Irrigation method and apparatus for indoor farming
AssigneeArea 2 Farms, PBC
InventorTyler Baras
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for irrigating growth trays in a multi-level farming structure are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a system comprises a conveyor segment an irrigation flow line. The conveyor is configured to move one or more growth trays in a first direction through an irrigation section of the multi-level farming structure. The irrigation flow line may be disposed vertically above the conveyor and extending longitudinally in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The irrigation flow line has one or more apertures formed therein that facilitate fluid flowing out of the irrigation flow line onto growth trays being moved through the irrigation section, the one or more apertures spanning multiple points along a length of the irrigation flow line.
Claims19
A system for irrigating growth trays in a multi-level farming structure, the system comprising:
- a transport elevator that selectively elevates one or more of the growth trays from a first station at a lowest vertical level, through one or more second stations at intermediate higher vertical levels, to a third station at a highest vertical level;
- a roller conveyor that receives the one or more growth trays from the third station and conveys the one or more growth trays to the first station;
- wherein the roller conveyor comprises a conveyor segment to move one or more growth trays in a first direction through an irrigation section of the multi-level farming structure;
- and
- an irrigation flow line vertically above the conveyor segment and extending longitudinally in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the irrigation flow line has one or more apertures formed therein that facilitate fluid flowing out of the irrigation flow line onto the one or more growth trays being moved through the irrigation section, the one or more apertures spanning multiple points along a length of the irrigation flow line.
A multi-level farming apparatus, comprising:
- elevating means for selectively elevating the growth trays from a first station at a lowest vertical level, through one or more second stations at intermediate higher vertical levels, to a third station at a highest vertical level;
- conveying means for receiving the growth trays from the third station and for conveying growth trays through a plurality of stations to the first station, each station located at a different vertical level within the multi-level farming apparatus;
- and
- an irrigation means for applying water to the growth trays, the irrigation means being located at one of the plurality of stations through which the growth trays are moved by the conveying means, and the irrigation means comprising an irrigation flow line disposed vertically above the conveying means and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of growth trays via the conveying means, wherein the irrigation flow line has one or more apertures formed therein to dispense water.
A method of irrigating growth trays in a multi-level farming structure, the method comprising:
- selectively elevating one or more of the growth trays from a first station at a lowest vertical level, through one or more second stations at intermediate higher vertical levels, to a third station at a highest vertical level;
- receiving, using a roller conveyor, one or more of the growth trays from the third station and conveying the one or more growth trays to the first station;
- moving one or more growth trays in a first direction through an irrigation section of the multi-level farming structure via a conveyor segment of the roller conveyor;
- and
- applying water to the growth trays in the irrigation section via an irrigation flow line disposed vertically above the conveyor segment and extending longitudinally in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the irrigation flow line outputs water through one or more apertures spanning multiple points along a length of the irrigation flow line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.