US 11,596,109 B2Granted

High density plant growth systems and methods

OwnerJoao Luis Pinto Fonseca dos Reis, Joao Miguel Severino Mendesinventors

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Abstract

Systems and methods for vertical farming that reduce the deployment cost, operational costs of human labor, and overall use of energy intensive processes, such as lighting, heating and cooling, and ventilation, while increasing crop quality and yield. This reduction is achieved through a hybrid system that alternates natural light, temperature, and ventilation sources with system-controlled lighting, temperature, and ventilation means. The system includes a germination module that allows seeds to germinal on a horizontal substrate, a growth module that provides optimal growth conditions to the germinated seed on the substrate in a vertical position, and a dosing module that controls the micronutrient mixture supplied to the growing plants.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A system for high density plant growth comprising:

at least one modular tray comprising a frame having an open central region and a flexible substrate comprising a recyclable porous textile, wherein the flexible substrate is attachable along at least two opposing perimeter sides of the frame so that it spans the open central region of the frame, and wherein each of a first side and a second side of the flexible substrate are exposed;
a germination module comprising:
a tower having a plurality of vertically spaced mounts configured to support the at least one modular tray in a horizontal orientation with the first side facing upward, wherein additional modular trays are stacked vertically within the tower on the vertically spaced mounts, and
a vertical watering system having vertically spaced misting nozzles positioned at corners of the tower;
a growth module comprising at least a first rack horizontally spaced apart from a second rack, each of the first and second racks comprising vertically spaced supports configured to maintain the at least one modular tray in a vertical orientation with the first side facing outward and the second side facing inward toward a vertical watering system;
a vertical watering system in each of the germination module and the growth module;
a reflux tank configured to accept fluids draining from (i) the at least one modular tray and (ii) the vertical watering system in the germination module, growth module, or both;
a mixing tank configured to accept fluid from the reflux tank and water;
and
a dosing module configured to provide nutrients, pH adjustment, and water to the mixing tank,
wherein the mixing tank uses a hysteresis cycle comprising a reflux pump configured to turn on when a water level in the mixing tank reaches a low water limit and turn off when the water level in the mixing tank reaches a high-water limit, and wherein the dosing module uses proportional control to add one or more of the nutrients, pH adjustment, and water to the mixing tank based on sensor readings within the mixing tank.

8 more elements

A system for high density plant growth comprising:

at least one modular tray comprising a frame having an open central region and a flexible substrate comprising a recyclable porous textile, wherein the flexible substrate spans the open central region and is attached along at least two opposing perimeter sides of the frame, and wherein each of a first side and a second side of the flexible substrate are exposed;
a germination module configured to support the at least one modular tray in a horizontal position with the first side facing upward;
a growth module comprising at least a first rack horizontally spaced apart from a second rack, each of the first and second racks comprising vertically spaced supports configured to maintain the at least one modular tray in a vertical orientation with the first side facing outward and the second side facing inward;
a reflux tank configured to accept fluids draining from the at least one modular tray and a watering system in the germination module, growth module, or both;
a mixing tank configured to accept fluid from the reflux tank and water;
and
a dosing module configured to provide nutrients to the mixing tank,
wherein each of the germination module and the growth module comprises a vertical watering system,
wherein the vertical watering system of the growth module comprises a motorized cart moveable along two horizontal rails having suspended therefrom a vertically extending flexible mister comprising a plurality of vertically spaced mister nozzles that provide water and nutrients from the mixing tank to the second side of the at least one modular tray when in the vertical orientation, wherein contact sensors at ends of the rails cause the cart to change direction when the cart comes in contact therewith.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/077,508Filed 22 Oct 2020 · us provisional application
Priority: 22 Oct 2019
Published: US 2021/0112728 A122 Apr 2021
Granted: 7 Mar 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

A01G 9/029
Receptacles, e.g. flower-pots or boxes ; Glasses for cultivating flowers: receptacles for seedlings
A01G 9/023
Pots for vertical horticulture: multi-tiered planters
A01G 24/46
In block, mat or sheet form: multi-layered
A01G 27/003
Self-acting watering devices, e.g. for flower-pots: control of self-acting watering devices