Geothermal system

Abstract

A geothermal system, comprising at least one geothermal column, comprising at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil configured to communicate with a heat pump compressor; a hollow tube having an outer wall of diameter substantially greater than that of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil and positioned so as to surround said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil, said outer wall having a substantially rigid configuration such that said hollow tube maintains its shape; and a support member configured to retain a shape of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil and maintain a centrally located position of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil within said hollow tube; and a compressor section in communication with the at least one geothermal column and a climate system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A geothermal system, comprising:
 at least one geothermal column, comprising:
 at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil configured to communicate with a heat pump compressor; 
 a hollow tube having an outer wall of diameter substantially greater than that of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil and positioned so as to surround said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil, said outer wall having a substantially rigid configuration such that said hollow tube maintains its shape; and 
 a support member configured to retain a shape of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil and maintain a centrally located position of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil within said hollow tube; and 
 a compressor section in communication with the at least one geothermal column and a climate system. 
   
     
     
         2 . The geothermal system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one geothermal column comprises a plurality of geothermal columns. 
     
     
         3 . The geothermal system of  claim 2  wherein the compressor section includes a collector manifold operatively connected to each one of said plurality of geothermal columns, wherein the collector manifold is operatively connected to a first isolation valve. 
     
     
         4 . The geothermal system of  claim 3  wherein the compressor section includes a reversing valve for directing the flow of refrigerant gases such that the geothermal system can operate in either a heating mode or a cooling mode. 
     
     
         5 . The geothermal system of  claim 4  including a desuperheater for exchanging heat between water and a refrigerant, said desuperheater being operatively connected to the reversing valve and a compressor, and wherein the compressor section includes an accumulator operatively disposed between the compressor and the reversing valve. 
     
     
         6 . The geothermal system of  claim 4  including a second isolation valve operatively disposed between the reversing valve and an air handler of the climate system. 
     
     
         7 . The geothermal system of  claim 2  wherein the compressor section includes a distribution manifold operatively connected to each one of said plurality of geothermal columns and also operatively connected with a refrigeration expansion device. 
     
     
         8 . The geothermal system of  claim 7  wherein the refrigeration expansion device comprises a thermostatic expansion valve and the geothermal system further includes a check valve operatively connected in parallel with, but in opposite functional operation to the thermostatic expansion valve. 
     
     
         9 . The geothermal system of  claim 8  including a receiver and/or an accumulator for holding excess refrigerant. 
     
     
         10 . The geothermal system of  claim 9  further including a bidirectional filter/drier operatively connected with the receiver. 
     
     
         11 . The geothermal system of  claim 9  including a solenoid refrigerant shutoff valve operatively connected with the receiver and which is interlocked with the operation of a compressor. 
     
     
         12 . The geothermal system of  claim 11  further including a first sight glass operatively positioned between the thermostatic expansion valve and the solenoid refrigerant shutoff valve. 
     
     
         13 . The geothermal system of  claim 12  further including a second sight glass operatively positioned between the filter/drier and an air handler of the climate system. 
     
     
         14 . The geothermal system of  claim 2  wherein the climate system is a heating and/or cooling system operatively associated with a building. 
     
     
         15 . The geothermal system of  claim 2  wherein the climate system is a hydronic system. 
     
     
         16 . The geothermal system of  claim 1  wherein the geothermal column, the compressor section and the climate system are integrated into a single packaged system which is deployable as a single unit. 
     
     
         17 . A geothermal system, comprising:
 at least one pre-fabricated geothermal column, comprising:   at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil configured to communicate with a heat pump compressor;   a hollow tube having an outer wall of diameter substantially greater than that of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil and positioned so as to surround said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil, said outer wall being constructed from a corrugated material; and   a support member configured to retain a shape of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil and maintain a centrally located position of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil within said hollow tube; and   a compressor section in communication with the at least one geothermal column and a climate system.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the corrugated material is flexible. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the corrugated material is rigid or semi-rigid. 
     
     
         20 . A geothermal system, comprising:
 at least one pre-fabricated geothermal column, comprising:   at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil configured to communicate with a heat pump compressor;   a hollow tube having an outer wall of diameter substantially greater than that of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil and positioned so as to surround said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil, said outer wall being constructed from a flexible material; and   a support member configured to retain a shape of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil and maintain a centrally located position of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil within said hollow tube; and   a compressor section in communication with the at least one geothermal column and a climate system.   
     
     
         21 . A geothermal system, comprising:
 at least one geothermal column, comprising:   at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil configured to communicate with a heat pump compressor;   a hollow tube having an outer wall of diameter substantially greater than that of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil and positioned so as to surround said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil, said outer wall being constructed from a flexible material; and   a support member configured to retain a shape of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil and maintain a centrally located position of said at least one spirally wound refrigeration coil within said hollow tube; and   a compressor section in communication with the at least one geothermal column and a climate system.