Golf course turf conditioning control system and method

Patent 7413380 Issued on August 19, 2008. Estimated Expiration Date:

August 1, 2026. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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3726477

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Inventors

Assignee

SubAir Systems, LLC

Application

No. 11496902 filed on 08/01/2006

US Classes:

405/37, Control means responsive to sensed condition405/43, Porous or apertured pipe, flume, or tileway405/45, Porous137/78.3, Soil moisture sensing700/284, Irrigation239/63WITH CUTOFF OR FLOW VARYING MEANS OPERATED BY MEANS RESPONSIVE TO DISCHARGED FLUID (E.G., GROUND MOISTURE SENSING)

Examiners

Primary: Lagman, Frederick L.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Foreign Patent References

04051825 JP 02/01/1992

International Classes

E02B 11/00
A01G 9/24

Abstract

A system and method for conditioning turf at of one or more golf course areas includes an aeration subsystem having subsurface aeration conduits for aerating the area, and an air blower unit in fluid communication with the aeration conduits configured to provide one of a vacuum in a vacuum mode and air under pressure in a pressure mode in the conduits. A control module is provided which responds to a directive for controlling operation of the aeration subsystem in response to sensing environmental parameters. The control module operates the blower in repetitive cycles of intermittent operation in one of the vacuum mode and pressure mode wherein each cycles includes a blower-on and blower-off mode. The blower-on mode operates the blower units for a first time interval and the blower-off mode ceases operation of the blower units for a second time interval during each cycle.

Other References

Ian R. Rodriguez, M.S., Bert McCarty, Ph.D. “Helping creeping bentgrass stay cool: A review” Golf Course Management Sep. 2002.
J.J. Camberato, Ph.D.; R.B. Dodd, Ph.D.; S.B. Martin,Ph.D.; S.W. Godwin “Subsurface air injection improves bentgrass rooting and turf quality” GCM Sep. 2000.
Robert H. Walker, Ph.D.; Zhaohu Li, Ph.D.; Glenn Wehtje, Ph.D. “Roots improve with summertime air movement beneath greens” GCM Aug. 2000.
B. Todd Bunnell; Bert McCarty, Ph.D.; Roy Dodd, Ph.D. “Why is carbon dioxide bad in golf root zones?” Golf Course Management,Jun. 2000.
Roy Dodd, Ph.D.; Bruce Martin, PhD.; James Camberato,Ph.D. “Subsurface cooling and aeration” Golf Course Management, Sep. 1999.