US 4,242,833 A · Greenhouse and method of growing plants in cold climates

Abstract

A greenhouse construction and method of growing plants in cold climates employing a water layer defining in part a growing environment which transmits solar radiation into the interior of an enclosure constituting the growing environment. The water layer acts to absorb longer wavelength infrared portions of the solar spectrum preventing overheating of the greenhouse interior during cold and warm weather seasons, with the resultant heating of the water in the layer allowing it to act as a thermal storage medium during cold weather seasons. At the same time, the water layer transmits the photosynthetic shorter wavelengths of the solar spectrum to support plant growth within the greenhouse. The water layer is disposed in a ceiling structure, consisting of spaced transparent sheet layers combined with a pivotal reflector-insulator panel acting to cover the water layer during nighttime or other periods when solar radiation is absent or minimal. The water in the water layer optionally is circulated through an irrigation system after being warmed by the solar radiation.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A greenhouse consisting of an enclosure defining an interior space within which plants are to be grown, said enclosure including a ceiling portion thereof consisting of a pond of water extending atop said enclosure and means supporting said layer of water, including sheets of a material transparent to those portions of solar radiation supporting photosynthetic processes in plants grown, whereby said water layer acts to absorb the longer wavelength infrared radiation in the solar spectrum while transmitting the photosynthetic component of solar radiation, said water layer also acting as a thermal storage media;

and a plurality of pivotal reflector-insulator panels mounted to said greenhouse enclosure to be movable between a first position whereat said panel is positioned immediately over said water pond and a second position tilted above said water pond, and wherein each of said pivotal reflector-insulator panels consists of a panel member and includes an insulating layer, whereby said panel may be positioned over said water during periods of low or no solar radiation to minimize heat losses from said water pond to the exterior of said greenhouse.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Greenhouse and method of growing plants in cold climates

Life of this patent

Greenhouse and method of growing plants in cold climates

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8