# US 9,516,822 B2 · Modular automated aeroponic growth system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,516,822 B2 - Document ID: US9516822B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/090,869 - Filed: 2013-11-26 - Published: 2014-05-29 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-26 - Applicants: Daegan Gonyer; Shaun Jones - Inventors: Daegan Gonyer; Shaun Jones - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9516822B2 ## 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 An aeroponic growth system comprising a plurality of modular aeroponic units each including at least one spray nozzle directed into a root zone; a lighting system associated with the plurality of the modular units and configured for emitting light in a vegetative zone; a pressurized reservoir configured for housing a nutrient containing fluid; and a nutrient feeding system configured for fluidly and selectively connecting each of the modular units to the pressurized reservoir in parallel, wherein the nutrient feeding system includes a pressure stop valve associated with each of the modular units. When one of the modular units are disconnected to the associated pressure stop valve, the pressure stop valve is configured for preventing the fluid from flowing from the pressurized reservoir through the pressure stop valve, and the other modular units connected to the nutrient feeding system remain fluidly connected to the pressure reservoir. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An aeroponic growth system for growing vegetation, the system comprising: a plurality of modular aeroponic units configured for supporting vegetation, wherein each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units define a root zone and a vegetative zone, and wherein each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units include at least one spray nozzle directed into the root zone; a lighting system associated with the plurality of the modular aeroponic units and configured for emitting light in the vegetative zone; a pressurized reservoir configured for housing a fluid containing one or more nutrients; and a nutrient feeding system configured for fluidly connecting each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units to the pressurized reservoir in parallel, wherein the nutrient feeding system includes a pressure stop quick connect valve associated with each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units, wherein when one or more of the plurality of modular aeroponic units are connected to an associated pressure stop quick connect valve, the nutrient feeding system directs the fluid to the at least one spray nozzle associated with the modular aeroponic unit from the pressurized reservoir, and wherein when one or more of the plurality of modular aeroponic units are disconnected from the associated pressure stop quick connect valve, the pressure stop quick connect valve is configured for preventing the fluid from flowing from the pressurized reservoir through the pressure stop quick connect valve, and the other modular aeroponic units connected to the nutrient feeding system remain fluidly connected to the pressure reservoir, wherein each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein the top wall, the bottom wall, and the side wall define the root zone, wherein a portion of the side wall is disposed at an angle of about 95 degrees to about 105 degrees relative to the top wall, wherein the portion of the side wall provides support for the at least one spray nozzle, and wherein the at least one spray nozzle includes a cone angle of about 90 degrees to about 130 degrees. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: an unpressurized reservoir for storing the fluid; and a pump that is in fluid communication between the unpressurized reservoir and the pressurized reservoir, wherein the pump is configured for drawing the fluid from the unpressurized reservoir into the pressurized reservoir and pressurizing the fluid in the pressurized reservoir. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a filter in fluid communication between the unpressurized reservoir and the pump. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lighting system includes a plurality of lighting units, wherein each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units are associated with one of the plurality of lighting units. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a plurality of spray valves in fluid communication between the pressurized reservoir and each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units, wherein each of the plurality of spray valves is configured for selectively allowing the fluid to flow from the pressurized reservoir to the associated modular aeroponic unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A system in accordance with claim 5, further comprising a system controller in communication with the plurality of spray valves, wherein the system controller is configured for independently adjusting the plurality of spray valves to control the amount of fluid that is provided to the associated modular aeroponic units through the nutrient feeding system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the lighting system includes a plurality of lighting units, wherein each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units are associated with one of the plurality of lighting units, and wherein each of the plurality of lighting units are controlled independently by the system controller. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the system controller is configured to selectively control the duration and intensity of light emitted by each of the plurality of lighting units. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the plurality of lighting units include light emitting diodes (LED). ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A system in accordance with claim 7, further comprising one or more sensors in communication with the system controller, wherein the system controller is configured for collecting data related to system using the one or more sensors. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the system controller includes a display for displaying the data collected from the one or more sensors. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the one or more sensors include a light sensor, an environmental sensor, or a nutrient solution sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A system in accordance with claim 10, further comprising a memory in communication with the system controller, wherein the data collected from the one or more sensors is stored in the memory, wherein the memory is in communication with the system controller through a network. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) A system in accordance with claim 10, further comprising at least one remote computing device in communication with the system controller through a network, wherein the at least one remote computing device includes a software application program that is configured for displaying the data collected by the system controller, independently controlling the plurality of lighting units, and selectively allowing the fluid to flow from the pressurized reservoir to the plurality of modular aeroponic units. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the side wall is disposed at an angle of about 101 degrees relative to the top wall. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a fluid return system in fluid communication with the unpressurized reservoir, wherein the bottom wall includes an outlet that is in fluid communication with the fluid return system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one spray nozzle includes a cone angle of about 110 degrees. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one spray nozzle includes a plurality of spray nozzles, and wherein each of the plurality of spray nozzles are spaced apart about 6 inches from one another. ### Claim 19 An aeroponic growth system for growing vegetation, the system comprising: a plurality of modular aeroponic units configured for supporting vegetation, wherein each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units define a root zone and a vegetative zone, and wherein each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units include at least one spray nozzle directed into the root zone; a lighting system associated with the plurality of the modular aeroponic units and configured for emitting light in the vegetative zone; a pressurized reservoir configured for housing a fluid containing one or more nutrients; and a nutrient feeding system configured for fluidly connecting each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units to the pressurized reservoir in parallel, wherein the nutrient feeding system includes a pressure stop valve associated with each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units, wherein when one or more of the plurality of modular aeroponic units are connected to an associated pressure stop valve, the nutrient feeding system directs the fluid to the at least one spray nozzle associated with the modular aeroponic unit from the pressurized reservoir, wherein when one or more of the plurality of modular aeroponic units are disconnected from the associated pressure connect valve, the pressure stop valve is configured for preventing the fluid from flowing from the pressurized reservoir through the pressure stop valve, and the other modular aeroponic units connected to the nutrient feeding system remain fluidly connected to the pressure reservoir, wherein each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein the top wall, the bottom wall, and the side wall define the root zone, wherein a portion of the side wall is disposed at an angle of between about 95 degrees and about 105 degrees relative to the top wall, wherein the portion of the side wall provides support for the at least one spray nozzle, and wherein the at least one spray nozzle includes a cone angle of about 90 degrees to about 130 degrees. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the at least one spray nozzle includes a plurality of spray nozzles, and wherein each of the plurality of spray nozzles are spaced apart about 6 inches from one another. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) A system in accordance with claim 19, further comprising: an unpressurized reservoir for storing the fluid; and a pump that is in fluid communication between the unpressurized reservoir and the pressurized reservoir, wherein the pump is configured for drawing the fluid from the unpressurized reservoir into the pressurized reservoir and pressurizing the fluid in the pressurized reservoir. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) A system in accordance with claim 19, further comprising a filter in fluid communication between the unpressurized reservoir and the pump. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein the lighting system includes a plurality of lighting units, wherein each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units are associated with one of the plurality of lighting units. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) A system in accordance with claim 19, further comprising a plurality of spray valves in fluid communication between the pressurized reservoir and each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units, wherein each of the plurality of spray valves is configured for selectively allowing the fluid to flow from the pressurized reservoir to the associated modular aeroponic unit. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A system in accordance with claim 24, further comprising a system controller in communication with the plurality of spray valves, wherein the system controller is configured for independently adjusting the plurality of spray valves to control the amount of fluid that is provided to the associated modular aeroponic units through the nutrient feeding system. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) A system in accordance with claim 25, wherein the lighting system includes a plurality of lighting units, wherein each of the plurality of modular aeroponic units are associated with one of the plurality of lighting units, and wherein each of the plurality of lighting units are controlled independently by the system controller. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) A system in accordance with claim 26, wherein the system controller is configured to selectively control the duration and intensity of light emitted by each of the plurality of lighting units. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) A system in accordance with claim 26, wherein the plurality of lighting units include light emitting diodes (LED). ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) A system in accordance with claim 26, further comprising one or more sensors in communication with the system controller, wherein the system controller is configured for collecting data related to system using the one or more sensors. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) A system in accordance with claim 29, wherein the system controller includes a display for displaying the data collected from the one or more sensors. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) A system in accordance with claim 29, wherein the one or more sensors include a light sensor, an environmental sensor, or a nutrient solution sensor. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) A system in accordance with claim 29, further comprising a memory in communication with the system controller, wherein the data collected from the one or more sensors is stored in the memory, wherein the memory is in communication with the system controller through a network. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) A system in accordance with claim 29, further comprising at least one remote computing device in communication with the system controller through a network, wherein the at least one remote computing device includes a software application program that is configured for displaying the data collected by the system controller, independently controlling the plurality of lighting units, and selectively allowing the fluid to flow from the pressurized reservoir to the plurality of modular aeroponic units. ### Claim 34 (depends on 19) A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein the side wall is disposed at an angle of about 101 degrees relative to the top wall. ### Claim 35 (depends on 19) A system in accordance with claim 19, further comprising a fluid return system in fluid communication with the unpressurized reservoir, wherein the bottom wall includes an outlet that is in fluid communication with the fluid return system. ### Claim 36 (depends on 19) A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein the at least one spray nozzle includes a cone angle of about 110 degrees.