Trench-conformable geothermal heat exchange reservoirs and related methods and systems
First Claim
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1. A geothermal heat exchanger for a ground trench, comprising:
- a reservoir body having external flexible walls, wherein the reservoir body is configured to selectively heat or cool liquid therein, depending on flow direction therethrough, the reservoir body having width, height, and length dimensions, wherein the reservoir body has front and rear primary walls configured as opposing long sides of the reservoir body connected with left and right end walls configured as opposing short sides that are orthogonal to the front and rear primary walls, the short sides extending along the width dimension, the long sides extending along the length dimension, wherein the short sides have a width in a range of 1-12 inches and the long sides have a length in a range of 10-100 feet, wherein the short sides and long sides have a height as the height dimension that is greater than the width of the short sides, wherein the reservoir body has at least one inlet port and at least one exit port that is longitudinally spaced apart from the at least one inlet port in the length dimension, and wherein the reservoir body is sufficiently flexible to be rolled and/or folded for shipment.
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Abstract
The disclosure describes trench-confirmable geothermal reservoirs that can snugly abut trench walls (that may be of virgin, compacted earth) for facilitating heat exchange and flow liquid from one lower end to an opposing top end, and vice versa, depending on desired heat exchange. The direction can be reversed for summer and winter heat/cooling configurations. A series of the reservoirs may be used for appropriate heat transfer. The water volume of the reservoirs is relatively large and slow moving for good earth heat conduction.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A geothermal heat exchanger for a ground trench, comprising:
a reservoir body having external flexible walls, wherein the reservoir body is configured to selectively heat or cool liquid therein, depending on flow direction therethrough, the reservoir body having width, height, and length dimensions, wherein the reservoir body has front and rear primary walls configured as opposing long sides of the reservoir body connected with left and right end walls configured as opposing short sides that are orthogonal to the front and rear primary walls, the short sides extending along the width dimension, the long sides extending along the length dimension, wherein the short sides have a width in a range of 1-12 inches and the long sides have a length in a range of 10-100 feet, wherein the short sides and long sides have a height as the height dimension that is greater than the width of the short sides, wherein the reservoir body has at least one inlet port and at least one exit port that is longitudinally spaced apart from the at least one inlet port in the length dimension, and wherein the reservoir body is sufficiently flexible to be rolled and/or folded for shipment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A geothermal heat exchanger for a ground trench, comprising:
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a reservoir body having external flexible walls, wherein the reservoir body is configured to selectively heat or cool liquid therein, depending on flow direction therethrough, the reservoir body having width, height, and length dimensions, wherein the reservoir body has front and rear primary walls configured as opposing long sides of the reservoir body connected with left and right end walls configured as opposing short sides that are orthogonal to the front and rear primary walls, the short sides extending along the width dimension, the long sides extending along the length dimension, wherein the short sides have a width in a range of 1-12 inches and the long sides have a length in a range of 10-100 feet, wherein the short sides and long sides have a height as the height dimension that is greater than the width of the short sides, wherein the reservoir body has at least one inlet port and at least one exit port that is longitudinally spaced apart from the at least one inlet port in the length dimension, wherein the reservoir body is sufficiently flexible to be rolled and/or folded for shipment, and wherein the inlet and exit ports comprise pipe or conduit fittings that are coupled to pipe or conduit in a closed geothermal loop that extends into a residence or building, wherein the closed geothermal loop is in fluid communication with a water source heat pump or water-cooled condenser, and wherein the water source heat pump or water-cooled condenser are remote from the reservoir body.
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20. A geothermal heat exchanger for a ground trench, comprising:
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a reservoir body having external flexible walls, wherein the reservoir body is configured to selectively heat or cool liquid therein, depending on flow direction therethrough, the reservoir body having width, height, and length dimensions, wherein the reservoir body has front and rear primary walls configured as opposing long sides of the reservoir body connected with left and right end walls configured as opposing short sides that are orthogonal to the front and rear primary walls, the short sides extending along the width dimension, the long sides extending along the length dimension, wherein the short sides have a width in a range of 1-12 inches and the long sides have a length in a range of 10-100 feet, wherein the short sides and long sides have a height as the height dimension that is greater than the width of the short sides, wherein the reservoir body has at least one inlet port and at least one exit port that is longitudinally spaced apart from the at least one inlet port in the length dimension, and wherein the reservoir body is sufficiently flexible to be rolled and/or folded for shipment; and at least one substantially rigid elongate external support member that is attached to the reservoir body and has increased rigidity relative to the reservoir body, wherein the at least one substantially rigid external support member comprises a vertical beam, rib or rod attached to one or both of the left and right end walls of the reservoir body and extending a distance thereabove.
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Specification