Method and system for rescuing playability of synthetic turf

Abstract

A system and method of rescuing playability of synthetic turf are disclosed. The system and method include kicking out infield material, mixing existing infield material with fresh infield material, injecting the mixed infield material, and kicking the bent and depressed turf fibers back to an upright position. The system and method also include performing the injecting pivoting the injectors in multiple directions. The system and method further include mixing water absorbent polymer particles with the mixed infield material and injecting into the turf. The system and method further include applying liquid materials to the fibers and material of the synthetic turf. The system and method further include injecting disinfectants into the turf.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of rescuing playability of synthetic turf, the method comprising:
 kicking out infield material via injection of high pressure liquid;   mixing existing infield material with fresh infield material; and   kicking the bent and depressed turf fibers back to an upright position.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injecting is performed by pivoting the injectors in multiple directions. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising mixing water absorbent polymer particles with the mixed infield material and injecting into the turf. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising applying liquid materials to the fibers and material of the synthetic turf. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising injecting disinfectants into the turf. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the liquid is injected at a pressure from 2200 to 2500 psi. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the liquid is injected at a pressure from 2500 to 3250 psi. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injection occurs using 3×1 spacing. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injection occurs using 3×2 spacing. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injection occurs using 3×3 spacing. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injection occurs at an angle of between 15 and 0 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injection occurs at an angle of less than 25 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injection occurs at an angle in the range of approximately 8 to 11 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injection is from an injection manifold with 7 to 32 injectors. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mixing occurs within the field profile. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mixing occurs prior to injection. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injection causes the kicking of bent and depressed fibers. 
     
     
         18 . A system for rescuing the playability of synthetic turf, the system comprising:
 a manifold including a plurality of nozzles distributed along a length;   a peristaltic pump assembly that comprises a motor that rotates a carriage assembly, an encoder disc, a sensor, an inlet line fluidly coupled to an additive reservoir, and an outlet line coupled to the manifold;   a pressurized fluid source fluidly coupled to the manifold, wherein when the pressurized fluid is injected into the manifold, the pressure in the manifold increases and the pressurized fluid mixes with an additive delivered from the additive reservoir; and   a ground speed sensor; and   a computer control system in communication with the peristaltic pump assembly and the ground speed indicator,   wherein the computer control system controls an output of the peristaltic pump to be proportional to the ground speed sensed and wherein the increased pressure in the manifold causes the pressurized fluid within the manifold to exit through the plurality of nozzles to inject the pressurized fluid and the additive to be injected into the soil by creating fractures in the soil, and   wherein the additive includes new infield material.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the additive includes disinfectant. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the water absorbent polymer particles.