System and Method for Managing Source Fluid

Abstract

A simple, cost effective system and method for flexibly managing heat pump source fluid is disclosed. The source fluid flow-manager significantly enhances heat pump efficiency by selectively coupling it to renewable energy resources via geothermal, solar, and ambient air thermal exchanges. The sophisticated interconnection of these thermal exchanges also reduces installation costs. A preferred embodiment of the source fluid flow-manager consists of three T-port valves, two pumps and a plurality of connection points, and operates in at least twelve modes. These modes selectively interconnect source fluid flow between fluid utilizing units, such as heat pumps, and a variety of thermal exchange and/or storage units, such as hot or cold underground thermal storage-and-exchange regions, dry coolers and solar thermal collectors. The valves and pumps are controlled by a programmed controller, guided by input from flow meters and thermometers. Operational modes are matched to thermal need, and to system and environmental status.

Claims

1. A source fluid flow-manager, comprising: Two source fluid pumps; three T-port valves; seven connection points; and. wherein, said fluid pumps and T-port valves are connected such that: in said first mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates out via a first connection point, in via a third connection point, out via a fourth connection point, and in via a fifth connection point; in said second mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates exclusively out via said first connection point and in via a second connection point; in said third mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates exclusively out via said first connection point and in via a seventh connection point; in a fourth mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates out via said second connection point, in via said third connection point 233, out via said fourth connection point and in via said fifth connection point; in a fifth mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates out via said seventh connection point and in via said sixth connection point, out via said fourth connection point and in via said fifth connection point; in a sixth mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates out via said first connection point and in via said seventh connection point, out via said second connection point, in via said third connection point, out via said fourth connection point and in via said fifth connection point; in a seventh mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates out via said first connection point and in via said second connection point, out via said seventh connection point, in via a sixth connection point, out via said fourth connection point and in via said fifth connection point; in an eighth mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates out via said first connection point and in via said seventh connection point, in via said third connection point, out via said fourth connection point and in via said fifth connection point; and, in a ninth mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates out via said first connection point and in via said second connection point, in via said sixth connection point, out via said fourth connection point and in via said fifth connection point.

2. The source fluid flow-manager of claim 1, wherein, in said first mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a third port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between all three ports, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational; in said second mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is not operational; in said third mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port , said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is not operational; in said fourth mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said first source fluid pump is not operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational; in said fifth mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port , said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port , said first source fluid pump is not operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational; in sixth mode of operation 136, said first T-port valve 221 is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said second T-port valve 222 is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said first source fluid pump 211 is operational, and said second source fluid pump 212 is operational; in said seventh mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational; in said eighth mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational; and in said ninth mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a third port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational;

3. The source fluid flow-manager of claim 2, further comprising, a source fluid utilizing module, a thermal exchange unit, a hot thermal storage and exchange unit, and a cold thermal storage and exchange unit; and, wherein, said modules, units, pumps and valves are fluidly connected such that: in said first mode of operation source fluid circulates exclusively from said thermal exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module; in said second mode of operation source fluid circulates exclusively from said cold thermal storage and exchange unit to said source utilizing module; in said third mode of operation source fluid circulates exclusively from said hot thermal storage and exchange unit to said source utilizing module; in said fourth mode of operation source fluid circulates exclusively from said thermal exchange unit to said cold thermal storage and exchange unit; in said fifth mode of operation source fluid circulates exclusively from said thermal exchange unit to said hot thermal storage and exchange unit; in said sixth mode of operation source fluid circulates from said hot thermal storage and exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module, and source fluid circulates from said thermal exchange unit to said cold thermal storage and exchange unit; in said seventh mode of operation source fluid circulates from said cold thermal storage and exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module, and source fluid circulates from said thermal exchange unit to said hot thermal storage and exchange unit; in said eighth mode of operation source fluid circulates from both said hot thermal storage and exchange unit and said thermal exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module; and, in said ninth mode of operation source fluid circulates from both said cold thermal storage and exchange unit and said thermal exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module.

4. The source fluid flow-manager of claim 3, wherein, said source fluid utilizing module is a heat pump, said thermal exchange unit is an above-ground thermal exchange unit and said hot thermal storage and exchange unit is an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region, and said cold thermal storage and exchange unit is an underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region.

5. The source fluid flow-manager of claim 1, comprising: five connection points; and, wherein, said fluid pumps and T-port valves are connected such that: in said first mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates exclusively out via said first connection point, and in via said third connection point; in said second mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates exclusively out via said first connection point, and in via said fourth connection point; in said third mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates exclusively out via said first connection point, and in via said second connection point; in a fourth mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates exclusively in via said fifth connection point, and out via said first connection point; in a fifth mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates in via said third connection point, and out via said second connection point; in a sixth mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates exclusively in via said third connection point, and out via said fifth connection point; in a seventh mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates out via said first connection point, and in via said fifth connection point, and out via said second connection point and in via said third connection point; in a eighth mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates in via said second connection point, and out via said first connection point, and in via said fourth connection point and out via said fifth connection point; in an ninth mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates out via said first connection point, and in via said third connection point and in via said fifth connection point; in a tenth mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates out via said first connection point, and in via said second connection point, and in via said third connection point; in an eleventh mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates out via said first connection point, and in via said fourth connection point, and in via said fifth connection point; and, in a twelfth mode of operation, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates out via said first connection point, and in via said second connection point and in via said fourth connection point.

6. The source fluid flow-manager of claim 5, wherein, in said first mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a third port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational; in said second mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a third port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational; in said third mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is not operational; in said fourth mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is not operational; in said fifth mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port , said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port , said first source fluid pump is not operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational; in said sixth mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said first source fluid pump is not operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational; in said seventh mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port , said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational; in said eighth mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational; in said ninth mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port , said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational; in said tenth mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a third port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational; in said eleventh mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational; and, in said twelfth mode of operation, said first T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said second T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a first port and a third port, said third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, said first source fluid pump is operational, and said second source fluid pump is operational.

7. The source fluid flow-manager of claim 6, further comprising, a source fluid utilizing module, a first thermal exchange unit, a second thermal exchange unit, a hot thermal storage and exchange unit, and a cold thermal storage and exchange unit; and, wherein, said modules, units, pumps and valves are fluidly connected such that: in said first mode of operation source fluid circulates exclusively from said first thermal exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module; in said second mode of operation source fluid circulates exclusively from said second thermal exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module; in said third mode of operation source fluid circulates exclusively from said cold thermal storage and exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module; in said fourth mode of operation source fluid circulates exclusively from sad hot thermal storage and exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module; in said fifth mode of operation source fluid circulates exclusively from said first thermal exchange unit to said cold thermal storage and exchange unit; in said sixth mode of operation source fluid circulates exclusively from said first thermal exchange unit to said hot thermal storage and exchange unit; in said seventh mode of operation source fluid circulates from said hot thermal storage and exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module, and from said first thermal exchange unit to said cold thermal storage and exchange unit; in said eighth mode of operation source fluid circulates from said cold thermal storage and exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module, and from first thermal exchange unit to said hot thermal storage and exchange unit; in said ninth mode of operation source fluid circulates from both said hot thermal storage and exchange unit and said first thermal exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module; in said tenth mode of operation source fluid circulates both from said cold thermal storage and exchange unit and said first thermal exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module; in said eleventh mode of operation source fluid circulates both from said second thermal exchange unit and said hot thermal storage and exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module; and, in said twelfth mode of operation source fluid circulates both from said cold thermal storage and exchange unit and said second thermal exchange unit to said source fluid utilizing module.

8. The source fluid flow-manager of claim 7, wherein, said source fluid utilizing module is a heat pump, said first thermal exchange unit is a dry cooler, said second thermal exchange unit is a solar thermal collector, said hot thermal storage and exchange unit is an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region, and said cold thermal storage and exchange unit is an underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a schematic, prior art, arrangement for providing source fluid to a heat pump from an above-ground thermal exchange unit and an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a schematic, prior art, arrangement for providing source fluid to a heat pump from either a hot or a cold underground thermal storage-and-exchange region, and for preconditioning those regions by means of an above-ground thermal exchange unit.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a source fluid flow-manager of the present invention managing flow among an underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region, an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region, an above-ground thermal exchange unit, and a source fluid utilizing unit.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a source fluid flow-manager of the present invention managing flow among an underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region, an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region, a dry cooler, a solar thermal collector, and a source fluid utilizing unit.

[0022] FIG. 5A shows a schematic view of a source fluid flow-manager of the present invention that flexibly manages the use of source fluid between an above-ground thermal exchange unit, an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region, an underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region, and a heat pump.

[0023] FIG. 5B shows, in tabular format, the settings of the T-port valves and source fluid pumps required to select the various modes of operation of the source fluid flow-manager depicted in FIG. 5A.

[0024] FIG. 6A shows a schematic view of a source fluid flow-manager of the present invention that flexibly manages the use of source fluid between a dry cooler, a solar thermal collector, an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region, an underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region, and a heat pump.

[0025] FIG. 6B shows a schematic view of four settings of a T-port valve.

[0026] FIG. 6C shows, in tabular format, the settings of the T-port valves and source fluid pumps required to select the various modes of operation of the source fluid flow-manager of FIG. 6A.

[0027] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a source fluid flow-manager of a further embodiment of the present invention that flexibly manages the use of source fluid between an above-ground thermal exchange unit, an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region, an underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region, and a heat pump.

[0028] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a source fluid flow-manager of a further embodiment of the present invention that flexibly manages the use of source fluid between a dry cooler, a solar thermal collector, an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region, an underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region, and a heat pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified, in so far as possible, with the same reference numerals. The embodiments that are described in detail are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a schematic, prior art, arrangement for providing source fluid to a heat pump 110 from an above-ground thermal exchange unit 115 and an underground thermal storage-and-exchange region 119. Such a system is described in detail in, for instance, the article entitled “An analysis of solar assisted ground source heat pumps in cold climates” published by G. Emmi et al. in “Energy Conversion and Management”, Volume 106, December 2015, pages 660-675, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. As discussed in the article, such a solar assisted geothermal heating solution allows for a roughly 50% reduction in the size of the required bore fields, allowing for significantly reduced upfront drilling costs when implementing the system.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a schematic, prior art arrangement for providing source fluid to a heat pump 110 from either a hot or a cold underground thermal storage-and-exchange region 122 or 120, and for preconditioning those regions by means of an above-ground thermal exchange unit 115, such as, but not limited to, a dry cooler or a solar collector. Such a system has been described in detail in an article entitled “Hybrid ground-source heat pump system with active regeneration” published by K. Allaerts et al. in “Energy Conversion and Management” Volume 90, 15 Jan. 2015, Pages 230-237, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. As detailed in the article, by splitting the bore field into a hot and a cold region, and using a dry cooler to precondition them, the cost of drilling the necessary bore fields may be reduced by as much as 47%.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a source fluid flow-manager 105 of the present invention designed to control flow among an underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region 122, an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region 120, an above-ground thermal exchange unit 115, and a source fluid utilizing unit that may be a heat pump 110.

[0033] With such a source fluid flow-manager 105, this embodiment of the present invention may afford all the advantages of geothermal augmentation of heat pump systems detailed above in the systems presented by both G. Emmi et al. and K. Allaerts et al., as detailed above. The source fluid flow-manager 105 of the present invention, utilized to manage source fluid among the configuration of thermal storage, usage and generation depicted in FIG. 3 may, therefore, result in cost savings in system installation of as much as 60% over the more conventional ways in which geothermal storage and exchange units are used to enhance heat pump efficiency.

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a source fluid flow-manager 105 of the present invention managing flow among an underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region 122, an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region 120, a dry cooler 170, a solar thermal collector 165, and a source utilizing unit, that may be a heat pump 110.

[0035] With such a source fluid flow-manager 105, this embodiment of the present invention may extend the advantages of geothermal augmentation of heat pump systems to include augmentation by solar thermal and ambient thermal collectors. This may allow both for lower initial installation costs and for more efficient operation. The lower installation cost may, for instance, be realized because the drilling costs of the geothermal bore fields are significantly reduced. The more efficient operation may, for instance, be a result of providing additional modes of solar thermal and ambient air thermal augmentation, that may increase the efficacy of the heat pumps and thereby reduce operating costs.

[0036] FIG. 5A shows a schematic view of a source fluid flow-manager 105 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention that may flexibly manage the use of source fluid between an above-ground thermal exchange unit 115, an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region 120, an underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region 122, and a heat pump 110.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5A, a first source fluid pump 211 may be connected to a first connection point 231, a first T-port valve 221 is connected by its second port to a second connection point 232, a third T-port valve 223 is connected via its third port to a third connection point 233, by its second port to a fourth connection point 234 and by its first port to a sixth connection point 236, while a second source fluid pump 212 may be connected to a fifth connection point 235, and a second T-port valve 222 is connected via its second port to a seventh connection point 237.

[0038] FIG. 5B shows, in tabular format, the settings of the T-port valves and source fluid pumps required to select the various modes of operation of the source fluid flow-manager depicted in FIG. 5A.

[0039] For instance, nine modes of operation may be selected in the following manner:

[0040] In a first mode of operation, which may be termed an above ground exchange mode, the valves of the flow manager may set such that source fluid circulates out via the first connection point 231, in via the third connection point 233, out via the fourth connection point 234, and in via the fifth connection point 235. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its third port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its third port, the third T-port valve 223 set to conduct fluid between all three of its ports, while both the first source fluid pump 211 and the second source fluid pump 212 are operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 5A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate exclusively from the above-ground thermal exchange unit to the source fluid utilizing module, that may be a heat pump 110. Such a mode may, for instance, be used during summer for cooling, and in winter for heating.

[0041] In a second mode of operation, that may be termed an underground cold source mode, the values of said flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates exclusively out via the first connection point and in via the second connection point. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, the third T-port valve is set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, while the first source fluid pump 211 is operational, but the second source fluid pump is not operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 5A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate exclusively from the cold thermal storage and exchange unit to the source utilizing module. Such a mode may, for instance, be used in summer for cooling.

[0042] In a third mode of operation, which may be termed a hot underground source mode, the valves and pumps of said flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates exclusively out via the first connection point and in via the seventh connection point. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port , while the first source fluid pump 211 is operational, but the second source fluid pump 212 is not operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 5A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate exclusively from the hot thermal storage and exchange unit to the source utilizing module. Such a mode may, for instance, be used in winter for heating.

[0043] In a fourth mode of operation 134, that may be termed a cold preconditioning mode only, the valves of the flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates out via the second connection point, in via the third connection point 233, out via said fourth connection point and in via said fifth connection point. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, while first source fluid pump 211 is not operational, but second source fluid pump 212 is operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 5A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate exclusively from the above-ground thermal exchange unit to the cold thermal storage and exchange unit. Such a mode may, for instance, be used on cold nights for preconditioning the underground cold, thermal storage-and-exchange region.

[0044] In a fifth mode of operation 135, that may be termed a hot preconditioning only mode, the valves of the flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates out via the seventh connection point and in via the sixth connection point, out via the fourth connection point and in via the fifth connection point 235. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, the second T-port valve 222 is set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, while the first source fluid pump 211 is not operational, but the second source fluid pump 212 is operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 5A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate exclusively from the above-ground thermal exchange unit to the hot thermal storage and exchange unit. Such a mode may, for instance, be used on a hot day for preconditioning the underground hot, thermal storage-and-exchange region. In a sixth mode of operation 136, that may be termed the hot supply, cold precondition mode, the valves of said flow manager are set such that source fluid circulates out via the first connection point and in via the seventh connection point, out via the second connection point, in via the third connection point, out via the fourth connection point and in via the fifth connection point. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, while the first source fluid pump 211 is operational, and the second source fluid pump 212 is also operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 5A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate from the hot thermal storage and exchange unit to the source fluid utilizing module, while source fluid also circulates from the above-ground thermal exchange unit to the cold thermal storage and exchange unit. Such a mode may, for instance, be used on a winter day for heating via a heat pump, while simultaneously preconditioning the underground cold, thermal storage-and-exchange region.

[0045] In a seventh mode of operation 137, that may be termed the cold supply, hot precondition mode, the valves of the flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates out via the first connection point and in via the second connection point, out via the seventh connection point, in via the sixth connection point 236, out via the fourth connection point and in via the fifth connection point. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its firs port and its second port, while both the first source fluid pump 211 and the second source fluid pump 212 are operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 5A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate from the cold thermal storage and exchange unit to the source fluid utilizing module, while source fluid also circulates from the above-ground thermal exchange unit to the hot thermal storage and exchange unit. Such a mode may, for instance, be used on summer day for cooling via a heat pump while simultaneously preconditioning a underground hot, thermal storage-and-exchange region.

[0046] In an eighth mode of operation 138, which may be termed a parallel hot/above ground mode, the valves of said flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates out via the first connection point and in via the seventh connection point, in via the third connection point, out via the fourth connection point and in via the fifth connection point. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its third port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, while both the first source fluid pump 211 and said second source fluid pump 212 are operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 5A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate from both the hot thermal storage and exchange unit and the above-ground thermal exchange unit to the source fluid utilizing module. Such a mode may, for instance, be used on a winter day for heating via a heat pump.

[0047] In a ninth mode of operation 139, that may be termed the parallel cold/above ground mode, the valves of the flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates out via the first connection point and in via the second connection point, in via the sixth connection point, out via the fourth connection point and in via the fifth connection point. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its third port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, while both the first source fluid pump 211 and the second source fluid pump 212 are operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 5A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate from both the cold thermal storage and exchange unit and the above-ground thermal exchange unit to the source fluid utilizing module. Such a mode may, for instance, be used on a summer day for cooling via a heat pump.

[0048] FIG. 6A shows a schematic view of a source fluid flow-manager 105 of the present invention that flexibly manages the use of source fluid between a dry cooler 170, a solar thermal collector 165, an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region 120, an underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region 122, and a heat pump 110.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6A, the source fluid flow-manager 105 may include a first source fluid pump 211 connected to a first connection point 231, a first T-port valve 221 connected via its second port to a second connection point 232, a third T-port valve 223 connected via its first port to a third connection point 233 and by its third port to a fourth connection point 234, and a second T-port valve 222 connected via its second port to a fifth connection point 235.

[0050] FIG. 6B shows a schematic view of four settings of a T-port valve.

[0051] FIG. 6C shows, in tabular format, the settings of the T-port valves and source fluid pumps required to select the various modes of operation of the source fluid flow-manager of FIG. 6A. As shown in FIG. 6C, there may be twelve modes of operation that the source fluid flow-manager 105 is capable of operating in.

[0052] In a first mode of operation, which may be termed a dry cooler mode, the valves of the flow manager may set such that source fluid circulates exclusively out via the first connection point 231, and in via the third connection point 233. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its third port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its third port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, while both the first source fluid pump 211 and the second source fluid pump 212 are operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 6A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate exclusively from the above-ground thermal exchange unit to the heat pump 110. Such a mode may, for instance, be used in summer for cooling and in winter for heating.

[0053] In a second mode of operation, that may be termed a solar thermal mode, the valves of said flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates exclusively out via the first connection point 231, and in via the fourth connection point 234. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 is set to conduct fluid between its first port and its third port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its third port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, while both the first source fluid pump 211 and the second source fluid pump 212 are operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 6A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate exclusively from the solar thermal collector 165 to the heat pump 110. Such a mode may, for instance, be used in winter for heating.

[0054] In a third mode of operation, that may be termed a cold, underground source mode, the valves of the flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates exclusively out via the first connection point 231, and in via the second connection point 232. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, while the first source fluid pump 211 is operational, but the second source fluid pump 212 is not operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 6A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate exclusively from the underground cold, thermal storage-and-exchange region 122 to the heat pump 110. Such a mode may, for instance, be used in summer for cooling.

[0055] In a fourth mode of operation, that may be termed a hot underground source only mode, the valves of said flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates exclusively in via the fifth connection point 235, and out via the first connection point 231. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, while the first source fluid pump 211 is operational, but the second source fluid pump 212 is not operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 6A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate exclusively from the underground hot, thermal storage-and-exchange region 120 to the heat pump 110. Such a mode may, for instance, be used in winter for heating.

[0056] In a fifth mode of operation, that may be termed a cold underground preconditioning mode, the valves of said flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates in via the third connection point 233, and out via the second connection point 232. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port , while the first source fluid pump 211 is not operational, but the second source fluid pump 212 is operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 6A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate exclusively from the dry cooler 170 to the underground cold, thermal storage-and-exchange region 122. Such a mode may, for instance, be used on a cold night for preconditioning the underground cold, thermal storage-and-exchange region.

[0057] In a sixth mode of operation, which may be termed a hot underground preconditioning only mode, the valves of said flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates exclusively in via the third connection point 233, and out via the fifth connection point 235. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, while the first source fluid pump 211 is not operational, but the second source fluid pump 212 is operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 6A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate exclusively from the solar thermal collector 165 to the underground hot, thermal storage-and-exchange region 120. Such a mode may, for instance, be used on a hot day for preconditioning the underground hot, thermal storage-and-exchange region.

[0058] In a seventh mode of operation, which may be termed a hot underground supply/cold underground preconditioning mode, the valves of the flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates out via the first connection point 231, and in via the fifth connection point 235, and out via the second connection point 232 and in via the third connection point 233. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, while both the first source fluid pump 211 and the second source fluid pump 212 are operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 6A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate from the hot thermal storage and exchange unit 120 to the heat pump 110, and from the dry cooler 170 to the underground cold, thermal storage-and-exchange region 122. Such a mode may, for instance, be used on a winter day for heating via the heat pump 110 while simultaneously preconditioning the underground cold, thermal storage-and-exchange region.

[0059] In an eighth mode of operation, that may be termed a cold underground supply, hot preconditioning mode, the valves of said flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates in via the second connection point 232, and out via the first connection point 231, and in via the fourth connection point 234 and out via the fifth connection point 235. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, while both the first source fluid pump 211 and the second source fluid pump 212 are operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 6A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate from the underground cold, thermal storage-and-exchange region 122 to the heat pump 110, and from the solar thermal collector 165 to the underground hot, thermal storage-and-exchange region 120. Such a mode may, for instance, be used on a summer day for cooling via a heat pump while simultaneously preconditioning a underground hot, thermal storage-and-exchange region.

[0060] In a ninth mode of operation, which may be termed a parallel hot underground/dry cooler supply mode, the valves of the flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates out via the first connection point 231, and in via the third connection point 233 and in via the fifth connection point 235. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its third port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, while both the first source fluid pump 211 the second source fluid pump 212 are operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 6A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate from both the underground hot, thermal storage-and-exchange region 120 and the dry cooler 170 to the heat pump 110. Such a mode may, for instance, be used in winter for heating.

[0061] In a tenth mode of operation 1310, that may be termed a parallel cold underground/dry cooler supply mode, the valves of the flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates out via the first connection point 231, and in via the second connection point 232, and in via the third connection point 233. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between a second port and a third port , the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between a first port and a third port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between a first port and a second port, while both the first source fluid pump 211 and the second source fluid pump 212 are operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 6A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate both from the underground cold, thermal storage-and-exchange region 122 and the dry cooler 170 to the heat pump 110. Such a mode may, for instance, be used om summer for cooling.

[0062] In an eleventh mode of operation, that may be termed a parallel hot underground and solar thermal supply mode, the valves of the flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates out via the first connection point 231, and in via the fourth connection point 234, and in via the fifth connection point 235. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its third port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its second port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, while both the first source fluid pump 211 and the second source fluid pump 212 are operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 6A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate both from the solar thermal collector 165 and the underground hot, thermal storage-and-exchange region 120 to the heat pump 110. Such a mode may, for instance, be used on winter days for heating.

[0063] In a twelfth mode of operation, that may be termed a parallel cold underground/solar thermal supply mode, the valves of the flow manager may be set such that source fluid circulates out via the first connection point 231, and in via the second connection point 232 and in via the fourth connection point 234. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the first T-port valve 221 set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, the second T-port valve 222 set to conduct fluid between its first port and its third port, the third T-port valve set to conduct fluid between its second port and its third port, while both the first source fluid pump 211 and the second source fluid pump 212 are operational. With the appropriate external connections, as shown in FIG. 6A, in this mode of operation, source fluid may circulate both from the underground cold, thermal storage-and-exchange region 122 and the solar thermal collector 165 to heat pump 110. Such a mode may, for instance, be used toward the end of winter for heating when the underground hot, thermal storage-and-exchange region may have, through extensive use, become cooler the than the underground cold, thermal storage-and-exchange region.

[0064] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a source fluid flow-manager 105 of a further embodiment of the present invention that flexibly manages the use of source fluid between an above-ground thermal exchange unit 115, an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region 120, an underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region 122, and a heat pump 110.

[0065] The source fluid flow-manager 105 embodiment depicted in FIG. 7 has eight connection points, allowing it to manage the nine modes of operation detailed above in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 5A. An advantage of the FIG. 7 embodiment is that all necessary plumbing may be contained within the source fluid flow-manager.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, the first connection point 231 may be connected to both the fourth connection point 234 and the sixth connection point 236, as well as to the first and third ports of the third T-port valve 223. The second connection point 232 may be connected to the first source fluid pump 211, while the third connection point 233 may be connected to the second port of the first T-port valve 221. The fifth connection point 235 may be connected to the second port of the second T-port valve 222.

[0067] The embodiment of the source fluid flow-manager 105 shown in FIG. 7 may be used to make a heat pump 110 more efficient by connecting it to geothermal, ambient air, and/or solar thermal storage and exchange units as shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the heat pump 110 is connected to the source fluid flow-manager 105 via the second connection point 232 that allows source fluid to flow into the heat pump, and via the first connection point 231 that allows source fluid to flow out of the heat pump. An underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region 122 is shown connected to the source fluid flow-manager 105 via the third connection point 233 and the fourth connection point 234. An underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region 120 is shown connected to the source fluid flow-manager 105 via a fifth connection point 235 and a sixth connection point 236. An above-ground thermal exchange unit 115 is shown connected to the source fluid flow-manager 105 via a seventh connection point 237 and an eighth connection point 238.

[0068] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a source fluid flow-manager 105 of a further embodiment of the present invention that flexibly manages the use of source fluid between a dry cooler 170, a solar thermal collector 165, an underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region 120, an underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region 122, and a heat pump 110.

[0069] The source fluid flow-manager 105 shown in FIG. 8 has eight connection points, and has three T-port valves and two source fluid pumps connected to have substantially the same functionality as the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. However, with a few external connections, the source fluid flow-manager 105 may provide the same twelve modes of operation as the source fluid flow-manager 105 shown and described above in connection with FIGS. 6A and 6C. This may, for instance, be accomplished by having the heat pump 110 connect to first and second connection points 231 or 232, while the underground cold thermal storage-and-exchange region 122 is connected via third connection point 233, the dry cooler 170 is connected via fourth connection point 234, the seventh and eighth connection points 237/238 are joined together, the solar thermal collector 165 is connected to the sixth connection point 236, and the underground hot thermal storage-and-exchange region 120 is connected to the fifth connection point 235.

[0070] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.