Piles providing support and geothermal heat exchange

A foundation system for providing support to a structural load thereon, and the foundation system for providing geothermal heat exchange using a fluid, the foundation system comprising:

• at least one vertical pile member, the vertical pile member having a first end and a second end in opposition to one another, the first end configured to install in a distal location from a ground surface into a ground soil environment, the second end configured to install proximal to the ground surface, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end;
• a central insulated tube extending in a longitudinal direction within the vertical pile member, the central insulated tube having a first opening and a second opening, the first opening configured adjacent the first end, the second opening configured adjacent the second end, and the central insulated tube configured to transmit a geothermal heat exchange fluid therein;
• an input pipe and an output pipe configured to transmit the geothermal heat exchange fluid through the vertical pile member;
• and
• a closed end provided at the first end of the vertical pile member, the closed end configured to provide an area of densified soil in the ground soil environment adjacent the vertical pile member, and the area of densified soil configured to increase heat transfer capability between the vertical pile member and the ground soil environment through the sidewall between the first end and the second end;
• wherein each of the central insulated tube and the closed end providing the area of densified soil adjacent to the pile member together provide a continuous area of heat exchange along the sidewall extending between (1) a first area of the sidewall adjacent the first opening of the central tube and (2) a second area of the sidewall adjacent to the second end of the vertical pile member;
• and
• wherein the central insulated tube is configured to limit heat exchange of the geothermal heat exchange fluid to the sidewall of the vertical pile member and prevent heat exchange from (1) the geothermal heat exchange fluid contained therein between the first opening and the second opening to (2) heat exchange fluid adjacent the second end of the vertical pile member between the sidewall and the central insulated tube.