In-soil liquid movement device and system

Abstract

An in-soil liquid movement device includes an elongate, high surface area-to-length member defining a substantially axial, central core. The member also defines arms extending radially from the core and extending over at least a portion of a length of the core. The arms define outer ends located away from the core. The member further defines pairs of branches extending angularly from the outer ends of the arms, such that, when the member is placed in a soil bore, the branches contact an inner surface of the soil bore and maintain the member within the soil bore, whereby the member facilitates movement of liquid through the soil bore.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising:
 an elongate member defining a substantially axial, central core and defining:
 arms extending radially from the core and extending over at least a portion of a length of the core, the arms defining outer ends located away from the core; and 
 pairs of branches extending angularly from the outer ends of the arms, such that, when the member is placed in a soil bore, the branches contact an inner surface of the soil bore and maintain the member within the soil bore, whereby the member facilitates movement of liquid through the soil bore. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the member is formed of a hydrophobic material such that liquid flows along the member into an area of soil surrounding the soil bore. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the arms are equally angularly spaced around the core. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pairs of branches each define a Y-shaped cross-section with each respective arm. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the arms define arm lengths, wherein the branches define branch lengths, and wherein the branch lengths are greater than the arm lengths. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the member further defines surfaces extending between adjacent arms, wherein the surfaces and the arms join at obtuse angles, wherein the surfaces are offset from the core, and wherein the surfaces increase a surface area of the member to promote movement of liquid through the soil bore. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the member further defines flanges extending from the arms over at least a portion of the length of the core, wherein the flanges are located between the core and the branches, and wherein the flanges increase a surface area of the member to promote movement of liquid through the soil bore. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the soil bore defines a substantially cylindrical shape, and wherein the member defines an envelope having a substantially cylindrical shape such that the member contacts the inner surface of the soil bore about a perimeter of the member. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein, when the member is placed in the soil bore, soil surrounding the soil bore migrates between the pairs of branches and between adjacent arms to contact the member, whereby liquid flows along the length of the member and into the soil to increase liquid flow below a surface of the soil. 
     
     
         10 . A device, comprising:
 a hydrophobic and elongate member defining a substantially axial, central core, and defining:
 arms extending radially from the core and extending over at least a portion of a length of the core, the arms defining outer ends located away from the core; and 
 pairs of branches extending angularly from the outer ends of the arms, such that, when the member is placed in a soil bore, outer ends of the branches contact an inner surface of the soil bore and maintain the member within the soil bore, wherein soil surrounding the soil bore migrates between the pairs of branches and between adjacent arms to contact the member, and wherein liquid flows along the length of the member and into the soil to increase liquid flow below a surface of the soil. 
   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the arms are equally angularly spaced around the core, and wherein the pairs of branches each define a Y-shaped cross-section with each respective arm. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the member further defines surfaces extending between adjacent arms, wherein the surfaces and the arms join at obtuse angles, wherein the surfaces are offset from the core, and wherein the surfaces increase a surface area of the member to promote movement of liquid through the soil bore. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the member further defines flanges extending from the arms over at least a portion of the length of the core, wherein the flanges are located between the core and the branches, and wherein the flanges increase a surface area of the member to promote movement of liquid through the soil bore. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the soil bore defines a substantially cylindrical shape, and wherein the member defines an envelope having a substantially cylindrical shape such that the member contacts the inner surface of the soil bore about a perimeter of the member. 
     
     
         15 . A system, comprising:
 an array of elongate members, one or more of the members defining a substantially axial, central core and defining:
 arms extending radially from the core and extending over at least a portion of a length of the core, the arms defining outer ends located away from the core; and 
 pairs of branches extending angularly from the outer ends of the arms, such that, when the members are placed in soil bores formed below a surface of an area of land, the branches contact inner surfaces of the soil bores and maintain the members within the soil bores, whereby the members facilitate movement of liquid through the soil bores. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the members are formed of a hydrophobic material such that liquid flows along the members into soil surrounding the soil bores. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein, when the members are placed in the soil bores, soil surrounding the soil bores migrates between the pairs of branches and between adjacent arms to contact the members, whereby liquid flows along the length of the members and into the soil to increase liquid flow below the surface. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the area of land is an area of land in which water pools, wherein the array of members augments water flow into soil below the surface. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the members are substantially equally spaced apart along lateral and longitudinal dimensions of the area of land. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the members are placed in the soil bores at substantially equal depths below the surface.