US 11,778,958 B2 · Multi-source heat exchange system employing a ground-energy storage system for controlled environment enclosures · patentgrep

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Abstract

A multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system is configured to store thermal energy during a cooling/dehumidifcation mode of operation for future use during a heating mode of operation. The multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system utilizes a ground loop that is configured under an enclosure, such as a greenhouse, and is in thermal communication with a thermal reservoir medium to conduct and store heat. A thermal exchange fluid is pumped through the ground loop and ground heat exchanger and may receive heat from a condenser during a cooling/dehumidification mode of operation and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a heating mode. The enclosure air may receive heat from the heat pump during a heating mode and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a cooling/dehumidification mode. The heat exchange system may employ a heat pump having a reversing valve to change the mode of operation.

Claims55

Dependent claims

A greenhouse enclosure environment control system comprising a multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system comprising of:

a) an enclosure comprising:
i) a roof;
ii) a floor;
iii) vegetation configured within the greenhouse;
b) a heat reservoir having a heat reservoir medium;
c) a heat pump heat exchange system comprising a heat pump comprising:
i) a condenser;
ii) a condenser heat exchanger;
iii) an expansion valve;
iv) an evaporator heat exchanger that produces condensate water from a flow of air from the enclosure;
v) a compressor configured to pump a refrigerant through the heat pump exchange system;
and
vi) a reversing valve;
d) a misting system configured to dispense a mist of water into the enclosure;
e) a fluid-to-ground heat exchange system comprising:
i) a ground loop coupled with the heat pump exchange system and comprising:
a ground loop conduit extending through the heat reservoir;
and
ii) a ground loop pump;
iii) a thermal exchange fluid that is configured to be pumped by the ground loop pump to flow through the ground loop conduit and back to said heat pump heat exchange system;
f) a hydration conduit that extends under the enclosure having a hydration outlet to dispense a hydration fluid to the heat reservoir medium to increase the heat transfer of the heat reservoir medium;
wherein, in a cooling and dehumidification mode, the evaporator heat exchanger produces a flow of cooled and dried air into the enclosure and the compressor heats the thermal exchange fluid flowing to the ground loop conduit, whereby the thermal reservoir medium is heated and the enclosure is cooled and dehumidified;
and
wherein in a heating mode, the evaporator heat exchanger produces a flow of heated air into the enclosure and the condenser cools the thermal exchange fluid flowing to the ground loop conduit, whereby the heat reservoir is cooled and the enclosure is heated.

21 more elements

A greenhouse enclosure environment control system comprising a multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system comprising of:

a) an enclosure comprising:
i) a roof;
ii) a floor;
iii) vegetation configured within the greenhouse;
b) a heat reservoir having a heat reservoir medium;
c) a heat pump heat exchange system comprising a heat pump comprising:
i) a condenser;
ii) a condenser heat exchanger;
iii) an expansion valve;
iv) an evaporator heat exchanger that produces condensate water from a flow of air from the enclosure;
v) a compressor configured to pump a refrigerant through the heat pump exchange system;
and
vi) a reversing valve;
d) a misting system configured to dispense a mist of water into the enclosure;
e) a fluid-to-ground heat exchange system comprising:
i) a ground loop coupled with the heat pump exchange system and comprising:
a ground loop conduit extending through the heat reservoir;
and
ii) a ground loop pump;
iii) a thermal exchange fluid that is configured to be pumped by the ground loop pump to flow through the ground loop conduit and back to said heat pump heat exchange system;
f) a water side economizer that comprises a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the enclosure air prior to the enclosure air returning to the heat pump;
wherein, in a cooling and dehumidification mode, the evaporator heat exchanger produces a flow of cooled and dried air into the enclosure and the compressor heats the thermal exchange fluid flowing to the ground loop conduit, whereby the thermal reservoir medium is heated and the enclosure is cooled and dehumidified;
and
wherein in a heating mode, the evaporator heat exchanger produces a flow of heated air into the enclosure and the condenser cools the thermal exchange fluid flowing to the ground loop conduit, whereby the heat reservoir is cooled and the enclosure is heated;
and
wherein said condensate water from the heat pump heat exchange system is used for at least one of the misting system or for irrigation of the vegetation within the greenhouse enclosure.

23 more elements

A greenhouse enclosure environment control system comprising a multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system comprising of:

a) an enclosure comprising:
i) a roof;
ii) a floor;
iii) vegetation configured within the greenhouse;
b) a heat reservoir having a heat reservoir medium;
c) a heat pump heat exchange system comprising a heat pump comprising:
i) a condenser;
ii) a condenser heat exchanger;
iii) an expansion valve;
iv) an evaporator heat exchanger that produces condensate water from a flow of air from the enclosure;
v) a compressor configured to pump a refrigerant through the heat pump exchange system;
and
vi) a reversing valve;
d) a misting system configured to dispense a mist of water into the enclosure;
e) a fluid-to-ground heat exchange system comprising:
i) a ground loop coupled with the heat pump exchange system and comprising:
a ground loop conduit extending through the heat reservoir;
and
ii) a ground loop pump;
iii) a thermal exchange fluid that is configured to be pumped by the ground loop pump to flow through the ground loop conduit and back to said heat pump heat exchange system;
wherein the thermal exchange fluid is diverted to a body of water and flows through an auxiliary heat exchanger to cool the thermal exchange fluid;
wherein, in a cooling and dehumidification mode, the evaporator heat exchanger produces a flow of cooled and dried air into the enclosure and the compressor heats the thermal exchange fluid flowing to the ground loop conduit, whereby the thermal reservoir medium is heated and the enclosure is cooled and dehumidified;
and
wherein in a heating mode, the evaporator heat exchanger produces a flow of heated air into the enclosure and the condenser cools the thermal exchange fluid flowing to the ground loop conduit, whereby the heat reservoir is cooled and the enclosure is heated;
and
wherein said condensate water from the heat pump heat exchange system is used for at least one of the misting system or for irrigation of the vegetation within the greenhouse enclosure.

23 more elements

A greenhouse enclosure environment control system comprising a multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system comprising of:

a) an enclosure comprising:
vii) roof;
viii) a floor;
ix) vegetation configured within the greenhouse;
b) a heat reservoir having a heat reservoir medium;
c) a heat pump heat exchange system comprising a first heat pump and a second heat pump, each comprising:
x) a condenser;
xi) a condenser heat exchanger;
xii) an expansion valve;
xiii) an evaporator heat exchanger that produces condensate water from a flow of air from the enclosure;
xiv) a compressor configured to pump a refrigerant through the heat pump exchange system;
and
xv) a reversing valve;
xvi) a reheat coil;
wherein the first heat pump is configured to operate in a cooling and dehumidification mode while the second heat pump is configured to operate in a heating mode to both heat and dehumidify enclosure air within the greenhouse enclosure;
d) a misting system configured to dispense a mist of water into the enclosure;
e) a fluid-to-ground heat exchange system comprising:
xvii) a ground loop coupled with the heat pump exchange system and comprising:
a ground loop conduit extending through the heat reservoir;
and
xviii) a ground loop pump;
xix) a thermal exchange fluid that is configured to be pumped by the ground loop pump to flow through the ground loop conduit and back to said heat pump heat exchange system;
wherein the thermal exchange fluid is diverted to a body of water and flows through an auxiliary heat exchanger to cool the thermal exchange fluid;
wherein, in a cooling and dehumidification mode, the evaporator heat exchanger produces a flow of cooled and dried air into the enclosure and the compressor heats the thermal exchange fluid flowing to the ground loop conduit, whereby the thermal reservoir medium is heated and the enclosure is cooled and dehumidified;
and
wherein in a heating mode, the evaporator heat exchanger produces a flow of heated air into the enclosure and the condenser cools the thermal exchange fluid flowing to the ground loop conduit, whereby the heat reservoir is cooled and the enclosure is heated;
and
wherein said condensate water from the heat pump heat exchange system is used for at least one of the misting system or for irrigation of the vegetation within the greenhouse enclosure.

25 more elements

A greenhouse enclosure environment control system comprising a multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system comprising of:

a) an enclosure comprising:
i) a roof;
ii) a floor;
iii) vegetation configured within the greenhouse;
wherein the enclosure has an exposed surface area with at least 25% windows to allow sunlight into the enclosure for the purpose of growing the vegetation
b) a heat reservoir having a heat reservoir medium configured at least partially under said floor of the enclosure;
c) a heat pump heat exchange system, each comprising a first heat pump and a second heat pump, each comprising:
i) a condenser;
ii) a condenser heat exchanger;
iii) an expansion valve;
iv) an evaporator heat exchanger that produces condensate water from a flow of air from the enclosure;
v) a compressor configured to pump a refrigerant through the heat pump exchange system;
and
vi) a reheat coil;
d) a misting system configured to dispense a mist of water into the enclosure;
e) a fluid-to-ground heat exchange system comprising:
i) a ground loop coupled with the heat pump exchange system and comprising:
a ground loop conduit extending through the heat reservoir and under the floor of the enclosure;
ii) a ground loop pump;
iii) a thermal exchange fluid that is configured to be pumped by the ground loop pump to flow through the ground loop conduit and back to said heat pump heat exchange system;
wherein, in a cooling and dehumidification mode, the evaporator heat exchanger produces a flow of cooled and dried air into the enclosure and the compressor heats the thermal exchange fluid flowing to the ground loop conduit, whereby the thermal reservoir medium is heated and the enclosure is cooled and dehumidified;
and
wherein in a heating mode, the evaporator heat exchanger produces a flow of heated air into the enclosure and the condenser cools the thermal exchange fluid flowing to the ground loop conduit, whereby the heat reservoir is cooled and the enclosure is heated;
wherein the first heat pump is configured to operate in a cooling and dehumidification mode while the second heat pump is configured to operate in a heating mode to both heat and dehumidify enclosure air within the greenhouse enclosure.

21 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/787,584Filed 16 Sep 2021 · us provisional application
Priority: 16 Sep 2020
Published: US 2022/0400625 A122 Dec 2022
Granted: 10 Oct 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification25 codes

A01G 9/247
Devices or systems for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature , illuminating, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like:…
F24D 11/0221
Water heating system: combined with solar energy
A01G 9/1438
Greenhouses: covering materials therefor; Materials for protective coverings used for soil and plants, e.g. films, canopies, tunnels or cloches
A01G 9/245
Devices or systems for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature , illuminating, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like:…

Family

Application63/079,461Us provisional application · filed 16 Sep 2020
US 2022/0400625 A1Pre-grant publication · published 22 Dec 2022
US 11,778,958 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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Citations

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