IN-SOIL LIQUID MOVEMENT DEVICE AND SYSTEM

Abstract

An in-soil liquid movement device includes an elongate, high surface area-to-length member defining a substantially axial, central core. The member also defines arms extending radially from the core and extending over at least a portion of a length of the core. The arms define outer ends located away from the core. The member further defines pairs of branches extending angularly from the outer ends of the arms, such that, when the member is placed in a soil bore, the branches contact an inner surface of the soil bore and maintain the member within the soil bore, whereby the member facilitates movement of liquid through the soil bore.

Description

FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to augmenting water movement in a soil volume.

BACKGROUND

When an area of land is exposed to an extended period of drought, the land is susceptible to drying out and becoming impervious to water, such as rain. When the area of land is subsequently exposed to intense precipitation, rain water may accumulate on the surface of the land, since the rain cannot penetrate the underlying soil. As a result, the area of land may collect standing water, can be flooded, and may not realize the benefits associated with the rain, such as providing the water necessary to grow grass or other plants growing from that area of land. Additionally, surface runoff can be increased, causing drainage systems such as sewers to be overloaded.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

As mentioned above, when an area of land is exposed to an extended period of drought, the land is susceptible to drying out and becoming impervious to water, such as rain. When the area of land is subsequently exposed to intense precipitation, rain water may accumulate on the surface of the land, since the rain cannot penetrate the underlying soil. As a result, the area of land may collect standing water, can be flooded, and may not realize the benefits associated with the rain, such as providing the water necessary to grow grass or other plants growing from that area of land. Additionally, surface runoff can be increased, causing drainage systems such as sewers to be overloaded.

Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a device and system for augmenting movement of liquid, such as water, through an area of soil. In one embodiment, a device is disclosed. The device includes an elongate, high surface area-to-length member defining a substantially axial, central core. The member also defines arms extending radially from the core and extending over at least a portion of a length of the core. The arms define outer ends located away from the core. The member further defines pairs of branches extending angularly from the outer ends of the arms. When the member is placed in a soil bore, the branches contact an inner surface of the soil bore and maintain the member within the soil bore. The member facilitates movement of liquid through the soil bore.

In another embodiment, a device is disclosed. The device includes a hydrophobic, elongate, high surface area-to-length member defining a substantially axial, central core. The member also defines arms extending radially from the core and extending over at least a portion of a length of the core. The arms define outer ends located away from the core. The member further defines pairs of branches extending angularly from the outer ends of the arms. When the member is placed in a soil bore, outer ends of the branches contact an inner surface of the soil bore and maintain the member within the soil bore. Soil surrounding the soil bore migrates between the pairs of branches and between adjacent arms to contact the member. Liquid flows along the length of the member and into the soil to increase liquid flow below a surface of the soil.

In yet another embodiment, a system is disclosed. The system includes an array of elongate, high surface area-to-length members. One or more of the members define a substantially axial, central core. One or more of the members also define arms extending radially from the core and extending over at least a portion of a length of the core. The arms define outer ends located away from the core. One or more of the members further define pairs of branches extending angularly from the outer ends of the arms. When the members are placed in soil bores formed below a surface of an area of land, the branches contact inner surfaces of the soil bores and maintain the members within the soil bores. The members facilitate movement of liquid through the soil bores.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an in-soil liquid movement device (a member), according to various embodiments,

FIG. 2A is a cross-section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is another example of a cross-section of a member;

FIG. 3A is an end view of the member of FIG. 1, the opposite end is identical, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3B is another example of an end view of a member, the opposite end is identical, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the member of FIG. 1, a back elevational view is identical to the front elevation view, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a first side elevation view of the member of FIG. 1, a second side elevational view is identical to the front elevation view, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 6 is an intermediate side elevation view of the member of FIG. 1 between the first side and the second, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of a member taken transverse to a long axis of the member, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 8 is an environmental view of an installation process and system, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 9 is an environmental view of an installation zone including an in-soil liquid movement system including a plurality of placed members, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an installation bore and placed member at a first time, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an installation bore and placed member at a second time (e.g., after the first time), according to various embodiments;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an installation bore and placed member at a third time (e.g., after the second time), according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of an installation bore and placed member, according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

With initial reference to FIGS. 1-6, an in-soil liquid movement device (a member 20), which may also be referred to as a subsurface liquid movement member or elongated member, is illustrated. As used herein, water or liquid may refer to pure water or a liquid including at least a portion of water that acts as water in a soil column. The member 20 may generally have a length 28 that extends from a first end 24 to a second end 26. The first end 24 and the second end 26 may be understood to be terminal ends. The length 28 may be provided in any appropriate length such as about 0.5 meters (m) to about 100 m, including about 0.5 m to about 20 m, and further including about 1.5 m to about 13 m. It is understood, however, that the member 20 may be provided in any appropriate length 28 such as any whole number and fraction thereof.

Further, the member 20 may be cut before or after installation to a selected length that may be less than an initial length. For example, a 10 m member 20 may be cut in half to form two (2) 5 m members or some other fraction, such as forming a 7 m and a 3 m member. Further, a plurality of the members 20 may be axially coupled or connected together, as discussed herein. Coupling one or more of the members together may increase a length of an installation. For example, two (2) 10 m members may be coupled together to form a 20 m member. The coupling may be though any appropriate means, such as physical coupling (e.g., fasteners), chemical coupling (e.g., adhesive), etc.

The member 20 may also include a selected maximum external dimension or extent 32. The external dimension 32 may be defined by a geometry that encompasses the member 20. In various examples, the external dimension 32 may be a diameter that may define a circle 36 that is related to the maximum dimension 32, such as a maximum circumference defined by the diameter 32, of a portion of the member 20 that extends from a center 34. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the member 20 may have a plurality of arms that radially extend from a central point 34 defined within a solid central portion 42. The circumference 36 may be defined by an outer perimeter or extent of each of the arms extending from the central portion 42, as discussed herein. The outer dimension 32, therefore, may be defined by the member 20 even if the member 20 includes arms that do not extend to the outer perimeter or the external dimension 32. In other words, the cross-section of the member 20 may have arms that extend beyond the central portion 42 and define the maximum external dimension 32. As discussed herein, the cross-section may be selected to maximize the surface area of the member 20 per given length (e.g., the surface area-to-length ratio) while minimizing the void space that would inhibit/hinder unsaturated water flow.

The external dimension 32 may be any appropriate dimension such as about 0.5 centimeters (cm) to about 0.5 m, including about 0.5 cm to about 20 cm, and further including about 2 cm to about 8 cm. Again, as is understood by one skilled in the art, the external dimension 32 may be any appropriate size, shape, extent, etc. and may include any whole number or fraction thereof. Generally, however, the dimension 32 may be selected to be at least about 3 cm to at least about 8 cm. In various embodiments, the member 20 may be provided in a plurality of maximum external dimensions, such as one or more having the dimension 32 of about 3 cm and another one or more having the dimension 32 of about 5 cm.

The member 20 may include a selected geometry or shape, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, for example as illustrated in the cross-sections of FIGS. 2A and 2B. The geometry or configuration may include the center 34 that is generally at a center of the member 20. The center 34 may be within a central portion 42 of the member 20. The central portion 42 and the arm projecting therefrom, as discussed herein, may be solid and not include a hollow or open portion. The solid portion or feature may provide a selected rigidity to the member 20, such as for installation.

According to various embodiments, the member 20 may be formed as a single unitary or monolithic member. A method or formation process may include extrusion or molding, as discussed herein. In other words, the various portions of the member 20 may be formed as a single member or portion that is solid. According to various embodiments, however, various portions may be fixed together in any appropriate manner, such as adhesives, welding, fixation mechanisms, etc.

Extending radially from the central portion 42 may be a plurality of main arms 46. The center 34 may be within the central portion 42 and the main arms 46 may extend therefrom. The member 20 may include a selected number of main arms 46, such as six main arms 46. Each of the main arms 46 may radially extend and be angularly spaced around the central portion 42.

In various embodiments, for example, the main arms 46 may be substantially evenly spaced around the central portion 42. Each of the main arms 46, such as a first main arm 46a and a second main arm 46b may be evenly spaced, thereby defining an angle 48 between adjacent main arms 46. The angle 48 may define an arc around the center 34. If the main arms 46 are evenly spaced, the angle 48 is generally about 60 degrees. It is understood that the angle 48, however, may be any appropriate angle. Including the angle of 60 degrees from between the main arms 46 allows for a symmetrical spacing of the mains arm 46 around the central portion 42. As discussed herein, however, the member 20 may not have a symmetrical cross-section. The number of the main arms 46 may not be an even number. Thus, the cross-section may not be symmetrical.

Further, junctions between the main arms 46, such as the arms 46a and 46b that define the angle 48, may further define a valley 49. The valley 49 may be substantially angular and not include or define a curve, such as around the central portion 42. The valley 49 may be defined by an outer edge or surface 46a, 46b of the respective main arms 46a, 46b.

Each of the main arms 46 may extend along an axis, such as a main axis 52 that extends through the center 34. In various embodiments, two of the main arms 46, such as the first main arm 46a and a third main arm 46c, may both be on the same axis or a single axis, such as a main axis 52a. The two main arms 46a, 46c may be opposed to one another across the central portion 42. Further, it is understood, that the member 20 is a three-dimensional member, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Therefore, the main axis 52 may also define a plane that extends through the member 20.

When symmetrical or an even number of the main arms 46 are present, a single main axis 52 may define a plane of reflection. The member 20 may be symmetrical across the single main axis 52, at least relative to the main arms 46. Further, the symmetrical nature of the member 20 may define a mirror plane of the member 20. A symmetrical configuration, however, is not required, and the main arms 46 may be unevenly spaced. For example, a portion of the main arms 46 may be provided closer to one another than others. In another example, the member 20 may include an odd number of main arms 46, such as seven main arms 46.

Extending from each of the main arms 46 may be one or more secondary arms or branches 60. The branches 60 may be included in a selected number, such as two branches 60 for each of the main branches 46. Accordingly, the branches 60 may include a first branch 60a and a second branch 60b that extend from a main arm 46.

As discussed above, the main arms 46 may extend along a selected main axis, such as the main arm 46d extending along a main axis 52b. The branches 60 extend along respective branch axes 64 such as a first branch axis 64a for the first branch 60a and a second branch axis 64b for the second branch 60b. The two branch axes 64a, 64b may extend at an angle 68 relative to the main axis 52b. The angle 68 may be any appropriate angle relative to the main axis 52b. The angle 68 may be about 10 degrees to about 80 degrees, about 20 degrees to about 30 degrees, or about 23 degrees. Again, the angle 68 may be provided in any appropriate dimension or degree including those discussed above or are another selected range.

Including two branches 60 per each main arm 46 may also allow or define a symmetry of the member 20 in the cross-section. The angle 68 may be equal to one-half of the angle between the two branches 60 or their respective branch axes 64. Thus, the member 20 may be symmetrical across or as a reflection across any of the main axes 52. Nevertheless, symmetry is not required, such as if the angle 68 is not a bisection, if there are more than two branches 60 per main arm 46, etc. According to various embodiments, there may be one or more than two branches per main arm 46.

Again, one skilled in the art will understand that each of the axes, such as the main axes 52 and the branch axes 64 may define a plane as member 20 is a three-dimensional object. The planes may be defined at the selected angles, as discussed above, to form the member 20 having the cross-section as illustrated in FIG. 2A. The cross-section may be referred to as any appropriate cross-section, such as a snowflake or crystalline cross-section. Nevertheless, the cross-sectional shape of the member 20 allows for a selected or provided external surface area, perimeter dimension, maximum external dimension, or minor external dimension that may all be defined by an outer perimeter of each of the portions of the members 20.

An outer perimeter 70 of the member 20 in cross-section is defined by an external surface geometry of the member 20. The outer perimeter 70 has or defines a perimeter length 71 of the member 20. The perimeter length 71 defined by the outer perimeter 70 is defined by all of the portions of the member 20, including the central portion 42, the main arms 46 (including the valley 49 between the main arms 46), and the branches 60. As the member 20 may be a substantially solid member and the various portions extend form the central portion 42, the surface within the maximum dimension 32 may be open.

Therefore, the outer perimeter 70 may be defined by at least two segments for each of the portions. Each of the main arms 46 may have two segment portions that form a portion of the length 71. Each of the branches 60 may have an end segment and two side segment portions that form a portion of the length 71. Also, an outer surface of the central portion 42 forms a portion of the length 71. The length 71 may be, therefore, coextensive with and defined by the surface 70.

The length 71 may be understood to be an entire outer surface length and/or a surface length at a cross-section through the member 20 in a plane that it is substantially perpendicular to the central axis 27 that may extend through the center 34 of the member 20. The length 71 may be a linear length of all of the segments of the member 20 in the cross-section, as illustrated in FIG. 2A.

The cross-sectional outer surface length may be based upon the external dimension 36, or other appropriate parameters. For example, each of the main arms 46 may extend a length 74 that may generally be defined between the center 34 and a location where the branches 60 begin or connect with the main arms 46. The length 74 may be any appropriate length such as about 0.1 centimeters (cm) to about 10 cm. Further, each of the branches 60 may include a length 78 that generally extends from where each branch 60 interconnects with or extends from the main arm 46 and terminates at a terminal end 82 such as defined at the outer perimeter 36. The length 78 may be any appropriate length such as about 0.1 cm to about 10 cm. Further, it is understood that the lengths 74, 78 may be any selected length, may differ for each of the different arms, or may differ for some of the arms, etc.

Therefore, the lengths 74 and 78 of the respective portions may define at least a portion of the length 71 as illustrated in FIG. 2A, which is the cross-sectional plane defined through the member 20 and perpendicular to the axis 27. The length 71 may include a selected dimension such as about 20 cm (about 8 inches (in)) to about 45 cm (about 18 in), about 23 cm (about 9 in) to about 28 cm (about 11 in), about 25 cm (about 10 in), or about 27 cm (about 10.6 in).

The member 20 may be formed as illustrated and discussed above. According to various embodiments, the member 20 may be extruded through a die. When extruded, the member 20 may be formed in an appropriate length, as discussed above. The material used to form the member 20 may include one or more polymers or co-polymers. The material to form the member 20 may be uniform throughout. The material to form the member 20 may be hydrophobic. According to various embodiments, the member 20 may be formed of one or more materials that includes polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, and similar plastics (e.g., plastics that are stable, strong, and do not leach chemicals).

The material may be melted to an appropriate temperature and extruded through a die, as is understood by one skilled in the art. The extruded member may be cooled and/or hardened in an appropriate manner prior to installation. The extruded member may be formed to an appropriate length and stored for a selected use.

With reference now to FIG. 3B, a second example of a cross-section of the member 20 is shown. As shown in FIG. 3B, in one or more arrangements, the member 20 can include flanges 80. The flanges 80, in some instances, help to increase the total surface area of the member 20, which provides the advantage of increased liquid movement through an area of soil in which the member 20 is placed. As shown in FIG. 3B, the member 20 includes a first flange 80a, a second flange 80b, and a third flange 80c. In one arrangement, for example, in an arrangement in which the member 20 includes six main arms 46, the flanges 80a, 80b, and 80c are connected to every other main arm 46. However, it should be understood that the member 20 can include another number of flanges 80, which may or may not depend on the number of main arms 46. For example, the member 20 can include four main arms 46 and four flanges 80, with one flange 80 connected to each main arm 46. In another example, the member 20 can include seven main arms 46 and five flanges 80. Other arrangements of main arms 46 and flanges 80 are also possible.

In any case, the flanges 80 can be formed of the same or a different material than the member 20. Moreover, the flanges 80 can be unitarily formed with the member 20, such as through an extrusion process as mentioned above, or the flanges 80 can be formed separately from the member 20 and later attached to the member 20. Additionally, in one arrangement, the flanges 80 each define a length that is less than the length of the main arms 46 and the branches 60. In some arrangements, each of the flanges 80 may define substantially equal lengths, while in other arrangements, two or more of the flanges 80 may define different lengths.

FIGS. 4-6 will now be described. FIGS. 4-6 provide various side views of the member 20 for further context and improved understanding of the member 20. FIG. 4 shows a front elevation view of the member 20. In some instances, a back elevational view of the member 20 is identical to the front elevation view. FIG. 5 shows a first side elevation view of the member 20. In some instances, a second side elevational view is identical to the front elevation view. FIG. 6 shows an intermediate side elevation view of the member 20 between the first side and the second side.

With reference now to FIG. 7, a member 20z is illustrated. The member 20z may be substantially similar to the member 20 discussed above. The member 20z, therefore may be a solid member that includes various portions that are referred to with the same reference numbers as discussed above augmented with a “z,” but may not all be repeated here. The member 20z has a central portion 42z that may have a surface 43 that extends between the main arms 46z, such as the main arms 46az and 46bz. The surface 43 may be any appropriate shape, such as a line. Thus, surfaces 46a′z and 46b′z of the main arms 46az, 46bz may form an angle 43′ with the surface 43, such as an obtuse angle. Therefore, one skilled in the art will understand that the main arms 46z need not meet at a valley at the central portion 42z. In some instances, the surface 43 may serve to further increase the total surface area of the member 20. As mentioned above, increasing the total surface area of the member 20 provides the advantage of increasing liquid movement through an area of soil in which the member 20 is placed.

In various embodiments, an auger or drill system 100, as illustrated in FIG. 8, may be manually operated by a user 104. According to various embodiments, an installation assembly 100 may, however, be operated as an automatic system that may be operated as is understood by one skilled in the art to form one or more bore holes 110 simultaneously into a surface 112. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the drill system 100 includes a single drill tool 114 (e.g., an auger or a drill bit). Again, as understood, that the drill system 100 may include a plurality of drill tools 114 (e.g., augers or drill bits).

As illustrated in FIG. 8, however, the bore hole 110 may be formed below the surface 112 with the drill system 100. The bore hole 110 may include any appropriate length or depth 120 below the surface 112. The depth 120 may include selected depths and may generally include a depth related to a length of the member 20. According to various embodiments, however, the depth 120 of the bore hole 110 may generally be a selected length longer than the member 20. For example, the length 120 of the bore hole 110 may be at least about two feet, at least about four feet, or some other selected length longer than a length of the member 20. Therefore, the member 20 may generally have the first end 24 that is at least the selected length longer than the member 20 below the surface 112. Thus, the member 20 may be installed at a uniform top surface depth 124. The installation depth 124 may be, according to various embodiments, substantially zero inches or any appropriate depth, thus a depth of about two feet or more is merely exemplary. The installation depth 124 may be selected for various purposes, such as ensuring coverage of the member 20, ground or earth cover, foliage growth, etc. and/or to provide a uniform top or upper depth for all the installed members 20.

The bore hole 110 may be formed into the ground through the surface 112 in an appropriate manner. The bore hole 110 may be bored to a length greater than the length of the member 20. Thus, installing the member 20 into the bore hole 110, may automatically position the member 20 at the selected uniform installation depth 124.

According to various embodiments, the member 20 may be installed as a plurality of members 20 (e.g., an array of members 20) in an installation zone 140, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The installation zone 140 may be any appropriate zone, such as, for example, a soccer field, but may include an area where surface water puddles or pools, such as in a puddling or pooling surface water area 144. A plurality of members 20 may be installed in the installation zone 140 in a selected pattern. For example, the installation zone 140 may include four rows of the members 20 such as a first row 150, a second row 152, a third row 154, and a fourth row 156. Each of the rows may be installed in a grid pattern such that there are rows and columns that are substantially equally spaced apart for each of the individual members 20. The members 20, however, may also be spaced apart in any appropriate manner, such as in an offset or a zigzag configuration. The members 20 may be spaced apart any appropriate dimension 158. The spaced apart dimension 158 may be about 0.5 meters (m) to about 20 m.

Regardless, each of the members 20 in the installation zone 140 may generally be installed at a single uniform depth below the surface 112. As discussed above, the first end 24 of each of the members 20 may be installed at a selected depth 124 below the surface 112. The selected depth 124 may be the same. For example, the installation depth 124 may be about two feet to about six feet, or about two feet to about four feet, and further including about two feet below the surface 112. Accordingly, each of the members 20 may be installed at a selected distance that may be the same for all of the members 20 within the installation zone 140. The same depth 124 may be determined based on a depth of the hole 110 and a length of the members 20. Such that five foot long member installed in a seven foot deep hole 110 is two feet below the surface.

The members 20 may be provided as a kit, for example, as a kit for a selected installation zone. The kit may include a plurality of members 20. Each of the plurality of members 20 may all be the same length and cut on site to a selected length. Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of members may be provided at selected and/or different lengths. The different lengths may be a unique kit, such as ordered by a user. Further, two or more of the members 20 may be connected together, such as end to end to include a length of a member 20. Thus, members 20 may be provided to a user. The user may then install one or more of the members 20 as discussed above in the installation zone 140. Further, the user may cut one or more of the members 20 to a selected length, connect two or more of the members 20 together to achieve a selected length, or combinations thereof.

With reference to FIG. 10, the installation of the members 20 is within the bore hole 110. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the bore hole 110 may be formed with the tool 114 and have substantially uniform inner surface 130. Generally, the inner surface 130 may have an inner diameter 132 of the bore hole 110 may be substantially similar to the external dimensions 36, including the diameter 32, of the member 20. In various embodiments, the inner diameter 132 may be selected to be the same (e.g., plus or minus 0.5 inches) as the member diameter 32. Thus, the member 20 may be substantially held within the bore hole 110. As illustrated above, the bore hole 110 may extend along the length 120. The members 20 may include a selected rigidity, but may be held in a selected orientation, such as within the bore hole 110, due to a matching or interference fit of the external dimension 36 with the inner surface 130 of the bore hole 110.

Further, as discussed above, the member 20 may be substantially solid with each of the main arms 46 and branches 60 extending from the central portion 42. Between each of the respective members 20, however, may be a space or one or more openings to define the surface area 70 of the member 20. Thus, the bore hole 110 may generally be smooth or unobstructed during the initial installation.

Initially the bore hole 110 may include the edge or inner surface 130 that is uniform, as illustrated in FIG. 10. A void space 133 between the inner surface 130 and at least portions of the member 20 can serve to provide a path for free water to soil layers with significant pores. Without being bound by the theory, this void 133 may hinder water flow from traversing the member 20 when the region near the member is unsaturated (e.g., the coil near the edge 130).

Over time the bore hole 110 may include an inner dimension that becomes less smooth or uniform, as illustrated in FIG. 11. For example, the bore hole 110 is formed within the dirt, soil, or earth. The soil may migrate, such as a selected depth or inward portion toward the central portion 42. Therefore, an inner migration surface 134 of the dirt may be formed over time. This process, again without being bound by the theory, may serve to increase subsurface water flow over time, according to various theories, by increasing a contact of the member 20 with the soil. The time period for the movement of the dirt surface 134 may vary based upon soil types, porosity, surface pressure, water movement through the soil, or the like. Nevertheless, the bore hole 110 may not be substantially uniform over time. In various examples, the hole 110 may have the inner diameters 132 when formed, but at the member 20 may have a smaller inner diameter 147 that is smaller than the inner diameter 132. The smaller inner diameter 137 may be less than the inner diameter 132 and less than inside a circumference of the hole 110. After a period of time, a complete or nearly complete ingress of soil into the void spaces 131 may occur, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

Nevertheless, the member 20 within the bore hole 110, with dirt within the member cross-section 134, will increase the unsaturated water transport feature of the member 20 and the installation zone 140. The transport of liquid when the soil is not saturated may also increase, especially relative to if the member 20 is not present. The member 20 may be in direct contact with soil or dirt, over time, such as due to the inner migration of the soil edge 134. Thus, a greater portion of the member 20 may be in direct contact with the earth of the bore hole 110 as time passes due to the ingress of the soil, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. This contact of the member 20 with the soil, at least for a time, causing unsaturated water to emanate from the surface of the member 20.

Turning now to FIG. 13, and again without being bound by the theory, the member 20 may be positioned in the bore hole 110 at the installation depth 124 below the surface 112 of the ground. According to various embodiments, a plurality of the members 20 may be placed in an installation zone 140 and may all be placed or positioned at the same depth 124 below the surface 112. The same depth may be as close as equal as possible or expected, such as within 2 to 3 cm difference of the depth 124. Generally, a top or upper portion 20a of the member 20 for each of the members installed in a region will be near or at the same level. If all of the members 20 are the same length all of a bottom or lower portion 20b of the members 20 will also be at the same depth. The depth, length of the member 20, spacing between members 20, and other parameters may be selected. Nevertheless, according to various embodiments, each of the members 20 may act and/or operate in a similar or identical manner.

As discussed above, ground or dirt may surround the bore hole 110 which may be defined or identified as surrounding dirt 140. The surrounding dirt 140 may be the portion that migrates to the depth 134, as discussed above. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the member 20 may be installed and, after a first period of time, no soil may have moved toward the member 20. As time passes, however, soil may ingress and have more contact with the member 20, as illustrated in the right of FIG. 13.

Nevertheless, and even initially, surface water 144 may saturate a selected or initial distance below the ground surface 112, such as at least to the installation depth 124. After reaching the installation depth 124, the water may or will, without being bound by the theory, follow a path defined by the member 20. The water traveling along member 20 will travel in all directions through adhesive and cohesive forces. During at least portions of movement, the liquid may move away from the member 20. The member 20 may be hydrophobic, or the member 20 may be formed of one or more hydrophobic polymers and/or copolymers. Water may travel outward through the soil column horizontally, and under certain conditions even up toward the surface 112, at nearly the rate it travels down away from the surface 112.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, water below the surface represented by arrow 164 moving from the surface 112 may follow along a length of the member 20, such as generally in the direction of arrow 166. The water 164 may move along the length of the member 20 according to various properties of the member 20. In various embodiments, the space around the member 20 is relatively small (i.e., relative to the area or volume away from the member 20), and the incoming water may quickly fill any voids around the member 20 after which the water may be move away from the member 20 through adhesive and cohesive forces. Alternatively or additionally, the surface area 70 may provide a surface to direct the percolated water 164 toward the second end 26, whether soil particles are contacting the member 20 or not. Further, again without being bound by the theory, during the course of travel, attraction by the soil particles and the water molecules themselves may cause the water (in or not within the void spaces to) move away from the member 20, allowing the water to move outwardly into the soil column 140, such as along the direction of arrow 167 until the entire column reaches “field capacity.” As the water is drawn away from member 20, the percolated water travels in the direction of arrow 166 and may move a volume of the surface water 144 away from the surface 112 and into the earth 160. According to various embodiments, water may move faster in the portion of soil that is in contact with the member 20 and from there, will continue to spread in a multidirectional way into the soil 140. Thus, the standing surface water 144 may be reduced more rapidly.

According to various embodiments, the surface water 144 may move at a rate of that may be based upon various parameters, including the length 71, the material of the member 20, and other appropriate parameters. According to various embodiments, for example, a volume of liquid (such as water) of about 4 liters (L) may be removed from the surface at a rate of 4 L per minute when the member 20 has an external linear surface (as discussed above which relates to an external surface of a cross-section of the member 20) of about 5 inches (about 10 cm) to about 15 inches (about 40 cm, including about 10 inches. It may be understood by one skilled in the art, however, that a rate of liquid movement may be a certain amount greater in a region including the member 20 than in a region without the member 20. For example, the infiltration rate may be 1.2 times greater, 3, 10, 10, or more times greater or any appropriate value within the range.

Accordingly, the member 20 may be installed singly and/or as a plurality of members 20 in an installation zone 140 to allow for or provide an extended interface between saturated soil and unsaturated soil to increase the transport of surface water into the soil column and/or away from the installation zone 140. Thus, the surface water 144 may be minimized, or at least the time for the standing surface water, may be minimized due to the member 20. According to the various embodiments, the installation zone 140 may be selected based upon various parameters, such as in the area of ground water, and a pattern and/or length of the members 20 may be selected based upon various related parameters.

According to various embodiments, a method is disclosed to allow or urge liquids, such as water, to move into a soil column at a rate greater than a naturally occurring or unaided rate with the member 20. The member 20 may be installed in a bore in a soil column. Over time, soil may migrate into the bore to contact the member 20. A liquid present on a soil surface (e.g., rain or flood water) may percolate or move into the soil column following a path defined at least in part by the member 20. The liquid may interact with the member 20 and the adjacent soil particles to fill a volume of soil below the surface with the liquid at a rate that is faster than if the member 20 is not present. The rate may be a certain value faster than an unaided or rate without the member 20. The increased rate may be increased by 2 times, 3 times, 10 times, 100 times, or any appropriate value that may be related to a size of the member 20 (e.g., diameter, length, etc.), type of soil, or other factors. The rate for an area (e.g., surface area of ground) may also relate to the number and/or distance between one or more of the members 20.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

As used herein, the term “substantially” or “about” includes exactly the term it modifies and slight variations therefrom. Thus, the term “substantially parallel” means exactly parallel and slight variations therefrom. “Slight variations therefrom” can include within 15 degrees/percent/units or less, within 14 degrees/percent/units or less, within 13 degrees/percent/units or less, within 12 degrees/percent/units or less, within 11 degrees/percent/units or less, within 10 degrees/percent/units or less, within 9 degrees/percent/units or less, within 8 degrees/percent/units or less, within 7 degrees/percent/units or less, within 6 degrees/percent/units or less, within 5 degrees/percent/units or less, within 4 degrees/percent/units or less, within 3 degrees/percent/units or less, within 2 degrees/percent/units or less, or within 1 degree/percent/unit or less. In some examples, “substantially” can include being within normal manufacturing tolerances.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A device, comprising: an elongate member defining a substantially axial, central core and defining: arms extending radially from the core and extending over at least a portion of a length of the core, the arms defining outer ends located away from the core; andpairs of branches extending angularly from the outer ends of the arms, such that, when the member is placed in a soil bore, the branches contact an inner surface of the soil bore and maintain the member within the soil bore, whereby the member facilitates movement of liquid through the soil bore.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the member is formed of a hydrophobic material such that liquid flows along the member into an area of soil surrounding the soil bore.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the arms are equally angularly spaced around the core.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the pairs of branches each define a Y-shaped cross-section with each respective arm.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the arms define arm lengths, wherein the branches define branch lengths, and wherein the branch lengths are greater than the arm lengths.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the member further defines surfaces extending between adjacent arms, wherein the surfaces and the arms join at obtuse angles, wherein the surfaces are offset from the core, and wherein the surfaces increase a surface area of the member to promote movement of liquid through the soil bore.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the member further defines flanges extending from the arms over at least a portion of the length of the core, wherein the flanges are located between the core and the branches, and wherein the flanges increase a surface area of the member to promote movement of liquid through the soil bore.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the soil bore defines a substantially cylindrical shape, and wherein the member defines an envelope having a substantially cylindrical shape such that the member contacts the inner surface of the soil bore about a perimeter of the member.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein, when the member is placed in the soil bore, soil surrounding the soil bore migrates between the pairs of branches and between adjacent arms to contact the member, whereby liquid flows along the length of the member and into the soil to increase liquid flow below a surface of the soil.

10. A device, comprising: a hydrophobic and elongate member defining a substantially axial, central core, and defining: arms extending radially from the core and extending over at least a portion of a length of the core, the arms defining outer ends located away from the core; andpairs of branches extending angularly from the outer ends of the arms, such that, when the member is placed in a soil bore, outer ends of the branches contact an inner surface of the soil bore and maintain the member within the soil bore, wherein soil surrounding the soil bore migrates between the pairs of branches and between adjacent arms to contact the member, and wherein liquid flows along the length of the member and into the soil to increase liquid flow below a surface of the soil.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the arms are equally angularly spaced around the core, and wherein the pairs of branches each define a Y-shaped cross-section with each respective arm.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the member further defines surfaces extending between adjacent arms, wherein the surfaces and the arms join at obtuse angles, wherein the surfaces are offset from the core, and wherein the surfaces increase a surface area of the member to promote movement of liquid through the soil bore.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the member further defines flanges extending from the arms over at least a portion of the length of the core, wherein the flanges are located between the core and the branches, and wherein the flanges increase a surface area of the member to promote movement of liquid through the soil bore.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the soil bore defines a substantially cylindrical shape, and wherein the member defines an envelope having a substantially cylindrical shape such that the member contacts the inner surface of the soil bore about a perimeter of the member.

15. A system, comprising: an array of elongate members, one or more of the members defining a substantially axial, central core and defining: arms extending radially from the core and extending over at least a portion of a length of the core, the arms defining outer ends located away from the core; andpairs of branches extending angularly from the outer ends of the arms, such that, when the members are placed in soil bores formed below a surface of an area of land, the branches contact inner surfaces of the soil bores and maintain the members within the soil bores, whereby the members facilitate movement of liquid through the soil bores.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the members are formed of a hydrophobic material such that liquid flows along the members into soil surrounding the soil bores.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein, when the members are placed in the soil bores, soil surrounding the soil bores migrates between the pairs of branches and between adjacent arms to contact the members, whereby liquid flows along the length of the members and into the soil to increase liquid flow below the surface.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the area of land is an area of land in which water pools, wherein the array of members augments water flow into soil below the surface.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the members are substantially equally spaced apart along lateral and longitudinal dimensions of the area of land.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the members are placed in the soil bores at substantially equal depths below the surface.