GB2576761A

GB2576761A - Apparatus for use when growing plants

Info

Publication number: GB2576761A
Application number: GB1814205.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Green Stuart
Original assignee: Hydrogarden Ltd
Current assignee: Hydrogarden Ltd
Priority date: 2018-08-31
Filing date: 2018-08-31
Publication date: 2020-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 2038-08-31
Also published as: GB201814205D0; GB2576761B

Abstract

Hydroponic apparatus comprises a hub member 44 connected through docking stations (58, figure 9) to a plurality of water-retaining hydroponic growing vessels 40. The central hub member includes connections to receive services including inter alia electricity air, water and nutrients from external sources and to supply each such service to each said docking station and from thence to each hydroponic growing vessel connected to the hub member. The docking stations may monitor the temperature and nutrient content of water present in each vessel and either alert the user to adverse readings or take remedial action. Also disclosed is an airstone (figure 4) comprising an internal chamber, with a removable open-topped upper section, a permeable membrane which extends over the top of the upper section of the chamber.

Description

APPARATUS FOR USE WHEN GROWING PLANTS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to apparatus for use when growing plants from seedlings and especially to hydroponic apparatus for such use.

The invention further relates to air stones, especially to air stones for use with hydroponic apparatus.

Background to the invention

Hydroponic apparatus is widely employed for growing plants from seedlings using nutrients including mineral solutions in water.

Air stones are employed in hydroponic and other systems for supplying air bubbles for aeration purposes to water retained in growing vessels in which the roots of seedlings and plants are immersed. Hitherto, air stones have generally either been moulded from a porous stone-based material such as sand, or produced from a plastics material or from wood formed with a series of holes through which air can pass.

Particularly in hydroponic apparatus, there is a need to ensure that the size and frequency of air bubbles released through an air stone are such as to consistently achieve the required water aeration for the best hydroponic results. Also, the temperature and nutrient content of the water should be controlled to achieve the best growing conditions.

In one aspect the present invention sets out to provide such an air stone.

Hydroponic apparatus is known which comprises a single water containing reservoir vessel which includes a cover formed with openings to receive a plurality of growing pods. In this system an LED lighting system is employed to direct light and heat onto the surface of the vessel, the temperature of the vessel surface being recorded and displayed to warning so that manual remedial action can be taken if deemed necessary.

Another aspect the present invention sets out to provide hydroponic apparatus which includes a multiplicity of water retaining reservoir vessels each connectable to a central hub operable automatically to rectify changes likely to affect the performance of the apparatus; the apparatus preferably includes one or more such air stones.

Summary of the Invention

In one aspect, the invention provides an air stone which comprises an internal chamber having a base and at least one side wall which projects upwardly from the periphery of said base to define with the base a lower section of the internal chamber, said chamber including a removable open-topped upper section which is connectable to the side wall(s) of the base and which includes at least one side wall which projects downwardly from the periphery of the upper section to define, when assembled on the lower section, a close fit with the neighbouring surface of the upwardly extending side wall(s) of the base, a permeable membrane which extends over the open top of the upper chamber with its sides trapped between opposed surfaces of the upper and lower sections of the chamber when connected together, and means for selectively placing the interior of the lower section of the chamber in communication with an air supply.

The chamber is preferably circular in cross-section.

The permeable membrane may comprise a microfiber cloth or like material.

Sealing means may be provided between the neighbouring surfaces of the upwardly projecting side wall of the base and the downwardly projecting side wall of said upper section.

The sealing means may comprise cooperating clip sections which project from the outer surface of the upwardly projecting side wall and the inner surface of the downwardly projecting side wall of said upper section.

In another aspect, the invention provides hydroponic apparatus which comprises a hub member connected through docking stations to a plurality of water-retaining hydroponic growing vessels, the central hub member including connections to receive services including inter alia air, electricity, water level, water temperature and nutrients from external sources and to supply each such service to each said docking station and from thence to each water- retaining growing vessel connected to said hub member.

The docking station may be connected in such a manner to monitor the temperature and nutrient content of water present in each connected growing vessel and to either alert the user of the apparatus to adverse readings or to automatically take remedial action to correct any such adverse reading.

The hub member preferably further includes a lighting column assembly connectable through cabling to an external source of electricity, said column assembly supporting a plurality of light sources located one over each growing vessel.

The lighting column assembly may comprise a single central column for conveying electrical cabling to each of a plurality of light sources suspended from supports, or a plurality of such columns each connected to one light source. In the latter case, the columns are preferably grouped together to give the appearance of a single column.

Each light source may comprise a bank of LED lights.

A fan operable to direct air onto the surface of each growing vessel may be provided.

The height of each lighting column maybe of variable height; in a preferred arrangement, each column is constructed from a plurality of inter-connectable lengths. Thus, each column may comprise three or more separable column lengths.

Preferably, each hydroponic growing vessel includes an air stone which comprises a chamber having a lower section which includes a base and a side wall which projects upwardly from the periphery of said base , an open-topped upper section which is connectable to the side wall of the base and which includes a downwardly extending side wall which projects from the periphery of the upper section to define a close fit with the neighbouring surface of the upwardly extending side wall of the base, and a permeable membrane which extends over the open top of the upper chamber with its sides trapped between the upper and lower sections of the chamber when connected together, and means for selectively placing the interior of the lower section of the chamber in communication with an air supply.

Typically, the hub member includes means for monitoring the temperature of the water content of each growing vessel and the volume and temperature of air supplied to each air stone, and control means for varying said time and/or temperature consistent with that/those required.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:Figure 1 is an isometric view of an air stone in accordance with the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are side views of the air stone illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along lines IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows to an enlarged scale detail V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an isometric view of hydroponic apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 7 is a plan view from above of the hydroponic apparatus shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a section taken along line V11-V11 of Figure 7; an

Figure 9 is a plan view from above of a central service supply member which forms part of the illustrated hydroponic apparatus;

Figure 10 is an isometric view from above of a central service supply member which forms part of the illustrated hydroponic apparatus;

Figures 11A and 11B are lower section of the hub;

Figures 12A and 12B are middle section of the hub;

isometric views from above and below respectively of the isometric views from above and below respectively of the

Figures 13A and 13B are isometric views from above and below respectively of the upper section of the hub; and

Figure 14 is an exploded view of the hub.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The air stone 10 illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 has a lower section 12 formed with an annular base 14 and an side wall 16 which projects upwardly from the periphery of the base, and an annular upper section 18 which, on assembly of the air stone, locates on the upper rim of the base and includes a downwardly projecting skirt 20 which overlies the uppermost part of the base to define a close fit therewith.

An annular collar 22 is supported on the upper edge of the side wall 16 of the annular base 14 with its edge in close alignment with the adjacent rim 24 of the side wall 16 of the base 14.

The lower and upper sections of the air stone are produced a non-porous material such as metal, plastics or any other suitable non-porous material having similar properties to metal and/or plastics.

As will be seen most clearly from Figure 5, the upper external surface of the side wall 16 is formed with an outwardly projecting annular member 26 which locates within a complementary shaped recess 28 set in the downwardly projecting skirt 20 of the upper section 18. Thus, the member 26 and the recess 28 define a secure clip which when closed retains the upper and lower sections of the air stone in place as and when required, but which can subsequently be opened to expose the interior of the air stone.

The lower section 12 includes an opening 30 which, in use of the air stone, is connected through a feed pipe 32 to a source of air under pressure.

Positioned over the open top of the upper section 18 and trapped between the engaged sides of the side wall 16 and the upper section 18 of the base 14 is a microfiber sheet of material 34. The sides of the sheet locate under the annular collar 22 and are retained firmly in place by the clip defined by the member 26 and the recess

28. The resulting smooth surface of the sheet 34 ensures that a uniform supply of air is discharged at a controlled rate from the air stone.

In use, the air stone is positioned within a water containing vessel and supplies air under pressure in measured quantities to the water content of the vessel. The vessel may be employed for growing and nurturing seedlings and plants or for other purposes.

Air stones of the present invention may also be used regulate airflow and temperature in other water based environments such as aquariums, fish tanks or ponds for example.

The apparatus illustrated in Figures 6 to 10 of the drawings is employed for nurturing and growing plants from seedlings hydroponically. The apparatus comprises four water reservoir vessels 40 connected through docking stations to a central controller comprising a hub 44. Each vessel 40 includes a lower compartment 46 in which is positioned one or more of the air stones 10, and an upper compartment 48 connected to receive and retain a measured quantity of water at a temperature conducive to good hydroponic growing practice. Nutrients are preferably present in or periodically added to the water

Each vessel 40 comprises a cover 50 formed with openings to receive growing pods 52 containing inter alia plant seedlings and nutrients. The pods may also include items such as matting, sand, perlite and gravel to assist the growing process.

The cover 50 also provides support for one or more data collection devices 54 able to record, for example, the temperature and oxygen and nutrient contents of water retained in the respective reservoir vessel 40. Readings taken by the devices 54 are transmitted to the hub 44 and the data is monitored and regulated by the hub 44 which can take automatic remedial action to correct any deficiencies within the temperatures or oxygen levels recorded.

Thus, the hub 44 monitors the temperature and air and nutrient content of the water present in each vessel 40 and initiates remedial action should any measured value fall outside values consistent with good hydroponic growing conditions.

The hub 44 is supported on an alignment assembly 56 and, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 to 10, includes four docking stations 58 each of which includes electrical circuitry which cooperates with complementary circuitry of each reservoir vessel 40. Thus, signals received from the data collection devices 54 are collated by the hub and remedial action taken to correct any measured deficiency.

The assembly 56 includes rubber feet or location members 60 which are received within complementary shaped recesses located in the bottom of each vessel 40 as and when one or more vessels is connected to the hub 44. Levelling devices are provided to ensure that each vessel and the hub are correctly aligned and positioned on a supporting surface.

The hub construction can be seen in figures 11 to 14. The hub 44 is comprises a lower section 62, a middle section 64 and an upper 66 section shown in figures 11,12 and 13 respectively.

An air pump 68 is housed within the lower section 62 and is employed to provide controlled airflow to the air stones 10. The pump 68 extends upwardly into the middle section 64. The pump may be external to the hub unit 44 and connected to it. The air pump 68 may be activated or deactivated to control heat within any or each vessel. The temperature of the solution within each vessel 40 is sensed by the data collection devices 54 and monitored and controlled by the hub 44.

To remedy any inconsistency, the hub 44 is able to modulate the time the air pump 68 to control the temperature within the system. For example, as the solution becomes warmer and the oxygen becomes depleted (as oxygen gets depleted in warmer solution) the hub 44 is able to communicate with the air pump to turn it on and/or increases the airflow into the solution through the air stones 10.

The hub 44 has means to communicate wirelessly with a smart phone or tablet of a user to provide a warning with regard to the temperature or oxygen levels within the system and to inform the user that remedial action is being taken, or to allow the user to take manual remedial action if appropriate.

A central stem 70 extends upwardly from the lower section 62 into and through a complimentary central aperture in middle section 64. The stem has longitudinal grooves to receive the bottom ends of lighting columns 72 as will be described later.

The middle section 64 houses a five-way air splitter 74 located within the groove section 76 of the middle section 64. The middle section 64 also has an air top hat 78 that overlays the top of the pump 68 when the hub sections are secured together.

The top section 66 includes the docking stations 58 within a recess formed in its outer walls to receive and communicate with the electronic circuitry of the vessels 40. The top section 66 has a stem extending downwardly within the section divided into four longitudinal shaped channels 80, each to receive a lighting column 72 therethrough.

Removable caps 82 are located over the entrances to the apertures to form a seal and prevent any ingress of water into the hub 44 when lighting columns 72 are not being used.

Figure 14 shows an exploded view of the hub 44. The alignment assembly 56 is secured to the underside of the lower section 62. A first PCB 86 is located between the lower section 62 and middle section 64 and rests within the lower section 62, as can be seen in figure 11. The PCB 86 has a central aperture 87 through which the stem 70 extends to retain the PCB 86 in place within the lower section 62 of the hub structure.

A second PCB 88 is located between the middle section 64 and upper section 66 of the hub 44. This PCB 88 also has a central through which the downwardly extending channels 80 extend to retain the PCB 88 in place within the hub structure.

A membrane keypad 90 and blank plate 92 overlay the top face of the top section 66.

As can be seen with reference back to figures 6 and 8, vertically aligned lighting columns 94 extend into the hub 44 through the channels 80 to sit within the recesses of the bottom stem 70 of the lower section 62 of the hub 44.

The distal end of each column includes a generally horizontally arm extending support arm 96 at the end of which is supported a light unit 98, comprising a bank of LEDs 100.

Four columns 94 are provided in figure 6 so that each vessel 40 can be served independently by its own unit 98.

A fan, preferably a micro fan, is provided on, or may be attached to, each light column 94 to provide controlled airflow over the crop growing in any or each vessel 40. Air flow may be increased or decreased over any or each vessel 40 to affect transpiration and to speed up the growth of the crop.

Each column 94 houses cabling for connecting the respective LEDs 100 to a mains supply or a suitable source of electricity.

The height of each column 94 may be adjusted to enable the height of the light units 98 above the surface of the or each vessel 40, to be changed as and when required.

The modularity of the system, wherein four vessels 40 are connected to and working from one central control system hub 40 with only one pump makes the system cost effective and allows the apparatus unit to grow with the customer.

The hub 40 may be secured to a wall rack to provide a vertical unit.

The outer surfaces of each reservoir vessel 40 may be lined with a selected material to match, for example, the decor of the room in which the apparatus is to be located.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of air stones and hydroponic growing apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Hydroponic apparatus which comprises a hub member connected through docking stations to a plurality of water-retaining hydroponic growing vessels, the central hub member including connections to receive services including inter alia electricity air, water and nutrients from external sources and to supply each such service to each said docking station and from thence to each hydroponic growing pod connected to said hub member.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the docking station is connected to monitor the temperature and nutrient content of water present in each growing vessel and either to alert the user of the apparatus to adverse readings or to automatically take remedial action to correct any such adverse reading.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the hub member further includes a lighting column assembly connectable through cabling to an external source of electricity, said column assembly supporting a plurality of light sources located one over each growing pod.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lighting column assembly comprises a single central column for conveying electrical cabling to each of a plurality of light sources suspended from supports

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lighting column assembly comprises a plurality of lighting columns columns each connected to one of the several light sources.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the columns are grouped together to give the appearance of a single column.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein each light source comprises a bank of LED lights

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, further including a fan operable to direct air onto the surface of each growing pod

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein each lighting column Is of variable height.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein each column is constructed from a plurality of inter-connectable column lengths.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein each hydroponic growing pod includes an air stone which comprises a chamber having a lower section which includes a base and a side wall which projects upwardly from the periphery of said base , an open-topped upper section which is connectable to the side wall of the base and which includes a downwardly extending side wall which projects from the periphery of the upper section to define a close fit with the neighbouring surface of the upwardly extending side wall of the base, and a permeable membrane which extends over the open top of the upper chamber with its sides trapped between the upper and lower sections of the chamber when connected together, and means for selectively placing the interior of the lower section of the chamber in communication with an air supply.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the hub member includes means for monitoring the temperature of water present in each growing pod and the volume and temperature of air supplied to each air stone, said hub member further including control means for varying said temperature and volume in response to measured values of temperature and/or volume.

13. An air stone which comprises an internal chamber having a base and at least one side wall which projects upwardly from the periphery of said base to define with the base a lower section of the internal chamber, said chamber including a removable open-topped upper section which is connectable to the side wall(s) of the base and which includes at least one side wall which projects downwardly from the periphery of the upper section to define, when assembled on the lower section, a close fit with the neighbouring surface of the upwardly extending side wall(s) of the base, a permeable membrane which extends over the open top of the upper chamber with its sides trapped between opposed surfaces of the upper and lower sections of the chamber when connected together, and means for selectively placing the interior of the lower section of the chamber in communication with an air supply.

14. An air stone as claimed in claim 13, wherein the chamber is circular in crosssection.

15. An air stone as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the permeable membrane comprises a microfiber cloth or like material.

16. An air stone as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein sealing means is provided between the neighbouring surfaces of the upwardly projecting side wall of the base and the downwardly projecting side wall of said upper section.

17. An air stone as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the sealing means comprises cooperating clip sections which project from the outer surface of the upwardly projecting side wall and the inner surface of the downwardly projecting side wall of said upper section.

Amendments to the claims have been made as follows:

1. Hydroponic apparatus which comprises a hub member connected through docking stations to a plurality of water-retaining hydroponic growing vessels, the central hub member including connections to receive services including inter alia electricity air, water and nutrients from external sources and to supply each such service to each said docking station and from thence to each hydroponic growing vessel connected to said hub member.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lighting column assembly comprises a plurality of lighting columns each connected to one of the plurality of light sources.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein each hydroponic growing pod includes an air stone which comprises a chamber having a lower section which includes a base and a side wall which projects upwardly from the periphery of said base , an open-topped upper section which is connectable to the side wall of the base and which includes a downwardly extending side wall which projects from the periphery of the upper section to define a close fit with the neighbouring surface of the upwardly extending side wall of the base, and a permeable membrane which extends over the open top of the upper section with its sides trapped between the upper and lower sections of the chamber when connected together, and means for selectively placing the interior of the lower section of the chamber in communication with an air supply.