Heat exchangers, systems and methods of using the same

Abstract

An example heat exchanger includes an outer housing defining an outer chamber. The heat exchanger also includes an inner housing disposed in the outer chamber. The inner housing defines an inner chamber and at least one opening allowing the outer and inner chambers to be in fluid communication with each other. The heat exchanger further includes a first connector in fluid communication with the outer chamber and a second connector in fluid communication with the inner chamber. The first and second connectors are configured to allow a fluid to flow into or out of the heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger may also at least one of exhibit a generally conical shape, a truncated generally conical shape, or a generally cylindrical shape; include at least one helical structure disposed in the outer chamber; or exhibit a modular design.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 an outer housing defining an outer chamber;   an inner housing disposed in the outer chamber, the inner housing defining an inner chamber, the inner chamber in fluid communication with the outer chamber via at least one opening at least partially defined by the inner housing;   a first connector in fluid communication with the outer chamber; and   a second connector in fluid communication with the inner chamber;   wherein at least one of:
 the outer housing exhibits a generally conical shape or a truncated generally conical shape; or 
 the heat exchanger further comprises at least one helical structure disposed in the outer chamber, the at least one helical structure extending at least substantially between the outer housing and the inner housing, a pitch of at least a portion of the at least one helical structure varies along at least a portion of a length of the outer housing. 
   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the outer housing measured from a top region of the outer housing to a bottom region of the outer housing is about 1 m to about 2 m. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the inner housing exhibits a shape that generally corresponds to a shape of the outer housing. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the inner housing exhibits a shape that is different than a shape of the outer housing. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing exhibits a generally conical shape. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing exhibits a truncated generally conical shape. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger includes the at least one helical structure disposed in the outer chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 7 , wherein the outer housing exhibits a generally cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one helical structure is integrally formed with at least one of at least a portion of the outer housing or at least a portion of the inner housing. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 7 , further comprising a rounded corner at an intersection between the at least one helical structure and at least one of the outer housing or the inner housing. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing includes one or more fins extending from at least one outer surface of the outer housing. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing includes one or more barbs formed in at least one outer surface of the outer housing. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulating coating disposed on at least a portion of the outer housing. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulating material disposed on at least a portion of the inner housing. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a top modular structure forming a portion of the outer housing and at least a portion of the inner housing; and   a bottom modular structure forming a portion of the outer housing;   wherein the top modular structure and the bottom modular structure are configured to be, either directly or indirectly, attached together.   
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15 , further comprising one or more intermediate modular structures, the one or more intermediate modular structures configured to be attached to and positioned between the top modular structure and the bottom modular structure. 
     
     
         17 . A system, comprising:
 at least one heat exchanger, wherein the at least one heat exchanger includes:
 an outer housing defining an outer chamber; 
 an inner housing disposed in the outer chamber, the inner housing defining an inner chamber, the inner chamber in fluid communication with the outer chamber via at least one opening at least partially defined by the inner housing; 
 a first connector in fluid communication with the outer chamber; and 
 a second connector in fluid communication with the inner chamber; 
 wherein at least one of:
 the outer housing exhibits a generally conical shape or a truncated generally conical shape; or 
 the heat exchanger further comprises at least one helical structure disposed in the outer chamber, the at least one helical structure extending at least substantially between the outer housing and the inner housing, a pitch of at least a portion of the at least one helical structure varies along at least a portion of a length of the outer housing; 
 
   a pump; and   at least one pipe fluidly connecting the at least one heat exchanger and the pump together;   wherein the pump is configured to flow a fluid through the at least one pipe and the at least one heat exchanger.   
     
     
         18 . A method of using a heat exchanger, the method comprising:
 providing the at least one heat exchanger that is disposed in an outer environment, the at least one heat exchanger including:
 an outer housing defining an outer chamber; 
 an inner housing disposed in the outer chamber, the inner housing defining an inner chamber, the inner chamber in fluid communication with the outer chamber via at least one opening at least partially defined by the inner housing; 
 a first connector in fluid communication with the outer chamber; and 
 a second connector in fluid communication with the inner chamber; 
 wherein at least one of:
 the outer housing exhibits a generally conical shape or a truncated generally conical shape; or 
 the at least one heat exchanger further comprises at least one helical structure disposed in the outer chamber, the at least one helical structure extending at least substantially between the outer housing and the inner housing, a pitch of at least a portion of the at least one helical structure varies along at least a portion of a length of the outer housing; 
 
   flowing a fluid through the outer chamber to transfer thermal energy between the outer environment and the fluid; and   flowing the fluid through the inner chamber.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein flowing a fluid through the inner chamber is performed after flowing a fluid through the outer chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein providing the at least one heat exchanger includes:
 digging a hole into the outer environment, wherein the outer environment is ground; and   disposing the at least one heat exchanger into the hole.