Integrated Thermal System

Abstract

A thermal energy system includes a solar energy collector, a ground loop having an inlet and an outlet, and a heat pump. A first fluid conduit extends from the outlet to the solar energy collector, and from the solar energy collector to the inlet, for transporting a heat exchange fluid, from the outlet to the inlet through the solar energy collector. A second fluid conduit extends from the outlet to the heat pump, and from the heat pump to the inlet, for transporting the heat exchange fluid, from the outlet to the inlet through the heat pump. A fluid pump is provide for urging the fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet through the ground loop, and from the outlet to the inlet through at least one of the first and second conduits. Control valves and a controller may be provided to automatically select a fluid flow mode from a number of selectable modes.

1 . A thermal energy system comprising: 
 a solar energy collector;    a ground loop having an inlet and an outlet;    a heat pump;    a first fluid conduit extending from said outlet to said solar energy collector, and from said solar energy collector to said inlet, for transporting a heat exchange fluid, from said outlet to said inlet through said solar energy collector;    a second fluid conduit extending from said outlet to said heat pump, and from said heat pump to said inlet, for transporting said heat exchange fluid, from said outlet to said inlet through said heat pump; and    a fluid pump, for urging said fluid to flow from said inlet to said outlet through said ground loop, and from said outlet to said inlet through at least one of said first and second conduits.    
     
     
         2 . The thermal energy system of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid pump is located in said ground loop.  
     
     
         3 . The thermal energy system of  claim 2 , wherein said fluid pump consists of a single pump.  
     
     
         4 . The thermal energy system of  claim 1 , comprising a first valve for regulating flow of said fluid in said first conduit and a second valve for regulating flow of said fluid in said second conduit.  
     
     
         5 . The thermal energy system of  claim 4 , comprising a controller for controlling operation of said fluid pump and said first and second valves.  
     
     
         6 . The thermal energy system of  claim 5 , wherein said first and second valves comprises a valve selected from a two way valve, a gate valve, a ball valve, a relief valve, and a circuit setter.  
     
     
         7 . The thermal energy system of  claim 6 , comprising a first temperature sensor for sensing a temperature in said first conduit, and a second temperature sensor for sensing a temperature in said second conduit.  
     
     
         8 . The thermal energy system of  claim 7 , wherein said controller is in communication with each one of said first and second temperature sensors for receiving a temperature signal from each one of said first and second temperature sensors, said controller controlling operation of said fluid pump and said first and second valves in response to receiving said temperature signals.  
     
     
         9 . The thermal energy system of  claim 8 , wherein said controller controls said first and second valves to selectively allow or prevent flow of said fluid in each one of said first and second conduits.  
     
     
         10 . The thermal energy system of  claim 5 , wherein said controller is adapted to control said fluid pump and said first and second valves to selectively urge said fluid to flow in one of a plurality of selectable modes, said selectable modes comprising 
 a first mode in which a portion of said fluid flows from said ground loop to said heat pump through said outlet and from said heat pump to said ground loop through said inlet, and a remaining portion of said fluid flows from said ground loop to said solar energy collector and from said heat pump to said ground loop through said inlet; and    a second mode in which said fluid flows from said ground loop to said solar energy collector and from said heat pump to said ground loop through said inlet.    
     
     
         11 . The thermal energy system of  claim 10 , wherein said selectable modes comprise a third mode in which said fluid flows from said ground loop to said heat pump through said outlet and from said heat pump to said ground loop through said inlet.  
     
     
         12 . The thermal energy system of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is adapted to receive a first signal indicative of a first temperature in said first conduit and a second signal indicative of a second temperature in said second conduit, and to select said one of said modes in response to receiving said first and second signals.  
     
     
         13 . The thermal energy system of  claim 12 , wherein said controller is adapted to select said one of said modes based on a difference between said first and second temperatures and whether said heating pump is operating in a heating mode or a cooling mode.  
     
     
         14 . The thermal energy system of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is adapted to select one of said modes automatically.  
     
     
         15 . The thermal energy system of  claim 5 , wherein said controller is adapted to control said fluid pump and said first and second valves to selectively decrease or increase a flow rate of said fluid in at least one of said ground loop and said first and second conduits.  
     
     
         16 . The thermal energy system of  claim 1 , wherein said heat exchange fluid comprises water and an anti-freeze.  
     
     
         17 . The thermal energy system of  claim 1 , wherein said heat exchange fluid comprises water and at least one of ethanol, methanol, and propylene glycol.  
     
     
         18 . The thermal energy system of  claim 1 , wherein said solar energy collector comprises a relief mechanism for preventing heat transfer to said heat-exchange fluid when said heat-exchange fluid in said first conduit has a temperature higher than a threshold temperature.  
     
     
         19 . The thermal energy system of  claim 1 , wherein said heat pump is coupled to a heat recovery ventilator in heat exchange relationship.