Patent · US Expired

Heat pump system with improved heat transfer

US4142576A · kind A · utility

33Cited by
4References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 26, 1977
Grant dateMar 6, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 26, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E60/14
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A heat pump for cooling or heating a conditioned space includes an underground heat pipe laid into a hole in the ground back-filled with soil. The heat transfer of the soil is improved by dispersing highly water-absorbent hydrophilic polymeric gel particles soaked with water around the heat pipe. The water-soaked particles preferably are coated with a water-impermeable film. The water may also be entrapped in liquid form in small bags. Also, a water impermeable sheath may be formed around the back-fill soil to minimize evaporation from the particles. This is a division of application Ser. No. 718,348 filed Aug. 27, 1976, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,012.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.