AN AEROPONIC FARMING SYSTEM AND A METHOD
20220272917 ยท 2022-09-01
Inventors
Cpc classification
Y02P60/21
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
Y02A40/25
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
A01G27/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
Abstract
An aeroponic farming system and a method in connection with aeroponic farming for growing tuber plants or root vegetable plants having an aerial shoot and underground root part. The system includes a growing chamber having growing chamber walls defining a closed chamber space and one or more growing liquid nozzles arranged to spray growing liquid inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber. The aeroponic farming system further includes a thermal adjustment device arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid in the aeroponic farming system for adjusting the temperature in the inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber.
Claims
1.-16. (canceled)
17. An aeroponic farming system for growing plants having an aerial shoot and underground root part, the system comprising: a plant support base for supporting the plant, the plant support base comprises a support opening arranged to support the plant such that the plant extends through the plant support base via the support opening and such that the aerial shoot is arranged on a first side of the plant support base and the root part is arranged on a second side the plant support base; a growing chamber provided on the second side of the plant support base, the growing chamber comprising growing chamber walls defining a closed chamber space, the growing chamber walls being non-transparent; and one or more growing liquid nozzles arranged to spray growing liquid inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber, wherein the aeroponic farming system comprises a thermal adjustment device arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid in the aeroponic farming system for adjusting the temperature in the inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber, the growing chamber comprises a growing liquid reservoir inside the growing chamber for storing growing liquid inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber; the growing chamber comprises a partitioning wall arranged to divide the closed chamber space into an upper growing space and a lower liquid space, the upper growing space being provided between the plant support base and the partitioning wall for enclosing the root part of the plant and the lower liquid space being provided between the partitioning wall and a bottom wall of the growing chamber, the lower liquid space comprising the growing liquid reservoir inside the growing chamber for storing growing liquid inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber; and the partitioning wall is arranged to allow excessive growing liquid flow through the partitioning wall from the upper growing space to the lower liquid space.
18. The aeroponic farming system according to claim 17, wherein the thermal adjustment device is arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid sprayed from the growing liquid nozzles.
19. The aeroponic farming system according to claim 18, wherein: the system comprises a growing liquid supply channel connected to the one or more growing liquid nozzles, and the thermal adjustment device is provided in connection with the growing liquid supply channel and arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid sprayed from the growing liquid nozzles; or the system comprises a growing liquid supply pump arranged to supply growing liquid to the one or more growing liquid nozzles, and the thermal adjustment device is provided in connection with the growing liquid supply pump and arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid sprayed from the growing liquid nozzles; or the system comprises a growing liquid source connected to the one or more growing liquid nozzles, and the thermal adjustment device is provided in connection with the growing liquid source and arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid sprayed from the growing liquid nozzles.
20. The aeroponic farming system according to claim 17, wherein: the partitioning wall is made of liquid permeable fabric material, net material, or grid material allowing excessive growing liquid flow through the partitioning wall from the upper growing space to the lower liquid space; or the partitioning wall is made of liquid impermeable plate material or liquid impermeable fabric material and provided with flow openings allowing excessive growing liquid flow through the partitioning wall from the upper growing space to the lower liquid space; or the partitioning wall is made of liquid impermeable plate or liquid impermeable fabric material, and the system comprises a flow connection provided or extending between the upper growing space and the lower liquid space allowing excessive growing liquid flow from the upper growing space to the lower liquid space.
21. The aeroponic farming system according to claim 17, wherein: the thermal adjustment device is arranged to adjust the temperature of the growing liquid in the growing liquid reservoir; the thermal adjustment device is arranged in connection with the growing liquid reservoir and arranged to adjust the temperature of the growing liquid in the growing liquid reservoir.
22. The aeroponic farming system according to claim 17, wherein the system comprises a growing liquid circulation arrangement arranged to supply growing liquid from the growing liquid reservoir to one or more of the growing liquid nozzles.
23. The aeroponic farming system according to claim 22, wherein: the growing liquid circulation arrangement comprises a circulation channel connected to the one or more growing liquid nozzles, and the thermal adjustment device is provided in connection with the circulation channel and arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid sprayed from the growing liquid nozzles; or the growing liquid circulation arrangement comprises circulation pump arranged to supply growing liquid to the one or more growing liquid nozzles from the growing liquid reservoir, and the thermal adjustment device is provided in connection with the circulation pump and arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid sprayed from the growing liquid nozzles.
24. The aeroponic farming system according to claim 17, wherein the thermal adjustment device is a heating device or a cooling device or a combined heating and cooling device.
25. The aeroponic farming system according to claim 17, wherein the system comprises a first thermal adjustment device and a second thermal adjustment device, and that: the first thermal adjustment device is arranged in connection with the growing liquid supply channel, supply pump or the growing liquid source, and the second thermal adjustment device is arranged in connection with the growing liquid reservoir; or the first thermal adjustment device is arranged in connection with the growing liquid supply channel, supply pump or the growing liquid source, and the second thermal adjustment device is arranged in connection with the circulation arrangement; or the first thermal adjustment device is arranged in connection with the growing liquid reservoir and the second thermal adjustment device is arranged in connection with the circulation arrangement.
26. The aeroponic farming system according to claim 25, wherein: the first thermal adjustment device is a heating device and the second thermal adjustment device is a cooling device; or the first thermal adjustment device is a cooling device and the second thermal adjustment device is a heating device; or the first thermal adjustment device is a heating device and the second thermal adjustment device is a heating device; or the first thermal adjustment device is a cooling device and the second thermal adjustment device is a cooling device.
27. The aeroponic farming system according to claim 17, wherein the growing chamber is provided with a thermal insulation arranged to thermally insulate the closed chamber space.
28. A method for aeroponic farming of tuber plants or root vegetable plants having an aerial shoot and an underground root part, the aeroponic farming being carried with: an aeroponic farming system comprising a growing chamber having growing chamber walls defining a closed chamber space for accommodating the root part of the plant; the growing chamber walls being non-transparent; the growing chamber comprises a growing liquid reservoir inside the growing chamber for storing growing liquid inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber; and the growing chamber comprises a partitioning wall arranged to divide the closed chamber space into an upper growing space and a lower liquid space, the upper growing space being provided between the plant support base and the partitioning wall for enclosing the root part of the plant and the lower liquid space being provided between the partitioning wall and a bottom wall of the growing chamber, the lower liquid space comprising the growing liquid reservoir inside the growing chamber for storing growing liquid inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber; and the method comprising: spraying growing liquid in the closed chamber space to the root part of the plant with one or more growing liquid nozzles, wherein the method further comprises: adjusting temperature inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber by adjusting temperature of the growing liquid; and allowing excessive growing liquid flow through the partitioning wall from the upper growing space to the lower liquid space.
29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the method comprises adjusting the temperature of the growing liquid sprayed the in closed chamber space for adjusting the temperature of the inside the closed chamber space.
30. A method according to claim 28, wherein the method comprises: collecting excessive sprayed growing liquid inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber to a growing liquid reservoir; and adjusting temperature of the growing liquid collected to the growing liquid reservoir in the growing liquid reservoir for adjusting the temperature of the inside the closed chamber space.
31. The method according to claim 28, wherein the method comprises: collecting excessive sprayed growing liquid inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber to the growing liquid reservoir; circulating the collected growing liquid from the growing liquid reservoir to one or more growing liquid nozzles; and adjusting the temperature of the circulated growing liquid for adjusting the temperature of the inside the closed chamber space.
32. The method according to claim 28, wherein the method is carried out with an aeroponic farming system for growing plants having an aerial shoot and underground root part, the system comprising: a plant support base for supporting the plant, the plant support base comprises a support opening arranged to support the plant such that the plant extends through the plant support base via the support opening and such that the aerial shoot is arranged on a first side of the plant support base and the root part is arranged on a second side the plant support base; a growing chamber provided on the second side of the plant support base, the growing chamber comprising growing chamber walls defining a closed chamber space, the growing chamber walls being non-transparent; and one or more growing liquid nozzles arranged to spray growing liquid inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber, wherein the aeroponic farming system comprises a thermal adjustment device arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid in the aeroponic farming system for adjusting the temperature in the inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber, the growing chamber comprises a growing liquid reservoir inside the growing chamber for storing growing liquid inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber; the growing chamber comprises a partitioning wall arranged to divide the closed chamber space into an upper growing space and a lower liquid space, the upper growing space being provided between the plant support base and the partitioning wall for enclosing the root part of the plant and the lower liquid space being provided between the partitioning wall and a bottom wall of the growing chamber, the lower liquid space comprising the growing liquid reservoir inside the growing chamber for storing growing liquid inside the closed chamber space of the growing chamber; and the partitioning wall is arranged to allow excessive growing liquid flow through the partitioning wall from the upper growing space to the lower liquid space.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0068] The invention is described in detail by means of specific embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which
[0069]
[0070]
[0071]
[0072]
[0073]
[0074]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0075]
[0076] The plant support base 4 comprises a plant support surface and may be provided as plant support plane or plant support plate or plant support layer.
[0077] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the plant support base 4 is arranged substantially horizontally. The upper plant support 8, 10 is provided in vertical direction above the plant support base 4. The growing chamber 6 is provided in vertical direction under the plant support base 4.
[0078] It should be noted, that in alternative embodiments the plant support base 4 may be arranged in angle to the horizontal direction or inclined or even in vertical direction. Therefore, the upper plant support 8, 10 is provided on the first side of the plant support base 4 and the growing chamber 6 is provided on the second side of the plant support base 4.
[0079] The upper plant support 8, 10 and the growing chamber 6 are arranged on opposite sides the plant support base.
[0080]
[0081] The plant 50 comprise an aerial shoot 52, or stem. The aerial shoot 52 means upper part of the plant 50 growing on or above ground and receiving light in natural growing environment. The plant 50 further comprises a root part 54, or roots. The root part 54 means lower part of the plant growing underground and not receiving light in natural growing environment. Accordingly, the root part 54 is growing in the soil of the ground and the aerial shoot 52 extends from the ground.
[0082] As shown in
[0083] The aeroponic farming system 2 or method for aeroponic farming according to the present invention are most suitable for tuber plants and root vegetable plants. However, the aeroponic farming system 2 and method may also be used for farming any other plants having the root part 54 and the aerial shoot 52.
[0084] The plant support base 4 comprises one or more support openings or receptacles 40 providing a through-hole through plant support base 4. The support openings 40 extend through the plant support base from the first side to the second side of the plant support base 4.
[0085] The plant support base 4 is arranged to support the plant 50 such that the plant extends through the plant support base 4 via the support opening 40 and such that the aerial shoot 52 is arranged on the first side of the plant support base 4 and the root part 54 is arranged on a second side the plant support base. Thus, in
[0086] The upper plant support 7, 8, 10 is provided on the first upper side of the plant support base 4 for supporting the aerial shoot 52 of the plant 50.
[0087] Accordingly, the upper plant support 7, 8, 10 comprises support members 7, 8, 10 arranged to support aerial shoot 52 of the plant 50.
[0088] In the embodiments of figures, the upper plant support 7, 8, 10 is connected, attached or supported to the aeroponic farming system 2 or the plant support base 4 or the growing chamber 6. Accordingly, the upper plant support 7, 8, 10 is integral part of the aeroponic farming system 2.
[0089] In alternatively embodiments, the upper plant support 7, 8, 10 is a separate structure which is provided separate from the plant support base 4 and the growing chamber 6 and separate from other structures of the aeroponic farming system 2. The separate upper support 7, 8, 10 is in some embodiments surrounding the plant support base 4 and/or the growing chamber 6. Thus, the upper plant support 7, 8, 10 is supported and extending from or standing on a floor or ground. Alternatively, the upper plant support 7, 8, 10 is arranged above the plant support base 4 and/or the growing chamber. Thus, the upper plant support 7, 8, 10 is attached or supported to a ceiling or other structures of building or room (not shown).
[0090] The aerial shoot 52 of the plant 50 extends from the plant support base 4 and is arranged to an aerial growing space or aerial growing environment 24. Properties of the aerial growing space 24 may be controlled during aeroponic farming.
[0091] In the embodiments of the figures, the upper plant support and the aerial growing space 24 are formed as open structures. Accordingly, light, humidity and gases may enter the aerial growing space 24 from the surroundings of the aeroponic farming system 2. In alternative embodiments, the upper plant support 7, 8, 10 is provided as upper chamber or is arranged to form the upper chamber (not shown). The upper chamber provides a closed upper chamber having closed aerial growing space 24 into which the aerial shoot 52 of the plant extends from the plant support base 4. The plant support base 4 forms one wall, for example a bottom wall, of the upper chamber. The aerial shoot 52 grows inside the closed upper space 24.
[0092] The growing chamber 6 is provided under the plant support base 4, or on the second side of the plant support base 4. The growing chamber 6 comprises growing chamber walls 12, 13 forming a closed growing chamber. The growing chamber 6 further comprises growing chamber door 3, as shown in
[0093] The plant support base 4 forms the growing chamber top wall or at least part of the growing chamber top wall. Thus, the root part 54 of the plant 50 extends from the plant support base 4 and the support opening 40 thereof into the closed growing chamber 6, as shown in
[0094] The growing chamber 6 is provided and arranged directly below or adjacent the plant support base 4.
[0095] The growing chamber walls 12, 13, 4 define a closed chamber space inside the growing chamber 6. The growing chamber walls 12, 13, 4 are further made of non-transparent material or they comprise a layer of non-transparent material. Accordingly, the growing chamber walls 12, 13 4 provide a dark atmosphere inside the growing chamber 6 such that light cannot enter inside growing chamber 6 from surroundings of the aeroponic farming system 2. Thus, the growing chamber walls 12, 13, 4 are non-transparent.
[0096] The growing chamber 6 and the growing chamber walls 12, 13, 4 may be formed from any suitable material. Preferably, the growing chamber is made of waterproof material or comprises a waterproof layer and/or light barrier layer or some other suitable material layers.
[0097] In one embodiment, the growing chamber 6 and the growing chamber walls 12, 13, 4 are at least partly made of microfiber cellulose material, biocomposite material or some other composite material or biodegradable material. Biocomposite materials are composite material formed by a matrix (resin) and a reinforcement of natural fibers. Microfibre cellulose materials comprise nanostructured cellulose comprising nanosized cellulose fibrils. Typical fibril widths are 5-20 nanometers with a wide range of lengths, typically several micrometers.
[0098] The growing chamber 6 may be a moulded element such that the side walls 12, bottom wall 13 and possibly also the plant support base 4 form one integral element.
[0099] The growing chamber 6 is provided with thermal insulation 14 for insulating the inner space of the growing chamber 6 thermally from the surroundings of the aeroponic farming system 2.
[0100] In the embodiment of
[0101] Alternatively, the thermal insulation or thermal insulation layer 14 is provided to the growing chamber walls 12, 13, 4. In one embodiment, the thermal insulation 14 is a separate insulation layer provided on the inner surface or outer surface or inside the growing chamber walls 12, 13, 4. In another embodiment, the thermal insulation 14 or thermal insulation layer is provided inside the growing chamber walls 12, 13, 4 between the inner surface and outer surface of the growing chamber walls 12, 13, 4.
[0102] As shown in
[0103] The partitioning wall 16 extends between the side walls 12 of the growing chamber 6. The partitioning wall 16 is preferably supported or connected to side walls 12.
[0104] In the embodiment of
[0105] Accordingly, the upper growing space 20 is provided between the plant support base 4 and the partitioning wall 16 for enclosing the root part 54 for of the plant 50.
[0106] The lower liquid space 21 is provided between the partitioning sheet 16 and a bottom wall 13 of the growing chamber 6 for retaining growing liquid 22. The side walls 12 and the bottom wall 13 or the growing chamber walls 12, 13, 4 are made of waterproof or liquid proof material such that the growing chamber 6 forms a container or growing liquid reservoir for storing or retaining growing liquid 22. Growing liquid is further sprayed to the root part 54 of the plant 50.
[0107] In the embodiment of
[0108] Accordingly, the side walls 12 are made or provided waterproof at least on the area or height between the bottom wall 13 and the partitioning wall 16. The bottom wall 13 is made waterproof. Waterproof is provided by a separate waterproof barrier or layer or it is a property of the material of the side walls 12 and the bottom wall 13.
[0109]
[0110] In the embodiment of
[0111] It should be noted that the upper plant support may be implemented in various ways for supporting the aerial shoot 52. Thus, the present invention is not restricted to any special configuration of upper plant support.
[0112] Furthermore, the in some embodiment of the present invention the partitioning wall 16 may be omitted. The partitioning wall 16 is not required with the circulation arrangement, or in other embodiments, but may be preferable for dividing the chamber space of the growing chamber 6.
[0113]
[0114] The growing chamber 6 is provided with one or more growing liquid nozzles 70, 71. The growing liquid nozzles 70, 71 are arranged to spray growing liquid to the upper growing space 20 of the growing chamber 6 to the root part 54 of the pant 50. The growing liquid nozzles 70, 71 are arranged to atomize and spray atomized growing liquid to the upper growing space 20. The growing liquid nozzles 70, 71 may be any kind of known spray nozzles.
[0115] The growing liquid nozzle 70 comprises a nozzle head 71 from which the growing liquid is discharged out of the growing liquid nozzle 70. The growing liquid nozzle 70 or the nozzle head 71 thereof is arranged to spray growing liquid in horizontal direction and/or parallel to the plant support base 4, as shown in
[0116] The growing liquid nozzles 70, 71 are supported to the top wall or the plant support base 4. Thus, the growing liquid nozzles 70, 71 are supported to the structures of the growing chamber 6.
[0117] In the embodiment of the figures, the one or more growing liquid nozzles 70, 71 are arranged or placed to the upper growing space 20 and arranged to spray growing liquid to the upper growing space 20 of the growing chamber 6.
[0118] In an alternative embodiment, the one or more growing liquid nozzles 70 may be arranged outside the upper growing space 20 such that the nozzle head 71 opens into the upper growing space 20 and/or is arranged to spray growing liquid to the upper growing space 20 of the growing chamber 6. Thus, the growing liquid nozzle 70 may be arranged at least partly to the lower liquid space 21 or embedded to side wall 12 or the top wall 4 of the growing chamber 6.
[0119] Furthermore, in embodiments in which the partitioning wall 16 is omitted, the growing liquid nozzles 70, 71 are arranged to the spray growing liquid into the closed chamber space 20 of the growing chamber 6. Preferably, the growing liquid nozzles 70, 71 are arranged to the spray growing liquid in upper part of the closed chamber space 20 or close to the plant support base 4 for spraying the root part 54 of the plant 50.
[0120] The growing chamber 6 comprises a first chamber temperature sensor 64 arranged to the upper growing space 20 and arranged to measure temperature in the upper growing space 20.
[0121] The growing chamber 6 is further provided with a second chamber temperature sensor 65 provided to the lower liquid space 21 and arranged to measure temperature of the growing liquid 22 in the lower liquid space 21 or in the growing liquid reservoir in the lower liquid space 21.
[0122] The first and second chamber temperature sensors 64, 65 may be attached or supported to the growing chamber walls 12, 13, 4.
[0123] The first and second chamber temperature sensors 64, 65 may be any known kind of temperature sensors.
[0124] The growing chamber 6 is further provided with a chamber humidity sensor 66 arranged to measure humidity in upper growing space 20. The chamber humidity sensor 66 may be any know kind of humidity sensor. The chamber humidity sensor 66 is preferably connected directly or indirectly to the growing liquid nozzles 70 for controlling and adjusting the growing liquid nozzles 70 and spraying of growing liquid based on the measurements with the chamber humidity sensor 66. Thus, the measurements with the chamber humidity sensor 66 is utilized for adjusting operation of the growing liquid nozzles 70.
[0125] The chamber humidity sensor 66 is arranged to the upper growing space 20 or arranged to measure humidity in the upper growing space 20. The chamber humidity sensor 66 may be attached or supported to the attached or supported to the growing chamber walls 12, 13, 4.
[0126] The growing chamber 6 is provided with a surface lever sensor 67 arranged to measure the surface level of the growing liquid 22 in the lower liquid space 21, as shown in
[0127] The inner growing chamber space is divided to the upper growing space 20 and the lower liquid space 21 with the partitioning wall 16, as shown in
[0128]
[0129]
[0130] It should be noted, that the separate growing liquid reservoir 200 may also be provided in embodiments in which the partition wall 16 is omitted. The separate growing liquid reservoir 200 is arranged below the plant support base 4 and/or at lower part of the closed chamber space 20.
[0131] The second chamber temperature sensor 65 is arranged to the separate growing liquid reservoir 200 for measuring the temperature of the growing liquid 22 inside the separate growing liquid reservoir 200.
[0132] The surface level sensor 67 is also arranged to the separate growing liquid reservoir 200 for measuring surface level or amount of the growing liquid 22 inside the separate growing liquid reservoir 200.
[0133] In the embodiment of
[0134] The growing liquid nozzles 70 are arranged or supported to the side walls 12 of the growing chamber 6 in the upper growing space 20. Further, the growing liquid nozzles 70 are arranged to spray growing liquid in horizontal direction or parallel to the plant support base 4 in to the upper growing space 20.
[0135]
[0136] The growing liquid nozzles 70, 71 are arranged inside the closed chamber space 20 of the growing chamber 6.
[0137] The growing chamber 6 comprises the first chamber temperature sensor 64 arranged to the closed chamber space 20 and arranged to measure temperature in the closed chamber space 20.
[0138] The growing chamber of
[0139] The aeroponic farming system 2 or the growing chamber 6 of
[0140] The growing liquid outlet arrangement 91 may be arranged the discharge growing liquid form the growing chamber 6 continuously such that growing liquid is not collected or stored inside the growing chamber 6.
[0141] Alternatively, the side walls 12 and the bottom wall 13 of the growing liquid chamber 6 are arranged to form the growing liquid reservoir for storing growing liquid inside the growing liquid chamber 6. Accordingly, the growing liquid outlet arrangement 91 may be user occasionally or at predetermined intervals for changing growing liquid in the growing liquid reservoir.
[0142] Further, in the embodiment of
[0143] In the embodiment of
[0144] The system 2 comprises an inlet arrangement of the system. The inlet arrangement comprises the supply channel 73, or supply channel 73 and the supply pump 93 or supply channel 73, the supply pump 93 and the growingly quid source 92.
[0145] It should be noted that the inlet arrangement and components thereof may vary depending on the embodiment of the present invention.
[0146] Further, in the embodiment of
[0147] In this embodiment, the supply channel 73 extends outside or is arranged to extend outside the growing chamber 6. As shown in
[0148] It should be noted, that the growing liquid source 92, the supply pump 93 and the supply channel may also be provided inside the growing chamber 6.
[0149] In the present invention and in the context of this application, the system 2 comprises thermal adjustment device 100, 101, 102 arranged to adjust the temperature of the growing liquid 22 in the system 2. The thermal adjustment device 100 may be a heat exchanger, heating device, cooling device or combined heating and cooling device implemented as any known type of device for controlling temperature of liquid material. The thermal adjustment device 100, 101, 102 may comprise heater, such as electric heater or liquid heater, and/or cooler, such as electric cooler or liquid cooler. The thermal adjustment device 100 may comprise a heat exchanger arranged exchange temperature between the growing liquid 22 in the system 2 and a working fluid. Adjusting the temperature of the working fluid, liquid or gas, or flow rate of the growing liquid 22 and/or the working fluid in the heat exchanger 100, 101, 102, the temperature of the growing liquid may be adjusted. The thermal adjustment device 100, 101, 102 may also be a heat transfer element or thermoelement. Accordingly, the thermal adjustment device 100, 101, 102 may be any known kind of device or element arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid in the system 2.
[0150] The thermal adjustment device 100, 101, 102 may be connected to a power source 110, 111, 112 for adjusting the operation and/or temperature of the growing liquid. The power source 110, 111, 112 may be electric power source for operating the electric heater or cooler, or a liquid power source or heat or cold source for providing heated or cooled working fluid to the heat exchanger 100, 101, 102.
[0151] In the embodiment of
[0152] Further, the thermal adjustment device 100 is provided to or in connection with the growing liquid supply channel 73 connected to the one or more growing liquid nozzles 70, 71. Thus, the thermal adjustment device 100 is arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid in the supply channel 73. Thus, the thermal adjustment device 100 is arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid 22 sprayed from the growing liquid nozzles 70, 71 to the closed chamber space 20. Further, the thermal adjustment device 100 is arranged to adjust the temperature of the growing liquid upstream of the growing liquid nozzles 70 and/or before spraying the growing liquid with the growing liquid nozzles 70 to the closed chamber space 20.
[0153] In the embodiment of
[0154] Alternatively, the thermal adjustment device 100 may arranged upstream of the supply pump 93 and between the growing chamber source 92 and the supply pump 93.
[0155] In the embodiment of
[0156] The thermal adjustment device 100 is connected to the power source 110 or heat and/or cold source for operating the thermal adjustment dev ice 100.
[0157] The inlet arrangement may further be provided with a third temperature sensor 120. In
[0158] The third temperature sensor 120 is connected to the power source 110 or the thermal adjustment device 100. Further, also the first temperature sensor 64 may be connected to the power source 110 or the thermal adjustment device 100. Thus, the thermal adjustment device 100 or the power source 110, and further the temperature of the growing liquid, are controlled based on the measurement results of the first temperature sensor 64 or based on the first and third temperature sensors 64, 120.
[0159] The system 2 may also comprise a control unit (not shown), such as computer or processor unit, for controlling the thermal adjustment device 100. The first and/or third temperature sensors and the thermal adjustment device and/or the power source 110 are connected to the control unit.
[0160] Alternatively, the third temperature sensor 120 may be arranged in connection with or to the supply channel 73 and upstream of the thermal adjustment device 100. Further, the third temperature sensor 120 may arranged between the growing liquid source 92 and the thermal adjustment device.
[0161]
[0162] In this embodiment, the third temperature sensor 120 is arranged in connection with or to the growing liquid source 92 for measuring the temperature of the growing liquid in the growing liquid source 92. The third temperature sensor 120 may be connected to the power source 110 or the thermal adjustment device 100. Further, also the first temperature sensor 64 may be connected to the power source 110 or the thermal adjustment device 100. Thus, the thermal adjustment device 100 or the power source 110, and further the temperature of the growing liquid in the growing liquid source 92, may be controlled based on the measurement results of the first temperature sensor 64 or based on the first and third temperature sensors 64, 120. Alternatively, the control unit (not shown) may be utilized for controlling the thermal adjustment device 100 and/or the power source 110, as in
[0163] The other elements of the embodiment of
[0164]
[0165] In the embodiment of
[0166] The system 2 further comprises a liquid circulation arrangement arranged to supply growing liquid 22 from the lower liquid space 21 or from the growing liquid reservoir 200 to one or more of the growing liquid nozzles 70. Thus, the liquid circulation arrangement is arranged to supply growing liquid 22 from the lower liquid space 21 or the growing liquid reservoir 200 to upper growing space 20 by utilizing the one or more of the growing liquid nozzles 70.
[0167]
[0168] Furthermore, in the embodiment of
[0169] It should be noted that, the circulation arrangement may be utilized also in growing chambers 6 in which the partitioning wall 16 is omitted. Accordingly, in the context of this application the circulation arrangement is arranged to circulate growing liquid from the growing liquid reservoir 12, 13 or the separate growing liquid reservoir 200 to the growing liquid nozzles 70 to be sprayed to the root part of the plant inside the growing chamber 6.
[0170] In the embodiment of
[0171] The growing chamber 6 comprises the first chamber temperature sensor 64 arranged to the upper growing space 20 and arranged to measure temperature in the upper growing space 20. The second chamber temperature sensor 65 is provided to the lower liquid space 21 and arranged to measure temperature of the growing liquid 22 in the lower liquid space 21 or in the growing liquid reservoir in the lower liquid space 21. Thus, the temperature of the growing liquid 22 is adjusted with the thermal adjustment device 100 based on the predetermined desired temperature values and the temperatures measured with the first and second temperature sensors 64, 65.
[0172] Adjusting the temperature of the growing liquid in the growing liquid reservoir 12, 13, 200 provides thermal accumulator inside the growing chamber 6.
[0173]
[0174] The circulation channel 81 further extends through the growing chamber wall or the plant support base 4 and is connected to the growing liquid nozzles 70.
[0175] The thermal adjustment device or devices 100 are be provided to or in connection with the circulation arrangement 80, 81 and outside the growing chamber 6 for adjusting the temperature of the growing liquid 22 to the sprayed by the growing liquid nozzles 70. Further, the thermal adjustment device or devices 100 are provided to or in connection with the circulation channel 81, as shown in
[0176] In the embodiment of
[0177] In the embodiment of
[0178] In the embodiment of the
[0179]
[0180] In the embodiment of
[0181] The system 2 further comprises a second thermal adjustment device 102 arranged inside the growing chamber 6. The second thermal adjustment device 102 is arranged to or in connection with the circulation pump 80 and arranged to adjust the temperature of the growing liquid when it is pumped or circulated from the lower liquid space 21 to the growing liquid nozzles 70 in the upper growing space 20.
[0182] In the embodiment of
[0183] In the embodiment of
[0184] In alternative embodiment, the first thermal adjustment device 101 is cooling device and the second thermal adjustment device 102 is a heating device.
[0185] In the embodiment of
[0186] In this embodiment, the partitioning wall 16 is made of liquid permeable plate or liquid permeable fabric material.
[0187]
[0188] In the embodiment of
[0189] The system 2 further comprises a first thermal adjustment device 101 arranged outside the growing chamber 6. The first thermal adjustment device 101 is arranged to or in connection with the circulation pump 80 and arranged to adjust the temperature of the growing liquid when it is pumped or circulated from the lower liquid space 21 to the growing liquid nozzles 70 in the upper growing space 20.
[0190] In the embodiment of
[0191] In the embodiment of
[0192] In alternative embodiment, the first thermal adjustment device 101 is a cooling device and the second thermal adjustment device 102 is a heating device.
[0193] In this embodiment, the partitioning wall 16 is made of liquid permeable plate or liquid permeable fabric material.
[0194]
[0195] The third thermal adjustment device 130 may be heating device, cooling device or a combined heating and cooling device, as disclosed above. The third thermal adjustment device 130 may be for example electrical heating device, electrical cooling device, combined electrical heating and cooling device, or heat exchanger arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid in the system, or some other liquid heating and/or cooling device. Preferably, the third thermal adjustment device 130 is a radiant thermal adjustment device such as a radiant heater and/or cooler.
[0196] The third thermal adjustment device 130 may be connected to a third power source 140 for adjusting the operation and/or temperature provided by the third thermal adjustment device. The third power source 130 may be an electric power source for operating the electric heater or cooler, or a liquid power source or heat or cold source for providing heated or cooled working fluid to the heat exchanger 130.
[0197]
[0198] In this embodiment, the system 2 further comprises the first thermal adjustment device 101 provided in connection with or to the inlet arrangement. Further, the first thermal adjustment device 101 is provided to or in connection with the growing liquid supply channel 73 connected to the one or more growing liquid nozzles 70, 71. Thus, the first thermal adjustment device 101 is arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid in the supply channel 73. Thus, the first thermal adjustment device 101 is arranged to adjust temperature of the growing liquid 22 sprayed from the growing liquid nozzles 70, 71 to the closed chamber space 20 or to the upper growing space 20. Further, the first thermal adjustment device 101 is arranged to adjust the temperature of the growing liquid upstream of the growing liquid nozzles 70 and/or before spraying the growing liquid with the growing liquid nozzles 70 to the closed chamber space 20.
[0199] In the embodiment of
[0200] In the embodiment of
[0201] The embodiment of
[0202] The embodiment
[0203] It should be noted that, embodiments of
[0204] The present invention provides a method for aeroponic farming in which the temperature inside the growing chamber is adjusted by adjusting the temperature of the growing liquid used in the system 2.
[0205] The method of present invention comprises spraying growing liquid 22 in the closed chamber space 20, 21 to the root part 54 of the plant 50 with one or more growing liquid nozzles 70, 71. The method further comprises adjusting temperature inside the closed chamber space 20, 21 of the growing chamber 6 by adjusting temperature of the growing liquid 22.
[0206] In one embodiment, the method comprises adjusting the temperature of the growing liquid 22 sprayed the in closed chamber space 20, 21 for adjusting the temperature of the inside the closed chamber space 20, 21. This embodiment may be implemented for example with the systems 2 of
[0207] In one embodiment, the method comprises collecting excessive sprayed growing liquid 22 inside the closed chamber space 20, 21 of the growing chamber 6 to a growing liquid reservoir 12, 13, 200, and adjusting temperature of the growing liquid 22 collected to the growing liquid reservoir 12, 13, 200 in the growing liquid reservoir 12, 13, 200 for adjusting the temperature of the inside the closed chamber space 20, 21. This embodiment may be implemented for example with the systems 2 of
[0208] In a further embodiment, the method comprises collecting excessive sprayed growing liquid 22 inside the closed chamber space 20, 21 of the growing chamber 6 to the growing liquid reservoir 12, 13, 200, circulating the collected growing liquid 22 from the growing liquid reservoir 12, 13, 200 to one or more growing liquid nozzles 70, 71, and adjusting the temperature of the circulated growing liquid 22 for adjusting the temperature of the inside the closed chamber space 20, 21. This embodiment may be implemented for example with the systems 2 of
[0209] The method may further comprise measuring temperature inside the growing chamber 6 with one or more temperature sensors and adjusting the temperature of the growing liquid based on the measurement results.
[0210] The measured temperature may be compared to a predetermined temperature value and the temperature of the growing liquid is adjusted based on comparison of the measurement temperature and the predetermined temperature value.
[0211] Further, the method may comprise measuring temperature inside the growing chamber with a first temperature sensor 64 and temperature of the growing liquid with a second temperature sensor 65. The first temperature sensor 64 may be provided to the upper growing space 20 or outside the growing liquid reservoir 12, 13 200 inside the growing chamber 6. The second temperature sensor 65 is arranged to measure the temperature of the growing liquid which is sprayed to the growing chamber 6 and/or the upper growing space 20. Thus, the second temperature sensor 65 may be provided to the growing liquid reservoir 12, 13, 200, to the inlet arrangement 92, 93, 73 or to the circulation arrangement 80, 81 or in connection with the growing liquid nozzles 70, 71.
[0212] The method may further comprise measuring temperature inside the growing chamber 6 with the first temperature sensor and measuring temperature of the growing liquid the second temperature sensor and adjusting the temperature of the growing liquid based on comparison of the measurement results of the first and second temperature sensors 64, 65.
[0213] The measured temperatures of the first and second temperature sensors 64, 65 may be compared to a predetermined temperature value and the temperature of the growing liquid is adjusted based on comparison of the measurement temperatures of the first and second temperature sensors and the predetermined temperature value.
[0214] The invention has been described above with reference to the examples shown in the figures. However, the invention is in no way restricted to the above examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.