Modular agriculture system
OwnerMichele Grassiinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular agriculture system for use underwater. The system comprises a plurality of node elements (101) each including an agricultural unit and a plurality of connection elements (201) for inter-connecting at least some of said nodes to form a mesh-like structure with nodes at the mesh junctions. A significant portion of said connection elements (201) are of low cross section such that when in use and placed underwater they present a low resistance to the action of waves and currents. A plurality of tensioning elements are connected to the mesh-like structure to place the connection elements (201) in tension.
Claims26
A modular agriculture system for use underwater, the system comprising:
- a plurality of node elements (101) each including an agricultural unit:
- a plurality of connection elements (201) for inter-connecting at least some of said nodes (101) to form a mesh-like structure with nodes (101) at the mesh junctions, said connection elements having a profile such that when in use and placed underwater they present a low resistance to the action of waves and currents;
- a plurality of tensioning elements (310) for connection to the mesh-like structure to place the connection elements in tension;
- and
- at least two anchor elements (301) for securing the mesh-like structure to the sea bottom.
A system according to any preceding claim wherein at least some of the connection elements (201) are flexible.
A system according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the node elements (101) includes a coupling arrangement for a connection element which allows a connection element to move therethrough and thereby move relative to the node element.
A system according to any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the connection elements (201) are biodegradable.
A system according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the node elements (101) includes a substrate to facilitate rooting of plants or seaweeds positioned on them.
A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the geometry of the inter-connected mesh-like structure comprising connection lines (201) and tensioning elements (301) is selected so that the tension applied via the tensioning element will distribute evenly through at least part of the mesh-like structure.
A system according to any of the preceding claim, wherein a or the anchor element (301) comprises a bottom fixture such as an anchor, or a surface penetrating component, a suction system, or a weight, or a combination of these.
A system according to any preceding claim, wherein a tensioning element comprises tension generating devices like coils, elastomers, pneumatic or hydraulic or electromechanical actuators or ropes or cables pulled by floaters or by weights, possibly with the use of pulleys or other means to deviate the direction of the tension thus generated.
A system according to any preceding claim, wherein a node element (101) contains means to distribute light or nutrients in its immediate vicinity.
A system according to any preceding claim, wherein a node element contains means to keep away or control predators or pests, like cages, sound emitters (possibly of very high or very low frequency), electromagnetic emitters (possibly of low frequency or of very high frequency, or of light) or substance emitters.
A system according to any preceding claim, wherein a node element contains fixtures like anchors or surface penetrating components or weights, or a combination of the above, to further reduce relative motion with respect to the ground.
A system according to any preceding claim, wherein a node element contains means to monitor the surrounding environment, means to mitigate the accumulation of sediments, to produce heat, to produce cold, to vary the percentage of some gases diluted in the surrounding water or any combination of the above.
A system according to any preceding claim, further including at least one service node element for inclusion in the mesh-like structure and containing means to provide useful services to the cultivation.
A system according to any preceding claim, wherein a node element or a service node element includes means for connection to power cables, to data cables or to pipes.
A system according to any preceding claim, further including a power hub, a data hub, a storage device or a combination of the above, for connection to a node element or service node element and/or to a connecting elements.
A system according to any preceding claim, further including one or more devices to convert into usable energy the mechanical energy from waves, the mechanical energy from currents, the light, the thermal energy from an underground reservoir, the salinity gradient, the thermal gradient or other sources of renewable energy.
A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the mesh-like structure of nodes and connecting elements is prepared in a way which allows for it to be deployed by an unmanned underwater vehicle.
A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the mesh of nodes and connecting elements is prepared in a way which allows for it to be assembled underwater by a mechanical system prior to deployment
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.