US3911683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Efficient and nonpolluting method for recovering geothermal heat energy
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-12-12
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Granted: 1975-10-14
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Expires: 1994-12-12
Abstract
Abstract Geothermal heat is transferred from either dry or wet subterranean strata to a location at or neat the earth''s surface by a passive heat pipe extending into a well. The upper end of the heat pipe, to which the latent geothermal heat is transferred, extends into a steam chamber in which water is converted to steam used to drive a turbine generator or the like. After driving the turbine, the steam is condensed to liquid form and redirected into the steam chamber where it is once again converted to steam by the heat pipe. The utilization of a passive heat pipe means that nothing but heat is taken from the earth; hence, there is no land subsidence and no pollution. Further, the passive heat pipe eliminates the need for actively pumping a heat transfer fluid down through a well and back up to the surface.
Inventors
- 👤 John H Wolf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:41
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F03; F03G; F03G4/00; F03G4/074; F24; F24T; F24T10/00; F24T10/30; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
The method of converting geothermal heat energy to electricity comprising the steps of: drilling a borehole into the earth to a depth sufficient to reach strata having geothermal temperatures on the order of at least 240*F; inserting a heat pipe into said borehole, said heat pipe being of a type which conducts heat from one of its ends to the other, the heat pipe being inserted with said one end in said hole and the other end proximate the surface; and converting heat which is conducted to said other end of said heat pipe to another form of energy.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
The method of converting geothermal heat energy to electricity comprising the steps of: drilling a borehole into the earth to a depth sufficient to reach strata having geothermal temperatures on the order of at least 240*F; inserting a heat pipe into said borehole, said heat pipe being of a type which conducts heat from one of its ends to the other, the heat pipe being inserted with said one end in said hole and the other end proximate the surface; and converting heat which is conducted to said other end of said heat pipe to another form of energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of converting comprises: contacting said other end of said heat pipe with liquid in a steam chamber to form steam; conducting the steam formed in said steam chamber to drive a turbine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 2 further comprising the step of: pre-heating said liquid before it contacts said other end of said heat pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 3 further comprising the step of: recirculating the steam used to drive said turbine by first condensing the steam after it drives the turbine and then pumping the condensed steam to said steam chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for recovering geothermal energy through a borehole extending into the earth, said apparatus comprising: a passive heat pipe disposed in said borehole and capable of transferring heat from one end of the heat pipe disposed pRoximate the bottom of said borehole to the other end of said heat pipe extending above the top of said borehole; a steam chamber disposed above said borehole such that said other end of said heat pipe extends into said steam chamber; liquid supply means for introducing liquid into said chamber to form steam therein upon contacting said other end of said heat pipe; a steam turbine; and means for conducting the steam formed in said steam chamber to drive said steam turbine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for recovering geothermal energy through a borehole extending into the earth, said apparatus comprising: a passive heat pipe disposed in said borehole and capable of transferring heat from one end of the heat pipe disposed pRoximate the bottom of said borehole to the other end of said heat pipe extending above the top of said borehole; a steam chamber disposed above said borehole such that said other end of said heat pipe extends into said steam chamber; liquid supply means for introducing liquid into said chamber to form steam therein upon contacting said other end of said heat pipe; a steam turbine; and means for conducting the steam formed in said steam chamber to drive said steam turbine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said liquid supply means comprises a pump and a pre-heater for raising the temperature of said liquid before the liquid is introduced into said steam chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising: condenser means for converting steam to liquid; means for conducting said steam after it drives said turbine to said condenser means; and means for delivering liquid from said condenser means to said pump.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-13 | 1979-04-14 | 1979-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-13 | 1983-04-14 | 1983-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-13 | 1987-04-14 | 1987-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |