US4538377A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Irrigation system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-10-06
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Granted: 1985-09-03
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Expires: 2003-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A field crop treatment system, characterized by a first treatment pipe submerged under the root system of growing field crops, and a second drain pipe submerged under the treatment pipe. The system is connected in such a manner that it can operate in several modes. Among the modes are a drainage mode wherein both pipes drain the water from a wet field; and an irrigation mode wherein the top pipe is used to irrigate at the underground level. In addition, the system may be used in various modes between complete drainage and complete irrigation to allow underground application of chemicals, herbicides and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Ken O. Thornton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:35
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A field crop subsurface treatment system for treatment of field crops growing on the top soil surface, comprising: a treatment pipe submerged under the root storage tank for storing a water load to develop a hydrostatic pressure to power the discharge of materials through the treatment pipe; and a drain pipe having a metering valve for opening and closing said drain pipe submerged beneath the treatment pipe; said treatment pipe being connected to a water distribution source and a chemicals distribution source, each of which are operatively associated with valves which may be optionally opened to develop hydrostatic pressure to power discharged materials through the treatment pipe or closed; said drain pipe being connected to a water storage source for storing field drained water; and said water storage source which is in association with said drain pipe being fluidly connected to said water storage tank which is in association with said treatment pipe, whereby stored water from said drain pipe may optionally be circulated into said water storage tank and from said storage tank into said treatment pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A field crop subsurface treatment system for treatment of field crops growing on the top soil surface, comprising: a treatment pipe submerged under the root storage tank for storing a water load to develop a hydrostatic pressure to power the discharge of materials through the treatment pipe; and a drain pipe having a metering valve for opening and closing said drain pipe submerged beneath the treatment pipe; said treatment pipe being connected to a water distribution source and a chemicals distribution source, each of which are operatively associated with valves which may be optionally opened to develop hydrostatic pressure to power discharged materials through the treatment pipe or closed; said drain pipe being connected to a water storage source for storing field drained water; and said water storage source which is in association with said drain pipe being fluidly connected to said water storage tank which is in association with said treatment pipe, whereby stored water from said drain pipe may optionally be circulated into said water storage tank and from said storage tank into said treatment pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said drain pipe has a metering valve for opening and closing the drain pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said treatment pipe has a metering valve for opening or closing the treatment pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said treatment pipe is also connected to a chemical storage tank, which in turn is fluidly connected to said hydrostatic pressure water storage tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said treatment pipe is additionally connected to a source of anhydrous ammonia and a compressor to allow injection of anhydrous ammonia into the treatment pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said drain pipe is connected to a water lift station which itself is fluidly connected via a control valve to said hydrostatic pressure developing water storage tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said drain pipe is comprised of coventional field tile and has a plurality of spaced apart, laterally extending carrier pipes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said treatment pipe is a semi-rigid, flexible, thick-walled plastic pipe having a plurality of laterally extending carrier pipes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said treatment pipe is from about one and one-half to about two feet below the root system of any growing row crop.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said drain pipe is from about three and one-half to about four feet below said treatment pipe.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-09-02 | 1989-03-04 | 1989-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-02 | 1993-03-04 | 1993-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-02 | 1997-03-04 | 1997-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |