Microblower assisted barometric valve
AssigneeWestinghouse Savannah River Company
InventorsJoseph Rossabi, Warren K. Hyde, Brian D. Riha, Dennis G. Jackson, Frank Sappington
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gas exchange apparatus is provided which provides for both passive fluid flow and blower associated fluid flow through a barometric valve. A battery powered blower is provided which allows for operation of the barometric valve during times when the barometric valve would otherwise be closed, and provides for enhanced volume of gas exchange.
Claims14
An apparatus for exchanging fluids between a subsurface region and a surface region comprising:
- a housing having an inlet, said inlet adapted for engaging a well riser pipe;
- a blower carried within said housing, an air intake of said blower in operative engagement with said inlet;
- and
- a barometric valve in communication with said housing, said valve opening when a pressure below said valve is greater than a pressure above said valve.
An apparatus for exchanging gases between a subsurface region beneath a turf grass and a surface region comprising:
- a housing having a first opening, said first opening adapted for engaging a soil drainage system positioned beneath an area of turf;
- a blower carried within said housing, said blower in operative engagement with said first opening;
- a barometric valve in communication with said housing, said valve opening when a pressure on a first side of said valve is greater than a pressure on a second side of said valve, said valve in further communication with a second opening defined by said housing;
- wherein, said apparatus provides for a directional movement of gases through said barometric valve and said soil drainage system, thereby facilitating the flow of gases through a surface and a subsurface region.
An apparatus for exchanging gases between a subsurface region and a surface region comprising:
- a housing having a first opening and a second opening, one of said first and said second openings adapted for operatively engaging a conduit positioned at least in part in a subsurface region;
- a barometric valve in fluid communication with said housing, said valve opening when a pressure on a first side of said valve is greater than a pressure on a second side of said valve;
- and
- a blower carried within said housing, said blower supplying a pressure sufficient to open said valve, thereby establishing a gas flow through said apparatus which provides for gas flow between a surface region and a subsurface region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.