US4042012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat pump system with improved heat transfer
Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
•
Filing: 1976-08-27
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Granted: 1977-08-16
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Expires: 1996-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A heat pump for cooling or heating a conditioned space includes an underground heat pipe laid into a hole in the ground back-filled with soil. The heat transfer of the soil is improved by dispersing highly water-absorbent hydrophilic polymeric gel particles soaked with water around the heat pipe. The water-soaked particles preferably are coated with a water-impermeable film. The water may also be entrapped in liquid form in small bags. Also, a water impermeable sheath may be formed around the back-fill soil to minimize evaporation from the particles.
Inventors
- 👤 Elijah R. Perry
- 👤 Mario Rabinowitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:45
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D20/00; F28D20/0052; F24; F24T; F24T10/00; F24T10/10; F25; F25B; F25B17/00; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A30/00; Y02A30/27; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/62; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/10; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
In a method for increasing the heat transfer to an underground heat pipe of a heat pump for heating or cooling an air conditioned space, the steps of (a) digging a hole for the heat pipe, (b) depositing an impermeable lower sheet with upwardly extending side walls and a bottom wall to conform to the hole, (c) laying the heat pipes in the interior of the lower sheet, (d) back-filling around the heat pipes with soil in which water-absorbent particles are dispersed comprising material capable of absorbing many times its own weight of water, and (e) soaking said absorbent particles with water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a method for increasing the heat transfer to an underground heat pipe of a heat pump for heating or cooling an air conditioned space, the steps of (a) digging a hole for the heat pipe, (b) depositing an impermeable lower sheet with upwardly extending side walls and a bottom wall to conform to the hole, (c) laying the heat pipes in the interior of the lower sheet, (d) back-filling around the heat pipes with soil in which water-absorbent particles are dispersed comprising material capable of absorbing many times its own weight of water, and (e) soaking said absorbent particles with water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 in which an impermeable roof is placed over the upper surface of said back-filled soil to reduce evaporation of water from said soaked absorbent particles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 in which the upper edges of said bottom sheet are sealed with the side edges of said roof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a method for increasing the heat transfer to an underground heat pipe of a heat pump for heating or cooling an air conditioned space, the steps of (a) laying the heat pipe in an open hole, (b) back-filling the hole with soil in which water-absorbent particles are dispersed comprising a material capable of absorbing many times its own weight of water, and (c) soaking said absorbent particles with water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a method for increasing the heat transfer to an underground heat pipe of a heat pump for heating or cooling an air conditioned space, the steps of (a) laying the heat pipe in an open hole, (b) back-filling the hole with soil in which water-absorbent particles are dispersed comprising a material capable of absorbing many times its own weight of water, and (c) soaking said absorbent particles with water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 in which said soaking step is performed prior to back-filling.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 in which said soaking step is performed by pouring water into the hole during back-filling.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 in which said soaking step is performed by pouring water into the hole subsequent to back-filling.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4 in which at least 20% of said sorbent particles have an effective diameter of at least 0.5 cm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 4 in which after soaking, said absorbent particles are coated with a substantially water-impermeable film of sufficient strength to withstand mixing with soil and thereafter said coated particles are dispersed in said soil prior to back-filling.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 in which said absorbent particles are dispersed into said soil prior to back-filling.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 4 in which, after steps (b) and (c), a water impermeable sheet is placed over the back-filled hole to reduce evaporation of water from said soaked absorbent particles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4 in which said soaked particles are formed of a hydrophilic polymeric gel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4 in which said absorbent particles and soil are premixed prior to back-filling.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4 in which said absorbent particles are deposited as a concentrated layer around the heat pipe without premixing with substantial back-fill soil.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a heat pump structure for cooling or heating a conditioned air space, (a) a heat exchange zone, (b) a refrigerant fluid line extending through said heat exchange zone, (c) an underground heat pipe extending through said heat exchange zone, and including a heat conductive portion, (d) back-fill soil around said underground pipe heat conductive portion, and (e) a plurality of water-soaked absorbent particles dispersed in said back-fill soil, said particles comprising a material capable of absorbing many times its own weight of water.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a heat pump structure for cooling or heating a conditioned air space, (a) a heat exchange zone, (b) a refrigerant fluid line extending through said heat exchange zone, (c) an underground heat pipe extending through said heat exchange zone, and including a heat conductive portion, (d) back-fill soil around said underground pipe heat conductive portion, and (e) a plurality of water-soaked absorbent particles dispersed in said back-fill soil, said particles comprising a material capable of absorbing many times its own weight of water.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure of claim 15 together with an impermeable roof disposed over the upper surface of the back-filled soil and heat pipe.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure of claim 15 together with an elongate impermeable lower sheet with upwardly extending side walls and a bottom wall disposed below and to the sides of said heat pipe.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure of claim 15 in which said absorbent particles form a concentrated layer around said heat pipe.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure of claim 15 in which said absorbent particles are present in a gradation of sizes sufficient for void spaces among the larger particles to be filled to a significant extent with the smaller particles.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The structure of claim 15 in which said absorbent particles are formed of a hydrophilic polymeric gel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-15 | 1981-02-14 | 1981-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-15 | 1985-02-14 | 1985-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-15 | 1989-02-14 | 1989-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |