Subterranean fluid cavity and methods and systems comprising same

Abstract

The present invention is directed to, in part, modules that allow for the exchange of a fluid such as a liquid or gas to and/or from a growing medium or surface and systems and methods comprising same. In one embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for directing the flow of a fluid passing through a growing medium, the apparatus comprising: a top having a plurality of perforations, a base that is positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to the top, thereby defining a cavity for passage of fluid therein, and a plurality of supports interposed between the top and the base, the supports maintaining the height of the cavity and being sufficient in number, size, and physical properties as to permit the top to support the weight of the medium and activity above the medium.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for controlling a fluid passing through a medium, the apparatus comprising: 
 a top comprising a plurality of perforations;    a base that is positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to said top, thereby defining a cavity for passage of fluid therein; and    a plurality of supports interposed between said top and said base, said supports maintaining the height of said cavity and being sufficient in number, size, and physical properties as to permit said top to support the weight of said medium and activity above said medium.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said top and said base further comprise a groove.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a sealing strip disposed within said top groove and said base groove and extending from said top to said base.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said supports are affixed to said base.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said supports are affixed to said top.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said supports comprise top supports affixed to said top and base supports affixed to said base.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said top supports interlock with said base supports.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said fluid comprises water.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said fluid comprises air.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said apparatus resides at least 1 inch below the surface of said medium.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said apparatus resides at least 10 inches below the surface of said medium.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said top further comprises a retaining rib.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising a perching substrate disposed within said retaining rib.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said top and said base further comprise an interlocking edge.  
     
     
         15 . An integrated system for directing the flow of a fluid underneath a medium wherein the system comprises a plurality of modules wherein the modules comprise: 
 a top having a plurality of perforations,    a base that is positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to said top, thereby defining a cavity for passage of fluid therein; and    a plurality of supports interposed between said top and said base, said supports maintaining the height of said cavity and being sufficient in number, size, and physical properties as to permit said top to support the weight of said medium and activity above said medium.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising sealing strips.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said sealing strips are installed at the perimeter of said plurality of modules.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising a heating or cooling unit and a circulator.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising a device for applying a vacuum to said plurality of modules.  
     
     
         20 . A method for directing the flow of a fluid underneath a growing medium, wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 providing a system of interconnected modules defining a pathway for the flow of the fluid wherein each module is comprised of a top having a plurality of perforations, a base that is positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to said top, thereby defining a cavity for passage of fluid therein, and a plurality of supports interposed between said top and said base, said supports maintaining the height of said cavity and being sufficient in number, size, and physical properties as to permit said top to support the weight of said medium and activity above said medium;    capturing said fluid within said cavity of said interconnected modules via said perforations on said top of said modules; and    directing said fluid through said cavities of said interconnected modules.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said interconnected modules further comprise sealing strips.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said fluid is directed to a collector.