US 7,763,155 B2Granted

Electro-osmotic pulse (EOP) system for de-watering around manmade structures and method of use therefor

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army

InventorsPhilip G. Malone, Charles A. Weiss, Jr., Orange S. Marshall, Michael K. McInerney, Vincent F. Hock, Jr., Charles P. Marsh, Sean W. Morefield

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

patentgrep

Loading patent…

Abstract

An Electro-Osmotic Pulse (EOP) system is used to dewater structure, both natural and manmade. Preferably, the system employs durable, dimensionally stable anodes affixed to structure in a configuration designed to maximize electrical contact with the structure and minimize electrode gas generation. The anodes and cathodes are attached to a DC power supply that provides a voltage potential between them. DC power is cycled until the structure has been sufficiently treated. Select embodiments employ perforated metal pipes as cathodes for the purpose of transport and drainage of fluids. In select embodiments of the present invention, the cathodes are connected to variable resistors designed to reduce opportunity for corrosion of buried metal objects in the vicinity of the EOP system. Select embodiments employ a pre-specified pulse train of DC voltage pulses to migrate water from under a crawl space while moving available cations in the soil. Select embodiments also protect large structures such as concrete dams.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A system for de-watering manmade structure adjacent natural structure at least part of which comprises bedrock, comprising:

at least one channel bored in said natural structure, said at least one channel with a slope having a vertical component much greater than a horizontal component;
at least one pipe in operable communication with a bottommost portion of at least one said channel, said at least one pipe installed with a slope having a horizontal component much greater than a vertical component,
wherein said pipe facilitates draining fluid from said at least one channel;
at least one first conducting screen comprising a grid of durable dimensionally stable anodes, said at least one first conducting screen in operable communication with said manmade structure;
at least one first layer of cementitious material in operable communication with and at least covering said at least one first conducting screen;
at least one second conducting screen comprising a cathode installed in operable communication with said natural structure,
at least one second layer of cementitious material in operable communication with and at least covering said at least one second conducting screen;
wherein at least part of said at least one second conducting screen is installed adjacent said at least one channel;
and
circuitry in operable communication with at least said at least one first conducting screen and said at least one second conducting screen,
wherein said circuitry facilitates establishing a voltage differential between said at least one first conducting screen and said at least one second conducting screen;
at least one moisture barrier in operable communication with and covering said second layer of cementitious material;
and
at least one third layer of cementitious material in operable communication with and at least covering said at least one moisture barrier.

11 more elements

A method for de-watering manmade structure adjacent natural structure at least part of which comprises bedrock, comprising:

performing a resistivity test on said natural structure;
providing at least one channel in said natural structure, said at least one channel with a slope having a vertical component much greater than a horizontal component;
wherein said resistivity test at least provides data permitting determination of the number, spacing and size of said at least one channel;
attaching at least one first conducting screen comprising a grid of durable dimensionally stable anodes to said manmade structure:
providing at least one first layer of cementitious material in operable communication with and at least covering said at least one first conducting screen;
installing at least one second conducting screen comprising a cathode in operable communication with said natural structure,
wherein at least part of said second conducting screen is installed adjacent said at least one channel;
providing at least one second layer of cementitious material in operable communication with and at least covering said at least one second conducting screen;
providing at least one moisture barrier in operable communication with and covering said second layer of cementitious material;
providing at least one third layer of cementitious material in operable communication with and at least covering said at least one moisture barrier;
providing circuitry in operable communication with at least said at least one first conducting screen and said at least one second conducting screen,
wherein said circuitry facilitates establishing a voltage differential between said at least one first conducting screen and said at least one second conducting screen;
and
energizing said circuitry to establish a voltage differential between said first and second conducting screens.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/141,509Filed 1 Jun 2005 · continuation in part
Priority: 9 May 2002
Published: US 2005/0252775 A117 Nov 2005
Granted: 27 Jul 2010
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

E04B 1/7007
Drying or keeping dry, e.g. by air vents: by using electricity, e.g. electro-osmosis
B01D 61/56
Electrodialysis; Electro-osmosis ; Electro-ultrafiltration; Membrane capacitive deionization: electro-osmotic dewatering
E04G 23/08
Working measures on existing buildings,: wrecking of buildings
E04B
General building constructions

Family

Application10/140,875Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 9 May 2002
US 2005/0252775 A1Pre-grant publication · published 17 Nov 2005
US 6,919,005 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2003/0209437 A1Published application
US 7,763,155 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.