Foundation and soil irrigation system utilizing wicking materials
AssigneeAquadation Licensing, LLC
InventorsAlan D. Sowry, Donald J. Turnage, Omar Besim Hakim
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a foundation and soil irrigation system having multiple independent zones that can be controlled to deliver fluid to surrounding soil. The system can be installed above or below ground, but in a preferred embodiment the system is subterranean and is installed 18 to 24 inches off of the foundation and 12 to 18 inches below ground level. Each independent zone comprises a fluid distribution network that forms a center-fed or end-fed section to ensure proper hydraulic flow throughout the zone. The system further utilizes a wicking material network installed below ground to irrigate a soil region.
Claims19
An irrigation system, comprising:
- a wicking material network positioned below ground in a soil region;
- a reservoir connected to the wicking material network and supplying fluid to the wicking material network based on a differential between a fluid content of the wicking material and a fluid content of the soil region;
- and
- a valve connected to said reservoir and adapted to deliver fluid to the reservoir from a fluid source when a fluid level within the reservoir drops below a specified level;
- and
- a sensor positioned in said soil region, wherein said sensor is connected to and actively controls said valve, wherein said sensor includes electrical contacts within the wicking material that are controlled by expansion and contraction of the wicking material.
A method of irrigation, comprising:
- installing a wicking material network below ground in a soil region;
- connecting a reservoir to said wicking material network;
- supplying fluid from said reservoir to said wicking material network based on a differential between a fluid content of the wicking material and a fluid content of the soil region;
- delivering fluid from a fluid source to said reservoir via a valve, wherein said valve delivers fluid to the reservoir when a fluid level within the reservoir drops below a specified level;
- and
- actively controlling said valve with a sensor positioned within said soil region, wherein said sensor includes electrical contacts within the wicking material that are controlled by expansion and contraction of the wicking material.
An irrigation system, comprising:
- a wicking material network positioned in a soil region;
- and
- a reservoir connected to the wicking material network and adapted to automatically supply fluid to the wicking material network, an amount of fluid supplied to the wicking material network being based on a differential between a fluid content of the wicking material and a fluid content of the soil region, wherein said wicking material network delivers fluid to said soil region according to said differential between the fluid content of the wicking material and the fluid content of the soil region, and wherein said wicking material network includes at least one hollow pipe made of wicking material.
A method for irrigation, comprising:
- installing a wicking material network in a soil region;
- connecting a reservoir to said wicking material network;
- and
- automatically supplying fluid from said reservoir to said wicking material network, an amount of fluid supplied to the wicking material network being based on a differential between a fluid content of the wicking material and a fluid content of the soil region, wherein said wicking material network delivers fluid to said soil region according to said differential between the fluid content of the wicking material and the fluid content of the soil region, and wherein said wicking material network includes at least one hollow pipe made of wicking material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.