Environmental Control System Optimized for Small Scale Mushroom Cultivation

Abstract

The present invention relates to an advancement in a system primarily designed to he used for the cultivation of saprophytic mushrooms. It provides the basic necessities of mushroom growth, including fresh air exchange, humidity, light, and warmth. It also monitors environmental variables, including at least humidity and temperature, and other variables related to the system, such as water reservoir level. It transmits this information wirelessly via either Bluetooth or WIFI antennas, to an external system for recording and/or monitoring. The information from the sensors may also he used to form a closed feedback loop to control output of the systems controlling the environmental conditions.

Claims

I: A system designed to be used for the cultivation of saprophytic mushrooms comprising: basic necessities of mushroom growth, including fresh air exchange; humidity; optionally light; and., optionally warmth.

II: A system to monitor environmental variables, including but not limited to: humidity and temperature, and other variables related to the system, such as water reservoir level.

III: A system to transmit this information wirelessly via either Bluetooth or WIFI antennas, to an external system for recording and/or monitoring. The information from the sensors may also be used to form a closed feedback loop to control output of the systems controlling the environmental conditions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 discloses front view of device as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 discloses the mushroom and mushroom substrate block assembly as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 discloses alternative implementation where the sensors can be used to control any space which is properly installed as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 discloses another view of PCB assembly as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 discloses complete view of assembly as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 6 discloses top view of assembly as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

[0030] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0031] The cultivation of mushrooms has a venerable history. While mushrooms grow readily in the natural state where they find a supportive environment, efforts to cultivate mushrooms require great care in order to obtain an economic crop. In producing cultivated mushrooms, a substrate must be provided which enables the growth of the desired mushroom, and sterile technique must be utilized in the creation of substrates to discourage the invasion of undesirable bacteria and fungi. During fruiting, mushrooms are particularly susceptible to variations in their environment and their growth can be substantially or completely inhibited when the environment does not provide the necessary degree of moisture, temperature, light, and aeration.

[0032] Since the edible mushroom is an excellent source of food values, there is an increasing interest in enhancing the ability to grow mushrooms in an economical manner. Furthermore the mushroom can be grown on waste materials, and thus mushroom cultivation provides a method for turning waste materials into human food. Finally, the substrate or compost employed after mushroom growth is exhausted, can be employed for mulching or composting crops.

[0033] In developing new techniques for growing mushrooms and in working with new species or phenotypes, it is desirable to provide an enhanced scientific approach on a small scale toward developing optimally favorable conditions for higher-scale fanning efforts.

[0034] The current invention presents an assembly which provides a controllable environment enabling creation of favorable conditions for the growth of mushrooms.

[0035] The assembly as per its preferred embodiments presents a filter, which is to keep the space free from contaminants and pests, while providing enough fresh air to enable mushroom growth.

[0036] The light, especially blue and green light, is required for ideal mushroom fruit-body development. The system as per its further embodiments will include a lighting system to ensure that the mushrooms receive sufficient light for growth, even if the system is installed in a location devoid of light, such as a closet. Lighting options include RGB lights, fluorescent light(s), or perhaps a different option.

[0037] The Temperature is also the required embodiment of invention. As understood, mushrooms grow faster when the temperature is kept around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. The goal of the system is to provide ideal conditions, so an effort is ongoing to determine the best option for providing some amount of heat, given the power budget available. This can include but not limited to a resistive heating element, such as nichrome wire, in the inlet air stream, or a submersible heating element into the water reservoir, to increase the temperature of the reservoir.

[0038] While a specific embodiment has been shown and described, many variations are possible. With time, additional features may be employed. The particular shape or configuration of the platform or the interior configuration may be changed to suit the system or equipment with which it is used.

[0039] Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0040] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.