THERMOSYPHON STRUCTURAL PILING

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to foundational support pilings, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a helical support piling having an outer tube member and an inner tube member being fluidly coupled that provide a thermosyphon effect so as to maintain the subterranean permafrost.

BACKGROUND

As is known in the art, helical pilings are employed into the ground beneath foundations to provide structural support thereof. These pilings are driven to various depths depending upon the geographic locations in order to reach a ground level that will provide the additional support needed for the structure to be built onto the foundation. In many areas, structural support is dependent upon stability of ground temperatures preventing permafrost melting and soil subsidence. Some construction techniques employ the utilization of additional piling manufactured from various materials in order to ensure stability of the foundation. These techniques can be either ineffective or cost prohibitive.

A conventional helical piling is manufactured from a central core of tubular steel having at least one helical shaped blade secured to the outer surface thereof. The helical blade facilitates the downward travel of the helical piling as the piling s rotated wherein the piling is driven downwards to a soil level having the ability to provide the desire support. In many climates techniques such as ground freezing are deployed to provide a subterranean level of ground that is capable of providing the necessary support. These techniques require additional equipment and can be quite costly. A thermosyphon is a process of heat exchange that provides a circulation of fluid based on natural convection. This technique is employed for applications such as but not limited to heating and cooling facilities. Construction of thermosyphons typically consist of an inner pipe member and an outer pipe member fluidly coupled and manufactured from alternate materials. The thermosyphon is exposed to different temperatures along the length thereof which provides the circulation of fluid and the removal of heat. While structural helical pilings have been employed for support of foundations and the like, in many areas these must be utilized with additional equipment in order to achieve the desired stability.

Accordingly, there is a need for a structural helical piling that incorporates thermosyphoning so as to achieve the desired soil stability for the foundation being support by the helical piling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a structural piling that is installed subterranean beneath the foundation of a structure providing support thereof wherein the present invention includes an outer pipe member and an inner pipe member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a helical support piling that is inserted into the ground prior to pouring of a foundation wherein the outer pipe member and inner pipe member are fluidly coupled.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a structural piling that is installed subterranean beneath the foundation of a structure wherein the outer pipe member has an outer surface having at least one helical blade operably coupled thereto.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a helical support piling that is inserted into the ground prior to pouring of a foundation wherein the present invention includes an antifreeze liquid disposed therein.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a structural piling that is installed subterranean beneath the foundation of a structure wherein the structure of the present invention provides maintenance of the ground temperature adjacent thereto to ensure the stability of the structural piling by prevention of adjacent permafrost.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a helical support piling that is inserted into the ground prior to pouring of a foundation wherein the helical piling of the present invention provides deeper penetration and improved thermal connectivity.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a structural piling that is installed subterranean beneath the foundation of a structure wherein the present invention can be provided in alternate diameters as required for the application.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional of an exemplary piling of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional of an exemplary piling of the present invention with a helical blade secured thereto; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is an end view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a structural piling 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

Referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the structural piling 100 includes an outer pipe member 10 and an inner pipe member 40. The structural piling 100 is configured to utilize heat exchange to provide circulation of a fluid disposed within the outer pipe member 10 and inner pipe member 40 which are fluidly coupled to provide temperature control of the soil adjacent the structural piling 100. The lower end 5 of the structural piling 100 embedded in the permafrost 99 absorbs the geothermal heat causing a temperature change in the liquid disposed within the inner pipe member 40. The density of the liquid within the inner pipe member 40 decreases and traverses upwards to the upper end 6. During colder temperatures, the liquid will cool and as such the density thereof will increase and descend back down towards the lower end 5. The differences in temperature of the lower end 5 and upper end 6 provides circulation of the fluid between the inner pipe member 40 and outer pipe member 10 providing heat transfer. In both warmer temperatures and colder temperatures the cyclical movement of the fluid within the structural piling 100 provides maintenance of the temperature of the permafrost 99 ground level in order to maintain the stability thereof.

The outer pipe member 10 includes a lower end 11 and an upper end 12 that are closed. The outer pipe member 10 includes a wall 14 that is manufactured from a first material such as but not limited to metal. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the outer pipe member 10 could be provided in alternate lengths as needed for the desired application. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the length of the outer pipe member 10 is sufficient to reach the permafrost layer 99. The outer pipe member 10 includes interior volume 16 defined by outer wall 18. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the outer pipe member 10 could be provided in alternate diameters.

Disposed within the interior volume 16 of the outer pipe member 10 is the inner pipe member 40. The inner pipe member 40 includes lower end 41 and upper end 42 wherein an opening 43, 44 respectively is located at each so as to provide fluid coupling of the inner pipe member 40 with the interior volume 16 of the outer pipe member 10. The inner pipe member 40 is manufactured from an alternate material such as but not limited to plastic. The inner pipe member 40 is fluidly coupled with the interior volume 16 of the outer pipe member 10 allowing the liquid 98 to circulate as a result of the temperature gradient across the structural piling 100. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the inner pipe member 40 could be secured within the interior volume 16 utilizing various suitable mechanical elements. Furthermore, it is desired within the scope of the present invention that the inner pipe member 40 is mounted utilizing suitable mechanical elements in a manner that centralizes the inner pipe member 40 within the interior volume 16 so as to maintain a distance between the inner pipe member 40 and outer pipe member 10 so as to maximize the thermal gradient therebetween. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the inner pipe member 40 could have disposed thereon suitable insulating material 47. Utilizing insulating material 47 on the inner pipe member 40 further increase the thermal gradient between the outer pipe member 10 and inner pipe member 40.

An embodiment of the outer pipe member 10 is illustrated herein in FIG. 5. The outer pipe member 10 includes an exterior surface 4 having formed thereon a multitude of fin members 5. Fin members 5 project outward from the outer pipe member 10 having voids 6 therebetween. The fin members 5 provide an increased surface area operable to enhance the heat exchange between the structural piling 100 and the surrounding environment. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the fin members 5 could be constructed in alternate sizes. The structural piling 100 further has operably coupled thereto, a snow deflection member 70. The snow deflection member 70 is cone-shaped extending more outward proximate the lower end 11. The snow deflection member 70 is configured to inhibit an accumulation of snow around the base of the structural piling 100 once installed. Preventing accumulation of snow proximate the base area of the structural piling 100 will reduce the thermal insulation provided by the accumulated snow permitting more heat to escape from the ground.

Referring in particular to FIG. 2 submitted herewith, the structural piling 100 is illustrated having a helical blade 50 secured to the outer wall 18 of the outer pipe member 10. The helical blade 50 is circumferentially disposed on the outer wall 18 and functions to facilitate journaling of the structural piling 100 with rotational movement thereof to a desired depth. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the outer pipe member 10 could have a single or multiple helical blades 50 secured thereto. It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that the helical blade 50 is manufactured from a suitable durable material and secured to the outer pipe member 10 utilizing various suitable techniques. Illustrated in FIG. 4 submitted as a part hereof is an alternate embodiment of the helical blade 50 and outer pipe member 10. The helical blade 50 includes a plurality of grooved notches 52 formed in the perimeter edge 51 of the helical blade 50. The notches 52 inhibit the outer pipe member 10 from slipping or traveling during application of downward force while installation of the structural piling 100 is performed. The lower end 11 of outer pipe member 10 has a V-shaped indentation 60 formed in the wall 14. The indentation 60 is provided to further assist in penetration through material such as but not limited to ice during installation of the structural piling 100.

It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the structural piling 100 could be provided with or without the helical blade 50. Furthermore, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the structural piling 100 is provided in various lengths and diameters as needed for the intended application and support required. Additionally, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternate fluids could be utilized within the structural piling 100 such as but not limited to ethylene glycol.

One issue encountered with thermosyphons is heat penetration via conduction during the summer months. The pipe and the fluid inside it both heat up due to increased temperatures. Although heat penetration through convection is not a concern, conduction can significantly contribute to the warming of permafrost, which counteracts the cooling effect achieved during winter. To minimize heat penetration through conduction during summer months and reduce the negative impact on permafrost, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that techniques and/or elements be implemented to address the aforementioned issue. By way of example but not limitation, installation of a heat shield or shade structure above the thermosyphon to block direct sunlight and reduce heat absorption by the pipe during summer months. A further modification to the present invention could be installation of a passive cooling system as described herein with fin members 5. An additional technique contemplated within the scope of the present invention if the utilization of low thermal resistivity inserts between the above-ground and underground sections of the structural piling 100. Yet a further technique and/or element is integration of a wick structure within the structural piling used for permafrost maintenance. The wick structure would aid in additional temperature reduction through the process of evaporative cooling. As the external temperature rises during summer months, the fluid within the wick structure would evaporate, absorbing heat from its surroundings and thus reducing the overall temperature within the thermosyphon.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.