| 摘要 |
595561 A percussion mole for inserting a ground-loop for a geothermal heat-pump system that allows the same pipes to be used for the hydraulic driving liquid as well as the heat exchange fluid, simplifying installation. The apparatus comprises a percussion mole, a first fluid pipe, connected to the mole, for conveying a heat-exchange fluid from the heat-pump system into the ground; and a second fluid pipe, connected to the mole, for returning the heat exchange fluid to the heat-pump system. One of the first and second fluid pipes comprises an intake pipe for delivering a driving fluid to the mole during insertion of the ground-loop and the other fluid pipe comprises an exhaust pipe for the driving fluid. The percussion mole has a first configuration in which it is adapted to receive driving fluid and drive the pipes into the ground, and a second configuration in which it is adapted to receive the heat-exchange fluid via the first fluid pipe and return the fluid via the second fluid pipe. A valve assembly for the percussion mole includes a heat-exchange fluid entry port, for receiving a heat-exchange fluid from the heat-pump system; and a heat-exchange fluid exit port, for returning the heat-exchange fluid to the heat-pump system. One of the heat-exchange fluid entry port and the heat exchange fluid exit port comprises a driving-fluid entry port, for receiving a driving fluid for driving the mole and the other port comprises an exit port for the driving fluid. The valve has a first configuration in which it is adapted to receive driving fluid and communicate it to the mole, and a second configuration in which it is adapted to receive the heat-exchange fluid via the heat-exchange fluid entry port and return said fluid via the heat-exchange fluid exit port. |
