GB2420483A - Hydroponic system with siphon - Google Patents

Abstract

A hydroponic growing system comprising a water tank 2, a growing tank 1 and a siphon arrangement 5,6 between the two tanks. The siphon is controlled by a timed pump 3, which pumps water to the growing tank and then after a predetermined time, primes the siphon to return the water to the water tank.

Description

2420483 1 This invention relates to a siphon and in particular to a siphon

used to control water in Hydroponic gardening, but not exclusively to this.

There are three main methods of growing by Hydroponics, two of which are concerned with this invention.

One well known mode of watering in Hydroponics is known as the top down method used to deliver the nutrient enriched water to a Hydroponic growing tank by a pump in a reservoir or holding tank, as it is usually called, to force the water into the top area of the growing tank which is normally sited directly over the holding tank for ease of gravity flow drainage, but can be in different areas as long as they are at different levels, usually a timer is used.

A second system is known as the flood and drain method, which again uses two tanks arranged to be at different levels. In this method the nutrient enriched water is pumped into the base of the growing tank and is allowed to immerse the growing area.

The pump is then turned off and the water by gravity flow finds its way back to the holding tank.

In both systems the means of water return is through a strategically sited hole at the bottom of the growing tanks. Sometimes, siphon means are used to draw off the water in flood and drain systems to speed up the process, but are not practical in the top down mode.

It is the purpose of this invention to be able to siphon off the water in both growing modes, which will also allow a grower to use both tanks, for both modes, without having to alter the basic set up.

According to this invention, there is provided a three port siphon capable of controlling the water input in one mode of Hydroponic growing, and the draining off in both modes as written above, comprising a three port siphon, electric pumps and timers with tanks and interconnecting pipeways.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawing in which: Fig I shows the invention with numbers and lettering pertaining to its parts and indications of movement direction by arrowhead fashion.

In a first embodiment the invention will be shown controlling the water input and output of a flood and drain Hydroponic growing set up.

The roots of the crop "CR" are suspended in the growing area "GA" in the tank "1" using an aggregate "AGG" with the siphon area "SA" free of this.

By arrangement the tank "2" is full of the nutrient enriched water "N.E. W" the pump "3" using circuit "Cl" shown as a zig zag line starts up the pump on a low velocity setting, causing the "N.E.W" to leave tank "2" which is being used as a reservoir, via a pipeway "6", and by the direction shown enters the siphon pipeways "5" which is coupled to the pump by pipeway "6" and open to the growing area by one of its ports.

The pumping will cause the "N.E.W" to rise in the growing area, and simultaneously rise in the siphon pipeway, this will continue until the roots are completely immersed, and at a predetermined time with reference to the float switch "7" height, a circuit "Cl" will cause the pump to "up the velocity" by using a higher setting, causing the siphon to prime. At this juncture the power can be shut-down by the timer means (not shown).

The siphon will now act like a free flowing pipe, and will cause the "N.E. W" to be returned via the siphon exit to the reservoir tank.

A second embodiment will show the invention controlling the water height and empting of the growing area after filling from pipeway "4", in a top down mode of Hydroponic growing. With pipeway "4" connected to pump "3A" which would be at a low velocity setting, the "N.E.W" could flow up the pipeway "4" and enter the growing tank from above. It is arranged that multiple holes would allow an even spread of "N.E.W" (not shown). Eventually the water would seep through the aggregate, nourishing the roots, and then begin to rise from the floor of the growing tank and simultaneously enter the pipeway "6" and the siphon pipeway.

At a predetermined height the float switch causes circuit "C2" to exist which starts the siphon sequence, and with the power again arranged to be turned off, the water will be again returned to the reservoir tank. Although pipeway "6" is shown as co-terminus with the siphon pipeway "5", this does not have to be so. A growing tank can have one or more siphons driven from the same pump, or other pumps. One pump could be used if it had enough settings to perform the cycles described. The float switch "7" could be of the moveable type allowing for different settings The systems described as above, are by example only, with variations possible.

Claims (3)

1. Claims I. A three port siphon, comprising a siphon means, directly

   controlled by a pumping means, to cause premature priming.
2. 2. A three port siphon, as claimed in claim I, where the siphon means and the pumping means are connected in one continuous pipeway.
3. 3. A three port siphon as claimed in claim I and claim 2, for filling and draining hydroponic growing vessels.