Dual cycle heat pipe-method and apparatus

Abstract

Abstract A method and apparatus for utilizing the earth or other heat source/heat sink for heating and cooling buildings are disclosed. The system comprises at least one heat transfer fluid conduit and at least one heat pipe in heat transfer communication. When two conduits are employed a dual cycle system for heating and cooling is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, upper and lower heat transfer fluid conduits containing a first heat transfer fluid are connected by heat pipes containing a second heat transfer fluid, the two fluids being isolated from one another. The heat pipes are preferably sealed plastic tubes with hollow metal end caps at each end. The metal end caps on the heat pipes are positioned in the circulation pipes so as to have sufficient contact with the recirculatory fluid in the respective heat transfer fluid conduits to transfer heat to and from such fluid. In the summer, heated fluid flows through the lower conduit causing the second heat transfer fluid in the lower end cap of the heat pipe to boil and condense on the heat pipe wall giving off heat to the ground or other heat sink, thereby providing a cooling action on the first heat transfer fluid flowing through the lower conduit. In winter, the lower conduit is shut down and the upper conduit activated by passing cooled first heat transfer fluid through the upper conduit which condenses the second heat transfer fluid in the upper end cap causing it to flow by gravity down the walls of the heat pipe to a point at which it boils and the resulting vapor then goes back up the heat pipe as a vapor, repeating the cycle and resulting in the heating of the first heat transfer fluid in the upper conduit. Such a system can be used to both heat and cool buildings.

Inventors

• 👤 Mikio Suo

Bibliographic Details