DEGASSING APPARATUS FOR GOLF COURSE WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Abstract

Improved golf course drainage systems (10) are provided which include respective drainage subsystems (12, 16), beneath the greens(14) and fairways (18) of a golf course, together with degassing apparatus (36, 64, 84) operably coupling the subsystems (12, 16) and permitting venting of contaminating gases generated within the drainage systems (10). The degassing apparatus (36, 64, 84) includes a tubular connector (44, 66, 85) establishing an offset distance between the adjacent ends (40, 42) of the subsystems (12, 16), along with a vent (46, 68) in communication with the connector (44, 66, 85). The connector (44) maybe upright to establish a vertical offset distance, or a generally horizontal connector (66, 85) may be used to establish a lateral or axial offset distance. The apparatus (36, 64, 84) permits normal drainage of water while preventing build up of undesirable gases which would otherwise rise through the soil and adversely affect the turf of the golf course.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is broadly concerned with improved water drainage systems for golf courses prone to the buildup of contaminating gases therein which can rise through the soil and adversely affect turf grass. More particularly, it is concerned with such drainage systems having strategically located degassing apparatus serving to safely vent such contaminating gases to the atmosphere while retaining the ability to effectively drain water from the golf courses.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Modern-day golf courses are designed to include subsurface water drainage systems so as to carry away excess water from rainfall or periodic watering. Such drainage systems are important, because poor drainage affects a golf course's playability, appearance, economics, and reputation. Experienced golfers dread a golf course which turns muddy during wet weather. Dirty shoes, mud balls, and cart restrictions take away much of the enjoyment of the golf game.

Conventional golf course drainage systems include subsystems located beneath both the greens and fairways thereof, and each subsystem typically includes main lines with a series of lateral lines therefrom. The subsystems are interconnected so that the entire system drains to a surface lake or retention pond forming a part of the course, or to a storm sewer system. The drainage system lines are normally formed using interconnected, perforate drain tile sections of appropriate diameter (e.g., from 2-6 inches) to meet the anticipated drainage requirements. During installation of the fairway subsystems of an overall drainage system, elongated trenches are dug for the main and lateral lines, and the tiles are placed within the trenches. The originally excavated earthen fill is then simply pushed back into the trenches to cover the installed tiles, with appropriate tamping and reseeding. On the other hand, installation of the green drainage subsystems is more complex, expensive, and time consuming. In the case of the more important greens, the main and lateral trenches are dug, and a layer of clean pea-sized gravel is installed along the trenches. The drain tiles are then carefully placed and pinned in position to ensure proper fall and drainage, and additional pea gravel is deposited over the tile. Some of the original earthen fill is then placed over the

It is known that sufficient oxygen must be present in golf course soil to achieve good turf growth and condition. However, such dissolved oxygen in the earth may be rapidly used up by the microorganisms present in the soil adjacent the turf roots. Moreover, the fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals applied to the golf course turf tend to leach through the soil and end up in the underlying drainage system. If the drainage system is properly designed, these contaminants are flushed through the system with excess drainage water. Nonetheless, it is known that contaminating gases such as carbon dioxide and methane can be generated in golf course drainage systems, owing to the decay of the residual turf-applied chemicals. These gases tend to rise through the soil towards the turf roots and deleteriously harm the turf by displacing oxygen and poisoning the turf roots. In an effort to mitigate this problem, it has been proposed in the past to install an in-line tee-fitting in golf course drainage systems and to connect an upright surface vent to the open leg of the tee-fitting, such that the green drainage line, tee-fitting, and fairway drainage lines are all at essentially the same depth and with die adjacent ends of the green and fairway lines in alignment. However, this expedient does not fully solve the problem, and turf analyses confirm the presence of the unwanted gases even in drainage systems equipped with tee-fitting vents.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,148 describes a golf course drainage system equipped with an underground filter to remove nutrients, pesticides, and other contaminants from the drainage water prior to delivery thereof to a retention pond. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,172,366 and 6,018,909 describe subsurface aeration systems where pressurized air is injected into the soil to improve turf growth conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides improved golf course drainage systems for golf courses including greens and fairways. Broadly speaking, the drainage systems comprise first drainage subsystems beneath the greens, with each including at least one tubular drainage line oriented to convey excess water away from the corresponding green and presenting a first end. The complete systems further have second drainage subsystems beneath the fairways, with each likewise having at least one tubular fairway drainage line oriented to convey excess water away from the associated fairway and presenting a second end. Degassing apparatus is operably coupled between the greens drainage lines and the fairways drainage lines and includes a tubular connector operably coupling the first and second ends and establishing an offset distance therebetween, and a tubular vent in operable communication with the connector in order to vent gasses from the first and second drainage subsystems to the atmosphere. The degassing apparatus in one embodiment provides an upright connector to give a vertical offset distance if sufficient fall distance is available, and in other embodiments a substantially horizontal connector is used to give either a lateral or axial offset distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a typical golf green and fairway equipped with a underground drainage system, the system including the degassing apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a portion of a fairway drainage system tile, and depicting the deviations from grade along the length thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the tile illustrated in FIG. 2 and depicting the pooling of liquid in a low point therein and emission of gasses from the liquid;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view illustrating one embodiment of the degassing apparatus of the invention, installed in a golf course drainage system to provide a lateral offset between the ends of green and fairway drainage subsystems in order to permit venting of contaminating gases;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view illustrating another degassing apparatus embodiment providing a lateral offset between the ends of the green and fairway drainage systems; and

FIG. 6 is an isometric view similar to that of FIG. 5 and illustrating another degassing apparatus embodiment providing an axial offset between the ends of the green and fairway drainage systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is designed to provide effective degassing of golf course drainage systems 10 as such systems exist in practice. Generally, such systems 10 (see FIG. 1) include greens subsystems 12 beneath the high maintenance greens 14 of a golf course, and fairway subsystems 16 beneath the lower maintenance fairways 18. The subsystems 12 and 16 are interconnected and drain to one or more retention ponds or storm sewer systems(not shown). The subsystems 12 and 16 are similar in that each includes a plurality of interconnected drain lines formed of end-to-end coupled apertured or perforated drain tiles, such as primary lines 20 and 22 and secondary or lateral lines 24 and 26.

Despite the similarity between the subsystems 12 and 16, they are not created equal, i.e., the greens subsystems 12 are generally constructed with much greater care and attention to detail, as compared with the fairway subsystems 16. In fact, it has been determined that many fairway subsystems exhibit deviations and undulations along the lengths of the primary and lateral lines 22 and 26 thereof with consequent low points. This stems from the common method of installation of the fairway subsystems 16, wherein the initially excavated earthen fill is simply pushed back on top of the subsystem lines 22 and 26 after installation thereof, without the presence of pea gravel or other particulate material surrounding the tiles. Consequently, large clumps of dirt, clay, and rock impinge upon the lightweight tiles making up the lines 22 and 26, which displaces the tiles within the trench. In some cases, the clumps can get under the tiles and raise them, again causing line deviations. This phenomenon is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, which depicts a portion 28 of a fairway drainage subsystem 16. As illustrated, the portion 28 has significant variation from the horizontal grade line 30. Normally, these deviations are not enough to disrupt all drainage from the subsystems 16, but inevitably low points 32 are created which tend to collect and retain small quantities or pools of water such as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The collected water within the low points 32 of the fairway subsystems 16 contain quantities of turf-applied chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. These contaminants will over time decay and generate significant quantities undesirable gases such as carbon dioxide and methane (illustrated by arrows 34 in FIG. 3). Unless remedial measures are taken, these gases will rise through the opening in the drainage tile lines 22 and 26 and the soil above the lines. Ultimately, these gases will displace desirable dissolved oxygen in the soil and will adversely affect the turf roots.

The present invention provides degassing apparatus 36 as illustrated in FIG. 4, which is designed to vent the undesirable gases formed in the subsystems 12 and 16 to the atmosphere, thus preventing such gases from rising through the soil. At the same time, normal drainage of water through the subsystems is not impaired.

As depicted in FIG. 4, the apparatus 36 is preferably installed slightly outside of a green 14 and serves to interconnect the subsystems 12 and 16 so as to permit water drainage in the usual fashion, while also allowing full venting of contaminating gases. As illustrated, the primary line 20 of the green subsystem 12 is carefully installed with surrounding pea gravel 38 and presents an open end 40. On the other hand, the primary line 22 of fairway subsystem 16 is simply buried within the soil without provision of surrounding pea gravel or other protective material, and has an open end 42.

Apparatus 36 includes an upright tubular connector broadly referred to by the numeral 44 which operably couples the ends 40 and 42, together with a tubular vent 46 coupled with the connector 44. In particular, the connector 44 includes a tee-fitting 48 installed on end 40 with a depending pipe section 50 secured within the lower end of the tee-fitting 48. Another tee-fitting 52 is attached to the lower end of pipe section 50 and the open end 42 of line 22. The lowermost of tee-fitting 52 is filled with particulate material such as pea gravel 54. The vent 46 comprises an upstanding pipe section 56 secured to the upper end of tee-fitting 48. This pipe section 56 extends to a point at or slightly above grade and has an uppermost, apertured vent cap 58. In use, the apparatus 36 permits normal drainage of water from the subsystems 12 and 16, as indicated by arrows 60. At the same time, noxious gases generated within the low points 32 of subsystem 16 pass along the length of the lines 22 and 26 until they reach the apparatus 36. At this point the gases are diverted upwardly as illustrated by arrows 62 through pipe section 50, tee-fitting 48 and pipe section 56, and are vented to the atmosphere through cap 58. There is little or no tendency for the gases to travel into the greens subsystem 12 because of the vertical offset between the ends 40 and 42, and because the subsystem 12 may be slightly pressurized by gases therein which also vent through apparatus 36.

The apparatus 36 is generally used where a minimum of 14 inches of fall is gained as the line 20 extends toward the fairway or fall off point. During installation, a trench is normally dug following the existing line 20 towards the fairway 18. A laser level is used to confirm that the elevation of the line 20 has dropped at least a total of 14 inches. The apparatus 36 has a total height of about 12 inches, thus establishing a two inch gravity fall from the green 14 down to the location of the apparatus 36. The lower pea gravel 54 serves to collect a small amount of water during drainage. As this small amount of water evaporates, it augments the venting of the contaminating gases to the atmosphere.

FIG. 5 illustrates another type of degassing apparatus 64 which is similar in many respects to the apparatus 36, and like reference numerals are used for the same components. The apparatus 64 again includes a generally horizontally disposed tubular connector 66 and an upright tubular vent 68. Thus, the apparatus 64 provides a lateral and horizontal offset between the proximal ends of the lines 20 and 22, as compared with the vertical offset of apparatus 36. In this case the connector 66 comprises an elbow 70 connected to the end of line 20, and a short horizontal pipe section 72 extending from the opposite end thereof. The section 72 has a tee-fitting 74 at its opposite end, and one leg thereof receives and is connected to the end of line 22. The vent 68 includes a short horizontal pipe section 76 secured to the other end of tee-fitting 74, as well as a tee-fitting 78 at the opposite end of section 76. An upright pipe section 80 extends upwardly from elbow, and has an uppermost flange 82 which receives vent cap 58. The lower open end of tee-fitting 78 is provided with gravel 54 as shown in FIG. 4.

The degassing apparatus 64 operates in the same fashion as the apparatus 36, i.e., it permits drainage flow of water as illustrated by arrows 60 as well as venting of contaminating gases as exemplified by arrows 62. The apparatus 64 is generally installed where 14 inches of fall cannot be obtained as explained above. In installing this apparatus, a trench is typically dug to re-route the fairway drainage line 22 by about 10 inches; in some cases a small addition is added to the line 22 for this purpose.

FIG. 6 illustrates another horizontal offset degassing apparatus 84 which is similar to apparatus 64 and like reference numerals have been used to designate like parts. Conceptually, apparatus 84 differs from apparatus 64 in that the ends of lines 20 and 22 are in axial alignment but are axially offset. In particular, the apparatus 84 includes a generally horizontally disposed tubular connector 85 between the lines 20 and 227 as well as an upright tubular vent 68. In this case the connector 85 is generally U-shaped and includes an elbow 70 connected to the end of line 22, and a short horizontal pipe section 72 extending from the opposite end thereof. A tee-fitting 74 is coupled with the end of pipe section 72, and has a short pipe section 86 secured to the right-hand end thereof as shown in FIG. 6. An elbow 88 is coupled with the opposite end of pipe section 86 and has another pipe section 90, similar in length to pipe section 72, from the opposite end thereof. A final elbow 92 is secured to the end of pipe section 90 and is attached to line 22. The vent 68 is identical to that of FIG. 5, and includes pipe section 76, tee-fitting 78, upright pipe 80, flange 82 and cap 58. Again, the lower open end of fitting 78 has gravel 54 therein.

The degassing apparatus 84 operates as the same fashion as apparatus 64, with arrows 60 indicating water drainage flow and arrow 62 indicating venting flow of gasses.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, an important aspect of the invention is the provision of a tubular connector between the green and fairway subsystems 12 and 16 which effectively separates these subsystems by providing a vertical, lateral and/or axial offset between the subsystems and allows venting at the separation point. Tie offset between the adjacent ends of the subsystems 12 and 16 afforded by the degassing apparatus of the invention is preferably at least about 3 inches, and more preferably from about 3-12 inches. In any case, the offset separation assures that contaminating gases within the fairway subsystem 16 are readily vented, thus significantly lessening the adverse affects of such gases.

Claims

1. A golf course drainage system for a golf course including a green and a fairway, said system comprising:

a first drainage subsystem beneath said green and including at least one tubular green drainage line oriented to convey excess water away from the green and presenting a first end;

a second drainage subsystem beneath said fairway and including at least one tubular fairway drainage line oriented to convey excess water away from the fairway and presenting a second end; and

degassing apparatus operably coupling said green drainage line and said fairway drainage line and including a tubular connector operably coupling said first and second ends and establishing an offset distance between said first and second ends, and a tubular vent in operable communication with said connector in order to vent gases from the first and second drainage subsystems to the atmosphere.

2. The system of claim 1, said offset distance being at least about 3 inches, measured center-to-center between said first and second ends.

3. The system of claim 2, said distance being from about 3-12 inches.

4. The system of claim 1, said first end being above said second end with said connector being upright and said offset distance being vertical.

5. The system of claim 4, said vent having an open lower end containing particulate fill material.

6. The system of claim 1, said first end being laterally offset relative to said second end with said connector being substantially horizontally disposed.

7. The system of claim 1, said first end being axially offset relative to said second end with said connector being substantially horizontally disposed.

8. The system of claim 1, including an apertured vent cap located at the upper end of said vent.