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WO2018127857A1 - Device for vertical hydroponic cultivation - Google Patents

Device for vertical hydroponic cultivation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018127857A1
WO2018127857A1 PCT/IB2018/051925 IB2018051925W WO2018127857A1 WO 2018127857 A1 WO2018127857 A1 WO 2018127857A1 IB 2018051925 W IB2018051925 W IB 2018051925W WO 2018127857 A1 WO2018127857 A1 WO 2018127857A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
liquid
trays
irrigation
tank
pump
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2018/051925
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Eduardo PEREZ DENADAI
Original Assignee
Ingeniería Aplicada, S.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ingeniería Aplicada, S.A. filed Critical Ingeniería Aplicada, S.A.
Publication of WO2018127857A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018127857A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
    • A01G31/02—Special apparatus therefor
    • A01G31/06—Hydroponic culture on racks or in stacked containers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
    • A01G31/02—Special apparatus therefor
    • A01G31/065—Special apparatus therefor with means for recycling the nutritive solution
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
    • Y02P60/20—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
    • Y02P60/21—Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to the technical field of hydroponic cultivation systems. More specifically, the object of the invention refers to a device for vertical hydroponic cultivation which allows growing a high density of plants in a controlled environment.
  • the application US2009/0307973 A1 discloses a vertical device having independent trays where the liquid goes from a container to the next one in a lower level by gravity and it does not include a structure that captures and maximizes light.
  • the present invention discloses a hydroponic cultivation device capable of retaining light so as to speed up the crop growing process and having an independent irrigation device guaranteeing the appropriate distribution of nutrients.
  • the present invention refers to a modular device vertically incorporating different levels with channels for hydroponic cultivation, said channels being independent for each level and being provided with liquid that is distributed along the channel.
  • This liquid is the result of a mixture of nutrients among tanks being positioned at the rear side of the device, the role of which is also to recycle the liquid being received and recirculate it into other levels.
  • a first aspect of the invention refers to a device for vertical hydroponic crops characterized in that it comprises:
  • each tray comprises a device with longitudinal channels and plates being arranged onto said channels, wherein said channels comprise in turn holes configured for accommodating the plants to be grown.
  • the irrigation equipment comprises:
  • a first pump located at the bottom of the structure, connected to the tank and configured for pumping the irrigation liquid from the tank to the trays, and
  • the pipes connecting the first pump of the irrigation equipment with each of the trays comprises liquid distributors having multiple nozzles, where each nozzle is configured to individually provide each channel of the tray with water.
  • the device comprises straightway valves arranged at the pipes before the liquid distributors. More preferably, the valves are solenoid straightway ones, that is, they are electric valves used for controlling the liquid passing through and their operation is based on the electromagnetic impulses of a solenoid (electromagnet).
  • the device comprises an electronic device located next to each straightway valve which controls opening and closing thereof.
  • the recirculation equipment comprises:
  • an excess liquid collecting device configured for collecting the excess liquid from each of the trays
  • a second pump located at the bottom of the device, at the end being opposite to the first pump of the irrigation equipment, connected through a pipe to the tank containing irrigation liquid and configured for pumping the excess liquid from each excess liquid collecting device towards the tank.
  • the device of the present invention can be introduced in the structure of a storage container so as to obtain a crop of a high density of plants under a controlled environment.
  • a controlled environment allows modification of the natural parameters of the environment, such as growing food which is not originally from that place.
  • the characteristics of the cultivation device of the invention make it possible for it to be movable for an easy transport thereof.
  • Another advantage of the device of the invention is that, by having a vertical structure, it allows accommodating a great amount of plants, creating an efficient space and taking advantage of the production area.
  • the modular structure of the device allows dimensional growing of the plants and provides the necessary space for that.
  • the recirculation device allows using the least amount of water possible per cultivation cycle, which implies a saving in water consumption.
  • the device uses mineral dissolutions in water to feed the plants.
  • the automatic valves of the device allow a power saving, as well as the reflecting panels which allow an increase of light intensity without an increase in power consumption.
  • the amount of nutrients can be controlled by using reservoirs or tanks.
  • the device of the present invention comprising the characteristics described above allows growing a high density of plants under a controlled environment using mineral dissolutions in water by means of an independent irrigation method and liquid recycling.
  • This device is suitable to be installed in urban environments and thus to allow mobility and easy access to the device.
  • each device has the possibility to increase or reduce the dimensions thereof as required.
  • FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of the device of the invention in a controlled environment.
  • FIG. 2. It shows an isometric view of the whole device of the invention without controlled environment.
  • FIG. 3. It shows an isometric view of the supporting structure of the device where the trays arrangement can be observed.
  • FIG. 4. It shows a detailed view of a tray of the device.
  • FIG. 5. It shows a detailed view of the irrigation equipment of the device of the invention.
  • FIG. 6. It shows another detailed view of the recirculation equipment of the device and the tanks with irrigation liquid.
  • the vertical hydroponic cultivation (1 ) under controlled environment is intended to be placed inside a structure capable of modifying the inner environment, as it shown in FIG. 1 where the cultivation device appears within the structure of a storage container (2) which allows cultivation in a controlled environment.
  • FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show that the vertical hydroponic cultivation device under controlled environment comprises a reflective or reflecting (3) sheet surrounding the supporting structure (4) of the vertical hydroponic cultivation device (1 ).
  • This reflecting sheet (3) has the purpose of increasing the intensity of the light the plants receive by reflecting the light emitted by the lights (5) being installed at the top of each tray (10).
  • FIG. 4 show that the trays (10) of the vertical hydroponic cultivation device under controlled environment comprises a set of channels (6) having a plate (7) at the upper part thereof arranged onto the channels (6), with a matrix of holes (8) to place the receptacles for each plant (9), such that each row of plants (9) coincide with the path of the liquid along each channel (6).
  • the hydroponic cultivation device under controlled environment comprises at least one reserve tank (1 1 ) with a mixture of all the nutrients dissolved in the liquid extracted by a liquid pump (12) which moves the liquid through irrigation pipes to each one of the levels or trays (10) of the hydroponic cultivation device.
  • the irrigation equipment is provided with water distributors (13) having multiple nozzles which individually coincide with each channel.
  • the irrigation equipment is also provided with straightway valves (14), preferably solenoid, automatically controlled by an electronic device (15). This electronic device (15) coordinates the opening and closing sequence of the straightway valves (14), such that only one of them is open per each cycle of irrigation.
  • FIG. 6 shows that the hydroponic cultivation device under controlled environment is provided with recirculation equipment consisting of cascading liquid collecting channels (16) directing the water being collected at each level or tray (10) towards a pump (17) for driving the liquid through a pipe (18) to a water distributor (19), the outlets of which are connected to the reserve tanks (1 1 ) so as to use the same liquid during the cultivation cycle.
  • recirculation equipment consisting of cascading liquid collecting channels (16) directing the water being collected at each level or tray (10) towards a pump (17) for driving the liquid through a pipe (18) to a water distributor (19), the outlets of which are connected to the reserve tanks (1 1 ) so as to use the same liquid during the cultivation cycle.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydroponics (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention refers to a vertical hydroponic cultivation device for a high density of plants under a controlled environment using mineral dissolutions in water by means of an independent irrigation method and liquid recycling. This device is appropriate to be installed in urban environments and thus to allow mobility and ease access to the device. Its characteristics allow saving power while production is accelerated. Additionally, each device shows flexibility for increasing or reducing dimensions thereof, as required.

Description

DEVICE FOR VERTICAL HYDROPONIC CULTIVATION
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention refers to the technical field of hydroponic cultivation systems. More specifically, the object of the invention refers to a device for vertical hydroponic cultivation which allows growing a high density of plants in a controlled environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
People living in the city do not find it easy to grow their own food, because of limitations such as space, time, knowledge and appropriate conditions for the crop growing.
The food offer provided by the current market is not sowed or harvested using adequate techniques so as to keep freshness and nutrients thereof. Similarly, we find organic products the origin of which is also unknown and with their price being considerably high.
Traditional agriculture involves complex processes with fluctuating results and which can directly affect the price of some products, thus avoiding regular consumption of part of the population.
Although vertical hydroponic devices are known as a solution to the little space for cultivation in the city, these do not provide for a structure capable of retaining the light for speeding up the growing process of the crop, or an independent irrigation method that guarantees the appropriate distribution of nutrients.
The application US2009/0307973 A1 discloses a vertical device having independent trays where the liquid goes from a container to the next one in a lower level by gravity and it does not include a structure that captures and maximizes light.
The present invention discloses a hydroponic cultivation device capable of retaining light so as to speed up the crop growing process and having an independent irrigation device guaranteeing the appropriate distribution of nutrients. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention refers to a modular device vertically incorporating different levels with channels for hydroponic cultivation, said channels being independent for each level and being provided with liquid that is distributed along the channel. This liquid is the result of a mixture of nutrients among tanks being positioned at the rear side of the device, the role of which is also to recycle the liquid being received and recirculate it into other levels.
The structure of this device provides for several levels of channels with trays where the plants are placed. The crops are fed with the irrigation liquid being distributed from a tank or reservoir towards the channels. The reservoir is situated at the bottom of the structure and has a liquid conveying conduit that is directed to each level according to an established order. Each level has its own valve for the liquid to be allowed to flow through. As well as the effectiveness of the irrigation process, the structure contour is surrounded by sheets which enclose the light so as to maximize it and speed up the photosynthesis process without increasing power consumption. Then, a first aspect of the invention refers to a device for vertical hydroponic crops characterized in that it comprises:
- a plurality of trays parallel to each other in a supporting structure, where each tray comprises a device with longitudinal channels and plates being arranged onto said channels, wherein said channels comprise in turn holes configured for accommodating the plants to be grown.
- a reflecting sheet covering, at least, the whole of the rear side of the supporting structure.
- lights arranged at the upper part of each of the trays.
- an irrigation equipment, and
- an equipment for recirculating the irrigation liquid.
In a more preferred embodiment, the irrigation equipment comprises:
- at least a tank or deposit containing irrigation liquid. - a first pump located at the bottom of the structure, connected to the tank and configured for pumping the irrigation liquid from the tank to the trays, and
- piping connecting the first pump with each of the trays. In a more preferred embodiment, the pipes connecting the first pump of the irrigation equipment with each of the trays comprises liquid distributors having multiple nozzles, where each nozzle is configured to individually provide each channel of the tray with water. In a still more preferred embodiment, the device comprises straightway valves arranged at the pipes before the liquid distributors. More preferably, the valves are solenoid straightway ones, that is, they are electric valves used for controlling the liquid passing through and their operation is based on the electromagnetic impulses of a solenoid (electromagnet).
In a further preferred embodiment, the device comprises an electronic device located next to each straightway valve which controls opening and closing thereof.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the recirculation equipment comprises:
- an excess liquid collecting device configured for collecting the excess liquid from each of the trays, and
- a second pump located at the bottom of the device, at the end being opposite to the first pump of the irrigation equipment, connected through a pipe to the tank containing irrigation liquid and configured for pumping the excess liquid from each excess liquid collecting device towards the tank.
The device of the present invention can be introduced in the structure of a storage container so as to obtain a crop of a high density of plants under a controlled environment. A controlled environment allows modification of the natural parameters of the environment, such as growing food which is not originally from that place. Furthermore, the characteristics of the cultivation device of the invention make it possible for it to be movable for an easy transport thereof. Another advantage of the device of the invention is that, by having a vertical structure, it allows accommodating a great amount of plants, creating an efficient space and taking advantage of the production area. The modular structure of the device allows dimensional growing of the plants and provides the necessary space for that.
On the other side, the recirculation device allows using the least amount of water possible per cultivation cycle, which implies a saving in water consumption. The device uses mineral dissolutions in water to feed the plants. Likewise, the automatic valves of the device allow a power saving, as well as the reflecting panels which allow an increase of light intensity without an increase in power consumption.
Furthermore, the amount of nutrients can be controlled by using reservoirs or tanks.
In short, the device of the present invention comprising the characteristics described above allows growing a high density of plants under a controlled environment using mineral dissolutions in water by means of an independent irrigation method and liquid recycling. This device is suitable to be installed in urban environments and thus to allow mobility and easy access to the device.
Its characteristics allow saving power, while growth and production of crops are accelerated, and the appropriate distribution of nutrients is guaranteed. Additionally, each device has the possibility to increase or reduce the dimensions thereof as required.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The figures represent, with an illustrative and non-limiting purpose, the following: FIG. 1 .- It shows an isometric view of the device of the invention in a controlled environment.
FIG. 2.- It shows an isometric view of the whole device of the invention without controlled environment. FIG. 3.- It shows an isometric view of the supporting structure of the device where the trays arrangement can be observed. FIG. 4.- It shows a detailed view of a tray of the device.
FIG. 5.- It shows a detailed view of the irrigation equipment of the device of the invention. FIG. 6.- It shows another detailed view of the recirculation equipment of the device and the tanks with irrigation liquid.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The following is a detailed description, with the help of figures 1 -6 referred above, of an exemplary preferred embodiment of the devices for vertical hydroponic cultivation of the present invention.
The vertical hydroponic cultivation (1 ) under controlled environment, object of the present invention, is intended to be placed inside a structure capable of modifying the inner environment, as it shown in FIG. 1 where the cultivation device appears within the structure of a storage container (2) which allows cultivation in a controlled environment.
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show that the vertical hydroponic cultivation device under controlled environment comprises a reflective or reflecting (3) sheet surrounding the supporting structure (4) of the vertical hydroponic cultivation device (1 ). This reflecting sheet (3) has the purpose of increasing the intensity of the light the plants receive by reflecting the light emitted by the lights (5) being installed at the top of each tray (10). FIG. 4 show that the trays (10) of the vertical hydroponic cultivation device under controlled environment comprises a set of channels (6) having a plate (7) at the upper part thereof arranged onto the channels (6), with a matrix of holes (8) to place the receptacles for each plant (9), such that each row of plants (9) coincide with the path of the liquid along each channel (6). FIG. 5 shows that the hydroponic cultivation device under controlled environment comprises at least one reserve tank (1 1 ) with a mixture of all the nutrients dissolved in the liquid extracted by a liquid pump (12) which moves the liquid through irrigation pipes to each one of the levels or trays (10) of the hydroponic cultivation device. The irrigation equipment is provided with water distributors (13) having multiple nozzles which individually coincide with each channel. The irrigation equipment is also provided with straightway valves (14), preferably solenoid, automatically controlled by an electronic device (15). This electronic device (15) coordinates the opening and closing sequence of the straightway valves (14), such that only one of them is open per each cycle of irrigation.
FIG. 6 shows that the hydroponic cultivation device under controlled environment is provided with recirculation equipment consisting of cascading liquid collecting channels (16) directing the water being collected at each level or tray (10) towards a pump (17) for driving the liquid through a pipe (18) to a water distributor (19), the outlets of which are connected to the reserve tanks (1 1 ) so as to use the same liquid during the cultivation cycle.

Claims

C L A I M S
1 . Device for vertical hydroponic cultivation characterized in that it comprises:
- a plurality of trays parallel to each other in a supporting structure, where each tray comprises a device with longitudinal channels and plates being arranged onto said channels, wherein said channels comprise in turn holes configured for accommodating the plants to be grown,
- a reflecting sheet covering, at least, the whole of the rear side of the supporting structure,
- lights arranged at the upper part of each of the trays,
- an irrigation equipment, and
- an equipment for recirculating the irrigation liquid.
2. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the irrigation equipment comprises:
- at least one tank or deposit containing irrigation liquid,
- a first pump located at the bottom of the structure, connected to the tank and configured for pumping the irrigation liquid from the tank to the trays, and
- piping connecting the first pump with each of the trays.
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the pipes connecting the first pump with each one of the trays comprise liquid distributors having multiple nozzles, where each nozzle is configured to throw water individually into each of the channels from each tray.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises straightway valves arranged at the pipes before the liquid distributors.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the straightway valves are solenoid straightway valves.
6. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises an electronic device placed next to each straightway valve which controls the opening and closing thereof.
7. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the recirculation equipment comprises:
- an excess liquid collecting device configured for collecting the excess liquid from each of the trays, and
- a second pump located at the bottom of the device, at the end being opposite to the first pump of the irrigation equipment, connected through a pipe to the tank containing irrigation liquid and configured for pumping the excess liquid from each excess liquid collecting device towards the tank.
PCT/IB2018/051925 2018-03-20 2018-03-22 Device for vertical hydroponic cultivation WO2018127857A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PA9206001 2018-03-20
PA92060 2018-03-20

Publications (1)

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WO2018127857A1 true WO2018127857A1 (en) 2018-07-12

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2024097832A3 (en) * 2022-11-02 2024-06-20 Freight Farms, Inc. Seedling machine and methods of use thereof

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4965962A (en) * 1984-11-21 1990-10-30 Q. P. Corporation Hydroponic culture system
US20090307973A1 (en) * 2008-06-17 2009-12-17 Zakery Ward Adams Vertically Integrated Greenhouse
US20120144740A1 (en) * 2010-12-09 2012-06-14 Pure-Grow, Inc., PURE-Grown totally concealed clean room vegetable factory
US20130247462A1 (en) * 2010-09-29 2013-09-26 Vertical Farm Systems Pty Ltd Watering and Drainage Arrangement for a Multi-Layer Horticultural Structure
US20140020292A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2014-01-23 Freight Farms Insulated Shipping Containers Modified for High-Yield Plant Production Capable in any Environment
US8910419B1 (en) * 2010-09-02 2014-12-16 All Season Greens, LLC Growing chamber
US20160345518A1 (en) * 2014-03-21 2016-12-01 Team Green Limited Vertical tiered growing systems

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4965962A (en) * 1984-11-21 1990-10-30 Q. P. Corporation Hydroponic culture system
US20090307973A1 (en) * 2008-06-17 2009-12-17 Zakery Ward Adams Vertically Integrated Greenhouse
US8910419B1 (en) * 2010-09-02 2014-12-16 All Season Greens, LLC Growing chamber
US20130247462A1 (en) * 2010-09-29 2013-09-26 Vertical Farm Systems Pty Ltd Watering and Drainage Arrangement for a Multi-Layer Horticultural Structure
US20120144740A1 (en) * 2010-12-09 2012-06-14 Pure-Grow, Inc., PURE-Grown totally concealed clean room vegetable factory
US20140020292A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2014-01-23 Freight Farms Insulated Shipping Containers Modified for High-Yield Plant Production Capable in any Environment
US20160345518A1 (en) * 2014-03-21 2016-12-01 Team Green Limited Vertical tiered growing systems

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2024097832A3 (en) * 2022-11-02 2024-06-20 Freight Farms, Inc. Seedling machine and methods of use thereof

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