Abstract: The functioning of the leach field of a septic tank type sewage system is maintained or rejuvenated by flowing air or other active gas through the system's conduits, for instance, leaching chambers or perforated pipes in stone filled trenches. Differential pressure created by an air mover forces air or other active gas to flow through the soil adjacent the conduits, to an extent sufficient to push water from any saturated soil and effect desirable aerobic biochemical conditions in the soil. In alternate embodiments, conduits may be pressurized or evacuated. Valves and other plumbing are provided to control air flow and enable continued function of the sewage system during air flow treatment. Auxiliary piping, buried adjacent the trenches of the leach field, is pressurized or evacuated to cause air flow through the soil and or the conduits of the leach field.

Abstract: An apparatus mounted on a trailer is used to connect to an underground pipe array such as is installed under a golf course. The apparatus includes a vertical shaft blower unit with an impeller rotating in a horizontal plane. An engine mounted on the blower unit has a vertical engine shaft connected to the vertical shaft of the blower unit. An inlet duct of the blower unit is located below a discharge duct of the blower unit. The inlet duct and discharge duct are oriented in the same direction, and when the engine is a gasoline engine having an exhaust muffler, the exhaust muffler is oriented in the same direction as the inlet and discharge ducts. Since all the noise discharge points of the apparatus are pointed in the same direction, the trailer can be turned so that the noise generated during operation of the apparatus is directed away from players on the golf course. A water separator is preferably connected between the inlet duct and the impeller.

Abstract: Soil profiles of sports fields, such as those in stadiums and golf courses, are treated by injecting or suctioning gases and water by means of buried horizontal pipe arrays or by vertical penetrators. The extent of soil treatment is controlled by measurement of subsurface gas composition and pressure at locations remote from the point of gas injection or removal, preferably by using a special probe. Penetrators and probes form seals within shaped holes in the soil profile, to control the depth of the layer at which gas is exchanged, and to inhibit atmospheric air flow vertically along the bodies of the devices. For example, a conical penetrator section forms a seal within the hole by compacting the shoulder of a stepped hole and it forms a second seal at the surface of the soil by means of a plate and gasket. In other penetrator installations, a radially expansible material forms the seal. Penetrators of one or two part construction may be removably installed in fields, to facilitate re-treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a test load to an article (104) has upper and lower mounting members (10,12) between which the article is attached. The lower member (14) is connected via a girder (52) to a weight attachment plate (56) and beneath the plate is a plurality of weights (A to Z), each having a peg (62) which extends through a corresponding aperture in the plate.A solenoid-actuated collar (80) mounted on the plate (56) is associated with each peg (62), and by appropriate actuation of the solenoids, one or more of the weights (A to Z) may be releasably attached to the plate (56).The selected load may be applied to the article under test (104) by actuation of a fluid-operated ram (48) which displaces the upper mounting member (10) upwardly.