CA2394830A1 - Hydroponic growing apparatus - Google Patents
Hydroponic growing apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2394830A1 CA2394830A1 CA002394830A CA2394830A CA2394830A1 CA 2394830 A1 CA2394830 A1 CA 2394830A1 CA 002394830 A CA002394830 A CA 002394830A CA 2394830 A CA2394830 A CA 2394830A CA 2394830 A1 CA2394830 A1 CA 2394830A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- reservoir
- drain
- water
- pots
- air
- 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
- A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
- A01G31/02—Special apparatus therefor
-
- 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
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Hydroponics (AREA)
Abstract
A hydroponic plant growing apparatus is known to have plural open top flat bed containers which are nested one on top of the other in a vertical orientation.
The upper container typically supports individual pots containing a sterile support media such as rock wool, where as the bottom container typically forms a storage reservoir for the nutrient enriched solution.
In operation, the nutrient solution is circulated from the lower container to the upper containers. The three common methods of nutrient supply to the plants are (1) Drip irrigation (2) wick irrigation and (3) flood irrigation. Although these hydroponic systems have proven useful in their application, there exists a need for improvement to their overall operation.
In this invention, the storage reservoir for the nutrient solution is constructed of fiberglass and incorporates a large drain hole covered by a drain plug. The plug is hinged to the tank on one side and the bottom of the reservoir is sloped in the direction of the drain. The reservoir sits on a base, which allows the top of the reservoir to lay level and suspends the reservoir bottom off of the floor. Common plumbing is easily attached to the drain hole and routed to a typical sewage system or appropriate outdoor area. A chain is attached to the plug thereby making it assessable from above the water level. Incorporated in the drain is an overfill tube. The reservoir is also equipped with an automatic filling valve.
The fill valve is actuated by a float, which rises and falls with the water level. A fill tube is located at the opposite and upper end of the reservoir and is connected to the fill valve.
By supplying water to the reservoir opposite the end that the water drains, a rinsing action is created when the reservoir is being emptied. In addition to an improvement in reservoir design, prior systems fail to properly address the need for adequate and even airflow to each individual plant. In this invention, the upper container is a two piece lid design with plural openings for pots and is nested on top of the reservoir. The pots fit tightly into the bottom section of the two piece lid while an air gap is provided in the upper section around each pot. The two piece lid acts as an air duct. The lid has a supply air port which enters the cavity between the two lids. When air is blown into the two piece lid, air escapes through the opening around the pots and the plants receive full coverage airflow.
The upper container typically supports individual pots containing a sterile support media such as rock wool, where as the bottom container typically forms a storage reservoir for the nutrient enriched solution.
In operation, the nutrient solution is circulated from the lower container to the upper containers. The three common methods of nutrient supply to the plants are (1) Drip irrigation (2) wick irrigation and (3) flood irrigation. Although these hydroponic systems have proven useful in their application, there exists a need for improvement to their overall operation.
In this invention, the storage reservoir for the nutrient solution is constructed of fiberglass and incorporates a large drain hole covered by a drain plug. The plug is hinged to the tank on one side and the bottom of the reservoir is sloped in the direction of the drain. The reservoir sits on a base, which allows the top of the reservoir to lay level and suspends the reservoir bottom off of the floor. Common plumbing is easily attached to the drain hole and routed to a typical sewage system or appropriate outdoor area. A chain is attached to the plug thereby making it assessable from above the water level. Incorporated in the drain is an overfill tube. The reservoir is also equipped with an automatic filling valve.
The fill valve is actuated by a float, which rises and falls with the water level. A fill tube is located at the opposite and upper end of the reservoir and is connected to the fill valve.
By supplying water to the reservoir opposite the end that the water drains, a rinsing action is created when the reservoir is being emptied. In addition to an improvement in reservoir design, prior systems fail to properly address the need for adequate and even airflow to each individual plant. In this invention, the upper container is a two piece lid design with plural openings for pots and is nested on top of the reservoir. The pots fit tightly into the bottom section of the two piece lid while an air gap is provided in the upper section around each pot. The two piece lid acts as an air duct. The lid has a supply air port which enters the cavity between the two lids. When air is blown into the two piece lid, air escapes through the opening around the pots and the plants receive full coverage airflow.
Description
Description This invention relates to a hydroponic plant growing apparatus intended for use where a gravity drain can be applied.
It is common in a hydroponic growing apparatus to have to supply quality air to the plants contained within the apparatus. This is not easy due to the obstruction to airflow created by the plants. Airflow is difficult to supply effectively and evenly to the plants from the top downward because this area is normally occupied by the lighting, which is essential to the plants' rapid growth. Furthermore, when attempting to blow or move air by means of convection , horizontally from any outer angle inward toward the plants, the plants closest to the source of airflow slow the air which is inadequate for the remaining plants which are being sheltered by the outer plants. It is also common to empty the reservoir by pumping the liquid out of the reservoir to an area outside or to a sewage system. This method is inconvenient and makes cleaning the reservoir difficult and messy. Reservoirs also are required to be filled manually, which is inconvenient and time consuming. Also the water level in the reservoir has to be maintained by constant filling as the plants steadily consume water.
I have found that these disadvantages may be overcome by constructing a reservoir of fiberglass and incorporating a large drain hole covered by a plug. The plug has specific and predetermined buoyancy, which allows the plug to float as the liquid empties from the reservoir. The bottom of the reservoir is sloped in the direction of the drain. This provides an area from which all the water in the reservoir can be removed. The drain has plumbed into it an over fill tube which is positioned vertically beside the drain. The top of the over fill tube stops slightly above the water level. This protects the user from accidental overFlling of the reservoir. The reservoir sits on a base, which allows the top of the reservoir to lay level and suspends the reservoir bottom off of the floor. This allows the bottom of the drain hole to have an adapter attached to it. The adapter allows common plumbing to be easily attached and routed to a typical sewage system or appropriate outdoor area. A chain is attached to the drain plug making it accessible from outside the reservoir through an access area. This allows the plug to be easily lifted and provides access to the filling and draining mechanisms. As a result of the drain plugs buoyancy, the drain plug needs only to be lifted and released to empty the reservoir. An automatic fill mechanism is also added to the lowest corner of the reservoir and is activated by a float, which rises and falls with the water level in the reservoir. A
pressurized fresh water supply is connected to the water supply connection point using common plumbing fittings and valves. A fill pipe is connected to the fill mechanism, which carnes the fresh water supply to the highest level in the reservoir. The pipe is connected to a perforated fill tube, opposite the fill mechanism. While emptying the reservoir the fresh water supply traveling toward the drain creates a rinsing action. In operation the rate at which the reservoir empties is much greater than the rate at which it fills. Because of this rate differential, the plug will fall due to lack of buoyancy, completely covering the drain hole when the water level is minimal. At that time the supply water will fill the reservoir until the float stops the flow of water at a predetermined level. During operation, plants will consume water and create salts. The automatic supply of fresh water, helps keep pH levels more consistent and salt levels more diluted until the next water change. Changing the water more frequently allows the plants to consume a fresh supply of micronutrients more often, which is greatly beneficial. Now the emptying, cleaning and filling process only requires the user to pull a chain once and the rest is automatic. However, for the system to be completely automatic a solenoid and a timer are all that is required to lift the chain at pre determined intervals.
In addition to an improvement in reservoir design, airflow problems are also addressed.
The upper container is a two piece lid design with plural openings for pots and is nested on top of the reservoir. The pots fit tightly and securely into the bottom section of the two piece lid to frevent any air, light or contamination from getting into the reservoir below.
The upper most section of the lid has a space of adequate size between it and the lower section of the lid provided by an outer edge spacer. The spacer is fastened between the upper and lower lids, forming a seal around their perimeter. The lid has a supply air port which enters the cavity between the two lids through the spacer and is effectively sealed therein. The upper lid has holes of a larger diameter than the lower lid, which exposes a gap of predetermined size around the upper region of each pot. The size of the cavity between the two lids and around each pot is determined according to the amount of air flow needed. When air is blown into the two piece lid through the supply air port, the air escapes through the gap around the pots supplying the plants with full coverage airflow.
This style of lid is constructed of fiberglass.
In drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention, figure 1 is a three dimensional view of the reservoir. Figure 2 is a section of the lid on the reservoir and a top view of the lid. Figure 3 is a detail of the filling and draining mechanism used in the reservoir.
The hydroponic plant growing apparatus illustrated is positioned firmly on a base (22), which elevates the reservoir bottom off of the floor allowing access to the fill (8) and drain (7) connection points, through access holes (23). The drain (7) is plumbed directly to an appropriate sewage system or wastewater area, while the water supply connection point (8) is plumbed to a suitable pressurized water supply via a shut off valve (not shown). When pressurized water is supplied to the supply water connection point (8) while the reservoir is empty, water will flow through the fill valve (9). The fill valve (9) is connected to the fill pipe (4) at the fill pipe connection point ( 17). The fill pipe (4) then caries the water to the fill tube (2), where it sprays into the reservoir. The base (22) holds the top of the reservoir level, while the bottom is sloped toward the drain.
Therefore the water flows down the bottom of the reservoir to where the drain plug (6) covers the drain hole and the reservoir begins to fill. The lack of water under the drain plug (6) causes it to lack buoyancy and lay flat over the drain hole. As the water level 1 increases the float ( 12) rises with the water level and the float arm ( 11 ) begins to close the fill valve (9). The float ( 12) will raise the float arm ( 11 ) and completely shut off the fill valve (9) when the water reaches a level slightly below the top of the over611 tube ( 10). If there is a mechanical failure and the reservoir continues to fill, the water will drain through the overfill tube (10) which leads to the drain. To empty the reservoir, a pull chain (5) is attached to the drain plug (6). When the pull chain (5) is pulled or lifted, water rushes out through the drain hole and occupies the space under the drain plug (6) causing it to be buoyant. While the drain plug is buoyant it no longer has to be lifted. As the water level ( 1 ) drops so does the float ( 12) and the float arm ( 11 ) opens the fill valve (9) allowing water to again flow through the fill tube (2). Due to the drain hole being very large, the reservoir empties much faster than it can fill. The water flowing from the high end of the reservoir to the low end, where the drain plug is now open, causes a rinsing action. This rinsing action completely removes all the old water and any unwanted debris or contaminants, which may have been in the reservoir. When the water drops to a level, which is insufficient to hold the drain plug (6) afloat, it falls to cover the drain hole. At that time the water level in the reservoir rises to the predetermined level and is ready to be used again.
The two piece lid which sits on top of the reservoir acts as an air duct supplying 360 degrees of air flow around the plants from the bottom upward. When a fan or blower (not shown) blows air into inlet port (21), the air escapes through the air gap (24) around each pot.
It is common in a hydroponic growing apparatus to have to supply quality air to the plants contained within the apparatus. This is not easy due to the obstruction to airflow created by the plants. Airflow is difficult to supply effectively and evenly to the plants from the top downward because this area is normally occupied by the lighting, which is essential to the plants' rapid growth. Furthermore, when attempting to blow or move air by means of convection , horizontally from any outer angle inward toward the plants, the plants closest to the source of airflow slow the air which is inadequate for the remaining plants which are being sheltered by the outer plants. It is also common to empty the reservoir by pumping the liquid out of the reservoir to an area outside or to a sewage system. This method is inconvenient and makes cleaning the reservoir difficult and messy. Reservoirs also are required to be filled manually, which is inconvenient and time consuming. Also the water level in the reservoir has to be maintained by constant filling as the plants steadily consume water.
I have found that these disadvantages may be overcome by constructing a reservoir of fiberglass and incorporating a large drain hole covered by a plug. The plug has specific and predetermined buoyancy, which allows the plug to float as the liquid empties from the reservoir. The bottom of the reservoir is sloped in the direction of the drain. This provides an area from which all the water in the reservoir can be removed. The drain has plumbed into it an over fill tube which is positioned vertically beside the drain. The top of the over fill tube stops slightly above the water level. This protects the user from accidental overFlling of the reservoir. The reservoir sits on a base, which allows the top of the reservoir to lay level and suspends the reservoir bottom off of the floor. This allows the bottom of the drain hole to have an adapter attached to it. The adapter allows common plumbing to be easily attached and routed to a typical sewage system or appropriate outdoor area. A chain is attached to the drain plug making it accessible from outside the reservoir through an access area. This allows the plug to be easily lifted and provides access to the filling and draining mechanisms. As a result of the drain plugs buoyancy, the drain plug needs only to be lifted and released to empty the reservoir. An automatic fill mechanism is also added to the lowest corner of the reservoir and is activated by a float, which rises and falls with the water level in the reservoir. A
pressurized fresh water supply is connected to the water supply connection point using common plumbing fittings and valves. A fill pipe is connected to the fill mechanism, which carnes the fresh water supply to the highest level in the reservoir. The pipe is connected to a perforated fill tube, opposite the fill mechanism. While emptying the reservoir the fresh water supply traveling toward the drain creates a rinsing action. In operation the rate at which the reservoir empties is much greater than the rate at which it fills. Because of this rate differential, the plug will fall due to lack of buoyancy, completely covering the drain hole when the water level is minimal. At that time the supply water will fill the reservoir until the float stops the flow of water at a predetermined level. During operation, plants will consume water and create salts. The automatic supply of fresh water, helps keep pH levels more consistent and salt levels more diluted until the next water change. Changing the water more frequently allows the plants to consume a fresh supply of micronutrients more often, which is greatly beneficial. Now the emptying, cleaning and filling process only requires the user to pull a chain once and the rest is automatic. However, for the system to be completely automatic a solenoid and a timer are all that is required to lift the chain at pre determined intervals.
In addition to an improvement in reservoir design, airflow problems are also addressed.
The upper container is a two piece lid design with plural openings for pots and is nested on top of the reservoir. The pots fit tightly and securely into the bottom section of the two piece lid to frevent any air, light or contamination from getting into the reservoir below.
The upper most section of the lid has a space of adequate size between it and the lower section of the lid provided by an outer edge spacer. The spacer is fastened between the upper and lower lids, forming a seal around their perimeter. The lid has a supply air port which enters the cavity between the two lids through the spacer and is effectively sealed therein. The upper lid has holes of a larger diameter than the lower lid, which exposes a gap of predetermined size around the upper region of each pot. The size of the cavity between the two lids and around each pot is determined according to the amount of air flow needed. When air is blown into the two piece lid through the supply air port, the air escapes through the gap around the pots supplying the plants with full coverage airflow.
This style of lid is constructed of fiberglass.
In drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention, figure 1 is a three dimensional view of the reservoir. Figure 2 is a section of the lid on the reservoir and a top view of the lid. Figure 3 is a detail of the filling and draining mechanism used in the reservoir.
The hydroponic plant growing apparatus illustrated is positioned firmly on a base (22), which elevates the reservoir bottom off of the floor allowing access to the fill (8) and drain (7) connection points, through access holes (23). The drain (7) is plumbed directly to an appropriate sewage system or wastewater area, while the water supply connection point (8) is plumbed to a suitable pressurized water supply via a shut off valve (not shown). When pressurized water is supplied to the supply water connection point (8) while the reservoir is empty, water will flow through the fill valve (9). The fill valve (9) is connected to the fill pipe (4) at the fill pipe connection point ( 17). The fill pipe (4) then caries the water to the fill tube (2), where it sprays into the reservoir. The base (22) holds the top of the reservoir level, while the bottom is sloped toward the drain.
Therefore the water flows down the bottom of the reservoir to where the drain plug (6) covers the drain hole and the reservoir begins to fill. The lack of water under the drain plug (6) causes it to lack buoyancy and lay flat over the drain hole. As the water level 1 increases the float ( 12) rises with the water level and the float arm ( 11 ) begins to close the fill valve (9). The float ( 12) will raise the float arm ( 11 ) and completely shut off the fill valve (9) when the water reaches a level slightly below the top of the over611 tube ( 10). If there is a mechanical failure and the reservoir continues to fill, the water will drain through the overfill tube (10) which leads to the drain. To empty the reservoir, a pull chain (5) is attached to the drain plug (6). When the pull chain (5) is pulled or lifted, water rushes out through the drain hole and occupies the space under the drain plug (6) causing it to be buoyant. While the drain plug is buoyant it no longer has to be lifted. As the water level ( 1 ) drops so does the float ( 12) and the float arm ( 11 ) opens the fill valve (9) allowing water to again flow through the fill tube (2). Due to the drain hole being very large, the reservoir empties much faster than it can fill. The water flowing from the high end of the reservoir to the low end, where the drain plug is now open, causes a rinsing action. This rinsing action completely removes all the old water and any unwanted debris or contaminants, which may have been in the reservoir. When the water drops to a level, which is insufficient to hold the drain plug (6) afloat, it falls to cover the drain hole. At that time the water level in the reservoir rises to the predetermined level and is ready to be used again.
The two piece lid which sits on top of the reservoir acts as an air duct supplying 360 degrees of air flow around the plants from the bottom upward. When a fan or blower (not shown) blows air into inlet port (21), the air escapes through the air gap (24) around each pot.
Claims (4)
1. A reservoir used for hydroponic growing comprising a drain hole covered by an easily accessible drain plug and an automatic filling mechanism.
2. A reservoir as defined in claim 1, in which the bottom of the reservoir is sloped in such a way as to provide a more complete emptying of the reservoir while having a level top.
3. A reservoir as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, in which a filling mechanism is used to supply water directed to a specific area in the reservoir for the purpose of creating a rinsing action.
4. A lid used in hydroponic growing systems and in conjunction with or without a reservoir as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, which is constructed in a two piece fashion to distribute air through a gap around the pots of the plants located therein.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002394830A CA2394830A1 (en) | 2002-08-08 | 2002-08-08 | Hydroponic growing apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002394830A CA2394830A1 (en) | 2002-08-08 | 2002-08-08 | Hydroponic growing apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2394830A1 true CA2394830A1 (en) | 2004-02-08 |
Family
ID=31501562
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002394830A Abandoned CA2394830A1 (en) | 2002-08-08 | 2002-08-08 | Hydroponic growing apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2394830A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD932345S1 (en) | 2020-01-10 | 2021-10-05 | AVA Technologies Inc. | Plant pod |
| USD932346S1 (en) | 2020-01-10 | 2021-10-05 | AVA Technologies Inc. | Planter |
| US11553656B2 (en) | 2019-04-30 | 2023-01-17 | AVA Technologies Inc. | Gardening apparatus |
-
2002
- 2002-08-08 CA CA002394830A patent/CA2394830A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11553656B2 (en) | 2019-04-30 | 2023-01-17 | AVA Technologies Inc. | Gardening apparatus |
| USD932345S1 (en) | 2020-01-10 | 2021-10-05 | AVA Technologies Inc. | Plant pod |
| USD932346S1 (en) | 2020-01-10 | 2021-10-05 | AVA Technologies Inc. | Planter |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |