Turf Playing Surface Aeration and Drainage System

Abstract

A perforated pipe network beneath a playing surface. A blower connected to the pipe network drawing an air flow through the pipe network to create a vacuum. A drain pipe connecting to the pipe network. An air/water separator connected upstream of the blower for separating water from the air flow prior to entering the blower and channeling the water into the drain pipe for discharge. A flow control unit having a unit inlet connected to the drain pipe downstream of the air/water separator and a unit outlet discharging water to a drain outlet. The flow control unit blocking air flow through the unit inlet into the drain pipe when the blower is in the vacuum mode, and opening the unit inlet when a waterhead buildup at the unit inlet exceeds the vacuum level established by the blower to discharge water through the drain outlet.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 - 33 . (canceled) 
   
   
       34 . A turf playing surface aeration and drainage system including a plurality of perforated pipes installed in a turf profile beneath a turf playing surface, at least one blower in fluid communication with said perforated pipes having a vacuum mode of operation for establishing an air flow to create a vacuum to draw a water-laden air flow downwardly through said turf profile and pipes, and a sloped drain pipe in fluid communication with said perforated pipes for receiving water separated from said water-laden airflow, said system comprising:
 a distributed air/water separator arrangement disposed in fluid communication with said blower and perforated pipes including said sloped drain pipe facilitating a flow of water through the drainpipe while a flow of air is delivered to the blower;   a flow control unit in fluid communication with said drain pipe having a closable unit inlet and a closable unit outlet;   said unit inlet being closed to block air flow in a first direction through said fluid control unit in said vacuum mode of operation causing water from said water flow to back up at said unit inlet and create water under pressure at said unit inlet, and said unit inlet being open to discharge the water through said control unit in a second direction opposite to said first direction when said water pressure reaches a predetermined level.   
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 37  wherein said distributed air/water separator arrangement includes a pipe fitting in fluid communication with said blower and perforated pipes having an upstanding leg for connection to said blower and an intersecting leg connected to one of a supply line on a high side of said playing surface and said drain pipe on a low side of said playing surface. 
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 38  wherein said control unit includes a first valve for closing said unit inlet in said vacuum mode, said first valve opening at a prescribed water pressure for drainage through said control unit, and said first valve closing when water pressure drops below said predetermined pressure. 
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 39  wherein said blower has a pressure mode of operation in which said air flow is directed into said perforated pipes and up through the turf profile. 
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 40  wherein said flow control unit includes a second valve having a closed position in said pressure mode blocking an air flow from said drain outlet through said control unit, and having an open position in said vacuum mode allowing water to discharge through said drain outlet. 
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 41  including a water bypass channel in said unit outlet for discharging water which enters said flow control unit in said pressure mode to said drain outlet when said second valve is in a closed position blocking through said unit outlet. 
   
   
       40 . A turf playing surface aeration and drainage system including a plurality of perforated pipes installed in a turf profile beneath a turf playing surface, at least one blower in fluid communication with said perforated pipes having a vacuum mode of operation for establishing an air flow to create a vacuum to draw air and water downwardly through said turf profile and pipes, and a drain pipe in fluid communication with said perforated pipes for receiving a flow of the water, said system comprising:
 a flow control unit in fluid communication with said drain pipe having a closable unit inlet and a closable unit outlet;   said flow control unit having a first position in said vacuum mode for blocking air flow in a first direction through said fluid control unit while backing up said water at said unit inlet when closed to create water under pressure at said unit inlet, and a second position for discharging said water through said control unit and said unit outlet when said water pressure reaches a predetermined level.   
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 43  wherein said unit inlet includes an inlet valve and said unit outlet includes an outlet valve; and said control unit includes a blocking position and an open position in said vacuum mode of operation, said inlet valve being closed in said blocking position to block the flow of water through said unit inlet and control unit while water is allowed to back up in said drain pipe upstream of said unit inlet under pressure, and said inlet valve is open in said open position so that said water is allowed to flow through said unit inlet and control unit. 
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein said first valve includes a flapper carried at said unit inlet for sealing off said unit inlet in said vacuum mode and opening at a prescribed water buildup level to discharge the water through said unit outlet. 
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 43  including at least one blower having a pressure mode of operation in which said airflow is directed into the perforated pipe network and upwardly though the turf profile. 
   
   
       44 . The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein said flow control unit includes a pressure control section having a first control position in said pressure mode blocking an air flow through said drain outlet, and a second control position in said vacuum mode allowing water to exit through said unit outlet. 
   
   
       45 . The apparatus of  claim 47  including a water bypass channel in said unit outlet for discharging water through said drain outlet in said pressure mode in said first control position. 
   
   
       46 . In a turf playing surface aeration and drainage system including a plurality of perforated pipes installed in a turf profile beneath a turf playing surface, at least one blower in fluid communication with said perforated pipes having a vacuum mode of operation for establishing an air flow to create a vacuum to draw a water-laden air flow downwardly through said turf profile and pipes, and a drain pipe in fluid communication with said perforated pipes for receiving water separated from said water-laden air flow, a flow control unit comprising:
 a flow control unit having an enclosure with a closable unit inlet for connection with said drain pipe and a closable unit outlet;   said flow control unit having a closed inlet position in said vacuum mode for blocking air flow through said fluid control unit while backing up water at said unit inlet to create water under pressure at said unit inlet, and an open inlet position for discharging said water through said control unit when said water pressure reaches a predetermined level.   
   
   
       47 . The apparatus of  claim 49  wherein said unit inlet includes an inlet valve and said unit outlet includes an outlet valve; and said control unit includes a blocking position and an open position in said vacuum mode of operation, said inlet valve being closed in said blocking position to block the flow of water through said unit inlet and control unit while water is allowed to back up in said drain pipe upstream of said unit inlet, and said inlet valve is open in said open position so that said water is allowed to flow through said unit inlet and outlet upon reaching a prescribed pressure. 
   
   
       48 . The apparatus of  claim 50  wherein said inlet valve includes a flapper carried at said unit inlet for sealing off said unit inlet in said vacuum mode and opening at said prescribed pressure to discharge the water through said unit outlet. 
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 49  wherein said blower has a pressure mode of operation in which said air flow is directed into said perforated pipes and up through the turf profile, said flow control unit includes an outlet valve having a first control position in said pressure mode blocking an airflow through said drain outlet, and a second control position allowing water to exit through said unit outlet in said vacuum mode. 
   
   
       50 . The apparatus of  claim 49  wherein said unit inlet includes an inlet valve seat and said unit outlet includes an outlet valve; and said control unit includes a blocking position and an open position in said vacuum mode of operation, said inlet valve being closed in said blocking position to block the flow of water through said unit inlet while water is allowed to back up in said drain pipe upstream of said unit inlet, and said inlet valve seat is open in said open position so that said water is allowed to flow through said unit inlet and outlet upon reaching said prescribed pressure. 
   
   
       51 . A method for aerating turf and removing water from a turf profile of a turf playing surface wherein a fluid flow network having perforated pipes is installed in the turf profile below the playing surface, and a sloped drain pipe having a drain outlet is connected in fluid communication to the flow network, comprising the steps of:
 establishing a vacuum in said fluid flow network to create a flow of air and water downwardly from the surface into said perforated pipes;   drawing the air into the blower;   facilitating flow of the water through said sloped drain pipe and said drain outlet;   providing a fluid control unit in fluid communication with said sloped drain pipe having an enclosure with a closable unit inlet connected to said drain pipe and a closable unit outlet;   blocking air flow through said control unit when said vacuum is established in said perforated pipes; and   allowing water from a flow of water to back up at said unit inlet and be released through said unit inlet and control unit when the pressure of water in said drain pipe exceeds the vacuum force on said fluid flow network whereby said unit inlet is open to discharge water through said unit outlet.   
   
   
       52 . The method of claim  54  including the step of pressurizing said fluid flow network to force air through said perforated pipes up to said turf profile. 
   
   
       53 . The method of claim  55  including the step of blocking air flow out of said unit outlet to maintain pressurization of said fluid flow network.