Abstract
A tank housing a vertical farm, having inside a plurality of structures at different heights that are supported on the tank wall such that they create ring-shaped projections on which to place the trays for the crops and the remaining installations and channels, wherein, since the structures are arranged as rings, a hollow space is created in the central shaft of the tank that is used to install a liftable platform so that an operator or robot may access the different trays holding the vegetables, and wherein on the lower portion of the tank are located closed and sealed compartments intended for the hydraulic, electric and electronic systems for controlling the parameters necessary for crop optimisation.
Claims
1. A tank housing a vertical farm, wherein in the tank (1) there is a closed space with an outer cylindrical configuration wherein the base or lower portion is flat and rests on the ground, wherein the closure or upper portion has rounded shapes, and wherein there is one entrance door (10), which is characterised in that inside the tank (1) a plurality of structures (2) are installed at different heights formed by a profile and are fastened to the flat inner walls of the tank and which are height adjustable such that ring-shaped projections are created on which to place the trays (21) of crops and that house electric conduits that power the LED lamps (61) and house the hydraulic conduits that supply said trays (21); wherein due to the ring-shaped configuration of the structures (2) a hollow space is created in the central shaft of the tank (1) which is used for the installation of a liftable platform (3) to access the different trays (21) located in the structures; and wherein in the lower portion of the tank (1) there is a vestibule (5) before the access to the platform (3) which is accessed through the door (10) and that next to this vestibule (5) there are hydraulic tanks (4) for the supply of water and nutrient products, from which originates the general hydraulic supply duct (40) of the tank, and there is also a sealed and closed compartment (6) intended for the electric and electronic control systems for controlling the optimal parameters of the crop, and from which also originates the general electric supply duct (60).
2. The tank housing a vertical farm according to the characteristics of claim 1, which is characterised in that the structures (2) are fastened to the wall of the tank (1) by means of a support (20).
3. The tank housing a vertical farm according to the characteristics of claim 1, which is characterised in that the structures (2) support in the upper portion thereof the trays (21) of crops and in the lower portion thereof fasten the LED lamps (61) which are arranged in circuits on the centre of said structure (2) focusing directly on the crops located in the lower trays (21).
4. The tank housing a vertical farm according to the characteristics of claim 1, which is characterised in that each of the structures (2) has a hydraulic connection pipe or branch that connects to the general hydraulic supply duct (40).
5. The tank housing a vertical farm according to the characteristics of claim 1, which is characterised in that each of the structures (2) has an electric connection line or branch that connects to the general electric supply duct (60).
6. The tank housing a vertical farm according to the characteristics of claim 1, which is characterised in that each of the trays (21) has a circular cross-sectional configuration.
7. The tank housing a vertical farm according to the characteristics of claim 1, which is characterised in that each of the trays has a vertical tubular configuration (210) wherein the plants are placed in grooves in the sides of the tube and the liquid is introduced through the upper portion and is collected through the lower portion, and wherein the LED lamps (61) are arranged vertically.
8. The tank housing a vertical farm according to the characteristics of claim 1, which is characterised in that the platform (3) has a perimeter safety rail (31), a central light (33) or lamp and has vertical guides (32) that fasten to and enable the upwards and downwards movement of said platform (3).
9. The tank housing a vertical farm according to the characteristics of claim 8, which is characterised in that inside the platform (3) there is an operator (30).
10. The tank housing a vertical farm according to the characteristics of claim 8, which is characterised in that inside the platform (3) there is a robot.
11. The tank housing a vertical farm according to the characteristics of claim 1, which is characterised in that it has sleeves (7) or thermal exchangers located on the wall of the tank (1).
12. The tank housing a vertical farm according to the characteristics of claim 1, which is characterised in that in the sealed and closed compartment (6) there is a hardware and a software that enables the remote control of the monitoring, tracking and production of the tank (1) and the crops thereof.
13. The tank housing a vertical farm according to the characteristics of claim 1, which is characterised in that the compartment (6) has an electric connection or supply to the outside.
14. The tank housing a vertical farm according to the characteristics of claim 1, which is characterised in that the compartment (6) has energy accumulators or generation and storage means.
15. The tank housing a vertical farm according to the characteristics of claim 1, which is characterised in that it has sensors distributed throughout the entire tank that measure the optimal parameters of the crop.
Description
[0024] To complete the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to make the characteristics of the invention more readily understandable, said description is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation represents the following:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of the tank housing a vertical farm.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of the inside of the tank housing a vertical farm.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional representation of the tank housing a vertical farm.
[0028] FIG. 4 is an A-A′ transverse cross-sectional representation according to the previous figure.
[0029] FIG. 5 is an B-B′ transverse cross-sectional representation according to FIG. 3.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional representation of a tank housing a vertical farm that has sleeves on the inner walls thereof.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective representation of the inside of a tank housing a vertical farm that has sleeves on the inner walls thereof.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a detailed plan representation of the structures intended for the crops.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective representation of the structures intended for the crops.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a perspective representation of the inside of a tank housing a vertical farm with a recirculating system.
[0035] FIG. 11 is a transverse cross-sectional representation at an average height of the previous figure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0036] The tank object of the present invention, as can be seen in FIG. 1, is a tank (1) that can be considered as tanks of the type, that is, a closed space with an outer visual cylindrical configuration, wherein the inner surface is flat, while the upper closure thereof may be conical, rounded or curved, and which has one entrance door (10) given that the rest of the components and installations are located inside the same.
[0037] Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 2, in order to optimise the vertical farm concept, inside the tank (1) which has flat walls, structures (2) are installed that are supported on the inner wall by supports (20) of the tank such that they create ring-shaped projections on which to place the trays (21) for the crops and the remaining necessary installations. Moreover, it can be seen how these ring-shaped structures (2) generate a hollow space in the central shaft of the tank (1) that is used to install a liftable platform (3) so that at least one operator (30) or, if applicable, a robot with a robotic arm may access the different trays (21) holding the vegetables. Lastly, this figure shows that located in the lower portion of the tank (1) there are areas intended for the installations, electrical and mechanical systems in the lower portion of the tank; it must be noted that the lower portion of the tank has areas for systems, storage and control of the entire tank. As can be seen, once the tank (1) has been entered into through the door (10), a vestibule (5) is accessed that is before the access to the platform (3) and that has storage areas. Next to this vestibule (5) there are hydraulic tanks (4) for the supply of water and nutrient products, likewise on top of these and in order to eliminate filtering problems, there are compartments for storing the electric supply and electronic control systems for the parameters necessary to optimise the crop (not shown). All these rooms, although not shown in the figure, are closed, sealed and covered to also prevent leaks, inlet of water or others from the crop trays (21). In this regard, an embodiment of the tank constitutes a compartment with a height of between 15 to 22 metres, with an outer diameter of 4100 mm, this dimension being designed for long-distance transport, with a separation between structures of a minimum of 40 cm and that therefore creates a net cultivable surface of between 200 and 300 m.sup.2, meaning only 25 m.sup.2 of outer surface of the ground is required to place the tank. The width of the supports and the trays is comprised between 0.75 and 0.90 m wide, therefore it enables the liftable platform to be approximately 2.25 m in diameter, about 4 m.sup.2, which is a much larger work surface with respect to the platforms necessary in the passages created in the containers or rooms with a rectangular configuration.
[0038] FIGS. 3 to 5 show that the elements that form the inside of the tank (1) coincide with those of FIG. 2; however, they are described in greater detail. In this regard, two cross sections A-A′ (FIG. 4) and B-B′ (FIG. 5) are made in order to better see those details. The structures (2) are formed by a profile joined to the wall of the tank by a support (20) fastened by welding or screws, which serve as height-adjustable supports for a plurality of projecting radial metal arms or profiles that form said structure (2) and serving to hold the electric and hydraulic equipment and crop trays (21). A round and liftable work platform (3) is installed in the hollow of the shaft of the tank (1) created by the ring configuration of the structures (2), where the operator (30) can perform the necessary cultivation or maintenance work and place boxes (34) or what may be required. This platform (3), for safety reasons, has a perimeter rail (31), a central light (33) or lamp which enables the operator to carry out the work in the necessary conditions, and wherein the electric system and lifting motors are located in the ground for maintenance and safety reasons, but which have vertical guides (32) that fasten to and enable the upwards and downwards movement of said platform (3).
[0039] Additionally, FIGS. 3 to 5 show that there are areas for systems, storage and control of the entire tank in the lower portion of the tank (1). The tank (1) has one access door (10), which communicates with a vestibule (5) before the access to the platform (3) for changing specific work clothes, decontamination, controlling insect plagues and safety for access to the platform. Next to this vestibule (5) there are hydraulic tanks (4) for the supply of water and nutrient products, from which originates the hydraulic supply duct (40) of the different structures (2) located at different heights, such that each structure (2) has a specific provision and collection branch for said hydraulic circulation. Similarly, there is a space or compartment (6) intended for the electric and electronic systems, which can have an electric connection or supply to the outside, and has its own energy accumulators or generation and storage means that provide said energy to the rest of the tank, similarly originating from the same is the general light power supply (60) through cabling that vertically travels the height of the tank, and that in each structure (2) has a branch. Each branch powers the LED lighting bars (61) that are arranged in 1 or 2 circuits on the centre of the structures focusing directly on the crops located in the trays (21). FIG. 5 represents a possible solution, but these compartments and rooms can be designed in multiple shapes provided that the fact that they are closed, sealed and protected is respected.
[0040] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a tank (1), which keeping the same characteristics and elements of those defined above, that is, it is made up of a plurality of structures (2) supported on the inner wall by supports (20) where both the trays (21) for the crops and the remaining necessary installations and conduits are placed, which has a liftable platform (3) for an operator (30), and wherein in the lower portion of the tank (1) are located areas intended for installations, electrical and mechanical systems in the lower portion of the tank; it must be noted that the lower portion of the tank has areas for systems, storage and control of the entire tank, such as the vestibule (5), the hydraulic tanks (4) and the compartments that protect the electric and electronic components (6), these two figures incorporate the possibility of also controlling the temperature of the tank by means of the installation of thermal exchangers, or commonly known as sleeves (7), on the inner surface of the wall of the tank (1).
[0041] Another important aspect that must be defined are the crop trays (21), as may be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, which are provided in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 7, that are configured in circular sectors that enable easy handling and are adapted to the dimensions and also circular and annular shape of the structure (2). Furthermore, it can be seen how the structures (2) are profiles that house conduits enabling the connection with the general hydraulic (40) and electric (60) supply ducts, therefore, the structures support and hydraulically supply the trays (21) through the upper portion thereof, while the lower portion supports the LED lamps (61) that light the trays (21) of the lower structure (2).
[0042] Lastly, FIGS. 10 and 11 show the tank (1), which keeping the same characteristics and elements of those defined above such as the vestibule (5), the hydraulic tanks (4) and the compartments that protect the electric and electronic components (6) are in the lower portion of the tank or the inclusion of the sleeves (7); the tank (1) enables the installation of a hydroponic system, such as the NFT system or Nutrient Film Technique, wherein the trays (210) located on the different supports (20) have a vertical tubular configuration, therefore the nutrient solution or liquid from the hydraulic supply duct (40) is introduced through the upper portion, wets the roots and is collected in the lower portion. It must be noted that in this case, the LED lamps (61) powered by the general duct (60) are arranged vertically. Similarly, a round and liftable work platform (3) is installed in the hollow of the shaft of the tank (1) created by the ring configuration of the structures (2), where the operator (30) can perform the necessary cultivation or maintenance work and place boxes (34) or what may be required. This platform (3), for safety reasons, has a perimeter rail (31), a central light (33) or lamp which enables the operator to carry out the work in the necessary conditions, and wherein the electric system and lifting motors are located in the ground for maintenance and safety reasons, but which have vertical guides (32) that fasten to and enable the upwards and downwards movement of said platform (3).
[0043] Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention above, taking into account that the terminology that has been used in this specification should be taken in a broad and non-limiting sense, as well as the description of the best mode of carrying it out in practice, it is requested that the patent be registered, as it has been proven that it constitutes a positive technical advancement, the essence of said invention being what is specified below in the following claims.
