Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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TRANSLATION OF PCT/AT2008/000070
SYSTEM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF GEOTHERMAL PROBES
The invention relates to a system for the construction of geothermal probes
for absorbing
thermal energy from the ground and/or for dissipating thermal energy to the
ground, wherein
these probes feature a line system with an outgoing line and a return line
that are connected to
each other at the bottom end of the geothermal probe. The invention further
relates to a
geothermal probe system for absorbing thermal energy from the ground and/or
for dissipating
thermal energy to the ground, wherein this system comprises at least one
constructed geothermal
probe that features outgoing and return lines that can carry a flow of heat-
carrier medium and
comprises feed and discharge lines, wherein the heat-carrier medium can be fed
to the
appropriate geothermal probe from these feed lines and can be discharged from
these discharge
lines.
Geothermal probes for obtaining geothermal energy, wherein these probes extend
into the
depth of the ground in contrast to surface-area collectors, are known in
different embodiments. In
addition to geothermal probes that are sunk, in particular, through pile-
driving or vibrations,
directly into the ground, configurations are known that are inserted into a
drilled hole formed in
the ground or that are inserted into a cavity that is present in a component
formed in the ground,
for example, in a pile-driven steel or concrete pipe, a pile-driven pilot, or
a foundation.
Geothermal probes inserted into cast-in-place concrete are also known.
The installed geothermal probe is connected via a feed and a discharge line to
an energy
system for using heat and/or cold, for example, to a heat pump, wherein a
circuit for the heat-
carrier medium is formed. If a single geothermal probe is not sufficient for
absorbing and/or
dissipating the required energy, then a geothermal-probe system with several
geothermal probes
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is formed. Conventionally, the geothermal probes are each connected to a
common
distributor/collector via separate feed and discharge lines. Thus, for such a
system, several
parallel probe circuits each featuring an individual geothermal probe are
formed. Or distributor
and collection pipes are laid along the probe positions at which the
individual geothermal probes
are then connected in parallel - usually according to the Tichelmann method.
From EP 1 486 741 B1, a geothermal probe emerges in which an outer pipe is
sunk into
the ground through pile driving. This outer pipe consists of several joined
pipe pieces. The
connection is advantageously formed as a tight connecting-sleeve connection.
Then a lining pipe
is inserted into the outer pipe placed in the ground, wherein this lining pipe
can be made from
individual pipe pieces that are inserted piece by piece into the outer pipe
and that are connected
tightly by means of fusing. Instead of this, a corrugated plastic hose with
the required total length
can also be used as the lining pipe. The intermediate space between the outer
pipe and the lining
pipe is consequently cast with a casting compound. Then an already completely
assembled inner
pipe is inserted into the lining pipe. The inner pipe forms the outgoing line
for a heat-carrier
medium, while the intermediate space between the inner pipe and the lining
pipe forms the return
line for the heat-carrier medium. The production of such a geothermal probe is
associated with
considerable installation expense generated at the construction site.
A geothermal probe to be inserted into a drilled hole in the ground is known,
for example,
from AT 007 510 U 1. An inner pipe is arranged within an outer pipe formed as
a corrugated
pipe, by which the outgoing and return lines for the heat-carrier medium are
formed. The
geothermal probe is formed as a preassembled unit and can be brought to the
construction site in
a rolled-together state. For each geothermal probe with a desired length, a
preassembled unit
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must be formed in this length. A geothermal probe formed in an analogous way
and inserted into
a concrete foundation element of a structure is known from AT 007 887 U 1.
In addition to so-called "coaxial systems" in which the outgoing and return
lines are
formed by nested pipes, in particular, by coaxial pipes, so-called "U-probes"
are known in which
the outgoing and return lines are formed by pipes arranged one next to the
other. In addition to
simple U-probes with a single outgoing and return line, double U-probes with
two outgoing and
return lines are also known. Such a U-probe is known, for example, from EP 582
118 Al. The
outgoing and return lines are connected to each other at their lower end by
arc-shaped pieces or
other foot pieces that deflect the heat-carrier medium by 180 . At the upper
end of the outgoing
lines and at the upper end of the return lines, a head piece is attached that
is connected through
fusing or adhesion to the lines and features a connection for connecting to
the feed line or for
connecting to the discharge line for the feeding and discharging of a heat-
carrier medium. The
outgoing and return lines of the geothermal probe are formed by continuous,
elongated pipes.
Another U-probe is known, for example, from EP 1 006 322 A2. For introducing
the
geothermal probe into the ground, first a pipe formed from several pipe pieces
is pile-driven into
the ground. The line system is introduced into the inner cavity of the pile-
driven pipe and
connected to an end piece at the lower end of the pile-driven pipe. The pile-
driven pipe is then
pulled out again from the ground, apart from the end piece.
The problem of the invention is to provide a system for forming geothermal
probes of the
type noted above, wherein geothermal probes of different length can be formed
in a simple way
with this system with low assembly expense at the construction site. According
to the invention,
this is achieved by a system with the features of Claim 1.
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To form geothermal probes, a system according to the invention comprises probe
modules. A probe module represents a section of the longitudinal extent of the
geothermal probe
to be created, wherein it forms a section of the outgoing line or the return
line of the line system
or the outgoing and return line of the geothermal probe. Two probe modules can
be connected to
each other by at least one positive-fit and/or non-positive-fit connection,
advantageously a plug
connection or plug coupling, wherein each section of the outgoing and/or
return lines of the two
probe modules are connected to each other. The construction of a plug
connection can be
realized directly by plugging together the sections of the outgoing and/or
return line of the two
probe modules, wherein a plug connection is formed between the two sections of
the outgoing
line and/or between the two sections of the return line. Instead of this
connection, at least one
coupling piece could also be present that is plugged together with the two
sections of the
outgoing line to be connected or with the two sections of the return line to
be connected, wherein
each plug connection is formed.
For a plug connection or plug coupling, the parts to be connected to each
other are
plugged together. For securing the plugged-together state, different positive-
fit and/or non-
positive-fit elements could be used, wherein locking elements are preferred.
However, plugs with
clamping rings, plugs with clamping ring cones, plugs with locking spring
rings, or plugs with
coupling rings could also be used, for example. The plug connection or plug
coupling can be
separable (detachable) or inseparable (e.g., by catch elements).
Furthermore, instead of a plug connection, another type of positive-fit and/or
non-
positive-fit connection could also be used, e.g., a screw connection.
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The system further comprises a foot piece that forms a section of the line
system of the
geothermal probe connecting the outgoing line to the return line and that can
be connected to
each of the probe modules by means of at least one positive-fit and/or non-
positive-fit
connection, advantageously a plug connection, wherein the section of the line
system of the foot
piece is connected to each section of the outgoing line and/or the return line
of the probe module.
The construction of the plug connection can be realized directly by plugging
together the section
of the line system of the foot piece with each section of the outgoing line
and/or return line of the
probe module, wherein a plug connection is formed between the section of the
line system of the
foot piece and the corresponding section of the outgoing line and/or return
line of the probe
module. Instead of this connection, at least one coupling piece could also be
present that is
plugged together both with the section of the line system of the foot piece
and also with the
corresponding section of the outgoing line and/or return line of the probe
module, wherein each
plug connection is formed. Furthermore, instead of a plug connection, another
type of a positive-
fit and/or non-positive-fit connection could also be used, e.g., a screw
connection.
Thus, according to the number and/or length of the probe modules used for the
construction of a geothermal probe, geothermal probes of different lengths
could be formed,
wherein the geothermal probe is closed on its lower end by a mounted foot
piece. Thus, a
building-block system comprising relatively few preassembled units (= system
according to the
building-block principle) can be disclosed by the invention through which
geothermal probes of
different lengths can be formed with low assembly expense. Geothermal probes
differ from
surface-area collectors in that they project into the depth of the ground,
advantageously at a right
angle or in an angular range of 10 relative to the vertical. Positioning
angles of up to 45
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relative to the vertical are possible. The length of a geothermal probe
typically lies in the range
between 5 m and 75 m, usually in the range between 15 m and 45 m.
In the simplest case, a geothermal probe formed by the system according to the
invention
could also feature only a single probe module to which a foot piece is
connected at its lower end,
advantageously by a plug connection. Advantageously, a geothermal probe
comprises two or
more probe modules.
By providing probe modules in different, for example, four, standard lengths,
a high
flexibility of the system can be achieved.
Advantageously, at least one plug connection formed as a catch connection is
present
between two probe modules. Advantageously, at least one plug connection formed
as a catch
connection is present between each probe module and the foot piece.
In one embodiment, geothermal probes can be formed by a system according to
the
invention, wherein the outgoing and return lines of this system are nested, in
particular, are
coaxial to each other (= pipe-in-pipe configuration). In another embodiment,
geothermal probes
can be formed whose one or more outgoing and return lines run one next to the
other (U-probe
configuration).
Another problem of the invention consists in providing a geothermal probe
system of the
type named above for which simplified installation is achieved with high
flexibility for
adaptation to the corresponding requirements. According to the invention, this
is achieved by a
geothermal probe system with the features of Claim 20.
Through the formation of the feed and discharge lines made from line pieces
that can be
connected to each other by positive-fit and/or non-positive-fit connections,
advantageously plug
connections, the feed lines and discharge lines can be easily adapted to the
given relationships,
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wherein the assembly expense is low. Advantageously, line pieces of different
length are
provided, wherein an especially high flexibility can be achieved.
For connecting each geothermal probe to the feed line leading to this probe
and the
discharge line leading away from this probe, there is advantageously a probe
head connected at
the upper end of the topmost probe module (in the case of the formation of the
geothermal probe
made from several probe modules) or at the upper end of the single probe
module of each
geothermal probe. In this way, the probe head is connected to the outgoing and
return lines of the
geothermal probe by means of positive-fit and/or non-positive-fit connections,
advantageously,
plug connections, and the feed and discharge lines are also connected to the
probe head by
positive-fit and/or non-positive-fit connections, advantageously, plug
connections.
Additional advantages and details of the invention will be explained below
with reference
to the accompanying drawing. Shown in these are:
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a geothermal probe system according to the
invention
with several geothermal probes connected in series,
Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are a longitudinal middle section and a cross section
(section line A-A
of Fig. 2) through a geothermal probe module for forming a geothermal probe
according to a first
embodiment,
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal middle section of two plugged-together geothermal
probe modules
in the connection region,
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal middle section through a foot piece mounted on a
probe module,
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal middle section through a probe head mounted on a
probe module,
Fig. 7 is a second embodiment of a geothermal probe with a probe head
connected to the
upper end, the geothermal probe in longitudinal section,
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Fig. 8 is a cross section along the line B-B of Fig. 7,
Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through a probe module for forming a
geothermal probe
according to a third embodiment of a geothermal probe,
Fig. 10 is a cross section along the line C-C of Fig. 9,
Fig. 11 is a longitudinal middle section of two plugged-together probe modules
of this
embodiment, in the connection region,
Fig. 12 is a cross section along the line D-D of Fig. 11,
Fig. 13 is a longitudinal middle section of a foot piece according to this
embodiment that
is plugged together with a probe module corresponding to Figs. 9 to 12,
Fig. 14 is a longitudinal middle section of a probe head according to this
embodiment that
is plugged together with a probe module according to Figs. 9 to 12,
Fig. 15 is a fourth embodiment of a geothermal probe with a probe head
connected at the
upper end, in side view,
Fig. 16 is a longitudinal middle section of an upper section of a geothermal
probe with
line pieces mounted on the probe head,
Fig. 17 is a cross section through a probe module according to another
embodiment of a
geothermal probe, section line F-F of Fig. 18,
Fig. 18 is a longitudinal middle section along the line E-E of Fig. 17,
Fig. 19 is a view of two plugged-together probe modules of the embodiment
according to
Figs. 17 and 18 in the connection region, in a longitudinal middle section.
From Fig. 1, in a schematic diagram, a possible configuration of a geothermal
probe
system emerges for absorbing thermal energy from the ground and/or for
dissipating thermal
energy to the ground. The geothermal probe system according to this
configuration comprises
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several geothermal probes I in a series circuit. For feeding and discharging a
heat-carrier
medium to or from a corresponding geothermal probe 1, a connecting line system
with lines is
used that are formed by individual line pieces 2-8. The line piece 2 forms at
least one section of
the feed line to the first of the geothermal probes I arranged in series and
can be connected at its
end not shown in Fig. I directly or via one or more additional line pieces to
a system using
energy (heat, cold), for example, to a heat pump, or to a
distributor/collector. A
distributor/collector is used, in particular, when several probe circuits are
provided, for example,
a second probe circuit or several probe circuits could be present that is
connected in parallel to
the first probe circuit and that is formed, for example, in the same way.
The line piece 3 forms the discharge line of the geothermal probes 1 shown in
Fig. 1 and
connected in series and the feed line for the second geothermal probe 1. The
same applies
analogously for the line pieces 4 and 5. The line pieces 6-8 that are
connected to each other by
plug connections 9, 10 form at least one section of the discharge line of the
last of the geothermal
probes 1 connected in series, wherein the line piece 8 can be connected
directly or by means of
one or more additional line pieces not shown in Fig. 1 to the system using
energy or to the
distributor/col lector.
The geothermal probes I are each formed from several plugged-together probe
modules
11, 12 and to a foot piece 13 mounted on the lower end of the lowermost probe
module 11. For
example, as shown, three probe modules 11 with a greater length and a probe
module 12 with a
shorter length could be present.
The geothermal probes 1 are each connected in the shown embodiment by means of
a
probe head 14 to the line pieces 2-8 forming their feed and discharge line.
Here, the probe heads
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14 are placed on the upper ends of the uppermost probe module 12 and connected
by means of
plug connections to the corresponding line pieces 2-6.
A first embodiment of a system for forming geothermal probes will be explained
below
with reference to Figs. 2 to 6. A probe module 11 of the system is shown in
Figs. 2 and 3.
Advantageously, preassembled probe modules are provided in different
standardized lengths, for
example, in four different lengths.
Each probe module 11 forms a section of the longitudinal extent of the
geothermal probe
1 and, in this way, a section of the line system of the geothermal probe I is
formed by this probe
module 11, wherein, in this embodiment, both a section 15 of the outgoing line
transporting the
heat-carrier medium from the top to the bottom and also a section 16 of the
return line
transporting the heat-carrier medium from the bottom to the top are formed.
The sections 15, 16
are here formed by pipe pieces arranged coaxial to each other.
The probe module 11 has an outer pipe piece 17 that houses the section of the
line system
formed by the probe module 11. The intermediate space 18 between the outer
pipe piece 17 and
the outer pipe piece of the line system are filled with a casting compound 19
with good heat-
conducting properties at least over the majority of its length. In particular,
a volume-resistant,
cement-bound casting compound 19 could be used, advantageously, concrete. The
filling extends
across the entire longitudinal extent of the probe module 11, apart from end
sections.
The outer pipe piece forming the section 16 of the return line can be formed,
for example,
as a smooth pipe that is provided with knobs 20 projecting outward. The outer
pipe piece is
centered in the outer pipe 17 by the knobs 20. Other embodiments of the outer
pipe piece, such
as, for example, with short, broken longitudinal connecting pieces or spiral-
shaped, longitudinal
connecting pieces, are conceivable and possible, with or without a centering
function relative to
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the outer pipe piece 17. The centering function can also be created, for
example, by longitudinal
widened sections or by separate parts arranged between the outer pipe piece 17
and the section
16. For example, the outer pipe piece of the line system could also be formed
by a corrugated
pipe.
The inner pipe piece forming a section 15 of the outgoing line features, in
the shown
embodiment, guide rails 21 that extend in the longitudinal direction and that
project outward in a
star shape viewed in cross section. These are used, above all, for supporting
the outer pipe piece
forming the section 16 of the return line, in case, during the course of use
of the geothermal
probe, the outer pipe piece 17 should lose its supporting function, in
particular, due to corrosion.
The outer pipe piece forming the section 16 of the return line should
definitely be formed with
relatively thin walls with respect to the desired good heat transfer. In
addition, the inner pipe
piece is centered by the guide rails 21 in the outer pipe piece.
The inner pipe piece could also feature a cross-sectional shape that is
different from that
shown, for example, short, slightly perpendicular guide rails with short
intermediate spaces or
short, broken connecting pieces that have a corrugated profile in the
longitudinal extent or short,
broken connecting pieces that extend in a helical shape in the longitudinal
extent. The supporting
function of the outer pipe piece could also be eliminated for a corresponding,
long term-stable
formation of the outer pipe piece 17. The centering in the outer pipe piece
could also be created
by separate insert parts. The inner pipe piece could then be formed, for
example, also as a
smooth pipe or as a cross-corrugated pipe. A smooth pipe with outer knobs
could also be used as
the inner pipe piece that provides a centering function in the outer pipe
piece and optionally also
a supporting function for the outer pipe piece.
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The probe modules 11 can be plugged together, wherein, when the probe modules
11 are
plugged together, the sections 15, 16 of the outgoing and the return lines of
the two probe
modules 11 are plugged together. For this purpose, the probe module 11 for
constructing each
plug connection has, at one end, a plug part and, at the other end, a socket
part for this plug
connection.
Two plugged-together probe modules 11 are shown in Fig. 4. For forming the
plug
connection between the sections 15 of the outgoing line, a pipe connecting
piece 22 is attached to
the lower end of the inner pipe piece, for example, with a material-fit
connection through
welding or adhesion. Positive-fit and/or friction-fit connections are also
conceivable and
possible. The pipe connecting piece forms the plug part of the plug connection
and can be
inserted with low play into the upper section of the upper end of the inner
pipe piece of the
underlying probe module 11, wherein this upper section of the inner pipe piece
forms the socket
part of the plug connection. A complete seal for this inner plug connection is
not necessary with
respect to the heat-carrier medium.
For forming the plug connection between the sections 16 of the return line, a
plug part 23
with a reduced diameter is attached to the lower end of the outer pipe piece
of each probe module
11, for example, by a material-fit connection through fusing or adhesion. A
positive-fit and/or
friction-fit connection is also conceivable and possible, wherein this
connection has a
construction that is sealed from the outside and pressure-tight for the heat-
carrier medium.
Toward its free end, the plug part 23 has two sections of reduced outer
diameter. The area of the
first reduced outer diameter forms an outer sealing face for an outer
contacting sealing ring 24; in
the region of the second reduced outer diameter, outward projecting catch tabs
25 are formed.
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At the upper end of the outer pipe piece forming the section 16 of the return
line, a sleeve
26 made from stainless steel is pressed onto this pipe piece from the outside.
This sleeve has a
seal 24 set in a groove. For introducing the plug part, the sleeve has a
conical shape on the socket
inlet. The plug sleeve is pressed tightly with the return line 16 and a stop
28. The stop 28 creates
the engagement with the catch tabs 25.
Naturally, other constructions of plug parts and socket parts could also be
used, for
example, those made from plastic with the provided sealing and locking
functions.
The lower end of the section 16 thus forms the plug part and the upper end of
the section
16 forms the socket part for forming a plug connection between the sections 16
of two plugged-
together plug modules 11, wherein the plug connection is formed as a catch
connection.
For forming a plug connection between the outer pipe pieces 17 of two nested
probe
modules, a pipe connecting piece 29 with reduced diameter is attached to the
lower end of the
outer pipe piece 17, for example, with a material-fit connection through
fusing or adhesion. A
positive-fit and/or friction-fit connection is also conceivable and possible.
In the nested state of
two probe modules 11, this pipe connecting piece 29 that forms the plug part
of the plug
connection for the outer pipe piece projects into the upper end section of the
outer pipe piece 17
of the underlying probe module 11 that forms the socket part of the plug
connection. Therefore,
the outer pipe pieces 17 of the nested probe modules 11 are centered relative
to each other, which
is important especially for the inner plug connections and for a largest
possible surface-area
contact when the geothermal probe is installed through pile-driving or
vibrations.
Each probe module thus has equal socket parts on the upper end and plug parts
on the
lower end. The plug connections could also be formed in other different ways
as described. For
example, the plug part and the socket part could also be interchanged for one,
two, or all three
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plug connections. Furthermore, coupling pieces that can be plugged together on
both sides with
the corresponding pipe piece could also be used for one, two, or all three
plug connections, so
that actually two plug connections are present. Such coupling pieces are shown
in Fig. 19 (51,
52); the plug connections have a tight construction only in the case of the
connection of the
sections 16 of the return line. Another type of coupling pieces is also shown
in Fig. 11 (39, 43).
For these coupling pieces, the connections of both sections 15 and 16 have a
tight construction.
To be able to form geothermal probes of different lengths in a flexible way,
probe
modules 11, 12 are provided that have different lengths, but are otherwise
equal.
For closing the lower end of the lowermost probe module 11, a mountable foot
piece 13
is present, wherein the outgoing and return lines are connected to each other
by this foot piece.
For this connection of the outgoing and return lines, in the embodiment
according to Fig. 5, the
foot piece 13 has a pipe piece 30 that is closed by a cover 31 on its lower
end that lies in the state
of the foot piece plugged together with a probe module 11 at a distance
underneath the lower end
of the pipe connecting piece 22 of the probe module 11. The plug connection
between the pipe
piece 30 and the section 16 of the return line of the probe module 11 is
formed in the same way
as the already described plug connection between two sections 16 of the return
line of plugged-
together probe modules 11.
The foot piece 13 features an outer pipe piece 32 holding the pipe piece 30.
The plug
connection between the outer pipe piece 32 and the outer pipe piece 17 of the
probe module 11
has the same construction as the already described plug connection between the
outer pipe pieces
17 of two plugged-together probe modules 11.
A driving piece 33 that is shaped, for example, like a plate for installing
the geothermal
probe 1 by pile-driving or vibrations is attached to the lower end of the
outer pipe piece 32. The
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plate-shaped driving piece 33 can also feature, for example, a spherical
configuration or a tip
pointing downward.
For the production of a geothermal probe I inserted into the ground, initially
a foot piece
13 is mounted on the lower end of a probe module 11 and then these two parts
are sunk, in
particular, through pile-driving or vibrations. Then the next upper probe
module 11 is mounted
and the plugged-together parts are sunk, in turn. This is repeated up to the
desired length of the
geothermal probe 1, wherein corresponding lengths of the probe modules 11, 12
are selected.
For connecting the outgoing line and return line of the geothermal probe 1 to
the feed line
and to the discharge line of the geothermal probe, there is a probe head 14
that can be placed on
the uppermost probe module 12. The probe head 14 has nested pipe pieces that
form first and
second connections 34, 35 for forming plug connections to the sections 15, 16
of the outgoing
and return lines of the underlying probe module 12. The end sections of the
connections 34, 35
are here formed in the same way as the lower end sections of the sections 15,
16 of each probe
module 11, 12, in order to form the plug connections already described for
plugging together two
probe modules 11.
The probe head 14 furthermore features third and fourth connections 36, 37 for
forming
plug connections with the feed and discharge line to or from this geothermal
probe 1. An end
section of a feed line is indicated in Fig. 6 by dashed lines. These plug
connections are formed in
the shown embodiment in the same way as the plug connections between the
sections 16 of the
return lines of two probe modules 11, 12.
The probe head 14 has a passage 38 connecting the third connection 36 to the
fourth
connection 37, wherein a bypass is formed by this passage with respect to the
geothermal probe
1, of which a part of the heat-carrier medium is led past the geothermal probe
1, that is, a bypass
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is formed for this part of the heat-carrier medium. In this way, the opening
cross-sectional
surface area of the passage 38 is significantly less than the opening cross-
sectional surface area
both of the first and also of the second connections 34, 35. Advantageously,
the opening cross-
sectional surface areas of the first and second connections 34, 35 are each
two to a hundred-times
greater than the opening cross-sectional surface area of the passage 38,
wherein a range between
4:1 and 40:1 is especially preferred.
Through the formation of such a passage 38, the entire circulating quantity of
the heat-
carrier medium could be selected and set as a ratio to the desired probe
throughput. In addition,
simple venting of two or more geothermal probes connected in series is
produced as a secondary
effect during their filling with a heat-carrier medium. Preferably, the
passage 38 here connects
the third and the fourth connection 36, 37 at the upper ends of their passage
openings.
The passage 38 is formed by an opening of an intermediate wall between the
third
connection and the fourth connection. In this opening, for setting the
throughput, an insert 54 can
be provided. The insert 54 can be screwed in or plugged in, for example.
According to the probe
type and the probe length, before the assembly of the probe head, a fitting
insert 54 can be
inserted, wherein inserts 54 are present with different passage cross sections
(= opening cross-
sectional surface areas). Instead of this, for example, a fixed passage with
adjustable opening
cross-sectional surface area could also be present.
The plug connections 9, 10 (Fig. 1) between the line pieces 6, 7, 8 are
advantageously
formed in the same way as the plug connections between the feed or discharge
line and the third
or fourth connection 36, 37 of the probe head 14. A corresponding line piece 2-
8 thus features a
plug part on one end and a socket part of the plug connection on the other
end.
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A pluggable connection of the line pieces 2-8, for example, would also be
conceivable
and possible by an intermediate coupling piece. In this case, the line pieces
2-8 could be formed
at both ends in the same way, that is, on both sides as a plug part or on both
sides as a socket part
for the plug connection, and the coupling piece could form the corresponding
counterpart of the
plug connection on both sides. The connection to the third and fourth
connections 36, 37 of the
probe head 14 was also realized in this case by a coupling piece.
In Figs. 7 and 8, a geothermal probe 1 formed according to another embodiment
is shown
with a mounted probe head 14. This geothermal probe 1 here comprises two
plugged-together
probe modules 11 of equal length. Naturally, probe modules 11 of different
lengths and/or a
different number of probe modules 11 could be present. The difference to the
embodiment
described above consists in that the geothermal probe 1 is formed without an
outer pipe and a
casting compound filled between the outer pipe and the line system. The
individual probe
modules 11 and the foot piece 13 are thus formed without outer pipe pieces and
casting
compound filled in-between. This construction of the geothermal probe 1 is
suitable, for
example, for insertion into a hole formed in the ground, wherein this hole was
produced, for
example, through drilling, pile-driving, displacement, a flushing method, or
from combinations
of these, wherein, after placement of the geothermal probe, a casting compound
is filled into the
intermediate space between the hole and geothermal probe. The geothermal probe
can also be
inserted into a cavity of a part formed in the ground, for example, a steel
pipe or concrete pipe or
a pilot cloth or foundation sunk by means of, in particular, pile-driving or
vibrations.
The intermediate space between the geothermal probe and the part holding the
geothermal probe is similarly filled with a casting compound. Furthermore,
installation in cast-
in-place concrete during its liquid state is possible.
17
Another embodiment is explained below with reference to Figs. 9 to 14. For the
parts
anaingnus to the nrior emhodiments_ the same reference svmhnlc arP õzPd ThP
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Another embodiment is explained below with reference to Figs. 9 to 14. For the
parts
analogous to the prior embodiments, the same reference symbols are used. The
geothermal probe
is here formed as a so-called U-probe with outgoing and return lines extending
one next to the
other. A probe module 11 is shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The probe module
comprises pipe pieces
lying one next to the other that form sections 15, 16 of the outgoing and
return lines. The pipe
pieces are formed, for example, as shown, as corrugated pipes, but could also
be formed with a
different shape, for example, in the shape of smooth pipes or pipes structured
in some other way,
for example, pipes with knows projecting outward and/or inward.
The sections 15, 16 of the outgoing and return lines are housed by an outer
pipe piece 17.
The outer pipe piece 17 here projects past the sections 15, 16 on its two
ends, but this depends on
the formation of the plug connection that is described farther below and that
could also be
formed in a different way, for example, in an analogous way like for the outer
pipe pieces of the
coaxial line system of the embodiments described above.
The intermediate space between the sections 15, 16 and the outer pipe piece 17
is filled at
least across a large part of its length with a casting compound 19 that could
be formed in the
same way as described above.
For the flexible construction of geothermal probes of different lengths,
favorably
different lengths of probe modules 11 are also provided.
The probe modules 11 can be connected to each other by plug connections as
shown in
Fig. 11.
For connecting the sections 15, 16 of two probe modules 11, here, coupling
pieces 39
formed by pipe pieces are used that are advantageously formed for the
connection of the sections
15 and for the connection of the sections 16 in the same way. Each coupling
piece 39 can be
18
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advantageously connected with its upper end to the section 15 or to the
section 16 of the upper
probe module 11 by a plug connection and with its lower end to the section 15
or to the section
16 of the lower probe module 11 by a plug connection. All of the plug
connections are
advantageously constructed in the same way.
For example, such a plug connection is constructed as shown such that the
sections 15, 16
are provided with end pieces 40 that feature catch pins with inward projecting
catch tabs 41. In
the peripheral direction, there are at least two such catch pins that are
released by slots, in order
to achieve a spring-elastic formation. Lying farther toward the middle of the
section 15 or 16
relative to the end of the slot, there is a sealing face for contacting a seal
42 arranged on the
corresponding end section of the coupling piece 39. The coupling piece 39
furthermore has, in
each end section, a catch recess formed, for example, by an annular groove,
for engaging the
catch tabs 41.
For connecting the outer pipe pieces 17 of two plugged-together probe modules
11, a
coupling piece 43 is used that is formed, for example, from steel-reinforced
plastic. The coupling
piece 43 can be inserted into the ends of the outer pipe piece 17 of the probe
modules 11 to be
connected. The insertion depth can be limited by stops 44, 45. The coupling
piece 43 has
continuous channels for the passage of the coupling pieces 39.
The coupling piece 43 thus forms plug connections with the outer pipe pieces
17 of the
two probe modules 11 to be connected, wherein it centers the outer pipe pieces
17 relative to
each other. In the interconnected state, the ends of the outer pipe piece 17
contact each other.
The plug connections for connecting the sections 15, 16 and the outer pipe
pieces 17
could also be formed in another way as shown. For example, the sections 15, 16
and/or the outer
pipe pieces 17 could also be connected directly without the aid of coupling
pieces 39, 43 by plug
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connections. Preferably, in any case, at least one of the plug connections,
advantageously each
plug connection for the sections 15, 16, is constructed as the catch
connection connecting the two
parts connected to each other by the plug connection in the closed state with
a positive fit.
The foot piece 13 shown in Fig. 13 is here formed by an arc-shaped pipe piece
that is
connected with its one end to the section 15 of the outgoing line and with its
other end to the
section 16 of the return line of the probe module 11 by a corresponding plug
connection. The
plug connections are formed in the same way as the plug connections of the
coupling pieces 39
with the sections 15 or 16 for the connection of two probe modules 11, that
is, advantageously
locked, in turn, with a positive fit in the closed state.
Instead of this, the foot piece 13 could be formed, for example, by a pot with
two
connecting pieces that can be connected to the sections 15, 16 by means of
such plug
connections.
The outer tube piece of the lowermost probe module 11 here projects outward
past the
foot piece 13. On the end, a drive piece 33 formed, for example, with a plate
shape is connected
to the outer pipe piece 17, in order to pile-drive or vibrate the geothermal
probe 1 into the
ground. The drive piece 33 can also have a pyramidal or tip formation pointing
downward.
In Fig. 14, a probe head 14 connected to the uppermost probe module 11 is
shown. The
first and second connection 34, 35 for connecting to the sections 15, 16 of
the outgoing and
return lines are formed by pipe pieces whose end sections are formed in the
same way as the end
sections of the coupling pieces 39, in order to form plug connections with the
section 15, 16.
The third and fourth connections 36, 37 are formed in the way already
described with
reference to Fig. 6. As also already described, there is a passage 38 between
the third and fourth
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connections 36, 37, wherein this passage is formed as an opening in a
separating wall 46 and has
the already described functions, like the selection of the probe throughput
and the venting.
Another embodiment for a geothermal probe with a mounted probe head is shown
in Fig.
15. In contrast to the embodiment described above, this geothermal probe does
not have an outer
tube lying outside of the outgoing and return lines. The geothermal probe is
used analogously
like the geothermal probe shown in Figs. 7 and 8 for installation into an
already existing, hole-
shaped opening, cf. the applications described in connection with Figs. 7 and
8.
The probe modules 1 I are here formed in the shape of line pieces that can
each form
either a section 15 of the outgoing line of the geothermal probe or a section
16 of the return line
of the geothermal probe. In the shown embodiment, the outgoing line and the
return line each
feature two probe modules 11 of equal length. Naturally, for adapting the
length of the
geothermal probe, probe modules 11 of different lengths could be used as
already described
and/or a different (even) number of probe modules could be provided for
achieving the desired
length.
The plug connections between the probe modules 11 are not shown in detail in
Fig. 15.
For example, each probe module 11 could have, at one end, a formation like the
sections 15, 16
of the embodiment described with reference to Figs. 9 to 14 and, at the other
end, a formation
like the coupling pieces 39 of this embodiment described above.
The lowermost probe module 11 that forms a section of the outgoing line 15 and
the
lowermost probe module 11 that forms a section of the return line 16 are
connected to each other
by a foot piece 13, wherein the outgoing and return lines of the geothermal
probe 1 are connected
to each other. The connection of the foot piece 13 to the probe modules 11 is
realized by plug
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connections that are formed in the same way as the plug connections between
the probe modules
11.
The upper end of the probe module 11 that forms the uppermost section 15 of
the
outgoing line and the upper end of the probe module 11 that forms the
uppermost section 16 of
the return line are connected to first and second connections 34, 35 of a
probe head 14. Here,
plug connections are formed in the same way as the plug connections between
probe modules 11.
The probe head 14 also has third and fourth connections for forming plug
connections to
a feed and a discharge line. The third and fourth connections 36, 37 are
connected to each other
in the already described way by means of a passage 38.
Fig. 16 shows an upper section of a geothermal probe formed, for example, in
the shape
of a U-probe, with mounted probe head on which line pieces 5, 6, 7 are placed
for forming feed
and discharge lines. The connection of the probe head 14 to the geothermal
probe 1 is shown
only schematically, but can also be formed, for example, like in Fig. 14. The
plug connections
between the line pieces 5, 6 and the third and fourth connections 36, 37 of
the probe head 14 are
also formed in the same way in the shape of catch connections. The same plug
connections are
also formed between individual line pieces 6, 7, wherein the feed and/or
discharge lines are
formed to and from the geothermal probe 1 from several plugged-together line
pieces 5-7.
The line pieces 5-7 are formed in the shape of corrugated pipes. Despite good
flexibility,
they possess sufficient stability with respect to the ground pressure acting
on them. For example,
the same corrugated pipes could be used on which, at one end, a plug part is
formed and, on the
other end, a socket part of the plug connection is formed as the line piece of
the supply and
discharge lines to and from the geothermal probe 1 and as section 15, 16 of
the outgoing and
return line of the geothermal probe.
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For connecting line pieces 3-5 to each other and for connecting line pieces 3-
5 to the third
and fourth connections 36, 37 of the probe head 14, coupling pieces could also
be used, in turn,
whose ends are plugged together with the parts to be connected. In this case,
the line pieces 5-7
could feature an equally formed plug connector part at both ends.
A probe module according to another embodiment will be explained below with
reference to Figs. 17 to 19. The difference to the probe module explained with
reference to Figs.
2 to 4 consists in that a steel concrete pipe is used as the outer pipe piece
47 that borders the
outer pipe piece of the section of the line system of the probe module 11
forming the section 16
of the return line. For this purpose, a basket that is formed from concrete
steel 48, 49 and that
surrounds the outer pipe piece of the line system is cast with concrete in a
tubular mold. The rod-
shaped concrete steel parts 48 extending in the longitudinal direction extend
past the area cast
with concrete and a pipe connecting piece 50 made from steel is fused onto
each of its ends. For
connecting two probe modules 11, coupling pieces 51, 52 are used that are
plugged together with
their two ends to the sections 15, 16 of the outgoing or return line to be
connected. The coupling
piece 52 plugged together with the outer pipe pieces is locked with this piece
and sealed
pressure-tight by a seal 24.
The end-face ends of the probe modules according to Figs. 17, 18, 19 with the
pipe
connecting pieces 50 made from steel are connected and centered by a steel
socket 53 during the
plugging together.
The flow direction of the heat-carrier medium was described for the probe
modules with
a coaxial construction, so that the outgoing line is realized by the inner
pipe and the return line is
realized by the outer pipe. It is understood that the flow direction for the
heat-carrier medium
could also take place in the reverse direction.
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Instead of the plug connections described in the embodiments, other positive-
fit and/or
non-positive-fit connections could also be used, for example, screw
connections.
In the course of this publication, when the discussion is of a positive-fit
and/or non-
positive-fit connection, then such a connection could also be called a
positive-fit and/or non-
positive-fit coupling. Such a connection or coupling could be detachable again
(separable) or
could be non-detachable, for example, by catch elements. Furthermore, the
connection or
coupling could also have a construction that could be closed without the use
of tools.
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Legend to the reference symbols:
1 Geothermal probe
2 Line piece
3 Line piece
4 Line piece
Line piece
6 Line piece
7 Line piece
8 Line piece
9 Plug connection
Plug connection
11 Probe module
12 Probe module
13 Foot piece
14 Probe head
Section
16 Section
17 Outer pipe piece
18 Intermediate space
19 Casting compound
Knob
21 Guide rail
22 Pipe connecting piece
23 Plug part
24 Seal
Snap-in pin
26 Sleeve
28 Stop
29 Pipe connecting piece
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30 Pipe piece
31 Cover
32 Outer pipe piece
33 Drive piece
34 First connection
35 Second connection
36 Third connection
37 Fourth connection
38 Passage
39 Coupling piece
40 End piece
41 Snap-in tab
42 Seal
43 Coupling piece
44 Stop
45 Stop
46 Partition wall
47 Outer pipe piece
48 Concrete steel
49 Concrete steel
50 Pipe connecting piece
51 Coupling piece
52 Coupling piece
53 Steel socket
54 Insert
26
