WO2024003590A1 - Plant culture system and method - Google Patents

Plant culture system and method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024003590A1
WO2024003590A1 PCT/IB2022/000395 IB2022000395W WO2024003590A1 WO 2024003590 A1 WO2024003590 A1 WO 2024003590A1 IB 2022000395 W IB2022000395 W IB 2022000395W WO 2024003590 A1 WO2024003590 A1 WO 2024003590A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
room
chamber
air
outlet
inlet
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2022/000395
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Romain Schmitt
Eliott Vacher
Original Assignee
Farm3
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Farm3 filed Critical Farm3
Priority to PCT/IB2022/000395 priority Critical patent/WO2024003590A1/en
Publication of WO2024003590A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024003590A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
    • A01G9/24—Devices or systems for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature, illuminating, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like
    • A01G9/246—Air-conditioning systems
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
    • A01G31/02—Special apparatus therefor
    • A01G31/06—Hydroponic culture on racks or in stacked containers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a plant culture system and to a plant culture method.
  • a plant culture system generally comprises a frame defining a room, and one or several room conditioning devices arranged within the room and configured to set the conditions of the culture environment within the room.
  • the room conditioning device In an operating state, as it is running to provide the required condition associated therewith, the room conditioning device generally produces heat which influences the culture environment, as it raises temperature and dries air within the room.
  • conditions of the culture environment differ depending on different aspects of the plant, such as its stage of development, its variety or other.
  • the invention aims at solving the above problems.
  • the invention proposes a plant culture system comprising:
  • an air circuit configured to circulate air within the room proximate to the room conditioning device, wherein the air circuit presents:
  • the plant culture system proposes an integrated solution in which the room and the chamber provide two separate spaces having each their own culture environment.
  • heat resulting from operation of the room conditioning device to condition the first culture environment is used to condition the second culture environment of the chamber. Thanks to such integrated arrangement of the room and the chamber and such combination of the control of the respective culture environments of the two separate spaces, the number of plant culture systems and energy requirements can be reduced, thereby reducing costs, space and ecological footprint.
  • the air circuit may comprise a room inlet configured to admit air within the room, a room outlet configured exhaust air from the room, a chamber inlet configured to admit air within the chamber and a chamber outlet configured exhaust air from the chamber, the air circuit being configured to define a heating flow path from the room inlet towards the chamber outlet through the inlet chamber in the heating state, and a by-pass flow path from the room inlet towards the room outlet in the by-pass state.
  • the air circuit may comprise a valve arrangement configured to put each of the room outlet, the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet in one of a passing state enabling air to pass therethrough, and a blocking state preventing air from passing therethrough, the valve arrangement being controlled to put:
  • the air circuit may comprise an outlet duct connected to the room outlet and presenting a duct inlet arranged in the room, the outlet duct presenting a chamber portion extending within the chamber and provided with the chamber inlet.
  • the outer frame may have a lower part in which the room outlet is arranged and an upper part in which the room inlet is arranged.
  • the inner frame may have a lower part in which the chamber inlet is arranged and an upper part in which the chamber outlet is arranged.
  • the outer frame may have an outer surface opposite the room, the room inlet and the room outlet opening in the outer surface of room.
  • the chamber outlet may open in the outer surface of room.
  • the outer frame may present a compartment separate from the room and configured to condition air, and the air circuit may be configured to draw air conditioned in the compartment towards the room and to exhaust air having passed proximate to the room conditioning device from the room towards the compartment.
  • the air circuit may comprise an air conditioning system configured to condition air and a circulation device configured to impart a flow of air, the air conditioning system and the circulation device being arranged within the compartment.
  • the room conditioning device may comprise a lighting system, especially at least one LED panel, configured to provide light as condition of the first culture environment.
  • the plant culture system may include at least one tray arranged within the chamber and comprising a casing fixed to the inner frame, and a support moveably mounted on the casing between a retracted position in which said support is arranged within the casing, and a deployed position in which at least part of said support protrudes from the casing.
  • the plant culture system may further comprise a liquid circuit configured to supply the tray with liquid.
  • the chamber may further comprise a decontamination module configured to implement a decontamination procedure within the tray when the support is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position.
  • the decontamination module may include at least one UV source, and implementing the decontamination procedure may include switching the UV source on for a predetermined duration.
  • the plant culture system may further comprise a control unit connected to the air circuit and to the room conditioning device, and configured to control conditions of the first culture environment.
  • the chamber may be provided with at least one chamber conditioning device configured to provide at least one condition of the second culture environment, the control unit being connected to the chamber conditioning device and configured to control conditions of the second culture environment.
  • the control unit may comprise at least one sensor configured to output a condition signal representative of at least one of a temperature and a humidity rate in the chamber, the control unit being configured to control operation of the air circuit based on the condition signal.
  • the control unit may be configured to store plant data representative of a plant to be received in at least one of the room and the chamber, the control unit being configured to control operation of the air circuit based on the plant data.
  • the invention proposes a plant culture method implementing the plant culture system as defined previously, comprising the step consisting in: when the room conditioning device is in the operating state and the aircircuit is in the by-pass state, if the second culture environment requires heat, putting the air circuit in the heating state, air circulating within the chamber after having passed proximate to the room conditioning device.
  • At least one plant may be received in the room with the first culture environment configured to promote growth of the plant, and at least one seed may be received in the chamber with the second culture environment configured to promote germination of the seed.
  • the plant culture method comprises:
  • the plant culture method comprises:
  • the plant culture method comprises: drawing air conditioned in the compartment towards the room, and exhausting air having passed proximate to the room conditioning device from the room towards the compartment.
  • the plant culture method may further comprise controlling conditions of the first culture environment.
  • the plant culture method may further comprise controlling conditions of the second culture environment.
  • the plant culture method may further comprise controlling operation of the air circuit based on the condition signal representative of at least one of a temperature and a humidity rate in the chamber.
  • the plant culture method may further comprise controlling operation of the air circuit based on the plant data representative of a plant to be received in at least one of the room and the chamber.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a plant culture system according to an embodiment of the invention, the plant culture system comprising a room configured to present a first culture environment, a chamber arranged within the room and configured to present a second culture environment, and an air circuit configured to circulate air within the room, the air circuit being in a by-pass state in which it prevents air from passing within the chamber,
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the plant culture system of figure 1, the air circuit being in a heating state in which it circulates air within the chamber after having passed proximate to a room conditioning device,
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective representation of a tray arranged within the chamber of the plant culture system of figure 1 and configured to provide the second culture environment suitable for seed germination, the tray being in a deployed position in which a support protrudes from a casing secured to an inner frame of the chamber,
  • FIG. 4 is a representation in section along orientation referenced IV-IV on figure 3 of the tray of figure 3, the tray being in a retracted position in which the support is arranged within the casing, and supporting germinated seeds.
  • Figures 1 and 2 schematically represent a plant culture system 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the plant culture system 1 finds particular applications in the culture of different groups of plants which differ from each other in terms of stage of development, variety or other.
  • the plant culture system 1 includes separate spaces each configured to receive plants.
  • Each space has its own culture environment, similar to or different from the culture environment of the other spaces, which can be controlled depending on the plant received in it.
  • the plant culture system 1 may receive plants of which growth is to be promoted and seeds of which germination is to be promoted.
  • Each space is closed while presenting an access opening reversibly closeable to enable maintenance of the culture environment while enabling plants to be installed in and removed from the space.
  • the plant culture system 1 comprises an outer frame 5 having walls arranged in any suitable manner to define a room 6 as one of the spaces suitable for receiving plants.
  • the outer frame 5 is parallelepipedal with opposite bottom surface 7 and top wall 8 spaced apart from each other along a vertical direction V, opposite front and rear walls (not shown) spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction L perpendicular to the vertical direction V, and opposite lateral walls 9 spaced apart from each other along a transverse direction T perpendicular to the vertical V and transverse directions L.
  • the bottom surface 7 and the top 8, front, rear and lateral 9 walls of the outer frame 5 each have an inner surface oriented towards the room 6, and an outer surface opposite the room 6.
  • the room 6 is configured to present a first culture environment for example suitable to promote growth of the plants.
  • the room 6 is provided with one or several room conditioning devices 10 configured to provide each a condition of the first culture environment.
  • Each of the room conditioning devices 10 presents an operating state in which it produces heat as it runs to provide the associated condition.
  • the room conditioning device 10 comprises a lighting system 11, especially at least one LED panel, configured to provide light as one of the conditions of the first culture environment.
  • the lighting system 11 comprises several LED tubes 12 extending each in the vertical direction V, parallel to each other so that the lighting system 11 presents a transverse dimension along the transverse direction T.
  • the walls of the outer frame 5 are further configured to form a compartment 13 separate from the room 6 and adjoining one of the lateral walls 9 delimiting the room 6.
  • the bottom surface 7 and top 8 front and rear walls of the outer frame 5 extend to delimit the compartment 13 in the vertical V and longitudinal L directions, and a compartment wall 14 spaced apart from the lateral wall 9 of the room 6 is provided to form a closed space with an access opening reversibly closeable.
  • the compartment 13 is configured to receive air from an outside environment and to condition air.
  • the plant culture system 1 also comprises an inner frame 15 arranged within the room 6 and having walls arranged in any suitable manner to define a chamber 16 as another space suitable for receiving plants.
  • the inner frame is parallelepipedal with opposite bottom surface 17 and top wall 18 spaced apart from each other along the vertical direction V, opposite front and rear walls (not shown) spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction L, and opposite lateral walls 19 spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T.
  • the bottom surface 17 and top 18, front, rear and lateral 19 walls of the inner frame 15 each have an inner surface oriented towards the chamber 16, and an outer surface opposite the chamber 16.
  • the inner frame 15 is adjoining the lateral wall 9 of the outer frame 5 between the room 6 and the compartment 13.
  • the lateral wall 19 of the chamber 16 may be in contact or integral with a portion of the lateral wall 9 of the room 6. It should be noted that the inner frame 15 may present any other suitable arrangement within the room 6.
  • the chamber 16 is configured to present a second culture environment for example suitable to promote germination of seeds.
  • the chamber 16 may be provided with one or several chamber conditioning devices 20 configured to provide each a condition of the second culture environment.
  • the chamber 16 is equipped with six trays 21 superposed on each other along the vertical direction V. In other embodiments, any other arrangement of one or several trays 21 could be provided.
  • each tray 21 comprises a casing 22, for example parallelepipedal, fixed on inner surfaces of the lateral walls of the inner frame 15 so that an access opening of the casing 22 is arranged in correspondence with the access opening of the chamber 16.
  • the tray 21 comprises a support 23 moveable with respect to the casing 22 between a deployed position, shown in figure 3, in which the support 23 protrudes from the casing 22, and a retracted position, shown in figure 4, in which the support 23 is arranged within the casing 22.
  • the support 23 is made of a perforated plate having an array of through- openings each configured to receive a pot 2.
  • the pot 2 may be filled with a substrate in which one or several seeds are placed.
  • the pot 2 may receive an already germinated seed, a young plant 3 or other.
  • a plant could be received in any suitable manner on the support 23, itself configured in any suitable manner.
  • the support 23 is mounted within the casing 22 through slides 24 and is provided with a front panel 25 closing the access opening of the casing 22 in the retracted position.
  • the tray 21 thus proposes a closed space in the retracted position of the support 23.
  • the plant culture system 1 may comprise a liquid circuit 26 as one of the chamber conditioning devices 20 to control the second culture environment in terms of humidity rate.
  • the casing 22 of each tray 21 has a bottom 22a configured to receive liquid, especially water, to a certain level.
  • the liquid circuit 26 has a liquid supplying device 27 configured to supply the bottom 22a of the casing 22 with liquid through a liquid inlet 28, and a liquid draining device 29 configured to drain liquid from the bottom 22a of the casing 22 through a liquid outlet 30.
  • the liquid circuit 26 may also comprise a spraying device configured to spray liquid within the tray 21.
  • the light sources 31 may be part of a decontamination module configured to implement a decontamination procedure within the tray 21, especially when the support 23 is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position.
  • the light sources 31 may include UV sources and the decontamination procedure includes switching the UV sources on for a predetermined duration.
  • the tray 21 may also be equipped with a ventilation system 36 enabling air to be circulated within the tray 21 and possibly between the tray 21 and the chamber 16 when the tray 21 is in the retracted position.
  • each tray 21 can be equipped with one or several sensors including for example: a liquid level sensor 32, a temperature sensor 33, an air humidity rate sensor 34, a substrate humidity sensor 35 and others.
  • sensors including for example: a liquid level sensor 32, a temperature sensor 33, an air humidity rate sensor 34, a substrate humidity sensor 35 and others.
  • the plant culture system 1 also comprises an air circuit 40 configured to circulate air within the room 6 proximate to the lighting system 11.
  • the air circuit 40 comprises a room inlet 41 configured to admit air within the room 6.
  • the room inlet 41 is arranged in an upper part of the outer frame 5, close to the top wall 8.
  • the room inlet 41 opens in the outer surface of the lateral wall 9 of the room 6 to put the room 6 in fluid communication with the compartment 13.
  • the room inlet 41 is connected to an inlet duct 42 provided with several secondary air inlets 43 arranged to distribute air over the transverse dimension of the lighting system 11.
  • the air circuit 40 also comprises a room outlet 45 configured exhaust air from the room 6.
  • the room outlet 45 is arranged in a lower part of the outer frame 5, close to the bottom surface 7.
  • the room outlet 45 opens in the outer surface of the lateral wall 9 of the room 6 to put the room 6 in fluid communication with the compartment 13.
  • An outlet duct 46 connected to the room outlet 45 has a chamber portion 47 extending within the chamber 16, through both lateral walls 19 of the chamber 16, to open in the room 6 by a duct inlet 48.
  • the air circuit 40 comprises a chamber inlet 50 configured to admit air within the chamber 16.
  • the chamber inlet 50 is arranged in a lower part of the inner frame 15, close to the bottom surface 17.
  • the chamber inlet 50 is arranged in the chamber portion 47 of the outlet duct 46.
  • the air circuit 40 also comprises a chamber outlet 51 configured exhaust air from the chamber 16.
  • the chamber outlet 51 is arranged in an upper part of the inner frame 15, close to the top wall 18.
  • the chamber outlet 51 opens in the outer surface of the lateral wall 9 of the room 6 through the lateral wall 19 of the chamber 19 to put the chamber 16 in fluid communication with the compartment 13.
  • an air conditioning system 55 configured to condition air
  • a circulation device 56 such as one or several fans configured to impart a flow of air.
  • the air circuit 40 of the plant culture system 1 is configured to draw air conditioned in the compartment 13 towards the room 6, and to exhaust air having passed proximate to the room conditioning device 10 from the room 6 towards the compartment 13.
  • valve arrangement 60 comprises three valves 61 equipping respectively the room outlet 45, the chamber inlet 50 and the chamber outlet 51 to put them selectively in one of a passing state enabling air to pass therethrough, and a blocking state preventing air from passing therethrough.
  • the plant culture system 1 further comprises a control unit 65 connected in any suitable manner to the air circuit 40, to the lighting system 11 and any other room conditioning device 10, as well as to the aforementioned chamber conditioning devices 20.
  • conditions within the room 6 can be monitored by one of several sensors (not shown) comprising for example: a temperature sensor, an air humidity rate sensor, a light sensor and others.
  • the sensors output condition signals representative of conditions of the first and second culture environment.
  • one or several plants may be placed in the room 6 with the first culture environment configured to promote growth of the plants, and one or several seeds may be placed in the chamber 16 with the second culture environment configured to promote germination of the seeds.
  • the chamber inlet 50 and the chamber outlet 51 are in the blocking state and the room outlet 45 is in the passing state to define a by-pass flow path.
  • Conditioned air, especially cold air, from the compartment 13 enters the room 6 through the room inlet 41 and is conducted over the transverse dimension of the lighting system 11 by the secondary inlets 43 of the inlet duct 42. Air then passes along the lighting system 11 to cool it before being exhausted through the duct inlet 48 of the outlet duct 46 and the room outlet 45, back to the compartment 13.
  • the air circuit 40 is in a by-pass state in which air is prevented from passing within the chamber 16.
  • the chamber inlet 50 and the chamber outlet 51 are put in the passing state and the room outlet 45 is put in the blocking state to define a heating flow path.
  • Conditioned air, especially cold air, from the compartment 13 enters the room 6 through the room inlet 41 and is conducted over the transverse dimension of the lighting system 11 by the secondary inlets 43 of the inlet duct 42. As the air passes along the lighting system 11 in its operating state, it cools the lighting system 11 while getting warmer. Warmed air then enters the chamber 16 through the duct inlet 48 of the outlet duct 46 and the chamber inlet 50 before being exhausted through the chamber outlet 51, back to the compartment 13.
  • the air circuit 40 is in a heating state air is circulated within the chamber 16 after having passed proximate to the room conditioning device 10, to transfer heat of the lighting system 11, and any other room conditioning device 10, to the second culture environment.
  • Operation of the air circuit 40 can be controlled based on the condition signals output by the sensors, especially based on those representative of at least one of a temperature and a humidity rate in the chamber 16.
  • control unit 65 may be configured to store plant data representative of the plants and/or seeds received in the room 6 and the chamber 16, and operation of the air circuit 40 may be controlled based on the plant data.

Abstract

A plant culture system (1) comprising: - an outer frame (5) defining a room (6) configured to present a first culture environment, - at least one inner frame (15) arranged within the room (6) and defining a chamber (16) configured to present a second culture environment, - an air circuit (40), wherein the air circuit (40) presents: - a heating state in which it circulates air within the chamber (16) after having passed proximate to a room conditioning device (10) arranged within the room, - a by-pass state in which it prevents air from passing within the chamber (16).

Description

PLANT CULTURE SYSTEM AND METHOD
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a plant culture system and to a plant culture method.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Growth of a plant, from a seed to a mature plant, is conditioned by the culture environment in which the plant is cultured. To make this growth fast and proper with respect to the compromise between needs of the plant and productivity, conditions of the culture environment are to be controlled.
[0003] In this context, plant culture systems in which plants can be cultured have been developed. A plant culture system generally comprises a frame defining a room, and one or several room conditioning devices arranged within the room and configured to set the conditions of the culture environment within the room.
[0004] In an operating state, as it is running to provide the required condition associated therewith, the room conditioning device generally produces heat which influences the culture environment, as it raises temperature and dries air within the room.
[0005] Besides, conditions of the culture environment differ depending on different aspects of the plant, such as its stage of development, its variety or other.
[0006] Culturing plants at large scales hence requires many plant culture systems each providing specific conditions of a specific culture environment with associated room conditioning devices, which poses problems in terms of costs, space and ecological footprint. SUMMARY
[0007] The invention aims at solving the above problems.
[0008] To this end, the invention proposes a plant culture system comprising:
- an outer frame defining a room configured to present a first culture environment, the room being provided with at least one room conditioning device configured to provide at least one condition of the first culture environment, the room conditioning device presenting an operating state in which said room conditioning device produces heat,
- at least one inner frame arranged within the room and defining a chamber configured to present a second culture environment,
- an air circuit configured to circulate air within the room proximate to the room conditioning device, wherein the air circuit presents:
- a heating state in which said air circuit circulates air within the chamber after having passed proximate to the room conditioning device,
- a by-pass state in which said air circuit prevents air from passing within the chamber.
[0009] Accordingly, the plant culture system proposes an integrated solution in which the room and the chamber provide two separate spaces having each their own culture environment. In addition, heat resulting from operation of the room conditioning device to condition the first culture environment is used to condition the second culture environment of the chamber. Thanks to such integrated arrangement of the room and the chamber and such combination of the control of the respective culture environments of the two separate spaces, the number of plant culture systems and energy requirements can be reduced, thereby reducing costs, space and ecological footprint.
[0010] The air circuit may comprise a room inlet configured to admit air within the room, a room outlet configured exhaust air from the room, a chamber inlet configured to admit air within the chamber and a chamber outlet configured exhaust air from the chamber, the air circuit being configured to define a heating flow path from the room inlet towards the chamber outlet through the inlet chamber in the heating state, and a by-pass flow path from the room inlet towards the room outlet in the by-pass state. [0011] The air circuit may comprise a valve arrangement configured to put each of the room outlet, the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet in one of a passing state enabling air to pass therethrough, and a blocking state preventing air from passing therethrough, the valve arrangement being controlled to put:
- the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet in the passing state, and the room outlet in the blocking state in the heating state,
- the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet in the blocking state, and the room outlet in the passing state in the by-pass state.
[0012] The air circuit may comprise an outlet duct connected to the room outlet and presenting a duct inlet arranged in the room, the outlet duct presenting a chamber portion extending within the chamber and provided with the chamber inlet.
[0013] The outer frame may have a lower part in which the room outlet is arranged and an upper part in which the room inlet is arranged.
[0014] The inner frame may have a lower part in which the chamber inlet is arranged and an upper part in which the chamber outlet is arranged.
[0015] The outer frame may have an outer surface opposite the room, the room inlet and the room outlet opening in the outer surface of room.
[0016] The chamber outlet may open in the outer surface of room.
[0017] The outer frame may present a compartment separate from the room and configured to condition air, and the air circuit may be configured to draw air conditioned in the compartment towards the room and to exhaust air having passed proximate to the room conditioning device from the room towards the compartment.
[0018] The air circuit may comprise an air conditioning system configured to condition air and a circulation device configured to impart a flow of air, the air conditioning system and the circulation device being arranged within the compartment.
[0019] The room conditioning device may comprise a lighting system, especially at least one LED panel, configured to provide light as condition of the first culture environment. [0020] In a complementary or alternative manner with respect to the implementation of the chamber within a room and the corresponding air circuit, the plant culture system may include at least one tray arranged within the chamber and comprising a casing fixed to the inner frame, and a support moveably mounted on the casing between a retracted position in which said support is arranged within the casing, and a deployed position in which at least part of said support protrudes from the casing.
[0021] The plant culture system may further comprise a liquid circuit configured to supply the tray with liquid.
[0022] The chamber may further comprise a decontamination module configured to implement a decontamination procedure within the tray when the support is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position.
[0023] The decontamination module may include at least one UV source, and implementing the decontamination procedure may include switching the UV source on for a predetermined duration.
[0024] The plant culture system may further comprise a control unit connected to the air circuit and to the room conditioning device, and configured to control conditions of the first culture environment.
[0025] The chamber may be provided with at least one chamber conditioning device configured to provide at least one condition of the second culture environment, the control unit being connected to the chamber conditioning device and configured to control conditions of the second culture environment.
[0026] The control unit may comprise at least one sensor configured to output a condition signal representative of at least one of a temperature and a humidity rate in the chamber, the control unit being configured to control operation of the air circuit based on the condition signal.
[0027] The control unit may be configured to store plant data representative of a plant to be received in at least one of the room and the chamber, the control unit being configured to control operation of the air circuit based on the plant data. [0028] According to another aspect, the invention proposes a plant culture method implementing the plant culture system as defined previously, comprising the step consisting in: when the room conditioning device is in the operating state and the aircircuit is in the by-pass state, if the second culture environment requires heat, putting the air circuit in the heating state, air circulating within the chamber after having passed proximate to the room conditioning device.
[0029] In an embodiment, at least one plant may be received in the room with the first culture environment configured to promote growth of the plant, and at least one seed may be received in the chamber with the second culture environment configured to promote germination of the seed.
[0030] When the air circuit comprises room inlet and outlet and chamber inlet and outlet, the plant culture method comprises:
- in the heating state, defining a heating flow path from the room inlet towards the chamber outlet through the inlet chamber, and
- in the by-pass state, defining a by-pass flow path from the room inlet towards the room outlet.
[0031] When the air circuit comprises a valve arrangement, the plant culture method comprises:
- in the heating state, putting the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet in the passing state and the room outlet in the blocking state,
- in the by-pass state, putting the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet in the blocking state and the room outlet in the passing state.
[0032] When the outer frame presents a compartment, the plant culture method comprises: drawing air conditioned in the compartment towards the room, and exhausting air having passed proximate to the room conditioning device from the room towards the compartment.
[0033] The plant culture method may further comprise controlling conditions of the first culture environment. [0034] The plant culture method may further comprise controlling conditions of the second culture environment.
[0035] The plant culture method may further comprise controlling operation of the air circuit based on the condition signal representative of at least one of a temperature and a humidity rate in the chamber.
[0036] The plant culture method may further comprise controlling operation of the air circuit based on the plant data representative of a plant to be received in at least one of the room and the chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent rom the following description of an exemplary and non-limitative embodiment of the invention made in relation with the accompanied drawings in which:
- Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a plant culture system according to an embodiment of the invention, the plant culture system comprising a room configured to present a first culture environment, a chamber arranged within the room and configured to present a second culture environment, and an air circuit configured to circulate air within the room, the air circuit being in a by-pass state in which it prevents air from passing within the chamber,
- Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the plant culture system of figure 1, the air circuit being in a heating state in which it circulates air within the chamber after having passed proximate to a room conditioning device,
- Figure 3 is a perspective representation of a tray arranged within the chamber of the plant culture system of figure 1 and configured to provide the second culture environment suitable for seed germination, the tray being in a deployed position in which a support protrudes from a casing secured to an inner frame of the chamber,
- Figure 4 is a representation in section along orientation referenced IV-IV on figure 3 of the tray of figure 3, the tray being in a retracted position in which the support is arranged within the casing, and supporting germinated seeds. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] Figures 1 and 2 schematically represent a plant culture system 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0039] The plant culture system 1 finds particular applications in the culture of different groups of plants which differ from each other in terms of stage of development, variety or other. In this respect, the plant culture system 1 includes separate spaces each configured to receive plants. Each space has its own culture environment, similar to or different from the culture environment of the other spaces, which can be controlled depending on the plant received in it. For example, the plant culture system 1 may receive plants of which growth is to be promoted and seeds of which germination is to be promoted. Each space is closed while presenting an access opening reversibly closeable to enable maintenance of the culture environment while enabling plants to be installed in and removed from the space.
[0040] In the represented embodiment, although not limited thereto, the plant culture system 1 comprises an outer frame 5 having walls arranged in any suitable manner to define a room 6 as one of the spaces suitable for receiving plants.
[0041] In particular, in figures 1 and 2, the outer frame 5 is parallelepipedal with opposite bottom surface 7 and top wall 8 spaced apart from each other along a vertical direction V, opposite front and rear walls (not shown) spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction L perpendicular to the vertical direction V, and opposite lateral walls 9 spaced apart from each other along a transverse direction T perpendicular to the vertical V and transverse directions L. The bottom surface 7 and the top 8, front, rear and lateral 9 walls of the outer frame 5 each have an inner surface oriented towards the room 6, and an outer surface opposite the room 6.
[0042] The room 6 is configured to present a first culture environment for example suitable to promote growth of the plants. To that end, the room 6 is provided with one or several room conditioning devices 10 configured to provide each a condition of the first culture environment. Each of the room conditioning devices 10 presents an operating state in which it produces heat as it runs to provide the associated condition. [0043] In the represented embodiment, the room conditioning device 10 comprises a lighting system 11, especially at least one LED panel, configured to provide light as one of the conditions of the first culture environment. In particular, the lighting system 11 comprises several LED tubes 12 extending each in the vertical direction V, parallel to each other so that the lighting system 11 presents a transverse dimension along the transverse direction T.
[0044] The walls of the outer frame 5 are further configured to form a compartment 13 separate from the room 6 and adjoining one of the lateral walls 9 delimiting the room 6. For example, the bottom surface 7 and top 8, front and rear walls of the outer frame 5 extend to delimit the compartment 13 in the vertical V and longitudinal L directions, and a compartment wall 14 spaced apart from the lateral wall 9 of the room 6 is provided to form a closed space with an access opening reversibly closeable. As it will become apparent from the following of the description, the compartment 13 is configured to receive air from an outside environment and to condition air.
[0045] The plant culture system 1 also comprises an inner frame 15 arranged within the room 6 and having walls arranged in any suitable manner to define a chamber 16 as another space suitable for receiving plants. In the represented embodiment, the inner frame is parallelepipedal with opposite bottom surface 17 and top wall 18 spaced apart from each other along the vertical direction V, opposite front and rear walls (not shown) spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction L, and opposite lateral walls 19 spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T. The bottom surface 17 and top 18, front, rear and lateral 19 walls of the inner frame 15 each have an inner surface oriented towards the chamber 16, and an outer surface opposite the chamber 16. In figures 1 and 2, the inner frame 15 is adjoining the lateral wall 9 of the outer frame 5 between the room 6 and the compartment 13. The lateral wall 19 of the chamber 16 may be in contact or integral with a portion of the lateral wall 9 of the room 6. It should be noted that the inner frame 15 may present any other suitable arrangement within the room 6.
[0046] The chamber 16 is configured to present a second culture environment for example suitable to promote germination of seeds. To that end, the chamber 16 may be provided with one or several chamber conditioning devices 20 configured to provide each a condition of the second culture environment.
[0047] In the represented embodiment, the chamber 16 is equipped with six trays 21 superposed on each other along the vertical direction V. In other embodiments, any other arrangement of one or several trays 21 could be provided.
[0048] As represented in figures 3 and 4, each tray 21 comprises a casing 22, for example parallelepipedal, fixed on inner surfaces of the lateral walls of the inner frame 15 so that an access opening of the casing 22 is arranged in correspondence with the access opening of the chamber 16.
[0049] The tray 21 comprises a support 23 moveable with respect to the casing 22 between a deployed position, shown in figure 3, in which the support 23 protrudes from the casing 22, and a retracted position, shown in figure 4, in which the support 23 is arranged within the casing 22.
[0050] In the represented embodiment, the support 23 is made of a perforated plate having an array of through- openings each configured to receive a pot 2. The pot 2 may be filled with a substrate in which one or several seeds are placed. Alternatively, the pot 2 may receive an already germinated seed, a young plant 3 or other. In other embodiments, a plant could be received in any suitable manner on the support 23, itself configured in any suitable manner.
[0051] The support 23 is mounted within the casing 22 through slides 24 and is provided with a front panel 25 closing the access opening of the casing 22 in the retracted position. The tray 21 thus proposes a closed space in the retracted position of the support 23.
[0052] The plant culture system 1 may comprise a liquid circuit 26 as one of the chamber conditioning devices 20 to control the second culture environment in terms of humidity rate. The casing 22 of each tray 21 has a bottom 22a configured to receive liquid, especially water, to a certain level. To regulate the level of liquid, the liquid circuit 26 has a liquid supplying device 27 configured to supply the bottom 22a of the casing 22 with liquid through a liquid inlet 28, and a liquid draining device 29 configured to drain liquid from the bottom 22a of the casing 22 through a liquid outlet 30. The liquid circuit 26 may also comprise a spraying device configured to spray liquid within the tray 21.
[0053] One or several light sources 31, for example arranged on a top wall 22b of the casing 22 facing the bottom 22a, may also be provided as another chamber conditioning device 20 to control the second culture environment in terms of light.
[0054] In a particular embodiment, the light sources 31 may be part of a decontamination module configured to implement a decontamination procedure within the tray 21, especially when the support 23 is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position. In such case, the light sources 31 may include UV sources and the decontamination procedure includes switching the UV sources on for a predetermined duration.
[0055] The tray 21 may also be equipped with a ventilation system 36 enabling air to be circulated within the tray 21 and possibly between the tray 21 and the chamber 16 when the tray 21 is in the retracted position.
[0056] To monitor the conditions within the chamber 16 and especially within the trays 21, each tray 21 can be equipped with one or several sensors including for example: a liquid level sensor 32, a temperature sensor 33, an air humidity rate sensor 34, a substrate humidity sensor 35 and others.
[0057] Referring back to figures 1 and 2, the plant culture system 1 also comprises an air circuit 40 configured to circulate air within the room 6 proximate to the lighting system 11.
[0058] To that end, the air circuit 40 comprises a room inlet 41 configured to admit air within the room 6. In the represented embodiment, the room inlet 41 is arranged in an upper part of the outer frame 5, close to the top wall 8. The room inlet 41 opens in the outer surface of the lateral wall 9 of the room 6 to put the room 6 in fluid communication with the compartment 13. Within the room 6, the room inlet 41 is connected to an inlet duct 42 provided with several secondary air inlets 43 arranged to distribute air over the transverse dimension of the lighting system 11. [0059] The air circuit 40 also comprises a room outlet 45 configured exhaust air from the room 6. In the represented embodiment, the room outlet 45 is arranged in a lower part of the outer frame 5, close to the bottom surface 7. The room outlet 45 opens in the outer surface of the lateral wall 9 of the room 6 to put the room 6 in fluid communication with the compartment 13. An outlet duct 46 connected to the room outlet 45 has a chamber portion 47 extending within the chamber 16, through both lateral walls 19 of the chamber 16, to open in the room 6 by a duct inlet 48.
[0060] The air circuit 40 comprises a chamber inlet 50 configured to admit air within the chamber 16. In the represented embodiment, the chamber inlet 50 is arranged in a lower part of the inner frame 15, close to the bottom surface 17. In particular, the chamber inlet 50 is arranged in the chamber portion 47 of the outlet duct 46.
[0061] The air circuit 40 also comprises a chamber outlet 51 configured exhaust air from the chamber 16. In the represented embodiment, the chamber outlet 51 is arranged in an upper part of the inner frame 15, close to the top wall 18. The chamber outlet 51 opens in the outer surface of the lateral wall 9 of the room 6 through the lateral wall 19 of the chamber 19 to put the chamber 16 in fluid communication with the compartment 13.
[0062] Arranged within the compartment 13 are an air conditioning system 55 configured to condition air, and a circulation device 56 such as one or several fans configured to impart a flow of air.
[0063] The air circuit 40 of the plant culture system 1 is configured to draw air conditioned in the compartment 13 towards the room 6, and to exhaust air having passed proximate to the room conditioning device 10 from the room 6 towards the compartment 13.
[0064] To that end, a valve arrangement 60 is provided. In the represented embodiment, the valve arrangement 60 comprises three valves 61 equipping respectively the room outlet 45, the chamber inlet 50 and the chamber outlet 51 to put them selectively in one of a passing state enabling air to pass therethrough, and a blocking state preventing air from passing therethrough. [0065] To control conditions of the first and second culture environments, the plant culture system 1 further comprises a control unit 65 connected in any suitable manner to the air circuit 40, to the lighting system 11 and any other room conditioning device 10, as well as to the aforementioned chamber conditioning devices 20.
[0066] As for the trays 21 of the chamber 16, conditions within the room 6 can be monitored by one of several sensors (not shown) comprising for example: a temperature sensor, an air humidity rate sensor, a light sensor and others. The sensors output condition signals representative of conditions of the first and second culture environment.
[0067] Accordingly, a plant culture method implementing the plant culture system 1 can be performed as follow.
[0068] As mentioned previously, one or several plants may be placed in the room 6 with the first culture environment configured to promote growth of the plants, and one or several seeds may be placed in the chamber 16 with the second culture environment configured to promote germination of the seeds.
[0069] As shown in figure 1, the chamber inlet 50 and the chamber outlet 51 are in the blocking state and the room outlet 45 is in the passing state to define a by-pass flow path. Conditioned air, especially cold air, from the compartment 13 enters the room 6 through the room inlet 41 and is conducted over the transverse dimension of the lighting system 11 by the secondary inlets 43 of the inlet duct 42. Air then passes along the lighting system 11 to cool it before being exhausted through the duct inlet 48 of the outlet duct 46 and the room outlet 45, back to the compartment 13.
[0070] The air circuit 40 is in a by-pass state in which air is prevented from passing within the chamber 16.
[0071] As shown in figure 2, if the second culture environment requires heat, the chamber inlet 50 and the chamber outlet 51 are put in the passing state and the room outlet 45 is put in the blocking state to define a heating flow path. Conditioned air, especially cold air, from the compartment 13 enters the room 6 through the room inlet 41 and is conducted over the transverse dimension of the lighting system 11 by the secondary inlets 43 of the inlet duct 42. As the air passes along the lighting system 11 in its operating state, it cools the lighting system 11 while getting warmer. Warmed air then enters the chamber 16 through the duct inlet 48 of the outlet duct 46 and the chamber inlet 50 before being exhausted through the chamber outlet 51, back to the compartment 13. [0072] The air circuit 40 is in a heating state air is circulated within the chamber 16 after having passed proximate to the room conditioning device 10, to transfer heat of the lighting system 11, and any other room conditioning device 10, to the second culture environment.
[0073] Operation of the air circuit 40 can be controlled based on the condition signals output by the sensors, especially based on those representative of at least one of a temperature and a humidity rate in the chamber 16.
[0074] Alternatively, the control unit 65 may be configured to store plant data representative of the plants and/or seeds received in the room 6 and the chamber 16, and operation of the air circuit 40 may be controlled based on the plant data.

Claims

1. A plant culture system (1) comprising:
- an outer frame (5) defining a room (6) configured to present a first culture environment, the room (6) being provided with at least one room conditioning device (10) configured to provide at least one condition of the first culture environment, the room conditioning device (10) presenting an operating state in which said room conditioning device (10) produces heat,
- at least one inner frame (15) arranged within the room (6) and defining a chamber (16) configured to present a second culture environment,
- an air circuit (40) configured to circulate air within the room (6) proximate to the room conditioning device (10), wherein the air circuit (40) presents:
- a heating state in which said air circuit (40) circulates air within the chamber (16) after having passed proximate to the room conditioning device (10),
- a by-pass state in which said air circuit (40) prevents air from passing within the chamber (16).
2. The plant culture system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the air circuit (40) comprises a room inlet (41) configured to admit air within the room (6), a room outlet (45) configured exhaust air from the room (6), a chamber inlet (50) configured to admit air within the chamber (16) and a chamber outlet (51) configured exhaust air from the chamber (16), the air circuit (40) being configured to define a heating flow path from the room inlet (41) towards the chamber outlet (51) through the inlet chamber (50) in the heating state, and a by-pass flow path from the room inlet (41) towards the room outlet (45) in the by-pass state.
3. The plant culture system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the air circuit (40) comprises a valve arrangement (60) configured to put each of the room outlet (45), the chamber inlet (50) and the chamber outlet (51) in one of a passing state enabling air to pass therethrough, and a blocking state preventing air from passing therethrough, the valve arrangement being controlled to put: - the chamber inlet (50) and the chamber outlet (51) in the passing state, and the room outlet (45) in the blocking state in the heating state,
- the chamber inlet (50) and the chamber outlet (51) in the blocking state, and the room outlet (45) in the passing state in the by-pass state.
4. The plant culture system (1) according to any of claims 2 and 3, wherein the air circuit (40) comprises an outlet duct (46) connected to the room outlet (45) and presenting a duct inlet (48) arranged in the room (6), the outlet duct (46) presenting a chamber portion (47) extending within the chamber (16) and provided with the chamber inlet (50).
5. The plant culture system (1) according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the outer frame (15) has an outer surface opposite the room (6), the room inlet (41) and the room outlet (45) opening in the outer surface of room (6).
6. The plant culture system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the chamber outlet (51) opens in the outer surface of room (6).
7. The plant culture system (1) according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the outer frame (15) presents a compartment (13) separate from the room (6) and configured to condition air, and wherein the air circuit (40) is configured to draw air conditioned in the compartment (13) towards the room (6) and to exhaust air having passed proximate to the room conditioning device (10) from the room (6) towards the compartment (13).
8. The plant culture system (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the room conditioning device (10) comprises a lighting system (11), especially at least one LED panel, configured to provide light as condition of the first culture environment.
9. The plant culture system (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, including at least one tray (21) arranged within the chamber (16) and comprising a casing (22) fixed to the inner frame (15), and a support (23) moveably mounted on the casing (22) between a retracted position in which said support (23) is arranged within the casing (22), and a deployed position in which at least part of said support (23) protrudes from the casing (22).
10. The plant culture system ( 1 ) according to claim 9, further comprising a liquid circuit (26) configured to supply the tray (21) with liquid.
11. The plant culture system (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a control unit (65) connected to the air circuit and to the room conditioning device (10), and configured to control conditions of the first culture environment.
12. The plant culture system (1) according to claim 11, wherein the chamber (16) is provided with at least one chamber conditioning device (20) configured to provide at least one condition of the second culture environment, the control unit (65) being connected to the chamber conditioning device (20) and configured to control conditions of the second culture environment.
13. A plant culture method implementing the plant culture system (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12, comprising the step consisting in: when the room conditioning device (10) is in the operating state and the air-circuit (40) is in the by-pass state, if the second culture environment requires heat, putting the air circuit (40) in the heating state, air circulating within the chamber (16) after having passed proximate to the room conditioning device (10).
14. The plant culture method of claim 13, wherein at least one plant is received in the room (6) with the first culture environment configured to promote growth of the plant, and at least one seed is received in the chamber (16) with the second culture environment configured to promote germination of the seed.
PCT/IB2022/000395 2022-07-01 2022-07-01 Plant culture system and method WO2024003590A1 (en)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140020292A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2014-01-23 Freight Farms Insulated Shipping Containers Modified for High-Yield Plant Production Capable in any Environment
WO2017041757A1 (en) * 2015-09-11 2017-03-16 爱勒康农业科技有限公司 Soilless plant culture system
WO2017084679A2 (en) * 2015-11-17 2017-05-26 Chenguel Abdelkrim Automated isothermal greenhouse device for multiple soilless culture methods, and specifically, the daily (365 days a year) production of hydroponic green fodder for feeding animals
US20220192106A1 (en) * 2020-12-22 2022-06-23 Lg Electronics Inc. Plant cultivation apparatus

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140020292A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2014-01-23 Freight Farms Insulated Shipping Containers Modified for High-Yield Plant Production Capable in any Environment
WO2017041757A1 (en) * 2015-09-11 2017-03-16 爱勒康农业科技有限公司 Soilless plant culture system
WO2017084679A2 (en) * 2015-11-17 2017-05-26 Chenguel Abdelkrim Automated isothermal greenhouse device for multiple soilless culture methods, and specifically, the daily (365 days a year) production of hydroponic green fodder for feeding animals
US20220192106A1 (en) * 2020-12-22 2022-06-23 Lg Electronics Inc. Plant cultivation apparatus

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