Vertical farming system
AssigneeAutostore Technology AS
InventorsIvar Fjeldheim, Trond Austrheim
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosure relates to an automated vertical farming system, including: a framework structure forming a grid storage arrangement; one or more module handling vehicles arranged to travel and transport modules along a rail system, a control system configured to control the travel and operation of the one or more module handling vehicles; and stackable growth modules arranged to support growing plants, the growth modules having a footprint corresponding to that of a column of the framework structure, such that the growth modules may be arranged in stacks in the columns. The growth modules allow plants to grow horizontally, and also provide a non-drip watering system for watering the plants.
Claims19
A module for stacking with other modules in columns of a framework structure, the module comprising:
- a frame to allow the module to be arranged in a stack with the other modules in one of the columns, the frame comprising a first support member and a second support member each having upper and lower load transferring surfaces,
- wherein the first support member and second support member are held in a spaced apart and parallel configuration by a cross-member, the cross-member comprising one of:
- a growth board arranged as a substrate for supporting a growth medium, thus forming a growth module;
- a lighting support arranged to support a light source, thus forming a stackable lighting module;
- a water tank or water tank assembly, thus forming a water tank module;
- or
- a spacer frame, thus forming a spacer module.
A kit of parts for assembling a stackable module comprising a functional component of a vertical farming facility, the kit of parts comprising:
- a first support member and a second support member for forming a load-bearing frame;
- and a cross-member comprising one of:
- a growth board for supporting a growth medium;
- a lighting support for supporting a light source;
- a water tank or a water tank assembly comprising a water tank frame, and optionally a water tank;
- a spacer frame comprising a drainage device and/or an electrical connector.
A method of constructing a vertical farming facility comprising:
- erecting a framework structure comprising upright members arranged in a grid pattern to define columns in which stackable modules may be stacked;
- providing one or more module handling vehicles arranged to travel and transport containers of the system between the columns, each module handling vehicle being equipped with a gripping mechanism arranged to be lowered into a column, grip and lift or lower a module into or out of a column,
- providing a control system configured to control the travel and operation of the one or more module handling vehicles;
- providing a plurality of stackable modules having a footprint corresponding to that of a column of the system, such that the stackable modules may be arranged in stacks in the columns, and wherein the stackable modules each comprise:
- a frame to allow the module to be arranged in a stack with the other modules in one of the columns, the frame comprising a first support member and a second support member each having upper and lower load transferring surfaces,
- wherein the first support member and second support member are held in a spaced apart and parallel configuration by a cross-member, the cross-member comprising one of:
- a growth board arranged as a substrate for supporting a growth medium, thus forming a growth module;
- a lighting support arranged to support a light source, thus forming a stackable lighting module;
- a water tank or water tank assembly, thus forming a water tank module;
- or
- a spacer frame, thus forming a spacer module,
- wherein the method further comprises the step of using the module handling vehicles to lower growth modules into alternating rows of columns, and lowering stackable lighting modules in intermediate rows of columns so that each growth module neighbours a lighting module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.