US 5,956,897 A · Automatic plant growing and harvesting system

Abstract

An automatic plant growing and harvesting system 10 which can be used in either zero gravity or full Earth gravity conditions for controlled growth of plants 14, The system 10 includes an enclosure 12 which is adapted to allow at least one plant 14 to grow within, where the plants 14 each generally have a stem 56, foliage 52 and a root portion 58. The system 10 includes an illumination system 27, a material supply system 60 having a nutrient supply 72 and a water supply 70. The system 10 also includes a root chamber 50, a retractor assembly 46 for controllably retracting a lower portion of the plant stems 56 into the root chamber 50, a harvesting assembly 102 and a controller 100 which directs the actions of the included systems and assemblies. The system 10 is provided with a variable speed fan 26 to aid in produce harvesting and self-pollination, and a gravity compensator 114 for preventing water vapor accumulation in stagnant areas. A self-contained potable water system 91 is included which cooperates with the material supply system 60 as gray water is fed to the roots 58, and transpirated water vapor from the plants' foliage 52 is collected and condensed to produce potable water. The enclosures 12 may be grouped in collective structures 154, which may be illuminated by a collective light source 158.

Claims23

Dependent claims

An automatic plant growing and harvesting system which can be used in either zero gravity or full Earth gravity conditions for controlled growth of plants, said plants each generally having a stem, foliage and a root portion, said system comprising:

a first enclosure, said first enclosure being adapted to allow at least one plant to grow therewithin;
an illumination system for providing and delivering photosynthetic usable energy to the plants;
a material supply system within a second enclosure for selectively providing nutrients and delivering growth fluids to the plants within said first enclosure, said material supply system including a nutrient supply and a water supply, said material supply system being fully enclosed within said second enclosure;
a root chamber for containing the root portions of said plants;
a retractor assembly for controllably retracting a lower portion of said plant stems into said root chamber;
a harvesting assembly for removing and delivering produce from said plants as said produce matures;
and
a controller which directs the actions of said illumination system, said material supply system, said retractor assembly and said harvesting assembly.

5 more elements

A method of automatically growing and harvesting plant matter, which can be used in either zero gravity or full Earth gravity conditions for controlled growth of plants, said method comprising:

(1) providing a first enclosure which is adapted to allow at least one plant to grow therewithin, an illumination system for providing and delivering photosynthetic usable energy to the plant matter, a material supply system within a second enclosure for selectively providing nutrients and delivering growth fluids to the plant matter within said first enclosure, said material supply system including a nutrient supply and a water supply, said material supply system being fully enclosed within said second enclosure, a root chamber for containing root portions of said plants, a retractor assembly for controllably retracting said plants into said root chamber, a harvesting assembly for removing and delivering produce from said plants as the produce matures and a controller which directs the actions of said illumination subsystem, said material supply system, said retractor assembly and said harvesting assembly;
(2) positioning a plant which has a root portion, foliage and a stem, so that the root portion is directed into said root chamber, the foliage is contained within said enclosure, and the stem is gripped by said retractor assembly;
(3) illuminating said plant foliage with light from said illumination system;
(4) providing nutrients and growth fluids to said root portion by using said material supply system;
(5) controlling the actions of said illumination system, said material supply system, said retractor assembly and said harvesting assembly automatically by using said controller to obtain maximal growth of said plant;
and
(6) harvesting produce from said plant automatically as produce matures by using said harvesting assembly, as directed by said controller.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic plant growing and harvesting system

Life of this patent

Automatic plant growing and harvesting system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23