Hydroponic Turfgrass Field Module with Spring Layer and UV Water Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional turfgrass irrigation systems face inefficiencies and environmental concerns due to high water consumption, evaporation losses, and contamination risks from chemical fertilizers and lead in artificial turf fields, particularly in arid regions.
Innovation Solution
A hydroponic turfgrass irrigation system featuring a field module with a horizontal spring layer and steel grid for energy absorption, rockwool as a growth substrate, and a water recycling system including UV disinfection, geothermal temperature control, and solenoid valves to manage water quality and conserve resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sprinkler irrigation is used to maintain turfgrass, then the turfgrass can grow and provide a natural playing surface, but water loss due to evaporation reaches 50 percent or greater in desert climates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful evaporation process by replacing conventional sprinkler irrigation with a subsurface hydroponic system. Nutrient solution is delivered directly to the root zone through subsurface irrigation pipes, eliminating the spray surface that causes evaporation. This extracts the problematic water-air interface while maintaining turfgrass growth through controlled nutrient delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces rockwool as an intermediary growth medium between the subsurface irrigation system and the turfgrass roots. The rockwool absorbs and retains the nutrient solution, providing controlled moisture delivery to roots while preventing direct evaporation from open water surfaces. This intermediary material mediates between water delivery and plant absorption, eliminating evaporative loss.
2Loss of energy
If artificial turf fields are used to reduce water consumption, then water usage is reduced, but lead contamination from paint and rubber crumbles creates health and environmental issues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the playing surface from synthetic materials to living biological material (turfgrass). By transitioning from artificial turf with lead-containing paint and rubber to a hydroponic natural grass system, the harmful lead contamination is eliminated while maintaining water efficiency through the controlled hydroponic delivery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of water-intensive natural grass into a benefit by implementing a hydroponic system that delivers water and nutrients efficiently to the root zone. The subsurface irrigation method, which would otherwise be wasteful, becomes beneficial by directly targeting plant roots through rockwool, reducing overall water consumption while maintaining healthy natural grass growth.
3Reliability
If natural turfgrass fields are irrigated frequently in hot climates, then healthy vegetation is maintained, but water consumption reaches 100,000 to 1,000,000 gallons per week for golf courses
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements continuous useful action through the subsurface hydroponic irrigation system that continuously delivers nutrient solution to the root zone via capillary action in the rockwool. This continuous, controlled delivery maintains optimal moisture levels for vegetation health without the intermittent over-irrigation of conventional systems, ensuring efficient water use while maintaining healthy turfgrass.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles through the subsurface irrigation system that delivers nutrient solution through pipes buried beneath the growing medium. The system utilizes hydrostatic pressure and capillary action to distribute water evenly throughout the rockwool matrix, ensuring consistent moisture delivery to roots while minimizing evaporation and runoff, thereby reducing overall water consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces water usage, minimizes ecological impact, and eliminates chemical contamination, providing a sustainable and resilient athletic field surface that mimics natural grass while ensuring player safety and efficient water management.
Implementation Method 1
an energy absorbing mechanism comprising a horizontal spring layer
Implementation Method 2
an ultra-violet (UV) unit for disinfecting the water
Implementation Method 3
a geothermal unit for conditioning a temperature of the water
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a hydroponic field irrigation system comprising a field module for growing turfgrass. The field module comprises an energy absorbing mechanism comprising a horizontal spring layer and a growth medium comprising a steel grid layer, wherein the horizontal spring layer absorbs vertical forces exerted by external loads, and the steel grid layer is positioned on top of the horizontal spring layer for holding a plurality of turf sods. The hydroponic field irrigation system further comprises a used water tank for receiving water from the field module, an ultra-violet (UV) unit for disinfecting the water received from the used water tank, a water quality management unit for adjusting quality of the water received from the ultra-violet (UV) unit, a geothermal unit for conditioning temperature of water received from the water quality management unit and plurality of solenoid valves for pumping water into and out of the field module.