Geographical Patents (Class 165/45)
  • Publication number: 20120090810
    Abstract: A temperature equalization system, including an installation, a heat equalizer disposed in a natural heat carrier and being made of a material of heat conduction to exchange heat with the natural heat carrier, a fluid transmission duct disposed between the heat equalizer and the installation and having a fluid contained therein for heat transmission, a pump connected in series with the fluid transmission duct for pumping the fluid, and a control means controlling an operation of temperature equalization system. The control means controls the pump to pump the fluid through the fluid transmission duct and an interior of the installation with a periodical change of flowing direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Publication number: 20120090808
    Abstract: A cooling system includes an electronic enclosure and a liquid-cooled heat exchanger configured to receive heated air from within the enclosure. A geothermal loop is connected to the heat exchanger to form a closed-loop path. The closed-loop path is suitable for circulating a pressurized liquid refrigerant between the geothermal loop and the heat exchanger to transfer heat from the heated air to the geothermal loop without the refrigerant undergoing a phase change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Incorporated
    Inventor: William H. Scofield
  • Publication number: 20120090807
    Abstract: A geothermal energy system comprising at least one borehole heat exchanger, Hie at least one borehole heat exchanger containing a working fluid and comprising an elongate tube having a closed bottom end and first and second adjacent elongate coaxial conduits interconnected at the bottom end, the first conduit being tubular and surrounded by the second conduit which is annular, the at least one borehole heat exchanger having a major portion thereof extending in a substantially inclined orientation at an angle of from 3 to 95 degrees from vertical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: James J. Stewart, Dmitriy I. Zaynulin, Anthony C. Scott, Grahame Newton
  • Publication number: 20120087783
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a method for ventilating a turbine compartment is provided, the method comprising directing an air flow from an air intake to a first air conduit, transferring a first heat between the air flow and a first fluid within a heat exchange apparatus and pumping the first fluid through a fluid circuit in fluid communication with the heat exchange apparatus, wherein a portion of the fluid circuit is located underground. The method further includes transferring a second heat between the first fluid and a surrounding ground and directing a conditioned air flow from the heat exchange apparatus to a turbine compartment via a second air conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Jianmin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120080163
    Abstract: A subterranean continuous loop heat exchanger is disclosed having a borehole including an entrance at a first end and an exit at a second end and a conduit for a fluid. A direction of fluid flow relative to the borehole is unidirectional, and a major length of the borehole is non-horizontal. The entrance and the exit are separated by a predetermined distance and a first thermal envelope at the entrance and a second thermal envelope at the exit are substantially independent. The conduit is positioned in at least a portion of the borehole and in operational connection to supply and return lines for connection to a ground sourced heat pump or to a heat exchanger system. Also disclosed are methods of constructing a subterranean continuous loop heat exchanger having at least one continuous borehole and a method of regulating a temperature in a structure with a system that includes the subterranean continuous loop heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: ANZOIC ENERGY INC.
    Inventor: Owen Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8132631
    Abstract: There is provided a method for drilling a hole into the ground and installing a geothermal transfer loop. A drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus, such as a sonic drill, for rotating and vibrating a hollow drill string into the ground. The hollow drill string having an inner space. A hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the hollow drill string into the ground while discharging fluid into the inner space of the hollow drill string. The fluid forming a fluid column in the inner space of the drill string. The fluid column impedes entry of ground materials into the inner space of the drill string and is vibrated to create a water hammer for adding an additional drilling force. A geothermal transfer loop is lowered into the inner space of the hollow drill string and the drill string is removed from the ground. The method may also include discharging grouting material into the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Raymond J. Roussy
  • Publication number: 20120043052
    Abstract: An energy transfer unit for a geothermal system includes an outer housing. A heat exchanger is located within the housing. An inlet pipe extends from the housing to the heat exchanger to convey heat transfer fluid to the heat exchanger and an outlet pipe extends from the housing to the heat exchanger to convey heat transfer fluid from the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Heat-Line Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne R. Heise, Matthew J.H. Roberts, Fraser F. Newton, David S. Lamb
  • Publication number: 20120037335
    Abstract: A heat-transfer pipe (12) is formed so as to extend from a top portion of an outer pipe (11) and to be bent at a bottom portion of the outer pipe (11) to return to the top portion, and is arranged such that at least a portion thereof contacts an inner circumferential surface of the outer pipe (11). The heat-transfer pipe (12) is configured to allow fluid to be heat-exchanged to flow thereinside in opposite directions in heating operation and cooling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Hideaki Asai, Katsuhiro Kawabata, Keisuke Tanimoto
  • Publication number: 20120038174
    Abstract: A novel idea involving the coupling of CO2 geological storage with methane and/or heat production (geothermal energy) from geopressured-geothermal aquifers is described herein. The production of energy from the extracted brine offsets the cost of capture, pressurization, and injection and the subsequent injection of brine containing carbon dioxide back into the aquifer. Calculations described in the present invention indicate that this offset would reduce the cost of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) to a point that CCS could survive in a competitive market environment without subsidies or a price on carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Steven L. Bryant, Gary A. Pope
  • Publication number: 20120031119
    Abstract: A heat transfer fluid can be cooled using the atmospheric thermal lapse rate. The heat transfer fluid can be ascended to a predetermined altitude above ground level where a temperature of the atmosphere is less than a temperature at the ground level. The heat transfer fluid can be cooled to a predetermined temperature by heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the atmosphere. The heat transfer fluid can then be descended to ground level while inhibiting heat transfer with the atmosphere tending to warm the cooled fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: NADEEM AHMAD, NAEEM AHMAD
  • Publication number: 20120018120
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and process for extracting geothermal energy from a geologic formation. According to an embodiment of the method, coolant fluid is introduced into a first location, at a first height in the formation. The geologic coolant fluid is collected from a second location, at second height in the geologic formation. The second height is typically lower than the first height. Geologic coolant fluid introduced into the first location migrates through the geologic formation to the second location, extracting heat from the geologic formation. Pressure is lowered at the second location relative to the surrounding areas. In a particularly advantageous solution, the pressure is lowered at the second location using a pump, which is integrated into an energy conversion implement. The energy conversion implement is installed at, or close, to the second location. The pump delivers the cooled geologic coolant fluid to the first location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: George L. Danko
  • Patent number: 8100172
    Abstract: A temperature equalization system comprised of heat equalizer and fluid transmission duct disposed in a heat carrier existing in solid or liquid state in the nature where presents comparatively larger and more reliable heat carrying capacity; the fluid passes through the installation to regulate for temperature equalization, and flows back to the installation disposed in the natural carrier of heat for the installation providing good heat conduction with the natural heat carrier to provide the function of temperature equalization regulating on the backflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Publication number: 20120012276
    Abstract: A thermal energy storage system includes a container positioned within a surrounding body of water and comprising a container wall. The wall has an interior surface exposed to and defining an internal volume of the container and has an exterior surface opposite the interior surface and exposed to the surrounding body of water. The internal volume is substantially full of water, and the container is configured to thermally separate water within the internal volume along the interior surface from water of the surrounding body of water along the exterior surface. A thermal source in thermal communication with the water within the internal volume is configured to transfer a thermal potential to the water within the internal volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Brian Von Herzen, Scott Raymond Frazier
  • Publication number: 20120006503
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a ventilation system for tunnel engineering. The ventilation system is for use in a tunnel having at least one first shaft and at least one second shaft. The ventilation system includes a heat collecting device, a cooling device, and at least one piping system. The piping system is connected to the heat collecting device and the cooling device. A portion of the piping system coils inside the first and second shafts. Increasing the temperature in the first shaft and/or decreasing the temperature in the second shaft introduces ambient air into the tunnel via the first and second shafts by natural convection, thereby decreasing and maintaining the temperature in the tunnel and renewing air therein. The ventilation system advantageously features low power consumption and low manufacturing costs and is fit for use in long-distance tunnel engineering that requires multi-point installation of the ventilation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Chung-Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Yu-Ming SUN, Chi-Bin WU
  • Publication number: 20110308764
    Abstract: An air-cooled condenser system (1) comprises a platform (2) carrying heat exchanger elements (4), steam distribution lines (6), and fans (5). The platform (2) is arranged on pillars (3), which previously are introduced into the soil beneath the platform. The platform (2) is mounted close to the ground, wherein the intake chamber (21) required beneath the platform (2) is formed by removing soil beneath the platform (2). In this way, the platform (2) can be mounted at low height and with little effort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: GEA Energietechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Raimund Witte
  • Publication number: 20110272117
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for utilizing an energy chassis device designed to sense, collect, store and distribute energy from where it is available using devices that harvest or convert energy to locations requiring energy such as but not limited to HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) systems. The systems, methods and devices can also be used with a next generation geothermal heat exchanger that achieves higher energy harvesting efficiency and provides greater functionality than current geothermal exchangers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Greensleeves, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen A. Hamstra, W. Michael Linn
  • Publication number: 20110265972
    Abstract: As discussed herein, a first aspect of the present invention provides a round energy transfer component. The ground energy transfer component can include an outer tube having an upper end and a lower end. The outer tube can be constructed out of generally thermally conductive material. The ground energy transfer component can include an inner tube. The inner tube can be constructed out of generally thermally insulative material. The inner tube can be coupled to the outer tube and positioned generally coaxially with the outer tube to define a generally thermally insulated interior of the inner tube and a channel between the inner tube and the outer tube. The inner tube can have an upper end and a lower end, with the inner tube's lower end defining one or more openings to permit fluid communication between the channel and the interior of the inner tube. The ground energy transfer component can include a base connected to the lower end of the outer tube to substantially seal the lower end of the outer tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: TRAK INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 8047275
    Abstract: A pipe well; a ground water outlet pipe inserted into the pipe well; a submerged pump installed at the ground water outlet pipe; a heat exchanger in which the ground water is circulated and terrestrial heat of the ground water is heat-exchanged; a collection pipe collects the ground water circulated through the heat exchanger into the pipe well; a connection pipe which connects the submerged pump and the heat exchanger; an auto temperature bypass apparatus which is installed at the connection pipe to automatically bypass the ground water from the connection pipe when a temperature of the ground water arrives at a predetermined value; a discharge pipe through which the ground water bypassed is discharged; and a ground water restoration hole adjacent to the pipe well in which the discharge pipe is inserted to fill up the ground water nearby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM)
    Inventors: Byoung Ohan Shim, Tae Jong Lee
  • Patent number: 8047905
    Abstract: A building structure includes means to utilize solar radiation to heat the building structure during relatively cold ambient environmental conditions and to cool the building structure during relatively hot ambient environmental conditions. The building structure includes chambered wall and floor constructions having integral heat sink masses. These integral heat sink masses provide for radiation of heat when air temperature in an interior space of the building structure is below a temperature of the heat sink masses and for absorption of heat when the air temperature in the interior space of the building structure is above a temperature of the heat sink masses. A flow of thermally treated air to the heat sink masses serves to regulate the temperature of the heat sink masses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventors: Steve Eugene Everett, Jay Dean Everett
  • Publication number: 20110259321
    Abstract: This application discloses a heat driven liquid self-circulating device, system and method, means the liquid system formed by said devices according to said method can be circulated automatically to transfer the heat without external pump power. In one aspect, a heat driven self-circulating device for heated liquid which used with a liquid heat collector is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: HUAZI LIN
  • Publication number: 20110259547
    Abstract: A thermally-regulated building structure including a foundation for supporting the thermally-regulated building structure on the surface of the Earth, and one or more coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures installed in the Earth, for facilitating the transfer of heat energy between (i) an heat energy exchanging system maintained within the thermally-regulated building structure and (ii) the Earth environment. Each coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure includes an inner tube section being substantially straight and having an outer wall surface extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a thermally conductive outer tube section, disposed coaxially around the inner tube section, and having an inner wall surface extending between the proximal and distal ends. An outer flow channel is provided between the outer wall surface of the inner tube section and the inner wall surface of the outer tube section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Publication number: 20110247780
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a heat exchanger, a refrigerant reservoir and a pump. The pump is connected to the heat exchanger by a first line. A second line connects the heat exchanger to the reservoir. A third line connects the reservoir to the pump. The third line has an opening within the reservoir that is below an opening of the second line within the reservoir. The first, second and third lines are capable of carrying a refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Incorporated
    Inventor: William H. Scofield
  • Publication number: 20110247354
    Abstract: An outer pipe (11), which is buried under the ground, is provided, and a heat transfer pipe (12), in which heat exchange fluid flows, is inserted into the outer pipe (11). A heat medium (13) is sealed in the outer pipe (11). At least a part of the heat transfer pipe (12) is formed by a flat body (12e, . . . ) that is formed by a flat pipe (12e, 14) or a composite pipe (15) in which a plurality of pipes (15a) are arranged in a flat shape. A flat side of the flat body (12e, . . . ) contacts an inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Hideaki Asai, Katsuhiro Kawabata, Keisuke Tanimoto, Hui Zhai
  • Publication number: 20110247265
    Abstract: A green building is disclosed. The green building includes at least one plant growing area with plants, at least one lighting device and a heat pump. The lighting device radiates light onto the plant growing area. The heat pump receives environmental heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: GE INVESTMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Kuei TSAI
  • Publication number: 20110232858
    Abstract: A closed loop geothermal system and apparatus is provided comprising a piping system inside a main well to create a closed circulation of thermal fluid to a target temperature zone underground. The piping system may have an inner pipe is inserted inside an outer pipe/casing in a concentric arrangement to allow thermal fluid to flow downward between inner pipe and outer pipe/casing and upward inside inner pipe by entering inner pipe near the bottom of the well. A heat conducting filler comprising graphite may be packed in a space between the well and piping system in the target temperature zone. The system and apparatus may further include an extended portion of the main well and/or heat conducting channels each comprising graphite converging on a heat exchange zone of the well, which may further include a heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Hiroaki Hara
  • Publication number: 20110220320
    Abstract: A geothermal system including geothermal equipment (GTE) for transferring heat energy in a building. A ground loop heat exchanging (GLHE) subsystem is interfaced with the GTE, and a plate heat exchanger (PHE) for interfacing the GTE and the GLHE subsystem. The PHE establishes a first hydraulic loop between the GTE, and the PHE. The PHE established a second hydraulic loop between the GLHE subsystem and the PHE. The volumetric flow rate within the second hydraulic loop is greater or less than the volumetric flow rate within the first hydraulic loop. The PHE exchanges heat energy between the first and second hydraulic loops so that the GLHE subsystem is operated at inlet water temperatures that enable maximum heat transfer rate (HTR) performance when the GTE is fully loaded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: John E. Kidwell
  • Publication number: 20110220321
    Abstract: A geothermal vault apparatus for use in a geothermal system includes a tank vault to enclose the one or more manifolds of the system. The tank vault includes a tank shell defining an interior volume (e.g., formed of fiber reinforced plastic material), an access opening to permit a person to enter the tank shell, and an arrangement of a plurality of transition fittings located in a cylindrical wall of the tank shell and configured to couple a plurality of energy transfer pipes (e.g., HPDE pipes) to a plurality of ports of the one or more manifolds enclosed within the tank vault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin Bryan Hawthorne, Jeffrey William Lexvold, John Burwell, Michael A. Mueller, Thomas L. Tietjen
  • Publication number: 20110224942
    Abstract: A mobile-wireless GPS-tracking ground heat exchanger (GHE) performance test instrumentation network supporting a plurality of wireless portable GPS-based enthalpy-based GHE performance test instrumentation systems, each being connectable to a ground heat exchanger (GHE) installation, and capable of collecting GPS-indexed performance data relating to the heat transfer rate (HTR), flow work rate (FWR), energy efficiency ration (EER)/coefficient of performance (COP), and heat transfer efficiency (HTE) of a ground heat exchanger (GHE) installation under performance testing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: John E. Kidwell
  • Publication number: 20110220319
    Abstract: In a climate control system for buildings, a number of renewable energy sources (photovoltaic and/or eolic, geothermal and the like) are utilised to obtain a flux of constant temperature fluid to be circulated into radiating pipes placed in continuous spaces or gaps defined in the perimeter walls and floors of said buildings. A desired variable flux of air is made to circulate in said spaces or gaps, to be heated or coiled by said radiating pipes. One said flux of air reaches the desired temperature, its circulation is stopped, to obtain a thermal insulating layer of air, in thermal equilibrium with the rooms to be air conditioned. In the matters of civil, trade, industrial, and also prefabricated buildings endowed with elevated features in heat-sound insulation, it has been utilized a particular simple method for the realization of system of hollow spaces or gaps situated between the outer and inner surface of the building, mainly based on the laying of a series of panels; i.e. thin metal sheets, located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: CAEBIT SRL
    Inventor: Paolo Plini
  • Patent number: 8016049
    Abstract: In a method of installing a borehole heat exchanger in the earth, a channel is formed in the earth by means of a pushing device, thereby causing a compression of the earth as a result of earth being displaced, and inserting a borehole heat exchanger in the channel, causing an elastic component of the earth to move toward the heat exchanger as the earth relaxes in order to provide an intimate contact between the earth and the heat exchanger. Installation of the borehole heat exchanger in elastically displaced earth ensures not only a stable and lasting securement of the heat exchanger in the earth but also the intimate contact between earth and heat exchanger wall so important for heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: TRACTO-TECHNIK GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Wurm, Hans-Joachim Bayer
  • Publication number: 20110209848
    Abstract: A method and/or apparatus for at least one of: protecting the sub-surface metal refrigerant transport tubing of a DX heat pump system from corrosive sub-surface environments via a specially designed protective coating; efficiently insulating the sub-surface liquid refrigerant transport line in a DX heat pump system; and enhancing at least one of the convective heat transfer rate and the efficiency of at least a DX heat pump system; and where the outside diameter (“OD”) of a central containment core upon which to roll a spool of sub-surface refrigerant transport tubing is specially sized so as not to damage any tubing insulation and so as to avoid any “S” bends during ground loop installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: EARTH TO AIR SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: B. Ryland Wiggs
  • Publication number: 20110203766
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a conduit for use in a geothermal heating and cooling system wherein said conduit comprises 2 or more pipes, wherein further, said 2 or more pipes comprising said conduit are twisted together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Jensen
  • Publication number: 20110203576
    Abstract: In the heat utilization installation (1) according to the invention several heat sources (2) are included which are provided each with a jet pump (16), (17), (18), (19). The heat sources (2) are connected to a heat carrier circuit system (7) which includes a single, central circulating pump or circulating pump unit (20). The individual jet pumps (16) to (19) are so controlled for the respective heat sources (2), the required operating temperatures with respect to temperature difference between the outlet and inlet and the flow volume are maintained or achieved. With the possibility of independent control of the flow volumes at the various heat sources (2), uniform fluid temperatures as required for a buffer store (22) or heat consumers can be maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Hans Günther Thoma
  • Publication number: 20110203765
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a conduit for use in a geothermal heating and cooling system wherein said conduit comprises 5 or more pipes, wherein further, said 5 or more pipes comprising said conduit are arranged to be contiguous, arranged to be separated by a spacing member, or arranged so that said 5 or more pipes comprising said conduit have both contiguous pipes and pipes separated by a spacing member; wherein further, at least one of said 5 or more pipes is a centrally located pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Jensen
  • Publication number: 20110203767
    Abstract: The invention is a thermal recycling system for converting lower quality thermal sources into higher quality thermal sources. In one embodiment, at least one photonic crystal radiator is combined with at least one substantially different radiator within a low loss thermal recycling cavity. Thermal recycling is based on the use of spectrum, polarization and temporal restrictions. These systems can be used in cooling, heating, and energy production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Scott M. Zimmerman, William R. Livesay
  • Publication number: 20110200394
    Abstract: An installation tool for installation of earth loops includes a cylindrical body with slots in its outer surface, for receiving of tubes of the earth loops, and a central passage extending therethrough from a grout fitting to a central opening at a leading end face of the cylindrical body. An anchor fits over the end face and includes a face plate with tube apertures extending therethrough, a retainer ring which serves to hold the earth loops in place within the slots during insertion of the tool into the borehole, and a pair of flexible plates extending from opposing positions on the retainer ring, approximately in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: UNITED AIR TEMP HEATING & AIR-CONDITIONING, INC.
    Inventor: LUKE TALKIN
  • Publication number: 20110197599
    Abstract: A thermal energy system comprising a first thermal system, the first thermal system in use having a heating and/or cooling demand, a closed loop geothermal energy system comprising a plurality of borehole heat exchangers, each borehole heat exchanger containing a working fluid, and an intermediate heat pump thermally connected between the first thermal system and the geothermal energy system. Each borehole heat exchanger may comprise an elongate tube having a closed bottom end and first and second adjacent elongate conduits interconnected at the bottom end. In particular, the first thermal system is a refrigeration system and the ‘closed loop geothermal energy system provides cooling of the condenser(s) of the refrigeration system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: James J. Stewart, Dmitriy I. Zaynulin, Grahame Newton
  • Publication number: 20110198054
    Abstract: Disclosed is an installation for using geothermal energy, comprising a main pipe (20) in a borehole (10) of a well. The main pipe (20) has several through-holes (23) to the surroundings and is subdivided into a top and a bottom section by means of a transverse closure (21) that has an opening in which a device or a part of a device (22) generating and/or promoting a flow is disposed. At least one heat-utilizing device (30) is arranged within the main pipe (20) which is surrounded at least in the region of the through-holes (23), preferably everywhere, by a porous bed (11) filing at least some of the remaining hollow space of the borehole (10) around the main pipe (20). The porous bed (11) is hydraulically interrupted within the main pipe (20) by a sealing material (12) at the level of the transverse closure (21). Said installation is used for delivering or dissipating heat, decontaminating especially groundwater, and/or generating power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: GEO-EN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Viernickel
  • Publication number: 20110192566
    Abstract: There is described a thermal storage system for transferring and storing heat in the ground, the thermal storage system comprising pumping means configured to circulate a working fluid, a heat exchanger, a supply output, a length of pipe, a return inlet and a thermally conductive ground engaging footing such that the pumping means circulates the working fluid through the length of pipe allowing heat transfer between the ground and the working fluid, the thermally conductive ground engaging footing thermally communicating with the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Dale Marshall
  • Patent number: 7992631
    Abstract: A temperature control system for a building comprises a thermal collection system, a plurality of underground heat sinks, and a heat exchanger. The thermal collection system includes at least one fluid channel. The thermal collection system is configured to heat or cool fluid within the at least one fluid channel. A first and a second underground heat sink are configured to receive the fluid from the thermal collection system. The first underground heat sink absorbs heat from the fluid in order to heat the first underground heat sink. The second underground heat sink transfers heat to the fluid in order to cool the second underground heat sink. The heat exchanger is configured to receive fluid from the first or second underground heat sink in order to heat or cool the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Kenton F. Brett
  • Patent number: 7992403
    Abstract: Provided is an air conditioning system using ground heat. The system includes one or more indoor units, at least one outdoor unit, a ground heat exchanger, and a plurality of auxiliary heat sources. The one or more indoor units condition indoor air. The at least one outdoor unit communicates with the indoor units via a plurality of pipes, and includes an outdoor heat exchanger where heat exchange occurs. The ground heat exchanger is connected with the outdoor heat exchanger of the outdoor unit, and laid under the ground to allow heat to be exchanged between ground heat and a circulating medium circulating through the ground heat exchanger. The plurality of auxiliary heat sources are installed on one side of the outdoor unit to assist heat exchange of the outdoor heat exchanger. Two or more auxiliary heat sources are simultaneously used, or one of them is selectively used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Kyu Kim, Jung Hoon Kim, Jae Yoon Koh
  • Patent number: 7992322
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dryer having a heater-integrated intake duct capable of reducing thermal loss and preventing overheating of the dryer. The dryer includes a support panel having a through-hole, an intake duct communicating with the through-hole, a drum into which air flows via the through-hole, a heater disposed inside the intake duct to heat the air flowing into the drum, and a heat exchanging part transferring heat of the heated air into the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Hoo Kim
  • Patent number: 7966780
    Abstract: There is described a wall structure for absorbing or transferring heat from or to the ground, the wall structure comprising a footing for the wall structure disposed in the ground below grade extending in the longitudinal direction of the wall structure, a vertical wall supported on and extending longitudinally in the direction of the footing, the vertical wall extending upwardly from the footing above grade to a predetermined height, and having upper, lower, interior, exterior and end surfaces, a sheath of insulation for enveloping the vertical wall's upper, end, interior and exterior surfaces and thermal conductors disposed in the wall structure to be in thermal communication with one another, at least some of the conductors extending outwardly from the footing into the ground, the thermal conductors facilitating heat transfer between the ground and the vertical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Encon Environmental Construction Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Marshall, Carlo Galasso
  • Publication number: 20110132571
    Abstract: A geothermal heat exchange system for use in a gas turbine power plant that includes an inlet plenum that directs a flow of air to a compressor that compresses a flow of air that is then mixed with a fuel and combusted in a combustor such that the resulting flow of hot gas is directed through a turbine, the geothermal heat exchange system comprising means for exchanging heat between a ground and the flow of air moving through the inlet plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Hua Zhang, Douglas S. Byrd, David W. Ball, JR., Rahul J. Chillar
  • Publication number: 20110126563
    Abstract: A device, such as an absorption chiller sub-system, is provided. The absorption chiller sub-system can include an evaporator and an absorber. The evaporator can be configured to receive a liquid first working fluid and to produce first working fluid vapor. The absorber can be configured to receive and combine first working fluid vapor and a second working fluid, for example, so as to release thermal energy. A divider having opposing first and second sides in respective fluid communication with the evaporator and the absorber can also be included. The divider can be configured to allow first working fluid vapor to pass therethrough between the first and second sides and to inhibit movement of liquid first working fluid therethrough between the first and second sides. Associated systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ching-Jen Tang, William Dwight Gerstler, AliciA Jillian Jackson Hardy, Helge Klockow, Sherif Hatem Abdulla Mohamed, Andrew Philip Shapiro, Yogen Vishwas Utturkar, Todd Garrett Wetzel, Paul Brian Wickersham
  • Publication number: 20110127004
    Abstract: A system and method for a thermal energy storage system is disclosed, the thermal energy storage system comprising a plurality of pressure vessels arranged in close proximity to one another, each of the pressure vessels having a wall comprising an outer surface and an inner surface spaced from the outer surface by a respective wall thickness and surrounding an interior volume of the pressure vessel. The interior volume has a first end in fluid communication with one or more compressors and one or more turbines and a second end in fluid communication with at least one of one or more additional compressors, one or more additional turbines, and at least one compressed air storage component. The thermal energy storage system further comprises a thermal storage medium positioned in the interior volume of each of the plurality of pressure vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Sebastian W. Freund, Matthias Finkenrath, Cristina Botero, Clarissa S.K. Belloni, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20110120666
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system for geo-thermal and solar energy conservation utilizing expandable fluids and methods thereof. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to system for increasing energy efficiency in residential or commercial structures through the use of carbon dioxide in a geo-thermal environment. In one embodiment of the present invention, an energy conservation system comprises a storage container for storing a low specific heat capacity and expandable fluid; a geo-thermal piping system, extending a predetermined distance beneath a ground surface; an energy exchanger; and a structural interface positioned between the energy exchanger and an energy-consuming physical structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: James Furey
  • Publication number: 20110114284
    Abstract: A system and a method for operating the system is provided to optimize heat exchange between a geothermal loop and a heat pump load loop for heating and cooling a structure. In the method, the flow rate through the earth loop is adjusted based on current thermal demand of a heat pump array, so as to reduce the electrical demand of the earth loop circulator when thermal demand from the heat pump loop is low. The method adjusts the speed of the earthloop circulator as required for the operating conditions of the heat pumps and earth loop, thereby permitting efficient laminar flow whenever possible, as long as thermal demand is met. The system of this invention provides a compact module containing a suitable digital data receiver and controller programmed to receive temperature and flow data and to calculate the needed flow in each loop to meet the thermal demand of the heat pump or pumps, and to signal the earthloop pump, and optionally a load loop pump, to operate at the necessary flow speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: John Siegenthaler
  • Publication number: 20110108233
    Abstract: Device for heating and cooling, respectively, more than one house, where at least two small houses (1) are connected to a common energy storage (2) in the ground and where a control device (3) is arranged to transport a heat carrier in a pipe work (4) connected to the energy storage (2). The small houses (1) are each arranged to have a separate respective heat pump device, and in each heat pump device is connected to the pipe work (4), so that, firstly, the heat carrier can flow through the heat pump device and, secondly, the small houses (1) are connected in parallel in relation to each other to the pipe work (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: SCANDINAVIAN ENERGY EFFICIENCY CO SEEC AB
    Inventor: Thomas Wildig
  • Publication number: 20110100586
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vertical relay fluid storage barrel installed with fluid inlet and fluid outlet for whole or in part placement into natural thermal energy body in vertical or downward oblique manner, wherein a thermal energy exchanger is installed inside the relay fluid storage barrel temporarily storing thermal conductive fluid for external flow, the thermal energy exchanger is installed with fluid piping for the thermal conductive fluid passing through, to perform heat exchange with the fluid in the relay fluid storage barrel, and the fluid in the relay fluid storage barrel performs heat exchange with the natural thermal energy body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang