A01G9/18

SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING WATER FOR A CONTAINER FARM AND RELATED METHODS THEREFOR

Systems and methods of generating water for growing or vitally supporting plants, fungi, and/or aquatic animals are provided herein. The systems include a water generating unit that utilizes process fluid produced by plant transpiration or fungus respiration to generate water. Nutrients may be added to the water through hydroponic and aquaponic systems, then provided back to the plants in a closed loop. The systems may be monitored, optimized, and controlled remotely.

CENTRALIZED PREDICTIVE CONTROLLER FOR MANAGEMENT AND OPTIMAL OPERATION OF MICROGRID POWERED GREENHOUSES
20210400885 · 2021-12-30 ·

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for a greenhouse indoor environment controller based on model predictive control (MPC), which can be integrated into existing greenhouse regulatory systems to optimally maintain critical climatic variables, including artificial lighting levels, CO.sub.2, indoor temperature, and humidity levels within acceptable limits. The objectives of the MPC may be to maximize the rate of crop photosynthesis while optimizing the use of the available water and energy resources, taking into account the unpredictability and intermittent nature of renewable energies and external atmospheric conditions. Accordingly, certain embodiments may facilitate the management of greenhouses by anticipating control actions for a better quality of production. For that, mathematical formulations of the optimal control problem may be described, and the numerical results related to the application of the MPC to case studies are described integrating the effects of greenhouse structural considerations and the influence of climate data on its operation.

CENTRALIZED PREDICTIVE CONTROLLER FOR MANAGEMENT AND OPTIMAL OPERATION OF MICROGRID POWERED GREENHOUSES
20210400885 · 2021-12-30 ·

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for a greenhouse indoor environment controller based on model predictive control (MPC), which can be integrated into existing greenhouse regulatory systems to optimally maintain critical climatic variables, including artificial lighting levels, CO.sub.2, indoor temperature, and humidity levels within acceptable limits. The objectives of the MPC may be to maximize the rate of crop photosynthesis while optimizing the use of the available water and energy resources, taking into account the unpredictability and intermittent nature of renewable energies and external atmospheric conditions. Accordingly, certain embodiments may facilitate the management of greenhouses by anticipating control actions for a better quality of production. For that, mathematical formulations of the optimal control problem may be described, and the numerical results related to the application of the MPC to case studies are described integrating the effects of greenhouse structural considerations and the influence of climate data on its operation.

Handheld fluid applicator
11207708 · 2021-12-28 · ·

An applicator for introducing a fluid to a plant includes a first arm and a second arm pivotally connected to one another at one end. The other ends are spaced apart to receive the plant therein when the applicator is in a rest position and are driven together upon pivoting of the arms to place the applicator in an application position. A fluid injector is mounted on the first arm and includes an injector body and a diaphragm defining a plurality of channels. The diaphragm includes a pliable dome defining a reservoir to receive the fluid and a plurality of applicator nodes. A respective applicator node is positioned near a terminus of each channel. A driving member engages the pliable dome when the applicator is pivoted to the application position. The pliable dome is then compressed by the driving member to direct the fluid through the plurality of channels.

Flue gas reclamation system and method
11206775 · 2021-12-28 · ·

A method and system for flue gas reclamation is described. In one embodiment, a flue gas reclamation system is provided. The system includes a combustion engine including an intake member, an output shaft, and an exhaust outlet. The intake member receives flue gas from a gas source. A generator is connected to the output shaft and a compressor is connected to the exhaust outlet of the combustion engine. At least one holding tank is connected to the compressor and the compressor stores enriched flue gas from the exhaust outlet of the combustion engine in the at least one holding tank. A battery is connected to the generator and is configured to provide electric power to the flue gas reclamation system. An algae farm in fluid communication with the at least one holding tank is configured to receive the stored enriched flue gas from the at least one holding tank.

Flue gas reclamation system and method
11206775 · 2021-12-28 · ·

A method and system for flue gas reclamation is described. In one embodiment, a flue gas reclamation system is provided. The system includes a combustion engine including an intake member, an output shaft, and an exhaust outlet. The intake member receives flue gas from a gas source. A generator is connected to the output shaft and a compressor is connected to the exhaust outlet of the combustion engine. At least one holding tank is connected to the compressor and the compressor stores enriched flue gas from the exhaust outlet of the combustion engine in the at least one holding tank. A battery is connected to the generator and is configured to provide electric power to the flue gas reclamation system. An algae farm in fluid communication with the at least one holding tank is configured to receive the stored enriched flue gas from the at least one holding tank.

Object handling system and method

An object handling system is described, the system having two substantially perpendicular sets of rails forming a grid above a workspace, the workspace having a plurality of stacked containers. The system includes a series of robotic load handling devices operating on the grid above the workspace, the load handling devices having a body mounted on wheels. The robotic devices can move around the grid under instruction from a computing device, the robotic devices being moved to a point on the grid above a stack of containers and then, using a lifting device, engage and lift a container from the stack. The container is then moved to a point where the objects in the container can be accessed. Modifications to the workspace and grid are described that allow vehicles and roll cages to be used to move stacks from the workspace to a point outside the workspace or from outside the workspace into the workspace.

SYSTEM AND METHOD TO IMPROVE PLANT GROWTH
20210386027 · 2021-12-16 · ·

A system and method to facilitate the growth of a plant in a building. The system includes a substrate that is substantially solid, an inflatable raft, or that has an upper member and a lower member with a space therebetween to establish an interior of the substrate. Either form of substrate includes one or more plant retainers and a set of one or more gaseous fluid delivery ports located regularly or irregularly throughout the substrate, including localized in a vicinity of each of the one or more plant retainers. The system further includes a climate delivery subsystem including a gaseous fluid source, a gaseous fluid delivery apparatus, such as a pump and one or more conduits in the substrate, wherein each of the one or more conduits is in communication with each set of the one or more gaseous fluid delivery ports for delivery of the gaseous fluid to an underside of the plant, wherein the one or more conduits are coupled to the gaseous fluid delivery apparatus.

CANNABIS FARMING METHODS
20210378194 · 2021-12-09 · ·

Methods to grow cannabis plants within an interior of an enclosure are described, the method comprises condensing water vapor from the interior of the enclosure to produce a source of liquid water and supplying the liquid water to the cannabis plants. The source of liquid water may be supplied to a common reservoir and then transferred to the cannabis plants. The common reservoir includes fish, a microorganism, or treated water. Water drained from the cannabis plants may be recycled back to the common reservoir. The water may be filtered or oxygenated and mixed with a pH adjustment solution, a macro-nutrient, a micro-nutrient, a carbohydrate, an enzyme, or a vitamin. Solar panels may be used to provide electricity for electrically powered lights that illuminate the cannabis plants. The cannabis plants may be grown within a growing medium, harvested, trimmed, ground, heated, and made into multifunctional compositions or foodstuffs.

CANNABIS FARMING METHODS
20210378194 · 2021-12-09 · ·

Methods to grow cannabis plants within an interior of an enclosure are described, the method comprises condensing water vapor from the interior of the enclosure to produce a source of liquid water and supplying the liquid water to the cannabis plants. The source of liquid water may be supplied to a common reservoir and then transferred to the cannabis plants. The common reservoir includes fish, a microorganism, or treated water. Water drained from the cannabis plants may be recycled back to the common reservoir. The water may be filtered or oxygenated and mixed with a pH adjustment solution, a macro-nutrient, a micro-nutrient, a carbohydrate, an enzyme, or a vitamin. Solar panels may be used to provide electricity for electrically powered lights that illuminate the cannabis plants. The cannabis plants may be grown within a growing medium, harvested, trimmed, ground, heated, and made into multifunctional compositions or foodstuffs.