# US 10,869,436 B2 · Hydroponic growing system

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- Number: US 10,869,436 B2
- Document ID: US10869436B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/179,260
- Filed: 2018-11-02
- Published: 2019-07-25
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2018-01-25
- Applicants: Harold Warrick
- Inventors: Harold Warrick
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10869436B2

## CPC

- A01G 31/06: Hydroponic culture on racks or in stacked containers
- A01G 9/027: {Pots connected in horizontal rows}
- A01G 31/02: Special apparatus therefor (self-acting watering devices A01G27/00)
- C02F 1/001: {Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance (C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00)}
- C02F 1/74: with air (aeration of stretches of water C02F7/00)
- A01G 31/065: {with means for recycling the nutritive solution}
- Y02P 60/21: Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A hydroponic growing system having multiple growing units, wherein each growing unit includes a container for a plant. The growing units are linked through a water recirculation system. The water recirculation system includes a sprayer located on an upper, inner portion of the growing unit above a water level. Water is sprayed downward onto the water surface and plants creating increased levels of oxygen for optimal growth. Each growing unit is connected to a water return channel that directs water to a water pump to circulate water throughout the system via a pressurized manifold system. Sprayers are connected to the manifold for introducing water into the growing unit. The system delivers limitless oxygen to roots and can produce healthy plants with fewer nutrients than conventional systems. The system provides increased oxygen levels such that plant life can thrive, even in less than optimal conditions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A hydroponic growing system, comprising:
a plurality of growing units, wherein each growing unit includes a container for a plant;
wherein each growing unit is linked through a water recirculation system; wherein the water recirculation system includes a waterfall recirculation return module, a water injection manifold, a plurality of growing units, a plurality of sprayers and a water return channel;
wherein the waterfall recirculation return module includes a water pump in fluid communication with the water injection manifold;
wherein the water injection manifold is in fluid communication with the plurality of sprayers to simultaneously provide an equal amount of water to the plurality of sprayers;
wherein each sprayer is located on an inner portion of the growing unit above a growing unit water pool level;
wherein each sprayer is adapted to direct a spray of water onto a growing unit water surface;
wherein each growing unit is in fluid communication with the water return channel;
wherein the water return channel is adapted to direct water from the plurality of growing units into a waterfall recirculation return module;
wherein the water pump maintains a flow of water such that an amount of water leaving each sprayer is constant and the growing unit water pool level is constant.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 1, wherein a vertical gap exists between a terminus of the water return channel and a surface of water in the waterfall recirculation return module.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 1, wherein a lid includes at least one opening adapted to hold at least one plant.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 1, further comprising a float mechanism.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 1, wherein each growing unit includes a drainage aperture at the bottom of the growing unit; wherein the drainage aperture is connected to a drainage connection system; wherein the drainage connection system has a drainage shutoff valve; wherein the drainage connection system connects to the waterfall recirculation return module.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 1, wherein the hydroponic growing system is self-draining allowing for easier cleaning between harvests.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 1, wherein a sprayer head provides sufficient oxygen directly to a root system thereby creating sufficient oxygen availability.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 1, wherein at least one net pot, a water return channel unit connection, and at least one sprayer are located at the top of each growing unit.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 1, wherein at least one net pot is inserted in a lid.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 1, wherein a filter is adapted to filter water drawn from the bottom of the waterfall recirculation return module.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 1, wherein a parts per million of oxygen in a growing unit water pool is measured with a standard oxygen measuring device at a level between 8 and 8.5.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 1, wherein approximately 40% of the growing unit water surface is directly contacted by a spray from the sprayer.

### Claim 13

A hydroponic growing system, comprising:
a plurality of growing units, wherein each growing unit includes a container for a plant;
wherein each growing unit is linked through a water recirculation system;
wherein the water recirculation system includes a sprayer located on an inner portion of each growing unit above a growing unit water pool level;
wherein the water recirculation system is adapted to simultaneously provide an equal amount of water to a plurality of sprayers and each sprayer is adapted to direct a spray of water into a growing unit water surface;
wherein a water pump recirculates water within the water recirculation system.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 13, wherein approximately 40% of the growing unit water surface is directly contacted by the spray of water from the sprayer.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 13, wherein a parts per million of oxygen in a growing unit water pool is measured with a standard oxygen measuring device at a level between 8 and 8.5.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 13, wherein the water pump is contained within a waterfall recirculation module.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 13, wherein a micron mesh filter filters water entering the water pump; wherein the water pump propels the water into a water injection manifold entry component and a water injection manifold thereby distributing water to each growing unit.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The hydroponic growing system of claim 1, wherein the hydroponic growing system is self-draining allowing for easier cleaning.