Irrigation and drainage method and apparatus

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 comprising pumping excess water to a storage reservoir and connecting said reservoir to selectively feed water to said storage container.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 comprising utilizing a windmill for driving said pumping step.

Claim 5

The system of claim 1 wherein said piping network is at a level below the frost line.

Claim 6

An irrigation system comprising: pumping means for raising water from a subsurface natural water table, said pumping means having an outlet; distribution means for distributing said water substantially uniformly in an area to be irrigated to form an artificial water table at a level above said natural water table, said distribution means comprising a subsurface piping network comprising a series of spaced pipelines in direct contact with the soil in said area and having a common inlet, said network being located beneath an area to be irrigated, and below conventional cultivation and fence post levels; means above the ground surface between said pumping means outlet and said common inlet for maintaining a desired pressure head on said piping network and comprising a storage container having an overflow outlet to said common inlet; and means for connecting said outlet of said pumping means with said means for maintaining a pressure head.

Claim 7

An irrigation system comprising: pumping means for raising water from a subsurface natural water table, said pumping means having an outlet; distribution means for distributing said water substantially uniformly in an area to be irrigated to form an artificial water table at a level above said natural water table, said distribution means comprising a subsurface piping network comprising a series of spaced pipelines in direct contact with the soil in said area and having a common inlet, said network being located beneath an area to be irrigated, and below conventional cultivation and fence post levels; means above the ground surface between said pumping means outlet and said common inlet for maintaining a desired pressure head on said piping network and comprising a storage container having an overflow outlet to said common inlet; and means for connecting said outlet of said pumping means with said means for maintaining a pressure head.

Claim 8

The system of claim 5 including a water reservoir between said pumping means outlet and said piping network inlet.

Claim 9

The system of claim 5 wherein said pump is wind powered.

Claim 10

The system of claim 5 wherein said piping network comprises sections of decreasing diameter between an inlet end and an outlet end.

Claim 11

The system of claim 8 wherein said piping network comprises perforated pipes.

Claim 12

The system of claim 9 wherein the size of said perforations is chosen to provide seepage discharge at a preselected pressure head.

Claim 13

The system of claim 5 wherein the piping network is at a depth about five to seven feet below the ground surface.

Claim 14

An irrigation and drainage system comprising: pumping means for raising water from a subsurface natural water table, said pumping means having an outlet; distribution means for distributing said water substantially uniformly in an area to be irrigated to form an artificial water table at a level above the natural water table, said distribution means comprising a subsurface piping network comprising a series of spaced pipelines in direct contact with the soil in said area and having a common inlet and an outlet, said network being located beneath an area to be irrigated, and below conventional cultivation and fence post levels; means for connecting said outlet of said pumping means with said common inlet of said spaced pipelines; and drainage piping operatively connected to said outlet of said piping network and said drainage piping having valve means on an outlet end thereof.

Claim 15

An irrigation and drainage system comprising: pumping means for raising water from a subsurface natural water table, said pumping means having an outlet; distribution means for distributing said water substantially uniformly in an area to be irrigated to form an artificial water table at a level above the natural water table, said distribution means comprising a subsurface piping network comprising a series of spaced pipelines in direct contact with the soil in said area and having a common inlet and an outlet, said network being located beneath an area to be irrigated, and below conventional cultivation and fence post levels; means for connecting said outlet of said pumping means with said common inlet of said spaced pipelines; and drainage piping operatively connected to said outlet of said piping network and said drainage piping having valve means on an outlet end thereof.

Claim 16

The system of claim 12 wherein said outlet end of said drainage piping is at a level at or below that of said piping network.

Claim 17

An irrigation and drainage system comprising: pumping means for raising water from a subsurface natural water table, said pumping means having an outlet; distribution means for distributing said water substantially uniformly in an area to be irrigated to form an artificial water table at a level above said natural water table, said distribution means comprising a subsurface piping network comprising a series of spaced pipelines in direct contact with the soil in said are and having a common inlet and an outlet, said network being located beneath an area to be irrigated, and below conventional cultivation and fence post levels; means for connecting said outlet of said pumping means with said common inlet of said spaced pipelines; and a drainage pipe connected to an outlet of said piping network for selectively draining excess moisture through said piping network.

Claim 18

An irrigation and drainage system comprising: pumping means for raising water from a subsurface natural water table, said pumping means having an outlet; distribution means for distributing said water substantially uniformly in an area to be irrigated to form an artificial water table at a level above said natural water table, said distribution means comprising a subsurface piping network comprising a series of spaced pipelines in direct contact with the soil in said are and having a common inlet and an outlet, said network being located beneath an area to be irrigated, and below conventional cultivation and fence post levels; means for connecting said outlet of said pumping means with said common inlet of said spaced pipelines; and a drainage pipe connected to an outlet of said piping network for selectively draining excess moisture through said piping network.