SPORT FIELD COOLING SYSTEM AND METHOD
A system and associated method is disclosed for manipulation and control of air temperature in sport field and associated environments, wherein geothermally and/or mechanically cooled source air is distributed, via one or more air handling unit or air handling component, to the requisite environment through one or more pipes and a plurality of associated, uniquely configured, supply air nozzles. Such system and associated method of use and application solves, or dramatically reduces, the problem of elevated playing surface and/or elevated player envelope environmental temperatures.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/617,937, filed Mar. 30, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe subject matter of the present invention relates, generally, to manipulation and control of air temperature above sports fields or other playing surfaces, and/or to manipulation and control of air temperature in or about facilities associated therewith; and it relates, more particularly, to a novel system and associated method for manipulation and control of air temperature in such environments, wherein geothermally and/or mechanically cooled source air is distributed, via one or more air handling unit or air handling component, to the requisite environment through one or more pipes and a plurality of associated, uniquely configured, supply air nozzles.
BACKGROUNDA commonly recognized, persistent problem associated with outdoor, field-based sports is that of elevated playing surface and/or elevated player envelope environmental temperatures. For purposes of this discussion, the “player envelope” is defined as that volume of air wherein human play occurs for a particular sport. The player envelope may be thought of as that volume of air between the field level surface and the maximum playing elevation—for example, the maximum anticipated player jump height—of the sport under consideration, across the expanse of the typical playing surface. In some instances, the definition of “player envelope” may be extended to include associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas wherein players, coaches, managers, medical personnel, media representatives, and/or others may be stationed or positioned, or wherein they may traverse from time-to-time. Representative examples of such associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas might include sidelines, bullpens, dugouts, on-deck circles, warm-up/warm-down areas, warning tracks, end zones, and other player boundaries, and/or the like.
This problem of elevated playing surface and/or elevated player envelope environmental temperatures has been recognized across many sports, including, but not limited to, football, soccer, baseball, track and field, rugby, lacrosse, and others. For reasons that will be discussed in greater detail below, the problem is most often associated with synthetic playing surfaces; however, natural playing surfaces certainly are implicated, as well.
Variables, such as local weather conditions, humidity, geographic location, the specific characteristics of the playing surface, the specific characteristics of any associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas, the occurance of natural air convection currents, the existence of areas of shading, and the like, may each have an impact upon the extent and magnitude of the problem. Further exacerbating the problem are the added weight and insulating characteristics of player clothing and protective gear. Temperatures may be merely uncomfortable, or they may become so elevated as to be dangerous, or, in some instances, even deadly.
Of course, with increasing temperatures, there are often associated reductions in an athlete's physical performance, output, and stamina. On one hand, a player may experience mere discomfort from modestly elevated temperatures. As temperatures rise, however, a player may become dehydrated, he or she may be exposed to any of a variety of medical risks associated with such elevated temperatures, and, in some cases, a player may require hospitalization or even may die.
As temperatures increase, coaches and trainers must remain mindful of and manage their players' physical conditions, both individually and in the aggregate, while keeping in mind attendant performance and medical guidelines, and while trying to manage practice or game-related activities occurring on the field. This is, of course, no easy task. Additionally, coaches, owners, organizers, field operators, and the like, remain concerned about risk and liability to themselves and their organizations, given the above-described potential for injury or death.
Just how bad can the problem be? In 2003, Brigham Young University (“BYU”) conducted a study on synthetic turf sports fields, comparing temperatures within the playing field perimeter to those outside of the perimeter. The findings of that study showed that temperatures inside the playing field perimeter could be up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit higher than those outside the playing field perimeter. The BYU study demonstrated that, regardless of ambient air temperature, a synthetic turf surface rapidly absorbs heat from sunlight and, in return, radiates it from the surface; thus, creating increased and hazardous playing level temperatures.
During development of the subject matter of the present invention, a mock-up study of an hydronic cooling system was performed. The goal of the study was to test the efficacy of an hydronic cooling system installed below a synthetic turf surface; and, specifically, to test the ability of such a system to reduce the temperature of the synthetic turf surface, as well as the air temperatures between the surface and 72 inches above the surface. Two test configurations were used. First, a water dispersion system was used to replicate an irrigation cooling system. Second, a closed loop, subsurface radiant cooling system was used.
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- at the topping stone level, where the cooling tubing was installed (−4 inches);
- at the turf surface (0 inches);
- 24 inches above the synthetic turf surface; and
- 72 inches above the synthetic turf surface.
A heat lamp was used to replicate direct sunlight to the surface of the synthetic turf. Prior to initiation of either hydronic cooling system, temperatures were taken to verify that temperatures shown in the earlier-referenced BYU study could be replicated with the test system, and to serve as a basis to extrapolate that test system results would be compatible with the findings of the BYU study. Accordingly, the following temperatures were replicated:
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- 150 degrees Fahrenheit at the field surface;
- 120 degrees Fahrenheit at 24 inches above the field surface; and
- 90 degrees Fahrenheit at 72 inches above the field surface.
Following replication of the BYU results, each cooling system was activated in-turn. Surface, air, and water temperatures were recorded, as were water flow rates.
Thus, although the objective had been to prove that cooling of the synthetic turf could be achieved by installing a hydronic cooling system below the turf surface, after in-depth testing, it was discovered that the cooling differential needed to make a difference in ambient and/or surface temperatures associated with the synthetic turf surface was in excess of that which was achievable through the hydronic cooling system. It was observed in all three testing scenarios that the turf backing layer, also known as the “e”-layer, contributed in large part to the inability of the hydronic cooling system to reduce temperatures at or above the turf level.
What is needed, but not currently available, is a system and related methods of use and application for cooling a sports field and/or its associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas. Such a system and related methods should be effective in reducing the average ambient temperature of the player envelope, or a specified portion thereof, and should be extensible to cooling associated, ancillary, and/or auxilliary areas not able to be cooled according to conventional systems and methods.
Accordingly, it is to the disclosure of such a system, and related methods of use and application, that the following disclosure is directed.
SUMMARYIn general, the present disclosure is directed to the manipulation and control of air temperature above sports fields or other playing surfaces, and/or to manipulation and control of air temperature in or about associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas associated therewith. Specifically, and pursuant to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a system and associated method is disclosed for manipulation and control of air temperature in such environments, wherein geothermally and/or mechanically cooled source air is distributed, via one or more air handling unit or air handling component, to the requisite environment through one or more pipes and a plurality of associated, uniquely configured, supply air nozzles. Such system and associated method of use and application solves, or dramatically reduces, the problem of elevated playing surface and/or elevated player envelope environmental temperatures. Such system and associated method of use and application is further extensible to cooling associated, ancillary, and/or auxilliary areas not typically able to be cooled according to conventional systems and methods.
Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the subject field cooling system comprises three principal parts. First, the system comprises a cooling source. Second, the system comprises a fan system to draw air from the cooling source and send it to the field and/or associated, ancillary, and/or auxilliary areas. Third, the system comprises an air distribution means further comprising a plurality of supply air nozzles.
The cooling source may comprise geothermally cooled air, such as may be drawn from underground geothermal air piping. Alternatively, the cooling source may comprise mechanical cooling, such as, but not limited to, air cooled chillers, dry coolers, and water cooled chillers. Still further alternatively, the cooling source may comprise a combination of geothermally and mechanically cooled air.
The fan system may comprise an enclosed “box”-type air handling unit and/or air handling component that separates the source cooling and supply cooling components.
The air distribution means comprises air distribution piping and a plurality of spaced-apart supply air nozzles. This part of the system carries cooled air through the distribution piping and upwardly through the turf or ground layer via a plurality of associated, uniquely configured, supply air nozzles.
Thus, in operation and use, the fan system draws cooled air from the cooling source, and sends the cooled air to the air distribution means and plurality of supply air nozzles, whereafter the cooled air is provided to the field and/or any associated, ancillary, and/or auxilliary areas and acts to reduce the player envelope environmental temperatures.
These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments of such a sports field cooling system, and the associated method or methods of use and application, as set forth within the present disclosure, will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following Detailed Description of Illustrative Embodiments and the Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures.
Accordingly, the within disclosure will be best understood through consideration of, and with reference to, the following drawing Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of Illustrative Embodiments referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure, and in which:
It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTSIn describing the several embodiments illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Additionally, in the Figures, like reference numerals shall be used to designate corresponding parts throughout the several Figures.
Illustrated in
In some embodiments, intake pipes 150 comprise 8 inch corrugated drain pipes; however, it will be appreciated that intake pipes 150 may be of any size, shape, and configuration suitable for the purposes and uses described herein. Importantly, in some embodiments, intake pipes are inset below the surface of ground G in order to take advantage of the relatively cooler subsurface ground temperatures to cool intake air A substantially below ambient, above-ground intake temperatures. In designing system 100, one would consider the geographic region in which system 100 will operate, average subsurface temperature gradients, the nature of subsurface materials and conditions, the space available for placement of intake pipes 150, the number of intake pipes 150 that can fit into such space, and other such constraints and design considerations, in order to ascertain an appropriate subsurface depth at which to place intake pipes 150. The subsurface depth of intake pipes 150 should be appropriate so as to be able to cool intake air A sufficiently to meet design output temperature specifications. In the exemplary embodiment of
In order to draw intake air A into geothermal intake unit 120, and thereafter into intake pipes 150, system 100 is provided with air handling unit 220. In some embodiments, air handling unit 220 comprises two chambers, source side air handling chamber 220a and supply side plenum chamber 220b, separated by plenum wall 220c. Air handling unit 220 further comprises access door 230 so as to allow passage of personnel, equipment, tools, and the like into air handling unit 220. In some embodiments, air handling unit 220 may be provided with floor 240, operable for support of personnel, maintenance equipment, tools, and the like. Air handling unit 220 provides an enclosure within which second ends 260 of intake pipes 150 terminate, after having traversed underground from geothermal intake unit 120. Intake pipes 150 thereafter rise through ground G and terminate within air handling unit 220. In some embodiments, floor 240 may comprise one or more filters 270, comprising appropriate filtration media, operable in association with intake pipes 150 to prevent incursion of dust, dirt, particulates, insects, and the like, into air handling unit 220.
In the embodiment shown in
Source air fan 280, having drawn cooled intake air A into air handling chamber 220a of air handling unit 220, then operates to force that cooled intake air A through one or more appropriately sized and positioned openings or ducts passing through plenum wall 220c. Cooled intake air A, thereby, is forced by source air fan 280 into plenum chamber 220b. It will be apparent that cooled intake air A within plenum chamber 220b is at relatively higher pressure than the air within air handling chamber 220a. Accordingly, this relatively higher pressure air may then be distributed as supply air to a sports field, and/or associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas, as will next be described.
As can be seen with continuing reference to
Due to the higher supply air pressure within plenum chamber 220b, supply air passes from plenum chamber 220b, through first end 290 of supply air piping 300, and is thereafter distributed throughout the expanse of supply air piping 300 residing below sports field F. A plurality of uniquely configured, supply air nozzles 320 are fluidly connected to supply air piping 300 via riser tubes 330, and rise at spaced-apart intervals through ground G, and through the turf surface of sports field F, wherein supply air nozzles 320 allow the cooled supply air to exit system 100. The cooled supply air builds from ground G level upwardly, cooling and/or displacing the ambient, warmer air as the supply of relatively cooler air is maintained. Over time, the player envelope is established and can be maintained by continual operation of system 100.
For further details of the various components and embodiments of a system and associated method for manipulation and control of air temperature in association with sports fields and/or associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas, as described herein, we next turn to
In system 600, source air A is drawn, via one or more fans 605 contained within a source side of air handling unit 610, through air inlet hood 615, and into earth tube field 620. Earth tube field 620 comprises subsurface intake pipes 630, where source air A is cooled below ambient temperature, as the source air traverses through intake pipes 630 of earth tube field 620 to air handling unit 610, all as was described in greater detail above. Cooled air is blown by the fan or fans into a supply side of air handling unit 610, whereafter it is distributed through interconnected, subsurface, supply air piping 640 to a plurality of spaced-apart nozzles 650 penetrating sports field F. Best seen with reference to the embodiment of
Turning next to
Within the embodiment of
In the embodiment shown in
In use and operation, source side air fans 760 operate to draw intake air from the ambient environment, through the intake unit, and into the intake pipes, as has been described in greater detail hereinabove. As source air fans 760 continue to draw intake air through the subsurface intake pipes, the air is cooled relative to its former temperature by its interaction with the cooler ground temperatures associated with the subsurface intake pipes. Cooled intake air is pulled by source air fans 760 into air handling chamber 720a of air handling unit 720, first being filtered by interaction with filters 750.
Source air fans 760, having drawn cooled intake air into air handling chamber 720a of air handling unit 720, then operate to force that cooled intake air through one or more appropriately sized and positioned openings or ducts 780 passing through plenum wall 720c. Cooled intake air, thereby, is forced by source air fans 760 into plenum chamber 720b. It will be apparent that the cooled intake air within plenum chamber 720b is at relatively higher pressure than the air within air handling chamber 720a. Accordingly, this relatively higher pressure air may then be distributed as supply air to a sports field, and/or associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas, through one or more first end 790 of one or more supply air piping 800.
Turning now to
Due to the higher supply air pressure within plenum chamber 720b, supply air passes from plenum chamber 720b, through first end 790 of supply air piping 800, and is thereafter distributed throughout the expanse of supply air piping 800 set below sports field F. A plurality of uniquely configured, supply air nozzles 820 are fluidly connected to supply air piping 800 via riser tubes, and rise at spaced-apart intervals through the ground, and through the turf surface of sports field F, wherein supply air nozzles 820 allow the cooled supply air to exit the system. As previously described, the cooled supply air builds from ground level upwardly, cooling and/or displacing the ambient, warmer air as the supply of relatively cooler air is maintained. Over time, the player envelope is established and can be maintained by continual operation of the system.
Turning now to
So assembled, supply air nozzle 920 passes from supply air piping 940, through ground layer G, and through the turf layer of field F. Because supply air nozzle 920 is hollow throughout its interior, supply air can pass from supply air piping 940, through nozzle 920, and outward to field F, and/or associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas. As was previously described, the cooled supply air builds from ground level G upwardly, cooling and/or displacing the ambient, warmer air as the supply of relatively cooler air is maintained. Over time, the player envelope is established and can be maintained by continual operation of the aforedescribed system.
It is important to note that tube 1000 serves an important role in the use of the aforedescribed cooling system. Because tube 1000 comprises flexible latex, or another similarly durable, but flexible, material, it does not interfere with play or other activities occurring on field F. Thus, persons on field F will not be injured if (or when) they fall upon supply air nozzle 920 during activities on the field; nor will they be impeded when running, jumping, or otherwise participating in activities on the field.
As was generally described above, in situations where the system will require supplementary or dedicated cooling to achieve design output temperatures, mechanical equipment, such as water or air cooled chillers, condensing units, and dry-coolers may be used, either as an adjunct to, or a replacement for, geothermal source air cooling. Where such adjunct or combined systems are used, the system fans may be configured, for example, to draw ambient air from the surrounding area, through the subsurface earth tube field, then through the mechanical cooling system, and into the source plenum of the fan assembly. All such combinations, uses, designs, and constructs are contemplated for use in association with the presently disclosed system.
As was also generally described above, the field cooling system of the present disclosure can be applied to, and/or used, for many different purposes and applications, also referred to in-part hereinabove as associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas. Accordingly, the following is a non-limiting list of exemplary applications where field specific and/or generalized cooling according to the present system and method would be beneficial:
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- All types of outdoor natural grass playing fields;
- All types of outdoor synthetic turf playing fields;
- Bullpens and dugouts;
- Indoor Synthetic Turf Fields;
- Supplementary HVAC systems for building acclimation;
- Common areas;
- Indoor cooling for building space under a playing field;
- Spectator seating areas, whether of flat or stadium type; and
- Tracks and associated interior fields.
In addition, the aforedescribed field cooling system can be adapted to provide overhead cooling. In situations such as dugouts for baseball, a branch line can be installed from the field cooling system to deliver conditioned air to above ground spaces, such as dugouts. This system and method may utilize a “jet nozzle” type distribution, which allows for spot cooling.
The above described system and associated disclosure may now be seen to further describe a method for cooling a sports field, and/or associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas. In accordance with such method, intake air is drawn from the ambient environment and into one or more subsurface intake pipes, as has been described in greater detail hereinabove. As intake air continues to be drawn through the subsurface intake pipes, the air is cooled relative to its former temperature by its interaction with the cooler ground temperatures associated with the subsurface intake pipes. Cooled intake air is then directed as supply air to a sports field, and/or to associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas.
Optional steps of the described method may include filtering the supply air, as desired. Other optional steps may include cooling the intake air by one or more mechanical cooling system. Further optional steps may include passing the air through any one or more of the various elements, component parts, and subsystems as have been described more fully hereinabove. Still further optional steps may include combinations of any of the above described steps.
Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure, it is noted that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present subject matter is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.
Claims
1. A cooling system for control of air temperature in association with a sport field comprising:
- an air intake;
- a cooling source;
- an air handling unit;
- a plurality of supply air nozzles;
- means for directing air from said air intake, through said cooling source, through said air handling unit, and into said plurality of supply air nozzles;
- whereby cooled air is dispersed from said supply air nozzles to said sport field.
2. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein said cooling source comprises a subsurface geothermal cooling source.
3. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein said cooling source comprises a mechanical cooling source.
4. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein said air handling unit comprises a fan.
5. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein said air handling unit comprises an air handling chamber, a plenum chamber, a plenum wall, and a fan, said fan passing air from said air handling chamber to said plenum chamber.
6. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein air is drawn by said air handling unit, through said air intake, through said cooling source, and into said air handling unit.
7. The cooling system of claim 6 wherein air is blown from said air handling unit into distribution means feeding cooled air to said plurality of supply air nozzles.
8. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of supply air nozzles are in spaced-apart relationship across the surface of a sport field.
9. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein said field further comprises an associated, ancillary, or auxilliary area.
10. The cooling system of claim 1 further comprising a condensate drainage means.
11. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein said means for directing air comprises a pipe or tubular member.
12. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein said supply air nozzles comprise a latex outlet.
13. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein said supply air nozzles pass from tubular, subsurface distribution means, through a ground layer, and through a turf layer of the sports field.
14. An air cooled sports field comprising:
- an air intake;
- a cooling source;
- an air handling unit;
- a plurality of supply air nozzles distributed across the sports field;
- tubular means fluidly connected with said air intake, said cooling source, said air handling unit, and said plurality of supply air nozzles, said tubular means for directing air from said air intake to said nozzles.
15. The cooling system of claim 14 wherein said cooling source comprises a subsurface geothermal cooling source.
16. The cooling system of claim 14 wherein said cooling source comprises a mechanical cooling source.
17. The cooling system of claim 14 wherein said air handling unit comprises a fan.
18. The cooling system of claim 14 wherein said air handling unit comprises an air handling chamber, a plenum chamber, a plenum wall, and a fan, said fan passing air from said air handling chamber to said plenum chamber.
19. The cooling system of claim 14 wherein air is drawn by said air handling unit, through said air intake, through said cooling source, and into said air handling unit.
20. The cooling system of claim 19 wherein air is blown from said air handling unit into distribution means feeding cooled air to said plurality of supply air nozzles.
21. The cooling system of claim 14 wherein said field further comprises an associated, ancillary, or auxilliary area.
22. The cooling system of claim 14 further comprising a condensate drainage means.
23. The cooling system of claim 14 wherein said supply air nozzles comprise a latex outlet.
24. The cooling system of claim 14 wherein said supply air nozzles pass from tubular, subsurface distribution means, through a ground layer, and through a turf layer of the sports field.
25. A nozzle for a sport field cooling system comprising, at a first end thereof, retaining ears or barb-like members to retain said nozzle within a subsurface tubular air distribution member, and, at a second end thereof, a soft tubular air outlet tube.
26. A method for cooling a sports field, and/or associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas, the method comprising the steps of:
- drawing intake air from the ambient environment and into one or more subsurface intake pipes;
- cooling the intake air by geothermal means;
- directing the cooled air to a sports field, and/or to associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of filtering the supply air.
28. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of cooling the intake air by mechanical means.
29. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of passing intake air through fan means from a source side to a plenum side of an air handling unit.
30. The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of directing cooled air from said plenum side into a tubular distribution means interconnected with a plurality of spaced-apart nozzles for directing the cooled air to the sports field, and/or to associated, ancillary, or auxilliary areas.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 29, 2013
Publication Date: Oct 31, 2013
Inventor: Brian F. Storm (Canton, GA)
Application Number: 13/853,459
International Classification: F24F 5/00 (20060101); F24F 7/06 (20060101); F24J 3/08 (20060101);