Patent ID: 7856839

Claim:
A sub-surface tubing arrangement for a direct exchange geothermal heating/cooling system used with a structure positioned adjacent a subterranean formation defining a surface, comprising: a primary vapor refrigerant transport line disposed no more than 10 feet below the surface and configured to transport a refrigerant vapor; at least one heat exchange refrigerant transport line having a first end fluidly communicating with the primary vapor refrigerant transport line and a second end, the at least one heat exchange refrigerant transport line extending substantially horizontally and being disposed no more than 10 feet below the surface, the heat exchange refrigerant transport line being configured to convert the refrigerant vapor to a refrigerant liquid; a primary liquid refrigerant transport line fluidly communicating with the second end of the heat exchange refrigerant transport line to receive the refrigerant liquid, the primary liquid refrigerant transport line being disposed no more than 10 feet below the surface and configured to transport the refrigerant liquid; and a supplemental liquid refrigerant transport loop fluidly communicating with the primary liquid refrigerant transport line, the entire supplemental liquid refrigerant transport loop being configured to transport refrigerant liquid and including a segment disposed at least 80 feet below the surface.