Patent ID: 8312938

Claim:
A method of installing a heat exchange tube of a geothermal closed loop system in the ground using a rotatable drill rod having a drill rod end portion and a drill bit for drilling a blind hole in the ground comprising the steps of: creating a pit in the ground to receive water and dirt removed from drilling the blind hole in the ground; selecting a drill bit having a blade having a size to create the blind hole; rotating the drill rod with the drill bit attached thereto; moving the drill rod with drill bit into the ground via the pit during the rotating step creating the blind hole having an entrance in the ground and a blind end; using the drill rod to install the heat exchange tube in the blind hole with the tube having an inlet portion extending via the entrance into the blind hole and an outlet portion extending via the entrance out of the same blind hole; attaching the tube to the drill rod prior to said moving step so that the drill rod, drill bit and tube are moved into the ground together while the blind hole is being created; restraining the tube from rotating as the drill rod and drill bit are rotated in the blind hole; providing a bearing on the drill rod with the bearing having an inner race, an outer race, and a first mount and a second mount on the outer race; removably mounting the tube to the first mount prior to said moving step on the outer race of the bearing to keep the tube from rotating while the drill rod rotates; providing a hose to remove water and dirt from the hole and into the pit during the drilling of the hole and also to force back into the hole water and dirt in the pit as the hose is withdrawn; mounting the hose to the second mount prior to said moving step so that the drill rod, drill bit, tube and hose are moved into the ground together while the blind hole is being created with the hose and tube located on the outer race to fit within the hole being created by said blade of said size; withdrawing water and dirt from the blind hole via the hose while the drill rod is creating the blind hole; and, withdrawing the drill rod, drill bit and hose from said hole while leaving the tube within the hole; forcing water and dirt back though the hose into the blind hole after the blind hole is created and as the drill rod, drill bit, and hose are withdrawn from the hole.