US4142576A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat pump system with improved heat transfer
Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
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Filing: 1977-05-26
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Granted: 1979-03-06
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Expires: 1997-05-26
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. This is a division of application Ser. No. 718,348 filed Aug. 27, 1976, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,012.
Inventors
- 👤 Elijah R. Perry
- 👤 Mario Rabinowitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:35
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: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 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, the underground portion of said pipe being continuous, (d) back-fill soil around said underground pipe heat conductive portion, and (e) a plurality of water-filled bags dispersed in said back-fill soil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 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, the underground portion of said pipe being continuous, (d) back-fill soil around said underground pipe heat conductive portion, and (e) a plurality of water-filled bags dispersed in said back-fill soil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure of claim 1 together with an impermeable roof dispersed over the upper surface of the back-fill soil and heat pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure of claim 1 together with an impermeable lower sheet with upwardly extending side walls and a bottom disposed below and to the sides of said heat pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The structure of claim 1 in which said bags form a concentrated layer about said heat pipe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure of claim 3 in which said bags are present in a gradation of sizes sufficient for void spaces among the larger particles to be filled to a sufficient extent with the smaller particles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The structure of claim 1 in which the walls of the water-filled bags are flexible.
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) | 1982-03-05 | 1982-09-04 | 1983-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-03-05 | 1986-09-04 | 1987-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-03-05 | 1990-09-04 | 1991-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |