# US 2013/0152469 A1 · Hydroponic system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0152469 A1 - Document ID: US20130152469A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/325,499 - Filed: 2011-12-14 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-14 - Inventors: Chih-Cheng KAO - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152469A1 ## CPC - 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 The present invention relates to a hydroponic system, which comprises at least a hydroponic tank and at least a level adjustment tank. The hydroponic tank and the level adjustment tank are respectively provided with at least a carrier for carrying or growing plants and at least a float. Each carrier and float is linked by a linkage mechanism. The summed fluid level of the level adjustment tank is much smaller than that of the hydroponic tank, so by filling or discharging a small amount of an adjustment solution in or out of the level adjustment tank, the height of the float in the level adjustment tank can be altered with the elevation of the fluid level; as such, the level adjustment tank can greatly save the required water amount and shorten the operation time of a water pump. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hydroponic system, comprising: at least a hydroponic tank, each hydroponic tank being filled with a nutrient solution and installed with at least a carrier for carrying or growing plants, the average specific gravity of each carrier and said plants thereof being greater than the specific gravity of said nutrient solution; at least a level adjustment tank, each level adjustment tank being filled with an adjustment solution and installed with at least a first water intake pipe and at least a first discharge pipe, the summed area of the fluid level of said level adjustment tank being smaller than that of said hydroponic tank, and at least a float being provided in said level adjustment tank, the specific gravity of said float being smaller than that of said adjustment solution, and the gross weight of said float being greater than the gross weight of said carrier and said plants thereof subtracting the total buoyancy of said carrier totally immersed in said nutrient solution; and a linkage mechanism having at least a support member installed above said hydroponic tank and said level adjustment tank, said support member being installed with at least an upper guide member corresponding to the locations of said float and said carrier, said upper guide member allowing a drag rope to be installed thereon, and two ends of said drag rope being respectively connected to said float and said carrier; when said first water intake pipe or said first discharge pipe being utilized for filling or discharging said adjustment solution in or out of said level adjustment tank, the height of said float in said level adjustment tank being altered with the elevation of the fluid level, and with the linking effect provided by said drag rope, said carrier and said plants thereof in said nutrient solution of said hydroponic tank generating a corresponding lifting/sinking movement at a same ratio. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hydroponic tank is installed with at least a second water intake pipe and at least a second discharge pipe. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said float or said carrier is optionally combined with at least a weight. ### Claim 4 A hydroponic system, comprising: at least a hydroponic tank, each hydroponic tank being filled with a nutrient solution and installed with at least a carrier for carrying or growing plants, the average specific gravity of each carrier and said plants thereof being greater than the specific gravity of said nutrient solution; at least a level adjustment tank, each level adjustment tank being filled with an adjustment solution and installed with at least a first water intake pipe and at least a first discharge pipe, the summed area of the fluid level of said level adjustment tank being smaller than that of said hydroponic tank, and at least a float being provided in said level adjustment tank, the specific gravity of said float being smaller than that of said adjustment solution, and the total buoyancy of said float totally immersed in said adjustment solution subtracting the gross weight of said float being greater than the gross weight of said carrier and said plants thereof subtracting the total buoyancy of said carrier totally immersed in said nutrient solution; and a linkage mechanism having at least a support member installed above said hydroponic tank and said level adjustment tank, said support member being installed with at least an upper guide member corresponding to the locations of each float and carrier, said upper guide member allowing a drag rope to be installed thereon, and two ends of said drag rope being respectively connected to said float and said carrier; wherein, the bottom of said level adjustment tank being further installed with at least a turning guide member, and said drag rope passing said upper guide member further passing through said turning guide member in said level adjustment tank then being connected to said float; when said first water intake pipe or said first discharge pipe being utilized for filling or discharging said adjustment solution in or out of said level adjustment tank, the height of said float in said level adjustment tank being altered with the elevation of the fluid level, and with the linking effect provided by said drag rope, said carrier and said plants thereof in said nutrient solution of said hydroponic tank generating a corresponding lifting/sinking movement at a same ratio. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said hydroponic tank is installed with at least a second water intake pipe and at least a second discharge pipe. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said float or said carrier is optionally combined with at least a weight. ### Claim 7 A hydroponic system, comprising: at least a hydroponic tank, each hydroponic tank being filled with a nutrient solution and installed with at least a carrier for carrying or growing plants, the average specific gravity of each carrier and said plants thereof being smaller than the specific gravity of said nutrient solution; at least a level adjustment tank, each level adjustment tank being filled with an adjustment solution and installed with at least a first water intake pipe and at least a first discharge pipe, the summed area of the fluid level of said level adjustment tank being smaller than that of said hydroponic tank, and at least a float being provided in said level adjustment tank, the specific gravity of said float being smaller than that of said adjustment solution, and the gross weight of said float being greater than the total buoyancy of said carrier and said plants thereof totally immersed in said nutrient solution subtracting the gross weight of said carrier and said plants thereof; and a linkage mechanism having at least a lower guide member installed at the bottom of said hydroponic tank and having at least a support member installed above said hydroponic tank and said level adjustment tank, said support member being provided with at least an upper guide member between said float and said carrier, said upper and lower guide members allowing a drag rope to be installed thereon, and two ends of the drag rope being respectively connected to said float and said carrier; when said first water intake pipe or said first discharge pipe being utilized for filling or discharging said adjustment solution in or out of said level adjustment tank, the height of said float in said level adjustment tank being altered with the elevation of the fluid level, and with the linking effect provided by said drag rope, said carrier and said plants thereof in said nutrient solution of said hydroponic tank generating a corresponding lifting/sinking movement at a same ratio. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said hydroponic tank is installed with at least a second water intake pipe and at least a second discharge pipe. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said float or said carrier is optionally combined with at least a weight. ### Claim 10 A hydroponic system, comprising: at least a hydroponic tank, each hydroponic tank being filled with a nutrient solution and installed with at least a carrier for carrying or growing plants, the average specific gravity of each carrier and said plants thereof being smaller than the specific gravity of said nutrient solution; at least a level adjustment tank, each level adjustment tank being filled with an adjustment solution and installed with at least a first water intake pipe and at least a first discharge pipe, the summed area of the fluid level of said level adjustment tank being smaller than that of said hydroponic tank, and at least a float being provided in said level adjustment tank, the specific gravity of said float being smaller than that of said adjustment solution, and the total buoyancy of said float totally immersed in said adjustment solution subtracting the gross weight of said float being greater than the total buoyancy of said carrier and said plants thereof totally immersed in said nutrient solution subtracting the gross weight of said carrier and said plants thereof; and a linkage mechanism having at least a lower guide member installed at the bottom of said hydroponic tank and having at least a support member installed above said hydroponic tank and said level adjustment tank, said support member being provided with at least an upper guide member between said float and said carrier, said upper and lower guide members allowing a drag rope to be installed thereon, and two ends of said drag rope being respectively connected to said float and said carrier; wherein, the bottom of said level adjustment tank being further installed with at least a turning guide member, and said drag rope passing said upper guide member further passing through said turning guide member in said level adjustment tank then being connected to said float; when said first water intake pipe or said first discharge pipe being utilized for filling or discharging said adjustment solution in or out of said level adjustment tank, the height of said float in said level adjustment tank being altered with the elevation of the fluid level, and with the linking effect provided by said drag rope, said carrier and said plants thereof in said nutrient solution of said hydroponic tank generating a corresponding lifting/sinking movement at a same ratio. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said hydroponic tank is installed with at least a second water intake pipe and at least a second discharge pipe. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said float or said carrier is optionally combined with at least a weight. ### Claim 13 A hydroponic system, comprising: at least a hydroponic tank, each hydroponic tank being filled with a nutrient solution and installed with at least a carrier for carrying or growing plants, the average specific gravity of each carrier and said plants thereof being greater than the specific gravity of said nutrient solution; at least a level adjustment tank, each level adjustment tank being filled with an adjustment solution and installed with at least a first water intake pipe and at least a first discharge pipe, the summed area of the fluid level of said level adjustment tank being smaller than that of said hydroponic tank, and at least a float being provided in said level adjustment tank, the specific gravity of said float being smaller than that of said adjustment solution, and the gross weight of said float being greater than the gross weight of said carrier and said plants thereof subtracting the total buoyancy of said carrier totally immersed in said nutrient solution then multiplying the circumference ratio between a large and a small reels; and a linkage mechanism having at least a support member installed above said hydroponic tank and said level adjustment tank, said support member being provided with at least a take-up mechanism, each take-up mechanism including a small reel and at least a large reel, the circumference ratio between said small and said large reels being 1:≧1, and free ends of a first and a second drag ropes wound on said small and the large reels being respectively connected to said float and said carrier; when said first water intake pipe or said first discharge pipe being utilized for filling or discharging said adjustment solution in or out of said level adjustment tank, the height of said float in said level adjustment tank being altered with the elevation of the fluid level, and with the linking effect provided by said first and the second drag ropes and said small and the large reels being rotated through a same angle, said carrier and said plants thereof in said nutrient solution of said hydroponic tank generating a lifting/sinking movement corresponding to the circumference between said large and said small reels multiplying the displace ratio of the altered height. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said support member is installed with at least an upper guide member, the free end of said first or said second drag rope wound on said small and said large reels optionally passes through said upper guide member then is connected to said float or said carrier. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said hydroponic tank is installed with at least a second water intake pipe and at least a second discharge pipe. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said float or said carrier is optionally combined with at least a weight. ### Claim 17 A hydroponic system, comprising: at least a hydroponic tank, each hydroponic tank being filled with a nutrient solution and installed with at least a carrier for carrying or growing plants, the average specific gravity of each carrier and said plants thereof being greater than the specific gravity of said nutrient solution; at least a level adjustment tank, each level adjustment tank being filled with an adjustment solution and installed with at least a first water intake pipe and at least a first discharge pipe, the summed area of the fluid level of said level adjustment tank being smaller than that of said hydroponic tank, and at least a float being provided in said level adjustment tank, the specific gravity of said float being smaller than that of said adjustment solution, and the total buoyancy of said float totally immersed in said adjustment solution subtracting the gross weight of said float being greater than the gross weight of said carrier and said plants thereof subtracting the total buoyancy of said carrier totally immersed in said nutrient solution then multiplying the circumference ratio between a large and a small reels; and a linkage mechanism having at least a support member installed above said hydroponic tank and said level adjustment tank, said support member being provided with at least a take-up mechanism, each take-up mechanism including a small reel and at least a large reel, the circumference ratio between said small and said large reels being 1:≧1, and free ends of a first and a second drag ropes wound on said small and said large reels being respectively connected to said float and said carrier; wherein, the bottom of said level adjustment tank being further installed with at least a turning guide member, and said first drag rope passing through said turning guide member in said level adjustment tank then being connected to said float; accordingly, by said first water intake pipe or said first discharge pipe being utilized for filling or discharging said adjustment solution in or out of said level adjustment tank, the height of said float in said level adjustment tank being altered with the elevation of the fluid level, and with the linking effect provided by said first and said second drag ropes and said small and said large reels being rotated through a same angle, said carrier and said plants thereof in said nutrient solution of said hydroponic tank can generating a lifting/sinking movement corresponding to the circumference between said large and said small reels multiplying the displace ratio of the altered height. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said support member is installed with at least an upper guide member, the free end of said first or said second drag rope wound on said small and said large reels optionally passes through said upper guide member then is connected to said float or said carrier. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said hydroponic tank is installed with at least a second water intake pipe and at least a second discharge pipe. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said float or said carrier is optionally combined with at least a weight. ### Claim 21 A hydroponic system, comprising: at least a hydroponic tank, each hydroponic tank being filled with a nutrient solution and installed with at least a carrier for carrying or growing plants, the average specific gravity of each carrier and said plants thereof being smaller than the specific gravity of said nutrient solution; at least a level adjustment tank, each level adjustment tank being filled with an adjustment solution and installed with at least a first water intake pipe and at least a first discharge pipe, the summed area of the fluid level of said level adjustment tank being smaller than that of said hydroponic tank, and at least a float being provided in said level adjustment tank, the specific gravity of said float being smaller than that of said adjustment solution, and the gross weight of said float being greater than the total buoyancy of said carrier and said plants thereof totally immersed in said nutrient solution subtracting the gross weight of said carrier and said plants thereof then multiplying the circumference ratio between a large and a small reels; and a linkage mechanism having at least a lower guide member installed at the bottom of said hydroponic tank and having at least a support member installed above said hydroponic tank and said level adjustment tank, said support member being provided with at least a take-up mechanism, each take-up mechanism including a small reel and at least a large reel, the circumference ratio between said small and said large reels being 1:≧1, and a free end of a first drag rope wound on said small reel being connected to said float, and a free end of a second drag rope wound on said large reel passing through said lower guide member then being connected to said carrier; when said first water intake pipe or said first discharge pipe being utilized for filling or discharging said adjustment solution in or out of said level adjustment tank, the height of said float in said level adjustment tank being altered with the elevation of the fluid level, and with the linking effect provided by said first and said second drag ropes and said small and said large reels being rotated through a same angle, said carrier and said plants thereof in said nutrient solution of said hydroponic tank generating a lifting/sinking movement corresponding to the circumference between said large and said small reels multiplying the displace ratio of the altered height. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said support member is installed with at least an upper guide member, the free end of said first or said second drag rope wound on said small and said large reels optionally passes through said upper guide member then is connected to said float or said carrier. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said hydroponic tank is installed with at least a second water intake pipe and at least a second discharge pipe. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said float or said carrier is optionally combined with at least a weight. ### Claim 25 A hydroponic system, comprising: at least a hydroponic tank, each hydroponic tank being filled with a nutrient solution and installed with at least a carrier for carrying or growing plants, the average specific gravity of each carrier and said plants thereof being smaller than the specific gravity of said nutrient solution; at least a level adjustment tank, each level adjustment tank being filled with an adjustment solution and installed with at least a first water intake pipe and at least a first discharge pipe, the summed area of the fluid level of said level adjustment tank being smaller than that of said hydroponic tank, and at least a float being provided in said level adjustment tank, the specific gravity of said float being smaller than that of said adjustment solution, and the total buoyancy of said float totally immersed in said adjustment solution subtracting the gross weight of said float being greater than the total buoyancy of said carrier and said plants thereof totally immersed in said nutrient solution subtracting the gross weight of said carrier and said plants thereof then multiplying the circumference ratio between a large and a small reels; and a linkage mechanism having at least a lower guide member installed at the bottom of said hydroponic tank and having at least a support member installed above said hydroponic tank and said level adjustment tank, said support member being provided with at least a take-up mechanism, each take-up mechanism including a small reel and at least a large reel, the circumference ratio between said small and said large reels being 1:≧1, and a free end of a first drag rope wound on said small reel being connected to said float, and a free end of a second drag rope wound on said large reel passing through said lower guide member then being connected to said carrier; wherein, the bottom of said level adjustment tank being further installed with at least a turning guide member, and said first drag rope passing through said turning guide member in said level adjustment tank then being connected to said float; when said first water intake pipe or said first discharge pipe being utilized for filling or discharging said adjustment solution in or out of said level adjustment tank, the height of said float in said level adjustment tank being altered with the elevation of the fluid level, and with the linking effect provided by said first and said second drag ropes and said small and said large reels being rotated through a same angle, said carrier and said plants thereof in said nutrient solution of said hydroponic tank generating a lifting/sinking movement corresponding to the circumference between said large and said small reels multiplying the displace ratio of the altered height. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said support member is installed with at least an upper guide member, the free end of said first or said second drag rope wound on said small and said large reels optionally passes through said upper guide member then is connected to said float or said carrier. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said hydroponic tank is installed with at least a second water intake pipe and at least a second discharge pipe. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The hydroponic system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said float or said carrier is optionally combined with at least a weight.