Freeze hole air bleeder system

Claim 2

In combination with a plurality of spaced fluid-transmitting members received in an unstable earth formation, a source of refrigerated liquid containing entrapped air, and means for circulating said liquid and air from said source to said members and back to said source for freezing said unstable formation, a device for removing said air from said liquid comprising bleed means connected to each of said members for removing a quantity of fluid therefrom, return means connecting said bleed means and said source of refrigerated liquid, flow control means for controlling the amount of flow through said bleed means so as to provide a continuous flow therethrough, and air vent means connected to said return means for receiving at least a portion of said air from said return means and discharging the same.

Claim 3

A device as recited in claim 1 in which said members include locations where said air leaves said liquid and accumulates, said bleed means being connected to said members at said locations.

Claim 4

A device as recited in claim 1 in which said flow control means allow the continuous flow of both said liquid and said air through said bleed means.

Claim 5

A device as recited in claim 3 in which said continuous flow of said liquid is sufficient to produce a relatively thin layer of frost on said bleed means.

Claim 6

A device as recited in claim 1 in which said fluid-transmitting memberS are generally vertical, each of said fluid-transmitting members includes an outer enclosed tubular member, and an inner tubular member having an open bottom end, said circulating means including connections adjacent the upper end of each of said inner tubular members for conducting fluid to said inner tubular members, and connections adjacent the upper ends of said outer tubular members for conducting fluid back to said source, said bleed means including first bleed lines communicating with said inner tubular members adjacent said upper ends thereof, and second bleed lines communicating with said outer tubular members adjacent said upper ends of said outer tubular members.

Claim 7

A device as recited in claim 5 in which said return means includes a first manifold, said first bleed lines being connected to said first manifold, and a second manifold, said second bleed lines being connected to said second manifold.

Claim 8

In combination with a fluid-transmitting means adapted for association with an incompetent earth formation for effecting freezing thereof, and a source of refrigerated liquid containing entrapped air for circulation through said fluid-transmitting means, a device for removing said air comprising a bleed line means connected to said fluid-transmitting means for removing a quantity of said liquid and air from said fluid-transmitting means, return means connecting said bleed line means to said source of refrigerated liquid, said return means being at a higher elevation than the elevation of said fluid-transmitting means, flow control means in said bleed line means for causing a continuous flow of said liquid and air through said bleed line means, a pump connected to said return means for pumping said liquid to said source of said liquid, said pump being at a lower elevation than said return means for permitting said liquid to flow to said pump by gravity, and at least one air vent trap connected to said return means, said air vent trap being at an elevation above said return means for receiving air therefrom and venting said air to atmosphere.

Claim 9

In combination with a fluid-transmitting means adapted for association with an incompetent earth formation for effecting freezing thereof, and a source of refrigerated liquid containing entrapped air for circulation through said fluid-transmitting means, a device for removing said air comprising a bleed line means connected to said fluid-transmitting means for removing a quantity of said liquid and air from said fluid-transmitting means, return means connecting said bleed line means to said source of refrigerated liquid, said return means being at a higher elevation than the elevation of said fluid-transmitting means, flow control means in said bleed line means for causing a continuous flow of said liquid and air through said bleed line means, a pump connected to said return means for pumping said liquid to said source of said liquid, said pump being at a lower elevation than said return means for permitting said liquid to flow to said pump by gravity, and at least one air vent trap connected to said return means, said air vent trap being at an elevation above said return means for receiving air therefrom and venting said air to atmosphere.

Claim 10

In combination with a freezing system for incompetent earth formations, said system including a plurality of tubular freezing elements, a source of refrigerated liquid containing entrapped air, and means for circulating said liquid and entrapped air through said freezing elements, a device for removing said air from said liquid comprising at least one bleed line connected to each of said freezing elements, a manifold, said bleed lines being connected to said manifold, said manifold being at a higher elevation than the elevations of said freezing elements, flow control means in each of said bleed lines, a pump having an inlet and an outlet, said pump inlet being at a lower elevation than said elevation of said manifold, means connecting said manifold to said inlet for conducting liquid from said manifold to said pump, means connecting said outlet to said source of refrigerated liquid for conducting liquid from said pump to said source, and air vent trap means for collecting and releasing said air, said air vent trap means being connected to said manifold, said air vent trap means being at an elevation higher than said elevation of said manifold.

Claim 11

In combination with a freezing system for incompetent earth formations, said system including a plurality of tubular freezing elements, a source of refrigerated liquid containing entrapped air, and means for circulating said liquid and entrapped air through said freezing elements, a device for removing said air from said liquid comprising at least one bleed line connected to each of said freezing elements, a manifold, said bleed lines being connected to said manifold, said manifold being at a higher elevation than the elevations of said freezing elements, flow control means in each of said bleed lines, a pump having an inlet and an outlet, said pump inlet being at a lower elevation than said elevation of said manifold, means connecting said manifold to said inlet for conducting liquid from said manifold to said pump, means connecting said outlet to said source of refrigerated liquid for conducting liquid from said pump to said source, and air vent trap means for collecting and releasing said air, said air vent trap means being connected to said manifold, said air vent trap means being at an elevation higher than said elevation of said manifold.

Claim 12

In combination with a freezing system for incompetent earth formations, said system including a plurality of tubular freezing elements extending downwardly into said formation, a source of refrigerated liquid containing entrapped air, supply means connecting said source to said freezing elements for conducting said liquid thereto, return means connecting said elements to said source for returning said liquid to said source, each of said freezing elements including a zone where said air normally disassociates from said liquid and obstructs the circulation of said liquid through said element, a device for removing said air comprising a bleed line conNected to each of said freezing elements adjacent said zone, a valve in each of said bleed lines for controlling the flow therethrough, a manifold, each of said bleed lines being connected to said manifold, said manifold being at an elevation higher than the elevations of said freezing elements, a pump having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being lower than said elevation of said manifold, said manifold sloping downwardly and being connected to said inlet, whereby liquid in said manifold flows by gravity to said inlet, means connecting said outlet to said source, and vent means connected to said manifold, said vent means including a chamber above said manifold, means connecting said manifold and said chamber, an outlet means for said chamber, and a float valve in said chamber for controlling said outlet means, said float valve being operable to open said outlet in response to the presence of a predetermined amount of air in said chamber for thereby venting such air to the atmosphere.

Claim 13

In combination with a freezing system for incompetent earth formations, said system including a plurality of tubular freezing elements extending downwardly into said formation, a source of refrigerated liquid containing entrapped air, supply means connecting said source to said freezing elements for conducting said liquid thereto, return means connecting said elements to said source for returning said liquid to said source, each of said freezing elements including a zone where said air normally disassociates from said liquid and obstructs the circulation of said liquid through said element, a device for removing said air comprising a bleed line conNected to each of said freezing elements adjacent said zone, a valve in each of said bleed lines for controlling the flow therethrough, a manifold, each of said bleed lines being connected to said manifold, said manifold being at an elevation higher than the elevations of said freezing elements, a pump having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being lower than said elevation of said manifold, said manifold sloping downwardly and being connected to said inlet, whereby liquid in said manifold flows by gravity to said inlet, means connecting said outlet to said source, and vent means connected to said manifold, said vent means including a chamber above said manifold, means connecting said manifold and said chamber, an outlet means for said chamber, and a float valve in said chamber for controlling said outlet means, said float valve being operable to open said outlet in response to the presence of a predetermined amount of air in said chamber for thereby venting such air to the atmosphere.

Claim 14

A device as recited in claim 9 in which said valves control the flow through said bleed lines such that both air and a quantity of liquid flow through said bleed lines.

Claim 15

A device as recited in claim 10 in which said valves control the flow through said bleed lines such that it is sufficient to produce a relatively thin layer of frost on the exteriors of said bleed lines.

Claim 16

A device as recited in claim 11 in which each of said freezing elements includes an outer enclosed tubular member, and an inner tubular member within said outer tubular member and spaced from the wall thereof, said inner tubular member having an open bottom portion said supply means being connected to said inner tubular member for conducting said liquid through said inner tubular member to discharge into said outer tubular member at said bottom portion of said inner tubular member, said return means being connected to the upper end of said outer tubular member, said bleed lines being connected to said outer tubular members adjacent said connection of said return means.

Claim 17

A device as recited in claim 12 in which said bleed line is connected to said outer tubular member above said connection of said return means.

Claim 18

A device as recited in claim 13 including an additional bleed line connected to the upper end of each of said inner tubular members, a valve in each of said additional bleed lines for controlling the flow therethrough, and an additional manifold, said additional bleed lines being connected to said additional manifold, said additional manifold being at an elevation higher than the elevations of said freezing elements, said additional manifold sloping downwardly and being connected to said inlet of said pump.