Method of geothermal loop installation

Abstract

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for drilling a hole into the ground and installing a geothermal transfer loop. A drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus, such as a sonic drill, for rotating and vibrating a hollow drill string into the ground. The hollow drill string having an inner space. A hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the hollow drill string into the ground and discharging fluid into the inner space of the hollow drill string. A geothermal transfer loop is lowered into the inner space of the hollow drill string and the drill string is removed from the ground. The method may also include discharging grouting material into the hole.

1 . A method of drilling a hole into the ground and installing a geothermal transfer loop, the method comprising: 
 positioning a drilling apparatus at a desired location, the drilling apparatus including a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a hollow drill string into the ground, the hollow drill string having an inner space;    drilling the hole to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the hollow drill string into the ground and discharging a first fluid into the inner space of the hollow drill string;    lowering the geothermal transfer loop into the inner space of the hollow drill string following the drilling of the hole to the desired depth; and    removing the hollow drill string from the ground.    
     
     
         2 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , further including discharging grouting material into the hole following the lowering of the geothermal transfer loop into the inner space of the hollow drill string.  
     
     
         3 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , further including vibrating the hollow drill string out of the ground while simultaneously discharging grouting material into the inner space of the hollow drill string following the lowering of the geothermal transfer loop into the inner space of the hollow drill string.  
     
     
         4 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , further including filling the geothermal transfer loop with a second fluid prior to lowering the geothermal transfer loop into the inner space of the hollow drill string.  
     
     
         5 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , further including attaching a weight to the geothermal transfer loop prior to lowering the geothermal transfer loop into the inner space of the hollow drill string.  
     
     
         6 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , further including straightening a portion of the geothermal transfer loop and causing a straightened portion of the geothermal loop to be lowered first.  
     
     
         7 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , further including operatively connecting the geothermal transfer loop to a heat exchanger.  
     
     
         8 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hollow drill string is comprised of a drill pipe and drill bit, the drill bit being a ring bit, sufficient first fluid being discharged into the inner space of the hollow drill string so as to keep the inner space clear of debris.  
     
     
         9 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hollow drill string is comprised of a drill pipe and drill bit, the drill bit being a ring bit, sufficient first fluid being discharged into the inner space of the hollow drill string so as to carry debris up an outside of the hollow drill string to the ground surface or to push the debris into the ground.  
     
     
         10 . A method of drilling a hole and installing a geothermal transfer loop, the method comprising: 
 positioning a drilling apparatus at a desired location, the drilling apparatus comprising a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a hollow drill string into a ground, the hollow drill string having an inner space;    drilling the hole to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the hollow drill string into the ground and discharging a first fluid into the inner space of the hollow drill string;    straightening a portion of the geothermal transfer loop;    lowering the geothermal transfer loop into the inner space of the hollow drill string following the drilling of the hole to the desired depth, the geothermal transfer loop being filled with a second fluid, the straightened portion of the geothermal transfer loop being lowered first, weights being attached to the geothermal transfer loop;    vibrating the hollow drill string out of the ground while simultaneously discharging grouting material into the inner space of the hollow drill string; and    operatively connecting the geothermal transfer loop to a heat exchanger.    
     
     
         11 . A method of drilling a hole and installing a geothermal transfer loop, the method comprising: 
 positioning a drilling apparatus at a desired location, the drilling apparatus comprising a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a hollow drill string into the ground, the hollow drill string having an inner space;    drilling the hole to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the hollow drill string into the ground and discharging a fluid into the inner space of the hollow drill string;    lowering the geothermal transfer loop into the inner space of the hollow drill string following the drilling of the hole to the desired depth;    discharging grouting material into the inner space of the hollow drill string; and    operatively connecting the geothermal transfer loop to a heat exchanger.    
     
     
         12 . A system for drilling a hole and installing a geothermal transfer loop, the system comprising: 
 a drilling apparatus including a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a hollow drill string into the ground, the hollow drill string having an inner space;    a fluid discharging apparatus for discharging a fluid into the inner space of the hollow drill string;    a geothermal transfer loop for lowering into the inner space of the hollow drill string; and    a grouting apparatus for discharging grouting material to encompass the geothermal transfer loop.    
     
     
         13 . The system claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the fluid discharging apparatus and the drilling apparatus operate simultaneously.  
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein a hose connects the fluid discharging apparatus to the drilling apparatus.  
     
     
         15 . The system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the hose has a cross-sectional area and the inner space of the hollow drill string has a cross sectional area, the cross-sectional area of the hose being less than the cross sectional area of the inner space of the hollow drill string.  
     
     
         16 . The system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the grouting apparatus and the drilling apparatus operate simultaneously.  
     
     
         17 . The system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the hollow drill string includes a drill pipe and a drill bit.  
     
     
         18 . The system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the drill pipe has a first end and a second end, the drill pipe being hollow and the drill pipe being open at the first end and open at the second end.  
     
     
         19 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the drill bit is a ring bit.  
     
     
         20 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the drill bit is concentric with the drill pipe.