Heat exchange apparatus, system, and methods regarding same
First Claim
1. A thermal energy exchange system for use with an existing conduit that is in a flooded state, the system comprising:
- a heat pump apparatus comprising an inlet and an outlet; and
a heat exchange apparatus, wherein the heat exchange apparatus comprises;
at least one fluid source conduit configured to replace a section of the existing conduit that is in a flooded state and further configured to permit at least a portion of a fluid in the existing conduit to flow therethrough, and at least one heat transfer conduit having a fluid inlet and fluid outlet configured to be coupled to the inlet and outlet of the heat pump apparatus to form a closed loop, wherein the at least one heat transfer conduit is further configured to communicate with the fluid source conduit for providing thermal energy exchange between the fluid flowing through the fluid source conduit and a fluid flowing in the closed loop.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A heat exchange apparatus (e.g., that may be used with an existing conduit that is in a flooded state and a heat pump apparatus or other HVAC apparatus of a thermal energy exchange system) includes at least one fluid source conduit configured to replace a section of the existing conduit that is in a flooded state and further configured to permit at least a portion of a fluid that is in the existing conduit to flow therethrough. The heat exchange apparatus further includes at least one heat transfer conduit having an inlet and outlet configured to be coupled to a heat pump apparatus to form a closed loop therewith. Further, the heat transfer conduit is further configured to communicate with the fluid source conduit for providing thermal energy exchange between the fluid flowing through the fluid source conduit and a fluid (e.g., a refrigerant, water or a water and anti-freeze mixture) flowing in the closed loop.
-
Citations
39 Claims
-
1. A thermal energy exchange system for use with an existing conduit that is in a flooded state, the system comprising:
-
a heat pump apparatus comprising an inlet and an outlet; and
a heat exchange apparatus, wherein the heat exchange apparatus comprises;
at least one fluid source conduit configured to replace a section of the existing conduit that is in a flooded state and further configured to permit at least a portion of a fluid in the existing conduit to flow therethrough, and at least one heat transfer conduit having a fluid inlet and fluid outlet configured to be coupled to the inlet and outlet of the heat pump apparatus to form a closed loop, wherein the at least one heat transfer conduit is further configured to communicate with the fluid source conduit for providing thermal energy exchange between the fluid flowing through the fluid source conduit and a fluid flowing in the closed loop. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A heat exchange apparatus for use with an existing conduit that is in a flooded state and a heat pump apparatus of a thermal energy exchange system, wherein the heat exchange apparatus comprises:
-
at least one fluid source conduit configured to replace a section of the existing conduit that is in the flooded state and further configured to permit at least a portion of a fluid that is in the existing conduit to flow therethrough; and
at least one heat transfer conduit having an inlet and outlet configured to be coupled to the heat pump apparatus to form a closed loop therewith, wherein the at least one heat transfer conduit is further configured to communicate with the fluid source conduit for providing thermal energy exchange between the fluid flowing through the fluid source conduit and a fluid flowing in the closed loop. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A method for use in installing a thermal energy exchange system comprising a heat pump apparatus, wherein the heat pump apparatus comprises an inlet and an outlet, wherein the method comprises:
-
providing a heat exchange apparatus, wherein the heat exchange apparatus comprises;
at least one fluid source conduit configured to replace a section of the existing conduit that is in the flooded state and further configured to permit at least a portion of a fluid that is in the existing conduit to flow therethrough, and at least one heat transfer conduit having a fluid inlet and fluid outlet configured to be coupled to the inlet and outlet of the heat pump apparatus to form a closed loop, wherein the at least one heat transfer conduit is further configured to communicate with the fluid source conduit for providing thermal energy exchange between the fluid flowing through the fluid source conduit and a fluid flowing in the closed loop when the thermal energy exchange system is operational;
evacuating the fluid that is in the section of the existing conduit to be replaced;
removing the section of the existing conduit; and
fluidly coupling the at least one fluid source conduit to the existing conduit that is in the flooded state. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A thermal energy exchange system for use with an existing conduit that is in a flooded state, wherein the existing conduit comprises a conduit associated with a potable water source, the system comprising:
-
a heat pump apparatus comprising an inlet and an outlet; and
a heat exchange apparatus, wherein the heat exchange apparatus comprises;
at least one fluid source conduit configured to replace a section of the existing conduit that is in the flooded state and further configured to permit at least a portion of a fluid that is in the existing conduit to flow therethrough, at least one heat transfer conduit having a fluid inlet and fluid outlet configured to be coupled to the inlet and outlet of the heat pump apparatus to form a closed loop, wherein the at least one heat transfer conduit is further configured to communicate with the fluid source conduit for providing thermal energy exchange between the fluid flowing through the fluid source conduit and a fluid flowing in the closed loop when the thermal energy exchange system is operational, an enclosure structure configured to enclose at least the at least one fluid source conduit and the at least one heat transfer conduit, wherein the enclosure structure comprises a lockable access portion; and
at least one connection conduit configured to connect the at least one heat transfer conduit of the heat exchange apparatus to the heat pump apparatus to form the closed loop. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
-
-
37. A thermal energy exchange system for use with an existing conduit that is in a flooded state, the system comprising:
-
an HVAC apparatus comprising an inlet and an outlet; and
a heat exchange apparatus, wherein the heat exchange apparatus comprises;
at least one fluid source conduit configured to replace a section of the existing conduit that is in a flooded state and further configured to permit at least a portion of a fluid in the existing conduit to flow therethrough, and at least one heat transfer conduit having a fluid inlet and fluid outlet configured to be coupled to the inlet and outlet of the heat pump apparatus to form a closed loop, wherein the at least one heat transfer conduit is further configured to communicate with the fluid source conduit for providing thermal energy exchange between the fluid flowing through the fluid source conduit and a fluid flowing in the closed loop. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
-
Specification