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US 4,360,056 AGranted
Geokinetic energy conversion
AssigneeSpencertown Geo-Solar Associates
InventorThomas F. O'Connell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An energy conversion system employing a heat transducer and a set of heat exchange earth fields. The connection of the fields to the heat transducer is controllably variable. The fields are used to extract or dissipate heat according to whether a heating or cooling effect is desired. The heat gain, or heat loss in the case of cooling, is a function of the geothermal energy of the earth, as modulated by solar radiation.
Claims18
A geothermal energy conversion system comprising:
- (i) a heat transducer;
- (ii) a first heat transfer fluid;
- (iii) a plurality of geothermal fields located in the earth each said field having means for circulating the first heat transfer fluid therethrough;
- (iv) control means connected to each said circulating means for selectively operating each said circulating means;
- (v) a second heat transfer fluid;
- (vi) a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the first heat transfer fluid circulated within said field to the second heat transfer fluid in heat exchange relation therewith, or for transferring heat to the first heat transfer fluid circulated within said field from the second heat transfer fluid in heat exchange relation therewith;
- (vii) means for selectively operating the control means to activate said circulating means associated with said given field and thereby circulate the first heat transfer fluid through said given field and through said heat exchanger;
- and
- (viii) means for circulating said second heat transfer fluid from said heat exchanger to said heat transducer.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.