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
  • A01G9/24—Devices or systems for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature, illuminating, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like
  • A01G9/246—Air-conditioning systems
• • 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
  • A01G9/24—Devices or systems for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature, illuminating, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like
  • A01G9/241—Arrangement of opening or closing systems for windows and ventilation panels
• • 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

Definitions

• TITLE Optimized air treatment chamber of a cultivation greenhouse, and corresponding greenhouse.
• the field of the invention is that of air treatment for cultivation greenhouses.
• the invention relates more specifically to devices and other air treatment chambers associated with a cultivation greenhouse, for delivering air to one or more cultivation areas of this greenhouse under optimized temperature and / or temperature conditions. 'humidity.
• the air inside a cultivation greenhouse be treated permanently, to meet the needs of the crops, in particular as regards the temperature and / or the temperature. air humidity.
• air treatment means are generally used in greenhouses. These means conventionally comprise one or more air treatment chambers, having at least one recycling air inlet, coming from a cultivation area of the greenhouse, and generally placed in the upper part of the chamber, and at least one outside air inlet, or fresh air, taking air from outside the greenhouse, also placed in the upper part of the chamber.
• At least one air outlet is provided, delivering the air treated in the chamber to the growing area.
• This air outlet is placed in the lower part of the chamber, at ground level. It is usually equipped with a fan, which directs the air through a ventilation duct with a perforated peripheral wall, extending close to the soil of the growing area.
• the air inlets can be completely or partially blocked or released, using shutters.
• the means for treating the air inside the chamber generally comprise means for cooling the fresh outside air, extending opposite the fresh air inlets, which perform, depending on the case, the functions of cooling and / or dehumidification, and heating means, for example an air heater, which provides heating of the air, and the circulation of the air.
• Such a chamber can in particular operate according to three main modes, namely: A recycling mode, in which the recirculation air inlet (s) coming from the cultivation zone are open, while the fresh air inlet (s) are closed, the air coming from the cultivation zone being thus recycled, and its appropriate temperature, before being reinjected into the culture zone;
• a recycling mode in which the recirculation air inlet (s) coming from the cultivation zone are open, while the fresh air inlet (s) are closed, the air coming from the cultivation zone being thus recycled, and its appropriate temperature, before being reinjected into the culture zone;
• An air renewal mode in which the recirculation air inlet (s) are closed while the fresh air inlet (s) are open, so that fresh air from outside the the greenhouse is introduced into the cultivation area, if necessary, after having been dehumidified, cooled and / or reheated;
• a mixing mode in which the recirculation air inlet (s) and the fresh air inlet (s) are opened, if necessary, partially, so that the air reinjected into the culture zone is formed a mixture of recycled air and fresh air.
• means of heating, cooling and / or dehumidification can be implemented, to adapt the characteristics of the air reintroduced into the cultivation zone, so that this air is suitable for the development of crops.
• This approach has a number of drawbacks. First of all, it disrupts the arrival of light inside the greenhouse, since the chamber extends along a wall of the greenhouse, depending on the case, on the inside or outside of this greenhouse. wall.
• the cooling means are opaque by nature, that is to say they do not let light through. This aspect is important for the efficiency of crops, since it is known that 1% more outside light allows to obtain 1% more crop yield, on average.
• the implementation and / or control of means for closing off the various air inlets can prove to be relatively complex, and not easy to install and / or maintain.
• the object of the invention is in particular, according to these various aspects, to provide solutions to at least some of these drawbacks.
• the air in a cultivation greenhouse must be continuously treated so as to meet the needs of the crops.
• the air treatment devices are implemented in greenhouses.
• the air treatment devices conventionally comprise a chamber provided with at least one inlet for recycling air coming from the cultivation zone of the greenhouse, at least one inlet of fresh air coming from outside the greenhouse and at least one air outlet opening into at least one ventilation duct with a perforated peripheral wall extending to the bottom of the culture zone.
• the recirculation air inlet (s) and the fresh air inlet (s) can be completely or partially blocked or released by means of one or more shutters.
• Means can be used to heat or cool the air in the treatment chamber.
• Such a chamber is capable of operating according to three main ventilation modes, namely:
• recirculation mode in which the recirculation air intake (s) coming from the culture zone are open while the fresh air intake (s) are closed, so that the air coming from the culture zone is recycled there by passing through the treatment chamber;
• each box can be regulated in a different way so that the air treatment can be adapted locally in different areas of the greenhouse to better meet the needs of the crops.
• the invention aims in particular to provide an effective solution to at least some of these various problems.
• an objective of the invention is to improve the treatment of the air in a cultivation greenhouse.
• the object of the invention is to provide a box-type air treatment device which is optimized.
• Another object of the invention is to provide such a technique which contributes to improving the production efficiency of a greenhouse.
• Another objective of the invention is to provide such a technique which is simple in design and / or efficient and / or reliable and / or robust and / or simple to maintain.
• the invention aims, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which is economical.
• the air in a cultivation greenhouse must be continuously treated so as to meet the needs of the crops.
• the air treatment devices conventionally comprise a chamber provided with at least one inlet for recycling air coming from the cultivation zone of the greenhouse, at least one inlet of fresh air coming from outside the greenhouse and at least one air outlet opening into at least one ventilation duct with a perforated peripheral wall extending to the bottom of the culture zone.
• the recirculation air inlet (s) and the fresh air inlet (s) can be completely or partially blocked or released by means of one or more shutters.
• Means can be used to heat or cool the air in the treatment chamber.
• Such a chamber is capable of operating according to three main ventilation modes, namely:
• a recycling mode in which the recirculation air inlet (s) coming from the cultivation zone are open while the fresh air inlet (s) are closed, so that the air coming from the cultivation zone is recycled there by passing through the treatment chamber;
• a renewal mode in which the recirculation air inlet (s) coming from the cultivation zone are closed while the fresh air inlet (s) are open, so that fresh air coming from the outside the greenhouse is introduced into the cultivation area through the treatment chamber; the excess air being evacuated by overpressure openings generally located on the roof;
• each ventilation duct is fitted with a fan to depressurize the treatment chamber so as to generate the air flows inside it and to convey the air contained in the chamber. treatment in the corresponding ventilation duct. The air then diffuses into the treatment area via the perforations made at the periphery of the ducts.
• connection cone requires leaving a space between the inlet of the sleeve and the chute placed above the sleeve, this chute supporting the substrate in which the crops grow. It is thus not possible to place crops above the entrance to the ducts, which tends to reduce the cultivable area of the cultivation area, and therefore to reduce the production yield per floor area of a tight.
• connection cone still requires raising the ducts by leaving a space between it and the soil of the growing area. This makes it more difficult for operators in the harvesting process to access crops which are placed high enough.
• grow greenhouse air handling chambers generally provide fairly efficient ventilation in a greenhouse. However, they can still be improved.
• the invention aims in particular to provide an effective solution to at least some of these various problems.
• an objective of the invention is to provide a technique for treating the air of a cultivation greenhouse which makes it possible to generate a homogeneous climate inside the cultivation zone. of a greenhouse.
• the invention aims, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which contributes to increasing the cultivable area of a greenhouse for a given ground area.
• Another objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which helps to facilitate access to crops by the operators in charge of the picking.
• Another objective of the invention is to provide such a technique which is simple in design and / or efficient and / or reliable and / or robust.
• the invention aims, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which is economical.
• the invention relates to an air treatment chamber of a cultivation greenhouse, comprising at least one recycling air inlet, delivering air from at least one cultivation zone of said greenhouse, to the at least one fresh air inlet, delivering air from outside said greenhouse, and at least one air outlet intended to supply said at least one cultivation zone.
• said fresh air inlet is formed in a lower part of said chamber, and an upper part of said chamber, extending above said air inlet, is equipped with elements allowing the passage light towards the interior of said greenhouse.
• the light penetrates more effectively inside the greenhouse, at the level of the cultivation area, which allows to increase the crop yield.
• the chamber may comprise means for closing off said fresh air inlet which can take at least three positions: a closed position, in which said fresh air inlet is completely closed; at least a first open position, in which an upper part of said fresh air inlet is open, allowing the passage of air; and at least a second open position, in which a lower part of said fresh air inlet is open, allowing the passage of air.
• said closure means can take at least two first open positions and / or at least two second open positions, so as to modulate the quantity of air coming from the outside.
• said closure means comprise a shutter sliding parallel to said fresh air inlet, movable so as to be able to take said closed position and said first and second open positions.
• This approach is effective because it allows you to easily control the different levels of opening and closing with a single shutter.
• said closure means can be mounted on the outside of said chamber or inside said chamber.
• the chamber comprises means for heating the air, mounted facing said air inlet so that: in at least a first open position, the fresh air circulates inside said air heating means; and in at least a second open position, the fresh air is not treated by said air heating means.
• the air treatment chamber may comprise at least one recycling air duct, connecting an upper part of said greenhouse to said recycling air inlet, the latter being placed in the immediate vicinity of the part. upper side of said fresh air inlet.
• said recycling air inlet is placed so that said flap closes said recycling air inlet in at least one of said second open positions.
• the air treatment chamber may comprise at least two fresh air inlet openings, a first opening being equipped with cooling and / or dehumidifying means and a second opening being placed so that the fresh air circulates in the heating means.
• said flap may be provided to close off the two fresh air inlets or selectively release one of said fresh air inlets.
• the invention also relates to cultivation greenhouses comprising at least one cultivation zone and at least one air treatment chamber as described above.
• said treatment chamber may be provided inside said greenhouse between at least one peripheral wall of said greenhouse and an internal partition separating said cultivation zone from said air treatment chamber.
• Said treatment chamber can also be provided on the outside of said greenhouse between a peripheral wall of said greenhouse and external partitions separating said air treatment chamber from the outside.
• the invention provides a device for treating greenhouse air for cultivation, said device comprising a box, said box comprising:
• an air outlet intended to be connected to a ventilation duct with a perforated peripheral wall intended to stretch into said culture zone;
• said box comprising an upper face, a lower face, a bottom intended to come close to a wall of a cultivation greenhouse and two lateral sides and being closed by at least one plane heat exchanger (preferably a cooling means with evaporation of water or the like) extending away from said bottom not parallel thereto, said fresh air inlet being at least in part constituted by said at least one heat exchanger.
• the invention is based on an original approach which consists in closing an air treatment box by means of at least one heat exchanger through which the fresh air enters the box, this heat exchanger not being parallel to the bottom of the box intended to come close to a wall of a greenhouse, but on the contrary being inclined.
• the invention therefore makes it possible to significantly increase the surface area for exchanging fresh air with the heat exchange means in a space that remains small.
• the invention thus makes it possible to optimize heat exchanges with the fresh air while maintaining a good level of compactness.
• the invention makes it possible to reduce the height of the box while providing an exchange surface. equivalent or even superior.
• Reducing the height of the box increases the amount of light entering the greenhouse when the box is attached to it. Indeed, the box being opaque, the lower its height, the more light it allows to enter the greenhouse.
• the implementation of the invention contributes to improving the yield of the greenhouse.
• said box is closed by two flat heat exchangers or by a flat heat exchanger and a flat anti-insect net, said two exchangers or said exchanger and said net forming an angle.
• the value of said angle is between 25 and 70 °.
• At least one of said exchangers constitutes an access door to the interior of said box.
• said box comprises an internal partition delimiting inside said box a fresh air inlet zone into which the said fresh air inlet opens and a mixing zone into which the said air inlet opens out. recycling, said internal partition being crossed by at least one opening placing said inlet and mixing zones in fluid communication.
• a device comprises a shutter for closing said opening.
• a device comprises a shutter for shutting off said recycling air inlet.
• said shutter (s) are of the sliding or pivoting type, said shutter (s) being of the same or different type.
• a device comprises a fan, said fan being positioned in said air outlet.
• a device comprises a fan, said fan being positioned in said mixing zone upstream of said air outlet.
• each heat exchanger is connected to a flexible coolant supply pipe and a coolant discharge pipe, the connection of the heat exchangers to their respective pipes being made near the connection of the heat transfer fluid. heat exchanger with said box.
• the invention also relates to a cultivation greenhouse comprising a cultivation zone and at least one device according to any one of the variants mentioned above, said recirculation air inlet and said air outlet of said box being connected to said said box. cultivation area of said greenhouse.
• a greenhouse according to the invention comprises several air treatment devices juxtaposed along a peripheral wall of said greenhouse.
• At least some of the air treatment devices are regulated in different ways so as to allow the creation of different atmospheres in different ventilation ducts of said greenhouse.
• the invention provides a cultivation greenhouse air treatment chamber, said chamber comprising:
• At least one air outlet intended to be connected to at least one ventilation duct with a perforated peripheral wall intended to stretch into said culture zone;
• At least one fan configured to pressurize at least one zone of said chamber and to induce the passage of the air contained in said pressurized zone towards said at least one air outlet in the direction of said at least one duct.
• the invention is based on an original approach which consists in providing an air treatment chamber provided with at least one fan able to pressurize at least one zone of the chamber and to induce the passage of the air contained. in the pressurized area to an air outlet opening into a ventilation duct placed in a growing area of a greenhouse.
• the pressurized area constitutes a plenum.
• Such a plenum constitutes a calming zone allowing the air contained in the chamber to enter the ventilation ducts under the effect of a predominantly static pressure.
• the penetration of air into a duct is thus more linear and less turbulent.
• the air diffuses through the peripheral perforations of the duct in an essentially homogeneous manner all along the duct, starting from the entry of the duct.
• the velocity vectors of the air jets through these perforations are almost perpendicular to the axis of the sheath all along the latter.
• the homogeneous distribution of air all along the ducts avoids hot or cold spots in the growing area and creates a homogeneous climate.
• a duct is no longer directly interconnected with a fan.
• a chamber according to the invention comprises:
• an upper zone comprising at least one recycling air inlet capable of cooperating with a cultivation zone of said greenhouse, and at least one fresh air inlet capable of cooperating with the exterior of said greenhouse;
• a lower zone comprising at least one air outlet intended to be connected to at least one ventilation duct with a perforated peripheral wall intended to stretch into said culture zone; at least one air passage being formed between said upper zone and said lower zone, said chamber comprising at least one fan arranged between said upper and lower zones, said fan being configured to induce the passage of the air contained in said upper zone in said lower zone.
• said fan comprises a rotor whose axis of rotation extends essentially vertically.
• the number of fans is not equal to the number of air outlets.
• a chamber according to the invention comprises or at least one shutter for shutting off said recycling air inlet.
• a chamber according to the invention comprises or at least one shutter for shutting off said fresh air inlet.
• said shutters for shutting off said recirculation air intake and said fresh air intake are of the tilting type or of the sliding type, said shutters for shutting off said recirculation air intake and said fresh air inlet being of identical or different types.
• a chamber according to the invention comprises means for reheating the recirculated air housed in said upper zone.
• a chamber according to the invention comprises means for cooling the new air housed in said lower or upper zone.
• the invention also relates to a cultivation greenhouse comprising a cultivation zone and an air treatment chamber according to any one of the variants described above.
• said treatment chamber is provided inside said greenhouse between at least one peripheral wall of said greenhouse and an internal partition separating said cultivation zone from said air treatment chamber.
• said treatment chamber is provided on the outside of said greenhouse between a peripheral wall of said greenhouse and external partitions separating said air treatment chamber from the outside.
• FIG. 1 is a view of an example of an air treatment chamber according to the invention, implemented in a lean-to corridor mounted outside the structure of a greenhouse;
• FIG. 2A illustrates a first embodiment of the invention, the air treatment chamber is in an air recycling position
• FIG. 2B shows the chamber of Figure 2A in an air dehumidification position
• FIG. 2C illustrates the chamber of Figures 2A and 2B, in an air cooling position
• FIG. 3A illustrates a second embodiment of the invention, the air treatment chamber is in an air recycling position (shutter closed);
• FIG. 3B shows the chamber of Figure 3A in an air dehumidification position
• FIG. 3C illustrates the chamber of FIGS. 3A and 3B, in a first position for mixing new or external air and recycled air;
• FIG. 3D illustrates the chamber of FIGS. 3A to 3C, in a second position for mixing new or external air and recycled air;
• FIG. 4A illustrates a third embodiment of the invention, the air treatment chamber is in an air recycling position (shutter closed);
• FIG. 4B shows the chamber of Figure 4A in an air dehumidification position
• FIG. 4C illustrates the chamber of Figures 4A and 4B, in a second position for mixing new air, or outside, and recycled air;
• FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an example of an air treatment device according to the invention
• Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1 along a plane perpendicular to the bottom and parallel to the lateral sides and passing through the connection line between the two exchangers;
• FIG 7 illustrates an example of a heat exchanger of a device according to the invention
• FIG 8 illustrates the integration of the device according to the invention along a greenhouse
• Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view along a plane parallel to the underside of a variant of the device according to Figure 1 comprising a single exchanger;
• FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a first example of an air treatment chamber according to the invention
• FIG 11 Figure 11 schematically illustrates a second example of an air treatment chamber according to the invention.
• Figure 12 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a greenhouse
• FIG 13 illustrates the integration of a chamber according to the invention within a greenhouse
• Figure 14 illustrates the integration of a chamber according to the invention outside of a greenhouse
• Figure 15 illustrates a perspective view of a greenhouse provided with a chamber according to the invention placed outside the greenhouse in the manner of a shed, against the long side;
• Figure 16 shows a perspective view of a greenhouse with a chamber according to the invention placed outside the greenhouse in the manner of a shed, along the gable.
• FIGS. 1 to 4C A first aspect of the invention is presented in relation to FIGS. 1 to 4C.
• an air treatment chamber according to the invention is placed along a wall 11 of the structure of a greenhouse.
• This chamber 12 is in the form of a lean-to corridor mounted outside the greenhouse structure.
• the chamber can be mounted on the inside of the wall 11.
• the opening 13 allowing the entry of new air, or of outside air, conventionally equipped with cooling means 14, also ensuring dehumidification, for example in the form of a radiator, is placed in the lower part PB of the chamber, so as to release in the upper part PH an essentially transparent zone, allowing the passage of light 15 through a transparent wall.
• the fresh air inlet and the associated cooling means must be placed in the upper part, as well as the heating means to allow if necessary to heat the air (new and / or recycled) before it is sucked in by the fans ensuring the diffusion in the greenhouse
• the invention proposes a new and effective approach, consisting in placing the air inlet and the cooling means as close to the ground as possible, which has many advantages, and especially :
• this approach makes it possible to mount the means 17 for heating the air, for example an air heater, in the lower part PB of the chamber, for example, opposite the upper part of the air inlet 13. In this way, the space of the upper PH part remains free, and allows the passage of light to the cultivation area.
• the maintenance of the air heater 17 and of the cooling means 14 is carried out at human height, and the distance traveled by the air cooled and / or dehumidified by the cooling means 14 and / or heated by the air heater 17 follows.
• the air diffused in the sheath 19 can come, in whole or in part, from the interior of the greenhouse. This air is then recovered in the upper part of the chamber 12, via an opening 110, which can be open or closed, or take an intermediate open position, using a suitable closure means 111, for example. , a pivoting hatch.
• Means for closing this opening 13 are also provided for example in the form of a shutter 114 sliding vertically making it possible to release everything. or part of the opening 13.
• the opening 13 and the flap 114 are mounted so that the flap can be moved in two directions, up and down, so in selectively releasing a lower part or an upper part of the opening 13, which allows the new air introduced to pass, in a first configuration directly into the lower part of the chamber, or to be treated beforehand by the air heater 17 in a second configuration.
• the closure means can of course be adapted, and in particular two separate shutters can be provided, one associated with the lower part and the other with the upper part of the opening. Other opening mechanisms than sliding movement can be considered.
• the shutter (s) can moreover be mounted on the exterior side of the chamber (as in FIG. 1) or on the interior side thereof (embodiments of FIGS. 3A to 3D).
• the shutter 114 can move vertically, in two directions, up and down.
• Three main operating modes can therefore be defined:
• FIG. 2A recycling mode: the shutter 114 completely closes the opening 13, and the recycled air (Fl), coming from the upper part of the greenhouse, is introduced into the chamber in the upper part, the hatch 111 being open .
• This recycled air passes through the air heater 17, which ensures heating of the air and its circulation, towards the lower part of the chamber and the air outlet 115 thereof;
• FIG. 2B dehumidification mode: the shutter 114 is moved downwards, releasing an upper part of the opening 13.
• the fresh air (F2) is cooled and consequently dehumidified by the cooling means 14, then passes through the air heater 17 to be placed at the desired temperature;
• FIG. 2C cooling mode: the shutter 114 is moved upwards, releasing a lower part of the opening 13.
• the fresh air (F3) cooled and dehumidified enters directly into the lower part of the chamber, without passing through the means warming 17.
• intermediate situations can of course be defined, by opening more or less the hatch 111 (different positions are illustrated by way of examples in FIGS. 2A to 2C) and / or the shutter 114, so as to modulate the quantities of recycled air and new air, heated or not, introduced into the greenhouse via the air outlet.
• FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate a second embodiment of the invention.
• the hatch 111 allowing the introduction of the recycled air leaves room for a pipe 31, connecting the opening 110 to a recycled air outlet 32 placed near the upper part of the fresh air opening 13.
• the shutter 111 is placed inside the chamber, along cooling means 14, and mounted so that, depending on its positions, it closes or releases, fully or partially, the outlet of recycled air.
• a single flap and therefore simple actuation and control, make it possible to manage the opening and closing of all the air inlets, in return for two constraints: the recirculated air and fresh air inlets do not. cannot be closed at the same time; the mode of mixing recirculated air and fresh air (figure 3D) only allows a limited flow rate for the two types of air.
• Figure 3A recycling mode: the shutter 114 completely closes the opening 13, and the recycled air, coming from the upper part of the greenhouse, is introduced into the chamber via the outlet 32. This recycled air passes through the fan heater 17, which ensures heating of the air and its circulation, towards the lower part of the chamber and the air outlet thereof;
• FIG. 3B dehumidification mode (mixing by outside air intake in the upper part): the shutter 114 is moved downwards, freeing an upper part of the opening 13.
• the fresh air (F2) is cooled and consequently dehumidified by the cooling means 14, then passes through the heater 17 to be placed at the desired temperature.
• the recycled air (Fl) also enters the chamber, and is mixed with the fresh air;
• FIG. 3C cooling mode: the shutter 114 is moved upwards, freeing all or part of the opening 13, and closing off the recirculated air inlet 32.
• the fresh air (F3) cooled and dehumidified enters directly into the lower part of the chamber, without passing through the heating means 17;
• FIG. 3D dehumidification mode (mixing by outside air intake in the lower part): the shutter 114 is moved upwards, freeing a lower part of the opening 13.
• the fresh air (F3) cooled and dehumidified enters directly in the lower part of the chamber, without passing through the heating means 17.
• the opening 32 is partially open and the recycled air (Fl) also enters the chamber, and is mixed with the New air.
• FIGS. 4A to 4D illustrate a third embodiment of the invention.
• a second fresh air inlet 41 is provided, above the first inlet 13. This second inlet is not associated with cooling means, so that the fresh air is directed directly to the heating means ( Figure 4B).
• only one opening can be provided, the upper part of which does not face cooling means.
• the shutter 114 is adapted to be able to simultaneously close the two openings 13 and 41.
• FIG. 4A recycling mode: the shutter 114 completely closes the opening 13 and 41, and the recycled air (Fl), coming from the upper part of the greenhouse, is introduced into the chamber in the upper part, the hatch 111 being open. This recycled air passes through the air heater 17, which ensures heating of the air and its circulation, towards the lower part of the chamber and the air outlet thereof;
• FIG. 2B dehumidification mode: the shutter 114 is moved downwards, releasing an opening 41.
• the fresh air (F4) passes through the heater 17 to be placed at the desired temperature, without having previously passed through means cooling and / or dehumidification;
• FIG. 3C cooling mode: the shutter 114 is moved upwards, releasing a lower part of the opening 13.
• the fresh air (F3) cooled and dehumidified enters directly into the lower part of the chamber, without passing through the means warming 17.
• intermediate situations can of course be defined, by opening more or less the hatch 111 and / or the shutter 114, so as to modulate the quantities of recycled air and new air, heated or not, introduced. in the greenhouse via the air outlet.
• such a device 100 comprises a box 4.
• This box 4 comprises an upper face 41, a lower face 42 intended to rest on the ground 9, a bottom 43 intended to come close to a wall of a cultivation greenhouse and two lateral sides 44, 45.
• the box Opposite the bottom 43, the box comprises an opening 46.
• This opening preferably extends from the lower face 42 to the upper face 43 and from the side 44 to the side 45. In a variant, it could have smaller dimensions.
• the opening 46 is closed by means of two plane heat exchangers 8, preferably evaporative cooling means. These heat exchangers are not parallel to the bottom 43 and form an angle ⁇ .
• the angle a is the angle formed between the heat exchanger and an axis parallel to the bottom.
• the value of the angle a is preferably between 25 ° and 70 °.
• One or both heat exchangers 8 are covered with an optional insect net 17. In a variant, only one heat exchanger could be used, the second heat exchanger being replaced by an anti-insect net 17.
• a single heat exchanger could be used to close the box.
• the upper 41 and lower 42 faces will have the shape of a trapezoid.
• This exchanger may or may not be covered with an anti-insect net.
• the box further comprises at least one recycling air inlet 3 able to cooperate with a cultivation zone 20 of a greenhouse.
• This entry 3 is preferably made through the upper face 41. It could however also be made through the bottom 43 or through one of the sides 44, 45 although this is less practical.
• the box includes at least one fresh air inlet capable of cooperating with the exterior of said greenhouse.
• This inlet is formed by the heat exchanger (s) or net 17.
• the box includes an air outlet 11 intended to be connected to a ventilation duct 13 with a perforated peripheral wall intended to stretch into the culture zone 20.
• the heat exchanger (s) and / or anti-insect net (s) can be attached to the box in a fixed manner. However, at least one of them, and preferably both where appropriate, constitute one or more doors 7 for access to the interior of the box.
• the exchanger possibly covered with an anti-insect net or the net are connected to the box, and in particular to the sides 44, 45 by means of hinges 16, hinges or the like.
• Locking means such as a hook, a lock, a strike-pin system or the like, could also be implemented to keep the door or doors closed.
• the box comprises an internal partition 19.
• This internal partition extends vertically to define inside the box a fresh air inlet zone 21 into which the fresh air inlet opens and a mixing zone 10 (also called mixing zone) into which the recycling air inlet 3 opens.
• the internal partition is preferably removable to facilitate maintenance of the device.
• At least one opening 5 passes through the internal partition, placing the inlet 21 and mixing 10 zones in fluid communication.
• the device comprises a shutter 6 for closing the opening 5.
• This is a sliding shutter. However, it could be replaced by a pivoting shutter.
• the device comprises a shutter 2 for closing the recirculation air inlet 3.
• This is a pivoting shutter. It could however be replaced by a sliding shutter.
• the mixing zone houses heating means 18 which may for example comprise an air heater or any other suitable means.
• the device comprises a fan 12. This fan is preferably placed positioned in the air outlet 11.
• the fan could however be positioned in the mixing zone upstream of the air outlet, for example below the heating means. In this case, for example, it could be placed in the opening of a horizontal partition which would separate the mixing zone into an upper mixing zone and a lower zone forming a plenum.
• each heat exchanger is connected to a flexible coolant supply pipe 23 and a coolant discharge pipe 22, the connection of the heat exchangers to their respective pipes being made near the connection of the heat exchanger with the casing.
• the height H of the box is preferably between 1.8 and 2.7 meters. Its thickness E may preferably be between C and D meters. Its width L may preferably be between 1, 3 and 2 meters.
• the height h of the exchangers is preferably between 1, 6 and 2.5 meters. Their width I may preferably be between 1 and 1.8 meters.
• Means for motorizing the movement of the shutters and regulating means are conventionally used to control the opening / closing of the various shutters and to control the implementation of the cooling means (heat exchanger) and heating means to generate the desired atmosphere.
• Such regulation means are known per se and not described in detail here.
• One or more treatment devices may be backed against a peripheral wall of a greenhouse (front or gable wall), preferably in a contiguous manner. They can however be spaced from each other.
• the recycling air inlets 3 will be connected to the cultivation area of the greenhouse by means of ducts 1.
• the inlet of each of these ducts 1 will be connected to an opening 15 made through the wall 14 of the greenhouse against which the box is leaned.
• conduits may extend outside the greenhouse as shown in FIG. 6. They may alternatively extend inside the greenhouse and only emerge outside the greenhouse at the level of the. entrance 3.
• the different air treatment devices can be regulated identically. They will then have identical operation.
• the different processing devices may also each have their own operation.
• Each row of culture (each duct) will then have a dedicated air treatment device to create an air of particular atmosphere.
• the air handling devices will be regulated differently, either for location reasons or for functional reasons, for example so as to allow the creation of different atmospheres in different ventilation ducts. greenhouse and therefore in different parts of the growing area.
• a group of two treatment devices could be dedicated to the west wall.
• one in five treatment devices could be used for cooling the greenhouse, and four in five treatment devices will recycle the greenhouse air for recycling, each operating without mixing, with the mixing taking place in the greenhouse.
• the implementation of the doors 7 facilitates maintenance.
• This technique also makes it possible to provide targeted air treatment for each row of crops, i.e. for each duct or for groups of ducts in order to create different atmospheric zones in the greenhouse to create different cultivation zones.
• This allows the treatment area to be functionalized by dividing it into several portions of different atmospheres to produce different crops in the same greenhouse. This can more simply allow to create in the greenhouse a homogeneous atmosphere / climate despite the fact that the climatic conditions outside the greenhouse are not uniform all around it.
• the flaps 6 of juxtaposed treatment devices could be linked step by step and actuated by a single motor in the case where a group of boxes have a dedicated operation.
• This principle is applicable to part 2.
• An air treatment device according to the invention is particularly compact. It can also be delivered fully equipped and ready for use by connecting the fluid and electrical connections.
• the variant consisting in creating a plenum in the box has many advantages.
• Such a plenum constitutes a calming zone allowing the air contained in the mixing chamber to enter the ventilation ducts under the effect of a predominantly static pressure.
• the penetration of air into a duct is thus more linear and less turbulent.
• the air diffuses through the peripheral perforations of the duct in an essentially homogeneous manner all along the duct, starting from the entry of the duct.
• the velocity vectors of the air jets through these perforations are almost perpendicular to the axis of the sheath all along the latter.
• the homogeneous distribution of air all along the ducts avoids hot or cold spots in the growing area and creates a homogeneous climate.
• a duct is no longer directly interconnected with a fan.
• the crops, established lower, are thus more easily accessible by operators working in their maintenance and picking.
• a treatment device comprises a unitary box and constructed independently grouping together all the air treatment means necessary for supplying a diffusion tube in a cultivation greenhouse. to create a homogeneous climate conducive to the uniform growth of plants.
• This box has a door at the entrance to provide access to the machinery, and includes a heat exchanger providing cooling function for the air passing through it. Its inclined positioning increases the air treatment surface, and therefore reduces the height of the box.
• the caissons can cooperate in subgroups to control the climate of specific areas in the greenhouse. By construction, their maintenance from the outside is simple and can be done individually without stopping the entire installation.
• FIGS. 10 to 16 a third aspect of the invention is presented.
• FIG. 10 A first example of a cultivation greenhouse air treatment chamber according to the invention is presented in relation to FIG. 10. As shown, such a treatment chamber 1 forms an enclosure.
• This treatment chamber includes an upper zone A.
• This upper zone A comprises at least one recycling air inlet 11 able to cooperate with a cultivation zone 20 of a greenhouse. It also includes at least one fresh air inlet 3 able to cooperate with the outside of the greenhouse.
• the chamber also includes a lower area B.
• This lower zone B comprises at least one air outlet 6 intended to be connected to at least one ventilation seed 8 with a perforated peripheral wall intended to stretch into the culture zone. It will generally include several air outlets 6, each of these outlets being connected to a separate ventilation duct.
• each sheath 8 and the corresponding outlet 6 in fact by means of a simple connector 13 of the collar, ferrule or other type, but no longer requires the implementation of a more bulky, more complex and more expensive cone. This makes it possible to reduce the distance D between the gutter 14 and the start of the sheath.
• At least one air passage 13 is formed between the upper zone A and the lower zone B. This passage is formed through a partition 9 separating the upper A and lower zone B.
• the chamber comprising at least one fan 5 arranged between the upper A and lower B zones.
• This fan 5 is configured to induce the passage of the air contained in said upper zone in said lower zone through passage 13.
• the fan 5 comprises a rotor 50 whose axis of rotation is essentially vertical.
• the rotor axis could extend inclined or essentially horizontally.
• the upper chamber A may partly stretch laterally along the lower chamber B to the floor 7.
• the number of fans may be equal to the number of air outlets and therefore to the number of ventilation ducts. However, preferably, the number of fans may be less than the number of air outlets and therefore the number of ventilation ducts. More generally, the number of fans can be decorrelated from the number of ducts. This will allow the characteristics of the fans to be optimized.
• the chamber includes or less one shutter 12 of the recirculation air inlet 11.
• a single shutter can be used to seal one or more air inlets. However, there can be as many flaps as there are air inlets.
• the chamber includes or less one shutter 4 of the fresh air inlet 3.
• a single shutter can be used to seal one or more air inlets. However, there can be as many flaps as there are air inlets.
• the shutter 12 is tilting while the shutter 4 is sliding (type guillotine).
• the shutters 12, 4 of the recirculation air inlet and of the fresh air inlet are of the tilting type or of the sliding type, the shutters of the inlet d recirculation air and the fresh air intake can be of the same or different types.
• the chamber comprises means 10 for reheating the recycling air housed in the upper zone A. It may for example be a unit heater or any other suitable heating means.
• the chamber comprises means 2 for cooling the fresh air housed in the lower zone B. It may for example be one or more air / water exchangers, in particular cardboard panels through which the fresh air circulates and inside which cold water is circulated.
• FIG. 11 a second example of a cultivation greenhouse air treatment chamber according to the invention is shown.
• the renewal air inlet (s) are formed in a side wall of the upper zone, whereas in the second embodiment it is or are. are formed in an upper wall of the upper zone.
• a treatment chamber according to one or the other of these two exemplary embodiments can be implemented within different types of cultivation greenhouse.
• a cultivation greenhouse 200 conventionally comprises four peripheral walls and is covered by a cover 21 generally of glass or of plastic film.
• the roof shown is sloped. However, it could be in an arc, Gothic vault or other.
• the four peripheral walls include two gables 22 and two front walls 23.
• the treatment chamber 1 can be provided inside the greenhouse 200 between at least one peripheral wall 22, 23 of the greenhouse and an internal partition 24 separating the culture zone 20 from the air treatment chamber 1.
• the air inlet (s) 11 and air outlet (s) 6 are then formed through the partition 24 while the air inlet (s) 3 are formed through a peripheral wall 22, 23.
• the chamber 1 preferably stretches out. between three peripheral walls and the internal partition. However, it can be segmented so that the greenhouse contains several juxtaposed, contiguous or spaced apart chambers.
• the chamber (s) may stretch from the floor to the blanket or stop before the blanket.
• the upper part of zone A can be closed by a wall (see figure 10) or by a shutter (see figure 11).
• the treatment chamber 1 can also be arranged outside the greenhouse 200 between a peripheral wall 22, 23 of the greenhouse and external partitions 100, 101, 102, 103 separating the air treatment chamber from the outside. .
• the chamber 1 preferably stretches over the entire length or width of the greenhouse. She can however, be shorter or be segmented into several juxtaposed contiguous or spaced apart chambers.
• the height H of the upper zone A may preferably be between 1, 5 and 4 meters. Its width L may preferably be between 0.90 and 2 meters. The height h of the lower zone B may preferably be between 1, 8 and 3 meters. Its width I may preferably be between 0.90 and 2 meters.
• the present invention relates to an air treatment chamber for a cultivation greenhouse separated into two distinct volumes, the upper first stage mainly dedicated to the management of air flows, to the control of the flow, of the temperature and humidity, the essentially dedicated second lower stage pressurize this treated air for the most part static while reducing turbulence in order to provide the diffusion ducts with air capable of leaving it almost perpendicularly at an alpha angle of between 75 ° and 90 ° to avoid a non-homogeneous distribution of the air thus treated in the greenhouse, along the crops.
• These two floors are separated by a wall equipped with a number of fans that can be optimized to achieve this goal.
• Means for motorizing the movement of the shutter shutters and regulating means are conventionally implemented to control the opening / closing of the various shutters and to control the implementation of the cooling means and of the heating means to generate the desired atmosphere.
• Such regulation means are known and either and not described in detail here.

Landscapes

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

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=74141533

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2020
  • 2020-12-18 US US17/786,979 patent/US20230044520A1/en active Pending
  • 2020-12-18 WO PCT/EP2020/087336 patent/WO2021123390A2/fr unknown
  • 2020-12-18 AU AU2020407296A patent/AU2020407296A1/en active Pending
  • 2020-12-18 EP EP20833710.5A patent/EP4075946A2/de active Pending

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events