초록 ▼

A mobile treatment system for subterraneously aerating and stimulating root zones with a probe. Suitable controls enable the operator to mix liquid root stimulator solution within a storage tank, and then pump it into the ground through the probe. A motor-driven air compressor controls a pneumatic h

A mobile treatment system for subterraneously aerating and stimulating root zones with a probe. Suitable controls enable the operator to mix liquid root stimulator solution within a storage tank, and then pump it into the ground through the probe. A motor-driven air compressor controls a pneumatic holding tank to store pressurized air. The multi-segmented probe has a rigid, upper segment that receives liquid through a check valve, an intermediate segment receiving high pressure air, and a lowermost section extending downwardly from a foot plate and terminating in a hardened point. Output orifices defined in the tip deliver air or solution subterraneously. A controller circuit times an injection cycle upon actuation of a probe-mounted switch by actuating a solenoid valve for metered fluid injection. When the injection cycle completes, a manual valve on the probe can be opened for aeration.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A mobile aerator and deep root stimulator system for subterraneously:treating plants such as trees, bushes, shrubs and the like, said system comprising:a trailer adapted to be towed to a job location near said plants to be treated;a tank for preparing and storing root treatment solution, the tank

1. A mobile aerator and deep root stimulator system for subterraneously:treating plants such as trees, bushes, shrubs and the like, said system comprising:a trailer adapted to be towed to a job location near said plants to be treated;a tank for preparing and storing root treatment solution, the tank having an interior and first and second, spaced apart pipes in fluid flow communication with said interior;a pump coupled to said first pipe for withdrawing fluid from said tank and providing a high pressure source of root treatment solution;a first valve for redirecting solution from said pump back into said tank via said second pipe for mixing the tank contents;a multi-segmented probe for subterraneously injecting said treatment solution or high pressure air into the ground adjacent or proximate the roots of plants to be treated;a second valve for directing treatment solution from said pump to said probe;a solenoid-operated valve for allowing or blocking the passage of treatment solution to said probe;wherein the probe comprises:a rigid, upper segment for receiving treatment solution through a check valve;a rigid foot plate that can be manually manipulated;an intermediate segment connected via a T-coupling to the upper segment and extending downwardly to the foot plate;an aerator valve leading to the T-coupling for selectively admitting high pressure air into the probe for subterraneous application; and,a lowermost probe segment terminating in a hardened tip adapted to penetrate ground that comprises at least one outlet orifice for ejecting air or root treatment solution; and,a computer controller establishing a timed injection cycle of treatment solution for activating said solenoid-operated valve for a predetermined time interval, thereby providing a preselected dose of treatment solution to said probe for subterraneous injection.2. The system as defined in claim 1 further comprising:an air compressor;an air holding tank in fluid flow communication with the compressor;an internal combustion engine for operating the air compressor;the air compressor, the holding tank, and the engine secured to the trailer; and,means for selectively interconnecting the probe with said air holding tank to deliver high pressure air.3. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein the lowermost probe pipe segment comprises a lower pipe section and an upper coaxial pipe stiffener welded to the foot plate, the lower pipe section coaxially mated to the pipe stiffener and extending downwardly to the probe tip.4. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein:a treatment solution injection cycle can be initiated by an electrical switch mounted on said probe adapted to be conveniently accessed by an operator;the controller comprises a timer that is activated for a predetermined time interval by said electrical switch on said probe; andthe timer opens said solenoid valve when activated to establish fluid flow for said treatment solution injection cycle.5. The system as defined in claim 4 including means for latching the electrical switch mounted on said probe for said predetermined time interval immediately after it is manually activated.6. A mobile aerator and deep root stimulator for subterraneously treating plants such as trees, bushes, shrubs and the like, said stimulator comprising:a trailer adapted to be towed to job location near said plants to be treated;a tank secured to the trailer for preparing and storing root treatment solution;a pump in fluid flow communication with said tank for withdrawing fluid from said tank and automatically maintaining a preselected output pressure of root treatment solution;a multi-segmented probe for subterraneously injecting said treatment solution or high pressure air into the ground adjacent or proximate the roots of plants to be treated;a source of high pressure air;an aerator valve for selectively delivering high pressure air to said probe from said source;a solenoid valve for allowing or blocking the passage of treatment solution from said pump to said probe; an electrical switch mounted on said probe;wherein the probe comprises:a rigid, upper segment for receiving treatment solution from said solenoid valve through a check valve;a rigid foot plate that can be manually manipulated to force the probe into the ground;an intermediate segment connected via a T-coupling to the upper segment and extending downwardly to the foot plate;means coupling said aerator valve to said T-coupling for selectively admitting high pressure air into the probe for subterraneous application; and,a lowermost probe segment terminating in a hardened tip adapted to penetrate ground that comprises at least one outlet orifice for ejecting air or root treatment solution; and,a computer controller for establishing a timed injection cycle of treatment solution by activating said solenoid-operated valve for a predetermined time interval in response to said electric switch, thereby providing a preselected dose of treatment solution to said probe for subterraneous injection.7. The stimulator as defined in claim 6 wherein the lowermost probe pipe segment comprises a lower pipe section and an upper coaxial pipe stiffener welded to the foot plate, the lower pipe section coaxially mated to the pipe stiffener and extending downwardly to the probe tip.8. The stimulator as defined in claim 6 wherein:the controller comprises a timer that is activated for a predetermined time interval by said electrical switch on said probe; andthe timer opens said solenoid valve when activated to establish fluid flow for said treatment solution injection cycle.9. The stimulator as defined in claim 6 including means for latching the electrical switch mounted on said probe for said predetermined time interval immediately after it is manually activated.10. A mobile aerator and deep root stimulator for subterraneously treating plants such as trees, bushes, shrubs and the like, said stimulator comprising:a trailer adapted to be towed to job location near said plants to be treated;a liquid tank secured to the trailer for preparing and storing root treatment solution;an air compressor for delivering high pressure air;an air holding tank in fluid flow communication with the compressor for storing high pressure air;an engine for operating the air compressor;a pump in fluid flow communication with said liquid tank for withdrawing fluid from said liquid tank and automatically maintaining a preselected output pressure of root treatment solution;a probe for subterraneously injecting said treatment solution or high pressure air into the ground adjacent or proximate the roots of plants to be treated, the probe comprising:a rigid, upper segment for receiving treatment solution;a rigid foot plate that can be manually manipulated to force the probe into the ground;an intermediate segment connected via a T-coupling to the upper segment and extending downwardly to the foot plate;a lowermost probe segment terminating in a hardened tip adapted to penetrate ground that comprises at least one outlet orifice for ejecting air or root treatment solution; and,an electrical switch mounted on said probe;an aerator valve for selectively delivering high pressure air to said probe T-coupling from said air holding tank;a solenoid valve for allowing or blocking the passage of treatment solution from said pump to upper probe segment; and,a computer controller for establishing a timed injection cycle of treatment solution by activating said solenoid-operated valve for a predetermined time interval in response to said electric switch, thereby providing a preselected dose of treatment solution to said probe for subterraneous injection, the controller comprising a timer that is activated for a predetermined time interval by said electrical switch on said probe and the timer opens said solenoid valve when activated to establish fluid flow for said treatment solution injection cycle.11. The stimulator as defined in claim 10 wherein the lowermost probe pipe segment comprises a lower pipe section and an upper coaxial pipe stiffener welded to the foot plate, the lower pipe section coaxially mated to the pipe stiffener and extending downwardly to the probe tip.12. The stimulator as defined in claim 10 including means for latching the electrical switch mounted on said probe for said predetermined time interval immediately after it is manually activated.13. The stimulator as defined in claim 12 wherein the lowermost probe pipe segment comprises a lower pipe section and an upper coaxial pipe stiffener welded to the foot plate, the primary segment coaxially mated to the pipe stiffener and extending downwardly to the probe tip.