Tetrapod control device and method for stabilizing, depositing and retaining windblown particles
OwnerRonald Tablerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A three-dimensional multi-pod windblown particle control device is used to control the deposition, accumulation and retention of windblown particles. The multi-pod device is formed by connecting beams to create legs which intersect one another at a crossing area. The ends of some of the legs contact the earth surface to support the device while the ends of the other legs extend in three dimensions to interact with the wind. The device may be formed by substantially identical X-shaped frame structures which intersect and connect with one another. The optimal spacing for using the devices in an array is within a range of approximately 0.5-1.5 of a transverse dimension across the surface area occupied by each particle control device.
Claims60
A method of controlling deposition, accumulation and retention of windblown particles within a protected area on the earth surface to reduce substantially the number of windblown particles carried by wind within a critical area which is adjacent to and downwind of the protected area on the earth surface, comprising:
- utilizing a multi-pod windblown particle control device comprising a plurality of legs which intersect one another at a crossing area which is separated from ends of the legs;
- supporting the particle control device from the earth surface with the crossing area spaced above the earth surface by contacting ends of some of the legs with the earth surface and extending the ends of other ones of the legs outward from the crossing area in three dimensions above the earth surface and within the wind;
- interacting the supported particle control device with wind carrying the particles to deposit, accumulate and retain a substantial majority of the particles in the protected area;
- and
- positioning the supported particle control device to locate the protected area at a predetermined position on the earth surface.
A method of assembling a multi-pod windblown particle control device which controls deposition, accumulation and retention of particles carried by blowing wind, comprising:
- intersecting a plurality of legs at a crossing area;
- and
- orienting the legs to extend outward in three dimensions from the crossing area.
A multi-pod windblown particle control device for controlling deposition, accumulation and retention of particles from blowing wind on a surface of the earth, comprising:
- a first frame structure comprising elongated beams that cross and attach to one another at an intersection location, the elongated beams each having opposite ends;
- a second frame structure of substantially the same configuration as the first frame structure, the first and second frame structures connected together with at least one end of a beam of each frame structure oriented to contact the earth surface;
- a first anchor bracket attached to the intersection location of the first frame structure;
- and
- a second anchor bracket attached to the intersection location of the second frame structure, and wherein:
- the first and second anchor brackets are positioned to receive an anchor spike with the anchor spike driven into the earth surface for connecting the frame structures to the earth surface.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.