FR2611112A1 - Hot-house for growing plants - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a hot-house for growing plants and, more particularly, a glasshouse surrounded by transparent elements and where it is provided with reflecting plates 4 on the North side so as to reflect the solar radiation in the direction of the surface of the soil 17 inside the hot-house 10; in the hot-house is furthermore provided a flap 3 which may be opened or closed freely and which allows change-over of the glasshouse between two different types, namely a single glasshouse simply composed of the transparent elements and a double glasshouse comprising a thermal-insulation volume B between the completely-closed flap 3 and the transparent elements 14, 15; in the glasshouse is furthermore provided a ventilation device, a drainage system, a temperature-control system and a device supporting pots for growing plants.

Description

 The present invention relates to greenhouses grown in the ballast where plants such as vegetables, fruits and flowers are planted and cultivated and relates more specifically to greenhouses having an appropriate structure and comprising facilities for increasing the rate receiving sunlight like a greenhouse and facilities for controlling the interior temperature of the greenhouse.

 Generally greenhouses of this type of culture are surrounded by transparent films or glass plates to maintain the indoor temperature higher than the outside temperature so that plants can grow even in cold seasons like in winter when a culture in the outdoors is impossible or so that plants can grow quickly in forced cultivation. However in the Northern Hemisphere as in Japan, when plants are cultivated in a plurality of rows which are oriented from South to North, although the plants located on the South side receive direct sunlight, those located on the North side, which are masked by those located on the south side, are exposed for a shorter period and receive significantly less sunlight. In summer, when the angle of elevation of the sun is large and when the sunlight is strong, it does not almost no problem. On the contrary in winter, when the period of solar exposure is short and when the angle of elevation is small, it is difficult to ensure sufficient solar exposure of the plants located on the north side, so that the plants located on the north side grow more slowly than those on the south side and this results in a delay in harvest time or even corresponding areas become sterile due to poor plant growth.

As a result, a greenhouse was designed in which the roof surface is inclined towards the south side and the ground surface is profiled in the form of steps, with the north side located higher than the south side, by so that the plants on the north side receive enough sunlight. This type of greenhouse poses problems because it is difficult or even impossible to build such a greenhouse on a flat horizontal surface, although it can be carried out relatively easily on a surface of a special configuration such as a sidewall. Mountain. There appear to be many greenhouses in which mechanical installations are provided for controlling the temperature, however, for such installations this results in additional costs as well as high operating and maintenance costs. There are also greenhouses in which the roof is covered with a sun visor sheet.

However, this type of greenhouse is not effective for maintaining the temperature because the sheet of sunshade has the function of protecting plants against wilting under the effect of too much sunlight.

 The present invention has been designed with a view to avoiding the drawbacks mentioned above and its object is to create a greenhouse composed of transparent enveloping elements and where there are provided reflective plates situated on the side. North to reflect sunlight towards the soil surface inside the greenhouse. With this construction, the plants located on the north side receive sufficient sunlight.

 Another object of the present invention is to create a greenhouse where a shutter is provided which can be opened or closed along the transparent roof in order to prevent a drop in temperature in the greenhouse by creating a volume. air with thermal insulation effect between the roof and the shutter. The present invention also aims to create an efficient structure for the shutter to ensure thermal insulation.

 Another object of the present invention is to create a greenhouse comprising a drainage system to channel the drops of condensed water so that they do not fall into the greenhouse, the drops of water being created on the surface of the roof, in particular on the lower surface of the shutter when it is closed, due to the respiration of the plants and the action of air mixing installations which produce a temperature difference between the high temperature prevailing in the inside the greenhouse and the low temperature prevailing outside.

 Another object of the present invention is to create a greenhouse in which it is possible to provide ventilation control, in cooperation with the operation control of the shutter and with the structure of the greenhouse.

 Yet another object of the present invention is to create a greenhouse comprising active mechanical temperature control installations to maintain an appropriate temperature inside the greenhouse, these installations being essentially composed of a device for air mixture which is particularly effective when the shutter is closed.

 Another object of the present invention is to create a greenhouse comprising, as a temperature control installation, a conduit for hot water below the ground in order to maintain an appropriate temperature inside the greenhouse, the hot water can then circulate in the duct in order to efficiently heat the interior volume of the greenhouse.

 Yet another object of the present invention is to create a greenhouse comprising, as a temperature control installation, water sprayers placed on the roof in order to prevent snow from remaining on it or to promote the melting snow so that the greenhouse can be used even in winter.

 Yet another object of the present invention is to create a greenhouse suitable for each of the objects mentioned above and in connection with other considerations of details concerning the structure of the shutter to be used for a greenhouse.

 Yet another object, and not the last, of the present invention is to create a greenhouse comprising an improved culture pot suitable for use in the greenhouse according to the invention.

 The basic idea of the present invention is to provide sufficient solar illumination even for plants positioned on the north side in a greenhouse.

The cultivation greenhouse according to the present invention is a greenhouse surrounded by transparent elements, where there are provided reflective plates on the side
North to reflect sunlight towards the soil surface inside the greenhouse.

 In addition, according to another particularity of the cultivation greenhouse according to the invention, this greenhouse is surrounded by transparent elements and there is provided in the greenhouse a shutter which can be opened and closed freely, this shutter being placed at the upper part of the greenhouse so that it can be switched between two types of greenhouses, namely a greenhouse composed only of transparent elements and a double greenhouse comprising a space of thermal insulation between the completely closed shutter and the elements transparent. The shutter can obviously equip the greenhouse of the first type which includes reflective plates.

 According to a third feature of the present invention, a greenhouse is created surrounded by transparent elements and comprising a shutter which can be opened and closed freely, the greenhouse being able to be switched between two types of greenhouses, namely a greenhouse composed only of the elements transparent and a double greenhouse comprising a space of thermal insulation between the completely closed shutter and the transparent elements, this greenhouse being characterized by the fact that it comprises a drainage system for draining drops of condensed water in the greenhouse, the drainage system being realized by the fact that the shutter is arranged so that its part forming the ceiling is slightly inclined so that its surface is directed towards the South, each blade which constitutes the shutter is provided with a receiving drain d on the side of the surface which is directed towards the interior of the greenhouse and extending the drain towards a conduit located along a guide rail .

 According to a fourth feature, the invention relates to a hot greenhouse surrounded by transparent elements and comprising a shutter which can be opened and closed freely, the greenhouse being able to be switched between two types of greenhouses, namely a greenhouse composed only of transparent elements and a double greenhouse including a space of thermal insulation between the completely closed shutter and the transparent elements, this greenhouse is characterized in that it is provided with temperature control installations to ensure sufficient solar lighting of the plants and to maintain the temperature suitable inside the greenhouse.

 According to yet another feature of the invention, it relates to a greenhouse containing inside a ppts culture device improved for a suitable culture inside the greenhouse.

 Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be highlighted in the following description, given by way of non-illustrative example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the assembly of a greenhouse in accordance with the present invention FIG. 2 is a diagram making it possible to explain the relationship between the angle of elevation of the sun and the angle of reflection on the wall surface located on the north side FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a greenhouse cultivation comprising another type of reflective surface; FIG. 4 is a plan view of a cultivation greenhouse comprising another type of reflecting surface; Figure 5 is a sectional view showing a thermal insulation structure on the roof, when the flap is fully open Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to Figure 5, except that the flap is fully closed Figure 7 shows the main part of the shutter Figure 8 is a sectional view of a growing greenhouse showing the light transmission path when the shutter is fully open Figure 9 is a sectional view of a growing greenhouse showing the path of the reflected light when the shutter is completely closed FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of reception rails FIGS. 11 and 12 are explanatory views showing conventional reception rails FIG. 13 is a detailed view of the bent portion of the guide rails Figure 14 is a plan view of a blade Figure 15 is a side view of the end of the blade Figure 16 is a view to explain how the l are accumulated ames of the shutter Figure 17 is a side view of an embodiment of a single guide rail Figure 18 is a sectional view of another shutter blade Figure 19 is a bottom view of the blade of Figure 18 figure 20 is a vertical section view of branched guide elements figure 21 is a horizontal section view of the branched guide elements of figure 20 figures 22 to 25 are views for explaining the function branched guide elements FIG. 26 is a sectional view of a cultivation greenhouse comprising ventilation installations. FIG. 27 is a block diagram of the control system. FIG. 28 is a flow diagram of the control system. FIG. 29 represents another control circuit FIG. 30 is an explanatory view showing the reflection of light on a skylight FIG. 31 is a sectional view of a greenhouse grown with a drainage system FIG. 32 is a view from below of a blade of the shutter Figure 33 is a sectional view of the blade of Figure 32 Figure 34 is a detailed sectional view of the underside of the shutter blade Figure 35 is a sectional view showing the drainage of condensed water on the pinion of the outer wall Figure 36 is a similar sectional view on the central beam Figures 37 to 39 are front views of other blades Figure 40 is a detail sectional view of the base of the wall external placed on the south side of a greenhouse cultivation Figure 41 is a sectional view showing the arrangement of the temperature control installations Figure 42 is a plan view showing the main part of the temperature control installations Figure 43 is a sectional view of a cultivation greenhouse for explaining the water spray on the roof Figure 44 is an exploded perspective view showing the arrangement of a means forming a culture pot figure 45 is a detailed sectional view of the medium forming culture pot of Figure 44.

 The structure of a cultivation greenhouse according to the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to preferred embodiments. In FIG. 1, the assembly of a culture greenhouse is designated by 1 and by 10 a structure of the greenhouse (which will be called simply "greenhouse" in the following).

Greenhouse 10 constitutes a prefabricated structure which is made with steel profiles extending from East to West and a single span beam extending from South to North, the side extending from East to the west being longer than that extending from south to north. A beam 13 extends between a post placed on the south side 11 and a post placed on the north side 12, and a sheet 16 is spread on the outer wall 14 and the roof 15 by means of auxiliary elements such as frames, wings and rafters. In the part 10 of the cultivation greenhouse 1, the upright arranged on the south side 10 is vertical and its height is small while the upright placed on the north side 12, which has a great height, is inclined in the direction of the interior of the greenhouse so that the roof 15 is tilted upwards on the north side with an angle of inclination. The sheet 16 is formed by a transparent film of resin, for example polyethylene. The angle of inclination need not be very large for water to condense on the underside of the sheet 16, but the angle of inclination is chosen so that the water s 'flows along the surface under the water repelling action of the latter. In accordance with the present invention, the angle of inclination OC is 20 degrees. The angle of inclination of the outer wall on the north side 14 is designated by p. A reflective plate 2 is fixed on its interior surface. The inner surface of the reflective plate 2 is provided with reflectors 21, for example aluminum films which create a reflective surface. The base surface 17 of the greenhouse 10 is generally constituted by the soil proper, but reflectors 21 can be distributed over its surface. The reference P designates cultivation plants, which can be planted directly in the ground or, as indicated in the drawing, in a growing pot.

 When the roof 16 of the greenhouse 10 receives sunlight X, most of this sunlight is transmitted by the sheet 16 and it penetrates inside the greenhouse 10. The transmitted light which arrives on the reflectors 21 is reflected so as to radiate the interior of greenhouse 10 from the top of the north side. The relationship between the incident light X and the reflected light Z is explained with reference to FIG. 2. The angle {denotes the angle of incidence of the sunlight, which is defined as the angle of elevation of the sun in different places and at different times of the year. For example in Hokkaido in Japan, the angle of incidence at noon in winter is 22 degrees and the maximum angle of elevation of the sun in summer is 70 degrees. The angle dF is the angle formed towards the ground between the reflected light Z and the reflectors 21. The angle is the angle formed between the normal line Y of the reflectors 21 and the incident light X or the reflected light Z. If we calculate the irradiation angle o of the reflected light Z taking into account not only these relationships and the minimum value of the angle, i.e. 22 degrees, but also paying attention to since the shadow is not formed on the surface of the ground by giving the angle p a value less than 70 degrees, the irradiation angle O takes a value of 62 degrees. In this case, it is possible to obtain sufficient sunlight from the north side to grow the P plants.

 In the following, we will describe other embodiments of the reflective plate 2 with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a sectional view of another greenhouse 10 in which the made is not positioned in the center while that the upright located on the north side 12 and the wall 14 are vertical. Only the reflective plate 2 is supported with a certain inclination on the wall.

In this case, the reflective plate 2 is divided into several elements which are fixed separately from the top to the bottom so that each element of the reflective plate 2 constitutes a reflector 21. FIG. 4 is a plan view of another greenhouse hot 10 in which the front surface is not directed directly towards the
South. In this case, the reflective plate 2 is divided into several elements in its longitudinal direction so that each element is directed towards the South to constitute a reflector 21.

 In this way, in the part 10 of the cultivation greenhouse 1 according to the present invention, effective sunlight can be obtained only by placing the reflecting plate 2 with a certain inclination.

 A cultivation greenhouse 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises a shutter 3 installed in the greenhouse proper 10, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The shutter 3 is composed of a set of guide rails 5 and a curtain 30 which is produced by successively connecting a certain number of blades 4. The shutter 3, different from that which is usually placed in front of an opening, is adjusted between the fully open position shown in FIG. 5 and the completely closed position shown in FIG. 6, this shutter being able to be opened and closed freely between the two limit positions. In this case, the shutter curtain 30, the vertical part of which is situated along the upright placed on the south side 11 and the part of which ceiling is supported by the wall 14 whose angle of inclination is smaller than the angle of inclination of the roof 15, divides the interior volume of the greenhouse 10 into two volumes which are the interior volume A and the side volume roof B. In cons also the volume on the roof side B constitutes a volume of air with thermal insulation effect between the shutter curtain 30 and the roof 15 when the first is completely closed.

 Details of each part of the shutter 3 will now be given with reference to FIG. 7. The blade 4 is profiled in the form of a panel in a metal mold 41 from a plate which is made from materials d thermal insulation, such as, for example, rigid expandable polyurethane foam, with suitable means, such as an injection molding process or a lamination process. The blade 4 comprises a roller 3 which projects externally from the end of the lower surface and another roller 33 which projects externally from the end of the upper surface. The roller 31 is supported by a shaft 32 while the roller 33 is supported by a shaft 34. Each blade 4 is connected to the others by means of a drive chain 35 and its shaft 32 so as to form the shutter curtain 30. The drive chain 35 connects the two blades 4 of each pair while maintaining a distance between them. The reference numeral 36 designates an actuating device used to open and close the shutter curtain 30, the reference 37 designates a drive pinion for driving the chain 35 in both directions in order to open and close the shutter curtain 30 and the reference 38 designates a receptacle for the shutter curtain 30, the receptacle 38 being supported parallel to the upright of the North side 12. If the reflecting plate 2 is fixed on the side wall of the receptacle 38 on its surface directed towards the interior side of the greenhouse 10 in order to form the reflectors 21, the first basic greenhouse and this second greenhouse can ent be integrated.The reference numeral 39 designates a sealing sheet which is fixed to the blade 4 placed completely at the top in order to ensure the airtightness of the interior volume by closing the opening existing between the curtain flap 30 and the upper part of receptacle 38 when the first is completely closed.

 On the other hand, the guide rail assembly 5 is composed of guide rails 51 and receiving rails 52. The guide rail assembly 5 is arranged between the uprights of the greenhouse 10 so that the vertical part of the guide rails 51 is supported by the upright 11 and the ceiling part is suspended by a suspension member 53 extending from the beam 14. The set of guide rails 5 is curved downwards in the bending part 54 near the top and extending in the direction of the receiving rails 52. Each guide rail 51 has a vertical cross section in the shape of an E and it is composed of two parts: a guide rail interior 55 and an exterior guide rail 56. The rollers 31 and 33 are respectively mounted in the interior guide rail 55 and the exterior guide rail 56 and they are guided in their rotation. In the ceiling part, each blade 4 of the shutter 3, guided by the rollers 31, 33, is aligned along the guide rail 51 so as to form the shutter curtain 30. On the other hand, in the receptacle 38, when the shutter 3 is fully open, each blade 4 is applied horizontally with its rollers 31, 33 in contact with those of the adjacent blade because the receiving rail 52 is divided into two rails 57 and 58 in the part d 'curvature 54. The function of the shutter is the same as that of a shutter which would be placed in front of an opening of a conventional construction.

 With the structure mentioned above, the shutter 3 constitutes an air volume B with thermal insulation effect when it is completely closed. If the reflectors 21 are fixed on the surface of each strip 4, the efficiency of the temperature control of the greenhouse 10 can be improved. We will now refer to Figures 8 and 9. When the shutter 3 of Figure 8 is fully open, sunlight enters the greenhouse 10 precisely as shown in the figures. However when the shutter 3 is completely closed, heat radiated from the interior of the greenhouse 10 is reflected on the reflectors 21 which are fixed on the inner surface of the blades 4 and it is therefore reflected on the inner surface of the shutter curtain 30. Consequently, the radiated heat is not dissipated towards the outside in the upward direction and the effect of the volume of thermal insulation B is remarkably improved. When the reflectors 21 are arranged on each strip 4, it is therefore necessary to place them at least on the inner surface of each strip 4. The reflectors 21 which are spun on the outer surface are considered to improve the function of the curtain shutter like a sun visor when the solar radiation is too strong during a hot season.

 Another embodiment of shutter 3 will now be described below with reference to FIG. 10.

In this embodiment, the angle of inclination of the inner rail 55 and that of the outer rail 56 are different in the bending part 54 where the guide rails 51 are bent downwards. The angle of inclination of the inner rail 55 is closer to the vertical. In other words, the angle of inclination of the receiving rail 58 forming part of the rail 56 has the value of the angle p which has already been indicated while the angle of inclination of the receiving rail 57 is greater. at the angle p. Consequently, the distance between the receiving rail 57 and the receiving rail 58 gradually increases to reach, at the base of the receptacle 38, the value S which corresponds to the distance between the rollers 31 and 33, determined by the width of the blade. 4.With this structure, when the upper part of each blade 4 passes through the curved part 54 and takes the downward position, the next base part of each blade 4 moves successively along the opening angle between the receiving rails and the blades 4 accumulate uniformly so that the lower blade takes an inclination approaching the horizontal. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer guide rail 56 makes a detour outward in the curving portion 54 while the inner guide rail 55 enters the space thus cleared.

This structure is advantageous compared to those shown in Figures 11 and 12 and which correspond to the prior art. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 13, a receiving casing 38A can be arranged with more tolerance with respect to the drive apparatus, like the actuating mechanism 36 and the pinion 37 which are mounted on the inner side. from the curved part 54 above the receptacle 38. In addition, the drive chain 35 deviates with more difficulty from the pinion 37. Also the interior receiving rail 57 can be easily inclined.

 In Figures 14 to 16, there is shown in more detail the condition of accumulation of the blades 4. Figure 14 is a plan view while Figure 15 is a side view of the end of the blade and that the Figure 16 is a side view showing the condition of accumulation of the blades. The blade 4 is profiled in the form of a panel using a mold 41. The reference numeral 42 designates an upper chassis, the reference 43 a lateral chassis, the reference 44 a lower chassis and the reference 45 a reinforcement chassis. the side of the lateral chassis 43 and at the two ends of the blades 4, the projecting rollers 31 are supported by shafts 32 near the lower chassis 44 on the lower surface of the blade while the projecting rollers 32, which precede the rollers 31, are supported by shafts 34 near the upper frame 42 on the upper surface of the blade. The distance between the rollers 31 and 33 is designated by S.

Each roller support shaft 32, 34 projects from the surface of the blade 4. A protective frame 46, which is placed a little higher than the roller shafts, is fixed on the blade 4 at a location different from the shafts rollers, so that the surfaces of adjacent blades in an accumulation condition do not touch each other. Because the receiving rails 57, 58 are inclined and each blade 4 is placed in the accumulation condition to form steps, the drive chain 35 which connects the rollers 31 is folded in a state of free suspension as shown in figure 10.

Consequently, there is no risk that the drive chain 35 will twist around the roller shaft 32.

FIG. 16, which represents a detailed sectional view of the lower chassis 44, makes it possible to see that a molded element is used like the lower chassis so as to allow the fixing on it of a shock absorber 47 serving to reduce the shock of contact between adjacent boards.

 Figures 17 to 25 show another embodiment of shutter 3. In Figure 17, each reference is increased by 100 for elements corresponding to those shown in the previous figures. The flap 103 of this embodiment comprises, in the same way as a flap which is placed in front of an opening of a conventional construction, an individual type guide rail 151 in the form of an element intended to constitute the set of guide rails 105. The shutter curtain 130 opens and closes along the ceiling part of the guide rail 151 under the action of the driving force exerted by the drive chain 135.

When the blades 104 are received in the receptacle 138 one by one from the top, the rollers 133 and 131 move in the direction of the receiving rails 158, 157 after having passed through the curved portion 154. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, guide bars 160 and 166, which cooperate with a branch guide element 150 by contact, are mounted on the outer surface of the blade 104 by means of auxiliary elements. Figure 18 is a sectional view of the blade 104; Figure 19 is a plan view of its interior side. Firstly, the blade 104 will be described. The guide bars 160, 161 protrude at corresponding locations from the opposite surface of the blade 104 in the direction of the surface on which the rollers 131, 133. are mounted. The guide bar 160 is composed of a carrying bar 162 which is directed upwards perpendicular to the surface of the blade 104 and of a hook 163 which is folded so as to be parallel to the surface of the blade 104. The guide bar 161 is composed, in the same way as the guide bar 160, of a support bar 164 and a hook 165. The two guide bars differ only from each other by the height of the corresponding support bar, the supporting bar 162 being smaller than the supporting bar 164.

 The branch guide member 150 is shown in Figure 20, which is a side view, and in Figure 21, which is a plan view. The blades 104 are supported on the two lateral sides by the branch guide element 150 in this example. A branch part 170 of the guide rail 155 intended for the passage of the rollers 131, 133 is formed between the upper part which is connected to the curved part 154 of the guide rail 151 and the lower part which is connected to the receiving rails 157, 158. A limiting element 171, which has a special configuration, extends outwards from the external surface 156 of the guide rail 151. This limiting element 171 is a U-shaped element similar to a console. , which is fixed on the outer surface of the guide rail 151. On the outer surface of the limiting element 171, there is provided a bypass edge 172 which is mounted vertically so that its upper part is positioned between the paths 166 , 167 of the hook defined by the height of the guide bars 160, 161. The upper surface of one of the wings 173 of the U-shaped element constitutes a guide surface 174 for the guide bar 160. The reference numeral 175 design e a chassis which has no relation to the functions explained above.

 With this structure, as shown in FIG. 22, when the front roller 133 of each blade 104 reaches the top of the branch guide element 150, the hook 165 of the corresponding guide bar 161 passes over the outside of the edge bypass 172 and guides the blade 104 while maintaining it in a vertical orientation along the outside surface of the limiting element and downwards, as indicated by the arrow (FIG. 23).

Then, as shown in FIG. 24, when the rear roller 131 of each blade 104 reaches the branch point of the branches, the lower hook 163 is directed towards the inner surface of the branch edge 172 and is guided along the inclined surface guide 174.

Then the blade 104 arrives in the condition shown in Figure 25 and it moves in the direction of the arrow. The rear part of the blade 104 is inclined in the direction of the bypass part and the roller 131 moves in the direction of the receiving rail 157 on the bypass part 170. Then the movement of the shutter curtain 130 along the guide rail 151 is transformed into a movement allowing the accumulation of the blades horizontally. When the flap 103 is closed, the bypass part 170 serves as a junction part and consequently it does not cause any difficulty in translating the blades.

 We will now describe a ventilation equipment 6 which is used in the greenhouse 1.

As shown in FIGS. 26 to 29, when the shutter curtain 30 is opened in the morning from the fully closed position for the night, the drive force of the pinion 37 is transmitted to the drive chain 35 and the blades 4 are wound one by one from the one placed completely at the top. Consequently, the effect of the volume of thermal insulation air B, which is formed by completely closing the shutter 3, is abruptly suppressed in order to reduce the temperature of the interior volume A, which has a bad influence on the plants. an embodiment of the present invention, when the blades are moved over the entire length of the ceiling part of the guide rail 51, they form ventilation openings, as indicated by the arrows, these openings having a width L between adjacent blades , said width being defined by the length of the drive chain 35.

 This state is maintained until after the shutter curtain opens. Consequently, the heat contained in the interior volume A is gradually transmitted towards the volume located on the roof side B while the state mentioned above is preserved. It is possible to wait for the sun to rise in the sky for the reception of sufficient sunlight before the shutter curtain 30 is fully opened.

 Figures 27 to 29 show a control device 60 of the shutter curtain 30 which is provided with ventilation equipment 6. Figure 27 shows a block diagram of the control system. The reference numeral 61 designates a control member composed of a microprocessor which includes two timers T1 and T2.

The reference 62 designates an opening-closing instruction supply unit used to control the opening and closing of the shutter curtain via the actuating member 36. FIG. 28 is a flowchart corresponding to this order. FIG. 29 represents an electrical circuit comprising relays used to control the opening and closing of the shutter curtain 30 in place of the use of a microprocessor.

Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, ventilation windows are provided in the ridge part where high temperature air tends to accumulate. In Figure 26, there is provided a skylight 64 at the top of the outer wall, on the side
North 14 and near the ridge. The skylight 64 is covered with the same sheet 16 as the outer wall 14 on the north side and it serves as a ventilation opening by opening and closing. It is possible to use any suitable structure for the skylight 64, but it is easy to adopt a conventional method of hanging from the top using a bearing shaft. With this method, the opening and closing operations of the skylight can be remote controlled. If the reflective plate 2 is also fixed on the interior surface of the skylight 64, also the sunlight arriving on the completely upper part of the greenhouse 10 contributes to improving the influence of the reflective plate of the separate type which is shown in FIG. 3 and the effect of the greenhouse 10 is further improved.

 The third embodiment of the invention relates to a culture greenhouse 1 which comprises a drainage serving to collect the drops of condensed water which are created inside the greenhouse 10. When the greenhouse is switched by the shutter 3 between two types of greenhouses which are respectively a simple greenhouse composed only of the transparent elements and a double greenhouse comprising a volume of thermal insulation between the completely closed shutter and the transparent elements, the cultivation greenhouse is characterized by the fact that the drainage is carried out by spreading the shutter 3 so that its part of the ceiling is slightly inclined from the north side placed at the top and the south side placed at the bottom, by providing each blade 4 which constitutes the shutter curtain 30 d '' a water receiving drain placed on the lateral side of the surface which is directed towards the interior side of the greenhouse and guiding the condensed water on the lower surface of the la me 4 in the direction of a conduit which is disposed along the set of guide rails 5. This drainage will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 to 40. FIG. 31 is a sectional view of the whole of the cultivation greenhouse 1 which includes the shutter 3 and which is equipped with the drainage system 7. FIGS. 31 to 34 are explanatory views making it possible to describe a drain for receiving water 71. FIGS. 35 to 39 are explanatory views for describing a conduit 72. Figure 32 is a view of the base of the blade 4 which is directed towards the interior side of the greenhouse Figure 33 is a longitudinal sectional view and Figure 34 is a sectional view of detail of the base part of the blade 4. In the above figures, reference numerals corresponding to those of FIGS. 14 and 15 have been used to designate corresponding elements. The blade 4 is profiled in the form of a panel using a mold 41 which is formed by the combination of the upper chassis 42, the lateral chassis 43 and the lower chassis 44. The reference numeral 48 designates the lower surface of the blade 4 which is directed towards the lower side of the greenhouse. Reference 47 designates a shock absorber used to maintain airtightness and to reduce the impact between the blades 4. The shock absorber is formed from an elastic material such as rubber and its cross section has a semicircular shape . A molded element of a special cross section is used in particular for the lower chassis 44 so as to allow the shock absorber 47 to be fixed on it. A wing portion projects from the surface directed towards the interior side of the greenhouse to form the water receiving drain 71 which is integrated into the lower frame 44.

 Figure 35 is a sectional view of the end of the blade 4. The rollers 31 and 33 are supported by means of shafts by the lateral frame 43 at the end of the blade 4. Each roller 31, 33 is respectively mounted in the inner guide rail 55 and in the outer guide rail 56. The reference 53 designates, as mentioned above, an auxiliary element extending from the beam 13. The conduit 72 is mounted along guide rail 51 at the lower end of the auxiliary element so that the condensed water flowing on the lower surface 48 of the blade 4, which is first received in the water receiving drain 71, or channeled into the conduit 72 and discharged along the guide rail 51. Consequently, the lower surface 48 is an inclined surface, the central part of which is placed at the high level and the end part at the low level. FIG. 36 is a sectional view of the duct 72 which is mounted on both sides of the central beam 13 of the greenhouse 10. The width W of each duct 72 is chosen so that the duct and the end part of the blade 4 overlap enough. Other examples of inclination of the lower surface 48 are given in FIGS. 37 to 39. The profile of the lower surface 48 is an arc of large diameter in FIG. 37, a triangle having a large angle at the apex in the figure. 38 and a flat inclined surface in FIG. 39. The inclined flat surface is particularly suitable for the example shown in FIG. 36.

 On the other hand, the conduit 72 is inclined on the south side along the guide rail 51, as shown in Figure 31. The conduit 72 is guided down along the upright 11 so as to lead to a drain outside 73 by means of a pipe 74 placed below the ground surface. FIG. 14 is a detailed view of the external drain 73. The drawing shows the treatment of the condensed water which is created on the internal surface of the external wall 14. Due to the temperature difference existing between the interior of the greenhouse 10 and outside, steam condenses on the inner surface of the sheet 16. The water created in this way flows downwards and is guided, through a filling device 75, into direction of the external drain 73 from the upper surface of a water collector 76. The filling device 75 is formed for example from flexible polyethylene foam. This filling device is permeable but, in a wet state, its small holes are filled so as to maintain the airtightness of the interior volume of the greenhouse.

 The fourth cultivation greenhouse 1 according to the present invention comprises temperature control installations 8. The temperature control installations 8 are composed of an air mixing apparatus 81 and a water pipe hot 82, each of these systems being installed independently of the other or else together. The air mixing device 81 is a conventional device which is adapted to the dimensions of the greenhouse 10. As shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, the air mixing device 81 is composed of an air conditioner. air 83 comprising a fan and a damper, an intake tube 84 directed upwards so as to open at the top and inside the greenhouse and a discharge tube 85 comprising a number of nozzles. inlet 84 draws air at a relatively high temperature from the upper volume of the greenhouse 10. Then the discharge tubes 85 ensures its discharge near the surface of the ground. In this way, the air is circulated. As a result, there is little temperature distribution in the greenhouse and the temperature is maintained at a desired value. Another intake tube 86 can be connected to the air conditioner 83 to take fresh air at its outer end and mix it with the air in the greenhouse using the register. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, water cooling means 87 are installed at the outer end of the intake tube 86. The opening end of the intake tube 86 is covered with a thread 87a preventing the entry of insects then it is provided for example with sand or gravel 87b. By spraying water at the opening end, cold air is introduced inside the greenhouse 10. The arrows represent the flow of air.

 The reference numeral 88 in FIG. 41 represents tubes of the hot water pipe 82 buried in the ground parallel to the surface of the soil 17. A heating agent like bottom water, hot water coming from of a water heater, heated water or heated air from a power source, not shown, is introduced into the tubes 88. The heating agent circulates inside the tubes 88 to heat the greenhouse 10 from the ground surface 17 or, in winter, to prevent the ground surface from becoming cold.

Preferably these tubes 88, as shown in FIG. 40, extend beyond the foundation 18 of the greenhouse to the vicinity of the external drain 73 so that the external drain 73 and the water collector 76 do not not freeze. The nu-eric reference 89 designates a thermal insulator which is buried on the outside of the tube 88.

 FIG. 43 shows an embodiment of the temperature control installations 8 which are mounted on the surface of the roof 15, namely a sprayer 80 installed on the surface of the roof 15. The surface of the roof 15 of the greenhouse 10 must be large for receive a lot of sunlight but at the same time the roof must be provided with a means of protection against snow in winter. According to the present invention, hollow elements are used as a frame for the roof so as to communicate with one another by being connected with each other in the form of an assembly. By circulating hot water, for example, inside the hollow elements connected to each other and by spraying it on the roof surface, it is possible to melt the snow at the desired time.

 In FIG. 43, the reference 801 designates an upright situated on the side of the pinion, the reference 802 designates a ridge and the reference 803 designates a stop element of the sheet 16 corresponding to a bar for fixing cover elements. The ridge 802 and the stop element 803 communicate with each other, the ridge 802 being a collector. The ridge 802 has a number of injection nozzles 804, which are supported by the upright 801, so as to spray hot water onto the sheet 16 placed on the surface of the roof 15.

 The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Figures 44 and 45 show an embodiment of a culture pot device 9, which is suitable for use inside the culture greenhouse 1 of the present invention. Figure 44 is an exploded perspective view of the culture vessel device 9 and Figure 45 is a sectional view of this device. The culture pot device 9 comprises a long base 91 installed on the surface of the ground 17, two rails 92 placed on the base in its longitudinal direction, transfer tables 93 moving freely on the rails 92, rotary tables 94 carried by each transfer table 93 and culture pots 95. A water supply device 96 is also arranged separately along the base 91. The main tube of the water supply device 96 is provided with a number of bypass tubes 96a which are connected to hoses 97. Each hose 97 is curved upwards and inwards from each transfer table 93 and it is connected to a water tube 98 which is supported by the boss provided at center of the turntable 94. The water tube 98 extends upwards along a cylinder 95a of the culture pot 95 and ends at the top by a nozzle 99 so as to spray water on the plants P. Amounts 94a are fixed on the turntable 94 af in supporting the culture pot 95, the amount passing through the rim 95b of the culture pot 95. The upper parts of the amounts 94a can be connected together.

 On the other hand, the rotary table 94 is mounted so as to rotate horizontally around the water tube 98 by means of rollers 93a which are supported respectively by a shaft fixed on the chassis of the transfer table 93. The table transfer 93 can be attached to or removed from the rails 92 using bumpers 93b for fixing and removing the growing pot 95. Consequently the plants P can be placed in suitable positions to receive light solar in the best conditions.

 In conclusion, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but it can be modified while remaining within the scope of this invention. In particular, the shutter, the ventilation control device, the drainage system, the temperature control installations or the culture pot device can be replaced by corresponding conventional elements while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

 The basic embodiment and the additional embodiments of the invention which have been described above each fulfill a function which has been described above separately. Thus, each embodiment of the invention has the following advantages (1) The first basic embodiment of the invention relates to a cultivation greenhouse which is surrounded by transparent elements and in which there are provided reflective plates located on the north side to reflect sunlight towards the ground surface inside the greenhouse. Consequently, by reflection of sunlight on the north side of the greenhouse, it is possible to send on the plants to be cultivated a uniform solar radiation.

(2) The second basic embodiment of the invention relates to a cultivation greenhouse which is surrounded by transparent elements and in which a shutter is provided, which can be opened and closed freely, at the top of the greenhouse so that this greenhouse can be switched between two types of greenhouses which are respectively a simple greenhouse composed only of transparent elements and a double greenhouse comprising a volume of thermal insulation placed between the shutter completely closed and the transparent elements.

Consequently, the heat of the solar radiation absorbed during the day is kept in the greenhouse without being dissipated during the night thanks to the shutter which forms the volume of thermal insulation.

(3) When these two embodiments of the invention are combined, sunlight can be used more effectively by the combined effect of the effective radiation of sunlight during the day and the heat maintained during the night.

(4) The shutter is opened and closed freely between the closed position close to the ceiling surface and the open position where the shutter is received in the receptacle placed on the north side and which includes a reflective surface. As a result the structure is quite suitable for forming the volume of thermal insulation although the shutter curtain, which is composed of a number of blades, is used. In addition, the structure of the curved part provided at the top constitutes an improvement of the structure of a shutter.

(5) As an element which constitutes the set of guide rails for the shutter, it is possible to use a guide rail of the individual type. The branched guide element used for the guide rail assembly constitutes an excellent element.

 The combination of the basic embodiments of the invention which have been mentioned above includes a variety of installations and therefore sunlight can be used more effectively in the greenhouse.

(6) The cultivation greenhouse according to the present invention is equipped with ventilation installations in the greenhouse. As a result it is possible not only to control the temperature but also to control the humidity inside the greenhouse, thereby maintaining the proper environment for the plants to be grown.

(7) The cultivation greenhouse in accordance with the present invention is equipped with a drainage system and the drainage is carried out by placing a water-receiving drain on the lower surface of each blade and extending the drain in the direction of 'a conduit along a guide rail so that the water condensed on the lower surface of a shutter curtain is drained. As a result, the drops of condensed water do not fall on the plants from the top.

(8) The cultivation greenhouse according to the present invention is equipped with temperature control installations. Consequently, only by providing conventional mechanical installations, the interior temperature of the greenhouse can be controlled and the growing conditions of the plants can be maintained in an optimally controlled state.

(9) The cultivation greenhouse according to the present invention is equipped with a culture pot device.

As a result, the sun exposure conditions of the growing pots in the greenhouse can be improved and sunlight can be used effectively in the greenhouse.

(10) Each of the additional embodiments of the invention which have been described in the present patent application also contributes separately to the improvement of various industries.

Industrial applications possibilities
The cultivation greenhouse according to the present invention relates in particular to a cultivation greenhouse surrounded by transparent elements and in which there are reflective plates on the north side for reflecting sunlight towards the surface of the ground. inside the greenhouse, and it also relates to a greenhouse surrounded by transparent elements and which comprises a shutter which can be opened and closed freely so that it can be switched between two types of greenhouse which are respectively a greenhouse single warmer composed only of the transparent elements and a double greenhouse comprising a volume of thermal insulation situated between the completely closed shutter and the transparent elements, so that the heat of the solar radiation received by the cultured greenhouse is used the most efficiently possible and be kept in the greenhouse. Consequently, the performance of a greenhouse of the prior art is remarkably improved and their possibilities of use are particularly increased. In addition, additional installations corresponding to a variety of technologies equip the greenhouse in accordance with the invention so as to increase its efficiency as has been mentioned above, these results being able to be obtained without a significant increase in cost, which thus allows the greenhouse according to the invention to be used for the cultivation of a wide variety of agricultural products with a view to increasing production and profitability.

Claims (25)

1.- Greenhouse cultivation surrounded by transparent elements, characterized in that there are provided reflective plates (2) on the North side to reflect sunlight towards the ground surface (17) inside the greenhouse (10). 2. Culture greenhouse according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflecting plate (2) is inclined so that the angle of incidence (S) of the reflected light (Z) relative to the surface of the ground (17) is greater than the angle of incidence () of sunlight. 3.- Greenhouse cultivation according to soum'cation 1, characterized in that the reflecting plate (2) is inclined by an inclination angle which is not smaller than the elevation angle (Y) of the sun where the greenhouse is installed. 4.- Greenhouse cultivation surrounded by transparent elements, characterized in that it is provided in its upper volume with a shutter (3) which can be opened and closed freely, the shutter dividing the cultivation greenhouse in two types of switchable greenhouses, namely a simple greenhouse composed only of transparent elements (14, 15) and a double greenhouse comprising a volume of thermal insulation (B) located between the shutter (3) completely closed and the transparent elements (14, 15). 5. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 4 which further comprises reflective plates according to one of claims 1 to 3. 6. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 5, characterized in that the shutter (3) is composed of a curtain (30) which comprises a number of blades (4) connected together and a set of rails guide (5) and which is mounted along guide rails (51) and receiving rails (52) so as to have a vertical part placed on the south side, a ceiling part located along the roof surface (15) and a receiving volume (38) directed downwards from the part situated completely above. 7. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 5, characterized in that each of the blades (4) is provided with reflectors (21) at least on the surface directed towards the interior side of the greenhouse culture (1). 8.- cultivation greenhouse according to claim 5, characterized in that the guide rail assembly (5) of the flap (3) is composed of receiving rails (52) and guide rails (51), comprising a inner rail (55) and an outer rail (56), the receiving rails (52) being distributed downward to receive the blades (4) in an accumulation condition. 9. Culture greenhouse according to claim 5, characterized in that the guide rails (51) are constituted by a guide rail of an individual type and in that the receiving rails (152) are derived through a branch guide element (150). 10. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 9, characterized in that projecting guide bars (160, 161) are arranged on the outer surface of the blade (4) in its front part and in its rear part, the guide bars (160, 161) being guided by the inner and outer surfaces of the branched guide member (150). 11. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 5, characterized in that a drive chain (35) for connecting the different blades (4) of the shutter (3) form, when this drive chain (35) is in its expanded condition, ventilation openings between the greenhouse volume located on the interior side and the thermal insulation volume located on the exterior side. 12. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 11, characterized in that the shutter control system (3) comprises a control member (61) having timers (T1, T2) 13.- Greenhouse cultivation according to the claim 5, characterized in that a skylight (64) is mounted at the upper part of the wall on the north side (14) of the greenhouse (10), this skylight (64) forming a ventilation opening. 14. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 13, characterized in that there is provided a reflective surface on the inner surface of the window (64). 15. A cultivation greenhouse according to claim 5, characterized in that the cultivation greenhouse (1) further comprises a drainage system (71, 72, 73) for draining the condensed water on the lower surface of the curtain. flap (30). 16. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 15, characterized in that the drainage system is constituted by a water receiving drain (71) placed on the lower surface of each blade (4) on its lateral side. 17. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 15, characterized in that the drainage system consists of a conduit (72) disposed along and below the guide rails (51; 151).  18. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 16, characterized in that the lower surface of each blade (4) is an inclined surface in the direction of the water receiving drain (71) so that condensed water be guided into it. 19. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 5, characterized in that there is provided temperature control facilities (8) in the greenhouse to control its indoor temperature. 20. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 19, characterized in that the temperature control installations (8) comprise an air mixing installation (81). 21. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 19, characterized in that the temperature control installations (8) comprise a pipe (82) buried below the soil surface to allow circulation of hot water, for example . 22.- cultivation greenhouse according to claim 19, characterized in that the temperature control installations (8) comprise a set of pipes (86) placed on the surface of the roof (15) of the greenhouse so as to spray hot water, for example. 23. Culture greenhouse according to claim 5, characterized in that a culture pot device (9) is installed inside the greenhouse so as to receive pots (15) for growing plants. and to improve the conditions of solar exposure of plants. 24. A cultivation greenhouse according to claim 23, characterized in that the culture pot device (9) comprises a rotary table (94) supporting the culture pots (95) for free rotation. 25. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 23, characterized in that the culture pots device (9) comprises a transfer table (93) for transferring the rotary table (94) which supports the culture pots (95 ) for free rotation. 26.- Culture greenhouse according to claim 23, characterized in that the culture pot device (9) comprises a water supply source (96) serving to supply water to each culture pot (95). 27. Greenhouse cultivation according to claim 26, characterized in that the water supply source (96) is connected to a nozzle (99) via a water tube (98) mounted from so as to constitute an axis of rotation for each culture pot (95).