Underground heat exchanging apparatus

• US 4,741,388 A
• Filed: 12/13/1985
• Issued: 05/03/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kazuo Kuroiwa
• Original Assignee: Kazuo Kuroiwa
• Inventors: Kuroiwa, Kazuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Jr., Albert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLE, RICHARD R
• Application Number:
  US06/808,800
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 165/45, 62/260
• US Class Current: 165/45
• CPC Class Codes: F24T 10/15 using bent tubes; using tubes assembled with connectors or with return headers
• CPC Class Codes: F24T 10/30 using underground reservoirs for accumulating working fluids or intermediate fluids
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/0052 using the ground body or aquifers as heat storage medium
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/10 Geothermal energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 Thermal energy storage

Abstract

A new and unique underground heat exchanging apparatus of the type including a first heat insulating tube and a second heat exchangeable tube connected to the former at the lower end of the latter. Both the first and second tubes are inserted downwardly into a deep hole drilled in the ground. The apparatus is operated by utilizing the excellent heat conservation and the huge heat capacity inherent to the underground. The first tube is located at the center of the hole and the second tube extends about the first tube in a spiral configuration. A liquified gas is introduced into both the first and second tubes. Heat exchanging is achieved between the second tube and the surrounding underground. To recirculate the liquified gas through the tubing system a heat exchanging unit including compressor and an expansion valve or the like is mounted on the ground surface. When the apparatus is used in a heating cycle, thermal energy is transferred from the underground to the second tube. On the other hand, when the apparatus is in a cooling system, heat is transferred from the second tube to the underground.

Claims

1. An underground heat exchanging apparatus using a heat exchanging fluid existing in gaseous and liquid form during operation of said apparatus, said apparatus comprising

a first heat insulating tube;

a second heat exchangeable tube;

a reservoir connecting said first and second tubes, said reservoir being disposed at the lowermost portions of said tubes and dimensioned to store liquified heat exchanging fluid therein for facilitating start-up of operation of said system;

said tubes being adapted for insertion into a deep hole bored in the underground, said second tube having a spiral shape which spirally extends about said first tube located at the center of the hole; and

a recirculating system connecting said first and second tubes, said recirculating system including a heat exchanging unit on the ground surface, said first and second tubes being filled with the heat exchanging fluid.

2. An underground heat exchanging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second tube is connected to the lower end of the first tube and has a downwardly extended part which is bent backwardly toward the first tube.

3. An underground heat exchanging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second tube comprises a straight tube connected to the lower end of said first tube and a spirally corrugated tube which forms a spiral passage in the space as defined between said straight tube and said first tube.

4. An underground heat exchanging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second tube comprises a number of fins over the outer surface thereof which carries out heat exchanging whereby a fin tube is built for the apparatus.

5. An underground heat exchanging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second tube is made of a metallic material.

6. An underground heat exchanging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second tubes form a tubing system, said tubing system including a throttle therein.

7. An underground heat exchanging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein ammonia gas, fluorocarbon gas and a mixture of inert gas are employed as the heat exchanging fluid.

8. An underground heat exchanging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherrein the upper part of the hole drilled in the underground is closed with heat conserving material or heat insulating material which serves as filler.

9. An underground heat exchanging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the hole drilled in the underground is filled with a filler material after both said first and second tubes are inserted into the hole.

10. An underground heat exchanging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the inside wall of the hole drilled in the underground is lined with a casing having a cylindrical configuration, said casing having a large number of pores therethrough.