HORTICULTURAL AND/OR AGRICULTURAL GREENHOUSE

Abstract

The invention relates to a horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse for cultivating crops therein, comprising: multiple rows of support columns connected by transverse frames for forming a roof support construction, each of the transverse frames having a frame length; a substantially horizontal fabric screen for at least partially darkening and/or thermally shielding the greenhouse, wherein the fabric screen is suspended between adjacent transverse frames and divides the greenhouse in a cultivating space below the fabric screen and a roof space above the fabric screen; and a ventilation system with a ventilation device for displacing air within the cultivation space and/or between the roof space and the cultivation space, wherein the ventilation system further comprises a ventilation device adapter having a longitudinal axis and configured for receiving the ventilation device and for being secured to one or more of the transverse frames.

Claims

1-22. (canceled)

23. A horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse for cultivating crops therein, comprising: multiple rows of support columns connected by transverse frames for forming a roof support construction, each of the transverse frames having a frame length; a substantially horizontal fabric screen for at least partially darkening and/or thermally shielding the greenhouse, wherein the fabric screen is suspended between adjacent transverse frames and divides the greenhouse in a cultivating space below the fabric screen and a roof space above the fabric screen; and a ventilation system with a ventilation device for displacing air within the cultivation space and/or between the roof space and the cultivation space, wherein the ventilation system further comprises a ventilation device adapter having a longitudinal axis and configured for receiving the ventilation device and for being secured to one or more of the transverse frames wherein the ventilation device adapter comprises a base beam extending substantially over the frame length of the respective transverse frame or between two adjacent transverse frames, wherein the base beam is provided with at least one passage and the ventilation device is in air communication with the at least one passage.

24. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 23, wherein the ventilation device adapter is configured for being secured to one of the transverse frames, wherein the ventilation device adapter extends over substantially the frame length and substantially parallel to the respective transverse frame, wherein the ventilation device adapter is provided between the respective transverse frame and the fabric screen.

25. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 23, wherein the ventilation device adapter is configured for being secured to two adjacent transverse frames, wherein the ventilation device adapter extends substantially transverse to the two transverse frames.

26. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 23, wherein the base beam is a U-shaped beam, which U-shaped beam has two parallel legs connected to each other by a center piece.

27. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 26, wherein the at least one passage is provided in the center piece of the U-shaped beam, preferably wherein the ventilation device is in air communication with the at least one passage in order to draw air from the roof space.

28. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 23, wherein the ventilation system comprises a suction tube having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air channel extending between the air inlet and the air outlet, and wherein the ventilation device comprises a fan connected to the suction tube at the air outlet thereof for drawing air into and through the suction tube, wherein the air inlet of the suction tube is positioned at or near the ventilation device adapter.

29. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 28, wherein the suction tube is interconnected to the ventilation device adapter.

30. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 29, wherein the suction tube is connected to the base beam, preferably the center piece of the U-shaped beam, of the ventilation device adapter, such that the at least one passage and the air inlet of the suction tube are positioned adjacent to each other.

31. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 28, wherein the suction tube is converging from the air inlet to the air outlet in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ventilation device adapter.

32. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 28, wherein the suction tube is converging from the air outlet to the air inlet in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ventilation device adapter.

33. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 28, wherein the fan comprises a fan housing connected to the suction tube at the air outlet thereof, a rotation shaft arranged rotatable within the fan housing, and a number of fan blades attached to the rotation shaft and extending radially from the rotation shaft.

34. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 33, wherein the ventilation device comprises an air blender provided between the air outlet of the suction tube and the fan, wherein the air blender is configured for providing an air blend from air from the roof space and/or from the cultivating space to the fan.

35. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 34, wherein the air blender comprises a blender housing with a first air inlet for connection with the air outlet of the suction tube, a second air inlet for enabling air from the cultivating space to enter the air blender, an air outlet for enabling air to exit the air blender, and an air channel extending between the first air inlet, the second air inlet and the air outlet.

36. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 23, wherein the ventilation system is provided with a heat exchanger arranged for exchanging thermal energy with the air displaced within the cultivation space and/or between the roof space and the cultivation space.

37. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 35, wherein the fan is arranged at or near the air outlet of the air blender, and the heat exchanger is arranged at or near the first air inlet of the air blender, at or near the second air inlet of the air blender, at or near the air outlet of the air blender upstream of the fan, and/or downstream of the fan.

38. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 23, wherein the ventilation device adapter comprises an additional beam arranged below and substantially parallel to the base beam, wherein the additional beam is configured for allowing a second screen to be secured thereto.

39. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 23, wherein the greenhouse comprises multiple ventilation devices, and wherein the ventilation device adapter is configured for receiving the multiple ventilation devices.

40. The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 23, wherein the greenhouse comprises multiple ventilation device adapters, each configured for receiving at least one ventilation device.

41. A ventilation system and/or a ventilation device adapter for use in the horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 23, or in the ventilation system.

42. The method for climate control in a cultivating space in a horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse, preferably a horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse according to claim 23, the method comprising the steps of: by the ventilation device, displacing air within the cultivation space; by the ventilation device, displacing air between the roof space and the cultivation space; or by the ventilation device, displacing air within the cultivation space and between the roof space and the cultivation space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of a part of an agricultural and/or horticultural greenhouse with multiple rows of support columns connected by transverse frames, and a ventilation system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0030] FIGS. 2A-B show an enlarged view of one of the transverse frames and the ventilation system of FIG. 1, and a side view thereof, respectively;

[0031] FIGS. 3A-D show an isometric view, a front view, a side view and a top view of the ventilation system of FIG. 2, respectively;

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a schematic overview of a part of an agricultural and/or horticultural greenhouse with multiple rows of support columns connected by transverse frames, and a ventilation system according to a further embodiment of the invention;

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a schematic overview of a part of an agricultural and/or horticultural greenhouse with multiple rows of support columns connected by transverse frames, and a ventilation system having a heat exchanger according to a further embodiment of the invention; and

[0034] FIGS. 6A-6C show schematically alternative positions of the heat exchanger within the ventilation system of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] An agricultural and/or horticultural greenhouse 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown partially in FIG. 1. The partially shown greenhouse 1 is a Venlo type greenhouse, and comprises a number of identical metal columns 2-5, for example metal lattice columns, that are positioned spaced apart and in rows oriented in the longitudinal direction L of the greenhouse 1. The lattice columns 2-5 are connected by means of metal transverse frames 6-10 for forming a supporting structure for a non-shown roof

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2A each of the transverse frames 6-10 comprises a horizontal attachment section 11 and a horizontal bar 12 extending below the horizontal attachment section 11. The horizontal attachment section 11 and the horizontal bar 12 are interconnected by means of brace struts 13 extending between the horizontal attachment section 11 and the horizontal bar 12. Each of the metal columns 2-5 is configured for receiving the horizontal attachment section 11 at least partially at the upper end thereof

[0037] A screen 20 is provided between two adjacent transverse frames 6-10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2B. The screen 20 is moveable between the shown open state, and a non-shown closed stated in which the screen 20 darkens and thermally shields the area between two adjacent transverse frames 6-10. Moreover, the screens 20 define a roof space, which is located above the screens 20, and a cultivating space, which is located below the screens 20, within the greenhouse 1. The greenhouse 1 further includes parallel guiding wires 21 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the greenhouse 1 and through the horizontal attachment section 11 of each transverse frame 6-10. For the sake of clarity, only a few guiding wires 21 are shown in the figures, while in practice a plurality of parallel guiding wires 21 is provided. Each of the screens 20 is attached to one or more of the guiding wires 21, such that each screen 20 is guided by a number of guiding wires 21 during moving between the open state and the closed state, and vice versa.

[0038] How the screens 20 may be incorporated into the horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse 1, for example, is shown in Dutch patent publication NL 2001036.

[0039] The horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse 1 further comprises a ventilation system 30 for arranging multiple ventilation devices 50 at the greenhouse 1, in particular at one of the transverse frames 6-10 thereof. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B the ventilation system 30 comprises a U-shaped base beam 31, which is part of a ventilation device adapter, extending over substantially the whole length of the respective transverse frame 6-10. The U-shaped base beam 31 has two parallel legs 32, 33 which are connected to each other by means of a center piece 34. As shown in FIG. 3D passages 35 are provided within the center piece 34, which passages 35 are configured for allowing air to pass through the center piece 34.

[0040] Further, two suction tubes 36 are arranged at the U-shaped base beam 31. Each of the suction tubes 36 has an air inlet 37, an air outlet 38 and an air channel extending between the air inlet 37 and the air outlet 38 and being arranged within the respective suction tube 36. The air inlet 37 of each of the suction tubes 36 is located adjacent to one of the passages 35 of the U-shaped base beam 31, such that air passing the respective passage 35 immediately enters the air inlet 37 and therewith the air channel of the respective suction tube 36.

[0041] Each of the of the suction tubes 36 converges in a first direction D from the air outlet 38 to the air inlet 37 and in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the greenhouse 1, as shown in FIG. 3B. Additionally, each of the suction tubes 36 converges in the first direction D and in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction T of the respective transverse frame 6-10 being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the greenhouse 1, i.e. from the air inlet 37 to the air outlet 38.

[0042] The U-shaped base beam 31, being part of the ventilation device adapter, is provided between the respective transverse frame 6-10 and the screen 20 suspended to the respective transverse frame 6-10, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The screen 20 is attached to the U-shaped base beam 31 thereof.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3A a ventilation device 50 is provided at the air outlet 38 of each of the suction tubes 36. The ventilation device 50 comprises an air blender 60 secured to the suction tube 36 at the air outlet 38 thereof. The air blender 60 comprises a blender housing 61 with a blending space 62 defined therein. The blending space 62 is in air communication with the air channel within the suction tube 36 and with the cultivating space of the greenhouse 1, such that air can be sucked into the blending space 62 from the roof space and the cultivating space. Blending flaps 63 are provided parallel to each other within the blending space 62, which blending flaps 63 are rotatable about a rotation axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction T of the respective transverse frame 6-10. By adjusting the orientation of the blending flaps 63, the amount of air entering the blending space 62 from the roof space and/or the cultivation space can be regulated.

[0044] The ventilation device 50 further comprises a fan 65 arranged downstream of the air blender 60 and in air communication with the blending space 62 thereof. The fan 65 comprises a substantially cylindrical fan housing 66 with a substantially circular fan space 67 defined therein. A non-shown rotation shaft and non-shown fan blades attached to the rotation shaft and extending radially therefrom are provided within the fan space 67. When the fan 65 is activated, air is drawn into the air blender 60 from the roof space and/or the cultivating space, which air is blended and blown into the cultivating space.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3A the ventilation devices 50 can be arranged such that the adjacent ventilation device 50 blows air into the cultivation space of the greenhouse 1 in an opposite direction.

[0046] An agricultural and/or horticultural greenhouse 100 according to a further embodiment of the invention is partially shown in FIG. 4. The partially shown greenhouse 100 is a Venlo type greenhouse, and comprises a number of identical non-shown metal columns, for example metal lattice columns, that are positioned spaced apart and in rows oriented in the longitudinal direction L of the greenhouse 100. The lattice columns are connected by means of metal transverse frames 106-107 for forming a supporting structure for a non-shown roof. Each of the transverse frames 106-107 comprises a horizontal attachment section 111 and a horizontal bar 112 extending below the horizontal attachment section 111. The horizontal attachment section 111 and the horizontal bar 112 are interconnected by means of brace struts 113 extending between the horizontal attachment section 111 and the horizontal bar 112. The greenhouse 100 further comprises substantially the same features as the greenhouse 1 of FIG. 1, wherein in the present application is refrained from reintroducing corresponding features. Corresponding features are referred to with the same reference number increased by 100.

[0047] The greenhouse 100 differs from the greenhouse of FIG. 1 in that the horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse 100 further comprises a ventilation system 130 for arranging a ventilation device 150 at the greenhouse 100 between two adjacent transverse frames 106-107 thereof. The ventilation system 130 comprises a base beam 131, which is part of a ventilation device adapter, extending between and substantially transverse to the two adjacent transverse frame 106-107.

[0048] Furthermore, the ventilation system 130 further comprises an additional beam 170 which is provided below and substantially parallel to the base beam 131. By means of the additional beam 170, it is possible to provide an additional non-shown fabric screen within the greenhouse 100.

[0049] An agricultural and/or horticultural greenhouse 200 according to a further embodiment of the invention is partially shown in FIG. 5. The partially shown greenhouse 200 is a Venlo type greenhouse, and comprises a number of identical non-shown metal columns, for example metal lattice columns, that are positioned spaced apart and in rows oriented in the longitudinal direction L of the greenhouse 200. The lattice columns are connected by means of metal transverse frames 206 for forming a supporting structure for a non-shown roof. The greenhouse 200 further comprises substantially the same features as the greenhouse 100 of FIG. 4, wherein in the present application is refrained from reintroducing corresponding features. Corresponding features are referred to with the same reference number increased by 100.

[0050] The greenhouse 100 differs from the greenhouse of FIG. 4 in that the horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse 200 further comprises a heat exchanger 280 arranged downstream of the fan 265. The heat exchanger 280 comprises a heat exchanger body 281 having an fluid channel defined therein, a fluid inlet for receiving air from the fan 265 and in fluid communication with the fluid channel, and a fluid outlet 282 in fluid communication with the fluid channel and provided for enabling air to exit the heat exchanger 280. The heat exchanger 280 further comprises a heat exchanging medium feed line 283 for feeding a heat exchanging medium to the heat exchanger body 281, and a heat exchanging medium discharge line 284 for discharging heated or cooled heat exchanging medium from the heat exchanger body 281.

[0051] FIGS. 6A-6C schematically show alternative positions of the heat exchanger 280 within the ventilation system 230 of FIG. 5.

[0052] [52] As schematically shown in FIG. 6A, the air blender 260 comprises a blender housing with a first air inlet 285 for connection with the air outlet of the suction tube 236, a second air inlet 286 for enabling air from the cultivating space to enter the air blender 260 via the suction channel 236, an air outlet 281 for enabling air to exit the air blender 260, and an air channel extending between the first air inlet 285, the second air inlet 286 and the air outlet 281. The air channel is schematically indicated as a control valve, since the amount of air from the roof space and/or the amount of air from the cultivating space drawn into the air blender 260 are controlled within the air channel. As shown in FIG. 6A, the heat exchanger 280 is arranged downstream of the fan 265. This position of the heat exchanger 280 corresponds to the position shown in FIG. 5. As a result, thermal energy can be exchanged with a mixture of air from the roof space and air from the cultivating space, with only air from the roof space, or with only air from the cultivating space.

[0053] FIG. 6B schematically shows that the heat exchanger 280 can be arranged at or near the second air inlet 286 of the air blender 260, i.e. upstream of the second air inlet 286 of the air blender 260. In this position, the heat exchanger 280 is enabled to cool or heat air coming from the cultivating space only.

[0054] FIG. 6C schematically shows that the heat exchanger 280 can be arranged at or near the air outlet 287 of the air blender 260, i.e. upstream of the fan 265 of the ventilation system 230. Therefore, air is drawn from the air blender 260 through the heat exchanger 280 by means of the fan 265.

[0055] It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

[0056] In particular, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that multiple ventilation device adapters can be provided within a horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse. In that case, the ventilation device adapters are provided at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the greenhouse.