Patent Application
20120234602
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and means for installing geothermal heat loops in the ground and more particularly to a method and means for installing geothermal heat loops in the ground wherein the heat loops extend downwardly and outwardly from a single pit.
2. Description of the Related Art
In geothermal heat loop installations, the heat loops are usually positioned in the ground in a vertical manner or a horizontal manner. In horizontal installations, a pit is dug in the ground. A plurality of spaced-apart bore holes are drilled which extend horizontally from the pit. A heat loop is then usually manually pushed through each of the bore holes with the “bend” or loop portion of the heat loop being at the distal end of the heat loop. The open ends of the heat loops are then connected to a manifold or the like which is usually positioned in the pit. In such an operation, it is difficult to manually push the heat loop through the bore hole due to the effort required to force the heat loops through the bore hole. Further, the length of the horizontal heat loop is restricted by the size of the lot in which the heat loops are being installed. In some cases, a pair of spaced-apart pits is used with the heat loops extending between the pits. The use of a pair of pits causes greater soil and vegetation disruption. Additionally, the horizontally extending bore holes may damage the root systems of trees or shrubs.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
A method and means for installing geothermal heat loops in the ground is described. In the method of this invention, the heat loops are installed in the ground as follows:
The means for installing the heat loop in the ground includes a head member assembly having an enlarged head portion and shaft, a hook-like member on the shaft of the head member assembly, a dual coil fitting secured to the distal end of a pair of heat loop pipes, and a means for attaching the dual coil fitting to the hook-like member on the shaft of the head member assembly.
It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved method and means for installing geothermal heat loops in the ground.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method and means for installing geothermal heat loops in he ground whereby the heat loops extend downwardly and outwardly from a single pit dug in the ground.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
In
The numeral 48 refers to a lower plate member having a trailing or rearward end 50 and an arcuate leading or forward end 52. A slot 54 extends rearwardly into plate member 48 from the forward end 52 thereof. The other end of chain 43 is welded or otherwise secured to the lower side of plate member 48 in the same manner as the chain 43 is secured to plate member 36. Plate member 48 has a bolt opening 56 formed therein adjacent its rearward end 50 as seen in
Attachment means 64 includes an upper plate member 82 having a trailing or rearward end 84 and a forward end 86. A finger-like member 88 extends forwardly from the forward end 86 of plate member 82 and has one end of the flexible link-type chain 90 secured thereto at 92 by welding or any other convenient means. The numeral 94 refers to a lower plate member having a trailing or rearward end 94 and a forward or leading end 96. A finger-like member 98 extends forwardly from the forward end 96 of plate member 92. The other end of chain 90 is secured to the underside of member 98 by welding or the like. Chain 98 has a ring 100 attached thereto as seen in
The heat loops, whether they be heat loops 34 or 80, are installed in the ground as will now be described. The drilling machine 10 is operated to drill a first bore hole 22 in the ground as previously described. The length of the drill string 14 is successively lengthened by connecting the lengths of drill pipes 12 together in conventional fashion. When the bore hole 22 has been drilled to the desired location, the drill string 14 is removed from the bore hole 22. Assuming that attachment means 26 is going to be utilized, the plate member 36 is positioned on the top of dual coil fitting 28 so that the upstanding rib 35 is received in the slot 42. Plate member 48 is then positioned at the underside of dual coil fitting 28 so that the downwardly projecting rib of dual coil 28 is received in the slot 54. Bolt 60 is then extended downwardly through bolt opening 47, sleeve 48 and bolt opening 56. Nut 62 is then tightened onto bolt 60 so that the dual coil fitting 28 is firmly held in place between the upper plate member 36 and the lower plate member 48.
An elongated head member assembly 112 is then provided which includes an enlarged head portion 114 at its distal end and a shaft or pipe section 116 which extends rearwardly therefrom. The rearward end of shaft 116 is threadably secured to the distal end of the drill pipe string 14. The assembly 112 includes a forwardly presented hook 118 which is attached to the shaft 116 as illustrated in
If the attachment means 64 is utilized, the plate members 82 and 92 are positioned on opposite sides of the dual coil fitting 66 so that the member 88 is received between the upstanding ribs 72 and 74 and so that the member 98 is received between the downwardly extending ribs at the underside of dual coil fitting 66. Bolt 108 is then extended downwardly through bolt opening 102 in plate member 82, through sleeve 106 and through bolt opening 104 in plate member 92. Nut 110 is then threadably secured to bolt 108 to securely attach the attachment means 64 to the dual coil fitting 66 which has the pipes 76 and 78 secured thereto.
Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
