AEROPONICS APPARATUS

Abstract

Aeroponics apparatus for commercial operation is disclosed, the aeroponics apparatus including a support structure comprising a power supply device, at least one shuttle movable on the support structure, the shuttle comprising a grow bed tray for holding crops, the shuttle comprising one or more nebulizers, for generating an aerosol for fertigating the crops in the grow bed tray, and a power connector to connect to the power supply device to supply power to the shuttle.

Claims

1. An aeroponics apparatus for commercial operation, the aeroponics apparatus comprising, a support structure comprising a power supply device, at least one shuttle movable on the support structure, the shuttle comprising a grow bed tray for holding crops, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more ultrasonic nebulizers configured to generate an aerosol for fertigating the crops in the grow bed tray.

2. The aeroponics apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one shuttle comprises the one or more nebulizers and a power connector configured to connect to the power supply device to supply power to the shuttle.

3. The aeroponic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one shuttle is moveable in a first direction on the support structure.

4. The aeroponic apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one shuttle is moveable in a second direction on the support structure.

5-6. (canceled)

7. The aeroponic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises rolling portions configured to cooperate with the shuttle to allow the shuttle to move in one or more directions on the support structure.

8. The aeroponic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a conveyor device to move the shuttle in one or more directions on the support structure.

9. The aeroponic apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the conveyor device extends in at least one of the one or more directions on the support structure.

10. (canceled)

11. Aeroponic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shuttle is arranged to move in a direction normal to the support structure.

12-14. (canceled)

15. The aeroponic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one urging device configured to move the shuttle on the support structure.

16-18. (canceled)

19. The aeroponic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nebulizer is mounted on a base of the grow bed tray.

20. The aeroponic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nebulizer comprises an ultrasonic transducer.

21-26. (canceled)

27. The aeroponic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grow bed tray comprises a crop support configured to hold the crops spaced from a base of the tray to form a root space above the base of the tray.

28. The aeroponic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in use, the grow bed tray comprises water and nutrients in the bottom portion of the tray in contact with the nebulizer.

29. The aeroponic apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein the nebulizer generates an aerosol mist in a root space to fertigate the crops.

30-31. (canceled)

32. The aeroponic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support structure further comprises a water storage system and/or a water distribution apparatus configured to provide water to the shuttle.

33-39. (canceled)

40. The aeroponics apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the ultrasonic transducer comprises a piezoelectric transducer.

41. (canceled)

42. The aeroponics apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more ultrasonic nebulizers are located on the support structure.

43. A method for producing crops, the method comprising, a) providing the aeroponics apparatus as claimed in claim 1, b) providing a plant support at the position spaced from a base of the grow bed tray to form a root space above the base of the tray, c) providing crops in the plant support, and d) providing water and nutrients at the base of the grow bed tray and nebulizing the water so that the nebulized aerosol nutrient solution contacts at least the roots of the crops.

44. The method as claimed in claim 43, wherein nebulizing water comprises nebulizing the water to provide a controlled droplet size distribution.

45. The method as claimed in claim 44, wherein the droplet size distribution comprises droplets having a diameter in the range 0.1 m to 100 m.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described further, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0060] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single shuttle for use in the present disclosure;

[0061] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a single shuttle;

[0062] FIG. 3 is a side view of a single shuttle;

[0063] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a single shuttle;

[0064] FIG. 5 is a sectional view on the centerline of a single shuttle;

[0065] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a single shuttle for use in the present disclosure showing the cooperation with rails on a support structure and power contact points on the support structure;

[0066] FIG. 7 is a side view of a single shuttle and rails as in FIG. 6;

[0067] FIG. 8 is a front view of a single shuttle and rails as in FIG. 6;

[0068] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a single shuttle and rails as in FIG. 6;

[0069] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of a single shuttle and rails as in FIG. 6;

[0070] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of multiple shuttles and rails on a support structure;

[0071] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of multiple shuttles and rails as in FIG. 11;

[0072] FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of multiple shuttles and rails as in FIG. 11;

[0073] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of aeroponics apparatus according to the present disclosure showing the shuttle and the support structure with rolling sections.

[0074] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of aeroponics apparatus according to the present disclosure showing the shuttle and part of the support structure.

[0075] FIG. 16 is an end view of the aeroponics apparatus of FIG. 15.

[0076] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the aeroponics apparatus of FIG. 15 showing a plurality of shuttles and part of the support structure.

[0077] FIG. 18(a) shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a single shuttle/grow bed tray; and b) section view.

[0078] FIG. 19(a) shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a shuttle/grow bed tray; b) shows a magnified view of the nutrient trough and nutrient solution port; and (c) shows a section view.

[0079] FIG. 20(a) shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an aeroponics apparatus (with two shuttles) and crop trays on a support structure with a water delivery system and power delivery system; (b) side view of the aeroponics apparatus showing the two shuttles on the support structure; and (c) underside view of the aeroponics apparatus.

[0080] FIG. 21(a) shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an aeroponics apparatus (two shuttles) on a support structure with a water delivery system and power delivery system and one crop tray in each shuttle; (b) top view of the apparatus; (c) short side view of the apparatus; and (d) shows the long side view of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] FIGS. 1 to 5 show a shuttle 12 for use in an aeroponics apparatus 2 of the present disclosure. The shuttle 12 comprises an integral grow bed tray 28, nutrient solution trough 26 (that may be, in form, a cistern, tank, vat, trench, gully, channel or culvert), first and second end walls 14, 20 and first and second side walls 16, 18. In some embodiments it may be useful if the tray is removable and/or changeable. The grow bed tray end wall 24 separates the grow bed tray 28 from the nutrient solution trough 26. Trough nutrient solution port 22 allows water/nutrients to enter the grow bed tray 28 from the nutrient solution trough 26 via trough nutrient solution port 30 through nutrient solution levelling device 38. Nutrient solution levelling device 38 ensures the nutrient solution level stays even and relatively constant. The grow bed tray comprises a plurality of ultrasonic nebulizers 52.

[0082] Nutrient solution enters the nutrient solution trough 26 from trough nutrient solution inlet 32 connected to a nutrient solution reservoir 48 see FIG. 14).

[0083] The grow bed tray 28 comprises at least one nebulizer, usually an ultrasonic nebulizer in acoustic contact (in use) with nutrient solution. In operation, the nebulizer generates an aerosol (usually with droplets having a diameter in the range 0.1 m to 100 m) of nutrient solution in the grow bed tray and thereby fertigates the roots of crops suspended in the grow bed tray (crops not shown, see FIG. 14).

[0084] The shuttle 12 has shuttle rolling portions 36 that cooperate with rails on the support structure 40 to allow the shuttle to move.

[0085] FIGS. 6 to 13 show single and multiple shuttles 12 and rails 4 of the support structure. Each shuttle 12 is mounted on the support structure and the shuttle rolling portions 36 cooperate with the rails 4 to allow the shuttle 12 to move. Power supply devices 6 on the support structure supply electrical power to the shuttle 12 via shuttle power connectors 34 on the shuttle. Electrical power may be used to activate the ultrasonic transducers of the nebulizer to generate aerosol mist, operate horticultural lighting and sensors and for other devices.

[0086] FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of the aeroponic apparatus of the present disclosure. The support structure 40 comprises support structure rollers 44 that cooperate with portions on the shuttles 12 to convey the shuttles 12 over the support structure 40. Horticultural lighting 42 is used to illuminate crops in grow bed trays 46. Nutrient solution is supplied from nutrient solution reservoir 48. Each grow bed tray 46 comprises at least one nebulizer, usually an ultrasonic nebulizer in acoustic contact (in use) with nutrient solution. Power is supplied to the support structure 40 and shuttle 12 via power rail 50. In operation, the nebulizer generates an aerosol (usually with droplets having a diameter in the range 0.1 m to 100 m) of nutrient solution in the grow bed tray and thereby fertigates the roots of crops suspended in the grow bed tray.

[0087] FIGS. 15 to 17 show an alternative embodiment of an aeroponic apparatus 102 of the present disclosure. The aeroponics apparatus 102 comprises a support structure having a support trough 158 with a first side wall 116 and second side wall 118. The support trough 158 has a plurality of ultrasonic nebulizers 152 located in the base connected to the power supply (not shown). On the top edge of the first side wall 116 and second side wall 118 there are first side wall track 154 and second side wall track 156 which support one or more shuttles 112 and which are adapted to cooperate with parts in the base of each shuttle 112 so that the shuttles 112 are easily movable on the support trough 158 so the shuttles 112 may be conveyed over the support structure.

[0088] Each shuttle 112 comprises a grow bed tray for holding crops above the support trough 158. In use, the ultrasonic nebulizers 152 are in acoustic contact with nutrient solution. Power is supplied to the support structure and, optionally the shuttle 112. In operation, the nebulizers generates an aerosol (usually with droplets having a diameter in the range 0.1 m to 100 m) of nutrient solution in the support trough 158 and thereby fertigates the roots of crops suspended in the grow bed tray of the shuttles 112.

[0089] FIG. 18(a) shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a single shuttle/grow bed tray 212; and b) section view. The shuttle has a grow bed tray 228 (that may be a molded plastic insert) a nutrient solution trough 226 and nutrient solution ports 222a and b. The nutrient solutions ports 222 form nutrient solution entry and exit point for the grow bed tray 228. The ports 222 are low in the grow bed tray 228 to allow nutrient solution entry and exit but to reduce or prevent aerosol escaping when the tray is filled above the top of ports 222. Ultrasonic nebulizers (not shown) may be located on or under the base of the grow bed tray 228.

[0090] FIG. 19(a) shows a single shuttle 312 in another embodiment with crop supports 329 for holding crop trays 331 (a single crop tray 331 is shown in (a) for clarity, there may be a number in the shuttle/grow bed tray they space the crop trays 331 from the base of the grow bed tray 328). The shuttle has a grow bed tray 328 (that may be a molded plastic insert) in the shuttle body 313, with the grow bed tray 328 having a nutrient solution trough 326 and a single nutrient solution port 322 at the base of a nutrient port divider/wall 323. The nutrient solution port 322 forms a nutrient solution entry and exit point for the grow bed tray 328. The port 322 is low in the grow bed tray 328 to allow nutrient solution entry and exit but to reduce or prevent aerosol escaping when the tray 328 is filled above the top of the port 322. Ultrasonic nebulizers (not shown) may be located on or under the base of the grow bed tray 328.

[0091] FIG. 20 shows views of an aeroponics apparatus 302 with two shuttles 312a and 312b that are as illustrated in FIG. 19. The shuttles 312 are movable on a support structure 340 with a water/nutrient solution delivery/distributing system 360 and power delivery/supply system 350 (at the opposite end of the support structure 340 to the nutrient solution distributing system 360). Nutrient solution dispensers 362 enable nutrient solution to be dispensed into the nutrient solution trough (see FIG. 19). Crop/plant trays 331 are located in each shuttle (see also FIG. 19). The shuttle frame 315 is visible in (c) that acts to support the grow bed tray 328 in the shuttle 312.

[0092] FIG. 21 also shows the embodiment of the aeroponics apparatus 302 as in FIG. 20 in different views and with only two crop trays 331 shown for clarity. The features illustrated are as described in FIGS. 19 and 20. In (d), on the right hand side is the power supply system 350 (connecting to the underside of the shuttle 312 using connectors (not shown) and on the left hand side is the water/nutrient solution distributing system 360. Rolling portions 370a and 370b are visible underneath the shuttles 312 to allow easier movement of the shuttles 312 on the support structure 340.

[0093] All publications mentioned in the above specification are herein incorporated by reference. Although illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0094] The disclosures of the published documents referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0095] 2 aeroponics apparatus [0096] 4 support structure rail [0097] 6 power supply device [0098] 12 shuttle [0099] 14 first end wall [0100] 16 first side wall [0101] 18 second side wall [0102] second end wall [0103] 22 tray nutrient solution port [0104] 24 grow bed tray end wall [0105] 26 nutrient solution trough [0106] 28 grow bed tray [0107] 30 trough nutrient solution port [0108] 32 trough nutrient solution inlet (or inlet port) [0109] 34 shuttle power connector [0110] 36 shuttle rolling portions [0111] 38 nutrient solution levelling device [0112] 40 support structure [0113] 42 horticultural lighting [0114] 44 support structure roller [0115] 46 grow bed tray [0116] 48 nutrient solution reservoir [0117] 50 power rail [0118] 52 ultrasonic nebulizer [0119] 102 aeroponics apparatus [0120] 116 first side wall [0121] 118 second side wall [0122] 152 ultrasonic nebulizers [0123] 154 first side wall track [0124] 156 second side wall track [0125] 158 support trough [0126] 212 shuttle [0127] 222 nutrient solution ports (a) and (b) [0128] 226 nutrient solution trough [0129] 228 grow bed tray [0130] 302 aeroponics apparatus [0131] 312 shuttle [0132] 313 shuttle body [0133] 315 shuttle frame [0134] 322 nutrient solution port [0135] 323 nutrient port divider/wall [0136] 326 nutrient solution trough [0137] 328 grow bed tray [0138] 329 crop support [0139] 331 plant tray [0140] 340 support structure [0141] 350 power supply system [0142] 360 nutrient distributing system [0143] 362 nutrient solution dispenser [0144] 370 rolling portions a and b.