US4279294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat pipe bag system
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1978-12-22
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Granted: 1981-07-21
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Expires: 1998-12-22
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for utilizing the earth as a heat source and heat sink for heating and cooling buildings are disclosed. Flexible material such as hollow plastic or metal foil bags which can be buried in deep, narrow trenches are draped over and clamped to heat transfer fluid conduits or conventional heat pipes vastly increasing the heat transfer surface area serving the conduits or heat pipes. The heat pipe bags contain a heat transfer fluid and can contain wicks which are in heat transfer communication with the heat transfer fluid conduits or other heat pipes. The plastic or metal of the heat pipe bag similarly encloses the wick forming a closed, sealed system which can also include the conduit or heat pipe. Such conduit-heat pipe bag combination can be used in combination with conventional heat pumps to both heat and cool buildings.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter R. Fitzpatrick
- 👤 Russell G. Meyerand, Jr.
- 👤 Kenneth E. Shotwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:27
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/0241; F24; F24T; F24T10/00; F24T10/10; F24T10/40; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A heat pipe bag for below-ground use the interior of which is adapted to be combined in heat transfer communication with the exterior of a first heat transfer fluid conduit and to contain in sealed fashion a second heat transfer fluid comprising a hollow, thin-walled bag having flexibility, puncture resistance, heat transfer fluid inertness, and prolonged below-ground exposure integrity, containing a wick material extending radially outward to the end of the bag from the intended location of the conduit along the anticipated path of principal heat transfer and including a plurality of spacers adjacent the wicks in the heat pipe bag.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A heat pipe bag for below-ground use the interior of which is adapted to be combined in heat transfer communication with the exterior of a first heat transfer fluid conduit and to contain in sealed fashion a second heat transfer fluid comprising a hollow, thin-walled bag having flexibility, puncture resistance, heat transfer fluid inertness, and prolonged below-ground exposure integrity, containing a wick material extending radially outward to the end of the bag from the intended location of the conduit along the anticipated path of principal heat transfer and including a plurality of spacers adjacent the wicks in the heat pipe bag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The heat pipe bag of claim 1 wherein the second heat transfer fluid has a vapor pressure at or near atmospheric pressure between about 30° and 100° F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The heat pipe bag of claim 1 wherein the second heat transfer fluid has a boiling point of 55° F. at atmospheric pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The heat pipe bag of claim 1 wherein the heat pipe bag is plastic containing metal particles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The heat pipe bag of claim 1 wherein the plastic is high density polyethylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The heat pipe bag of claim 1 wherein the heat pipe bag is rectangular in shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The heat pipe bag of claim 1 wherein the wick material is fiberglass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A plurality of adjacent, connected heat pipe bags of claim 1 separated and sealed from each other by seam means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The heat pipe bag of claim 1 wherein the heat pipe bag is plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The heat pipe bag of claim 1 wherein the heat pipe bag is plastic containing metal flakes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The heat pipe bag of claim 1 wherein the heat pipe bag is plastic reinforced with fiberglass.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The heat pipe bag of claim 1 wherein the heat pipe bag is plastic reinforced with metal foil.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
117 words
A below-ground heat pipe system comprising a heat pipe bag, the interior of which is combined in heat transfer communication with the exterior of a first heat transfer fluid conduit, said bag containing in sealed fashion a second heat transfer fluid, said bag comprising a hollow, thin-walled bag having flexibility, puncture resistance, heat transfer fluid inertness and prolonged below-ground exposure integrity and containing a wick material in heat transfer communication with the exterior of the first heat transfer fluid conduit and extending radially outward to the end of the bag from the intended location of the conduit along the anticipated path of principal heat transfer and including a plurality of spacers adjacent the wicks in the bag.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
117 words
A below-ground heat pipe system comprising a heat pipe bag, the interior of which is combined in heat transfer communication with the exterior of a first heat transfer fluid conduit, said bag containing in sealed fashion a second heat transfer fluid, said bag comprising a hollow, thin-walled bag having flexibility, puncture resistance, heat transfer fluid inertness and prolonged below-ground exposure integrity and containing a wick material in heat transfer communication with the exterior of the first heat transfer fluid conduit and extending radially outward to the end of the bag from the intended location of the conduit along the anticipated path of principal heat transfer and including a plurality of spacers adjacent the wicks in the bag.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the second heat transfer fluid has a boiling point of about 55° F. at about one atmosphere of pressure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 13, wherein the conduit is aluminum.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 15 wherein the plastic is high density polyethylene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the heat pipe bag is plastic containing metal particles.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the plastic is high density polyethylene.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the heat pipe bag is rectangular in shape.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the wick is fiberglass.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the second heat transfer fluid present in said bag has a vapor pressure at or near atmospheric at 30°-100° F.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the conduit is copper.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the conduit is plastic.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the heat pipe bag is plastic.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the heat pipe bag is plastic containing metal flakes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the heat pipe bag is plastic reinforced with fiberglass.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the heat pipe bag is plastic reinforced with metal foil.
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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) | 1984-07-20 | 1985-01-19 | 1985-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-20 | 1989-01-19 | 1989-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-20 | 1993-01-19 | 1993-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |