Importance

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Abstract

The heating system of the present invention includes a compressor for compressing and heating refrigerant. The pressurized, heated refrigerant is passed through a first heat exchanger which is coupled to a container of water. A pump circulates water from the container through the first heat exchanger to transfer heat from the refrigerant through the heat exchanger to the water. This heat exchange process cools and condenses the refrigerent from a gas to a liquid as the water is heated. The liquified refrigerant is transferred to a coaxial earth tap which includes an inner passageway for transferring the refrigerant from the upper end to the lower end of the earth tap and a restrictor positioned at the lower end of the tap for vaporizing the refrigerant. The vaporized refrigerant passes from the lower end to the upper end of the earth tap through an outer passageway which is thermally coupled to a heat source to transfer heat from the heat source to the cool, vaporized refrigerant to increase the temperature of the refrigerant. The heated vaporized refrigerant is returned to the inlet side of the compressor. A second heat exchanger may be positioned between the first heat exchanger and compressor, and the earth tap to transfer heat from the hot liquid refrigerant flowing from the first heat exchanger to the earth tap to the cooler, vaporized refrigerant flowing from the earth tap to the inlet of the compressor.

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First Claim