Patent classifications
A01G9/245
COMPUTING HEAT TRANSFER FOR USEFUL APPLICATIONS
A system for collecting waste heat from computing components and delivering the collected heat for useful applications is provided. At least a first heat exchanger is provided to collect the waste heat generated by the computing components. A further heat exchanger is provided to transfer the heat collected by the first heat exchanger and deliver it for useful applications. The useful applications can include providing heat to a building (e.g., residential, commercial, agricultural building). A controller is provided to operation of the components of the heat exchangers (e.g., fans, pumps, valves) to ensure that the computing components are maintained at a suitable temperature.
METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR LIGHTING AND DISTRIBUTED SENSING IN CONTROLLED AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTS
A distributed sensor grid may be used to monitor the growth conditions of plants in an agricultural environment. In one example, a distributed sensor grid may include sensors that are arranged as a grid defined by a vertical axis and a first horizontal axis. The sensors may each be coupled to a cable and/or a port that provides operating power and/or network communications access. In some implementations, a plurality of lighting fixtures disposed in the agricultural environment may be configured to provide the power and network communications access to one or more sensors, thus alleviating use of excess cabling for connectivity and simplifying installation. The sensors may be correspondingly disposed within the vicinity of respective lighting fixtures to monitor growth conditions for a portion of the agricultural environment. The sensors used may also be packaged as an integrated sensor assembly, further simplifying installation and deployment.
PLANT CULTIVATION DEVICE AND GREENING APPARATUS THEREOF
A plant cultivation device and a greening apparatus thereof are provided. The plant cultivation device includes a fixing member which includes a first channel, a shared channel and a plurality of first through-holes. The first through-hole is connected with the first channel and the shared channel, and passes through an upper surface of the fixing member. Both the first through-hole and the shared channel are stack-up with each other, and the first through-hole is located above the shared channel. The shared channel is configured to fill with a cultivation medium,and the first channel is configured to store water flowing from the shared channel by the first through-hole when too much water is stored in the shared channel. The present disclosure can optimize a growing environment of plants.
System and method for growing a plant in an at least partly conditioned environment
A system for growing a plant (1) in an at least partly conditioned environment includes a cultivation base (11) for receiving a culture substrate (3) with a root system (4) of the plant therein. Root temperature control elements (12) are provided which are able and adapted to impose a predetermined root temperature on the root system, and lighting elements (20,21,22) which are able and adapted to expose leaves of the plant to actinic artificial light. Leaf heating elements are also provided, which are able and adapted to impose on the leaf of the plant a leaf temperature varying from an ambient temperature. In a method for growing the plant a carbon dioxide assimilation management of a leaf system of the plant is thus influenced, and a supply of actinic light, the root temperature and the carbon dioxide assimilation management are adapted to each other.
MULTI-SOURCE HEAT EXCHANGE SYSTEM EMPLOYING A GROUND-ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT ENCLOSURES
A multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system is configured to store thermal energy during a cooling/dehumidification mode of operation for future use during a heating mode of operation. The multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system utilizes a ground loop that is configured under an enclosure, such as a greenhouse, and is in thermal communication with a thermal reservoir medium to conduct and store heat. A thermal exchange fluid is pumped through the ground loop and ground heat exchanger and may receive heat from a condenser during a cooling/dehumidification mode of operation and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a heating mode. The enclosure air may receive heat from the heat pump during a heating mode and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a cooling/dehumidification mode. The heat exchange system may employ a heat pump having a reversing valve to change the mode of operation.
Greenhouse
A greenhouse comprises a support frame and a spray pipe including pipes and pipe joints, the pipe joint comprises a connecting pipe and two rotary sleeves, the two adjacent pipes are respectively inserted into the connecting pipe, ends of a first pipe are respectively sleeved with a sealing sleeve and a locking sleeve, and each of the ends of the first pipe is further sleeved with a washer. When the rotary sleeve is thread-tightened, the connecting pipe and the locking sleeve are capable of respectively abutting and pressing against two sides of the washer, under abutting and pushing of the rotary sleeve and limiting of the washer, the locking sleeve is capable of grasping the first pipe and forming an axial positioning with the rotary sleeve. An inner edge of an end surface of the connecting pipe has a sealing tapered surface capable of acting on the sealing sleeve.
GEOTHERMAL AERIFICATION SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS
A geothermal aerification system includes a basin for storing water and a network of geothermal piping in fluid communication with the basin. The network of geothermal piping is configured to adjust a temperature of the water and is located at a depth below a ground surface to circulate the water to selectively absorb geothermal energy to increase a temperature of the water, or to dissipate heat to decrease the temperature of the water. The system also includes a network of water distribution pipes in fluid communication with the basin. The network of water distribution pipes is configured to discharge the water at the adjusted temperature proximate to the ground surface.
ENERGY EFFICIENT GREENHOUSE
A greenhouse, for cold weather climates, is configured with a gable that is offset toward the north wall and therefore the south extension of the roof, from the gable to the south wall is longer than the north extension. A greater amount of light can enter through this south extension and the inside surface of the north wall is configured with a reflective surface to allow light to be more uniformly distributed around the plants. The north wall may no widows and may be thermally insulated to prevent the greenhouse from getting too cold during the night. A ground to air heat transfer (GAHT) system may be configured to produce a flow of greenhouse air under the greenhouse for heat transfer, to moderate the temperature of the greenhouse. A thermal medium may flow to a thermal reservoir for heat exchange with the conduits of the GAHT system.
DEVICE FOR UV AND LOW-TEMPERATURE TREATMENT FOR ENHANCING FUNCTIONAL MATERIAL OF PLANT
A device for UV and low temperature treatment for increasing a functional material content in a plant including a work table having an upper plate elevated from a floor, a cultivation bed disposed on the upper plate and including an accommodation hole to accommodate soil or culturing solution therein, and a flow tube disposed in the soil or culturing solution to supply or drain water to and from the accommodation hole, a supply portion to circulate water in the flow tube to lower the temperature of water, a light emitting portion including a pillar adjustable in height and a UV light source emit UV light toward an upper portion of the cultivation bed, and a power generator including a servo motor disposed below the work table, and a bracket configured to adjust a location of the light emitting portion with respect to the side surface of the work table.
SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ROOT ZONE TEMPERATURE
Provided herein are systems and methods for controlling temperature of root zone of plants, by providing gas at controlled temperature to root zone region of plants, wherein the root zone is at least partially isolated from above ground plant parts, and wherein the temperature controlled gas is provided above ground.