CA2176274A1 - Portable controlled environment system - Google Patents
Portable controlled environment systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2176274A1 CA2176274A1 CA002176274A CA2176274A CA2176274A1 CA 2176274 A1 CA2176274 A1 CA 2176274A1 CA 002176274 A CA002176274 A CA 002176274A CA 2176274 A CA2176274 A CA 2176274A CA 2176274 A1 CA2176274 A1 CA 2176274A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- enclosure
- roof
- manifold
- vent
- perimeter
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Abandoned
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
- A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
- A01G9/14—Greenhouses
- A01G9/16—Dismountable or portable greenhouses ; Greenhouses with sliding roofs
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- 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
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
- Y02A40/10—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in agriculture
- Y02A40/25—Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)
Abstract
A portable controlled environment is formed from a suspended roof tarpaulin that snares an interior perimeter frame from which wall tarpaulins depend. The frame is preferably of lightweight tubing and forms a closed figure. The roof tarpaulin is preferably conical or pyramidal and had a suspension lug at its apex for attachment to a block and tackle or a boom. The perimeter of the roof tarpaulin retains a snaring cable that when drawn tight snares the frame against the suspended roof. Adjacent wall tarpaulins depending from the perimeter frame are joined by zippers to from an enclosure.
The enclosure may be advantageously used to grow plants. The walls and roof can be made from either reflectant or selectively transmitting material to either decrease or increase the interior temperature with respect to the surrounding environs. The enclosure can include roof and wall vents to encourage drafts to aerate the enclosure and maintain a desired temperature and humidity. Forced air flow can be used to accomplish the same end. For hydroponics use, a watering manifold provides nutrients and water to the plant roots while protecting the sensitive roots from damaging light and the sensitive leaves from damaging nutrient fumes.
The enclosure may be advantageously used to grow plants. The walls and roof can be made from either reflectant or selectively transmitting material to either decrease or increase the interior temperature with respect to the surrounding environs. The enclosure can include roof and wall vents to encourage drafts to aerate the enclosure and maintain a desired temperature and humidity. Forced air flow can be used to accomplish the same end. For hydroponics use, a watering manifold provides nutrients and water to the plant roots while protecting the sensitive roots from damaging light and the sensitive leaves from damaging nutrient fumes.
Description
Portable Controlled Environment System by Dan Kuzub Field of the Invention This invention relates to a portable controlled environment system. More particularly, it relates to a portable greenhouse system.
~a~k~round 10 A portable controlled environment system facilitates the isolation of a region from surrounding environmental conditions. There are many applications for such systems. Medical treatment of both people and ~nim~l~ requires that infections be prevented from travelling between the controlled environment and the surrounding environment. Work performed on or around unpleasant substances such as asbestos or dust should be performed such that the controlled environment is safe for the workers and also the surrounding environment is protected from pollution. In still another application, plants grow better and foodstuffs keep better within a controlled environment.
A greenhouse is essentially an attempt to merge the best features of a controlled indoor environment with a natural outdoor environment. An enclosure forrns a closed, controlled environment in which the 20 plants grow. The interface between the controlled and surrounding environment regulates the exchange of light, heat, chemicals, org~ni~m~, fresh air, and humidity and all the other factors affecting growth.
Page I of 28 Unfortunately, this degree of control has been expensive to achieve. Conventional greenhouses are expensive stationary buildings constructed from metal and glass. They are difficult to move once erected and cannot easily grow with the plants they house. Because of the trouble and expense, it is unlikely that a gardener would build a temporary greenhouse around a plant in need of special attention.
Conventional greenhouses have also not provided the desired degree of environmental control. As the ozone layer becomes depleted, traditional glass greenhouses have not been effective at filtering out 10 harmful W rays. Supplementary filtration materials have been expensively retrofitted to the glass to achieve such filtration. Also, it has been challenging to m:~int:~in the proper temperature and humidity in conventional greenhouses. When the temperature or humidity inside gets too high, the gardener has had to manually open windows to correct the imbalance. Although temperature sensitive expansion mech~ni~ms have been attached to pivoting greenhouse windows with moderate success, the mass of the windows has made them difficult to re-close and wind gusts have tended to grab the windows and damage the mech~ni~m. Also, such automated pivoting windows have been essentially impossible to screen because the pivoting mechanism must pass through the plane of the screen. In a controlled greenhouse environment, screening is critical to keep out bugs and other (1~m~ging agents.
20 An alternative approach to the greenhouse has been to build a hydroponics growing environment, often indoors, where the natural environment is completely simulated and optimized with forced air venting, Page 2 of 28 '_ forced carbon dioxide circulation, artificial light, and nutrient and water mixtures pumped through a growing medium around plant roots. Again, such controlled hydroponics environments have typically been expensive to build and challenging to m:~int~in. The two most common problems are that the environment easily becomes conl~min~te~l or it tends to become st~gn~nt, discomforting the gardener and killing the plants.
What is needed is an inexpensive, portable controlled environment system for growing plants that is adaptable to both indoor and outdoor use. The present invention is directed to such a system.
10 Summary According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an enclosure, comprising: a roof, a wall supporting said roof and forming a substantially closed perimeter, a first vent in said roof connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the region exterior to the enclosure, a second vent in said wall connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the region exterior to the enclosure, and means for ch:~nging the air density within the enclosure, thereby promoting a draft through the enclosure between the first vent and the second vent. The roof and the wall may be made from light transmitting material.
The first or second vent may be covered by mesh. The enclosure might further include means, responsive to the temperature of the region interior to the enclosure, to open and close the first vent or to open and close the second vent. The enclosure might include means, responsive to the temperature 20 or humidity of the region interior to the enclosure, to force air into the enclosure or to force air out of the enclosure. The enclosure might further include: a nutrient compartment, a growing medium Page 3 of 28 compartment above said nutrient colllpal Illlent, a sieve connecting the growing medium compartment to the nutrient compartment, a watering manifold above said medium compartment, and a pump connecting the nutrient colllp~Llllent to the watering manifold. The water manifold might include: a housing defining a manifold inlet port, a main passing through the housing and connecting at its first end to the manifold inlet port, and a ring jet connected to the main. The ring jet might include: a housing defining an annular conduit, a ring jet inlet port cormecting the annular conduit to the manifold main, and a plurality of metered orifices distributed about the interior perimeter of the ring jet and connecting the annular conduit to the interior perimeter of the ring jet. The watering manifold might further include a sealing plug adapted to occupy the void defined by the ring jet. The sealing plug 10 might comprise: a first semi-annulus, and a second semi-annulus adapted to engage the first semi-annulus so as to from an annulus. The sealing plug might be made from clay or foam.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a watering manifold for hydroponics, comprising: a housing defining a manifold inlet port, a main passing through the housing and connecting at its first end to the manifold inlet port, and a ring jet connecting to the main. The ring jet might include: a housing defining an annular conduit, a ring jet inlet port connecting the annular conduit to the manifold main, and a plurality of metered orifices distributed about the interior perimeter of the ring jet and connecting the annular conduit to the interior perimeter of the ring jet. The watering manifold might further include a sealing plug adapted to occupy the void defined by the ring jet. The 20 sealing plug might comprise: a first semi-annulus, and a second semi-annulus adapted to engage the first semi-annulus so as to from an annulus. The sealing plug might be made from clay or foam.
Page 4 of 28 According to still a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an enclosure, comprising: a first beam having a first end and a second end, a second beam having a first end and a second end, a third beam having a first end and a second end, a first connector for connecting the first end of the first beam to the second end of the second beam, a second connector for connecting the first end of the second beam to the second end of the third beam, a third for connecting the first end of the third beam to the second end of the first beam; thereby forming a closed perimeter frame, a first tarpaulin having an apex adapted to be suspended and a perimeter adapted to envelope the frame thereby forming a roof, means for securing the roof to the frame, a second tarpaulin adapted to depend from the first beam thereby forming a first wall, a first vent in said roof connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the 10 region exterior to the enclosure, a second vent in said first wall connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the region exterior to the enclosure, and means for ch:~nging the air density within the enclosure, thereby promoting a draft through the enclosure between the first vent to the second vent.
The securing means might be a snaring cable adapted to engage the perimeter of the first tarpaulin and to draw it against the frame until the perimeter of the cable is less than the perimeter of the frame. The enclosure might further include a third tarpaulin adapted to depend from the second beam thereby forming a second wall. The enclosure might further include means for eng~ging a portion of the adjacent edges of the first wall and the second wall, and the engagement means might be a zipper. The first wall might include a ballast bar between its top edge and its bottom edge. The roof and the walls might be made from light transmitting material. The first or second vent may be covered by mesh. The 20 enclosure might further include means, responsive to the temperature of the region interior to the enclosure, to open and close the first vent or to open and close the second vent. The enclosure might Page 5 of 28 include means, responsive to the temperature or humidity of the region interior to the enclosure, to force air into the enclosure or to force air out of the enclosure. The enclosure might further include: a nutrient compartment, a growing medium co~ a~ ent above said nutrient compartment, a sieve connecting the growing medium compartment to the nutrient compartment, a watering manifold above said medium compartment, and a pump connecting the nutrient compartment to the watering manifold.
The water manifold might include: a housing defining a manifold inlet port, a main passing through the housing and connecting at its first end to the manifold inlet port, and a ring jet connected to the main. The ring jet might include: a housing defining an annular conduit, a ring jet inlet port connecting the annular conduit to the manifold main, and a plurality of metered orifices distributed 10 about the interior perimeter of the ring jet and connecting the annular conduit to the interior perimeter of the ring jet. The watering manifold might further include a sealing plug adapted to occupy the void defined by the ring jet. The sealing plug might comprise: a first semi-annulus, and a second semi-annulus adapted to engage the first semi-annulus so as to from an annulus. The sealing plug might be made from clay or foam.
Brief Description of the Dr.~ ,gS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
20 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable enclosure embodying one aspect of the invention;
Page 6 of 28 Figure2 is a perspective view of the enclosure of Figure 1 illustrating the independence of adjacent wall sections;
Figure3 is a perspective view of the enclosure of Figure 1, illustrating one wall section in partially retracted position;
Figure4 is an exploded view of the frame of the enclosure of Figure l;
Figure5a is an oblique cross-sectional view of the enclosure of Figure 1 viewed along the line A-A
and illustrating a wall section suspended from the frame;
Figure5b is an oblique cross-sectional view of the enclosure of Figure 1 viewed along the line A-A
illustrating a roof section snaring the frame;
~0 Figure5c is an oblique cross-sectional view of the enclosure of Figure 1 viewed along the line A-A, illustrating a wall section suspended from the frame and a roof section snaring the frame;
Figure6 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosure of Figure 1 along the line B-B;
Figure7 is a front view of an enclosure configured as an outdoor greenhouse and embodying a second aspect of the invention, Figure8 is a front view of an enclosure configured as an indoor hydroponics enclosure and embodying a third aspect of the invention, Figure9 is a top detail view of the watering manifold of the enclosure of Figure 8, FigurelO is a perspective detail view of one of the ring jets in the manifold of Figure 9, and Figurell is a detailed cross-section view of the ring jet of Figure 10 viewed along the line C-C.
20 Figure12 is a perspective view of the sealing plug for the manifold of Figure 9.
Page 7 of 28 Description With reference now to Figures 1 through 3, a first embodiment of an enclosure for growing plants is illustrated generally at 100. The enclosure 100 comprises a roof generally illustrated at 112, four walls, each generally illustrated at 114, and a frame generally illustrated at 116.
The roof 112 comprises a plurality of tarpaulin panels 120 so arranged and seamed along adjacent edges to from a pyramid generally illustrated at 122. A suspension lug 124 is affixed to the apex of the pyramid 122. Those edges of the panels 112 that form the base of the pyramid 122 are adapted to receive a snare cable 126 (Figures 5b, 5c, and 6) such that the snare cable 126 follows the perimeter of 10 the base of the pyramid 122 and thereby constrains the perimeter. The snare cable is preferably made of aviation cable because it is strong and flexible; however, other materials with similar characteristics would also work well. It is also desirable that the seams between the roof panels 120 be reinforced with strips of webbing 128.
Each wall 114 comprises a rectangular tarpaulin panel 130 having a first edge 132, a second edge 134 opposing the first edge 132, a third edge 136 extending between the first edge 132 and the second edge 134andafourthedge 138Opposingthethirdedge 136. Theroofpanels 120andwallpanels 130are preferably made of vinyl or acrylic because of its light weight, strength, weather resistance, and flexibility. However, other materials with similar characteristics would work as well.
Page 8 of 28 -The material for the roof panels 120 and wall panels 130 may be selected for various tr~n~mi~ion characteristics. For example, mesh of a specific coarseness could be used to keep out bugs, pollutants, and even pollen during sensitive cross-pollination periods. Reflectant material could be used to keep out light. Translucent material could be used to reduce the total amount of light coming in or to filter out unwanted or dangerous wavelengths. Transparent material could be used to allow in plenty of light. A material might even be selected that admits light to the interior of the enclosure 100 but does not let it out again, instead reflecting it within the enclosure 100 or converting it to heat. As the degree of radiation protection afforded by the ozone layer fluctuates with time and geographic location, it is advantageous to be able to easily and affordably tailor the light tr~n.~mi~ion characteristics of a 10 greenhouse.
As will be further illustrated below, the roof 1 12 and walls 1 14 are modular, allowing the gardener to easily customize and change the roof and wall characteristics of his greenhouse enclosure 100. For example, the gardener can increase the height of the walls 114 as the contained plants grow. He could also select different transmission characteristics for the roof 112 and each wall 114 if for example the impinging sunlight is particularly strong from a particular direction.
The first edge 132 of each wall panel 130 is adapted to receive and engage an elongated rigid member such that the panel 130 may depend from the member. The engagement means illustrated is a plurality 20 of discrete loops 140 (Figures 5a and 5c); however, a continuous tunnel or a continuous channel closed-off with rope, snaps, zippers, or the like would also work well.
Page 9 of 28 One face of each panel 130 may also be adapted to receive an elongated rigid ballast bar 140 to lie between the first edge 132 and the second edge 134 and to run substantially parallel to either the first edge 132 or the second edge 134. The ballast bar 140 is preferably aluminium square tubing. A crank 142 is adapted to releasably engage the square void at either end of the ballast bar 140 for rolling up the wall panel 130. Ties 144 depending from the first edge 132 of the wall panel 130 are adapted to retain the rolled portion of the wall panel 130.
The third edge 136 and the fourth edge 138 of each wall panel 130 include co-operating fasteners such 10 that the abutting edges 136, 138 of adjacent wall panels 130 may be connected together to form an enclosure. Examples of such fasteners would be: zippers, strips of hook and loop material, snaps, hooks and clasps, and ties and grommets.
With reference now to Figure 4, the frame 116 comprises four beams 150 and four connectors 152 for joining the four beams 150 into a closed figure. The beams 150 and connectors 152 are preferably made from aluminium tubing because of its light weight and strength; however, other materials with similar properties could be used as well. For example, lightweight composite materials would be particularly appropriate.
20 With reference now to Figures 5a, 5b, and 5c, the interconnection of the roof 112, the walls 114, and the frame 116 will now be described.
Page 10 of 28 -With reference specifically to Figure 5a, a beam 150 is illustrated as having been received along the first edge 132 of a wall panel 130 through its loops 140 whereby the wall panel 130 depends from the beam 150. All of the beams 150 connect together through the connectors 152 to from the closed figure perimeter frame 116 from which the wall panels 130 depend.
With reference specifically to Figure 5b, the base of a roof panel 120 is illustrated wrapped around and snaring a beam 150. The snare cable 126 is drawn tight to constrict the base of the roof pyramid 122 and thereby prevent the panel 120 from slipping off the beam 150. A turnbuckle (not shown) might be 10 used to tightening and then securing the snare cable 126. In Figure 5b, the wall panel 130 has been hidden for clarity.
With reference specifically to Figure 5c and Figure 6, the roof 112, three walls 114 and the frame 116 are illustrated in their assembled form. It will be appreciated that the independence of the roof 112 and the walls 114 facilitates the insertion of the internal perimeter frame 116. It will be observed that the frame 116 and the snare cable 126 help to provide a continuous seal between the roof 112 and the wall 114. Although the snare is preferred, this seal could be less advantageously made by using discrete fasteners such as zippers, snaps or straps. It will also be observed that the roof 112 overhangs the walls 114 to facilitate proper drainage.
Page 11 of 28 In operation the user erects the enclosure 100 as follows. First, the user feeds each beam 150 through theloops 140Onthefirstedge 132Ofawallpanel 130. Hethenconnectstheendsofthebeams 150 with the connectors 152 until a closed perimeter frame 116 is formed. He places the roof 112 over the frame 116 and tightens the snare cable 126 until the perimeter of the base of the pyramid 122 has ensnared the frame 116. He then connects the suspension lug 124 at the apex of the roof 112 to a lifting device such as a rope, a block and tackle, or a boom 200, 300 and erects the enclosure. It will be noted that the user might choose to store the wall panels 130 rolled up on the beams 150 between uses.
In operation, each wall panel 130 can be independently rolled or unrolled to the desired height as 10 illustrated in Figure 3. The independent operation of each wall panel 130 facilitates easy access to plants located in any portion of the enclosure 100. The crank 142 and ties 144 help in this process but are not strictly necessary. The third edge 136 of each wall panel 130 can be secured to the fourth edge 138 of the adjacent wall panel 130 to provide a sealed enclosure as illustrated in Figure 1 or the edges 136, 138 can be left free to provide a door as illustrated in Figure 2. The bottom edge 134 of each wall 114 can be left loose, can be sandbagged or can be folded inwards to form a floor.
The user can suspend the enclosure 100 over unlevel ground, rocky ground, slopes, ice, and snow where a conventional enclosure might be unstable. Once erected, the enclosure 100 can raised and lowered, shortened and heightened or shifted about as required. It is contemplated that the enclosure 20 100 could be moved about on a lightweight wheeled platform to allow the contained plants to follow Page 12 of 28 -the sun or to move the plants between display and storage locations. It is also contemplated that a number of such enclosures 100 can be coupled together by linking adjacent walls 114.
With reference now to Figure 7, a second embodiment of the enclosure is illustrated generally at 200.
The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment with the exception that it is designed to provide some self-regulation of temperature, humidity and air flow. The enclosure 200 comprises a roof generally illustrated at 212, four walls, each generally illustrated at 214, and a frame generally illustrated at 216. Each wall 214 may include a window panel 215.
10 The roof 212 comprises a plurality of tarpaulin panels 220 so arranged and seamed along adjacent edges to form a pyramid generally illustrated at 222. In the region of the apex of the pyramid 222, netting material 221 is used in place of the tarpaulin material 220. A suspension gasket 224 passes through the netting 221 such that the gasket normal is substantially coaxial with the normal of the pyramid 222 apex. A centre pole 260 passes through the netting 221, en~;~ging the suspension gasket 224 from below to support the roof 212 and thereby the whole enclosure 200 via the snared frame 216.
A heat sensitive expansion mechanism 262 is mounted coaxially inside the top of pole 260. The expansion mechanism 262 passes freely through the suspension gasket 224 to engage a pyramidal venting cap 264 made of tarpaulin material. The pole 260 end of the expansion mechanism 262 is fixed 20 but the venting cap 264 end is free to travel. When the expansion mechanism 262 is fully extended, it pushes the venting cap 264b above the pyramid 222 of the roof 212, thereby exposing the netting below Page 13 of 28 ~ , 221 to encourage ventilation. When the expansion mechanism 262 is fully contracted, it holds the venting cap 264a against the pyramid 222 of the roof, thereby sealing the enclosure. The expansion mechanism 262 and venting cap 264 can be calibrated to temperature.
A plurality of venting flaps 266 in the walls 214 at the bottom of the enclosure 200 are connected to the expansion mech~ni.~m 262 via a plurality of control cables 267 such that the movement of the expansion mechanism 262 is transmitted to the venting flaps 266 via the control cables 267. The venting flaps and control cables 267 are calibrated to temperature with a plurality of turnbuckles 268.
The openings controlled by the venting flaps 266 may be screened with netting material.
In operation, the enclosure 200 may be sealed against outside pollutants including unwanted bugs and pollens. When the interior temperature of the enclosure 200 is below a certain threshold temperature, the apex cap 264a is retracted to cover the apex of the roof 212. If the tr~n~mi.~ion characteristics of the roof 212 and walls 214 are selected to increase the interior temperature compared to the surrounding environment, the expansion mechanism 262 will heat up and extend through the suspension gasket 224 thereby driving the apex cap 264b upward and away from the roof and thereby exposing the netting 221 of the roof to allow the hot air within the enclosure 200 to escape upwards. At the same time, the control cables 267 will pull the venting flaps 266 upward and away from the enclosure 200 walls 214 thereby allowing cool air to be drawn inward. In this manner, an upward 20 convection current will be established, cooling the enclosure 200, removing built-up humidity, and encouraging an exchange of air.
Page 14 of 28 Alternatively, if the enclosure 200 walls 214 and roof 212 are made of reflectant material, the tent interior will be cooler than the surrounding area and the venting cap 264b and venting flaps 266 will remain in their calibrated closed position.
It is contemplated that the venting cap system and the co-operating venting flap system could be used in flexible or rigid structures other than the flexible structure described above.
With reference now to Figure 8, a third embodiment of the enclosure is illustrated generally at 300.
10 The third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment with the exception that it is designed to provide some regulation of temperature and humidity through forced venting. The enclosure 300 comprises a roof generally illustrated at 312, four walls, each generally illustrated at 314, and a frame generally illustrated at 316.
At the bottom of each wall 314 is a reinforcement strip 325 which may be screwed to a base 327 to establish a firm foundation for the enclosure 300.
The roof 312 comprises a plurality of tarpaulin panels 320 so arranged and seamed along adjacent edges to form a pyramid generally illustrated at 322. A suspension gasket 324 passes through the roof 20 pyramid 322 such that the gasket normal is substantially coaxial with the normal of the pyramid 322 apex. A T-fitting 360 engages, retains, and seals against the suspension gasket 324. A suspension bolt Page 15 of 28 361 suspended from a ceiling joist or the like pierces and sealingly engages the T-fitting 360, drawing it upward, and along with it, the suspension gasket 324, the roof 312, and the whole enclosure 300 via the snared frame 316.
The T-fitting 360 connects into a venting stack 365 and encloses a fan 364 for forcing air into or out of the enclosure 300. This arrangement creates either a downdraft or an updraft, refreshing the air mixture and affecting the temperature and humidity within the enclosure 300. A sensor 362 can be installed to control the fan 364 speed according to the temperature, humidity, or air flow inside the enclosure 300.
10 The bottom end of the suspension bolt 361 is adapted to suspend an object, such as a sun circle 363a, within the enclosure 300 without unduly obstructing the T-fitting 360. Traditionally artificial lighting, such as sun circles, have posed significant challenges to hydroponics design because the means used to generate the necessary amount of light also generate significant heat that must be prevented from m~ging the plants. Complicated and expensive systems for cooling and venting the lamps have been necessary. As an alternative to a traditional sun circle, the enclosure 300 facilitates the use of a high intensity unshielded lamp 363b. The high intensity lamp is placed within the updraft generated by the fan 364 in the T-fitting 360 such that the generated heat is carried away from the plants. A reflector which would disrupt the updraft can be dispensed with so long as the gardener selects a roof 312 and walls 314 that provide reflectant interior surfaces. Light distribution could be further improved with a 20 parabolic roof-line 312a that defocuses incident light.
Page 16 of 28 -A plurality of venting flaps 366 in the walls 314 of the enclosure 300 are held open against gravity by a plurality of control cables 367. The venting flaps 366 are calibrated with a plurality of turnbuckles 368.
The openings controlled by the venting flaps 366 may be screened with netting material and may port directly to the outside environment or indirectly through the stack 365 as illustrated.
The enclosure is divided vertically into three separate but linked compartments: an atmospheric compartment 370 on top, a medium compartment 371 in the middle, and a nutrient compartment 372 on the bottom.
10 The nutrient compartment 372 is filled with a mixture of water and growing nutrients and acts as a reservoir for such. The nutrient compartment 372 is vented at 373 through the walls 314 of the enclosure 300 to discourage stagnation. The venting 373 may be directly to the outside environment or through the stack 365 as illustrated.
The medium compartment 371 contains growing medium such as Styrofoam or pearlite in place of earth. The medium compartment 371 is separated from the nutrient compartment 372 by a sieve 374 which allows excess nutrient content in the medium colnpal~ ent 371 to drain into the nutrient colllpallment 372 while preventing the medium *om passing through. The medium compartment 371 is vented at 375 through the walls of the enclosure 300 to discourage stagnation. The venting 375 may 20 be directly to the outside environment or through the stack 365 as illustrated.
Page 17 of 28 -The atmospheric compartment 370 is separated from the medium compartment 371 by a filter 376 and a watering manifold 377 which will be discussed further below. The atmospheric compartment 370 is the place where the plant leaves exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with their environment.
A pump 378 is connected so as to supply nutrient mixture from the nutrient compartment 372 to the watering manifold 377 to be distributed through the growing medium in the medium compartment 371 until it drips through the sieve 374 back into the nutrient compartment 372.
10 The opaque watering manifold 377 rests on top of the growing medium as a barrier, keeping tl:~m~ging light away from the plant roots, providing aerated water and nutrients to the plant roots, and keeping the cl:~m~ging nutrient and growing medium fumes below the atmospheric compartment 370 and away from the sensitive plant leaves.
With reference now to Figure 9, the watering manifold 377 is illustrated in greater detail. The watering manifold 377 includes a housing 380 which defines an inlet 381 leading into a main 382. The main 382 connects to a plurality of secondaries 383 which each supply a ring jet 384.
The essential characteristics of the watering manifold 377 are that it is shaped to cover the medium 20 compartment 371 and that it houses paths through which the nutrients can pass. The watering manifold could be made in any number of ways from any number of materials. Preferably, the manifold is made Page 18 of 28 21 762~4 from ABS plastic in a tumble mould. Stamping would also be an effective manufacturing process. It should be clear that the cross-section of the main 382, secondaries 383, and ring jets 384 need not be symmetrical. For example, a watering manifold 377 could be made economically by impressing a semi-cylindrical path into the housing 380 and sealing it with a cover-sheet (not shown).
With reference now to Figure 10, the ring jet 384 will be described in further detail. Each ring jet 384 includes a housing 385 which defines an annular conduit 386. The annular conduit 386 supplies a set of metered flow orifices 387 evenly distributed around the inside perimeter of the ring jet 384. With reference to Figure 11, a cross-section of the annular conduit 386 and a measured flow orifice 387 can 10 be seen.
With reference now to Figure 12, a sealing plug is illustrated generally at 390. The plug 390 comprises a first and second semi-annulus 391a,391b, each adapted to engage the other so as to form a complete annulus having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the ring jet 384. The sealing plug may be formed from clay or foam or any similarly absorbent material. The ring jet 384 and the sealing plug 390 need not be based on circular geometry.
In operation, plants are inserted into the central hole of the ring jet 384. Each plant is centred in the ring jet 384 and locked in place with the sealing plug 390. The pump 378 then draws nutrient from the 20 nutrient compartment and into the manifold 377 inlet 381. The nutrient mixture first fills up the main 382 until sufficient pressure builds to fill each of the secondaries 383. Once the secondaries 383 have Page 19 of 28 filled, the nutrient mixture is ejected through the metered flow orifices 387. Even nutrient distribution is desirable so the plant root systems grow symmetrically. As the nutrient mixture fountains through the metered orifices 387, it traps air and pounds against the sealing ring 390, driving nutrient mixture and fresh air toward the plant roots. Advantageously, as the sealing ring 390 absorbs the nutrient mixture, it swells to better seal the ring jet 384. The swollen sealing ring 390 also provides a temporary source of moisture and nutrients to the contained plant in the event that the pump 378 or the ring jet 384 fail.
The enclosure 300 can be set up indoors, even in a small bedroom, to provide a controlled growing 10 environment for plants and a source of fresh produce for the gardener. The gardener can set a number of parameters at will. The speed of the fan 364 may be manually set to achieve a desired rate of flow to exchange the air within the enclosure. The direction of flow can be set to either draw are into the enclosure 300 from the stack 365 or to expel air from the enclosure 300 into the stack 365. The fan can also be controlled by the sensor 362 to achieve and m~int~in a desired temperature or humidity in the interior of the enclosure 300. The enclosure can be sealed to facilitate the safe use of forced carbon dioxide systems and smoke bombs. The sun circle 363 can be set to provide artificial light on an optimized timing cycle.
Although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been described and illustrated, the present 20 invention is not limited to the features of this embodiment, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope of the claims.
Page 20 of 28 For example, the shape of the enclosure 100 is not important. Although a rectangular pyramidal roof 112 was illustrated, other pyramidal and conical shapes would work well. Although a rectangular prism enclosure was defined by the walls 114, other shapes would work well.
Other applications for the enclosure are also contemplated. The controlled environment could be advantageously used for medical and veterinary purposes. It could find use in dirty or dangerous environments, protecting the surrounding environment from pollution while drawing unpleasant substances away from the workers inside. For example, the enclosure might be used for 10 jackhammering, sandblasting, glass etching, welding. The enclosure is easily set up, a wall window facilitates monitoring the workers inside for safety, and a gentle induced downdraft and forced venting could reduce pollution inside the enclosure.
Page 21 of 28
~a~k~round 10 A portable controlled environment system facilitates the isolation of a region from surrounding environmental conditions. There are many applications for such systems. Medical treatment of both people and ~nim~l~ requires that infections be prevented from travelling between the controlled environment and the surrounding environment. Work performed on or around unpleasant substances such as asbestos or dust should be performed such that the controlled environment is safe for the workers and also the surrounding environment is protected from pollution. In still another application, plants grow better and foodstuffs keep better within a controlled environment.
A greenhouse is essentially an attempt to merge the best features of a controlled indoor environment with a natural outdoor environment. An enclosure forrns a closed, controlled environment in which the 20 plants grow. The interface between the controlled and surrounding environment regulates the exchange of light, heat, chemicals, org~ni~m~, fresh air, and humidity and all the other factors affecting growth.
Page I of 28 Unfortunately, this degree of control has been expensive to achieve. Conventional greenhouses are expensive stationary buildings constructed from metal and glass. They are difficult to move once erected and cannot easily grow with the plants they house. Because of the trouble and expense, it is unlikely that a gardener would build a temporary greenhouse around a plant in need of special attention.
Conventional greenhouses have also not provided the desired degree of environmental control. As the ozone layer becomes depleted, traditional glass greenhouses have not been effective at filtering out 10 harmful W rays. Supplementary filtration materials have been expensively retrofitted to the glass to achieve such filtration. Also, it has been challenging to m:~int:~in the proper temperature and humidity in conventional greenhouses. When the temperature or humidity inside gets too high, the gardener has had to manually open windows to correct the imbalance. Although temperature sensitive expansion mech~ni~ms have been attached to pivoting greenhouse windows with moderate success, the mass of the windows has made them difficult to re-close and wind gusts have tended to grab the windows and damage the mech~ni~m. Also, such automated pivoting windows have been essentially impossible to screen because the pivoting mechanism must pass through the plane of the screen. In a controlled greenhouse environment, screening is critical to keep out bugs and other (1~m~ging agents.
20 An alternative approach to the greenhouse has been to build a hydroponics growing environment, often indoors, where the natural environment is completely simulated and optimized with forced air venting, Page 2 of 28 '_ forced carbon dioxide circulation, artificial light, and nutrient and water mixtures pumped through a growing medium around plant roots. Again, such controlled hydroponics environments have typically been expensive to build and challenging to m:~int~in. The two most common problems are that the environment easily becomes conl~min~te~l or it tends to become st~gn~nt, discomforting the gardener and killing the plants.
What is needed is an inexpensive, portable controlled environment system for growing plants that is adaptable to both indoor and outdoor use. The present invention is directed to such a system.
10 Summary According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an enclosure, comprising: a roof, a wall supporting said roof and forming a substantially closed perimeter, a first vent in said roof connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the region exterior to the enclosure, a second vent in said wall connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the region exterior to the enclosure, and means for ch:~nging the air density within the enclosure, thereby promoting a draft through the enclosure between the first vent and the second vent. The roof and the wall may be made from light transmitting material.
The first or second vent may be covered by mesh. The enclosure might further include means, responsive to the temperature of the region interior to the enclosure, to open and close the first vent or to open and close the second vent. The enclosure might include means, responsive to the temperature 20 or humidity of the region interior to the enclosure, to force air into the enclosure or to force air out of the enclosure. The enclosure might further include: a nutrient compartment, a growing medium Page 3 of 28 compartment above said nutrient colllpal Illlent, a sieve connecting the growing medium compartment to the nutrient compartment, a watering manifold above said medium compartment, and a pump connecting the nutrient colllp~Llllent to the watering manifold. The water manifold might include: a housing defining a manifold inlet port, a main passing through the housing and connecting at its first end to the manifold inlet port, and a ring jet connected to the main. The ring jet might include: a housing defining an annular conduit, a ring jet inlet port cormecting the annular conduit to the manifold main, and a plurality of metered orifices distributed about the interior perimeter of the ring jet and connecting the annular conduit to the interior perimeter of the ring jet. The watering manifold might further include a sealing plug adapted to occupy the void defined by the ring jet. The sealing plug 10 might comprise: a first semi-annulus, and a second semi-annulus adapted to engage the first semi-annulus so as to from an annulus. The sealing plug might be made from clay or foam.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a watering manifold for hydroponics, comprising: a housing defining a manifold inlet port, a main passing through the housing and connecting at its first end to the manifold inlet port, and a ring jet connecting to the main. The ring jet might include: a housing defining an annular conduit, a ring jet inlet port connecting the annular conduit to the manifold main, and a plurality of metered orifices distributed about the interior perimeter of the ring jet and connecting the annular conduit to the interior perimeter of the ring jet. The watering manifold might further include a sealing plug adapted to occupy the void defined by the ring jet. The 20 sealing plug might comprise: a first semi-annulus, and a second semi-annulus adapted to engage the first semi-annulus so as to from an annulus. The sealing plug might be made from clay or foam.
Page 4 of 28 According to still a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an enclosure, comprising: a first beam having a first end and a second end, a second beam having a first end and a second end, a third beam having a first end and a second end, a first connector for connecting the first end of the first beam to the second end of the second beam, a second connector for connecting the first end of the second beam to the second end of the third beam, a third for connecting the first end of the third beam to the second end of the first beam; thereby forming a closed perimeter frame, a first tarpaulin having an apex adapted to be suspended and a perimeter adapted to envelope the frame thereby forming a roof, means for securing the roof to the frame, a second tarpaulin adapted to depend from the first beam thereby forming a first wall, a first vent in said roof connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the 10 region exterior to the enclosure, a second vent in said first wall connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the region exterior to the enclosure, and means for ch:~nging the air density within the enclosure, thereby promoting a draft through the enclosure between the first vent to the second vent.
The securing means might be a snaring cable adapted to engage the perimeter of the first tarpaulin and to draw it against the frame until the perimeter of the cable is less than the perimeter of the frame. The enclosure might further include a third tarpaulin adapted to depend from the second beam thereby forming a second wall. The enclosure might further include means for eng~ging a portion of the adjacent edges of the first wall and the second wall, and the engagement means might be a zipper. The first wall might include a ballast bar between its top edge and its bottom edge. The roof and the walls might be made from light transmitting material. The first or second vent may be covered by mesh. The 20 enclosure might further include means, responsive to the temperature of the region interior to the enclosure, to open and close the first vent or to open and close the second vent. The enclosure might Page 5 of 28 include means, responsive to the temperature or humidity of the region interior to the enclosure, to force air into the enclosure or to force air out of the enclosure. The enclosure might further include: a nutrient compartment, a growing medium co~ a~ ent above said nutrient compartment, a sieve connecting the growing medium compartment to the nutrient compartment, a watering manifold above said medium compartment, and a pump connecting the nutrient compartment to the watering manifold.
The water manifold might include: a housing defining a manifold inlet port, a main passing through the housing and connecting at its first end to the manifold inlet port, and a ring jet connected to the main. The ring jet might include: a housing defining an annular conduit, a ring jet inlet port connecting the annular conduit to the manifold main, and a plurality of metered orifices distributed 10 about the interior perimeter of the ring jet and connecting the annular conduit to the interior perimeter of the ring jet. The watering manifold might further include a sealing plug adapted to occupy the void defined by the ring jet. The sealing plug might comprise: a first semi-annulus, and a second semi-annulus adapted to engage the first semi-annulus so as to from an annulus. The sealing plug might be made from clay or foam.
Brief Description of the Dr.~ ,gS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
20 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable enclosure embodying one aspect of the invention;
Page 6 of 28 Figure2 is a perspective view of the enclosure of Figure 1 illustrating the independence of adjacent wall sections;
Figure3 is a perspective view of the enclosure of Figure 1, illustrating one wall section in partially retracted position;
Figure4 is an exploded view of the frame of the enclosure of Figure l;
Figure5a is an oblique cross-sectional view of the enclosure of Figure 1 viewed along the line A-A
and illustrating a wall section suspended from the frame;
Figure5b is an oblique cross-sectional view of the enclosure of Figure 1 viewed along the line A-A
illustrating a roof section snaring the frame;
~0 Figure5c is an oblique cross-sectional view of the enclosure of Figure 1 viewed along the line A-A, illustrating a wall section suspended from the frame and a roof section snaring the frame;
Figure6 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosure of Figure 1 along the line B-B;
Figure7 is a front view of an enclosure configured as an outdoor greenhouse and embodying a second aspect of the invention, Figure8 is a front view of an enclosure configured as an indoor hydroponics enclosure and embodying a third aspect of the invention, Figure9 is a top detail view of the watering manifold of the enclosure of Figure 8, FigurelO is a perspective detail view of one of the ring jets in the manifold of Figure 9, and Figurell is a detailed cross-section view of the ring jet of Figure 10 viewed along the line C-C.
20 Figure12 is a perspective view of the sealing plug for the manifold of Figure 9.
Page 7 of 28 Description With reference now to Figures 1 through 3, a first embodiment of an enclosure for growing plants is illustrated generally at 100. The enclosure 100 comprises a roof generally illustrated at 112, four walls, each generally illustrated at 114, and a frame generally illustrated at 116.
The roof 112 comprises a plurality of tarpaulin panels 120 so arranged and seamed along adjacent edges to from a pyramid generally illustrated at 122. A suspension lug 124 is affixed to the apex of the pyramid 122. Those edges of the panels 112 that form the base of the pyramid 122 are adapted to receive a snare cable 126 (Figures 5b, 5c, and 6) such that the snare cable 126 follows the perimeter of 10 the base of the pyramid 122 and thereby constrains the perimeter. The snare cable is preferably made of aviation cable because it is strong and flexible; however, other materials with similar characteristics would also work well. It is also desirable that the seams between the roof panels 120 be reinforced with strips of webbing 128.
Each wall 114 comprises a rectangular tarpaulin panel 130 having a first edge 132, a second edge 134 opposing the first edge 132, a third edge 136 extending between the first edge 132 and the second edge 134andafourthedge 138Opposingthethirdedge 136. Theroofpanels 120andwallpanels 130are preferably made of vinyl or acrylic because of its light weight, strength, weather resistance, and flexibility. However, other materials with similar characteristics would work as well.
Page 8 of 28 -The material for the roof panels 120 and wall panels 130 may be selected for various tr~n~mi~ion characteristics. For example, mesh of a specific coarseness could be used to keep out bugs, pollutants, and even pollen during sensitive cross-pollination periods. Reflectant material could be used to keep out light. Translucent material could be used to reduce the total amount of light coming in or to filter out unwanted or dangerous wavelengths. Transparent material could be used to allow in plenty of light. A material might even be selected that admits light to the interior of the enclosure 100 but does not let it out again, instead reflecting it within the enclosure 100 or converting it to heat. As the degree of radiation protection afforded by the ozone layer fluctuates with time and geographic location, it is advantageous to be able to easily and affordably tailor the light tr~n.~mi~ion characteristics of a 10 greenhouse.
As will be further illustrated below, the roof 1 12 and walls 1 14 are modular, allowing the gardener to easily customize and change the roof and wall characteristics of his greenhouse enclosure 100. For example, the gardener can increase the height of the walls 114 as the contained plants grow. He could also select different transmission characteristics for the roof 112 and each wall 114 if for example the impinging sunlight is particularly strong from a particular direction.
The first edge 132 of each wall panel 130 is adapted to receive and engage an elongated rigid member such that the panel 130 may depend from the member. The engagement means illustrated is a plurality 20 of discrete loops 140 (Figures 5a and 5c); however, a continuous tunnel or a continuous channel closed-off with rope, snaps, zippers, or the like would also work well.
Page 9 of 28 One face of each panel 130 may also be adapted to receive an elongated rigid ballast bar 140 to lie between the first edge 132 and the second edge 134 and to run substantially parallel to either the first edge 132 or the second edge 134. The ballast bar 140 is preferably aluminium square tubing. A crank 142 is adapted to releasably engage the square void at either end of the ballast bar 140 for rolling up the wall panel 130. Ties 144 depending from the first edge 132 of the wall panel 130 are adapted to retain the rolled portion of the wall panel 130.
The third edge 136 and the fourth edge 138 of each wall panel 130 include co-operating fasteners such 10 that the abutting edges 136, 138 of adjacent wall panels 130 may be connected together to form an enclosure. Examples of such fasteners would be: zippers, strips of hook and loop material, snaps, hooks and clasps, and ties and grommets.
With reference now to Figure 4, the frame 116 comprises four beams 150 and four connectors 152 for joining the four beams 150 into a closed figure. The beams 150 and connectors 152 are preferably made from aluminium tubing because of its light weight and strength; however, other materials with similar properties could be used as well. For example, lightweight composite materials would be particularly appropriate.
20 With reference now to Figures 5a, 5b, and 5c, the interconnection of the roof 112, the walls 114, and the frame 116 will now be described.
Page 10 of 28 -With reference specifically to Figure 5a, a beam 150 is illustrated as having been received along the first edge 132 of a wall panel 130 through its loops 140 whereby the wall panel 130 depends from the beam 150. All of the beams 150 connect together through the connectors 152 to from the closed figure perimeter frame 116 from which the wall panels 130 depend.
With reference specifically to Figure 5b, the base of a roof panel 120 is illustrated wrapped around and snaring a beam 150. The snare cable 126 is drawn tight to constrict the base of the roof pyramid 122 and thereby prevent the panel 120 from slipping off the beam 150. A turnbuckle (not shown) might be 10 used to tightening and then securing the snare cable 126. In Figure 5b, the wall panel 130 has been hidden for clarity.
With reference specifically to Figure 5c and Figure 6, the roof 112, three walls 114 and the frame 116 are illustrated in their assembled form. It will be appreciated that the independence of the roof 112 and the walls 114 facilitates the insertion of the internal perimeter frame 116. It will be observed that the frame 116 and the snare cable 126 help to provide a continuous seal between the roof 112 and the wall 114. Although the snare is preferred, this seal could be less advantageously made by using discrete fasteners such as zippers, snaps or straps. It will also be observed that the roof 112 overhangs the walls 114 to facilitate proper drainage.
Page 11 of 28 In operation the user erects the enclosure 100 as follows. First, the user feeds each beam 150 through theloops 140Onthefirstedge 132Ofawallpanel 130. Hethenconnectstheendsofthebeams 150 with the connectors 152 until a closed perimeter frame 116 is formed. He places the roof 112 over the frame 116 and tightens the snare cable 126 until the perimeter of the base of the pyramid 122 has ensnared the frame 116. He then connects the suspension lug 124 at the apex of the roof 112 to a lifting device such as a rope, a block and tackle, or a boom 200, 300 and erects the enclosure. It will be noted that the user might choose to store the wall panels 130 rolled up on the beams 150 between uses.
In operation, each wall panel 130 can be independently rolled or unrolled to the desired height as 10 illustrated in Figure 3. The independent operation of each wall panel 130 facilitates easy access to plants located in any portion of the enclosure 100. The crank 142 and ties 144 help in this process but are not strictly necessary. The third edge 136 of each wall panel 130 can be secured to the fourth edge 138 of the adjacent wall panel 130 to provide a sealed enclosure as illustrated in Figure 1 or the edges 136, 138 can be left free to provide a door as illustrated in Figure 2. The bottom edge 134 of each wall 114 can be left loose, can be sandbagged or can be folded inwards to form a floor.
The user can suspend the enclosure 100 over unlevel ground, rocky ground, slopes, ice, and snow where a conventional enclosure might be unstable. Once erected, the enclosure 100 can raised and lowered, shortened and heightened or shifted about as required. It is contemplated that the enclosure 20 100 could be moved about on a lightweight wheeled platform to allow the contained plants to follow Page 12 of 28 -the sun or to move the plants between display and storage locations. It is also contemplated that a number of such enclosures 100 can be coupled together by linking adjacent walls 114.
With reference now to Figure 7, a second embodiment of the enclosure is illustrated generally at 200.
The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment with the exception that it is designed to provide some self-regulation of temperature, humidity and air flow. The enclosure 200 comprises a roof generally illustrated at 212, four walls, each generally illustrated at 214, and a frame generally illustrated at 216. Each wall 214 may include a window panel 215.
10 The roof 212 comprises a plurality of tarpaulin panels 220 so arranged and seamed along adjacent edges to form a pyramid generally illustrated at 222. In the region of the apex of the pyramid 222, netting material 221 is used in place of the tarpaulin material 220. A suspension gasket 224 passes through the netting 221 such that the gasket normal is substantially coaxial with the normal of the pyramid 222 apex. A centre pole 260 passes through the netting 221, en~;~ging the suspension gasket 224 from below to support the roof 212 and thereby the whole enclosure 200 via the snared frame 216.
A heat sensitive expansion mechanism 262 is mounted coaxially inside the top of pole 260. The expansion mechanism 262 passes freely through the suspension gasket 224 to engage a pyramidal venting cap 264 made of tarpaulin material. The pole 260 end of the expansion mechanism 262 is fixed 20 but the venting cap 264 end is free to travel. When the expansion mechanism 262 is fully extended, it pushes the venting cap 264b above the pyramid 222 of the roof 212, thereby exposing the netting below Page 13 of 28 ~ , 221 to encourage ventilation. When the expansion mechanism 262 is fully contracted, it holds the venting cap 264a against the pyramid 222 of the roof, thereby sealing the enclosure. The expansion mechanism 262 and venting cap 264 can be calibrated to temperature.
A plurality of venting flaps 266 in the walls 214 at the bottom of the enclosure 200 are connected to the expansion mech~ni.~m 262 via a plurality of control cables 267 such that the movement of the expansion mechanism 262 is transmitted to the venting flaps 266 via the control cables 267. The venting flaps and control cables 267 are calibrated to temperature with a plurality of turnbuckles 268.
The openings controlled by the venting flaps 266 may be screened with netting material.
In operation, the enclosure 200 may be sealed against outside pollutants including unwanted bugs and pollens. When the interior temperature of the enclosure 200 is below a certain threshold temperature, the apex cap 264a is retracted to cover the apex of the roof 212. If the tr~n~mi.~ion characteristics of the roof 212 and walls 214 are selected to increase the interior temperature compared to the surrounding environment, the expansion mechanism 262 will heat up and extend through the suspension gasket 224 thereby driving the apex cap 264b upward and away from the roof and thereby exposing the netting 221 of the roof to allow the hot air within the enclosure 200 to escape upwards. At the same time, the control cables 267 will pull the venting flaps 266 upward and away from the enclosure 200 walls 214 thereby allowing cool air to be drawn inward. In this manner, an upward 20 convection current will be established, cooling the enclosure 200, removing built-up humidity, and encouraging an exchange of air.
Page 14 of 28 Alternatively, if the enclosure 200 walls 214 and roof 212 are made of reflectant material, the tent interior will be cooler than the surrounding area and the venting cap 264b and venting flaps 266 will remain in their calibrated closed position.
It is contemplated that the venting cap system and the co-operating venting flap system could be used in flexible or rigid structures other than the flexible structure described above.
With reference now to Figure 8, a third embodiment of the enclosure is illustrated generally at 300.
10 The third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment with the exception that it is designed to provide some regulation of temperature and humidity through forced venting. The enclosure 300 comprises a roof generally illustrated at 312, four walls, each generally illustrated at 314, and a frame generally illustrated at 316.
At the bottom of each wall 314 is a reinforcement strip 325 which may be screwed to a base 327 to establish a firm foundation for the enclosure 300.
The roof 312 comprises a plurality of tarpaulin panels 320 so arranged and seamed along adjacent edges to form a pyramid generally illustrated at 322. A suspension gasket 324 passes through the roof 20 pyramid 322 such that the gasket normal is substantially coaxial with the normal of the pyramid 322 apex. A T-fitting 360 engages, retains, and seals against the suspension gasket 324. A suspension bolt Page 15 of 28 361 suspended from a ceiling joist or the like pierces and sealingly engages the T-fitting 360, drawing it upward, and along with it, the suspension gasket 324, the roof 312, and the whole enclosure 300 via the snared frame 316.
The T-fitting 360 connects into a venting stack 365 and encloses a fan 364 for forcing air into or out of the enclosure 300. This arrangement creates either a downdraft or an updraft, refreshing the air mixture and affecting the temperature and humidity within the enclosure 300. A sensor 362 can be installed to control the fan 364 speed according to the temperature, humidity, or air flow inside the enclosure 300.
10 The bottom end of the suspension bolt 361 is adapted to suspend an object, such as a sun circle 363a, within the enclosure 300 without unduly obstructing the T-fitting 360. Traditionally artificial lighting, such as sun circles, have posed significant challenges to hydroponics design because the means used to generate the necessary amount of light also generate significant heat that must be prevented from m~ging the plants. Complicated and expensive systems for cooling and venting the lamps have been necessary. As an alternative to a traditional sun circle, the enclosure 300 facilitates the use of a high intensity unshielded lamp 363b. The high intensity lamp is placed within the updraft generated by the fan 364 in the T-fitting 360 such that the generated heat is carried away from the plants. A reflector which would disrupt the updraft can be dispensed with so long as the gardener selects a roof 312 and walls 314 that provide reflectant interior surfaces. Light distribution could be further improved with a 20 parabolic roof-line 312a that defocuses incident light.
Page 16 of 28 -A plurality of venting flaps 366 in the walls 314 of the enclosure 300 are held open against gravity by a plurality of control cables 367. The venting flaps 366 are calibrated with a plurality of turnbuckles 368.
The openings controlled by the venting flaps 366 may be screened with netting material and may port directly to the outside environment or indirectly through the stack 365 as illustrated.
The enclosure is divided vertically into three separate but linked compartments: an atmospheric compartment 370 on top, a medium compartment 371 in the middle, and a nutrient compartment 372 on the bottom.
10 The nutrient compartment 372 is filled with a mixture of water and growing nutrients and acts as a reservoir for such. The nutrient compartment 372 is vented at 373 through the walls 314 of the enclosure 300 to discourage stagnation. The venting 373 may be directly to the outside environment or through the stack 365 as illustrated.
The medium compartment 371 contains growing medium such as Styrofoam or pearlite in place of earth. The medium compartment 371 is separated from the nutrient compartment 372 by a sieve 374 which allows excess nutrient content in the medium colnpal~ ent 371 to drain into the nutrient colllpallment 372 while preventing the medium *om passing through. The medium compartment 371 is vented at 375 through the walls of the enclosure 300 to discourage stagnation. The venting 375 may 20 be directly to the outside environment or through the stack 365 as illustrated.
Page 17 of 28 -The atmospheric compartment 370 is separated from the medium compartment 371 by a filter 376 and a watering manifold 377 which will be discussed further below. The atmospheric compartment 370 is the place where the plant leaves exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with their environment.
A pump 378 is connected so as to supply nutrient mixture from the nutrient compartment 372 to the watering manifold 377 to be distributed through the growing medium in the medium compartment 371 until it drips through the sieve 374 back into the nutrient compartment 372.
10 The opaque watering manifold 377 rests on top of the growing medium as a barrier, keeping tl:~m~ging light away from the plant roots, providing aerated water and nutrients to the plant roots, and keeping the cl:~m~ging nutrient and growing medium fumes below the atmospheric compartment 370 and away from the sensitive plant leaves.
With reference now to Figure 9, the watering manifold 377 is illustrated in greater detail. The watering manifold 377 includes a housing 380 which defines an inlet 381 leading into a main 382. The main 382 connects to a plurality of secondaries 383 which each supply a ring jet 384.
The essential characteristics of the watering manifold 377 are that it is shaped to cover the medium 20 compartment 371 and that it houses paths through which the nutrients can pass. The watering manifold could be made in any number of ways from any number of materials. Preferably, the manifold is made Page 18 of 28 21 762~4 from ABS plastic in a tumble mould. Stamping would also be an effective manufacturing process. It should be clear that the cross-section of the main 382, secondaries 383, and ring jets 384 need not be symmetrical. For example, a watering manifold 377 could be made economically by impressing a semi-cylindrical path into the housing 380 and sealing it with a cover-sheet (not shown).
With reference now to Figure 10, the ring jet 384 will be described in further detail. Each ring jet 384 includes a housing 385 which defines an annular conduit 386. The annular conduit 386 supplies a set of metered flow orifices 387 evenly distributed around the inside perimeter of the ring jet 384. With reference to Figure 11, a cross-section of the annular conduit 386 and a measured flow orifice 387 can 10 be seen.
With reference now to Figure 12, a sealing plug is illustrated generally at 390. The plug 390 comprises a first and second semi-annulus 391a,391b, each adapted to engage the other so as to form a complete annulus having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the ring jet 384. The sealing plug may be formed from clay or foam or any similarly absorbent material. The ring jet 384 and the sealing plug 390 need not be based on circular geometry.
In operation, plants are inserted into the central hole of the ring jet 384. Each plant is centred in the ring jet 384 and locked in place with the sealing plug 390. The pump 378 then draws nutrient from the 20 nutrient compartment and into the manifold 377 inlet 381. The nutrient mixture first fills up the main 382 until sufficient pressure builds to fill each of the secondaries 383. Once the secondaries 383 have Page 19 of 28 filled, the nutrient mixture is ejected through the metered flow orifices 387. Even nutrient distribution is desirable so the plant root systems grow symmetrically. As the nutrient mixture fountains through the metered orifices 387, it traps air and pounds against the sealing ring 390, driving nutrient mixture and fresh air toward the plant roots. Advantageously, as the sealing ring 390 absorbs the nutrient mixture, it swells to better seal the ring jet 384. The swollen sealing ring 390 also provides a temporary source of moisture and nutrients to the contained plant in the event that the pump 378 or the ring jet 384 fail.
The enclosure 300 can be set up indoors, even in a small bedroom, to provide a controlled growing 10 environment for plants and a source of fresh produce for the gardener. The gardener can set a number of parameters at will. The speed of the fan 364 may be manually set to achieve a desired rate of flow to exchange the air within the enclosure. The direction of flow can be set to either draw are into the enclosure 300 from the stack 365 or to expel air from the enclosure 300 into the stack 365. The fan can also be controlled by the sensor 362 to achieve and m~int~in a desired temperature or humidity in the interior of the enclosure 300. The enclosure can be sealed to facilitate the safe use of forced carbon dioxide systems and smoke bombs. The sun circle 363 can be set to provide artificial light on an optimized timing cycle.
Although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been described and illustrated, the present 20 invention is not limited to the features of this embodiment, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope of the claims.
Page 20 of 28 For example, the shape of the enclosure 100 is not important. Although a rectangular pyramidal roof 112 was illustrated, other pyramidal and conical shapes would work well. Although a rectangular prism enclosure was defined by the walls 114, other shapes would work well.
Other applications for the enclosure are also contemplated. The controlled environment could be advantageously used for medical and veterinary purposes. It could find use in dirty or dangerous environments, protecting the surrounding environment from pollution while drawing unpleasant substances away from the workers inside. For example, the enclosure might be used for 10 jackhammering, sandblasting, glass etching, welding. The enclosure is easily set up, a wall window facilitates monitoring the workers inside for safety, and a gentle induced downdraft and forced venting could reduce pollution inside the enclosure.
Page 21 of 28
Claims (38)
1. An enclosure, comprising:
(a) a roof, (b) a wall supporting said roof and forming a substantially closed perimeter, (c) a first vent in said roof connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the region exterior to the enclosure, (d) a second vent in said wall connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the region exterior to the enclosure, and (e) means for changing the air density within the enclosure, thereby promoting a draft through the enclosure between the first vent and the second vent.
(a) a roof, (b) a wall supporting said roof and forming a substantially closed perimeter, (c) a first vent in said roof connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the region exterior to the enclosure, (d) a second vent in said wall connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the region exterior to the enclosure, and (e) means for changing the air density within the enclosure, thereby promoting a draft through the enclosure between the first vent and the second vent.
2. An enclosure as in Claim 1, wherein the roof is made from light transmitting material.
3. An enclosure as in Claim 1, wherein the wall is made from light transmitting material.
4. An enclosure, as in Claim 1, wherein the first vent is covered by mesh.
5. An enclosure as in Claim 1 further including means, responsive to the temperature of the region interior to the enclosure, to open and close the first vent.
6. An enclosure as in Claim 1 further including means, responsive to the temperature of the region interior to the enclosure, to open and close the second vent.
7. An enclosure as in Claim 1 further including means, responsive to the temperature of the spatial region interior to the enclosure, to force air into the enclosure.
Page 22 of 28
Page 22 of 28
8. An enclosure as in Claim 1 further including means, responsive to the humidity of the spatial region interior to the enclosure, to force air into the enclosure.
9. An enclosure as in Claim 1 further including means, responsive to the temperature of the spatial region interior to the enclosure, to draw air out of the enclosure.
10. An enclosure as in Claim 1 further including means, responsive to the humidity of the spatial region interior to the enclosure, to draw air out of the enclosure.
11. An enclosure as in Claim 1 further including (a) a nutrient compartment, (b) a growing medium compartment above said nutrient compartment, (c) a sieve connecting the growing medium compartment to the nutrient compartment, (d) a watering manifold above said medium compartment, and (e) a pump connecting the nutrient compartment to the watering manifold.
12. An enclosure as in Claim 11 wherein said watering manifold includes:
(a) a housing defining a manifold inlet port, (b) a main passing through the housing and connecting at its first end to the manifold inlet port, and (c) a ring jet connected to the main.
(a) a housing defining a manifold inlet port, (b) a main passing through the housing and connecting at its first end to the manifold inlet port, and (c) a ring jet connected to the main.
13. An enclosure as in Claim 12 wherein said ring jet comprises:
(a) a housing defining an annular conduit, (b) a ring jet inlet port connecting the annular conduit to the manifold main, and Page 23 of 28 (c) a plurality of metered orifices distributed about the interior perimeter of the ring jet and connecting the annular conduit to the interior perimeter of the ring jet.
(a) a housing defining an annular conduit, (b) a ring jet inlet port connecting the annular conduit to the manifold main, and Page 23 of 28 (c) a plurality of metered orifices distributed about the interior perimeter of the ring jet and connecting the annular conduit to the interior perimeter of the ring jet.
14. An enclosure as in Claim 13 further comprising a sealing plug adapted to occupy the void defined by the ring jet.
15. An enclosure as in Claim 14 wherein said sealing plug comprises:
(a) a first semi-annulus, and (b) a second semi-annulus adapted to engage the first semi-annulus so as to from an annulus.
(a) a first semi-annulus, and (b) a second semi-annulus adapted to engage the first semi-annulus so as to from an annulus.
16. An enclosure as in Claim 15 wherein the sealing plug is made from clay.
17. An enclosure as in Claim 16 wherein the sealing plug is made from foam.
18. A watering manifold for hydroponics, comprising:
(a) a housing defining a manifold inlet port, (b) a main passing through the housing and connecting at its first end to the manifold inlet port, and (c) a ring jet connecting to the main.
(a) a housing defining a manifold inlet port, (b) a main passing through the housing and connecting at its first end to the manifold inlet port, and (c) a ring jet connecting to the main.
19. An manifold as in Claim 18 wherein said ring jet comprises:
(a) a housing defining an annular conduit, (b) a ring jet inlet port connecting the annular conduit to the manifold main, and (c) a plurality of metered orifices distributed about the interior perimeter of the ring jet and connecting the annular conduit to the interior perimeter of the ring jet.
(a) a housing defining an annular conduit, (b) a ring jet inlet port connecting the annular conduit to the manifold main, and (c) a plurality of metered orifices distributed about the interior perimeter of the ring jet and connecting the annular conduit to the interior perimeter of the ring jet.
20. An manifold as in Claim 19 further comprising a sealing plug adapted to occupy the void defined by the ring jet.
Page 24 of 28
Page 24 of 28
21. An manifold as in Claim 20 wherein said sealing plug comprises:
(a) a first semi-annulus, and (b) a second semi-annulus adapted to engage the first semi-annulus so as to from an annulus.
(a) a first semi-annulus, and (b) a second semi-annulus adapted to engage the first semi-annulus so as to from an annulus.
22. An manifold as in Claim 21 wherein the sealing plug is made from clay.
23. An manifold as in Claim 22 wherein the sealing plug is made from foam.
24. An enclosure, comprising:
(a) a first beam having a first end and a second end;
(b) a second beam having a first end and a second end;
(c) a third beam having a first end and a second end;
(d) a first connector for connecting the first end of the first beam to the second end of the second beam;
(e) a second connector for connecting the first end of the second beam to the second end of the third beam;
(f) a third for connecting the first end of the third beam to the second end of the first beam;
thereby forming a closed perimeter frame;
(g) a first tarpaulin having an apex adapted to be suspended and a perimeter adapted to envelope the frame thereby forming a roof;
(h) means for securing the roof to the frame;
(i) a second tarpaulin adapted to depend from the first beam thereby forming a first wall, (j) a first vent in said roof connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the region exterior to the enclosure, Page 25 of 28 (k) a second vent in said first wall connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the region exterior to the enclosure, and (1) means for changing the air density within the enclosure, thereby promoting a draft through the enclosure between the first vent to the second vent.
(a) a first beam having a first end and a second end;
(b) a second beam having a first end and a second end;
(c) a third beam having a first end and a second end;
(d) a first connector for connecting the first end of the first beam to the second end of the second beam;
(e) a second connector for connecting the first end of the second beam to the second end of the third beam;
(f) a third for connecting the first end of the third beam to the second end of the first beam;
thereby forming a closed perimeter frame;
(g) a first tarpaulin having an apex adapted to be suspended and a perimeter adapted to envelope the frame thereby forming a roof;
(h) means for securing the roof to the frame;
(i) a second tarpaulin adapted to depend from the first beam thereby forming a first wall, (j) a first vent in said roof connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the region exterior to the enclosure, Page 25 of 28 (k) a second vent in said first wall connecting the region interior to the enclosure and the region exterior to the enclosure, and (1) means for changing the air density within the enclosure, thereby promoting a draft through the enclosure between the first vent to the second vent.
25. An enclosure as in Claim 24, wherein the securing means is a snaring cable adapted to engage the perimeter of the first tarpaulin and to draw it against the frame until the perimeter of the cable is less than the perimeter of the frame.
26. An enclosure as in Claim 25, further comprising a third tarpaulin adapted to depend from the second beam thereby forming a second wall.
27. An enclosure as in Claim 26, further comprising means for engaging a portion of the adjacent edges of the first wall and the second wall.
28. An enclosure as in Claim 27, wherein the engagement means is a zipper.
29. An enclosure as in Claim 28, wherein the first wall includes a ballast bar between its top edge and its bottom edge.
30. An enclosure as in Claim 29, wherein the roof is made from light transmitting material.
31. An enclosure as in Claim 30, wherein the wall is made from light transmitting material.
32. An enclosure, as in Claim 31, wherein the first vent is covered by mesh.
33. An enclosure as in Claim 32 further including means, responsive to the temperature of the region interior to the enclosure, to open and close the first vent.
34. An enclosure as in Claim 32 further including means, responsive to the temperature of the region interior to the enclosure, to open and close the second vent.
Page 26 of 28
Page 26 of 28
35. An enclosure as in Claim 32 further including means, responsive to the temperature of the spatial region interior to the enclosure, to force air into the enclosure.
36. An enclosure as in Claim 32 further including means, responsive to the humidity of the spatial region interior to the enclosure, to force air into the enclosure.
37. An enclosure as in Claim 32 further including means, responsive to the temperature of the spatial region interior to the enclosure, to draw air out of the enclosure.
38. An enclosure as in Claim 32 further including means, responsive to the humidity of the spatial region interior to the enclosure, to draw air out of the enclosure.
Page 27 of 28
Page 27 of 28
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002176274A CA2176274A1 (en) | 1996-05-10 | 1996-05-10 | Portable controlled environment system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002176274A CA2176274A1 (en) | 1996-05-10 | 1996-05-10 | Portable controlled environment system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2176274A1 true CA2176274A1 (en) | 1997-11-11 |
Family
ID=4158176
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002176274A Abandoned CA2176274A1 (en) | 1996-05-10 | 1996-05-10 | Portable controlled environment system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2176274A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7877927B2 (en) | 2004-12-16 | 2011-02-01 | Mario Roy | Modular aeroponic/hydroponic container mountable to a surface |
-
1996
- 1996-05-10 CA CA002176274A patent/CA2176274A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7877927B2 (en) | 2004-12-16 | 2011-02-01 | Mario Roy | Modular aeroponic/hydroponic container mountable to a surface |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |