Abstract:
A device and method for controlling a population of burrowing rodents including a remote control panel having a welding torch. The welding torch includes a gas flow valve. A pair of hoses are connected between the welding torch, a bottle of oxygen and a bottle of fuel gas. Another hose having a length greater than 5 feet is connected to a downstream end of the gas flow valve and extends and connects to an injector. An ignition wire extends between an ignition switch and the injector. The hose connecting the welding torch and the injector may be twenty-five feet long. In operation, an operator places a fire cone end of the injector in a hole connected to a tunnel system and then steps back to the remote control panel positioned at a location remote to the fire cone to operate gas flow and ignition of gas in the tunnel.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the priority of an application entitled Remote Control Panel, Ser. No. 10/959,353, filed on Oct. 5, 2004, which claims benefit to a provisional application, entitled Remote Control Panel, Ser. No. 60/509,817, filed on Oct. 8, 2003, entitled Remote Control Panel. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to devices for the extermination of rodents and more particularly to a device and method for the injection of a flammable gas into a tunnel of a burrowing rodent and the detonation of said gas from a location that is remote to the site of gas injection.  
         [0003]     The prior art includes a number of devices that provide for the detonation or ignition of a fuel gas mixture in a burrow or tunnel system of a burrowing rodent. U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,098 to Meyer, et al., entitled Rodent Exterminating Apparatus, U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,243 to Stager entitled Device for Explosive Extermination of Rodents and U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,976 to Rombach, et al., entitled Rodent Exterminator all disclose portable exterminating devices that ignite a gas or gas mixture to produce a detonation of the gas or gas mixture in the burrow or tunnel system of a rodent. All of these devices include a barrel or other means for conducting the gas or gas mixture into the burrow or tunnel system, a gas flow control means for controlling the injection of mixed gas into the burrow or tunnel system and an ignition system positioned adjacent to the gas flow control means on a handle that the operator maintains contact with during detonation.  
         [0004]     It has been observed that repeated exposure to the concussion experienced by an operator directly at or above the blast site can cause fatigue in the operator. Additionally, it has been observed, on occasion, that gas can get trapped in the unit and can ignite in these units, giving rise to a potential for injury to the operator and/or the device.  
         [0005]     Advantage may be found in providing a device and method for the injection of a flammable gas into a tunnel of a burrowing rodent and the detonation of said gas from a location that is remote to the site of gas injection. There may be advantage in providing a burrowing rodent extermination device wherein the ignition switch, the high voltage emitter and the fuel mixing and flow control means are not all located on a continuous support element, for instance a handle or an amalgamation of parts including a conduit and fuel mixing and flow control means that form a support, handle or carrying means. Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a device and method for the injection of a flammable gas or gas mixture into a tunnel of a burrowing rodent and ignition switching to effect detonation of said gas from a location that is remote to the site of gas injection and generation and emission of a spark for initiating detonation.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     The present invention is directed to a device and method for controlling the population of burrowing rodents. A device for controlling the population of burrowing rodents includes a remote control panel including a box having a lid with a welding torch positioned at least partially within the box. The welding torch includes a gas flow valve. A pair of hoses are connected between the welding torch and a bottle of oxygen and a bottle of fuel gas. A hose is connected to a downstream end of the gas flow valve and extends to an injector. An ignition wire extends between an ignition switch and the injector. A high voltage converter is attached to the injector and a spark emitter is positioned in the fire cone end of the injector. An electrical cutout switch is connected between the ignition switch and the gas flow valve and prevents operation of the ignition switch while the gas flow valve is open. The hose connecting the welding torch and the injector may be five to fifty feet, (1.524 to 15.24 meters), long or longer. The injector is equipped with a flash arrestor-check valve, preventing fire from coming back up into the hose.  
         [0007]     In operation, an operator places a fire cone end of the injector in a hole connected to a tunnel system and then steps back to the remote control panel to operate gas flow. After gas is injected into a burrow or tunnel system for a selected time, the gas flow valve is closed and the ignition switch is engaged. A low voltage current is switched from a battery located in the remote control panel to the high voltage converter and a spark emits in the fire cone igniting the gas mixture in the tunnel.  
         [0008]     The injector, to which the high voltage converter is connected is not held by the operator at the time of ignition and detonation. As a result, the operator and the ignition switch are distanced a length greater than a length of the injector from the high voltage converter and the spark emitter at the time of ignition and therefore the operator is not exposed to the repeated concussion experienced directly at or above the blast site that can cause operator fatigue. Additionally, ignition of gas upstream of the injector or at the location of the operator at the time of ignition is markedly reduced by the fact that the ignition switch and therefore the operator are distanced a length greater than the length of the injector from the high voltage converter and the spark emitter at the time of ignition. The use of a flash arrestor/check valve at the injector also reduces the probability of flash back to the remote control panel.  
         [0009]     The high voltage converter generates a high-voltage, low-amperage electrical charge. One or more batteries supply electricity to a circuit including one or more transformers that boost the voltage in the circuit, typically to between 20,000 and 150,000 volts, and reduce the amperage. The high-voltage, low-amperage current charges a capacitor that stores a charge, and releases it when switched.  
         [0010]     Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combination particularly pointed out in the appended claims.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a drawing representing a preferred embodiment of a device for controlling the population of burrowing rodents including a remote control panel.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a drawing representing a preferred embodiment of a device for controlling the population of burrowing rodents including a remote control panel.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a partial cutaway drawing representing a remote control panel of the preferred embodiment of a device for controlling the population of burrowing rodents.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram depicting a circuit for a device for controlling the population of burrowing rodents including a remote control panel.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a schematic flow diagram depicting a method for controlling the population of burrowing rodents using a device for controlling the population of burrowing rodents including a remote control panel. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     Referring to  FIG. 1 a  preferred embodiment of a burrowing rodent control device  100  is shown including remote control panel  20  located at position P 1  and injector  50  located at position P 2  remote to the location position P 1 . Oxygen tank  30  and fuel gas tank  33  are shown secured in a bed B of pickup T and connected to remote control panel  20  of burrowing rodent control device  10  by first hose  32  and second hose  34 . Remote control panel  20  is shown positioned on tailgate TG of pickup T. Third hose  45  and ignition wire  40  are connected to and extend between remote control panel  20  and injector  50 . Fire cone  55  of injector  50  is shown positioned in hole H, opened in mound M, connects to tunnel system TS. Ignition switch button  22  and gas flow valve operation lever  21  are accessible and operable through lid  11  of enclosure  12 .  
         [0017]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , oxygen tank  30  and fuel gas tank  33  are shown connected to remote control panel  20  of burrowing rodent control device  10  through regulator  31  and regulator  35  respectively, by first hose  32  and second hose  34 . Third hose  45  and ignition wire  40  are connected to and extend between remote control panel  20  and injector  50 . Ignition switch button  22  and gas flow valve operation lever  21  are accessible and operable through lid  11  of enclosure  12 . Mixing valves  36  and  38  are connected to an upstream end of mixing chamber  15  and extend through an end wall  19  of remote control panel  20 . Flash arrestor  37  is positioned between first hose  32  and mixing valve  36 . Similarly, flash arrestor  39  is positioned between second hose  34  and mixing valve  38 . In a preferred embodiment, gas mixing chamber  15 , mixing valve  36 , (and mixing valve  38 , shown in  FIG. 2 ), are configured as a gas welding torch. Injector  50  includes fire cone  55  and housing  51  to which third hose  45  and ignition wire  40  are connected. As shown in  FIG. 2 , third hose  45  and ignition wire  40  are “piggybacked” or attached to one another along a substantial portion of their respective lengths for ease of handling. Gas tube  53  and conductor tube  54  extend between fire cone  55  and body  51 . Flash arrestor  56  is positioned between in gas tube  53  between fire cone  55  and housing  51 . Handel  52  is attached to and extends from housing  51  to provide a means for transporting injector  50 .  
         [0018]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , remote control panel  20  of burrowing rodent control device  10  is shown in a partial cutaway drawing. Enclosure  12  includes lid  11  shown hingedly attached to enclosure  12  by hinge  14 . Screw  28  provides a means for securing lid  11  in a closed position. Remote control panel  20  may include one or more clamps  65  for securing the unit to a surface while in use. Remote control panel  20  includes gas mixing chamber  15  which is fluidly connected between mixing valve  36 , (and mixing valve  38 , shown in  FIG. 2 ), and gas flow valve  16 . Mixing chamber  15  extends through end wall  19  of enclosure  12  at grommet  37  connecting to mixing valve  38 . Gas flow valve operation lever  21  is accessible and operable through lid  11  of enclosure  12 . A mixture of fuel gas and oxygen are regulated by mixing valve  36 , (and mixing valve  38 , shown in  FIG. 2 ), mixed in mixing chamber  16  and expelled through outlet  18  when flow control actuator  17  is depressed by gas flow valve operation lever  21 . Remote control panel  20  also includes ignition switch  26  operable by ignition switch button  22  and ignition circuit cutout switch  23  operable by trigger  27 . Ignition circuit cutout switch  23  is connected to ignition switch  26  and is cooperatively operative with gas flow valve  16 . Battery  25  is connected to ignition switch  26 . The various components of remote control panel  20  are held in close packed arrangement by foam  13 , which is formed suitably about the various components of remote control panel  20 .  
         [0019]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a portion of remote control panel  20  is shown connected to injector  50 . Third hose  45  and ignition wire  40  are connected to and extend between remote control panel  20  and injector  50 . Ignition wire  40  includes one or more conductors. In the preferred embodiment, ignition wire  40  includes plug-in ends that are accepted in receptacles  29  and  59 . In one embodiment of the invention, third hose  45  extends a distance D of 7.62 meters, (25 feet), between remote control panel  20  and injector  50 . In one embodiment of the invention, injector  50  may measure approximately 38 inches, (0.96 meters), long. Preferably, third hose  45  and ignition wire  40  will be of a length in the range of 1.5 to 30.5 meters long, (5 to 100 feet long), providing a distance between remote control panel  20  and fire cone  55  in the range of 1.5 to 31.4 meters, (5 to approximately 53 feet long), depending on the length of third hose  45 , ignition wire  40  and injector  50 . Providing the capability of distancing the operator from the immediate vicinity of the detonation and resulting concussion may reduce and limit fatigue to the operator.  
         [0020]     High voltage converter circuit  60  is shown enclosed in housing  51  of injector  50 . High voltage converter circuit  60  includes one or more step-up transformers show as transformers T 1  and T 2  and a capacitor C 1  for storing a high voltage low amperage charge. A pair of discharge wires,  57 A and  57 B, connect to high voltage converter circuit  60  extend to fire cone  55 . Flash arrestor  56  is shown positioned downstream of in housing  51  and high voltage converter circuit  60  for limiting the possibility a flashback into housing  51  and high voltage converter circuit  60 . In the event that such a flashback were to occur, soft plug  63  located in housing  51  and soft plug  62  located in remote control panel  20  would serve limit damage.  
         [0021]     Gas flow valve  16  is biased towards a closed position. Plunger  26  is positioned between gas flow valve operation lever  21  and gas flow valve actuator  17 . Gas flow valve operation lever  21  is connected to lid  11  of enclosure  12  and is cooperatively operative with a flow control actuator via plunger  26 . Plunger  26  includes a flange  46  that is adapted to contact flow valve actuator  17  and trigger  27  of ignition circuit cutout switch  23  when gas flow valve operation lever  21  is depressed. When trigger  27  of ignition circuit cutout switch  23  is depressed the ignition circuit is broken and therefore inoperable. When pressure on plunger  26  and gas flow valve actuator  17  are released through outlet  18  of mining chamber  15 , gas flow valve  16  returns to a closed position, trigger  27  is released and ignition circuit cutout switch  23  returns to a close position. Ignition of the mixed gas is now possible by pressing ignition switch button  22  of ignition switch  24  which triggers the emission of spark S at emitter  61  located in fire cone  55 . Battery  25  provides the low voltage current for the circuit. As high voltage converter circuit  60  is located in housing  51  of injector  50 , the possibility of a spark in remote control panel  20  becomes greatly diminished.  
         [0022]     In use, a pressurized flow of a controlled ratio of fuel gas, preferably propane, and oxygen, is injected for a specific amount of time, 30-60 seconds, into tunnel system TS depending on type of pest and tunnel conditions. Button  22  of ignition switch  26  is pushed and the ensuing explosion kills pests in the tunnel system by concussion, burying them at the same time. The explosion follows the route of the tunnel system and does no damage except to that system.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A POPULATION OF BURROWING RODENTS  100  including the steps of: CONNECTING A FIRST HOSE BETWEEN A FUEL GAS TANK AND A GAS MIXING CHAMBER CONTAINED IN A REMOTE CONTROL PANEL OF A DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE POPULATION OF BURROWING RODENTS, THE REMOTE CONTROL PANEL LOCATED AT A FIRST POSITION  101 , CONNECTING A SECOND HOSE BETWEEN AN OXYGEN TANK AND THE GAS MIXING CHAMBER  102 , CONNECTING A THIRD HOSE BETWEEN A GAS FLOW VALVE CONNECTED TO A DOWNSTREAM END OF THE GAS MIXING CHAMBER AND AN INJECTOR OF THE DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE POPULATION OF BURROWING RODENTS, THE INJECTOR LOCATED AT A SECOND POSITION IN THE RANGE OF 5 TO 100 FEET FROM THE FIRST POSITION  103 , CONNECTING AN IGNITION WIRE BETWEEN AN IGNITION SWITCH ATTACHED TO THE REMOTE CONTROL PANEL AND A HIGH VOLTAGE CONVERTER CONNECTED TO THE INJECTOR  104 , OPENING A HOLE AT A DIRT MOUND OF A BURROWING RODENT, THE HOLE CONNECTING TO A TUNNEL SYSTEM  105 , PLACING A FIRE CONE END OF THE INJECTOR INTO THE HOLE OPENED IN THE DIRT MOUND  106 , OPENING THE GAS FLOW VALVE FOR 30-60 SECONDS, INJECTING A CONTROLLED RATIO OF OXYGEN AND FUEL GAS INTO THE TUNNEL SYSTEM  107 , CLOSING THE GAS FLOW VALVE  108  and ENGAGING THE IGNITION SWITCH CONNECTED TO THE HIGH VOLTAGE CONVERTER, IGNITING THE OXYGEN AND FUEL GAS AT THE FIRE CONE, CAUSING AN EXPLOSION IN THE TUNNEL SYSTEM  109 .  
         [0024]     While this invention has been described with reference to the described embodiments, this description is not to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications to the described embodiments, as well as additional embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.