Patent ID: 6932149

Claim:
A geothermal heat exchange unit comprising: at least one insulated refrigerant fluid transport line having an inner diameter, with at least a lower portion and lower segment of the at least one insulated refrigerant fluid transport line positioned in a sub-surface location; a first un-insulated fluid transport line having a distal end operatively coupled to the lower segment of the least one insulated fluid transport line in the sub-surface location, with at least the lower portion of the first un-insulated fluid transport line in thermal contact with sub-surface material in the sub-surface location; wherein the first un-insulated fluid transport line has an inner diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the at least one insulated refrigerant fluid transport line; layer of thermal insulation surrounding the lower portion of the at least one insulated refrigerant fluid transport line; and wherein the layer of thermal insulation is in physical contact with the sub-surface material.