Patent classifications
A01G31/04
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EFFICIENT FOGPONIC AGRICULTURE
An integrated modular and scalable fogponics crop growth system for cultivating a crop includes an upper growth chamber housing a leafy portion of a crop, a lower growth chamber housing a root portion of the crop, a nutrient tank and dispenser, and an environmental system. The nutrient dispenser is coupled to the nutrient tank holding a nutrient mixture for sustaining the crop. The dispenser atomizes the nutrient mixture into a nutrient fog using a booster pump and a high pressure pump capable of generating approximately 800 PSI to 1500 PSI. The high pressure pump is operatively coupled to a nozzle configured to dispense the atomized nutrient fog, substantially between 6 microns and 15 microns droplet size, into the lower growth chamber. Temperature and humidity are separately controlled in the leaf area.
OVERFLOW PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR A HYDRATION SYSTEM IN AN INDOOR GARDENING APPLIANCE
A gardening appliance includes a grow tower rotatably mounted within a liner and defining a root chamber. A mixing tank defines a water inlet, a nutrient inlet, and a mixture outlet. An overflow protection system is operably coupled to the mixing tank and includes a wastewater reservoir, an overflow port fluidly coupled to the mixing tank, an overflow conduit providing fluid communication between the overflow port and the wastewater reservoir, and a one-way overflow valve fluidly coupled to the overflow conduit to prevent liquid flow back into the mixing tank.
OVERFLOW PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR A HYDRATION SYSTEM IN AN INDOOR GARDENING APPLIANCE
A gardening appliance includes a grow tower rotatably mounted within a liner and defining a root chamber. A mixing tank defines a water inlet, a nutrient inlet, and a mixture outlet. An overflow protection system is operably coupled to the mixing tank and includes a wastewater reservoir, an overflow port fluidly coupled to the mixing tank, an overflow conduit providing fluid communication between the overflow port and the wastewater reservoir, and a one-way overflow valve fluidly coupled to the overflow conduit to prevent liquid flow back into the mixing tank.
Vertical grow tower conveyance system for controlled environment agriculture
A vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a reciprocating cam mechanism that provides a cost-efficient mechanism for conveying vertical grow towers in the controlled environment. The reciprocating cam mechanism can be arranged to increase the spacing of the grow towers as they are conveyed through the controlled environment to index the crops growing on the towers. The present disclosure also describes an irrigation system that provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers.
Vertical grow tower conveyance system for controlled environment agriculture
A vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a reciprocating cam mechanism that provides a cost-efficient mechanism for conveying vertical grow towers in the controlled environment. The reciprocating cam mechanism can be arranged to increase the spacing of the grow towers as they are conveyed through the controlled environment to index the crops growing on the towers. The present disclosure also describes an irrigation system that provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A TOWER POSITIONING FAULT USING A DRIVE ASSEMBLY IN AN INDOOR GARDEN CENTER
An indoor gardening appliance includes a grow module that is seated on a turntable that is rotatably mounted within a grow chamber and is rotated by a drive assembly. A position sensing assembly monitors an angular position using two proximity sensors, such as Hall-effect sensors, mounted below the sump, and the turntable includes a plurality of proximity indicators, such as magnets, positioned at various circumferential positions on the turntable. A controller is configured to initiate rotation of the turntable from a first angular position, determine that the turntable should have reached a second angular position, e.g., based on the operating duration or drive signal of the drive motor, and identify a drive assembly fault upon determining that the turntable has not reached the second angular position.
METHODS, SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES, AND DEVICES FOR FACILITATING PREPARING PLANTS FOR REGROWING THE PLANTS USING NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for facilitating preparing plants for regrowing the plants using nutrient film technique, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the apparatus a conveyor, a harvesting device, a debris removing device, a microbiological control device, and a plant additive device. Further, the conveyor moves a plant through areas. Further, the harvesting device cuts a portion of the plant moved through a first area of the areas based on the moving. Further, the debris removing device removes debris attached to the plant moved through a second area of the areas after the cutting. Further, the microbiological control device removes harmful microorganism from the plant moved through a third area of the areas after the cleaning. Further, the plant additive device adds a plant health additive to the plant moved through a fourth area of the areas after the removing.
GAS SENSING ASSEMBLY FOR AN INDOOR GARDEN CENTER
An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A recirculation duct is in fluid communication with the grow chamber and a fan assembly circulates a flow of air through the recirculation duct and the grow chamber. A gas sensing assembly includes a gas sensor positioned within the recirculation duct for detecting the concentration of a gas within the flow of air and a flow stabilization device at least partially surrounding the gas sensor for reducing pressure fluctuations in the flow of air and improving gas sensor accuracy.
GAS SENSING ASSEMBLY FOR AN INDOOR GARDEN CENTER
An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A recirculation duct is in fluid communication with the grow chamber and a fan assembly circulates a flow of air through the recirculation duct and the grow chamber. A gas sensing assembly includes a gas sensor positioned within the recirculation duct for detecting the concentration of a gas within the flow of air and a flow stabilization device at least partially surrounding the gas sensor for reducing pressure fluctuations in the flow of air and improving gas sensor accuracy.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CULTIVATING PLANT PRODUCTS
The invention concerns a system for cultivating plant products without soil comprising a plurality of shelves for cultivating plant products. The shelves have a reference axis and comprise: a supporting frame, a plurality of cultivation bars which have an approximately rectilinear shape, extend along respective longitudinal axes, and are coupled to the supporting frame so as to be arranged approximately coplanar and alongside one another, and have the respective longitudinal axes parallel to the reference axis and mechanical spacing members, which are interleaved between the adjacent cultivation bars, and are each structured so that the actuation of a mechanical spacing member causes a variation of the distance transverse to the reference axis, between two cultivation bars immediately adjacent to the same member. The invention also concerns a method for cultivating plant products.