# US 11,997,962 B2 · Automated growing systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,997,962 B2 - Document ID: US11997962B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/983,109 - Filed: 2022-11-08 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2022-11-08 - Assignees: Agriforce Growing Systems Ltd. - Applicants: Agriforce Growing Systems Ltd. - Inventors: Ingo Mueller; Troy McClellan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11997962B2 ## CPC - A01G 9/047: {Channels or gutters, e.g. for hydroponics} - A01G 31/06: Hydroponic culture on racks or in stacked containers - A01G 9/143: {Equipment for handling produce in greenhouses} - A01G 31/02: Special apparatus therefor (self-acting watering devices A01G27/00) - 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) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract An automated growing system comprises a plurality of vegetative production lines for moving a plurality of planted growing channels from a first end to a second end of a growing area, a plurality of flowering production lines for moving the channels from the second end to the first end, and a first conveyor belt for moving planted growing channels from the plurality of vegetative production lines to the plurality of flowering production lines. Each production line may comprise a frame, a conveyor assembly configured to receive growing channels, a fertigation delivery line comprising a plurality of regulators spaced therealong for depositing fluid into the growing channels, a drainage trough, and an air supply duct positioned under the conveyor assembly, the air supply duct comprising a plurality of openings therein for delivering conditioned air to plants growing in the growing channels. Each growing channel may comprise a trough having a first end higher than a second end, a flange extending laterally from each of a pair of opposed lateral edges of the trough and having a plurality of leach lines on an upper surface thereof extending a different predetermined distance from the first end toward the second end, and a fertigation receiving structure attached to the first end of the trough and configured to direct fluid falling therein into the leach lines of each flange. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A production line for an automated growing system, the production line comprising: a frame having a first end and a second end; a conveyor assembly supported by the frame, the conveyor assembly configured to receive growing channels at the first end and move the growing channels toward the second end; a fertigation delivery line supported by the frame, the fertigation delivery line extending between the first and second ends and positioned above and to a first lateral side of the conveyor assembly, the fertigation delivery line comprising a plurality of regulators spaced therealong for depositing fluid into fertigation receiving structures of the growing channels; a drainage trough supported by the frame, the drainage trough extending between the first and second ends and positioned to a second lateral side of the conveyor assembly; and an air supply duct supported by the frame, the air supply duct extending between the first and second ends and positioned under the conveyor assembly, the air supply duct comprising a plurality of openings therein for delivering conditioned air to plants growing in the growing channels. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The production line of claim 1, wherein the air supply duct comprises a frustum of a hollow cone connected to receive a flow of conditioned air therein, the frustum having circular cross-sections perpendicular to an axis extending between the first and second ends, the circular cross-sections having decreasing diameter in the direction of an air flow through the frustum. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The production line of claim 1, wherein the air supply duct is constructed from ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The production line of claim 1, comprising at least two air supply ducts positioned under the conveyor assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The production line of claim 1, including a system for filtering and conditioning air delivered to plants growing in the growing channels, the system controlling at least one of air temperature, CO2 content, and humidity. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The production line of claim 1, comprising a system for sanitizing air delivered to plants growing in the growing channels, using ultra-violet germicidal irradiation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The production line of claim 1, comprising a reverse osmosis unit for filtering fluid to be delivered to the fertigation delivery line. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The production line of claim 1, comprising a fertigation unit for mixing fertilizer in fluid to be delivered to the fertigation delivery line. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The production line of claim 1, comprising a nano-bubble unit to introduce gas bubbles in fluid to be delivered to the fertigation delivery line. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The production line of claim 1, comprising a second drainage trough position to a first lateral side of the conveyer assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The production line of claim 1, comprising a control system for controlling a microclimate around the production line using conditioned air supplied through the air supply duct. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The production line of claim 1, comprising rigid castors attached to the frame to allow lateral motion of the production line. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The production line of claim 1, comprising lighting sources attached to the frame. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The production line of claim 13, comprising a lighting control system to control the lighting sources, based on time of day and age of plants growing in the growing channels.