Perforated Drain Pipe Installation Without Surface Excavation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for installing underground drain tube systems are destructive, expensive, and time-consuming, especially on steep terrain or developed properties, as they require extensive excavation and surface disturbance to manage water flow and prevent erosion.
Innovation Solution
A method using a series of steel drainage pipes tunneled into the soil substructure, installed with limited manpower, which includes a secured pipe system with a closed pointed tip and perforations, and a canister for injecting a soil stabilizing mixture of gel and sand, allowing for efficient water diversion without surface disturbance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional excavation methods are used to install drainage pipes, then effective water drainage can be achieved, but extensive surface disturbance and destruction of roadways occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical excavation with a pneumatic drilling system that uses compressed air to drill holes and install drainage pipes vertically through the ground, eliminating the need for trenching and surface excavation while achieving the same drainage function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses compressed air (pneumatics) to power the drilling operation, blow out cuttings from the drill hole, and assist in installing the drainage pipe by forcing it into the ground through the drilled hole, thereby avoiding mechanical excavation and surface disturbance
2Reliability
If massive earth removal is performed to access underground water sources, then drainage installation becomes feasible, but the process becomes expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is divided into separate modular components (drill hole, drainage pipe sections, gravel packs) that can be installed sequentially through the drilled hole without requiring removal of overlying earth, thus reducing installation time and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses compressed air as an intermediary to facilitate multiple operations: drilling the hole, removing cuttings, and installing the drainage pipe, thereby eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming earth removal operations
3Reliability
If conventional pipe installation methods are used, then drainage function is achieved, but the process is destructive and requires back-filling trenches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical trenching and back-filling operations with a vertical drilling and pipe installation method that uses compressed air, thereby eliminating the loss of earth material and the need for back-filling
Solution Approach 2:
Compressed air is used to blow out drill cuttings and assist in installing the drainage pipe through the hole, replacing the need for mechanical excavation and back-filling operations that would otherwise remove and replace large amounts of earth
4Reliability
If extensive excavation is performed on steep terrain, then drainage can be installed, but the process becomes dangerous and requires major excavation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of approaching the drainage problem from the surface by excavating trenches (which is dangerous on steep terrain), the method inverts the approach by drilling vertically downward through the ground from the surface to install drainage pipes, thereby avoiding the need for dangerous excavation work on steep slopes
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
This approach enables efficient water diversion and soil stabilization with reduced manpower and surface disruption, effectively managing water flow and preventing erosion while being cost-effective and less destructive than traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The leading pipe of the secured pipe system has a closed pointed tip at its proximal end... The pipe is then installed underground by driving the pipes/system from the point of origin and at the specific angle, until the specific depth is reached
Implementation Method 2
Water pressure is then provided from a source to the soil stabilizing materials in the canister so that the mixture and water travel out the canister output tube, into and through the secured pipe system and the perforated surfaces of the secured pipe system, and are released into the ground
Implementation Method 3
sand and gel filling the cracks... With the secured pipe system in place underground, disintegrated gel and water accumulating over time in the soil flow through the pipe perforations and into the secured pipe system
Implementation Method 4
some or all of the pipes have perforations along their surface... Portions of at least some of the pipes have a perforated surface to allow water and other mixtures to flow from the pipe system
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are methods and systems for draining underground soil moisture and water at a site. The methods and systems utilize a secured pipe system having a leading edge to drill the system into the earth, and perforations along portions of the surface of the system to receive accumulated water from underground and deliver it to the surface. A pipe cradle guide as provided is useful in the installation of the system. To also inject soil stabilizing materials (a mixture of sand and gel) into the earth using the secured pipe system, a removable canister is coupled to the distal end of the pipe system, and using water pressure the soil stabilizing materials are delivered to the soil by means of the secured pipe system.