Turf playing surface aeration and drainage system

A turf playing surface aeration and drainage system including a plurality of perforated pipes installed beneath the playing surface through which an air flow passes for aerating and removing water from the playing surface and a manifold pipe interconnecting the perforated pipes for channeling air and water out of said perforated pipes for drainage, and a blower operatively associated with said perforated pipes having a vacuum mode of operation for establishing said air flow to create a vacuum in said manifold and perforated pipes, said system comprising:

• a water separation and drainage network disposed at a relatively shallow depth underground having a functional length over which water separation and drainage effectively occur;
• an air/water separator included in separation and drainage network operatively connected to said manifold pipe for separating water from said air flow prior to said blower;
• an elongated drain pipe included in said separation and drainage network connected to said air/water separator sloping downwardly from said air/water separator for channeling the water to a drain outlet for discharge and establishing a water pressure within said drain pipe;
• and,
• a flow control unit having a unit inlet and a unit outlet, said control unit being connected to said drain pipe downstream of said air/water separator for controlling the buildup of water pressure within said drain pipe at said unit inlet;
• said flow control unit having a first valve element movable in said vacuum mode between a first position for blocking air flow in a first direction through said fluid control unit whereupon a waterhead having increasing pressure is created at said unit inlet, and a second position for discharging water through said unit inlet and outlet in a second direction opposite said first direction when said water pressure exceeds the vacuum force in said drain line.

A method for aerating turf and removing water on a playing surface wherein a fluid flow network having perforated pipes is installed below the playing surface, and a drain pipe is connected to the flow network, comprising the steps of:

• drawing a vacuum on said fluid flow network to draw air and water from the surface into said perforated pipes;
• separating the air and water drawn into said flow network;
• directing the water into said drain pipe for channeling the water through a drain outlet;
• blocking air flow into said drain pipe when said vacuum is established in said perforated pipes to prevent air from entering said drain pipe through said drain outlet;
• and
• allowing water flow through said drain pipe when a waterhead pressure in said drain pipe exceeds the vacuum force on said network to discharge water through said drain outlet.