Underground system for treating soil

• US 5,596,836 A
• Filed: 05/19/1995
• Issued: 01/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SubAir Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: William M. Benson
• Inventors: Benson, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Raduazo, Henry E.
• Application Number:
  US08/445,295
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 47/1.01, 47/1 F, 405/36, 405/258
• US Class Current: 47/1.01R
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 45/02 for aerating
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 79/02 combined with other agricultural processing, e.g. fertilising, planting
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/24 Devices or systems for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature , illuminating, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/245 Conduits for heating by means of liquids, e.g. used as frame members or for soil heating
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/00 Design or layout of playing courts, rinks, bowling greens or areas for water-skiing; Covers therefor golf courses A63B69/3691; water roundabouts A63G3/00; construction of surfaces of foundations E01C; roofs E04B7/00; buildings or groups of buildings for sports E04H3/10; swimming or splash baths or pools E04H4/00; coverings for baths E04H4/06
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 13/02 Foundations, e.g. with drainage or heating arrangements E01C13/003, E01C13/083, E01C13/10 take precedence; drainage of soil E02B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 13/083 Construction of grass-grown sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor

Abstract

A system for treating the soil and turf having a prescribed subsoil profile that includes a duct network located in the subsoil region having openings that are in communication with the subsoil profile. A supply line is arranged to connect the duct network with a blower that provides low pressure, high volume air to the duct network so that the air is pushed upwardly through the subsoil profile to provide either heating or cooling to the soil and turf. A ground surface heat exchanger is positioned between the blower and the supply line for transferring energy between the earth and the air moving into the duct network. Other materials for treating the soil may be added to the air flow by a pressurized system. The blower flow is reversible whereby excess moisture can be removed from the green.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the soil temperature of a grass playing field that includes:

a soil profile containing a lower gravel bed, and a soil layer over the gravel bed for supporting turf,

a duct network of interconnected perforated pipes buried in the gravel bed having perforations that are in air flow communication with the gravel bed,

a blower means having a suction port and a discharge port that is connectable to said duct network,

connector means for selectively coupling one of the blower ports to said duct network to either pass air upwardly through the entire thickness of the soil profile, or draw air downwardly through the entire soil profile, and

soil treatment means for introducing a soil treatment material into the flow of air supplied to said subsoil.

2. A system for treating the soil and turf of a region having a prescribed subsoil profile that includes:

duct means positioned beneath the turf, said duct means having opening therein that are in communication with the subsoil profile,

connecting means for coupling said duct means to a supply line buried in the earth,

a blower means connected to said supply line by a flow reversing means so that air can be selectively pushed upwardly through the sub soil or drawn downwardly through said sub soil, and

soil treatment means for introducing a soil treatment material into the flow of air supplied to said subsoil.