Subsurface soil injection apparatus with improved delivery device
View Patent ↗An apparatus is provided for introducing a discrete, predetermined amount of material into soil at a plurality of predetermined points in the soil which includes a container for holding the material to be introduced into the soil, and tubing in fluid communication with the container at a first end thereof At least one electrically controlled injector is provided in fluid communication with a second end of the tubing. Also, at least one shank is provided, which includes a base, and an injector mounting member attached to a surface of the base that is adapted for detachably mounting the electrically controlled injector onto the base. In addition, a controller is provided for activating the electrically controlled injector to introduce the material into the soil. Accordingly, enhanced control of the injection of the material into soil is achieved, and maintenance can be performed easily.
1. An apparatus for introducing a discrete, predetermined amount of material into soil at a plurality of predetermined points in the soil, comprising:
a container for holding the material to be introduced into the soil;
tubing in fluid communication with the container at a first end thereof;
at least one electrically controlled injector, said electrically controlled injector being in fluid communication with a second end of said tubing;
at least one shank, said shank comprising a base, and an injector mounting member attached to the base, the injector mounting member being adapted for detachably mounting the electrically controlled injector onto the base; and
a controller for activating the electrically controlled injector whereby the electrically controlled injector mounted on the base introduces the discreet, predetermined amount of material into the soil at predetermined points in the soil.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the base is a plate.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a source of compressed gas for forcing the discrete, predetermined amount of material through the tubing and into the soil when the at least one electrically controlled injector is activated.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a shield attached to the base for shielding the electrically controlled injector from the soil.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the shield comprises a first shielding member attached to a first side surface of the base and a second shielding member attached to an opposing side surface of the base, the first shielding member and shielding member together partially enclosing and shielding the electronically controlled injector from dirt while allowing the electronically controlled injector to introduce the discreet, predetermined amount of material into the soil at the predetermined points in the soil.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an electrical wiring tube attached to a surface of the base for receiving electrical wiring for connecting the electrically controlled injector to the controller.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the injector mounting member comprises a hollow member adapted to receive at least a portion of the electrically controlled injector inserted therein.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the injector mounting member comprises a hollow cylindrical member.
9. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the electrically controlled injector is axially inserted at least partially into the hollow member.
10. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a manifold, the manifold being in fluid communication with the tubing at one end thereof, and being in fluid communication with a plurality of shank tubing lines at a second end thereof, each shank tubing line being associated with a corresponding shank and having a distal end for providing the predetermined amount of material to the electrically controlled injector which is detachably mounted to each of said shanks.
11. An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein each shank tubing line comprises a cut-off valve installed in proximity of the shank for preventing flow of the material through the shank tubing line when the cut-off valve is in a closed state.
12. An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein each shank tubing line comprises an manifold tubing section which is connected to the manifold and an injector tubing section which is detachably connected to the electrically controlled injector, wherein the manifold tubing section is detachably connected to the injector tubing section by a fitting.
13. An apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the injector tubing section includes an elbow connector at a first end thereof which is detachably connected to an input port of the electrically controlled injector.
14. An apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising an orifice plate connected to the manifold for regulation of the flow of the discrete, predetermined amount of material and the compressed gas.