GB2431328A

GB2431328A - Hydroponics assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2431328A
Application number: GB0521304A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Burrell
Original assignee: HYDROLIGHT UK Ltd
Current assignee: HYDROLIGHT UK Ltd
Priority date: 2005-10-20
Filing date: 2005-10-20
Publication date: 2007-04-25
Also published as: GB0521304D0

Abstract

A hydroponics assembly 10, for growing plants hydroponically, comprises a support structure 12 that supports at least one support body 14. The or each support body 14 supports a plurality of elongate porous plant supports 20 such that each plant support 20 extends substantially vertically. Each plant support 20 supports a plurality of plants. The hydroponics assembly 10 also includes at least one feeder 44 for supplying nutrient solution 46 to the plant supports 20 of a given support body 14. The hydroponics assembly 10 further includes a rotating means 34 which rotates the or each support body 14 about a vertically extending axis, whereby an upper portion 48 of each plant support 20 of a given support body 14 is selectively exposed to nutrient solution 46 from a corresponding feeder 44.

Description

A HYDROPONICS ASSEMBLY

This invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to a hydroponics assembly.

ilydroponics is a technique of growing plants without soil. A nutrient solution is used to feed each plant.

US patent application number 2002144461 discloses a first apparatus for supporting a number of plants during such a growing process.

The apparatus includes a hollow drum arranged to rotate about a horizontally extending axis. The drum includes a plurality of apertures each arranged to support a plant within a pot. Typically, such an apparatus also includes an artificial light source arranged along the horizontal axis about which the plants rotate. This helps to promote the growth of the plants.

One disadvantage of such an arrangement is that it is bulky and so requires a large amount of floor space in order to permit the growing of a relatively small number of plants.

in addition, the arrangement of plants around the drum makes it difficult to provide each of them with a desired amount of nutrient solution.

JP 3191 727 discloses a second apparatus for supporting a number of plants during a hydroponics growing process.

The second apparatus includes a plant support having a cylindrical main body which includes a plurality of flanges extending from an outer surface thereof.

Each flange defines a circumferentially extending tray for supporting a plurality of plants. Each cylindrical main body is arranged to rotate about a vertically extending axis such that the trays are arranged substantially horizontally.

A benefit of rotating each plant support about a vertically extending axis is that the apparatus occupies less floor space than e.g. the first apparatus. and so allows use of the hydroponics apparatus within a narrow, confined space.

However, arranging the plants around the circumference of each cylindrical main body results in unused space within the interior of the main body. Consequently the arrangement of plants for a given area of floor space is relatively sparse.

In addition, the use of trays arranged vertically one above the other means that it difficult to supply the necessary nutrient solution to each plant. This results in a complex arrangement of internal cavities for supplying nutrient solution.

Therefore it is a general aim of the invention to provide a plant support which allows for a dense packing of plants while providing each plant with the necessary nutrient solution.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a hydroponics assembly, for growing plants hydroponically, comprising: a support structure supporting at least one support body, the or each support body supporting a plurality of elongate porous plant supports such that each plant support extends substantially vertically, each plant support being for supporting a plurality of plants; at least one feeder, the or each feeder being for supplying nutrient solution to the plant supports of a given support body; and a rotating means for rotating the or each support body about a vertically extending axis, whereby an upper portion of each plant support of a given support body is selectively exposed to nutrient solution from a corresponding feeder.

Arranging the plant supports vertically allows for a dense packing of plants, thereby assisting in the production of a maximum number of plants per unit of floor space employed for growing.

The ability to expose an upper portion of each plant support to nutrient solution and the provision of a porous plant support allows the nutrient solution to soak down through the whole plant support, thereby exposing each plant therein to nutnent solution.

Accordingly, each plant within a given plant support is able to receive the required amount of nutrient.

Preferably the or each support body includes a plurality of channels, each channel IC) being for receiving a respective plant support. Such an arrangement is readily manufacturable and allows for a dense arrangement of plants. In addition, each channel constrains the nutrient solution to soak through each plant support in a disciplined way and thereby defines a definite irrigation path.

Optionally the rotating means is connected to an upper end of the or each support body.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the upper end of the or each support body is suspended from the rotating means.

The foregoing features permit the use of a simple rotating means. In addition suspending the upper end of the or each support body from the rotating means makes it easier to add additional plant supports to an existing hydroponics assembly.

Preferably the or each support body is removeably suspended. This allows for the or each support body to be removed from the hydroponics assembly, thereby permitting convenient loading and/or unloading of the plants.

Conveniently each plant support includes a plurality of porous blocks arranged adjacent to one another, each block including a recess for receiving a plant.

Consequently it is possible to configure each plant support as desired so as to receive a particular number of plants in a particular arrangement.

Optionally each porous block is or includes Rockwool (RTM). Rockwool (RTM) absorbs the nutrient solution while allowing it to pass freely therethrough. It also helps to oxygenate the nutrient solution.

Conveniently each block includes a channel on a rear face thereof, the channel being formed in communication with the recess. Each channel provides space for the roots of a corresponding plant to grow.

Preferably the hydroponics assembly further includes a reservoir arranged below the or each support body so as to retain excess nutrient solution.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the reservoir is fluidly connected to the or each feeder so as to permit recirculation of the excess nutrient solution.

Such features allow for the provision of an essentially self-contained assembly which is able to operate for an extended period of time without external input from an operative.

Retaining excess nutrient solution helps to prevent waste of the solution, and the ability to recirculate excess nutrient solution helps to avoid stagnation problems.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a control module for maintaining each of the pH value and the nutrient value of the nutrient solution at a desired level.

Controlling the pH value controls the degree of nutrient absorption by each plant.

Accordingly, each plant is only able to absorb a certain amount of nutrient from the nutrient solution. Consequently it is possible to ensure each plant within a given plant support receives the required amount of nutrient by exposing each plant to a nutrient solution which contains a total amount of nutrient that is sufficient to feed all of the plants within the plant support, thereby helping to promote uniform growth of the plants irrespective of their position in the plant support.

Conveniently the hydroponics assembly further includes an artificial light source arranged adjacent to the or each support body. This promotes growth of the plants and permits use of the hydproponics assembly in a darkened environment.

There now follows a brief description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a hydroponics assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a support block.

A hydroponics assembly 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1. The hydroponics assembly 10 includes a support structure 12 which supports two support bodies 14.

Each support body 14 has a hexagonal cross-sectional profile and includes six lengthwise elongate channels 16 extending along the length thereof. Other embodiments of support body 14 (not shown) may have a different cross-sectional profile and may include a different number of channels 16.

Each channel 16 is open at an upper end 18 thereof Each channel 16 receives and supports an elongate, porous plant support 20. Each plant support 20 extends substantially vertically.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each plant support 20 comprises a plurality support blocks 22 (not shown) that are arranged adjacent to one another along the length of each channel 16.

Each support block 22 is formed from Rockwool (RTM) and includes a recess 24 for receiving a plant plug 26, i.e. a seedling with a root mass attached thereto, as shown in Figure 2.

Each support block 22 also includes a second channel 28 on a rear surface 30 thereof A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention includes eighteen support blocks 22 arranged in pairs along each channel 1 6, thereby permitting the support of two hundred and sixteen plants within the footprint of each support body 14.

An upper end 32 of each support body 14 is suspended from a rotating means 34.

The upper end 32 of each support body 14 includes hook 36 which is removably is suspended from the rotating means 34.

In the embodiment shown the rotating means 34 comprises a respective pulley wheel 38 for each support body 14, the pulley wheels 38 being interconnected by a drive belt 40 which in turn is driven by an electric motor 42. Other types of rotating means 34 are also possible.

Each pulley wheel 20 rotates the corresponding plant support 1 0 about a vertically extending axis VA.

The hydroponics assembly 1 0 also includes two feeders 44, each of which is arranged above a respective support body 14 so as to selectively dispense nutrient solution 46 into an upper portion 48 of each plant support 20, as each support body 14 is rotated.

The embodiment shown also includes a reservoir 50 below each support body 14.

The reservoir 50 is able to retain any excess nutrient solution 46 which runs off of each support body 14.

The reservoir 50 is fluidly connected to each feeder 44 by pipework (not shown) SO as to penriit recirculation of the excess nutrient solution 46.

Furthermore, the hydroponics assembly 1 0 includes a control module (not shown) which maintains the pH and nutrient values of the nutrient solution 46.

In addition, the hydroponics assembly 10 includes an artificial light source 52 which is adjacent and equally spaced from each support body 14.

in use, the electric motor 42 and drive belt 40 rotate each pulley wheel 38 so as to rotate each support body 14 at a continuous, predetermined rate.

Rotation of each support body 14 selectively exposes the upper portion 48 of each plant support 20 to nutrient solution 46 dispensed from a corresponding feeder 44.

Preferably the nutrient solution 46 is dispensed continuously at a predetermined rate.

The nutrient solution 46 soaks down through each support block 22, so as to expose each of the plants 26 arranged within a given plant support 20 to the nutrient solution 46.

Controlling the pH value of the nutrient solution 46 limits the amount of nutrient absorbed by each plant 26 from the nutrient solution 46.

Consequently it is possible to ensure each plant 26 within a given plant support 20 receives the required amount of nutrient by exposing each plant 26 to a nutrient solution 46 which contains a total amount of nutrient that is sufficient to feed all of the plants 26 within a given plant support 20.

Any excess nutrient solution 46 runs out of each channel 1 6 to be captured by the reservoir 50 below.

Rotation of each support body 14 also selectively exposes each plant support 20 and the plants 26 therein to light from the artificial light source 52.

Accordingly, each plant 26 receives the required nutrient and light to permit growth.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A hydroponics assembly, for growing plants hydroponically,

comprising: a support structure supporting at least one support body, the or each support body supporting a plurality of elongate porous plant supports such that each plant support extends substantially vertically, each plant support being for supporting a plurality of plants; at least one feeder, the or each feeder being fhr supplying nutrient solution to the plant supports of a given support body; and a rotating means for rotating the or each support body about a vertically extending axis, whereby an upper portion of each plant support of a given support body is selectively exposed to nutrient solution from a corresponding feeder.
2. A hydroponics assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the or each support body includes a plurality of channels, each channel being for receiving a respective plant support.
3. A hydroponics assembly according to any of Claims I or 2 wherein the rotating means is coimected to an upper end of the or each support body.
4. A hydroponics assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the upper end of the or each support body is suspended from the rotating means.
5. A hydroponics assembly according to Claim 4 wherein the or each support body is removeably suspended.
6. A hydroponics assembly according to any preceding claim wherein each plant support includes a plurality of porous blocks arranged adjacent to one another, each block including a recess for receiving a plant.
7. A hydroponics assembly according to Claim 6 wherein each porous block is or includes Rockwool (RTM).
8. A hydroponics assembly according to either of Claims 6 or 7 wherein each block includes a channel on a rear face thereof, the channel being formed in communication with the recess.
9. A hydroponics assembly according to any preceding claim further including a reservoir arranged below the or each support body so as to retain excess nutrient solution.
10. A hydroponics assembly according to Claim 9 wherein the reservoir is fluidly connected to the or each feeder so as to permit recirculation of the excess nutrient solution.
11. A hydroponics assembly according to either of Claims 9 or 10 further including a control module for maintaining each of the pH value and the nutrient value of the nutrient solution at a desired level.
12. A hydroponics assembly according to any preceding claim further including an artificial light source arranged adjacent to the or each support body.
13. A hydroponics assembly generally as herein described with reference to and/or illustrated the accompanying drawing.