	US 12,320,554 B2
	Method and apparatus for installing geothermal heat exchanger
Stanley Reitsma, Caledonia (CA)
Assigned to Geosource Energy Inc., Caledonia (CA)
Filed by Geosource Energy Inc., Caledonia (CA)
Filed on Aug. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/229,982.
Application 18/229,982 is a continuation of application No. 17/367,688, filed on Jul. 6, 2021, granted, now 11,774,145.
Application 17/367,688 is a continuation of application No. 16/131,156, filed on Sep. 14, 2018, granted, now 11,085,670, issued on Aug. 10, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0383999 A1, Nov. 30, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F24T 10/15 (2018.01)

CPC F24T 10/15 (2018.05)

13 Claims

1. A method of installing a geothermal heat exchanger, the method comprising:

at a site, after a borehole has been bored to a borehole target depth in the site, inserting a geothermal heat exchanger into the borehole to a desired heat exchanger depth;

after inserting the heat exchanger into the borehole, permanently securing the heat exchanger in the borehole at the desired heat exchanger depth;

wherein, when the heat exchanger has been permanently secured in the borehole:

the heat exchanger has a closed distal end and an open proximal end;

the heat exchanger has at least one fluid path between the closed distal end and the open proximal end; and

installation fluid is disposed in the at least one fluid path of the heat exchanger; and

after permanently securing the heat exchanger in the borehole, before cutting the heat exchanger and while the heat exchanger remains permanently secured in the borehole, and before excavation of a portion of the site immediately surrounding the borehole, temporarily sealing the heat exchanger between the closed distal end and the open proximal end by installing, through the open proximal end, at least one respective internal seal in each of the at least one fluid path, wherein for the at least one fluid path, the at least one internal seal is disposed below a respective notional subgrade depth.