Heat exchange apparatus, system, and methods regarding same

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         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.  
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the existing conduit that is in the flooded state comprises a conduit associated with a potable water source.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises 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.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange apparatus further comprises an enclosure structure configured to enclose at least the at least one fluid source conduit and the at least one heat transfer conduit.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the enclosure structure comprises a lockable access portion.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the system further comprises: 
 at least one monitoring device for monitoring at least one parameter associated with the thermal energy exchange system; and    a parameter controlled apparatus operable as a function of the at least one monitored parameter.    
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one monitoring device comprises at least one of a flow sensor, a fluid detection device, a temperature sensor, and a contaminant detection device.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the parameter controlled apparatus comprises at least one of a display, an indicator, an alarm, a shut off switch, and a recirculation pump.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid source conduit comprises at least a first pipe extending along an axis thereof, wherein the first pipe comprises an outer surface at a radial distance from the axis, wherein the first pipe is configured to replace the section of the existing conduit that is in the flooded state, and further wherein the at least one heat transfer conduit comprises a second pipe having a smaller diameter than the first pipe and wrapped about the outer surface of the first pipe, wherein the second pipe comprises an outer surface, and further wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the second pipe comprises at least one flattened surface that is in direct contact with a portion of the outer surface of the first pipe for providing thermal energy exchange between the first pipe and the second pipe.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the existing conduit that is in the flooded state comprises a predetermined diameter, wherein the at least one fluid source conduit comprises a plurality of fluid source conduits, wherein each fluid source conduit comprises a diameter that is less than the predetermined diameter of existing conduit, and further wherein each of the plurality of fluid source conduits is associated with a heat transfer conduit that is configured to communicate with the associated fluid source conduit for providing thermal energy exchange between a fluid flowing through the associated fluid source conduit and a fluid flowing in the closed loop.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the heat exchange apparatus further comprises one or more couplings to fluidly connect the plurality of fluid source conduits to the existing conduit.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flowing in the closed loop is a refrigerant.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flowing in the closed loop is water or a water and anti-freeze mixture.  
     
     
         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.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus further comprises an enclosure structure configured to enclose at least the at least one fluid source conduit and the at least one heat transfer conduit.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the enclosure structure comprises a lockable access portion.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one monitoring device for monitoring at least one parameter associated with the thermal energy transfer system.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one monitoring device comprises at least one of a flow sensor, a fluid detection device, a temperature sensor, and a contaminant detection device.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one fluid source conduit comprises at least a first pipe extending along an axis thereof, wherein the first pipe comprises an outer surface at a radial distance from the axis, wherein the first pipe is configured to replace the section of the existing conduit that is in the flooded state, and further wherein the at least one heat transfer conduit comprises a second pipe having a smaller diameter than the first pipe and wrapped about the outer surface of the first pipe, wherein the second pipe comprises an outer surface, and further wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the second pipe comprises at least one flattened surface that is in direct contact with a portion of the outer surface of the first pipe for providing thermal energy exchange between the first pipe and the second pipe.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the existing conduit that is in the flooded state comprises a predetermined diameter, wherein the at least one fluid source conduit comprises a plurality of fluid source conduits, wherein each fluid source conduit comprises a diameter that is less than the predetermined diameter of existing conduit, and further wherein each of the fluid source conduits is associated with a heat transfer conduit that is configured to communicate with the associated fluid source conduit for providing thermal energy exchange between a fluid flowing through the associated fluid source conduit and a fluid flowing in the closed loop.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more couplings to fluidly connect the plurality of fluid source conduits to the existing conduit when replaced thereby.  
     
     
         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.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the existing conduit that is in the flooded state comprises a conduit associated with a potable water source.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the method further comprises connecting the at least one heat transfer conduit of the heat exchange apparatus to the heat pump apparatus to form the closed loop.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the method further comprises enclosing the heat exchange apparatus in an enclosure structure configured with a lockable access portion.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the method further comprises: 
 installing at least one monitoring device for monitoring at least one parameter associated with the thermal energy exchange system; and    manipulating at least one parameter controlled apparatus as a function of the at least one monitored parameter.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein fluidly coupling the at least one fluid source conduit to the existing conduit that is in the flooded state comprises: 
 providing a plurality of fluid source conduits, wherein each fluid source conduit comprises a diameter that is less than a predetermined diameter of the existing conduit, and further wherein each of the fluid source conduits is associated with a heat transfer conduit that is configured to communicate with the associated fluid source conduit for providing thermal energy exchange between a fluid flowing through the associated fluid source conduit and a fluid flowing in the closed loop; and    using one or more couplings to fluidly connect the plurality of fluid source conduits to the existing conduit.    
     
     
         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.    
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the system further comprises: 
 at least one monitoring device for monitoring at least one parameter associated with the thermal energy exchange system; and    a parameter controlled apparatus operable as a function of the at least one monitored parameter.    
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one monitoring device comprises at least one of a flow sensor, a fluid detection device, a temperature sensor, and a contaminant detection device.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the parameter controlled apparatus comprises at least one of a display, an indicator, an alarm, a shut off switch, and a recirculation pump.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the at least one fluid source conduit comprises at least a first pipe extending along an axis thereof, wherein the first pipe comprises an outer surface at a radial distance from the axis, wherein the first pipe is configured to replace the section of the existing conduit that is in the flooded state, and further wherein the at least one heat transfer conduit comprises a second pipe having a smaller diameter than the first pipe and wrapped about the outer surface of the first pipe, wherein the second pipe comprises an outer surface, and further wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the second pipe comprises at least one flattened surface that is in direct contact with a portion of the outer surface of the first pipe for providing thermal energy exchange between the first pipe and the second pipe.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the existing conduit that is in the flooded state comprises a predetermined diameter, wherein the at least one fluid source conduit comprises a plurality of fluid source conduits, wherein each fluid source conduit comprises a diameter that is less than the predetermined diameter of existing conduit, and further wherein each of the fluid source conduits is associated with a heat transfer conduit that is configured to communicate with the associated fluid source conduit for providing thermal energy exchange between a fluid flowing through the associated fluid source conduit and a fluid flowing in the closed loop.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the heat exchange apparatus further comprises one or more couplings to fluidly connect the plurality of fluid source conduits to the existing conduit.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the fluid flowing in the closed loop is a refrigerant.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the fluid flowing in the closed loop is water or a water and anti-freeze mixture.  
     
     
         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.  
   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the fluid flowing in the closed loop is a refrigerant.  
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the fluid flowing in the closed loop is water or a water and anti-freeze mixture.