U.S. patent application number 09/982672 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-16 for effluent distribution system.
Invention is credited to Atchley, Frederic P..
Application Number | 20040253054 09/982672 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33513593 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040253054 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Atchley, Frederic P. |
December 16, 2004 |
Effluent distribution system
Abstract
An effluent distribution assembly for use with a sewage disposal
system, the assembly comprising a polishing pipe having a
cylindrical shaped wall where a horizontal diameter separates the
polishing pipe into a top half and a bottom half, an inlet at a
first end and an outlet at a second end, and a plurality of holes
formed therethrough the wall of said top hal; a plurality of
receiver pipes placed in a same row as the polishing pipe, each
receiver pipe having a cylindrical shaped wall, an inlet at a first
end and an outlet at a second end, and a plurality of holes formed
therethrough the wall; and a protective covering on a top and sides
of the assembly.
Inventors: |
Atchley, Frederic P.;
(Apopka, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BEUSSE BROWNLEE WOLTER MORA & MAIRE, P. A.
390 NORTH ORANGE AVENUE
SUITE 2500
ORLANDO
FL
32801
US
|
Family ID: |
33513593 |
Appl. No.: |
09/982672 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60241297 |
Oct 18, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
405/36 ;
210/532.1; 405/43; 405/49 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03F 1/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/036 ;
405/043; 405/049; 210/532.1 |
International
Class: |
E03F 001/00; E02B
013/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An effluent distribution assembly for use with a sewage disposal
system, said assembly comprising: a polishing pipe having a
cylindrical shaped wall where a horizontal diameter separates said
polishing pipe into a top half and a bottom half, an inlet at a
first end and an outlet at a second end, and a plurality of holes
formed therethrough said wall of said top half; a plurality of
receiver pipes placed in a same row as said polishing pipe, each
receiver pipe having a cylindrical shaped wall, an inlet at a first
end and an outlet at a second end, and a plurality of holes formed
therethrough said wall; and a protective cover on a top and sides
of said assembly.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of receiver pipes
comprise four receiver pipes where two receiver pipes are placed on
opposite sides of said polishing pipe in a single row.
3. The system of claim 2 further comprising connecting devices
placed around an outer circumference of two receiver pipes on one
side of said polishing pipe to secure said receiver pipes
together.
4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said plurality of holes formed
therethrough said wall of said top half of said polishing pipe are
in two generally straight, generally parallel rows, which are
generally parallel with a length of said polishing pipe.
5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said plurality of holes are
spaced at an angle of approximately 120 degrees from each other and
approximately 30 degrees above said horizontal diameter.
6. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a cap connected to
said second end of said polishing pipe.
7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said holes in said plurality of
receiver pipes are disposed in a plurality of generally straight,
generally parallel lines where each line of holes are spaced at an
angle of approximately 60 degrees from an adjacent line of
holes.
8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said holes in said plurality of
receiver pipes are disposed in a plurality of generally straight,
generally parallel lines where each line of holes are spaced at an
angle of approximately 45 degrees from an adjacent line of
holes.
9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said holes in said plurality of
receiver pipes are disposed in a configuration to optimize effluent
distribution based soil type.
10. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising an access port for
removing settlement collected in said polishing pipe.
11. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a connection device
for connecting a second polishing pipe to a first polishing pipe at
said second end of said first polishing pipe where said first and
said second polishing pipes form an angle.
12. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a marking disposed
on said polishing pipe to accurately establish a proper orientation
of said polishing pipe.
13. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a marking on a
receiving pipe to accurately establish a proper orientation of said
receiving pipe based on a soil type.
14. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a trench having a
depth, width, and length with a base below ground level and
generally parallel to said ground level.
15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein said assembly is positioned in
said trench whereby said assembly is generally displaced in a
horizontal row, parallel to said ground level to maximize
uniformity of effluent distribution.
16. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said assemblies
are disposed in a single column where a first end of a second
assembly connects to a said second end of a first assembly whereby
said polishing pipes connect with a respective polishing pipes and
said receiver pipes connect with respective receiver pipes.
17. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said protective covering
comprises a soil-impervious, liquid permeable fabric.
18. An effluent distribution system for use with a sewage disposal
system, said system comprising: a distributing pipe having a
cylindrical shaped wall, an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a
second end, and a plurality of slots formed therethrough said wall;
a plurality of receiver pipes placed in a same row as said
distributing pipe, each receiver pipe having a cylindrical shaped
wall, an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, and a
plurality of slots formed therethrough said wall; a protective
covering over a top and two sides of said distributing pipe and
said plurality of receiver pipes; a trench having depth, width, and
length with a base below ground level and generally parallel to
said ground level; wherein said system is positioned on said base
in said trench whereby said system is generally parallel to said
ground level to maximize uniformity of effluent distribution.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein two receiver pipes are placed on
each side of said distributing pipe.
20. The system of claim 18 wherein said slots in said distributing
pipe and said slots in receiving pipe are disposed in a
configuration to optimize effluent distribution based soil
type.
21. The system of claim 18 further comprising a second assembly
placed perpendicular to a first assembly at said second ends of
said first distributing pipe and said first plurality of receiving
pipes.
22. An effluent distribution assembly for use with a sewage
disposal system installed on a trench located on a hillside, said
assembly comprising: a polishing pipe having a cylindrical shaped
wall where a horizontal diameter separates said polishing pipe into
a top half and a bottom half, an inlet at a first end and an outlet
at a second end, and a plurality of holes formed therethrough said
wall of said top half; a plurality of receiver pipes placed in a
same generally vertical column with said polishing pipe, each
receiver pipe having a cylindrical shaped wall, an inlet at a first
end and an outlet at a second end, and a plurality of holes formed
therethrough said wall; and a liquid permeable, soil impervious
protective cover on a top and sides of said assembly; wherein said
plurality of receiver pipes are stacked first, generally vertically
within said trench and said polishing pipe is stacked on top of
said plurality of receiver pipes.
23. The system of claim 22 wherein said plurality of receiver pipes
comprise four receiver pipes wherein said holes in said plurality
of receiver pipes are disposed in a configuration to optimize
effluent distribution based soil type.
24. The assembly of claim 24 further comprising a cap connected to
said second end of said polishing pipe.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional
application No. 60/241,297, filed Oct. 18, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to sewer disposal systems, and more
particularly, to a multi-pipe rockless drain field system.
[0003] Septic systems are traditionally used when a facility, such
as a home, is not connected to a public sewer system. A typical
septic system has a watertight tank, consisting of one or more
compartments, from which the sanitary flow is detained to permit
concurrent sedimentation and sludge digestion. The septic tank is
constructed of materials not subject to decay, corrosion or
decomposition, such as pre-cast concrete, reinforced concrete,
concrete block or reinforced resin and fiberglass. Bacterial action
takes place in the septic tank, and most of the sewer solids
decompose, are given off as gases or go out into drainage lines as
liquid. The solids that do not compose settle to the bottom of the
tank, where they can be easily removed and disposed of safely. The
drainage lines for the liquid flows out of the septic tank and into
a field. The drainage line is typically a perforated pipe which is
surrounded by loose aggregate.
[0004] A typical aggregate system uses some form of rock as the
aggregate. Such a drainage field is built by digging a trench, then
pouring the aggregate, such as crushed rock or gravel, into the
trench. The perforated pipe is then laid upon the aggregate. The
aggregate and pipe are then covered by topsoil or some other soil
cover.
[0005] Having a rock-based substance as an aggregate also provides
some additional separation through mechanical trickling of the
effluent. However, little or no treatment occurs in the rock. Hard
rock, such as granite, provides more symmetrical spaces or
receivers than a soft rock, such as limestone, however, hard rock
weighs more and is more expensive to transport and handle than soft
rock. Even though soft rock contains a higher percentage of fines,
or rock dust, than hard rock, rock fines have been known to cause
early failure of a disposal field. Despite washing soft rock to
reduce the high percentage of fines, the rock tends to break up
during transport, which creates more fines.
[0006] Soft rock breaks at odd angles that, more often than not,
cause a nesting effect.
[0007] Most governmental entities that regulate septic tanks and
drain field requirements, allow 30-35% capacity for a rock field
trench. Thus, if a trench is evacuated with dimensions of
approximately 30 inches wide by 18 to 30 inches deep and is filled
with rock, the best gain in terms of capacity is usually an average
of 33%. Thus, there is a 66% loss of capacity due to the
aggregate.
[0008] To try and improve on the percent lost by using aggregate
systems, other systems are now known in the art. One such system is
generally classified as a chambered 10 system, where the disposal
field comprises plurality of multi-louvered, multi-chambered
systems in the disposal field. Even though these systems have
increased the average percent capacity used, these systems also
have their problems. Chambered systems are usually laid level in a
trench. However, because of settling of the soil, the chambers may
become tilted, thus allowing soil particles to migrate inward,
thereby decreasing the actual capacity and retarding the
distribution or loading the low side. Furthermore, chambered
systems have been crushed during the back-fill process and have
become unstable as a result.
[0009] Currently, there are several other types of systems also
available. Several involve multi-pipe systems, where a bundle of
pipes are laid in a trench. These systems allow for consistency in
manufacture and effluent distribution. Such systems, however,
require more effort during the installation process since they
consist of such a plurality of pipes that more than one installer
is generally needed to install a segment of pipes that are
interconnected and are stacked side-by-side and on top of each
other.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Towards this end, there is need for a drain field system
that does not require the addition of aggregate material and that
is simple enough to install by a single installer. Such an
invention is an effluent distribution assembly for use with a
sewage disposal system. The assembly comprises a polishing pipe
having a cylindrical shaped wall where a horizontal diameter
separates the polishing pipe into a top half and a bottom half, an
inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, and a plurality
of holes formed therethrough the wall of said top half. The
assembly also comprises a plurality of receiver pipes placed in a
same row as the polishing pipe, each receiver pipe having a
cylindrical shaped wall, an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a
second end, and a plurality of holes formed therethrough the wall.
The assembly also comprises a protective covering on a top and
sides of the assembly.
[0011] In another preferred embodiment, the effluent distribution
system comprises a distributing pipe having a cylindrical shaped
wall, an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, and a
plurality of holes formed therethrough the wall. A plurality of
receiver pipes are placed in a same row as the distributing pipe,
each receiver pipe having a cylindrical shaped wall, an inlet at a
first end and an outlet at a second end, and a plurality of holes
formed therethrough the wall. A header manifold for connecting to
the first end of the plurality of distributing pipes and a
protective covering over a top and two sides of the plurality of
distributing pipes are also included.
[0012] Both of the above mentioned embodiments are used in a trench
having depth, width, and length with a base below ground level and
generally parallel to said ground level. 22. In another embodiment
for used on a hillside, the assembly comprises a polishing pipe
having a cylindrical shaped wall where a horizontal diameter
separates said polishing pipe into a top half and a bottom half, an
inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, and a plurality
of holes formed therethrough said wall of said top half. The
assembly also comprises a plurality of receiver pipes placed in a
same generally vertical row as said polishing pipe, each receiver
pipe having a cylindrical shaped wall, an inlet at a first end and
an outlet at a second end, and a plurality of holes formed
therethrough said wall, and a liquid permeable, soil impervious
protective cover on a top and sides of said assembly. In this
embodiment, the plurality of receiver pipes are stacked first,
generally vertically within the trench and the polishing pipe is
stacked on top of the plurality of receiver pipes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment
of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art distribution
pipe;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a polishing pipe;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention, without a
soil barrier, connected to a header pipe;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an exemplary illustration of the placement of the
invention in a trench;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the invention with
connection bands;
[0019] FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a plurality of the
invention, without a soil barrier covering, connected to a
distribution box;
[0020] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a plurality of the
invention connected to a header tee connection (without a soil
barrier covering);
[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another configuration of
the invention;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a side view of the polishing pipe without the
receiver pipes;
[0023] FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a closed loop
configuration using the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a side view of a polishing pipe with an offset
adapter;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a hillside
configuration;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred
embodiment of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the invention;
[0028] FIG. 16 is an elevational view of a plurality of the
invention connected to a distribution box;
[0029] FIG. 17 is a side view of a distribution pipe without
receiver pipes an a soil barrier; and
[0030] FIG. 18 is an exemplary illustration of the invention
connected to a second embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] With reference to the figures, exemplary embodiments of the
invention will now be described. Accordingly, preferred embodiments
of the invention have been represented by components in the
drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to
the present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with
structural details or operational interrelationships that will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of
the description herein.
[0032] In all embodiments, the present invention is placed in a
trench 11, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The trench 11 is rectangular
in shape having a depth below ground level. In a preferred
embodiment, the width of the trench 11 is approximately 36 inches.
Preferably the base 13 of the trench 11 is parallel with a ground
level 15. Once the present invention is placed in the trench 11,
backfill material, such as topsoil, is placed over the invention 5.
In a preferred embodiment, the backfill material forms a mound. In
another preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a mound 29
is created using field dirt and a trench is dug out of the
mound.
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary
embodiment of the effluent distribution assembly 5 of the present
invention. The effluent distribution assembly 5 comprises five
generally cylindrical pipes. In one preferred embodiment, all pipes
are corrugated pipes. In another preferred embodiment, the center
pipe, or polishing pipe 10, is a PVC pipe, whereas the other four
pipes, or receiver pipes 12, are corrugated pipes. The inner
diameter of each pipe is approximately 5-6 inches and the length of
each pipe range from 6 to 20 feet. A protective sheeting 14, such
as a non-woven cloth or soil barrier fabric, covers the top and
both sides of the effluent distribution assembly 5 once the
assembly 5 is placed in the trench. This cover 14 is in place to
protect the holes, or slots 16, 18, from being clogged by
surrounding soil. In a preferred embodiment, the cover 14 is a
liquid permeable cover, thus permitting improved liquid
distribution properties, since the cover 14 will make contact with
the holes 16, 18 because of the weight of the soil above. The
center pipe 10 is the distribution pipe, or polishing pipe, and the
two pipes 12 on each side of the polishing pipe 10 are receiver
pipes 12.
[0034] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7, the polishing pipe 10
comprises perforated holes 16 disposed in two generally straight,
generally parallel lines, or rows, along the length of the
polishing pipe 10. The two lines or rows of perforated holes 16 are
spaced at an angle of approximately 120.degree. from each other.
Their precise location is approximately 30.degree. above the
diameter of the pipe 10 where the diameter is running parallel to a
trench's bottom, or base 13, or in other words in a level
horizontal plane with respect to the ground 15. The perforated
holes 16 range in diameter from {fraction (7/16)} inches to 3/4
inches where the holes 16 are spaced approximately 6 inches
apart.
[0035] With other multi-pipe systems, holes 18 in a distribution
pipe are generally on the bottom facing towards the base of the
trench, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, effluent in these systems
is already leaving the distribution pipe 20 as soon as the effluent
enters the pipe and before the effluent reaches the end of the
distribution pipe 20. But as illustrated in FIG. 3, with having two
lines or rows of holes 16 30.degree. above the horizontal diameter,
where the lines or rows are 120.degree. apart, the effluent enters
the pipe 10 and is retained in the pipe 10 until a sufficient
quantity is collected, allowing the effluent to exit the discharge
holes 16. Thus, the effluent has a better chance of being spread
through more of the polishing pipe 10. With the effluent remaining
in the pipe 10 longer, secondary settling, or polishing, occurs in
the pipe 10 to assist in the process of clarification of the
effluent before discharge.
[0036] Exiting the polishing pipe, the liquid enters a valley 22
formed by the polishing pipe 10 being next to a receiver pipe. From
here the effluent then enters the adjoining receiver pipes 12 and
eventually reaches a ground area, or the base of the trench. Since
the pipes 10, 12 do not have a seal connection between each other,
some of the effluent may also reach the ground, or base of the
trench 13, after leaving the polishing pipe 10. As further
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the holes 18 in the receiver pipes
are disposed in generally straight, generally parallel lines along
the length of each receiver pipe. In a preferred embodiment, each
hole 18 is approximately 60 degrees from an adjacent hole. A first
hole and fourth hole are aligned perpendicular to the base of the
trench, or in a vertical orientation, where the fourth hole is
disposed generally at the lowest point of the pipe when positioned
in a trench 11. The number of holes 18 in each receiver pipe 12 is
approximately six holes 18 where the holes can range in diameter
from {fraction (7/16)} inches to 3/4 inches. In another preferred
embodiment, each hole 18 is approximately 45 degrees from an
adjacent hole where there are 8 holes. The orientation of the holes
and size of the holes, or configuration, can be adjusted based on
soil type to best optimize effluent distribution. Thus, the holes
and placement of the holes, or configuration, may be different for
clay soil versus fine sandy soil.
[0037] FIG. 5 is an exemplary illustration of the placement of the
pipes in a trench. In a preferred embodiment, the receiver pipes 12
are placed in the trench 11 first, resting on the base 13. Once in
place, the polishing pipe 10 is then placed in the trench 11
between the four receiver pipes 12. A soil barrier material 14 is
then placed over the pipes and on the side of the outer two
receiver pipes 12. Back fill is then placed into the trench,
forming a mound. Thus, in constructing the assembly, unlike typical
drain fields which require three individuals to prepare and
construct a drain field (one person operating a back hoe or tractor
and two people preparing the trench and laying the drain field
components, the current invention can be constructed with only two
individuals (one person operating the tractor and one person
preparing the trench and laying the effluent distribution
assembly).
[0038] As further illustrated in FIG. 6, in another embodiment, to
simplify installation the two receiver pipes 12 on each side of the
polishing pipe 10 may be connected together, such as by a plurality
of plastic bands 20 or connecting devices placed along the length
of the pipes. Thus, instead of an installer having to place each
pipe individually into a trench 11, which would consume more time,
when banded or connected, the installer would only have to place
the connected receiver pipes 12 connected together, then the
polishing pipe 16, and finally the other connected receiver pipes
12. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention connected to a
header pipe 28. As illustrated in this preferred embodiment, the
polishing pipe 10 is made of PVC and the receiver pipes 12 are made
of corrugated pipes.
[0039] As further illustrated in FIG. 7, a plurality of the
invention 5 are connected to a distribution box 30 at a first end
of each polishing pipe 10. A septic tank 32 feeds liquid to the
distribution box 30 which has several pipes 33 leading to several
polishing pipes 10 as embodied in the present invention 5. In a
preferred embodiment, the second end of the polishing pipe is
closed off with a cap 35. As illustrated in FIG. 8, when a field
requires more than one segment of the present invention, such as
two 20 foot segments to fill a 40 foot trench 11, once a segment 37
of the present invention is positioned in a trench 11, other
sections 38 can be butted up against the second end of the
invention or a connector can be used to connect the segments
together. In either embodiment, the ends of the receiver pipes 12
are not capped. In another preferred embodiment, as illustrated in
FIG. 9, embodiments of the present invention can be placed side by
side in the same trench 11 if a trench 11 is wider than 36
inches.
[0040] In another preferred embodiment, since additional settlement
can collect in the polishing pipe 10, an access port 40, as
illustrated in FIG. 10 is connected to an end of the polishing pipe
10. The access port 40 can be connected to either end, or connected
anywhere therebetween by bisecting the polishing pipe 10 with a tee
connection, or connector (not shown). Here, settlement collected in
the polishing pipe 10 can be pumped out of the system. The access
port 40 can also be used to inject a root-inhibiting chemical into
the assembly. As also illustrated in FIGS. 8, the direction of the
polishing pipe 10 can be changed at the end of the polishing pipe
10 by including a tee connection, or connection device 42. In a
preferred embodiment, the tee connection 42 is placed at a distance
away from the ends of the receiver 12 and polishing pipes 10 so
that when a tee connection 42 is connected to a second polishing
pipe 10, space is available between the second polishing pipe 10
and the ends of the first set of receiver 12 and polishing pipe10
for receiver pipes 12 to be placed adjacent the second polishing
pipe 10. In another preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.
11, the tee connection 42 is placed at the end of a first polishing
pipe 10 where the second end of the receiving pipes 12 adjacent to
the first polishing pipe 10 are next to the second polishing pipe
10a extending from the tee connection 12. Additional receiving
pipes 12b, two on each side of the polishing pipe 10a, are then
placed next to the second polishing pipe 10a at locations where the
first set of polishing pipes are not next to the second polishing
pipe. The illustration in FIG. 11 represents a preferred embodiment
of a closed loop system.
[0041] Though not shown, a marking signifying the direction pipe
10, 12 should be placed is disposed on each pipe 10, 12. For
example, on the polishing pipe 10, a marking such as "UP" could be
disposed between the 120.degree. area separating the two rows of
holes. Likewise, similar markings can also be applied to the
receiver pipes 12 to signify a direction so that the holes 18 are
placed in their proper configuration.
[0042] The sewage disposal system that the present invention can be
connected to also includes a pump lift station. As illustrated in
FIG. 12, an offset adapter 49 is connected, via a first end, to an
end of the polishing pipe 10. An adapter bushing 39 is connected,
via a first end, to a second end of the offset adapter. A pressure
line from the pump lift station (not shown) is connected to a
second end of the adapter bushing 39.
[0043] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention can
be stacked vertically in a row when a trench is too narrow to
accommodate a horizontal row. Vertical stacking is most appropriate
for hillside installation of the present invention. Thus, as
illustrated in FIG. 13, the receiver pipes 12 are placed in a
stacked, or vertical column inside a trench 11 first. The polishing
pipe 10 is the top pipe, or the last pipe placed in the trench 11.
As with all other embodiments of the invention, a soil barrier 14
is then placed on the top of the polishing pipe 10 and on the sides
of the assembly 5. As further illustrated in FIG. 13, a drop box
59, with an access port 40 is provided as junctions between a
plurality of the assembly installed in a hillside.
[0044] FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another
preferred embodiment of the drain field assembly of the present
invention. The drain field assembly comprises five pipes, where the
center pipe 50 is a distribution pipe and the two pipes 52 on
either side are receiver pipes 52. In this embodiment, a soil
barrier, or protective cover, is laid 14 over the top and sides of
the pipes 50, 52. Each pipe 50, 52 contain slotted entries 54,
where in a preferred embodiment, are spaced 60 degrees apart from
an adjacent slot. In a preferred embodiment, a first and fourth
slot are aligned vertically or perpendicular to a base of a trench
when the pipes are installed. As further illustrated in FIG. 15,
the slots 54 are placed in parallel rows running the length of each
pipe. In another preferred embodiment, each hole 18 is
approximately 45 degrees from an adjacent hole where there are 8
holes. In either embodiment, the orientation of the slots and size
of the slots can be adjusted based on soil type. Thus, the slots
and placement of the slots may be different for clay soil versus
fine sandy soil.
[0045] When utilizing the configuration as embodied in FIGS. 15, 16
and 18, fluid enters the drain field through the distribution pipe
50, which then disburses the effluent to the receiver pipes 52.
FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a plurality of the
invention connected to a distribution box 30 at a first end of each
center distribution pipe 50. A septic tank 32 feeds liquid to the
distribution box 36 which has several pipes 33 leading to several
distribution pipes 50 as embodied in the present invention. The
second end of the distribution pipe 50 is not closed off.
[0046] In another preferred embodiment, an access port 40, as
illustrated in FIG. 17 is connected to a distribution pipe 50 for
pumping out any settlement collected in the distribution pipe 50.
The access port 40 can be located at either end of the distribution
pipe 50 or anywhere between the two ends. As also illustrated in
FIGS. 17, the direction of the distribution pipe 50 can be changed
at the end of the distribution pipe 50 by including a tee
connection 42. FIG. 18 illustrates a preferred embodiment where two
tee connections, or connection devices, connect two distribution
pipes to a third distribution pipe that is perpendicular to the
first and second distribution pipes. In another preferred
embodiment, not shown, tee connections are not needed. The pipes
are simply placed adjacent to each other. In either embodiment, two
receiver pipes 52 are placed on both sides of the third
distribution pipe 50 in the same row.
[0047] While the invention has been described in what is presently
considered to be a preferred embodiment, many variations and
modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to
the specific illustrative embodiment but be interpreted within the
full spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *