US 11,788,516 B2
Systems and methods of generating electricity using heat from within the earth
Theodore S. Sumrall, Fort Walton Beach, FL (US)
Assigned to HMFSF IP HOLDINGS, LLC, Fort Walton Beach, FL (US)
Filed by HMFSF IP HOLDINGS, LLC, Fort Walton Beach, FL (US)
Filed on Oct. 19, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/451,473.
Application 17/451,473 is a continuation of application No. 16/808,981, filed on Mar. 4, 2020, abandoned.
Application 16/808,981 is a continuation of application No. 16/170,947, filed on Oct. 25, 2018, granted, now 10,598,160, issued on Mar. 24, 2020.
Application 16/170,947 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2018/052957, filed on Sep. 26, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/564,527, filed on Sep. 28, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0282716 A1, Sep. 8, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F24T 10/17 (2018.01); F03G 4/00 (2006.01); F24T 10/00 (2018.01); F03G 7/04 (2006.01); F24T 10/13 (2018.01)
CPC F03G 7/04 (2013.01) [F03G 4/029 (2021.08); F24T 10/13 (2018.05); F24T 10/17 (2018.05); F24T 2010/53 (2018.05); F24T 2010/56 (2018.05); F28F 2240/00 (2013.01); Y02E 10/10 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A geothermal energy system comprising:
a primary heat exchanger configured for positioning within a well, the well in contact with a geothermal formation and a heat carrier within the geothermal formation, the primary heat exchanger containing a heat transfer fluid configured to absorb heat from the heat carrier, wherein the primary heat exchanger is configured to be supported within the well by a plurality of support collars, each of the plurality of support collars comprising a first and second end, wherein the first ends of the plurality of support collars are securely connected to an inner surface of the well, and wherein the second ends of the plurality of support collars contact a shell of the primary heat exchanger at a point higher in the well than the corresponding first ends of the plurality of support collars.