WO2020055380A1

WO2020055380A1 - Ozone/oxygen generation system for enhanced growth and fruit production of commercially grown plants

Info

Publication number: WO2020055380A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/050335
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ambrose D. FILLIS
Original assignee: Advanced Ozone Integration
Priority date: 2018-09-11
Filing date: 2018-09-11
Publication date: 2020-03-19

Abstract

A device, system, and method configured to provide an aqueous solution of ozone and oxygen to a plant for providing benefits for growth. The system including an ozone generation system and oxygen generation system, wherein electricity is utilized to extract and form the provided molecules from a water or air source. The device configured to generally provide the solution to plants or surrounding areas generally through irrigation piping.

Description

OZONE/OXYGEN GENERATION SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED GROWTH AND FRUIT

PRODUCTION OF COMMERCIALLY GROWN PLANTS

SPECIFICATION

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING. A TABLE. OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM

[0003] Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The disclosure of the present application relates generally to the enhancement of plant growth and fruit production in commercial growing operations. In particular, the disclosure provides a multi-functional system that can increase growth and fruit production of plants in greenhouse and synthetically lighted growing operations. More particularly, the disclosure provides a method and system that can treat plants and their growing environment through air and irrigation water treatments without the use of conventional chemicals.

BACKGROUND

[0005] Conventional growing operations usually involve the use of chemicals, including pesticides and fertilizers, to aid in the growth of plants. Another method utilized in these growing operations is the increase of oxygen within the water provided to the plants through aeration, with the use of a device such as a bubble-type aerator, wherein air is added to the water in the form of small bubbles that are percolated into the water. Still another method utilizes sterilizing lights in an inefficient attempt to sterilize the environmental air the plants are grown in.

[0006] Although these attempts to improve growth are generally acceptable to achieve commercial plant and fruit yields, they do not generally provide for maximum plant growth and fruit yields. Generally, these yields are effected by microorganisms within the water and air causing limited growth. Further, low levels of oxygen within the irrigation water can cause limited root development. Still further, the application of chemical pesticides to plants generally leads to additional regulations and compliance

requirements for the operation in addition to potential damage to the treated plants.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need within the market for an improved and non chemical system and method for the irrigation of plants during growth. Preferably this system and method utilizes a device to oxygenate and ozonize water for use in irrigating plants within a growing environment. The device, system, and method generally treats and stimulates antioxidant growth within the plants to encourage self strengthening. Further the device, system, and method is configured to treat the surrounding air within the growing operation to reduce and attempt to eliminate fungi, viruses, pathogens, and insect contaminants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The disclosure of the present invention most generally relates to a device, system, and method of use for the generation of ozone and oxygen for use in growing plants without using consumable inputs and configured to deliver the generated ozone and oxygen into the water and surrounding environment the plants are grown within.

The device utilizes a controller configured to receive an input and coupled to a monitor to generally control and monitor the applications and enable a user to configure a variety of user defined set points for operation.

[0009] The device includes a mechanical assembly for the formation of a continuous ozone and oxygen enriched aqueous solution for the use in the irrigation of plants and the disinfecting of water used to irrigate the plants. Additionally, this ozone and oxygen enriched aqueous solution is configured for use and delivery to the various equipment and surfaces within a room the plants are grown within. Still further, this ozone and oxygen enriched aqueous solution can simultaneously be used within a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ("HVAC") system positioned in the space the device is used within to generally treat the interior surfaces of the ductwork, the surfaces of the space, including, but not limited to, the walls, the ceilings, and the floors, the air within the space, and the plants grown within the room.

[0010] The device mechanical assembly is comprised of an oxygen gas generation system, an ozone gas generation system, a gas-to-water injection system, and a balance tank. The controller of the system is configured as a programmable logic controller ("PLC") to collect and receive feedback from the various systems of the device.

Accordingly, the device is generally configured to operate automatically with minimal operating interfaces, store historical operational data, and enable remote access to the device and controller through a public or private network, such as the internet.

[0011] The device, systems, and methods for use are provided to advance the health of plants growing within the space the device is operated within, preferably resulting in an increase of plant growth and fruit production. The device is generally configured to be self-sustaining, with only water and electricity needed for operation. Accordingly, the device does not produce any negative chemical byproducts and results in an improved method and system for the safe and environmentally friendly enhancement of commercial plant growing.

[0012] The invention of the present disclosure will now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a front view of the device incorporating the systems and methods, according to the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 2 is a side view of the device incorporating the systems and methods, according to the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 3 is a rear view of the device incorporating the systems and methods, according to the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 4 is a rear view of the device incorporating the method of the device for use in irrigation of a plant, according to the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 5 is a rear view of the device incorporating a method of use of the device for disinfecting irrigation water for plants, according to the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 6 is a front side view of the device incorporating a method of use of the device in treatment of HVAC components, according to the present disclosure; and

[0019] Figure 7 is a wire frame diagram of the systems of the device, according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as "examples," are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. The embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, or structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0021] Before the present invention is described in such detail, however, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular variations set forth and may, of course, vary. Various changes may be made to the invention described and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process act(s) or step(s), to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure made herein.

[0022] Unless otherwise indicated, the words and phrases presented in this document have their ordinary meanings to one of skill in the art. Such ordinary meanings can be obtained by reference to their use in the art and by reference to general and scientific dictionaries.

[0023] References in the specification to "one embodiment" indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0024] The following explanations of certain terms are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive. These terms have their ordinary meanings given by usage in the art and in addition include the following explanations.

[0025] As used herein, the term "and/or" refers to any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated.

[0026] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0027] As used herein, the terms "include," "for example," "such as," and the like are used illustratively and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0028] As used herein, the terms "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances.

[0029] Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.

[0030] As used herein, the terms "front," "back," "rear," "upper," "lower," "right," and "left" in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the FIGS, with "front," "back," and "rear" being relative to the apparatus. These terms are not meant to limit the elements that they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications.

[0031] As used herein, the term "coupled" means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.

[0032] The invention of the present disclosure is generally directed to a device, system, and method of operation for generally providing ozone and oxygen in an aqueous solution to plants and their surroundings within a growing operation.

[0033] The disclosure of the present invention is comprises a device for generally producing ozonized and oxygenated water through electricity and configured for storage and delivery of this water to plants to generally encourage growth prevent harmful conditions.

[0034] Referring to the figures, Figs. 1-7 show the various views of the device, systems, and methods of use according to the present invention and generally referred to as device 10. The device 10 is configured as an assembly with a housing depicted as a cart and generally containing the systems of the device 10 coupled to a controller 100. The housing includes an oxygen generation system 101 generally configured to produce oxygen from water through an electrical current, wherein the current is passed through the water and the oxygen gas collected.

[0035] The housing further including an ozone generation system 102 configured to produce ozone through an electrical charge and configured for placement into an aqueous solution and stored within an aqueous ozone balance tank 106. The ozone generation system 102 can utilize several known methods for the creation of ozone, including but not limited to, the corona discharge method, and the electrolytic method.

[0036] The controller 100 is positioned within the device 10 housing and includes a human-machine interface (HMI) 104 configured to allow for input into the device 10 enabling a user to generally configure and control the features and systems of the device 10. The controller 100 is coupled to an aqueous ozone monitor 103 generally configured to monitor the levels of the ozone solution within the ozone balance tank 106. The controller 100 is further coupled to a gaseous ozone monitor 105 configured to monitor the ambient ozone levels within the surrounding area, such as a growing room, the device 10 is placed within.

[0037] The controller 100 further controls the mechanical functions of the device 10 including an injection system 107 configured to enable the impregnation of ozone and oxygen from the oxygen generation system 101 and ozone generation system 102 into an aqueous solution. The injection system 107 in communication with a transfer pump 108 coupled to the controller 100 and configured to pump and direct the ozone/oxygen impregnated solution to the various plant delivery devices and systems for treating growing plants. [0038] Referring now to Fig. 2, a system for delivering an aqueous ozone to solution to a variety of separate plants through irrigation is shown. The system is generally coupled to the ozone generation system 102 and including an ozone transfer pump 201 in a fluid coupling with a header 202. The header 202 generally aggregating the aqueous ozone solution and including multiple ports to distribute the solution to a plurality of plant containers 204 through irrigation piping 203.

[0039] Referring now to Fig. 3, a disinfecting system and method of the device 10 is shown. The depicted system utilizes a secondary ozone/oxygen injection skid 301 configured to disinfect irrigation water by recirculating irrigation water from a storage tank 302. Accordingly, the water is recirculated past the oxygen generation system 101 and ozone generation system 102 of the device 10 and back into the storage tank 302 where it is provided to a plurality of plant containers 304 through piping 303. The disinfected water of the device 10 provides improved water quality and benefits the growth of the plants.

[0040] Referring now to Fig. 4, the device 10 can be utilized as a cleaning system 401 for use within a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the plant surrounding environment. Generally, the ozone and oxygen is provided in an aqueous solution through the oxygen generation system 101 and ozone generation system 102 of the device 10 and delivered via tubing 402 to the various ducts 403 and ductwork 403 of the HVAC system. Accordingly, this solution will disinfect the ductwork 403 interior surfaces and permeate into the surrounding area and room interior the plants 403 are placed within. [0041] While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other

embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.

Claims

1. A device system for use in a plant growing environment, the device including: an ozone generation system configured to produce ozone in an aqueous solution; an oxygen generation system configured to produce oxygen in an aqueous

solution;

a controller, the controller coupled to ozone generation system, oxygen

generation system, and a pump; and

the pump configured to pump the aqueous solution to the plant within the

growing environment.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein the device includes a multi port header coupled to the pump.

3. A device as in claim 1, wherein the pump is configured to recirculate stored water through the device.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein the pump is coupled to an HVAC system.