Geothermal heat pump system

Abstract

A novel geothermal heat pump system, a novel building structure incorporating the geothermal heat pump system and a novel method of installing a geothermal heat pump system ground loop is disclosed which includes one or more geothermal pads for carrying water through the system. The geothermal pads exchange heat with the floor of the structure or may be incorporated into the floor during construction. The geothermal pads are coupled to a geothermal heat pump, which is coupled to a heat exchanger. The system includes a water pump and may include an inline water heater.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by this patent is as follows: 
     
         1 . A geothermal heat pump apparatus comprising:
 a geothermal pad;   a water pump to circulate water through said geothermal pad;   a heat pump;   a heat exchanger in fluidic contact with a refrigerant circulated by said heat pump and said water circulated by said water pump;   a blower;   an air coil in fluidic contact with air circulated by said blower and said refrigerant circulated by said heat pump;   a controller coupled to said water pump, said heat pump and said blower; and   a thermostat coupled to said controller;   whereas said controller receives input from said thermostat and selectively activates said water pump to circulate said water through said geothermal pad and said heat exchanger, said heat pump to circulate said refrigerant through said heat exchanger and said air coil, and said blower to circulate air through said air coil;   whereas heat is exchanged between air and said refrigerant circulated through said air coil;   whereas heat is exchanged between said refrigerant and said water circulated through said heat exchanger; and   whereas heat is exchanged between said water and said geothermal pad.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said geothermal pad includes two or more longitudinal channels. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said two or more channels include a top inside surface and a plurality of vanes extending from said top inside surface to disrupt laminar flow of said water through said two or more channels. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said two or more channels include a lower inside surface and a plurality of vanes extending from said lower inside surface to disrupt laminar flow of said water through said two or more channels. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said two or more channels include a side inside surface and a plurality of vanes extending from said side inside surface to disrupt laminar flow of said water through said two or more channels. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said heat pump circulates said refrigerant in a first direction to cool said air and in a second direction to heat said air. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an inlet solenoid valve coupled to a water supply and an outlet solenoid valve; said inlet solenoid valve responsive to commands received from said controller to fill said geothermal pad with water; said outlet solenoid valve responsive to commands received from said controller to empty water from said geothermal pad. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a water level sensor coupled to said controller; whereas said controller receives input from said water level sensor and selectively activates said inlet solenoid valve to fill said geothermal pad with water. 
     
     
         9 . A geothermal heat exchange system comprising:
 a heat pump controller coupled to a compressor, a blower, a water pump, a thermostat, and a water temperature controller;   said water temperature controller coupled to an return water temperature sensor, an exit water temperature sensor, and a water level sensor;   said return water temperature sensor coupled to a return water line to a geothermal pad;   said exit water temperature sensor coupled to an exit water line from said geothermal pad;   said water pump circulating water through said geothermal pad and a heat exchanger;   said heat exchanger in fluidic contact with a refrigerant circulated by said compressor and said water circulated by said water pump;   a blower;   an air coil in fluidic contact with air circulated by said blower and said refrigerant circulated by said heat pump;   whereas said heat pump controller receives input from said thermostat and selectively activates said water pump to circulate said water through said geothermal pad and said heat exchanger, said heat pump to circulate said refrigerant through said heat exchanger and said air coil, and said blower to circulate said air through said air coil;   whereas heat is exchanged between said air and said refrigerant circulated through said air coil;   whereas heat is exchanged between said refrigerant and said water circulated through said heat exchanger; and   whereas heat is exchanged between said water and said geothermal pad.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said geothermal pad is in contact with a heat sink. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said geothermal pad is in contact with a concrete floor. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said geothermal pad includes two or more longitudinal channels. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said heat pump circulates said refrigerant in a first direction to cool said air and in a second direction to heat said air. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising an inlet solenoid valve coupled to a water supply and an outlet solenoid valve; said inlet solenoid valve responsive to commands received from said water temperature controller to fill said geothermal pad with water; said outlet solenoid valve responsive to commands received from said water temperature controller to empty water from said geothermal pad. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  whereas said controller receives input from said water level sensor and selectively activates said inlet solenoid valve to fill said geothermal pad with water when a water level in said geothermal pad is below a predetermined level. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  whereas said inlet solenoid valve is responsive to commands received from said water temperature controller to fill said geothermal pad with water when a temperature of the water is above a predetermined temperature; said outlet solenoid valve responsive to commands received from said water temperature controller to empty water from said geothermal pad. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising an inline heater in fluidic contact with said water and coupled to said water temperature controller; whereas said inline heater is responsive to commands received from said water temperature controller to heat said water when a temperature of said water is below a predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a water leak sensor coupled to said water temperature controller; whereas said water temperature controller is responsive to an input received from said water leak sensor to disable filling of said geothermal pad.