VERTICAL FARMING WATERING SYSTEM

Abstract

A watering system for a vertical farming facility, having a stackable growth module having a load bearing frame to allow the growth module to be arranged in a self-supporting stack of other modules in a vertical farming facility. The growth module supports a vertically arranged growth board for supporting plants grown in the vertical farming facility where the plants grow in a horizontal direction out from the growth board. The growth board has: a porous growth medium; a watering trough extending along an upper edge of the growth board which is provided with holes for distributing water into the growth medium; a water collection trough extending along a lower edge of the growth board arranged to collect water exiting the growth medium; and a valve provided in the water collection trough arranged to permit water to flow out of the water collection trough when the valve is open and to prevent water from flowing out of the collection trough when the valve is closed.

Claims

1. A watering system for a vertical farming facility, comprising: a stackable growth module having a load bearing frame to allow the growth module to be arranged in a self-supporting stack of other modules in a vertical farming facility, wherein the growth module comprises a vertically arranged growth board for supporting plants grown in the vertical farming facility where the plants grow in a horizontal direction out from the growth board, the growth board comprising: a porous growth medium; a watering trough extending along an upper edge of the growth board which is provided with holes for distributing water into the growth medium; a water collection trough extending along a lower edge of the growth board arranged to collect water exiting the growth medium; and a valve provided in the water collection trough arranged to permit water to flow out of the water collection trough when the valve is open and to prevent water from flowing out of the collection trough when the valve is closed, wherein the growth module is configured to cooperate with a module immediately below in the stack, so that when the growth module is lowered onto the module below the valve of the growth module is caused to open and when the stackable module is lifted from the stack the valve is caused to close.

2. The watering system according to claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a moveable sealing member and the watering trough comprises an actuator, wherein the actuator of the growth module is arranged to cooperate with the sealing member of a module above, such that the actuator of a lower module is configured to push up the sealing member of the valve of the module immediately above as the module above is lowered onto the stack, thereby causing the valve of the stackable module above to open and release water to the module below.

3. The watering system according to claim 1, wherein the stackable growth module comprises engagement recesses for engaging with a gripper mechanism of a module handling device of the vertical farming facility.

4. The watering system according to claim 1, wherein the frame of the stackable growth module is a modular frame comprising side support members, the side support members having upper and lower load transferring edge surfaces for transferring load down the stack, the upper edge surfaces of the stackable growth module comprising notches for engagement by a gripper mechanism of a module handling device of the vertical farming facility, and wherein the side support members are provided with a vertical guide, in the form of a slot, for supporting the growth board in a vertical configuration within the stackable growth module.

5. The watering system according to claim 1, wherein the growth board comprises a cross-member having a plate-shaped body and a wall extending around a periphery of the plate-shaped body, and wherein each of the watering trough and water collection trough are an integrated part of the wall of the cross-member.

6. The watering system according to claim 1 wherein the valve uses a ball as a sealing member to open and close the valve.

7. The watering system according to claim 1, wherein the watering system comprises a water tank module, which is provided with a water tank that is held within a frame of the water tank module, the frame of the water tank module being configured to be stacked on top of growth modules in a stack, and wherein the water tank module has a valve that is arranged to be opened by an actuator provided on a growth module below when the water tank module has been placed on top of the stack, and wherein the actuator is a pin extending from a watering trough of the growth module below, the pin being positioned to be in vertical alignment with the valve of the water tank module above when the water tank module has been added to the stack.

8. The watering system according to claim 7, wherein the water tank is held between two side support members, said side support members comprising upper and lower load transferring edge surfaces, the upper edge surfaces being provided with recesses arranged to be engaged by a gripping mechanism of a module handling device of the vertical farming facility.

9. The watering system according to claim 1, wherein the watering system comprises a spacer module that is configured to be placed at a base of the stack in order to support growth modules stacked on top, and thereby space the growth modules above from a floor of the vertical farming facility.

10. The watering system according to claim 9, wherein the spacer module comprises a drainage nozzle and an actuator arranged to open the valve of the lowermost growth module when stacked on top of the spacer module, to allow water exiting the lowermost growth module of the growth modules stacked on the spacer module to be collected.

11. The watering system according to claim 10, wherein the water collected via the collection nozzle of the spacer module is recycled for use in the vertical farm.

12. A method of watering plants in a vertical farming facility, comprising: stacking a plurality of stackable growth modules in a vertical farming facility to form a stack, the vertical farming facility comprising a watering system according to one of the proceeding claims, the growth modules each comprising a vertically arranged growth board having growth media for growing plants horizontally from the growth media; and introducing water into the watering trough of the uppermost growth module of the stack to wet the growth medium of the uppermost growth module, the water draining into the water collection trough of the uppermost growth module, and thereafter distributing water which has collected in the collection trough to the watering trough of the next lower growth module, whereupon the cycle of wetting, collection and distribution continues down through all of the growth modules of the stack.

13. A method of watering plants in a vertical farming facility according to claim 12, wherein the growth modules are arranged in stacks by a module handling device.

14. A method of watering plants in a vertical farming facility according to claim 1, wherein the water that is introduced is provided by a watering tank module via a watering system that is caused to release water when the watering tank module is placed on top of a stack of growth modules by a module handling device of the vertical farming facility.

15. A method of watering plants in a vertical farming facility according to claim 12, wherein the method comprises collecting water exiting the lowermost growth module of the stack and recycling the water for reuse in the vertical faming facility.

16. A method of watering plants in a vertical farming facility according to claim 12, wherein the method comprises adding a nutrient blend to the water in the water tank of the water tank module.

17. A method of watering plants in a vertical farming facility according to claim 12, where the module handling device is a vehicle operating on tracks of a grid rail system arranged above the stacks of growth modules.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0082] Following drawings are appended to facilitate the understanding of the invention. The drawings show embodiments of the invention, which will now be described by way of example only, where:

[0083] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a framework structure of a prior art automated storage and retrieval system which would be suitable for use with embodiments of the proposed vertical farming system.

[0084] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art container handling vehicle having an internally arranged cavity for carrying storage containers therein and which could be suitable for carrying stackable modules.

[0085] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art container handling vehicle having a cantilever for carrying storage containers underneath and which could be suitable for carrying stackable modules.

[0086] FIG. 4 is a perspective view, seen from below, of a prior art container handling vehicle having an internally arranged cavity for carrying storage containers therein and which could be suitable for carrying stackable modules.

[0087] FIG. 5 is a perspective, exploded view of an embodiment of a modular stackable module showing a growth board being assembled between a pair of support members.

[0088] FIG. 6 is a perspective, assembled view of the stackable module of FIG. 5 with the growth board in place between the pair of support members.

[0089] FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of the stackable module of FIG. 5, with the growth board arranged in an alternate configuration in FIG. 7 and with a second growth board arranged in a further position between the support members in FIG. 8.

[0090] FIGS. 9-16 are perspective views of alternate embodiments of a stackable module. FIGS. 9, 10, 13 and 14 show stackable modules with side support members and FIGS. 11, 12, 15 and 16 show stackable modules with top and bottom support members.

[0091] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a modular stackable module arranged as a growth frame, with a growth board provided with growth media on opposed faces of a rectangular plate.

[0092] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an assembled growth frame from FIG. 17, showing the stackable growth module with plants growing horizontally out from a vertically arranged growth medium.

[0093] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a preferred set of components for a non-drip watering system according to an aspect of the invention.

[0094] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of components of a non-drip water system in a stack, comprising a stack of growth modules providing growth frames for growing plants, a water tank module at an uppermost position in the stack providing a portable watering tank for watering the plants in the stack, and a spacer module at a lowermost position in the stack providing space below the growth modules for drainage and collection of the water.

[0095] FIG. 21 is a perspective, cut away view of the components of the non-drip water system of FIG. 20 illustrating a collection trough, watering trough and valve of the non-drip watering system. Conduits for drainage and other services are also shown in the spacer module. Details of the valve and an actuator for the valve are shown in the enlargement.

[0096] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a water tank module providing a portable watering tank for use in the system.

[0097] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a spacer module, illustrating an actuator for a valve of a growth module when stacked on top and a drainage nozzle to collect draining water, both provided on a cross-member that holds the side support members in a spaced apart and parallel configuration.

[0098] FIGS. 24-26 are perspective views of a vertical farming system utilizing the stackable modules (growth modules, water tank modules and spacer modules) in a framework structure of a vertical farming facility (mirroring the infrastructure of an automated storage and retrieval system seen in FIG. 1).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0099] In the following, embodiments of the invention will be discussed in more detail with reference to the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are not intended to limit the invention to the subject-matter depicted in the drawings.

[0100] According to one or more aspects of the invention, the invention comprises the infrastructure of an automated storage and retrieval system as described in the background section, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, including a framework structure 100, rail system 108, storage columns 105, automated container handling vehicles 201,301,401 and control system 500. The framework structure 100 of the automated storage and retrieval system 1 is constructed in a similar manner to the prior art framework structure 100 described above in connection with FIGS. 1-4. That is, the framework structure 100 comprises a number of upright members 102, and comprises a first, upper rail system 108 extending in the X direction and Y direction.

[0101] The framework structure 100 further comprises storage compartments in the form of storage columns 105 provided between the members 102 wherein storage containers 106 are stackable in stacks 107 within the storage columns 105.

[0102] The framework structure 100 can be of any size. In particular it is understood that the framework structure can be considerably wider and/or longer and/or deeper than disclosed in FIG. 1. For example, the framework structure 100 may have a horizontal extent of more than 700?700 columns and a storage depth of more than twelve containers.

[0103] The infrastructure of the automated storage and retrieval system is, according to an aspect of the invention, arranged as a vertical farming system. The term vertical farming in the context of the present invention refers to a system for growing plants in receptacles that can be stacked in the storage columns of framework 100, and which can be lifted, lowered and transported by container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401. The term container handling vehicle can therefore in the context of the vertical farming system of the present invention be understood to mean an automated vehicle arranged to lift, lower and transport on a rail system 108 the receptacles that hold the plants of the vertical farm. In the present invention the receptacles are in the form of stackable modules that can be stacked within the columns of the framework structure. The stackable modules (as will be described in more detail below) are configured to be stacked on top of other modules and occupy a cuboidal volume within a column, in a similar way to a storage container of the known automated storage and retrieval systems. The vertical farming system of the present invention is at least partially automated, with various tasks and controls being performed by the automated container handling vehicles, the control system 500, and other structures and systems as described in more detail below.

Stackable Module

[0104] As stated above, the plants of the vertical farming system of the present invention are grown in receptacles that can be arranged in self-supporting stacks, for example in storage columns 105. According to one aspect, the invention provides a novel receptacle in the form of a stackable module 10, illustrated in various embodiments in FIGS. 5-16. The stackable module 10 has a footprint essentially equal to the footprint of a storage container 106 of the automated storage and retrieval system, such that the stackable modules can be stacked in a storage column 105. The stackable module comprises means for supporting a vertically aligned cross-member 12 having a plate-shaped body 40 for supporting a growth medium 18, load-bearing means 14 for supporting the weight of a stack of a plurality of other stackable modules or containers 106 arranged above the stackable module in a storage column, these being in the form of side support members 22, and means for engaging the gripping mechanism of a module handling vehicle, which can be the same or similar to the gripping mechanism of a prior art container handling vehicle shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4.

[0105] In the context of a vertical farming system as described below, the cross-member 12 is arranged as a growth board 16, which provides a vertical plate-like substrate for supporting a growth medium 18 in which plants 20 are grown (see FIG. 17). When used to support a growth board, the stackable module 10 may be referred to as a stackable growth module. Since the growth board 16 is vertically aligned in the growth module 10, plants 20 grow horizontally out from the growth medium 18.

[0106] While the stackable module 10 will be described in detail in the context of a vertical farming system, it should be understood that cross-member 12 can have numerous other functions. For example, cross-member 12 could be equipped with a power source to provide power to equipment in the interior of framework 100. Cross-members 12 could be equipped with LED lights, sensors, fans or other equipment. The cross-members 12 could be made of a fire-retardant material or thermal insulation, or used to support such materials, so as to form a fire wall, temperature partition, or acoustic insulation when arranged in stacks in rows of adjacent columns. The cross-member 12 may comprise the same plate-like form as shown in FIG. 5 with the rectangular body of the cross-member 12 supporting the components providing the other functions, in this way increasing the functionality of the part, or it may be a different shape or comprise materials that provide the other functions and loaded into place between a pair of support members 22.

[0107] FIGS. 5-8 illustrate a first embodiment of stackable module 10. According to this embodiment, the means for supporting the cross-member 12 comprises two side support members 22. In a preferred embodiment, the support members 22 are identical such that a side support member 22 can be used on either side of cross-member 12. In a preferred embodiment, side support members 22 are I shaped, such that the vertical segment of the I is arranged to cast a minimal shadow upon cross-member 12 if illuminated from a light source with an oblique angle with respect to the cross-member. This is of particular value when cross-member 12 is used as a growth board 16 for growing plants. The vertical segment of the I may have a width corresponding to half or less of the total width of the side support member 22 so that there is minimal shadow imposed on the plants.

[0108] Further according to this embodiment, side support members 22 are equipped with one or more vertical grooves 24, arranged to receive a cooperating ridge or tab 46 arranged on cross-member 12. As shown in FIG. 7, the grooves 24 may be arranged to provide alternate lateral positions for cross-member 12.

[0109] Side support members 22 are preferably made of injection molded plastic. The side support members 22 may include vertically extending ribs to stiffen the side support members 22 and to help transfer loads. The side support members 22 may be moulded with grooves 24, recesses 30 for the gripping mechanism of a module handling vehicle, holes for fasteners and other such features as necessary.

[0110] According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-8, side support members 22 are themselves the load bearing means 14, with the side support members 22 having upper and lower load transferring edge surfaces 26 and 28 respectively. These load transferring edge surfaces preferably have a length corresponding to a lateral dimension of storage containers 106 of an automated storage and retrieval system, such that the stackable module 10 has a corresponding footprint. Arranged along upper load transferring edge surfaces 26 are notches 30 arranged to engage with the gripping mechanism of a module handling vehicle. FIGS. 9-16 illustrate alternate embodiments of stackable modules 10.

[0111] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an embodiment having rectangular shaped side support members 32. As with the previously described embodiment, this embodiment has upper and lower load transferring edge surfaces and notches for engaging with the gripping mechanism of a module handling vehicle. The rectangular shaped side support members 32 are provided with an opening to minimize the impact of the side support members 32 on the provision of light and/or ventilation to the cross-member 12.

[0112] FIG. 10 shows plate member 12 mounted in grooves 24. According to this embodiment, spacer rods 34 separate and provider lateral stabilization for the side support members 32.

[0113] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an embodiment having upper and lower rectangular support members 36 and 38 respectively. Rectangular support members have one or more grooves for supporting plate member 12, and have a footprint corresponding to a storage container 106. The upper and lower rectangular support members 36 and 38 comprise openings to minimize the shadow effect. According to this embodiment, load bearing means 14 are provided in the form of a plurality of support rods 39 arranged in the corners of rectangular support members 36, 38. The load bearing means 14 may be provided in the form of wider supports if shadowing is not a consideration. In these embodiments the support members 36, 38 are held in a spaced apart parallel relationship by the support rods 39, these collectively providing cross-members to maintain that relationship.

[0114] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate an embodiment having I shaped side support members 22 spaced apart by spacer rods 34. FIGS. 14 and 16 illustrate an embodiment where upper and lower support members 36, 38 have a shape other than rectangular, in the illustrated example having av X shape. In this embodiment, load bearing means 14 are support rods 39.

Non-Drip Watering System

[0115] Plants 20 grown in a vertical farming system need water in order to grow. Plants 20 may also require particular nutrients or a blend of nutrients in order to thrive and produce the best yield. According to one aspect, the present invention provides a watering system for plants grown on the growth media 18 supported by growth boards 16 that are carried by a receptacle, hereafter called a growth module a plurality of such growth modules being arranged in stacks in a vertical faming facility. The watering system will be described below in an embodiment where the watering system is implemented in the infrastructure of an automated storage and retrieval system with the growth modules being arranged in stacks in a storage column 105. It should be understood however that the watering system could be implement in other types of vertical farming systems. For example, the growth modules may be arranged in self-supporting stacks in a facility with an open floor plan with the growth modules being placed on top of one another by any appropriate type of module handling device such as a gantry crane. The growth modules could also be stacked manually.

[0116] The growth boards 16 are mounted in the receptacle such that the growth medium 18 of each receptacle in a stack of receptacles is in vertical alignment, as shown in FIGS. 20, 24 and 26. When in vertical alignment, water is introduced into the growth medium of the uppermost receptacle. The growth mediums are preferably porous and with a property that permits the growth medium to become quickly saturated, such that, as more water is introduced beyond the saturation point, water drips or otherwise drains from the uppermost growth medium into the growth medium immediately underneath. As this next growth medium itself becomes saturated, it in turn drips or otherwise drains water to the growth medium underneath it. This process continues along the length of the stack, saturating all of the growth media with water, which exits the stack by dripping or otherwise draining from the lowermost growth medium of the stack of receptacles.

[0117] As can be appreciated, water dripping from the bottom of the growth medium will present a technical challenge when a receptacle holding growth medium is lifted out of the column and transported along the rail system 108 by module handling vehicles 201,301,401. Water will drip from the bottom of the growth medium and into the tracks of the rail system, which may interfere with the operation of the vehicles. Therefore, according to one aspect, the watering system of the present invention provides non-drip functionality.

[0118] According to one aspect of the watering system of the present invention, the receptacles in which growth boards 16 are mounted are stackable modules 10 according to the present invention as described above. This aspect of the invention will be described with reference to the embodiment of the stackable module shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, however the alternate embodiments of the stackable module 10 shown in FIGS. 9-16 are also within the scope of this aspect of the invention. While the invention will be described in relation to stackable module 10, it should be understood that the non-drip functionality of the water system will function with other types of receptacles that support growth boards in vertical alignment, such as for example a storage container 106, so long as the vertically aligned growth media 18 of a stack are in fluid communication with each other.

[0119] The watering system of the present invention comprises a growth board 16, as shown by the embodiments in FIGS. 5-8, 17 and 19. Growth board 16 comprises a vertical surface 40. Vertical surface 40 may be perforated by a plurality of perforations 42. Around the periphery of vertical surface 40 is a wall of a frame member 44. Frame member 44 has a ridge or protrusion 46 that slots into a groove arranged in side support members 22 of stackable module 10. More than one groove may be provided in side support members 22, allowing various configurations of growth board 16, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and allowing water to drain from one to the next so long as each of the growth boards of a stack of stackable modules are in vertical alignment in a stack. Attachment means 41 are provided for affixing growth medium 18 against the vertical surface 40. According to one embodiment, attachment means 41 comprise retaining rods 43 that are arranged to be inserted into holes along the side edges of frame member 44 as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 such that the retaining rods pass in front of the growth medium 18, holding the growth medium firmly against vertical surface 40.

[0120] A watering trough 48 is arranged along a top edge of the growth board 16. According to one aspect, the watering trough 48 is integrated into an upper edge of frame member 44. Watering trough 48 comprises one or more water distribution holes 50 along the length of water trough 48. Holes 50 are positioned such that water that is introduced into watering trough 48 will flow through holes 50 and into a top edge of growth medium 18.

[0121] A water collection trough 52 is arranged along a lower edge of the growth board 16, below a bottom edge of the growth medium 18 when the growth medium 18 is affixed to the vertical surface 40, as shown in FIG. 18. The water collection trough 52 collects water that drips from the saturated growth medium 18. According to one embodiment, the water collection trough 52 is an integrated lower part of the frame member 44. The water collection trough 52 further comprises a water passage 54 equipped with a valve 56. When valve 56 is in an open position, water is permitted to flow downward out of the collection trough 52. When arranged in a stack of stackable modules, water flowing out of the water passage 54 will thus flow into the watering trough 48 of the next lower growth board in the stack.

[0122] The valve 56 may be a valve of various types known to one skilled in the art, and may function based on various actuating means known in the art. According to a preferred embodiment, the valve 56 comprises a movable body that sealingly rests in the water passage 54. According to one aspect, the movable body is a ball 58, such as a steel ball or ball bearing. The moveable body could also comprise a flap or other suitable sealing body. When the ball 58 is resting in the passage 54, the valve 56 is in a closed position, and when the ball 58 is pressed upwards, the valve 56 is in an open position. According to a preferred embodiment, the ball 58 is pressed upward by a pin 60 arranged in the watering trough 48 of the stackable module below. The length and position of the pin 60 is chosen such that when a first growth board 16 is positioned on top of a second growth board 16 in a stack, the pin 60 in the watering trough of the second growth board will press upward on the ball 58 in the collection trough of the first growth board. Water can thereby flow through all of the growth media in a stack. When a stackable module 10 is lifted out of a stack by a module handling vehicle, the ball 58 will fall back into place in the water passage 54, thus closing the valve 56. The growth module 10 holding a saturated growth medium can then be transported along the rail system without water dripping into the tracks of the rail system.

[0123] The watering system of the invention according to one aspect also comprises a portable water tank 70 as shown in FIGS. 19, 20, 22 and 24 in the form of a water tank module that can be moved around using a module handling vehicle or other lifting device. The water tank module 70 is arranged to be transportable by a module handling vehicle in the same way as the container handling vehicles of an automated storage and retrieval system can transport a storage container. According to one aspect, the water tank module 70 is mounted between side support members 22, thus taking advantage of manufacturing logistics in that the same side support members 22 for the stackable modules 10 can be employed with the water tank modules 70. In one embodiment the water tank of water tank module 70 is mounted to side support members 22 by a water tank bracket 72. The water tank module 70 is equipped with a water tank valve 74, which in a preferred embodiment is activated into the open position by pin 60 of the uppermost growth board of a growth module 10 of a stack onto which the water tank module 70 is placed. Water tank valve 74 may operate on the same principle as the valve 56.

[0124] The water tank of the water tank module 70 is filled with water at a filling station or other appropriate location, and transported by a module handling vehicle to, and placed on top of, a stack of growth modules 10 in a column, whereupon the water tank valve 74 is activated to the open position such that water starts to flows down along the growth media of the stack. According to one aspect, a nutrient blend may be added to the water tank at the time of filling. The water tank module 70 may comprise means to monitor a water level in the water tank. Such means may be visual means such as the water tank being made of a transparent material, or the water tank may be equipped with a water level sensor in communication with the control system 500 of the automated storage and retrieval system, such that the water tank modules may be automatically refilled by the system when needed. In such case a filled water tank module 70 may be transported to the stack at or near the same time that an empty water tank module 70 is retrieved for filling.

[0125] As can be appreciated, the water collection trough 60 of the lowermost growth board 16 of a stack may become completely filled with water seeping down through the stack. The watering system according to one aspect thus provides a drainage nozzle 76 that is arranged to activate the valve 56 of the lowermost collection trough 60 and lead excess water away to be disposed of, or collected and reused. In one embodiment, drainage nozzle 76 is arranged in a spacer module 78 as shown in FIG. 23. A plurality of spacer modules 78 arranged in a row of columns containing plants will form a passageway in which may be arranged drain pipes connected to drainage nozzle 76, ventilation ducts, electrical wiring or other infrastructure equipment. According to a preferred embodiment, the spacer module 78 comprises two side support members 22, between which is mounted an extension bracket 80 that holds the nozzle 76 in a raised position. In a preferred embodiment, extension bracket 80 is identical with water tank bracket 72, merely installed upside down. Likewise, drainage nozzle 76 may be the same component as water tank valve, comprising both a sealing means and an activation pin. In this preferred embodiment, the various components of the stackable module, the water tank module and the spacer module are all interchangeable and modular, with the manufacturing and logistical advantages that such modularity provides.

Complete Vertical Farming System

[0126] According to another aspect the invention provides a complete vertical farming system and method, as illustrated in FIGS. 24, 25 and 26. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical farming system comprises the stackable module, growth board and watering system described above, implemented in the infrastructure of an automated storage and retrieval system. Plants are grown in the growth media supported in the stackable modules. A plurality of such stackable modules are arranged in stacks in storage columns of the framework structure 100. Lighting and/or ventilation is provided to the plants from the side of the storage columns, made possible by the fact that the plants grow horizontally out from the growth boards, which do not have side walls that block light or airflow. The container handling vehicles of the system place the stackable module in storage columns to form the stacks, as well as transporting water tank modules 70 to the top of the stacks. The container handling vehicle retrieve and transport the stackable modules to a harvest location at an appropriate time, which activity may be directed automatically by the control system 500. Water flowing out of the bottom of the stack is collected and recycled. The vertical farming system of the present invention can thus be implemented with relative simplicity in an automated storage and retrieval installation, as many of the components of the system are modular and simple to manufacture and transport. The water tank modules eliminate the need for complicated watering infrastructure to be installed in the framework. In a preferred embodiment, the sections of the framework structure 100 may be installed in enclosed, environmentally controlled spaces based on the needs of the plants.

[0127] In the preceding description, various aspects of a vertical farming system and related components according to the invention have been described with reference to the illustrative embodiments. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, systems and configurations were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the system and its workings. However, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and variations of the illustrative embodiment, as well as other embodiments of the system, which are apparent to persons skilled in the art to which the disclosed subject matter pertains, are deemed to lie within the scope of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Prior Art (FIGS. 1-4):

[0128] 1 Prior art automated storage and retrieval system [0129] 100 Framework structure [0130] 102 Upright members of framework structure [0131] 104 Storage grid [0132] 105 Storage column [0133] 106 Storage container [0134] 106 Particular position of storage container [0135] 107 Stack [0136] 108 Rail system [0137] 110 Parallel rails in first direction (X) [0138] 112 Access opening [0139] 119 First port column [0140] 120 Second port column [0141] 201 Prior art container handling vehicle [0142] 201a Vehicle body of the container handling vehicle 201 [0143] 201b Drive means/wheel arrangement/first set of wheels in first direction (X) [0144] 201c Drive means/wheel arrangement/second set of wheels in second direction (Y) [0145] 301 Prior art cantilever container handling vehicle [0146] 301a Vehicle body of the container handling vehicle 301 [0147] 301b Drive means/first set of wheels in first direction (X) [0148] 301c Drive means/second set of wheels in second direction (Y) [0149] 304 Gripping device [0150] 401 Prior art container handling vehicle [0151] 401a Vehicle body of the container handling vehicle 401 [0152] 401b Drive means/first set of wheels in first direction (X) [0153] 401c Drive means/second set of wheels in second direction (Y) [0154] 404 Gripping device [0155] 404a Lifting band [0156] 404b Gripper [0157] 404c Guide pin [0158] 404d Lifting frame [0159] 500 Control system [0160] X First direction [0161] Y Second direction [0162] Z Third direction [0163] 10 Stackable module [0164] 12 Cross-member [0165] 14 Load bearing means [0166] 16 Growth board [0167] 18 Growth medium [0168] 20 Plants [0169] 22 Side support member [0170] 24 Vertical grooves [0171] 26 Upper load transferring edge surface [0172] 28 Lower load transferring edge surface [0173] 30 Notch/recess [0174] 32 Rectangular side support member [0175] 34 Spacer rod [0176] 36 Upper support member [0177] 38 Lower support member [0178] 39 Support rod [0179] 40 Vertical substrate surface [0180] 41 Attachment means [0181] 42 Perforations [0182] 43 Retaining rods [0183] 44 Frame member [0184] 46 Ridge or protrusion [0185] 48 Watering trough [0186] 50 Water distribution holes [0187] 52 Water collection trough [0188] 54 Water passage [0189] 56 Valve [0190] 58 Ball [0191] 60 Pin [0192] 70 Water tank module/water tank [0193] 72 Water tank bracket [0194] 74 Water tank valve [0195] 76 Drainage nozzle [0196] 78 Spacer module [0197] 80 Extension bracket