Golf course turf conditioning control system and method

• US 7,413,380 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2006
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SubAir Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: SubAir Systems LLC
• Inventors: Bishop, Robert F. Jr., Corwon, Michael E., Crowe, Michael K.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAGMAN, FREDERICK LYNDON
• Application Number:
  US11/496,902
• Publication Number:
  US 20070237583A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 405/37, 405/43, 405/45, 405/269, 405/258, 47/10.7, 47/12, 47/581.12, 471/071.2, 471/07.F, 137 781- 783, 137/79, 37/581.R, 700/284, 239 63- 65
• US Class Current: 405/37
• 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: Y10T 137/189 Soil moisture sensing

Abstract

A system and method for conditioning turf at of one or more golf course areas includes an aeration subsystem having subsurface aeration conduits for aerating the area, and an air blower unit in fluid communication with the aeration conduits configured to provide one of a vacuum in a vacuum mode and air under pressure in a pressure mode in the conduits. A control module is provided which responds to a directive for controlling operation of the aeration subsystem in response to sensing environmental parameters. The control module operates the blower in repetitive cycles of intermittent operation in one of the vacuum mode and pressure mode wherein each cycles includes a blower-on and blower-off mode. The blower-on mode operates the blower units for a first time interval and the blower-off mode ceases operation of the blower units for a second time interval during each cycle.

Claims

1. A system for managing the turf condition and oxygen level of a plurality of areas of interest within a golf course, comprising:

a plurality of aeration subsystems associated with a plurality of the areas of interest;

said aeration subsystems including subsurface aeration conduits for providing aeration to said areas, and air blower units in fluid communication with said subsurface aeration conduits configured to provide one of a vacuum in a vacuum mode and air under pressure in a pressure mode in said aeration conduits;

local control modules responsive to a directive for controlling operation of said aeration subsystems in response to sensing environmental parameters at said golf course areas;

said control modules operating said blower units in repetitive cycles of intermittent operation in one of said vacuum mode and pressure mode wherein each cycle includes a blower-on mode and a blower-off mode;

said blower-on mode operating said blower units for a first time interval and said blower-off mode ceasing operation of said blower units for a second time interval during each of said cycles; and

a master control module in communication with said local control modules;

said master control module receiving area information including said sensed environmental parameters from said local control modules and issuing directives to said local control modules to operate said aeration subsystems in said cycles of intermittent operation.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said control module terminates said cycles of intermittent operation in response to detecting one of a predetermined environmental condition and operational condition.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said environmental condition is one of soil moisture content and ambient air temperature.

4. The system of claim of claim 2 wherein said operational condition includes an overriding operation of said aeration subsystem selected by an attendant.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said sensed environmental parameter includes ambient air temperature and including a first air setpoint representing a prescribed ambient air temperature, and said master control module issues a directive to one or more control modules for operating said aeration subsystems to draw air downwardly through the specific area under a vacuum when during said intermittent operation cycles when said ambient air temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said sensed environmental parameter includes a second air setpoint representing a prescribed ambient air temperature, said control module initiates said intermittent operation in said pressure mode when said ambient air temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint, and said first air setpoint is generally less than said second air setpoint.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said sensed environmental parameter includes ambient air temperature and including a first air setpoint and a second air setpoint representing prescribed ambient air temperatures, said control module initiates said intermittent operation in said pressure mode when said ambient air temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint, and said first air setpoint is generally less than said second air setpoint.

8. The system of claim 1 including environmental parameters of ambient air temperature and soil temperature, and said directive causes said aeration subsystem to establish said vacuum in said aeration conduit so that air is drawn downward though the soil at the area of interest when said ambient temperature is generally greater than said soil temperature.

9. The system of claim 1 including environmental parameters of ambient air temperature and a soil temperature, wherein said directive instructs said aeration subsystem to establish an air flow under pressure in said aeration conduit at the area of interest when the air temperature is generally less than the soil temperature.

10. The system of claim 9 including an environmental parameter of moisture content and wherein said directive instructs said aeration subsystem to establish said air flow under pressure in said aeration conduct when said soil moisture content is below a moisture setpoint.

11. The system of claim 1 including environmental parameters of ambient air temperature and a soil temperature, first and second air setpoints representing prescribed ambient air temperatures, first and second soil setpoints representing prescribed soil temperatures, and said control module operating said blower units in said cycles of intermittent operation in response to comparing said ambient air temperature to said first and second air setpoints, and comparing said soil temperature to said first and second soil setpoints.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said control module operates said intermittent operation in said vacuum mode when the ambient air temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally less than said second soil setpoint.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said control module operates said intermittent operation in said pressure mode when the ambient air temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint.

14. The system of claim 11 including a second air setpoint for ambient air temperature and a second soil setpoint for soil temperature;

and said control module initiates intermittent operation in said vacuum mode when one of the following occurs (1) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally less that said first soil setpoint, (2) said ambient temperature is generally less than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint, (3) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally less than said first soil setpoint, (4) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint, and (5) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint.

15. The system of claim 14 including an environmental parameter of ambient air temperature and a soil temperature;

first and second air setpoints for ambient air temperature;

first and second soil setpoints for soil temperature; and

said control module initiates intermittent operation in said pressure mode when one of the following occurs (1) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint, (2) said ambient temperature is generally less than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint, (3) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint, (4) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint.

16. The system of claim 11 including an environmental parameter of ambient air temperature and a soil temperature;

first and second air setpoints for ambient air temperature;

first and second soil setpoints for soil temperature; and

said control module initiates intermittent operation in said pressure mode when one of the following occurs (1) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint, (2) said ambient temperature is generally less than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint, (3) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint, (4) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint.

17. A system for conditioning and oxygenating turf of a playing field having a soil profile comprising:

an aeration subsystem having a plurality of perforated aeration conduits disposed below the turf in fluid communication with said turf;

an air blower unit operatively connected to said aeration conduits for establishing one of a vacuum in a vacuum mode and air under pressure in a pressure mode in said conduits;

a control module for controlling the operation of said blower unit to establish said one of a vacuum mode and a pressure mode in said aeration conduits in response to sensing an ambient air temperature;

said control module operating said blower unit in repetitive cycles of intermittent operation wherein each cycle includes a blower-on mode and a blower-off mode during said one of a vacuum mode and pressure mode; and

said blower-on mode operating said blower for a first time interval and said blower-off mode ceasing operation of said blower for a second time interval during each of said cycles.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said control module includes an intermittent control circuit for automatically controlling the operation of said blower unit to establish one of said vacuum mode and pressure mode in said aeration conduits, said control circuit comprising;

a repeat cycle timer for connecting said blower unit to operate in repeat cycles of intermittent operation which includes a blower-on mode and a blower-off mode;

a thermal switch circuit connected to said cycle timer for operating said blower unit in response to the ambient air temperature in one of said vacuum mode and pressure mode during said cycles of intermittent operation; and

said cycle timer circuit operating said blower for a first time interval in said blower-on mode and ceasing operation of said blower for a second time interval in said blower-off mode during said repeat cycles.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said thermal switch circuit includes a multi-stage thermal switch having a first temperature setpoint and a second temperature setpoint, said thermal switch circuit operates said blower unit in said vacuum mode when said ambient air temperature is generally above said first air setpoint and below said second air setpoint, and said thermal switch circuit operates said blower unit in said pressure mode when said ambient air temperature is generally above said second air setpoint.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said intermittent control circuit includes a time delay circuit for delaying operation of said blower unit in said pressure mode to provide ample time for said blower unit to be mechanically reconfigured for pressure mode operation.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein said control circuit includes a manual override circuit which overrides the automatic operation of said blower unit and provides for manual switching between said vacuum mode and pressure mode intermittent operation.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein said control circuit includes a automatic override circuit which terminates automatic operation of said cycles of intermittent operation in response to detecting one of a predetermined environmental condition and operational condition.

23. The system of claim 17 including a temperature sensor for sensing said ambient temperature and communicating the ambient temperature to said control module.

24. The system of claim 23 including a first air setpoint, and said control module initiates said cycles of intermittent operation when said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint.

25. The system of claim 24 including a second air setpoint, and said controller module initiates operation of said cycles of intermittent operation in said vacuum mode when said ambient air temperature is generally less than said second air setpoint, and initiates operation of said intermittent operation in said pressure mode when said ambient air temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint.

26. The system of claim 17 wherein said control module terminates operation of said cycles of intermittent operation in response to detecting one of a predetermined environmental condition and operational condition.

27. The system of claim of claim 26 wherein said environmental condition includes one of a soil moisture content ambient air temperature.

28. The system of claim of claim 26 wherein said operational condition includes one of an overriding operation of said aeration subsystem selected by an attendant.

29. The system of claim 17 including environmental parameters of ambient air temperature and a soil temperature, first and second air setpoints representing prescribed ambient air temperatures, first and second soil setpoints representing prescribed soil temperatures, and said control module operating said blower units in said cycles of intermittent operation in response to comparing said ambient air temperature to said first and second air setpoints, and comparing said soil temperature to said first and second soil setpoints.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein said control module operating said intermittent operation in said vacuum mode when the ambient air temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally less than said second soil setpoint.

31. The system of claim 29 including operating said intermittent operation in said pressure mode when the ambient air temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint.

32. The system of claim 29 including a second air setpoint for ambient air temperature and a second soil setpoint for soil temperature;

and said method initiates said intermittent operation of said aeration subsystem in said vacuum mode when one of the following occurs (1) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally less that said first soil setpoint, (2) said ambient temperature is generally less than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint, (3) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally less than said first soil setpoint, (4) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint, and (5) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint.

33. The system of claim 30 including an environmental parameter of ambient air temperature and a soil temperature;

first and second air setpoints for ambient air temperature;

first and second soil setpoints for soil temperature; and

said control module initiates intermittent operation in said pressure mode when one of the following occurs (1) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint, (2) said ambient temperature is generally less than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint, (3) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint, (4) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint.

34. The system of claim 29 including an environmental parameter of ambient air temperature and a soil temperature;

first and second air setpoints for ambient air temperature;

first and second soil setpoints for soil temperature; and

said control module initiates intermittent operation in said pressure mode when one of the following occurs (1) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint, (2) said ambient temperature is generally less than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint, (3) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint, (4) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint.

35. A system for conditioning and oxygenating turf of a playing field having a soil profile comprising:

an aeration subsystem having a plurality of perforated aeration conduits disposed below the turf in fluid communication with said turf;

an air blower unit operatively connected to said aeration conduits for establishing one of a vacuum in a vacuum mode and air under pressure in a pressure mode in said conduits;

a control module having an intermittent control circuit for automatically controlling the operation of said blower unit to establish said one of a vacuum mode and a pressure mode in said aeration conduits, said control circuit comprising;

a repeat cycle timer for connecting said blower unit to operate in repeat cycles of intermittent operation which includes a blower-on mode and a blower-off mode;

a thermal switch circuit connected to said cycle timer for operating said blower unit in response to the ambient air temperature in one of said vacuum mode and pressure mode during said cycles of intermittent operation; and

said cycle timer circuit operating said blower for a first time interval in said blower-on mode and ceasing operation of said blower for a second time interval in said blower-off mode during said repeat cycles.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein said thermal switch circuit includes a multi-stage thermal switch having a first temperature setpoint and a second temperature setpoint, said thermal switch circuit operates said blower unit in said vacuum mode when said ambient air temperature is generally above said first air setpoint and below said second air setpoint, and said thermal switch circuit operates said blower unit in said pressure mode when said ambient air temperature is generally above said second air setpoint.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein said intermittent control circuit includes a time delay circuit for delaying operation of said blower unit in said pressure mode to provide ample time for said blower unit to be mechanically reconfigured for pressure mode operation.

38. The system of claim 35 wherein said control circuit includes a manual override circuit which overrides the automatic operation of said blower unit and provides for manual switching between said vacuum mode and pressure mode intermittent operation.

39. The system of claim 35 wherein said control circuit includes a automatic override circuit which terminates automatic operation of said cycles of intermittent operation in response to detecting one of a predetermined environmental condition and operational condition.

40. A computerized method for conditioning and oxygenating turf at an area of interest within a golf course comprising the steps of:

providing an aeration subsystem at the golf course area which includes a perforated aeration conduit disposed below the turf, a blower unit in fluid communication with the aeration conduit configured to establish one of a vacuum in a vacuum mode and air under pressure in a pressure mode in said aeration conduit, a control modular for controlling operation of said aeration subsystem, and a sensor that measures the ambient air temperature;

determining whether a condition exists for one of reducing and increasing the temperature of the soil at the area in response to the ambient air temperature;

if the condition exists, operating said aeration subsystem to create one of a vacuum mode and a pressure mode in said aeration conduit for one of reducing or increasing a temperature of turf at the area; and

operating said blower units in repetitive cycles of intermittent operation during said one of said vacuum mode and pressure mode wherein each cycle includes a blower-on mode and a blower-off mode; and

said blower-on mode operating said blower units for a first time interval and said blower-off mode discontinuing operation of said blower units for a second time interval during each of said repetitive cycles.

41. The method of claim 40 including terminating said cycles of intermittent operation of said aeration subsystem in response to detecting one of a predetermined environmental condition and operational condition.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein said environmental condition includes one of a soil moisture content and an ambient air temperature.

43. The method of claim 40 including a first air setpoint, and said method initiates said intermittent operation of said aeration subsystem when said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint.

44. The method of claim 43 including a second air setpoint, and said method initiates said cycles of intermittent operation in said vacuum mode when said ambient air temperature is generally less than said second air setpoint, and initiates said cycles of intermittent operation in said pressure mode when said ambient air temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint.

45. The method of claim 40 including environmental parameters of ambient air temperature and a soil temperature;

first and second air setpoints representing prescribed ambient air temperatures, and first and second soil setpoints representing turf soil temperatures; and

said method operates said blower units in said cycles of intermittent operation in response to comparing said ambient air temperature to said first and second air setpoints, and comparing said soil temperature to said first and second soil setpoints.

46. The method of claim 45 including operating said cycles of intermittent operation in said vacuum mode when the ambient air temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally less than said second soil setpoint.

47. The method of claim 45 including operating said cycles of intermittent operation in said pressure mode when the ambient air temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint.

48. The method of claim 45 including operating said aeration subsystem in said cycles of intermittent operation in said vacuum mode when one of the following occurs (1) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally less that said first soil setpoint, (2) said ambient temperature is generally less than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint, (3) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally less than said first soil setpoint, (4) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint, and (5) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint.

49. The method of claim 48 including operating said aeration subsystems in said cycles of intermittent operation in said pressure mode when one of the following occurs (1) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint, (2) said ambient temperature is generally less than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint, (3) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint, (4) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint.

50. The method of claim 45 including operating said aeration subsystem in said cycles of intermittent operation in said pressure mode when one of the following occurs (1) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint, (2) said ambient temperature is generally less than said first air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint, (3) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said second air setpoint and said soil temperature is generally greater than said first soil setpoint and generally less than said second soil setpoint, (4) said ambient temperature is generally greater than said first air setpoint and generally less than said second air setpoint, and said soil temperature is generally greater than said second soil setpoint.