Heat Exchange Using Underground Water System

Abstract

In this disclosure, we have the following examples and teachings: A geothermal heating and or cooling system is introduced here which is deriving cooled or heated liquid via existing infrastructure of water pipe system in use for the houses and buildings, e.g. from the city water system or pipe network, or from the well water (or lake or river or sea or ocean or the like), piped or channeled to the buildings, through pipes or conduits or channels or closed enclosures. The system derives cooled liquid from existing underground infrastructure, including or for example, below-ground water pipes. The system gains a temperature advantage from the geothermal ground temperature, which remains roughly constant throughout the year in most regions. The system uses (e.g.) a storage tank to contain a working fluid and store thermal energy. In one example, multiple chambers and/or tanks are used for water heaters or coolers, with different connection and flow mechanisms. Other examples and designs are also discussed and shown here.

1 . A system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply, said system comprising:
 a heat exchanger unit or section; and   a tank or container;   wherein said tank or container exchanges heat or energy with said underground water supply, through said heat exchanger unit or section;   wherein said tank or container comprises two or more compartments or chambers;   wherein said underground water supply is a city or public water pipe network.   
     
     
         2 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said two or more compartments or chambers are connected serially, with a first compartment or chamber supplying a second compartment or chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said two or more compartments or chambers are connected in parallel, with a first compartment or chamber supplying a second compartment or chamber and a third compartment or chamber simultaneously. 
     
     
         4 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said two or more compartments or chambers has an energy exchanging unit or section. 
     
     
         5 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said heat exchanger unit or section comprises one or more of following: a coiled pipe, twisted pipe, zig-zag pipe, snake-shaped pipe, array of pipes, matrix of pipes, pipe structure, pipes-in-parallel, plate, array of plates, plates-in-parallel, radiator-structure, spiral-structure, concentric structure, cylindrical structure, rectangular structure, cubical structure, spherical structure, elliptical structure, sinusoidal structure, corrugated structure, curved structure, multi-layered structure, shell structure, jacket structure, or multi-shell structure. 
     
     
         6 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said system comprises matrix or array of holes, screen, mesh structure, or strainer structure. 
     
     
         7 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said system is placed in or attached to a HVAC system, water heater, heat pump, or building water supply. 
     
     
         8 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said two or more compartments or chambers have variable volume or size. 
     
     
         9 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said two or more compartments or chambers are separated by a diaphragm, elastic material, plastic material, balloon, separator, thermal plate, plate, moveable plate, sliding plate, plate-on-rail, disc, partitioning device, shield, floater, or slider. 
     
     
         10 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said two or more compartments or chambers are separated by a fixed or rigid object. 
     
     
         11 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said two or more compartments or chambers are separated by a moveable or flexible object. 
     
     
         12 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said system is controlled by a server, central controller, controller, computer, processor, microprocessor, central processor, remote processor, automated controller, user, command unit, analyzing unit, multiple processors, computer network, Internet, remote access, or distributed processors. 
     
     
         13 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said two or more compartments or chambers are separated by a multi-component separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or slider. 
     
     
         14 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said multi-component separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or slider has at least a part with different or non-uniform relative density or specific gravity, with respect to other parts of said multi-component separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or slider. 
     
     
         15 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said multi-component separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or slider has its center of gravity positioned higher than its geometrical center. 
     
     
         16 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said multi-component separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or slider has its center of gravity positioned lower than its geometrical center. 
     
     
         17 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 13 , wherein relative density or specific gravity of said multi-component separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or slider is higher than relative density or specific gravity of water or fluid in said tank or container. 
     
     
         18 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 13 , wherein relative density or specific gravity of said multi-component separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or slider is lower than relative density or specific gravity of water or fluid in said tank or container. 
     
     
         19 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 13 , wherein relative density or specific gravity of said multi-component separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or slider is the same as the relative density or specific gravity of water or fluid in said tank or container. 
     
     
         20 . The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said system comprises baffle, flow diverter, flow blocker, nozzle, funnel, or pipe reducer, for fluid flow diversion, slow-down, or reduction.