US 5,634,515 AGranted

Geothermal heat-pump system and installation of same

OwnerKenneth W. Lambertinventor

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Abstract

The geothermal heat transfer system comprises a plurality of heat exchange loops placed in the ground at an angle of less than a 20 degrees, but greater than a 5 degrees. Each loop has an out flow line and a return line, and a fluid tight, tapered and, U-turn juncture connecting the lines. A pair of distributors connects to inlet and outlet lines at a lower end and a plurality of outlet members at the upper end. A heat exchange device connects to the loops through the inlet and outlet lines. A liquid-oil-gas separator uses cup member and deflector to create a Venturi fluid inlet to separate the oil, returning it to the compressor. A bore hole drilling device comprises an hollow drilling bit with a cutting member at one end, a central fluid passage, and connecting means. The bore hole drilling device has a swivel member with a body portion and housing with a central bore and an inlet, connect to a water line. The body is position within the central bore and mounted for rotational motion within the housing.

Claims1

Dependent claims

The method of installing a geothermal heat transfer system, having a plurality of heat exchange loops offset from a line parallel to the surface of the earth above said heat exchange loops, comprising the steps of:

a) digging a trench hole,
b) drilling a plurality of bore holes said drilling commencing on one side of said trench hole passing through said trench hole at a first level, and continuing on the opposite side of said trench hole at a level below said first level, said bore hole being at an angle with a line parallel to the surface of the earth above said bore hole, which angle is in the range from about 5 degrees to less than 25 degrees to said parallel line,
c) inserting a pair of conduits into each drilled bore hole, each of said pair of conduits being joined, in fluid tight communication by a juncture member having a tapered leading edge, said pair of conduits being inserted in said drilled bore hole by forcing said tapered leading edge into said drilled bore hole, with said tapered edge clearing the path for said pair of conduits being inserted into said drilled bore hole,
d) within said trench hole, connecting said inlets lines to a first flow distributor and connecting said outlet conduits to a second distributor.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.