Patent Publication Number: US-2022220685-A1

Title: Underground drain tube systems and methods of underground installation of drain tube systems

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The disclosed technology regards underground drain tube systems, and methods of installing drain tube systems underground. 
     Overly wet soil can be a serious problem to handle. Wet clay will tend to stick to tires and truck beds greatly reducing load and haul efficiency; water can seep through the surface at unwanted places (such as through asphalt, creating dangerous conditions). Underground water in hillsides and cliffs can create slides and slips with disastrous effects. An unstable hillside slope or road base requires major excavation to remove unstable soil and install conventional pipe and gravel to achieve drainage. 
     Therefore, using current practices extensive effort is required to reduce and redirect the flow of water. Traditional installation of drains include excavation of a trench (including at times the destruction of roadways and other structures), installation of stone, installation of pipe, and then back-filling the trench. Alternatively, massive amounts of earth must be removed to find moisture sources to install drainage to control underground water flow. This process is destructive, expensive, dangerous and time consuming, especially on steep terrain or developed properties, and cause significant disturbance to the surface. The disclosed technology is a very simple solution. 
     The disclosed technology is a system and method that uses a line or series of steel drainage pipes, tunneled into a soil sub-structure. It can be efficiently delivered to remote sites and installed with limited manpower, without disturbing the ground surface or any structures or roadways thereon. Similarly, it can direct water to limit erosion at water sources, such as ponds and lakes. 
     GENERAL DESCRIPTION 
     In an aspect, the disclosed technology provides a method for draining soil moisture and water at a site, beginning with identifying an underground water source or water flow path at a site. Once the water source or flow path, or both, are determined, a specific depth and a specific angle for a secured pipe system to be installed underground can be planned at the site so that when installed, the secured pipe system can penetrate through the water source or water flow path, or both, from a point of origin at, near or above ground. The secured pipe system is constructed in situ from a plurality of steel pipes, which are coupled together by threading at the end(s) of the pipes. The leading pipe of the secured pipe system has a closed pointed tip at its proximal end, and some or all of the pipes have perforations along their surface. The pipe is then installed underground by driving the pipes/system from the point of origin and at the specific angle, until the specific depth is reached, such that a distal end of the secured pipe system extends above the surface of the ground. 
     To inject soil stabilizing materials (e.g., gel and sand) into the earth around the water source/flow, a canister is coupled to the distal end of the secured pipe system. The canister includes a receptacle for receiving the soil stabilizing materials, an intake tube to receive water pressure, and an output tube to couple with the secured pipe system. Water pressure is then provided from a source to the soil stabilizing materials in the canister so that the mixture and water travel out the canister output tube, into and through the secured pipe system and the perforated surfaces of the secured pipe system, and are released into the ground at or near the water source or water flow path, flowing into and creating cracks in the ground, with sand and gel filling the cracks. Once the application is complete the canister is removed from the end of the secured pipe system, thereby allowing disintegrated gel and water accumulating over time in the ground to flow through the sand cracks into the pipe perforations and out the distal end of the secured pipe system. 
     In yet another aspect of the disclosed technology, a soil drain pipe system is provided for installation at a site. In this aspect a secured pipe system is assembled from a plurality of steel pipes. The leading pipe of the system has a closed pointed tip at its proximal end to facilitate drilling the system into the earth. Portions of at least some of the pipes have a perforated surface to allow water and other mixtures to flow from the pipe system, and later for the pipe system to collect and remove water from the site. The soil drain pipe system further includes a removable canister to couple with the secured pipe system intended to receive a mixture of gel, sand and pressurized water for application to the ground by means of the secured pipe system. 
     In yet another aspect of the disclosed technology, a method for injecting a drainage mixture (gel and sand) into soil is provided by coupling a canister to a distal end of an underground secured pipe system. The secured pipe system has a closed pointed tip at its proximal end and a length extending through the soil from a point of origin to a location of water source or water flow. Surface perforations are provided along at least a portion of the length of the secured pipe system. In this method, a drainage mixture comprising a gel and sand is provided in the canister, and water pressure is applied to the mixture in the canister so that the drainage mixture and water travel through the secured pipe system and are forced through the surface perforations of the secured pipe system into the soil. Upon release into the soil the drainage mixture follows and creates cracks and crevices to create a sand and gel filled crack/crevice. The canister is then removed from the end of the secured pipe system. With the secured pipe system in place underground, disintegrated gel and water accumulating over time in the soil flow through the pipe perforations and into the secured pipe system, traveling out the distal end thereof to the surface of the soil. 
     In another aspect of the disclosed technology, a method for draining soil moisture at a site is provided. In this method, a identifying a soil water source or soil water flow path are identified at a site, and from a determined point of origin for installation of a secured pipe system, a specific depth and a specific angle for the system are determined so that the pipe system when installed penetrates through the soil water source or the soil water flow. The secured pipe system includes a leading closed pointed tip, and perforations along at least a portion of its surface. The secured pipe system is then driven into the soil at the specific angle until the specific depth is reached, with its distal end positioned at the point of origin. Thereby, water accumulating over time in the soil flows through the perforations and the secured pipe system out the distal end thereof to the surface of the soil. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
       Embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the leading pipe of the secured pipe system of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of another pipe (with perforations) of the secured pipe system of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of another pipe (without perforations) of the secured pipe system of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the secured pipe system of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a connector of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a canister of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a pipe guide cradle system of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an exemplary environment with the secured pipe system installed. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow diagram depicting a method of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram teaching the calculation of the specific depth and specific angle of the disclosed technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The features and principles of the disclosed technology are described in details and through embodiments below, with reference to the indicated figures. The particular embodiments of the disclosed technology are presented as examples, and should not be understood as limitations of the claimed inventions. The novel features of the disclosed technology can be employed as numerous embodiments within the scope of the disclosed technology. Additional pipes, hammers, guides, and other ancillary equipment necessary for operation of the disclosed technology in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure, the use of which are well known in the art, are not shown in the schematic figures. A person skilled in the art may readily see that various configurations of pipes, tubes, hammers, guides and other standard processing equipment may be employed to achieve desired drainage. 
     The present technology utilizes data from geotechnical reports that identify slip planes and moisture content of soil at a site, including water sources and flow paths, for determining the ideal placement of a secured pipe system as herein described. Optimum compaction moisture is usually between 8 and 15% of the dry weight of the soil. When the moisture content is more than about 15%, the ground may be considered too wet and could contribute to or cause destabilization of the earth or structures or roads thereon. Based on the geotechnical report, and specifically the location of water sources and flow paths underground, as shown in  FIG. 9  a specific angle SA and a specific depth SD from an exposed point of origin PO can be determined for one or more secured pipe systems to penetrate and divert the underground water source/flow WS/F (see, e.g.,  FIG. 9 ). When used herein, the “specific depth” is intended to refer to the underground direct distance from the point of origin through a point at or beyond the water source/flow, as determined by an installer based upon the position of the water source/flow, the point of origin, and the design of the secured pipe system, namely the location of the perforations thereof. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the secured pipe system  10  of the disclosed technology includes a series of secured steel pipes  100 ,  200 ,  300 . The pipes have an approximate length of 3′-5′, or about 4′, and may have a 2″ or similar diameter, thereby making them easily transportable to the site by manpower alone. The pipes further have thick, durable walls  101  capable of sustaining the pressure of installation as hereinafter described. Requisite thickness and composition of the pipes will vary based upon application, with Schedule 20, 40 or 80 pipes being suitable in most applications, as may be determined in relation to the density and composition of the soil. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a leading pipe  100  with a closed pointed tip  103  at a distal end is provided to penetrate the ground in installation as hereinafter described. 
     The pipes can be connected in a variety of ways to form the secured pipe system  10 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the pipes may have mating threaded surfaces at their ends, allowing them to screw together and thereby facilitating easy deployment by manpower. In this embodiment threads on the internal or external end surfaces of the pipes can be matingly engaged with those of an adjacent pipe. Alternatively, the pipes may be affixed by means of a hollow connector  400  as depicted in  FIG. 4 , having threaded surfaces to matingly engage with threaded surfaces on the pipes. Other means to sequentially secure the pipes may be used in furtherance of the disclosed technology, such as internal pipe supports and clamps. In construction a pipe chamfer can be used, and/or lubricant may be applied, to ease the connection of the pipes (directly or by means of connectors). Although the exemplary embodiment shown include three pipes, any number of pipes may be used to form the secured pipe system of the disclosed technology. In order to penetrate the underground water source and/or water flow path, the secured pipe system  10  when completely constructed will have a length at least equal to the specific depth. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , at least some of the pipes are perforated to facilitate the application of a drainage mixture comprising gel and sand into the soil in accordance with the methods of the disclosed technology, and over time to facilitate the evacuation of water from the soil. In application, other of the pipes may be solid to facilitate application and water evacuation from the site, limiting the potential for water to leak from the pipe system into adjacent areas of the soil. The perforated pipes  200  have holes  203  positioned through the walls, along the length and about the circumference of the pipe, and when installed are positioned near, at or in the water source or water flow path. The holes/perforations may have an exemplary diameter of 5/16″, spaced 3″-18″ apart, although other sized holes and configurations may also be suitable for the present application. 
     For purposes of installing the secured pipe system  10  in the soil at the specific angle from the point of origin, a pipe guide cradle system  701  may be set at the site. The secured pipe system is then supported by the pipe guide cradle system as it is driven into the soil by means of an air hammer or other similar equipment suitable for such purposes, until it reaches the specific depth, with a perforated pipe of the secured pipe system penetrating a water source or water flow path at the site. An exemplary pipe guide cradle system is shown in  FIG. 6  useful in drilling the secured pipe system  10  into a soil sub-structure to ensure the system enters the ground at the determined angle of penetration. Specifically, the guide cradle system  700  comprises a base  705  to support the system on a surface, which can be mounted on a rail or staked into the soil. The secured pipe system  10  is mounted and centered onto the cradle  701  angularly adjustable relative to the base  705  by means of a knob  704  coupled with the cradle; a tube  703  can be mounted onto cradle for holding the length of the pipe in the cradle as it is drilled into the earth. 
     In driving the secured pipe system into the earth, a variety of air hammers can be used, for example a fixed hammer head air hammer, or a reciprocating hammer head air hammer for harder soil. The hammer can be connected a head tool, such as a 4″ pipe pusher for example. An air compressor can also be used to power the hammer at the non-driving end. Any suitable air compressor can be used. For example a 100 cfm air compressor can be used to power the hammer. 
     It should be noted that the secured pipe system may be constructed during installation by sequentially securing additional pipes as the system is driven into the soil. 
     Once the secured pipe system is installed by securing and driving pipes  100 ,  200  and/or  300  underground, a canister  500  is attached to the exposed end thereof. The canister is filled with a drainage mixture including gel and sand, and water pressure is applied to transfer the gel/sand mixture up through the secured pipe system and through the perforated sections thereof, thereby delivering sand and gel into the soil. The water follows the path of least resistance directly to the wet sub-structure, and injects the mixture. After about 12 hours, the gel breaks down and drains back into the secured pipe system, evacuating through the system, and leaving the sand in cracks in the soil. 
       FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary canister (or hopper)  500  useful in the disclosed technology. The canister  500  comprises a receptacle  501 , an intake tube  502  and an output tube  503 . In embodiments, the intake tube and output tube are on opposing sides of the canister to facilitate water flow therethrough. The canister is removably secured to the secured pipe system by securing a segment of the canister, e.g. the output tube  503 , to the exposed end of the secured pipe system, by means of opposing threaded surfaces, for example. If necessary, a connector having threaded ends may be used to secure the end of the secured pipe system to the output tube of the canister, wherein for example the connector may have threaded ends which matingly engage with threaded ends of the secured pipe system and the output tube. Other means for securing the output tube of the canister to the exposed end of the secured pipe system may be used. The canister  500  may have any suitable size and shape, for example the canister may be a collapsible bag or a rigid container. In embodiments, the canister  500  has a 10 gallon capacity. 
     The system and methods of the disclosed technology utilize the canister  500  to inject the eco-friendly gel and sand mixture into the soil. Suitable gels for use in the mixture of the present technology include Superslick #1 gel supplied through Mountaineer Specialty LLC, in Weston, W. Va.; other eco-friendly gels capable of substantially disintegrating in the soil would be suitable as well. In an embodiment, the mixture includes about 5 gallons of gel, 2-4 gallons of water and 10 lbs sand. Once the mixture is deposited in the canister  500 , the canister  500  is secured closed. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a bolt on blind flange  505  can be used to secure the canister  500 . Water pressure is then applied to the mixture through the intake tube. Water pressure can be applied in any suitable manner; for example, a triplex pump driven by an A.C. motor can be used to apply pressure from a water source. 
     The mixture is injected at a \pressure sufficient to cause the gel/sand mixture to penetrate into the soil through the perforations of the secured pipe system  10 . Once in the soil, the mixture follows cracks in the soil creating a sand filled crack. Typically, the water pressure supplied is about 100 psi. 
     The canister  500  is then decoupled from the secured pipe system. Over time the gel will break down and drain back into and through the secured pipe system, leaving just the sand in place. Thereafter, as water traverses or accumulates in the area about the secured pipe system, it accumulates in the sand-filled cracks and is guided into the system and delivered thereby to the surface of the soil at the point of origin. 
     After the canister is decoupled from the secured pipe system, an exposed portion of the last pipe extending beyond the ground surface may be cut, for example using a saw blade which can be oscillating, hand, or any other type of blade, so that when the secured pipe system is installed at the specific depth the cut end is at or near the surface of the soil. 
     Additional secured pipe systems may be constructed and installed near the first secured pipe system to further facilitate the removal of water from the site. It is anticipated that each secured pipe system installed in accordance with the technology herein described will withdraw and evacuate water from surrounding soil about a 15′ radius of the location of the system; therefore, additional secured pipe systems may be positioned about 30′ or more apart one from another to effectively remove water from the site, although the geotechnical report and its revelation of water flow at the site may suggest alternative positioning of additional secured pipe systems at the site. 
       FIG. 7  shows an exemplary environment in which soil needs to be drained. In this example, the earth soil includes an area of bedrock and slip bulge caused by the moisture content. The disclosed system can be used in this situation to penetrate the bedrock to the slip bulge in order to drain the moisture. Once the system is installed to reach the bedrock, the soil has both drainage and an anchor. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart that represents an example embodiment of the methods of installation and use of the disclosed system. Method 1 begins at step  11 , where an underground water source or water flow path is identified at a site, using one or more geotechnical reports. At step  12  a specific depth and a specific angle for a secured pipe system to be installed into the soil at the site is determined. The pipes  100 ,  200 , and/or  300  are then provided to the site at step  13 . At step  15  the secured pipe system is constructed by securing the distal end of the first pipe to the proximal end of another pipe, and affixing additional pipes thereafter, and the secured pipe system so constructed is driven into the soil at the specific angle at step  16 , until the specific depth is reached. At step  17  a canister is coupled to the distal end of the secured pipe system, and a mixture of gel and sand is placed into the canister at step  18 . A source of pressurized water is coupled to the intake tube of the canister at step  19 , and then pressurized water is provided to the mixture at step  20 . Finally, the canister is removed from the distal end of the secured pipe system at step  21 . Optionally, at step  22  the process can be repeated for another secured pipe system along contiguous areas of the soil according to the spacing determined at the site. 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 1 illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 8 . Additionally, the steps of  FIG. 8  may be performed in parallel or in any logical order. Moreover, the embodiments described with respect to the present disclosure are expected to be fully combinable and suitable for use in other appropriate embodiments described herein. 
     The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be exemplary in every respect and non-restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined not by the foregoing description of the embodiment but by the claims. The present disclosure is intended to encompass all the alterations that are equivalent in significance and scope to the claims. Features described in any one embodiment may be applied in any other embodiment.