Subsurface insect detection and pesticide injection system

• US 7,451,568 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2008
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tom Hoshall
• Original Assignee: Tom Hoshall
• Inventors: Hoshall, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): Ark; Darren W
• Application Number:
  US12/043,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20080216389A1
• Time in Patent Office: 257 Days
• Field of Search: 431/321, 431/24
• US Class Current: 43/132.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/026 combined with devices for monitoring insect presence, e.g. termites bait stations A01M1/2005; detecting other animals in a given area A01M31/002
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/245 for pesticide application or distribution, e.g. using a network of pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 2200/011 Crawling insects
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/72 Pest control by keeping dry E04B1/70; impregnation of wood or like materials B27K

Abstract

A subsurface pest detection and pesticide injection system in combination with a structure having a foundation including a tubular conduit disposed adjacent the foundation of the structure. The tubular conduit has a plurality of pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit. The tubular conduit is constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a negative internal pressure to the tubular conduit the pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the drawing of gas into the tubular conduit, and upon removal of the negative internal pressure the pores are caused to close so that the pores remain substantially clog free. A means for applying a negative internal pressure is in gas communication with the tubular conduit to cause the pores of the tubular conduit to open and cause gas to be drawn into the tubular conduit. A gas detecting sensor is in gas communication with the tubular conduit to monitor the gas in the tubular conduit for the presence of a gas that indicates the presence of pests near the foundation of the structure. A source of pressurized pesticide connected to the tubular conduit so as to apply a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit and cause the pores of the tubular conduit to open and permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit adjacent the foundation of the structure.

Claims

1. A subsurface pest detection system in combination with a structure having a foundation, the system comprising:

a tubular conduit disposed adjacent the foundation of the structure, the tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit, the tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a negative internal pressure to the tubular conduit the pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the drawing of gas into the tubular conduit, and upon removal of the negative internal pressure the pores are caused to close so that the pores remain substantially clog free;

means for applying a negative internal pressure to the tubular conduit to cause the pores of the tubular conduit to open and cause gas to be drawn into the tubular conduit; and

a gas detecting sensor in gas communication with the tubular conduit to monitor the gas in the tubular conduit for the presence of a gas that indicates the presence of pests near the foundation of the structure.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the gas detecting sensor includes the means for applying the internal pressure.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the pores of the tubular conduit are tortuous.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the foundation is formed in a base soil, and wherein the tubular conduit is disposed within the base soil adjacent an exterior side of the foundation.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the foundation of the structure defines a perimeter of the structure, and wherein the tubular conduit is disposed on an interior side of the foundation.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein the structure has an exterior facing, and wherein the tubular conduit is disposed adjacent an interior side of the exterior facing of the structure.

7. A subsurface pest detection and pesticide injection system in combination with a structure having a foundation, the system comprising:

a tubular conduit disposed adjacent the foundation of the structure, the tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit, the tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a negative internal pressure to the tubular conduit the pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the drawing of gas into the tubular conduit, upon applying a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit the pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit, and upon removal of the negative internal pressure and the positive internal pressure the pores are caused to close so that the pores remain substantially clog free;

means for applying a negative internal pressure to the tubular conduit to cause the pores of the tubular conduit to open and cause gas to be drawn into the tubular conduit;

a gas detecting sensor in gas communication with the tubular conduit and selectively detachable therefrom, the gas detecting sensor capable of monitoring the gas in the tubular conduit for the presence of a gas that indicates the presence of pests near the foundation of the structure; and

a source of pressurized pesticide selectively connectable to the tubular conduit so as to apply a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit and cause the pores of the tubular conduit to open and permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit adjacent the foundation of the structure.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the gas detecting sensor includes the means for applying the internal pressure.

9. The combination of claim 7 wherein the pores of the tubular conduit are tortuous.

10. The combination of claim 7 wherein the foundation is formed in a base soil, and wherein the tubular conduit is disposed within the base soil adjacent an exterior side of the foundation.

11. The combination of claim 7 wherein the foundation of the structure defines a perimeter of the structure, and wherein the tubular conduit is disposed on an interior side of the foundation.

12. The combination of claim 7 wherein the structure has an exterior facing, and wherein the tubular conduit is disposed adjacent an interior side of the exterior facing of the structure.

13. A method for detecting pests and for delivering a pesticide adjacent a structure, the method comprising:

placing a tubular conduit adjacent a foundation of the structure, the tubular conduit having a sidewall, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of pores extending through the sidewall of the tubular conduit, the tubular conduit having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and constructed of an elastomeric material such that upon applying a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit the pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit, upon applying a negative internal pressure to the tubular conduit the pores of the tubular conduit are caused to open to permit gas to be drawn into the tubular conduit, and upon removal of the positive and negative internal pressures the pores are caused to close so that the pores remain substantially clog free;

connecting a gas detecting sensor to the tubular conduit;

forming a negative internal pressure in the tubular conduit to cause gas to be drawn into the tubular conduit and into contact with the gas detecting sensor to monitor the presence of a gas that indicates the presence of pests near the structure;

disconnecting the gas detecting sensor from the tubular conduit;

connecting a source of pesticide to the tubular conduit; and

injecting the pesticide through the tubular conduit at a sufficient pressure to apply a positive internal pressure to the tubular conduit and cause the pores of the tubular conduit to open and permit the release of pesticide from the tubular conduit adjacent the foundation of the structure.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the pores of the tubular conduit are tortuous.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the foundation is formed in a base soil, and wherein the tubular conduit is disposed within the base soil adjacent an exterior side of the foundation.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the foundation of the structure defines a perimeter of the structure, and wherein the tubular conduit is disposed on an interior side of the foundation.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the structure has an exterior facing, and wherein the tubular conduit is disposed adjacent an interior side of the exterior facing of the structure.