Patent US3914897A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4838733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Landfill compaction
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1988-12-05
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Granted: 1989-06-13
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Expires: 2008-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A landfill compaction system and method reduces the volume of landfill at an existing landfill site by essentially sealing off at least a portion of the landfill and utilizing a source of vacuum to extract gases from the sealed-off portion of the landfill, the extraction taking place relatively rapidly so as to make use of the sudden impact of atmospheric pressure upon the sealed-off portion to assist in the compaction of the landfill.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert A. Katz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:38
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; B; B09; B09B; B09B1/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
A landfill compaction system for reducing the volume of a landfill located on the ground from a given original volume to a reduced volume, the given original volume of landfill having a defined perimeter and a surface within the perimeter, the surface normally being exposed to the ambient atmosphere and the landfill extending into the ground to a depth along the perimeter of the given volume, the reduction in volume being the result of the simultaneous sudden extraction of gases from the original volume and impact of the ambient atmosphere upon the surface of the landfill within the perimeter of the volume thereof, the system comprising: sealing means for essentially sealing the given original volume of landfill to a selected depth along the perimeter of the given original volume and over the surface of the given original volume surrounded by the perimeter; a source of vacuum; extraction passage means for penetrating the landfill, the extraction means including a plurality of extraction devices spaced apart throughout the landfill, within the perimeter of the essentially sealed original volume; conduit means for interconnecting the extraction devices with the source of vacuum; and valve means for effecting a rapid opening of communication, through the conduit means, between the extraction devices and the source of vacuum, thereby to cause the sudden extraction of gases from the original volume, the simultaneous sudden impact of atmospheric pressure upon the surface within the perimeter of the landfill volume, and the concomitant compaction of landfill from the original volume to the reduced volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
A landfill compaction system for reducing the volume of a landfill located on the ground from a given original volume to a reduced volume, the given original volume of landfill having a defined perimeter and a surface within the perimeter, the surface normally being exposed to the ambient atmosphere and the landfill extending into the ground to a depth along the perimeter of the given volume, the reduction in volume being the result of the simultaneous sudden extraction of gases from the original volume and impact of the ambient atmosphere upon the surface of the landfill within the perimeter of the volume thereof, the system comprising: sealing means for essentially sealing the given original volume of landfill to a selected depth along the perimeter of the given original volume and over the surface of the given original volume surrounded by the perimeter; a source of vacuum; extraction passage means for penetrating the landfill, the extraction means including a plurality of extraction devices spaced apart throughout the landfill, within the perimeter of the essentially sealed original volume; conduit means for interconnecting the extraction devices with the source of vacuum; and valve means for effecting a rapid opening of communication, through the conduit means, between the extraction devices and the source of vacuum, thereby to cause the sudden extraction of gases from the original volume, the simultaneous sudden impact of atmospheric pressure upon the surface within the perimeter of the landfill volume, and the concomitant compaction of landfill from the original volume to the reduced volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the source of vacuum comprises a large-capacity tank and means for exhausting gases from the tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 1 including compressing means located between the extraction devices and the tank for extracting further gases from the landfill volume, compressing the further gases and passing the compressed further gases into the tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the extraction devices each include a perforated tubular member for extending into the landfill, beneath the surface thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein the conduit means includes a manifold arrangement connecting the tubular members with the source of vacuum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein the source of vacuum comprises a large-capacity tank and means for exhausting gases from the tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 6 including compressing means located between the extraction devices and the tank for extracting further gases from the landfill volume, compressing the further gases and passing the compressed further gases into the tank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the sealing means includes a pliable, essentially gas-impermeable sheet for spanning the surface of the landfill within the perimeter thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein the sheet includes peripheral edge portions extending downwardly into the landfill to the selected depth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein the source of vacuum comprises a large-capacity tank and means for exhausting gases from the tank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 10 including compressing means located between the extraction devices and the tank for extracting further gases from the landfill volume, compressing the further gases and passing the compressed further gases into the tank.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein the extraction devices each include a perforated tubular member for extending into the landfill, beneath the surface thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein the conduit means includes a manifold arrangement connecting the tubular members with the source of vacuum, and the gas-impermeable sheet is located between the manifold arrangement and the surface of the landfill spanned by the sheet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 13 including compressing means located between the extraction devices and the tank for extracting further gases from the landfill volume, compressing the further gases and passing the compressed further gases into the tank.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
226 words
A landfill compaction method for reducing the volume of a landfill located on the ground from a given original volume to a reduced volume, the given original volume of landfill having a defined perimeter and a surface within the perimeter, the surface normally being exposed to the ambient atmosphere and the landfill extending into the ground to a depth along the perimeter of the given volume, the reduction in volume being the result of the simultaneous sudden extraction of gases from the original volume and impact of the ambient atmosphere upon the surface of the landfill within the perimeter of the volume thereof, the method comprising: essentially sealing the given original volume of landfill to a selected depth along the perimeter of the given original volume and over the surface of the given original volume surrounded by the perimeter; providing a source of vacuum; penetrating the landfill to establish a plurality of extraction passages spaced apart throughout the landfill, within the perimeter of the essentially sealed original volume; effecting a rapid opening of communication between the extraction passage sand the source of vacuum, thereby to cause the sudden extraction of gases from the original volume, the simultaneous sudden impact of atmospheric pressure upon the surface within the perimeter of the landfill volume, and the concomitant compaction of landfill from the original volume to the reduced volume.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
226 words
A landfill compaction method for reducing the volume of a landfill located on the ground from a given original volume to a reduced volume, the given original volume of landfill having a defined perimeter and a surface within the perimeter, the surface normally being exposed to the ambient atmosphere and the landfill extending into the ground to a depth along the perimeter of the given volume, the reduction in volume being the result of the simultaneous sudden extraction of gases from the original volume and impact of the ambient atmosphere upon the surface of the landfill within the perimeter of the volume thereof, the method comprising: essentially sealing the given original volume of landfill to a selected depth along the perimeter of the given original volume and over the surface of the given original volume surrounded by the perimeter; providing a source of vacuum; penetrating the landfill to establish a plurality of extraction passages spaced apart throughout the landfill, within the perimeter of the essentially sealed original volume; effecting a rapid opening of communication between the extraction passage sand the source of vacuum, thereby to cause the sudden extraction of gases from the original volume, the simultaneous sudden impact of atmospheric pressure upon the surface within the perimeter of the landfill volume, and the concomitant compaction of landfill from the original volume to the reduced volume.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 15 including extracting further gases from the landfill volume and compressing the further gases.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-06-12 | 1992-12-12 | 1993-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-12 | 1996-12-12 | 1997-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-12 | 2000-12-12 | 2001-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |