WO2017090033A1

WO2017090033A1 - Systems and methods for underground deployment of anti-seeping sheet

Info

Publication number: WO2017090033A1
Application number: PCT/IL2016/051251
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erez Dor
Original assignee: Erez Dor
Priority date: 2015-11-26
Filing date: 2016-11-22
Publication date: 2017-06-01
Also published as: EP3380677A4; CN108291378A; EP3380677A1; US20180347139A1; US10400415B2; AU2016359558A1

Abstract

Systems and methods for underground water seeping prevention system comprising: a vertical cutting subsystem; a horizontal cutting subsystem; a sheet deployment subsystem; and a control subsystem comprising at least one computing device executing dedicated software.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UNDERGROUND DEPLOYMENT OF ANTI-SEEPING SHEET

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to systems and methods for underground deployment of anti-seeping sheet.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] Loss of water in agriculture irrigation systems is heavily affected by the seeping of water beyond the plants' roots reach.

[0003] Hence, an improved systems and methods as described in this application are still a long felt need.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] According to an aspect of the present invention an underground water seeping prevention system comprising: a vertical cutting subsystem comprising: at least one power source; and at least one apparatus adapted to cut vertical or mostly vertical furrow in a ground, a horizontal cutting subsystem comprising: at least one power source; at least one beam adapted to move up and down a vertical furrow created by said vertical cutting subsystem, wherein said beam narrower than said furrow; and at least one apparatus adapted to groove an horizontal slit in a ground, a sheet deployment subsystem comprising: at least one above ground carrying and feeding apparatus wherein said apparatus is adapted to carry anti-seeping sheets and feed said sheets to the underground deployment apparatus; at least one underground carrying apparatus wherein said apparatus is adapted to carry said sheets into an horizontal slit created by said horizontal cutting subsystem; and at least one deployment apparatus wherein said apparatus is adapted to receive said sheet wherein said sheet is in a folded position and deploy said sheet in an unfolded position within said horizontal slit created by said horizontal cutting subsystem, wherein said subsystems are controlled by a control subsystem comprising at least one computing device executing at least one dedicated software.

[0005] It is further within provision of the invention to be wherein said subsystem is mounted on at least one moveable cart.

[0006] It is further within provision of the invention to be wherein said cart is adapted to be carried by a motorized vehicle.

[0007] It is further within provision of the invention to be wherein said cart is part of a motorized vehicle.

[0008] It is further within provision of the invention to be wherein said control subsystem further comprising at least one sensor adapted to collect underground information.

[0009] It is further within provision of the invention to further comprise a past extermination subsystem adapted to inject pest control substances into said vertical furrow or horizontal slit.

[0010] It is further within provision of the invention to be wherein said power sources are the same power source.

[0011] It is further within provision of the invention to be wherein said cutting subsystems adapted to cut vertically and horizontally at the same time and while moving. [0012] It is further within provision of the invention to be wherein said beam is hollow and adapted to allow said sheets to move inside said beam.

[0013] It is further within provision of the invention to be wherein said horizontal cutting system is further adapted to create said slit wherein at the end of the horizontal slit is raised to create a raised edge.

[0014] It is further within provision of the invention to be wherein said deployment apparatus is adapted to deploy said sheet in a position creating a raised edge at the ends of the sheets to at least reduce water seeping.

[0015] It is further within provision of the invention to be wherein said control subsystem employ information gathered by said sensor to better control said deployment of said sheet.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method to reduce underground water seeping comprising steps of: gathering underground information; cutting vertical furrows in a ground using at least one vertical cutting subsystem; lowering horizontal cutting subsystem inside a vertical furrow; cutting horizontal slit; and deploying anti-seeping sheet in said horizontal slit wherein said sheet are first carried in a folded position and being unfolded inside said slit using a deployment subsystem.

[0017] These, additional, and/or other aspects and/or advantages of the present invention are: set forth in the detailed description which follows; possibly inferable from the detailed description; and/or learnable by practice of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be implemented in practice, a plurality of embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates the components of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a process of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a method of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates the components of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the components of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of said invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide a means and method for underground deployment of anti- seeping sheet.

[0020] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will understand that such embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Just as each feature recalls the entirety, so may it yield the remainder. And ultimately when the features manifest, so an entirely new feature be recalled. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention.

[0021] The phrases "at least one", "one or more", and "and/or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, or C" and "A, B, and/or C" means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

[0022] The term 'plurality' refers hereinafter to any positive integer (e.g, 1,5, or 10).

[0023] Generally speaking, the system and method may allow deploying sheet in order to prevent or at least reduce seeping of water underground.

[0024] The underground water seeping prevention system may comprise several subsystems that may function together or separately, in parallel or not.

[0025] The system may be carried by a cart, for this matter, which means any moveable platform which is part of or pulled by a motorized vehicle of any sort.

[0026] The first subsystem is the vertical cutting subsystem which may comprise one or more power source, for example using a motorized vehicle as the power source 101, and one or more apparatus adapted to cut vertical or mostly vertical furrow in a ground 102 using a cutting apparatus as known in the art.

[0027] The vertical furrow may be created completely vertical or may be created at an any angel relative to the ground which may change even during the cutting process.

[0028] The second subsystem is a horizontal cutting subsystem which may comprise one or more power source (as in the vertical cutting subsystem) and one or more beam adapted to move up and down the vertical furrow created by the vertical cutting subsystem 103. Such movement may be achieved using any known in the art mechanism such as hydraulic, mechanic, electric etc.

[0029] In some embodiments of the invention the system may control the angle and distance between the vertical cutting subsystem and the horizontal cutting subsystem as well as between both to the cart.

[0030] The horizontal cutting subsystem beam may be narrower than the furrow in order to allow undisturbed movement.

[0031] The horizontal cutting subsystem may comprise one or more cutting apparatus adapted to groove a horizontal slit in a ground, as known in the art.

[0032] In some embodiments of the invention, the horizontal cutting system may further be adapted to create the slit wherein at the end of the horizontal slit is raised to create a raised edge. Such raised edge may allow reduction or prevention of the seeping of water from the edge of the sheet.

[0033] In some embodiments of the invention, the cutting subsystems may be formed as a single subsystem allowing both vertical and horizontal cutting.

[0034] The system may allow the cutting subsystems to cut vertically and horizontally at the same time and while moving.

[0035] The third subsystem may be a sheet deployment subsystem 104 which may comprise one or more above ground carrying and feeding apparatus. Such apparatus may be adapted to carry anti-seeping sheets, for example on a roll, and feed the sheets to an underground deployment apparatus.

[0036] In addition, the subsystem may comprise one or more underground carrying apparatus that may be adapted to carry the sheets into the horizontal slit created by the horizontal cutting subsystem.

[0037] In some embodiments if the invention the horizontal cutting subsystem's beam is hollow and adapted to allow the sheets to move inside it. [0038] The last part of the subsystem may be the deployment apparatus that may be adapted to receive the sheet in a folded position 201 and deploy it in an unfolded position 207 within the horizontal slit 208 created by horizontal cutting subsystem.

[0039] In some embodiments of the invention, the sheet may comprise of at least two sections, each in different thicknesses, i.e. some sections of the sheet may be thicker than the rest of the sheet. Such thicker sections may be on part of the length and/or on part of the width of the sheet or any combination thereof. In one embodiment of the invention, a line running all the way on both sheet's opposing edges may be thicker than the rest of the sheet.

[0040] In further embodiments of the invention, the thicker parts of the sheet may be an addition to the sheet using glue, welding, melting, etc. of the sheet. In other embodiments, a manipulation of the sheet may create thicker parts.

[0041] In some embodiments of the invention, a plurality of small attachments protruding from the sides of the sheet may be thicker than the rest of the sheet.

[0042] In some embodiments of the invention the underground unfolding may be achieved in one or more of the following methods:

• Having two or more attaching means 203 attached to opposite sides of the unfolded sheet that move apart 206.

• Having a protruding part in the folded sheet 202 that when moving through the deployment mechanism is pushed and hence unfold.

• Using magnets 204 and metal pieces 205 embedded in the folded sheet and in the deployment mechanism.

• Using vacuum or other suction methods by the deployment mechanism.

• Using male 204 and female 205 attachments means in the folded sheet and the deployment mechanism.

• Using tracks on opposite sides into which a thicker part of the sheet may be inserted and held in place. • Using a single track which a thicker part of the sheet may be inserted and held in place while in the opposite the sheet is held in place by sheer weight of the ground or in any other method.

[0043] In some embodiments of the invention, the deployment mechanism may be embedded within the beam or other parts of the system.

[0044] In other embodiments of the invention, the deployment mechanism may create a raised edge to reduce or prevent water seeping from the edge of the sheet.

[0045] In some embodiments of the invention, any part of the sheet and not only the edges could be manipulated up or down during or after the deployment process using at least one of the methods known in the art. for example a rod that could move up from under the sheet after it has been deployed and raise a full cross-section of the sheet to create a basin that prevent water from seeping down the stripe of plastic sheet.

[0046] In some embodiments of the invention, the said raised edge or edges may be raised to such an extent that it emerges out of ground surface.

[0047] In some embodiments of the invention, the said raised edge or edges that emerge out of ground surface could be attached to the raised edge of the sheet deployed next to it or to the other raised edge of the same sheet to create a tube, using at least one of the methods known in the art, for example using glue or heat soldering.

[0048] In some embodiments of the invention, the sheet could be made out of multi- layered sheet of plastic as known in the art for example in the greenhouse industry.

[0049] In some embodiments of the invention, the said sheet could be made out of multi-layered sheet of plastic as known in the art but the layers may be glued to each other only in part of the sheet and in other parts not glued for example the sheets layers could be glued together at the middle of the stripe of sheet but separated to layers at the edges. This way some layers [one or more] at the edge could be attached to the edge of the sheet deployed next to it while other layers [one or more] could be attached to the other raised edge of the same sheet to create a tube, using at least one of the methods known in the art for example using glue or heat soldering.

[0050] In some embodiments of the invention, the said process of attaching one edge to the edge of the sheet deployed next to it could occur underground.

[0051] In some embodiment of the invention, the deployment mechanism may comprise lubrication apparatus and materials to allow smoother insertion to the slit.

[0052] The last subsystem may be the control subsystem that may comprise one or more computing device executing one or more dedicated software.

[0053] The control system may further comprise one or more sensor adapted to collect underground information.

[0054] In some embodiments of the invention, gathered information regarding obstacles may allow planning of different route or choosing different depth in which the sheet will be deployed or the depth of the cutting. In addition, this may allow employing obstacle removing processes or apparatuses in real time or beforehand, such as shaking one or more parts of the system, using shock absorbing mechanism (for example using springs, joints, elastic materials etc.) or using dedicated tools such as jackhammers or others.

[0055] In other embodiments of the invention, the system may provide information regarding defects in the deployed sheet or process, this may allow repair in real time or later on.

[0056] In several embodiments of the invention, the system may further comprise past extermination subsystem adapted to inject pest control substances into the vertical furrow or horizontal slit.

[0057] The sheet itself may have different forms and features. For example, the sheet may be divided into several sheets. In some embodiments the sheet may be completely water proof while in others it may be partly water proof or be perforated. In several other embodiments the sheet may have filtration features, for example in order to allow some water to pass while not allowing manure or soil to pass. In other embodiments the sheet may absorb harmful substances such as excessive sodium. In other embodiments the sheet may be made of degradable materials. Is several embodiments the sheet may comprise extraction assisting apparatus such as wires or nets. In some embodiments the sheet may have thermal insulation properties from at least one of the types known in the art .

[0058] In some embodiments of the invention, the system may further be adapted to further deploy irrigation systems under or above the ground. Such systems may be drip irrigation systems as known in the art.

[0059] In some embodiments of the invention, the system may further include a subsystem that can manipulate the earth around it from at least one of the types known in the art for example a subsystem that creates a raised garden bed behind as it moves forward or to plow through the ground as it moves forward.

[0060] A method to reduce underground water seeping may comprise steps of: gathering underground information 301 ;

cutting vertical furrows in a ground using at least one vertical cutting subsystem 302;

lowering horizontal cutting subsystem inside a vertical furrow;

cutting horizontal slit 303; and

deploying anti-seeping sheet in said horizontal slit wherein said sheet are first carried in a folded position and being unfolded inside said slit using a deployment subsystem 304.

[0061] In some embodiments of the invention, the system may not include a computerized subsystem or sensors.

[0062] In some embodiments of the invention, the thicker parts of the sheet may be held in place behind a set of tracks that are integrated into the hollow interior part of the unfolding subsystem [one or two tracks for each thicker part] with a narrow slit that is wide enough for the sheet to pass and slide through it but too narrow for the thicker part of the sheet to pass, and the tracks are aligned opposite each other at an angle so as the sheet slides through it the tracks move apart from one another and as a result the two thick attachments held behind them are forced to move apart too and as they move apart the sheet is forced to unfold between them.

[0063] In some embodiments of the invention instead of at least one of the tracks there may be a set of narrow points that forces the thicker part of the sheet to move apart and as they move apart the sheet is forced to unfold between them. And those narrow points may be made out of fixed elements or moving elements from the types known in the art for example ball bearings.

[0064] In some embodiments of the invention, one or more ball bearing 401 from the types known in the art may be integrated into other parts of the hollow interior of the unfolding subsystem to allow a smoother passing of the sheet 402. In further embodiments of the invention, the sheet may have a thicker part at its end 403 wherein the thicker part is thicker than the space between the bearings. In a specific embodiment of the invention, a series of ball bearing couples 501,502 may be deployed to allow the unfolding or stretching of the sheet 503.

[0065] Although selected embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Instead, it is to be appreciated that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An underground water seeping prevention system comprising:

a vertical cutting subsystem comprising:

at least one power source; and

at least one apparatus adapted to cut vertical or mostly vertical furrow in a ground,

a horizontal cutting subsystem comprising:

at least one power source;

at least one beam adapted to move up and down a vertical furrow created by said vertical cutting subsystem, wherein said beam narrower than said furrow; and

at least one apparatus adapted to groove an horizontal slit in a ground,

a sheet deployment subsystem comprising:

at least one above ground carrying and feeding apparatus wherein said apparatus is adapted to carry anti-seeping sheets and feed said sheets to an underground deployment apparatus; at least one underground carrying apparatus wherein said apparatus is adapted to carry said sheets into an horizontal slit created by said horizontal cutting subsystem; and

at least one deployment apparatus wherein said apparatus is adapted to receive said sheet wherein said sheet is in a folded position and deploy said sheet in an unfolded position within said horizontal slit created by said horizontal cutting subsystem,

wherein said subsystems are controlled by a control subsystem comprising at least one computing device executing at least one dedicated software.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said subsystem is mounted on at least one moveable cart.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said cart is adapted to be carried by a motorized vehicle.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said cart is part of a motorized vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said control subsystem further comprising at least one sensor adapted to collect underground information.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a past extermination subsystem adapted to inject pest control substances into said vertical furrow or horizontal slit.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said power sources are the same power source.

8. The system of claim 2 wherein said cutting subsystems adapted to cut vertically and horizontally at the same time and while moving.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said beam is hollow and adapted to allow said sheets to move inside said beam.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said horizontal cutting system is further adapted to create said slit wherein at the end of the horizontal slit is raised to create a raised edge.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said deployment apparatus is adapted to deploy said sheet in a position creating a raised edge at the ends of the sheets to at least reduce water seeping.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said control subsystem employ information gathered by said sensor to better control said deployment of said sheet.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said sheet comprise of at least two sections each in different thickness.

14. A method to reduce underground water seeping comprising steps of: gathering underground information; cutting vertical furrows in a ground using at least one vertical cutting subsystem;

lowering horizontal cutting subsystem inside a vertical furrow;

cutting horizontal slit; and

deploying anti-seeping sheet in said horizontal slit wherein said sheet are first carried in a folded position and being unfolded inside said slit using a deployment subsystem.