layer constituted by filling numerous cobble stones in a space under the floor of a building for introducing air from said underground pipe to heat-exchange this introduced air with geothermal energy stored therein and to control humidity of said air and to clean said air, and air supply means for supply air from said cobble stone layer to an inside of a room of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toko Kogyo
    Inventor: Toko Hashimoto