WO2024261274A1

WO2024261274A1 - Apparatus for aeroponic and/or fogponic water and/or nutrient supply for plants

Info

Publication number: WO2024261274A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/067493
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tina PFAU
Original assignee: Alvarez Fernandez Rodolfo
Current assignee: Alvarez Fernandez Rodolfo
Priority date: 2023-06-22
Filing date: 2024-06-21
Publication date: 2024-12-26
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-22

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system and apparatus for aeroponic and/or fogponic water and/or nutrient supply for plants, the apparatus comprising: a fluid tank section (120) which includes a fluid tank (122) for storing a fluid including water and/or a nutrient solution, wherein the fluid tank section (120) includes an inner channel extending in an axial direction A through the fluid tank section (120), and an airflow generation section configured to move air in the axial direction into the inner channel of the fluid tank section (120). The fluid tank (122) is arranged around the inner channel of the fluid tank section (120) being separated from the inner channel by one or more side walls (123), and the fluid tank section (120) includes one or more fog generators (121) configured to generate fog or mist introduced into the inner channel based on fluid stored the fluid tank (122), the one or more fog generators (121) being attached to the one or more side walls (123).

Description

APPARATUS FOR AEROPONIC AND/OR FOGPONIC WATER AND/OR NUTRIENT SUPPLY FOR PLANTS

Description

The present disclosure relates to a system and apparatus for aeroponic and/or fogponic water and/or nutrient supply for plants, in particular a modular system for aeroponic and/or fogponic water and/or nutrient supply for plants and modular components thereof.

Background

Hydroponic systems grow plants without soil, using water and nutrient solutions. There are several types of hydroponic systems, such as deep water culture, nutrient film technique, and drip irrigation, all of which keep the plant roots immersed in water or nutrient solutions. These systems offer faster growth rates, higher yields, and more efficient water and nutrient use compared to traditional soil-based methods, making them a sustainable and efficient solution for producing fresh and healthy crops indoors or outdoors. A subset of hydroponic systems operates on the principle of aeroponics. Aeroponic systems are designed to keep the plant roots suspended in air, allowing for maximum oxygenation and preventing waterlogging of the roots. Aeroponic systems use misters or nozzles to create a fine mist of water or a nutrient solution that is sprayed onto the plant roots. The diameter of the droplets generated range from about 20 to 50 micrometers, or 20 to 30 micrometers, for example, allowing for maximum nutrient uptake by the roots. Furthermore, fogponics, a specialized form of aeroponics, supplies plant's roots with an ultrafine fog-like mist of droplets with diameters typically ranging from about 1 to 10 micrometers, for example. This fine mist of water and/or a nutrient solution can be generated using a fog generator, such as, e.g., an ultrasonic transducers, to create a fine mist of water and/or nutrient solution that is delivered to the plant roots. The fog can be created by ultrasonic vibrations that create tiny water droplets, which are then suspended in the air and absorbed by the plant roots. Fogponic systems are similar to aeroponic systems in that the plant roots are not submerged in water, but they typically do not use high-pressure misting systems and instead may rely on ultrasonic technology to create the nutrient mist based on ultrasonic vibrations.

In the prior art, fog-like mist generators (also referred to as fog generators, such as e.g. ultrasonic transducers) used in fogponic systems need to be completely submerged under a water or nutrient solution and below a specific distance from the surface to operate optimally. This design constraint limits the system design flexibility and increases complexity and is cost-extensive. Exemplary aeroponic or fogponics systems known in the prior art are known from TW M513566 U, EP 3 187 039 A2, US 10,973,186 B2, CN 110352845 A, CN 208029824 U, CN 109673501 A, US 2020/0329653 Al, US 5,136,804 B, WO 2015/123725 Al, and in particular in WO 2021/232166 Al, US 2022/0132760 Al and US 2015/0313104 Al.

In view of the above-cited known prior art and in view of its drawbacks, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus or system for providing aeroponic and/or fogponic water and/or nutrient supply for plants, in particular with regard to improved efficiency, versatility, and/or costeffectiveness.

Summary

For solving the above object, there are proposed an apparatus and system according to the independent claims. Dependent claims relate to exemplary preferred aspects.

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure proposes an apparatus or system for aeroponic and/or fogponic water and/or nutrient supply for plants.

In some preferred exemplary aspects, the apparatus or system may comprise a fluid tank section, which may preferably include a fluid tank for storing a fluid including water and/or a nutrient solution. In some preferred exemplary aspects, the fluid tank section preferably includes (or forms) at least a portion of an inner channel which preferably extends in an axial direction through the fluid tank section. The axial direction may in some exemplary aspects be directed along a main axis of the apparatus or system defining the axial direction.

In some preferred exemplary aspects, the apparatus or system may comprise a fan support section preferably comprising an axial fan configured to move air in the axial direction into the inner channel of the fluid tank section. In some preferred exemplary aspects, the fluid tank is arranged around the inner channel of the fluid tank section and, in some exemplary aspects, the fluid tank or its optional fluid tank compartments are separated from the inner channel by one or more side walls.

Preferably, the fluid tank section includes the one or more side walls forming walls of the inner channel or at least the portion of the inner channel included in the fluid tank section. Preferably, the one or more side walls or at least some of the one or more side walls represent wall(s) of the fluid tank or at least optional compartments thereof and wall(s) of the inner channel, at the same time. In other words, the one or more side walls preferably separate fluid stored in the fluid tank on one side of the wall(s) from the inner channel arranged on the other side of the wall(s).

In some preferred exemplary aspects, the fluid tank section may include one or more fog generators configured to generate fog or mist introduced into the inner channel based on fluid stored the fluid tank or at least one or more of its optional compartments. In some preferred exemplary aspects, the one or more fog generators may preferably be attached to the one or more side walls, preferably on a side facing the inner channel. It is to be noted that the one or more side walls may, in some exemplary implementations, extend in parallel with the main axis in the axial direction, or one or more portions of the one or more side walls may be inclined with respect to the main axis/axial direction, e.g., at an inclination angle preferably substantially equal or 45 degrees or less with respect to the main axis/axial direction, further preferably substantially equal or 30 degrees or less with respect to the main axis/axial direction, further preferably substantially equal or 15 degrees or less with respect to the main axis/axial direction. In some preferred exemplary aspects, the one or more side walls may preferably include a respective through hole for each of the one or more fog generators. Further preferably, each through hole is preferably covered by the respective fog generator to supply fluid from the fluid tank to the respective fog generator and to introduce the generated fog or mist into the inner channel. In some preferred exemplary aspects, the one or more fog generators are preferably attached to the one or more side walls on a side facing the inner channel. It is to be noted that the portion of the one or more side walls, to which the respective fog generator is attached, may, in some exemplary implementations, extend in parallel with the main axis in the axial direction, or the one or more portions of the one or more side walls, to which the respective fog generator is attached, may be inclined with respect to the main axis/axial direction, e.g., at an inclination angle preferably substantially equal or 45 degrees or less with respect to the main axis/axial direction, further preferably substantially equal or 30 degrees or less with respect to the main axis/axial direction, further preferably substantially equal or 15 degrees or less with respect to the main axis/axial direction.

In some preferred exemplary aspects, each fog generator preferably includes a vibrating member, such as a vibrating block, a vibrating plate, a vibrating membrane, or a vibrating ring. Preferably, each fog generator has a vibration driver configured to generate vibrations of the vibrating member for generation of cold fog or mist based on water or nutrient solution in contact with the vibrating member. Such vibration driver may include piezoelectric actuators in some exemplary implementations. Preferably, the respective vibrating members of the fog generators have one or more micro holes or micro channels. Preferably, the one or more micro holes or micro channels of respective vibrating members have diameters adequately sized to facilitate the expulsion of fog into the inner channel, while effectively preventing the egress of water from the fluid tank into the inner axial channel. In some examples, the one or more micro holes or micro channels may have diameters substantially smaller or equal to 100pm, in particular between 1 to 50 pm, in particular preferably 1 to 20 pm. In some preferred exemplary aspects, the one or more fog generators may include ultrasonic transducers configured to generate fog or mist by ultrasonic vi brations.

In some preferred exemplary aspects, the fluid tank may exemplarily include a single fluid tank compartment extending around the inner channel about the axial direction/main axis. The single fluid tank compartment may be extending as an annular shape, e.g. ring-shaped, around the inner channel about the axial direction/main axis.

In some preferred exemplary aspects, the fluid tank may exemplarily include plural separate fluid tank compartments arranged around the inner channel about the axial direction/main axis, wherein preferably each fluid tank compartment has respective one or more fog generators. In other words, each fluid tank compartment preferably includes at least one side wall separating the respective fluid tank compartment from the inner channel, and preferably one or more of the fog generators are attached to the at least one side wall of the fluid tank compartment, preferably facing outside with respect to the fluid tank compartment or towards the side of the inner channel. In some preferred exemplary aspects, the apparatus or system may include a control unit configured to control operation of the axial fan and/or the one or more fog generators; and/or a battery configured to supply electric power to the control unit, the axial fan and/or the one or more fog generators. In some preferred exemplary aspects, the control unit and/or the battery are integrated in the fan support section. Preferably, the control unit may include a printed circuit board, a microchip and/or a processor. In some preferred exemplary aspects, the control unit can be configured to control a switching of an airflow direction of air flow generated by the airflow generation section between a normal airflow direction of blowing airflow towards a side of the fluid tank section and a reverse airflow direction of sucking airflow from the side of the fluid tank section.

In some preferred exemplary aspects, the apparatus or system may include a reservoir section including a fluid reservoir and including or forming an inner channel extending in the axial direction through the reservoir section connected to the inner channel of the fluid tank section. Preferably, the fluid reservoir is arranged around the inner channel of the reservoir section and/or is preferably connected by a fluid connection with the fluid tank of the fluid tank section or at Least one of its compartments.

In some preferred exemplary aspects, the fluid reservoir preferably includes a single fluid reservoir compartment extending around the inner channel about the axial direction/main axis. The single fluid reservoir compartment may be extending as an annular shape, e.g. ring-shaped, around the inner channel about the axial direction/main axis. In some preferred exemplary aspects, the fluid reservoir preferably includes plural separate fluid reservoir compartments arranged around the inner channel about the axial direction/main axis.

In some preferred exemplary aspects, the apparatus or system preferably includes multiple modules stackable in the axial direction together including or forming the inner channel extending in the axial direction (main axis direction) through the entire stack of modules. In some preferred exemplary aspects, one module includes the fluid tank section forming/representing a fluid tank module, and/or one module includes the fan support section forming/representing a fan support module, with one or more fluid tank modules being stacked downstream of the fan support module with respect to the airflow generated by the axial fan. Further preferably, one module of the plural stackable modules includes the reservoir section described exemplarily above.

In some preferred exemplary aspects, the control unit can be configured to control supply of fluid from the fluid reservoir and/or its one or more compartments to the fluid tank and/or its one or more compartments, in particular by controlling one or more low-pressure pumps (which may be included in the apparatus, such as e.g. being included in the fan support section, the fluid tank section and/or the fluid reservoir section.

Accordingly, in some preferred exemplary aspects, the apparatus or system may be modular and comprise plural modules which are preferably stacked in the axial direction/main axis direction, and an inner channel extends through the modular stack of modules. The modules may preferably include one or more fluid tank modules, each of which may preferably include a fluid tank for storing a fluid including water and/or a nutrient solution (optionally including one or more fluid tank compartments according to the fluid tank sections described above). In some preferred exemplary aspects, each fluid tank module preferably includes (or forms) at least a portion of the inner channel which preferably extends in an axial direction through the fluid tank module, and more generally through the entire module stack. The axial direction may in some exemplary aspects be directed along a main axis of the apparatus or system defining the axial direction. In some preferred exemplary aspects, the apparatus or system may comprise a fan support module preferably comprising an axial fan configured to move air in the axial direction into the inner channel of the stack of one or more fluid tank modules (optionally including further one or more reservoir modules according to the reservoir sections described above). In some preferred exemplary aspects, the fluid tank is arranged around the inner channel and, in some exemplary aspects, the fluid tank or its optional fluid tank compartments are separated from the inner channel by one or more side walls of the respective fluid tank module.

According to a second aspect, there is proposed a fluid tank module for use in an apparatus or system according to at least one of the preceding aspects, the fluid tank module preferably comprising a fluid tank section which includes a fluid tank for storing a fluid including water and/or a nutrient solution, wherein the fluid tank section/module includes an/the inner channel extending in an axial direction through the fluid tank section/module. Preferably, the fluid tank is arranged around the inner channel of the fluid tank section/module preferably being separated from the inner channel by one or more side walls. Preferably, the fluid tank section/module includes one or more fog generators preferably configured to generate fog or mist introduced into the inner channel based on fluid stored the fluid tank, the one or more fog generators preferably being attached to the one or more side walls of the fluid tank section/module. Preferably, the fluid tank module is configured to be stacked in the axial direction/main axis direction with further one or more fluid tank modules and/or with one or more reservoir modules and/or with a fan support module, such that the stack of modules includes the inner channel through the stack in the axial direction/main axis direction. Preferably, the stack of modules includes the fan support module (which may include the control unit and/or battery) downstream (with respect to the airflow of the axial fan) of all one or more stacked fluid tank modules. Preferably, one or more reservoir modules can be stacked upstream and/or downstream of the fan support module, and preferably one or more reservoir modules can be stacked between, upstream and/or downstream of the fluid tank modules.

According to a second aspect, there is proposed fluid tank compartment for use as an auxiliary part in a fluid tank module, preferably comprising a fluid tank compartment for storing a fluid including water and/or a nutrient solution, wherein the compartment preferably includes one or more fog generators configured to generate fog or mist introduced into the inner channel, when the compartment is inserted in or attached to the fluid tank module, based on fluid stored the compartment, the one or more fog generators preferably being attached to one or more side walls of the fluid tank compartment. According to a third aspect, there is proposed an apparatus for aeroponic and/or fogponic water and/or nutrient supply for plants, the apparatus comprising a fluid tank section which includes a fluid tank for storing a fluid including water and/or a nutrient solution, wherein the fluid tank section includes one or more side walls forming an inner channel which extends in an axial direction through the fluid tank section, wherein the fluid tank is arranged around the inner channel being separated from the inner channel by the one or more side walls, and wherein the fluid tank section includes one or more fog generators configured to generate fog or mist, in particular with an average droplet size below 50 micrometers, preferably below 30 micrometers, and to introduce the generated fog or mist into the inner channel based on fluid stored the fluid tank, the one or more fog generators being attached to the one or more side walls. This may be combined with above aspects.

Preferably, the apparatus may further comprise an airflow generation section configured to move air in the axial direction into the inner channel and/or in the axial direction via the inner channel through the fluid tank section.

In some preferred aspects, the an airflow generation section may comprise a fan support section which comprises an axial fan configured to move air in the axial direction into the inner channel and/or in the axial direction through the fluid tank section via the inner channel.

In some preferred (alternative or additional) aspects, the airflow generation section may comprise an ion blower section configured to ionize air and/or move ionized air in the axial direction into the inner channel and/or in the axial direction through the fluid tank section via the inner channel. In some preferred aspects, the ion blower section may comprise a first electrode and/or a second electrode, wherein preferably the second electrode may be arranged downstream of the first electrode with respect to the direction of airflow towards a side of the fluid tank section. In some preferred aspects, the plant support apparatus can be configured to apply a first voltage, in particular a high voltage, to the first electrode to ionize air in the vicinity of the first electrode, and to apply a second voltage, in particular a low voltage or ground potential, to the second electrode to generate an airflow of ionized air driven by an electric field, for example, between the first and second electrodes. In some preferred aspects, the control unit can be configured to control a switching of an airflow direction of air flow generated by the ion blower section between a normal airflow direction of blowing airflow towards a side of the fluid tank section and a reverse airflow direction of sucking airflow from the side of the fluid tank section, in particular by switching polarities and/or a sign of a potential difference applied to the first and second electrodes.

In some preferred aspects, a first electrode can be arranged in the inner channel (e.g. downstream or upstream of the fog generators), wherein preferably the apparatus can be configured to apply a first voltage, in particular a high voltage, to the first electrode to ionize air in the vicinity of the first electrode and/or to electrically charge droplets of fog or mist by the generated ionized air.

In some preferred aspects, the apparatus may include a control unit configured to control operation of the airflow generation section and/or the one or more fog generators, and/or a battery configured to supply electric power to the control unit, the airflow generation section and/or the one or more fog generators. In some preferred aspects, the control unit and/or the battery can be integrated in the airflow generation section.

In some preferred aspects, the apparatus can include multiple modules stackable in the axial direction together including the inner channel extending in the axial direction through the entire stack of modules, wherein one module includes the fluid tank section forming a fluid tank module, and one module includes the airflow generation section forming an airflow generation module, with one or more fluid tank modules being stacked downstream of the airflow generation module with respect to the generated airflow.

In another exemplary aspect, there is proposed a fluid tank module for use as a fluid tank section in an apparatus according to at least one of the above aspects, the fluid tank module comprising the fluid tank section which includes the fluid tank, the fluid tank module being preferably stackable in the axial direction with further one or more fluid tank modules and/or with an airflow generation module configured to move air in the axial direction into the inner channel and/or in the axial direction via the inner channel through the fluid tank section.

While certain exemplary aspects have been described above, it is to be understood that such aspects are merely illustrative of (and are not to be understood restrictive on) the broad invention and present disclosure, and that the exemplary aspects are not Limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described above or below, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above or below description, are possible. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations, modifications, and/or combination of the just described aspects can be configured or be provided. Therefore, it is to be understood that further aspects may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. For example, unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps of processes described herein may be performed in orders different from those described herein and one or more steps may be combined, split, or performed simultaneously. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate, in view of this disclosure, that different aspects described herein may be combined to form other aspects of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 exemplarily shows an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a plant supply system according to exemplary aspects,

Fig. 2A exemplarily shows an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a plant supply apparatus according to exemplary aspects according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 2B exemplarily shows an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a plant supply apparatus according to further exemplary aspects,

Fig. 3A exemplarily shows a Longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a plant supply system according to exemplary aspects along section B-B of Fig. 2A, Figs. 3B to 3F exemplarily show further example of a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a plant supply system according to further exemplary aspects,

Fig. 4 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus according to further exemplary aspects,

Fig. 5A exemplarily shows an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a plant supply apparatus according to exemplary aspects according to Fig. 4,

Fig. 5B exemplarily shows an illustrative top view of a plant supply apparatus according to exemplary aspects according to Fig. 4,

Fig. 5C exemplarily shows an illustrative perspective view of a plant supply apparatus according to exemplary aspects according to Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus according to further exemplary aspects,

Fig. 7 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus according to further exemplary aspects,

Fig. 8 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus according to further exemplary aspects,

Fig. 9 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus according to further exemplary aspects,

Fig. 10 exemplarily shows a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a plant supply system according to further exemplary aspects,

Fig. 11 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus according to further exemplary aspects,

Fig. 12 exemplarily illustrates a function of the plant supply apparatus according to Fig. 11,

Fig. 13 exemplarily shows an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a plant supply system according to further exemplary aspects,

Fig. 14 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus according to further exemplary aspects,

Fig. 15 exemplarily illustrates a function of the plant supply apparatus according to Fig. 14,

Fig. 16 exemplarily shows an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a plant supply system according to further exemplary aspects, Fig. 17 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus according to further exemplary aspects,

Fig. 18 exemplarily illustrates a function of the plant supply apparatus according to Fig. 17, and

Fig. 19 exemplarily shows an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a plant supply system according to further exemplary aspects.

Detailed Description of the Drawings and Exemplary Aspects

In the following, preferred exemplary aspects and exemplary aspects of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Same or similar features in different drawings and exemplary aspects are referred to by similar reference numerals. It is to be understood that the detailed description below relating to various preferred exemplary aspects and preferred exemplary aspects are not to be meant as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

In the following, systems for aeroponics and/or fogponics applications are described exemplarily. The airflow generation by the described airflow generation modules / airflow generation sections, such as the fan 111 and fan support module / section, and/or, in other exemplary embodiments, the ion blower section / module are configured to generate an air flow of air and/or fog/mist in the inner channel of the apparatus according to some exemplary embodiments at volume flow preferably equal or smaller than 2 m³/min, preferably equal or smaller than 1 m³/min, and preferably substantially controlled in the range between 0,05 to 0,5 m³/min.

Fig. l exemplarily shows an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a plant supply system according to exemplary aspects. The plant supply system of Fig. 1 exemplarily includes a plant supply apparatus 100 and a plant support member 200. The plant support member 200 is exemplarily has a hollow interior space, which may be formed exemplarily with closed bottom and top walls. The shape of the plant support member 200 can be of any shape such as, cylindrical, cubic, cuboid, spherical, pyramidal etc. or even comprising a more complex pipe structure.

A side wall of the plant support member 200 exemplarily comprises plural openings 202, and each opening 202 exemplarily is associated with a respective outer plant support 201 formed on or attached to the outer side walls of the plant support member 200. Roots of plants supported on plant supports 201 can reach into the interior space of the plant support member 200 through the respective openings 202.

The plant supply apparatus 100 is exemplarily arranged inside the hollow interior space of the plant support member 200. In further exemplary aspects, the plant supply apparatus 100 can be mounted to an inner support structure of the plant support member 200.

It is to be noted that it is merely exemplary that a single plant supply apparatus 100 is provided. In further exemplary aspects, two or more plant supply apparatuses 100 can be arranged inside the hollow interior space of the plant support member 200. In yet further exemplary aspects, it is possible to provide another one or more plant support members 200 (with zero or one or more own plant supply apparatuses 100) connected via pipes or other connection members to the plant support member 200.

Fig. 2A exemplarily shows an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to exemplary aspects according to Fig. 1. The plant supply apparatus 100 according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2A exemplarily includes a fan support section 110 (airflow generation section) and a tank section 120. The fan support section 110 exemplarily comprises an axial fan 111. The axial fan 111 is exemplarily configured to be operated to rotate so as to move air in the axial direction towards the side of the tank section 120 (exemplarily upward in Fig. 1; see axial direction indicated by the axis A). In that sense, the tank section 120 is exemplarily mounted on the fan support section 110 axially downstream of the fan 111 relative to the airflow generated by the rotating fan 111 of the fan support section 110.

The tank section 120 exemplarily comprises a fluid tank 122 configured to store a fluid such as water or a water nutrient solution. The tank section 120 exemplarily further includes an inner axial channel separated from the fluid tank 122 by inner wall portions 123 of the tank section 120. The inner axial channel of the tank section 122 is exemplarily open in both axial directions.

The fluid tank 122 exemplarily surrounds the inner axial channel of the tank section 120 circumferentially. In other words, the inner wall portions 123 of the tank section 120 form an inner axial channel extending in the axial direction along the axial axis A, and one or more fluid tanks 122 are arranged around the inner axial channel about the axial axis A. In the example of Fig. 2A, in some preferable aspects, the fluid tank (e.g. with one single compartment or more compartments) extends circumferentially around the inner axial channel and is circumferentially closed.

Exemplarily, the axial fan 111 of the fan section 110 is configured to be operated to rotate so as to move air (airflow) in the axial direction towards the side of the tank section 120 through the axial channel formed by the inner wall portions 123 of the tank section 120 and into the hollow interior space of the plant support member 200. The axial airflow is exemplarily indicated by the axial arrows in Fig. 1. In some exemplary aspects, the inner wall portions 123 of the tank section 120 are circumferentially closed about the axial direction and the circumferentially closed inner wall portions 123 of the tank section 120 form the inner axial channel.

The tank section 120 exemplarily further includes plural fog generators 121 attached to the inner wall portions 123 of the tank section 120. The fog generators 121 are exemplarily configured to generate fog or mist (such as fog-like mist) based on the fluid stored in the fluid tank 122 and to introduce the generated fog or mist exemplarily transverse to the axial direction into the inner axial channel of the tank section 120, in particular radially, with respect to the axial direction (as exemplarily indicated by the smaller horizontal arrows in Fig. 1).

For example, in some exemplary aspects, the inner wall portions 123 of the tank section 120 can include through holes 123a to the space of the fluid tank 122, and fog generators 121 can exemplarily be attached to the inner wall portions 123 of the tank section 120 to cover the through holes 123a and be supplied with fluid from the tank 122 through the through holes 123a.

In some exemplary aspects, the fog generators 121 can include vibrating sections, such as a vibrating member, a vibrating plate or a vibrating membrane, configured to generate the fog or mist, for example, by induced vibrations of the vibrating sections.

In some exemplary aspects, the fog generators 121 can be configured to generate fog or mist with a average droplet size in the range of 1 to 50 micrometers, preferably Larger than 3 micrometers and/or preferably less than 50 micrometers, preferably less than 30 micrometers, and further preferably less than 20 micrometers, or, further preferably, in the range of 3 to 7 micrometers. Th is applies preferably for all disclosed aspects of the present disclosure.

Each of the fog generators 121 can exemplarily be formed by one or more fog generator cells 121. In some exemplary aspects, the fog generators 121 or fog generator cells can include respective ultrasonic transducers configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations. The ultrasonic transducers can be configured to generate fog or mist based on the ultrasonic vibrations. In some preferred exemplary aspects, each fog generator cell 121 can be configured to produce a throughput of 0,5 to 5 ml/min, preferably 1 to 3 ml/min, and the total throughput of liquid can be the number of cells times the throughput per cell. The number of cells can be one, two or more, preferably four or six, or eight or more. This applies preferably for all disclosed aspects of the present disclosure.

In some exemplary aspects, the fog generators 121 can include one or more small fluid channels and/or micro holes, through which fluid and/or generated fog or mist is transferred from the tank 122 through the fog generators 121 into the inner axial channel of the tank section 120.

In some exemplary aspects, a fog generator cell can include a thin plate, e.g. made of metal foil, having micro holes to let fluid pass through, and one or more piezoelectric members, e.g. ring-shaped, arranged on the thin plate so as to generate vibrations based on oscillating control signals, e.g. in the ultrasonic frequency domain, to generate cold fog or mist based on fluid passing through the micro holes of the thin plate. Micro holes can have diameters of 1 to 50 pm, preferably 1 to 30 pm, preferably 1 to 20 pm, preferably 1 to 10pm, in particular preferably according to the preferred droplet size.

In some exemplary aspects, a primary function of the plant supply apparatus 100 can be to convert water or nutrients fluid stored within the fluid tank 122 into fog or mist via the fog generators 121 attached to the inner walls 123 of the fluid tank 122.

In some exemplary aspects, the fog generators 121 can be supplied and/or controlled by algorithms and electronics implemented in a control unit. Such control unit can be connected externally or be included in the plant supply apparatus 100 (see e.g. some of the following exemplary aspects).

The generated fog or mist can be exemplarily expelled with the help of the fan 111 along the main axis A out of the plant supply apparatus 100 into the interior space of the plant support member 200. Accordingly, the plant roots reaching into the plant support member 200 through the openings 202 can be supplied with the water and/or nutrient solution for or mist generated by the fog generators 121 and transported by the axial airflow generated by the fan 111.

In some exemplary aspects, the fan support section 110 and the tank section 120 can be realized as individual connectable modular members that can be connected to be axially stacked onto each other. Then, it is exemplarily possible to axially stack multiple connected modular members including one or plural fan sections 110 and/or one or plural tank sections 120.

Fig. 2B exemplarily shows an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to further exemplary aspects. The plant supply apparatus 100 of Fig. 2B exemplarily includes three tank section modules 120 stacked on top of each other in the axial direction (axial stacking) stacked onto one fan support module 110.

Each of the tank section modules 120 can be provided in similar manner as the tank section 120 of above or below-described exemplary aspects. In any exemplary stack of plural tank section modules 120, each tank section module 120 has an inner axial channel such that the stacked the tank section modules 120 form a continued inner axial channel through the stack of plural tank section modules 120.

Furthermore, in exemplary aspects, the fan support section 110 and/or the tank section 120 and the inner axial channel of the tank section 120 can have multiple different shapes, as, for example, illustrated with Figs. 3A to 3F.

Fig. 3A exemplarily shows a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to some exemplary aspects, for example, in some exemplary aspects along section B-B of Fig. 2A. Exemplarily, the tank section 110 and its inner axial channel are formed in a rectangular shape (when viewed in the axial direction), in particular exemplarily square-shaped. In Fig. 3A, exemplarily, four fog generators

121 are provided on the four sides of the inner side walls 123 of the tank 122 that exemplarily circumferentially surrounds the axial inner channel formed by the inner side walls 123 of the tank 122.

Fig. 3B exemplarily shows a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to some other exemplary aspects, for example, in some exemplary aspects along section B-B of Fig. 2A. Exemplarily, the tank section 110 and its inner axial channel are formed in a rectangular shape (when viewed in the axial direction), in particular exemplarily square-shaped. In Fig. 3B, exemplarily, eight fog generators 121 are provided, exemplarily two each on the four sides of the inner side walls 123 of the tank

122 that exemplarily circumferentially surrounds the axial inner channel formed by the inner side walls 123 of the tank 122.

Fig. 3C exemplarily shows a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to some other exemplary aspects, for example, in some exemplary aspects along section B-B of Fig. 2A. Exemplarily, the tank section 110 and its inner axial channel are formed in a rounded shape (when viewed in the axial direction), in particular exemplarily circular. In Fig. 3C, exemplarily, eight fog generators 121 are provided on the inner side wall 123 of the tank 122 that exemplarily circumferentially surrounds the axial inner channel formed by the inner side wall 123 of the tank 122. In such exemplary aspects, the fluid tank 122 is exemplarily annular-shaped and exemplarily forms a ring-shaped tank 122 arranged about/around the axial main axis A.

Fig. 3D exemplarily shows a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to some other exemplary aspects along section B-B of Fig. 2A. Exemplarily, the tank section 110 and its inner axial channel are formed in a hexagonal shape (when viewed in the axial direction). In Fig. 3D, exemplarily, six fog generators 121 are provided on the six sides of the inner side walls 123 that exemplarily circumferentially surround the axial inner channel formed by the inner side walls 123 of the tank 122.

In some preferred exemplary aspects, the tank 122 can be separated into plural tank compartments, and, in some exemplary aspects, each compartment can include a different respective nutrient solution.

Exemplarily, the fluid tank 122 of Fig. 3D includes six separated tank compartments 122a to 122f, wherein each of the tank compartments 122a to 122f is exemplarily associated with one of the fog generators 121. Also the other tanks 122 of the aspects of Figs. 3A to 3C can be divided into plural tank compartments in some further exemplary aspects.

It should be noted that the shape of the fluid tank 122 and/or inner axial channel of the tank section 120 can be implemented in various shapes and sizes in exemplary aspects.

Exemplarily, the inner axial channel is formed by the inner wall(s) 123 of the tank section 120 and the inner wall(s) 123 circumferentially surround(s) the inner axial channel of the tank section 120 and preferably has the plural fog generators 121 attached thereto.

In the above exemplary aspects, the fluid tank 122 also exemplarily circumferentially surrounds the inner axial channel of the tank section 120. In yet further exemplary aspects, the tank 122 can include separated sub tanks (or sub tank compartments) that are exemplarily arranged circumferentially around the inner axial channel of the tank section 120; such as e.g. in Figs. 3E or 3F.

Fig. 3E exemplarily shows a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to some exemplary aspects along section B-B of Fig. 2A. Exemplarily, the tank section 110 and its inner axial channel are formed in a rectangular shape, in particular exemplarily square-shaped (when viewed in the axial direction). In Fig. 3E, exemplarily, four fog generators 121 are provided on the four sides of the inner side walls 123 of the tank 122 that circumferentially surrounds the axial inner channel formed by the inner side walls 123 of the tank 122. Exemplarily, four separated sub-tank compartments 122a to 122d are arranged around/surrounding the axial inner channel of the tank section 120. Exemplarily, each of the subtank compartments 122a to 122d has an associated fog generator 121.

Fig. 3F exemplarily shows a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to some other exemplary aspects along section B-B of Fig. 2A. Exemplarily, the tank section 110 and its inner axial channel are formed in a hexagonal shape (when viewed in the axial direction). In Fig. 3F, exemplarily, six fog generators 121 are provided on the six sides of the inner side walls 123 that circumferentially surround the axial inner channel formed by the inner side walls 123 of the tank 122. Exemplarily, six separated sub-tank compartments 122a to 122f are arranged surrounding the axial inner channel of the tank section 120. Exemplarily, each of the sub-tank compartments 122a to 122f has an associated fog generator 121.

In each of the above (and below) exemplary aspects, the fog generators 121 are exemplarily configured to generate fog or mist based on the fluid stored in the tank 122 (or its compartments 122a to 122f) and provide the generated fog or mist into the inner axial channel downstream of the fan 111, so that the airflow generated by the fan 111 can be used to transport the generated fog or mist in the axial direction towards or into the interior space of the plant support member 200 to provide the aeroponic, in particular fogponics, water and/or nutrient supply to the plant roots.

As previously mentioned, in some exemplary aspects, the fog generators 121 can be supplied and/or controlled by algorithms and electronics implemented in a control unit. Such control unit can be connected externally or be included in the plant supply apparatus 100 (see e.g. some of the following exemplary aspects).

Also, for electric power support, the control unit, the fog generators 121, and/or the fan driver can be supplied from an externally connected power supply and/or by a battery that can be externally connected or be included in the plant supply apparatus 100 (see e.g. some of the following exemplary aspects). The plant supply apparatus 100 can also include one or more sensors and/or one or more electromechanical actuators.

In some exemplary aspects, the fan 111 and/or the fog generators 121 can be controlled by electronic and algorithms implemented in the control unit.

In some exemplary aspects, the control unit can communicate the sensor(s), electromechanical actuators and/or with external devices, e.g., via electrical connections and/or wireless signals, and such control unit can control one or more or all relevant functions of the plant supply apparatus 100.

In some exemplary aspects, the control unit can also monitor and/or control various functions, such as the amount of water ingressing in the fluid tank 122, the amount of liquid flowing from an optional additional fluid reservoir into the fluid tank 122, and/or the pH value of the liquid inside the fluid tank 122 and/or its optional sub-tank compartments 122a to 122f.

Via exemplary sensors, the control unit can also sense the amount of liquid available in the fluid tank 122 and/or in each of its compartments, and/or in the optional fluid reservoir or its optional compartments.

The plant supply apparatus 100 can be used for a variety of applications and, in some exemplary aspects, the fluid tank and/or the fluid reservoir can contain absorbent materials inside. Such absorbent material may be particular useful in applications of low-gravity or zero-gravity conditions. Fig. 4 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to further exemplary aspects. Exemplarily, the plant supply apparatus 100 according to Fig. 4 is configured similar to the plant supply apparatus 100 of Fig. 2A in combination with Fig. 3C.

Accordingly, the tank section 120 is exemplarily shaped round (exemplarily annular, circular or ringshaped) when viewed in the axial direction, preferably circumferentially closed around the inner channel, when viewed in the axial direction. Again, exemplarily, plural fog generators 121 are attached to the inner side wall 123 of the tank section 120, and the inner side wall 123 of the tank section 120 exemplarily forms the inner axial channel of the tank section 120.

Exemplarily, via an exemplary sectional view, an inner through hole 123a is shown formed in the inner side wall 123 of the tank section 120, and a fog generator 121 on the inner side wall 123 is supplied with fluid from the fluid tank 122 through the through hole 123a.

Exemplarily, on top of the tank section 120 there are provided optional ventilation holes 124 through which air can flow out of the tank 122. For example, when the fog generators 121 generate cold fog supplied to the inner axial channel, air bubbles can form on the tank-side in tank 122 and such air bubbles can accumulate as air pockets in the tank 122 and exit through the optional ventilation holes 124.

The fan support section 110 exemplarily supports the axial fan 111 similar to the exemplary aspects of Fig. 2A. However, a control unit 112 and a battery 113 are exemplarily included in an inner hollow portion of the fan support section 110. In further exemplary aspects, an additional control section, optionally including the control unit 112 and/or battery 113, can be mounted or stacked axially below (upstream relative to the airflow) the fan support section 110 or between the fan support section 110 and the tank section 120.

Further exemplarily, e.g. for tank re-fills and/or continued external fluid supply, an exemplary optional fluid supply opening 109 of the tank section 120 is shown, exemplarily provided to supply the tank 122 (and/or its compartments) with fluid, e.g. by a low-pressure fluid pump, e.g. controlled by the control unit 112.

Further exemplarily, an exemplary optional connection opening 108 of the fan support section 110 (or control unit section) is shown, exemplarily provided to connect to the control unit 112 and/or the battery 113 with electric connections for electric power supply connection from external power supply sources and/or to connect the control unit 112 with sensors and/or actuators.

For example as can be seen in Fig. 4, in some exemplary aspects, the inner wall portions 123 of the tank section 120 can include through holes 123a to the inner space of the fluid tank 122, and the fog generators 121 can exemplarily be attached to the inner wall portions 123 of the tank section 120 to cover the through holes 123a and be supplied with fluid from the tank 122 through the through holes 123a.

In some exemplary aspects, the fog generators 121 can include vibrating sections, such as a vibrating member, a vibrating plate or a vibrating membrane, configured to generate the fog or mist, for example, by induced vibrations of the vibrating sections. In the example of Fig. 4, each of the fog generators 121 can exemplarily be formed by a fog generator cells. In some exemplary aspects, the fog generators 121 or fog generator cells can include respective ultrasonic transducers configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations. The ultrasonic transducers can be configured to generate fog or mist based on the ultrasonic vibrations.

In some exemplary aspects, as exemplarily shown in Fig. 4 and the following exemplary aspects, a fog generator cell 121 can include a thin plate 121a, e.g. made of metal foil, having micro holes to let fluid pass through, and one or more piezoelectric members 121b, e.g. ring-shaped, arranged on the thin plate so as to generate vibrations based on oscillating control signals, e.g. in the ultrasonic frequency domain, to generate cold fog or mist based on fluid passing through the micro holes of the thin plate. Micro holes can have diameters of 1 to 50 pm, preferably 1 to 20 pm, preferably 1 to 10pm.

Fig. 5A exemplarily shows an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to exemplary aspects according to Fig. 4. Fig. 5B exemplarily shows an illustrative top view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to exemplary aspects according to Fig. 4. Finally, Fig. SC exemplarily shows an illustrative perspective view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to exemplary aspects according to Fig. 4.

Exemplarily, while the side walls 123 extend parallel with respect to the main axis A (axial direction) in the sectional views of Figs. 1 to 2B, and also in the exemplary aspects of Figs. 3A to 3F, the side walls 123 in Fig. 5A are exemplarily inclined at a small angle with respect to the axial direction. Exemplarily, the fog generators 121 attached to the side walls are inclined facing at a small angle towards the axial direction with the airflow from the fan 111. Exemplarily, the diameter of the inner channel increases with increasing axial distance from the fan 111 (towards the downstream axial direction).

Fig. 6 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to further exemplary aspects. Exemplarily, the plant supply apparatus 100 according to Fig. 6 is configured similar to the plant supply apparatus 100 of Fig. 4, additionally including a fluid reservoir section 130 exemplarily arranged below the fan support section 110 (control unit section) which supports the fan 111 and exemplarily includes the control unit 112 and the battery 113.

Exemplarily, the fluid reservoir section 130 includes a fluid reservoir 132 configured to store fluid such as water and/or nutrient solution. The fluid reservoir 132 can be used exemplarily to supply the fluid tank 122 with further fluid during operation. Exemplarily, the plant supply apparatus 100 according to Fig. 6 is configured with the optional fluid supply opening 109 being connected exemplarily to the fluid reservoir 132 of the fluid reservoir section 130. Further exemplarily, an inner channel connection 125 is shown entering the fluid tank 122, in which fluid can be supplied internally from the fluid reservoir 132 of the fluid reservoir section 130 to the tank 122 of the tank section 120 (or its optional compartments).

In some exemplary aspects, the fan support section 110 (with or without battery and/or control unit), a control unit section with battery and/or control unit, the tank section 120, and/or the reservoir section 130 can be realized as individual modular members that can be axially stacked onto each other.

Then, it is exemplarily possible to axially stack multiple such modular members in different variations and different orders, preferably with at Least one (or more) tank section module(s) 120 downstream (relative to the axial airflow) of the fan support section module 110, and/or with preferably the fan support section module 110 upstream (relative to the axial airflow) of all one or more tank section modules 120. A control unit module can be integrated in the fan support section module or optionally be stacked over or under the fan support section module as a separate module. One or more fluid reservoir modules can be stacked anywhere in the stack. One or more fluid tank modules 120 can be stacked (e.g. similar to Fig. 2B or with reservoir modules inbetween).

Exemplarily and preferably, each of the modular members includes an inner axial channel exemplarily formed by its respective inner side walls. Then, when multiple such modular members are stacked on top of each other in the axial direction, the module stack forms a continued inner axial inner through which airflows (by the rotating fan 111 of the fan support section 110) through the entire continued inner axial inner towards/into the plant support member 200.

Fig. 7 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to further exemplary aspects. Exemplarily, the plant supply apparatus 100 according to Fig. 7 is configured similar to the plant supply apparatus 100 of Fig. 4, additionally including a fluid reservoir section 130 exemplarily arranged below the fan support section 120 (control unit section) which supports the fan 111 and exemplarily includes the control unit 112 and the battery 113. Further exemplarily, an inner channel connection 125 is shown entering the fluid tank 122, in which fluid can be supplied internally from the fluid reservoir 132 of the fluid reservoir section 130 to the tank 122 of the tank section 120 (or its optional compartments). Further exemplarily, the fluid reservoir 132 of Fig. 7 is optionally divided into plural fluid reservoir compartments 132a to 132f. The plural fluid reservoir compartments 132a to 132f can include nutrient solutions of different concentration and/or different nutrient solutions.

Fig. 8 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to further exemplary aspects. Exemplarily, the plant supply apparatus 100 according to Fig. 7 is configured similar to the plant supply apparatus 100 of Fig. 6, wherein, however, the fluid reservoir section 130 is exemplarily provided between the fan support section 110 (control unit section) and the tank section 120.

Fig. 9 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to further exemplary aspects. Exemplarily, the plant supply apparatus 100 according to Fig. 9 is configured similar to the plant supply apparatus 100 of Fig. 4, wherein, an additional fluid reservoir section 130 is exemplarily provided between the fan support section 110 (control unit section) and the tank section 120, and wherein the fluid reservoir 132 is exemplarily separated into plural compartments 132a to 132f similar to Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 exemplarily shows a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to further exemplary aspects. Exemplarily, the tank section 110 includes a tank support portion 120A that extends around the main axis A and has openings. Sub-tanks 120B are extending into the openings, thereby closing the openings, towards the inner axial channel. That is, when the sub-tanks 120B are inserted into the openings of the tank support section 120A, the inner walls 123 of the tank support section 120A and the inner walls 123 (the walls having the fog generators 121) of the sub-tanks 120B together define the inner axial channel.

The exemplary embodiment of Fig. 10 is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 3E, with the modification that the sub-tanks 120B can be taken out or be inserted back into the apparatus 100 radially with respect to the main axis A. In such exemplary aspects, sub-tanks 120B can be easily exchanged, e.g. for maintenance or for water-resupply. The sub-tanks 120B can include one (or more) fog generators 121 attached to the wall facing the inner side channel.

As such, it is advantageous to provide a unit/sub-module comprising a sub-tank compartment and a wall of the sub-tank compartment having one or more fog generators arranged on the outside of the subtank compartment (arranged on an outer wall side thereof). The unit may further include connections to the fog generators for providing the control signals. Such connections may be plug-type connections to allow for easy detachment/attachment.

In each of the above exemplary aspects, the fog generators 121 are exemplarily configured to generate fog or mist based on the fluid stored in the tank 122 (or its compartments 122a to 122f) and provide the generated fog or mist into the inner axial channel downstream of the fan 111, so that the airflow generated by the fan 111 can be used to transport the generated fog or mist in the axial direction towards the inner space of the plant support member 200 to provide the aeroponic, in particular fogponics, water and/or nutrient supply to the plant roots.

In each of the above exemplary aspects, a fan support section 110 was exemplarily provided to generate an airflow by a rotating fan 111 as airflow generation section of the respective exemplary plant supply apparatus 100. It is however also possible to provide other types of airflow generation sections, for example as explained exemplarily below. Such below aspects are explained exemplarily and can be combined with aspects of the above aspects.

Fig. 11 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to further exemplary aspects. In the example of Fig. 11, the plant supply apparatus 100 exemplarily comprises another type of airflow generation section (e.g. instead of the plant supply apparatus 100 of any of the above exemplary aspects, but other exemplary aspects can be provided where one or more fan support sections 110 can be additionally provided).

Exemplarily, the plant supply apparatus 100 according to Fig. 11 comprises an ion blower section 140, exemplarily arranged upstream of the fluid tank section 120 (and purely exemplarily downstream of an optional reservoir section 130, e.g. such as in Fig. 6).

Exemplarily, instead of a fan 111 (or in addition to a fan 111 in other exemplary aspects), the ion blower section 140 comprises two electrodes 141 and 142. Exemplarily, the electrodes 141 and 142 are arranged in the inner channel of the plant supply apparatus 100. Further exemplarily, the electrodes 141 and 142 are arranged in the inner channel of the plant supply apparatus 100 upstream of the fluid tank section 120, and in particular preferably upstream of the fog generators 121 of the fluid tank section 120.

Exemplarily, the ion blower section 140 is configured to generate an airflow of ionized air based on a function of an ion blower or also referred to as ion thruster. In particular, the ion blower section 140 is configured to ionize air and generate an airflow of the ionized air towards the fluid tank section 120 in the inner channel.

Exemplarily, the electrodes 141 and 142 are ring-shaped (or at least circumferentially closed in some further exemplary aspects) and, preferably, the electrodes 141 and 142 respectively extend circumferentially around the axial direction within the inner channel of the plant supply apparatus 100.

A first electrode 141 of the two electrodes of the ion blower section 140 is preferably connected (or at least connectable) to a high voltage power supply (e.g. VI in Fig. 12). The second electrode 142 of the two electrodes of the ion blower section 140 is preferably connected (or at least connectable) to a low voltage power supply and/or a ground potential.

The ion blower section 140 (and/or apparatus 100) is exemplarily configured to apply a high voltage to the first electrode 141 to ionize air in the inner channel around the first electrode 141, and, accordingly, the ion blower section 140 (and/or apparatus 100) is exemplarily configured to ionize air in the inner channel around the first electrode 141 by applying a high voltage to the first electrode 141.

The high voltage applied to the first electrode 141 can be applied with a voltage preferably equal or larger than 1 kV, further preferably equal or larger than 2 kV, further preferably equal or larger than 5 kV, and optionally equal or larger than 10 kV. Most preferably, the high voltage applied to the first electrode 141 can be applied with a voltage in the range of 5 to 10 kV. In some exemplary aspects, the high voltage applied to the first electrode 141 can be controlled as static high voltage potential or according to a time dependent pattern.

Exemplarily, in order to more efficiently generate ionized air around the first electrode 141, the electrode 141 is formed so as to include one or more sharp edged portions, and, for such purpose, the first electrode 141 of Fig. 11 exemplarily includes an edged side (e.g. upper side of electrode 141 in Figs. 11 to 13). The second electrode 142 is exemplarily arranged downstream of the first electrode 141, and the ion blower section 140 (and/or apparatus 100) is configured to control an electric potential difference between the electrodes 141 and 142, for example, by applying a high voltage (e.g. VI in Fig. 12) to the first electrode

141 and applying a low voltage (e.g. V2 in Fig. 12) to the second electrode 142 and/or by the second electrode

142 being connected to ground. The electric potential difference between the electrodes 141 and 142 can be controlled as an electrostatic potential difference or also time dependent.

Fig. 12 exemplarily illustrates a function of the plant supply apparatus 100 according to Fig. 11. As mentioned above, by a high voltage (e.g. VI) being applied to the first electrode 141, air in the vicinity of the first electrode 141 inside the inner channel of the plant supply apparatus 100 is ionized, exemplarily becoming positively charged in Fig. 12. The sign of the potential difference between the electrodes 141 and 142 is exemplarily selected and/or applied such that the ionized air generated at the first electrode 141 is electrically attracted by the second electrode 142, so that an airflow is generated in direction from the first electrode 141 towards the second electrode 142.

Accordingly, as exemplarily illustrated in Fig. 12, the ion blower section 140 (and/or apparatus 100) is exemplarily configured to ionize air in the inner channel around the first electrode 141 and to generate an airflow of ionized air in the direction towards the second electrode 142 towards the downstream direction of the inner channel, so that an airflow of ionized air is generated towards the fluid tank section 120.

That is, exemplarily, ion blower section 140 (and/or apparatus 100) is configured to be operated to move air (airflow) in the axial direction towards the side of the tank section 120 through the axial channel formed by the inner wall portions 123 of the tank section 120 and into the hollow interior space of the plant support member 200. The axial airflow is exemplarily indicated by the axial arrows in Fig. 13; see also the arrows in Fig. 12.

Such generated airflow of ionized air further provides a benefit that the ionized air has the effect that the droplets of the fog and/or mist generated by the fog generators 121 are electrically charged in accordance with the electric charge of the ionized airflow; see the schematic exemplary illustration in Fig. 12. This can be used to additionally direct the fog and/or mist towards the plant roots by using another electrode, for example the further electrode 203 by applying a potential (preferably a low voltage, or ground potential; e.g. V3 in Fig. 12) to such further electrode 203 by electrically attracting the electrically charged droplets of the fog and/or mist. For example, such one or more further electrodes 203 can be provided at or around the plant roots so as to control the flow of fog and/or mist directly and efficiently towards the plant roots; see e.g. the exemplary aspect of Fig. 13.

In Fig. 12, it is exemplarily illustrated that the ionized air / electrically charged droplets are positively charged, and then ground potential or a negatively charged electrode 203 can generate an electric field that attracts the ionized air / electrically charged droplets. In further examples, it is possible to generate ionized air / electrically charged droplets that are negatively charged, and then ground potential or a positively charged electrode 203 can generate an electric field that attracts the ionized air / electrically charged droplets.

Fig. 13 exemplarily shows an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a plant supply system according to further exemplary aspects, wherein the system is provided analogously to the system of Fig. 1 but exemplarily with a plant supply apparatus similar to the apparatus of Figs. 11 and 12. Further exemplarily, further electrodes 203 in accordance with the function as illustrated in Fig. 12 are provided adjacent to the openings 202 and/or plant supports 201 of the plant support section 200. Accordingly, it is possible to direct the fog and/or mist towards the plant roots as desired, leading to a significantly improved supply efficiency.

In the examples of Figs. 11, 12 and/or 13, the control unit can be configured to change polarities of the electrodes and/or the sign of the potential difference between electrodes, so that the driven direction of airflow can be changed, for example, in order to generate airflow in the switched downwards direction in Figs. 11 to 13. This has the benefit that plants can be arranged below the apparatus 100 and be supplied as well. In other words, the apparatus 100 can be switched between generating upward flow and downward flow in the axial direction. The same can be achieved in other exemplary embodiments by switching rotation directions of the fan 111 by corresponding control by the control unit..

Fig. 14 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to further exemplary aspects. The plant supply apparatus 100 is exemplarily provided similar to the apparatus of Fig. 6.

Additionally and exemplarily, a first electrode 141 is arranged in the inner channel (or at an outlet of the inner channel) downstream of the fog generators 121. Exemplarily, the first electrode 141 is fixed to inner walls 123 of the fluid tank section 120 downstream of the fog generators 121. Alternatively, the first electrode 141 can be arranged upstream of the fog generators 121, such as preferably between the fan 111 and the fog generators 121 in the inner channel relative to the axial direction, or even upstream of the fan 111.

The plant supply apparatus 100 is exemplarily configured to apply a high voltage to the first electrode 141 to ionize air in the inner channel around the first electrode 141, and, accordingly, the plant supply apparatus 100 is exemplarily configured to ionize air in the inner channel around the first electrode 141 by applying a high voltage to the first electrode 141.

Exemplarily, in order to more efficiently generate ionized air around the first electrode 141, the electrode 141 is formed so as to include one or more sharp edged portions, and, for such purpose, the first electrode 141 of Fig. 14 exemplarily includes an edged side (e.g. upper side of electrode 141 in Figs. 14 to 16). Fig. 15 exemplarily illustrates a function of the plant supply apparatus 100 according to Fig. 14. As mentioned above, by a high voltage (e.g. VI) being applied to the first electrode 141, air in the vicinity of the first electrode 141 inside the inner channel of the plant supply apparatus 100 is ionized, exemplarily becoming positively charged in Fig. 15. Airflow is generated by the rotating fan 111.

Accordingly, as exemplarily illustrated in Fig. 15, the plant supply apparatus 100 is exemplarily configured to ionize air in the inner channel around the first electrode 141 and to generate an airflow of ionized air and/or a flow of electrically charged droplets of fog and/or mist by the rotating fan 111. This has the effect that the droplets of the fog and/or mist generated by the fog generators 121 are electrically charged in accordance with the electric charge of the ionized airflow; see the schematic exemplary illustration in Fig. 15. This can be used to direct the fog and/or mist towards the plant roots by using another electrode, for example the further electrode 203 by applying a potential (preferably a low voltage, or ground potential; e.g. V3 in Fig. 15) to such further electrode 203 by electrically attracting the electrically charged droplets of the fog and/or mist. For example, such one or more further electrodes 203 can be provided at or around the plant roots so as to control the flow of fog and/or mist directly and efficiently towards the plant roots; see e.g. the exemplary aspect of Fig. 16.

In Fig. 15, it is exemplarily illustrated that the ionized air / electrically charged droplets are positively charged, and then ground potential or a negatively charged electrode 203 can generate an electric field that attracts the ionized air / electrically charged droplets. In further examples, it is possible to generate ionized air / electrically charged droplets that are negatively charged, and then ground potential or a positively charged electrode 203 can generate an electric field that attracts the ionized air / electrically charged droplets.

Fig. 16 exemplarily shows an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a plant supply system according to further exemplary aspects, wherein the system is provided analogously to the system of Fig. 1 but exemplarily with a plant supply apparatus similar to the apparatus of Figs. 14 and 15. Further exemplarily, further electrodes 203 in accordance with the function as illustrated in Fig. 15 are provided adjacent to the openings 202 and/or plant supports 201 of the plant support section 200. Accordingly, it is possible to direct the fog and/or mist towards the plant roots as desired, leading to a significantly improved supply efficiency.

Fig. 17 exemplarily shows a perspective view of a plant supply apparatus 100 according to further exemplary aspects. The plant supply apparatus 100 is exemplarily provided similar to the apparatus of Fig. 6.

Additionally and exemplarily, a first electrode 141 is arranged in the inner channel (or at an outlet of the inner channel) upstream of the fog generators 121 and can be held by the fan support section 110. Exemplarily, the first electrode 141 is fixed to inner walls of the fan support section 110 upstream of the fog generators 121. Alternatively, the first electrode 141 can be arranged upstream of the fan 111. The first electrode 141 being attached at the fan support section 110 (which exemplarily includes the control unknit 112 and battery 113) provides another benefit that the electrical connections between control unit and/or battery and the electrode 141 can be simplified.

Exemplarily, in order to more efficiently generate ionized air around the first electrode 141, the electrode 141 is formed so as to include one or more sharp edged portions, and, for such purpose, the first electrode 141 of Fig. 17 exemplarily includes an edged side (e.g. upper side of electrode 141 in Figs. 17 to 19).

Fig. 18 exemplarily illustrates a function of the plant supply apparatus 100 according to Fig. 17. As mentioned above, by a high voltage (e.g. VI) being applied to the first electrode 141, air in the vicinity of the first electrode 141 inside the inner channel of the plant supply apparatus 100 is ionized, exemplarily becoming positively charged in Fig. 18. Airflow is generated by the rotating fan 111.

Accordingly, as exemplarily illustrated in Fig. 18, the plant supply apparatus 100 is exemplarily configured to ionize air in the inner channel around the first electrode 141 and to generate an airflow of ionized air and/or a flow of electrically charged droplets of fog and/or mist by the rotating fan 111. This has the effect that the droplets of the fog and/or mist generated by the fog generators 121 are electrically charged in accordance with the electric charge of the ionized airflow; see the schematic exemplary illustration in Fig. 18. This can be used to direct the fog and/or mist towards the plant roots by using another electrode, for example the further electrode 203 by applying a potential (preferably a low voltage, or ground potential; e.g. V3 in Fig. 18) to such further electrode 203 by electrically attracting the electrically charged droplets of the fog and/or mist. For example, such one or more further electrodes 203 can be provided at or around the plant roots so as to control the flow of fog and/or mist directly and efficiently towards the plant roots; see e.g. the exemplary aspect of Fig. 19.

In Fig. 18, it is exemplarily illustrated that the ionized air / electrically charged droplets are positively charged, and then ground potential or a negatively charged electrode 203 can generate an electric field that attracts the ionized air / electrically charged droplets. In further examples, it is possible to generate ionized air / electrically charged droplets that are negatively charged, and then ground potential or a positively charged electrode 203 can generate an electric field that attracts the ionized air / electrically charged droplets.

Fig. 19 exemplarily shows an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a plant supply system according to further exemplary aspects, wherein the system is provided analogously to the system of Fig. 1 but exemplarily with a plant supply apparatus similar to the apparatus of Figs. 17 and 18. Further exemplarily, further electrodes 203 in accordance with the function as illustrated in Fig. 18 are provided adjacent to the openings 202 and/or plant supports 201 of the plant support section 200. Accordingly, it is possible to direct the fog and/or mist towards the plant roots as desired, leading to a significantly improved supply efficiency.

As previously mentioned, in some exemplary aspects, the fog generators 121 can be supplied and/or controlled by algorithms and electronics implemented in a control unit 112. Such control unit can be connected externally or be included in the plant supply apparatus 100.

Also, for electric power support, the control unit 112, the fog generators 121, the power supply to the electrodes, and/or the fan driver can be supplied from an externally connected power supply and/or by a battery 113 that can be externally connected or be included in the plant supply apparatus 100. The plant supply apparatus 100 can also include one or more sensors and/or one or more electromechanical actuators.

In some exemplary aspects, the operation of the ion blower electrodes, the fan 111 and/or the fog generators 121 can be controlled by electronic and algorithms implemented in the control unit 112.

In some exemplary aspects, the control unit 112 can communicate the sensor(s), electromechanical actuators and/or with external devices, e.g. via electrical connections and/or wireless signals, and such control unit 112 can control one or more or all relevant functions of the plant supply apparatus 100.

In some exemplary aspects, the control unit 112 can also monitor and/or control various functions, such as the amount of water ingressing in the fluid tank 122, the amount of liquid flowing from an optional additional fluid reservoir 132 into the fluid tank 122, and/or the pH value of the liquid inside the fluid tank 122 and/or its optional compartments 122a to 122f. Via exemplary sensors, the control unit can also sense the amount of liquid available in the fluid tank 122 and/or in each of its compartments 122a to 122f, and/or in the optional fluid reservoir 132 or its optional compartments 132a to 132f. The plant supply apparatus 100 can be used for a variety of applications and, in some exemplary aspects, the fluid tank 122 and/or the fluid reservoir 132 or their optional compartments can contain absorbent materials inside.

In view of the above, in some exemplary aspects, it is achieved to provide an electronic device, generally indicated as apparatus 100, comprising an axial fan 111 that directs air along the axial main axis A of the device. In some exemplary aspects, the axial fan 111 can be surrounded by a radial control unit member (control unit / fan support section 110) that can be mechanically and electrically attached to the axial fan 111. Also, the circumferentially closed housing of the ion blower section 140 can include the control unit member in an efficient manner. In some exemplary aspects, the control unit member (section 110) can include a control unit 112 configured to control the electronic device and/or to communicate with external devices via electrical connections and/or wireless signals, such as radio signals. In some exemplary aspects, the control unit member (section 110) can include a battery 113 to maintain functionality in case of a voltage supply interruption. In some exemplary aspects, the control unit member (section 110) can include multiple sensors to control the different system variables, and/or electromechanical actuators for controlling liquid ingress and flow.

In some exemplary aspects, a radial fluid tank 122 of can contains the nutrients fluid that is in direct contact (e.g. via through holes 123a) with the fog generators 121 attached or provided on inner walls 123 of the fluid tank 122 or fluid tank section 120.

In some exemplary aspects, the radial fluid tank 122 can be easily electrically and/or mechanically connected to the other elements (sections / module members) of the system.

Exemplarily, the inner walls 123 of the fluid tank 122 can have through holes 123a directly behind each of the fog generators 121 to allow the fluid or nutrients fluid to be in contact with the back side of the fog generators 121, so that fog generators 121 can be supplied with fluid from their back side without being disadvantageously submerged under water as in the prior art.

In some exemplary aspects, depending on the field of application, the radial fluid tank 122 can contain an absorbent material that retains nutrients fluid, e.g. a sponge-like material. In some exemplary aspects, the radial nutrients fluid tank 122, depending on the field of application, may have vent holes 124 to allow air, but preferably not the nutrients liquid, to come out of it. In some exemplary aspects, the radial nutrients fluid tank 122 can be divided into a variety of sub-compartments (e.g. sub-compartments 122a to 122f) of the fluid tank 122 for containing different nutrient fluids and/or different nutrient solutions of different nutrient ingredients and/or different nutrient concentrations. In some exemplary aspects, the optional radial fluid reservoir 132 can serve as a fluid buffer, and its content can be transferred in a controlled manner to the radial fluid nutrients tank 122, e.g. controlled or supported by algorithms implemented in the control unit 112. In some exemplary aspects, depending on the field of application, the radial nutrient fluid reservoir 132 can contain an absorbent material that retains fluid. In some exemplary aspects, the fog generator units 121 and the radial nutrients fluid tank 122 can be mechanically attached and/or electrically connected to each other in an easy-to-attach-detach way (e.g. detachably connected, for example, via a plugtype connection). In some exemplary aspects, the fog generator units 121 can convert the nutrients fluid in contact with the area facing the inner cavity of the radial nutrients fluid tank 122 into fog or mist, e.g. via driven vibrations, e.g. via ultrasonic vibrations. In some exemplary aspects, each fog generator unit 121 mounted on the radial fluid tank 122 is preferably configured to expel fog towards the device main axis A. In some exemplary aspects, one or more axial fans 111 are configured to blow air along the device main axis A in the direction of the space between the fog generator units 121 in the inner axial channel of the device, and then out of the device, e.g. towards and/or into the plant support member 200. In some exemplary aspects, the power supply to the electrodes, the fog generator units 121 and/or the fan 111 can be controlled by the control unit 112. In some exemplary aspects, the control unit 112 is configured to control the amount of Liquid flowing from the fluid reservoir 132 into the radial nutrients fluid tank 122 through the available pipes (e.g. 125), for example, by means of available electromechanical elements and/or actuators.

In some exemplary aspects, the control unit 112 can be configured to sense, via respective sensors, the pH value of the liquid inside the radial nutrients fluid tank 122 or its compartments through the sensors and algorithms, and the control unit 112 can be configured to correct the pH value in the fluid tank 122 or its compartments accordingly. For such correction, one compartment of the reservoir 132 and/or the tank 122 can include a pH corrector fluid solution used to correct the pH value in other compartments of the reservoir 132 and/or the tank 122. For such correction, further preferably, one compartment of the reservoir 132 and/or the tank 122 can include a first pH corrector fluid solution used to correct the pH value towards a higher pH value in other compartments of the reservoir 132 and/or the tank 122 and one compartment of the reservoir 132 and/or the tank 122 can include a second pH corrector fluid solution used to correct the pH value towards a lower pH value in other compartments of the reservoir 132 and/or the tank 122. In some exemplary aspects, the control unit 112 can be configured, via respective sensors, to sense the amount of liquid available in the radial nutrients fluid tank 122. In some exemplary aspects, in which the radial nutrients fluid tank 122 may be divided into sub-compartments 122a to 122f, the control unit 112 can be configured to sense the amount of fluid available, pH values and/or other relevant variables in each of the compartments 122a to 122f. In some exemplary aspects, the control unit 112 can be configured to sense the amount of liquid available in the radial fluid reservoir 132. The control unit 112 can be configured to control mixing and/or mixing rations of different fluids or fluid solutions, or nutrient solutions, from different compartments of the reservoir 132 and/or the tank 122 depending on the requirements or preferences. For example, one or more compartments can include a nitrogen-rich solution, one or more compartments can include a potassium-rich solution, and yet further one or more compartments can include phosphate-rich solutions. In some exemplary aspects, the control unit can control one or more low-pressure pumps to provide such different fluid solutions to the tank 122, e.g. from compartments of a reservoir 132, and optionally mix it with water, and provide an optimal fluid mixture depending on the requirements or preferences, for example, also on the basis of plant type, development phase or other pre-determined or pre-programmed requirements or preferences.

The above exemplary aspects provide improved performance and functionality and represents an advance in the field, as will be explained with regard to exemplary aspects in the following.

In preferred exemplary aspects, it becomes possible to provide a modular zero-pressure not- submerged fogponic system that simplifies and enhances the existing zero-pressure aeroponic systems used in plant farming. This can exemplarily be achieved by aspects such as: adding modularity capabilities to the system; eliminating the requirement for high pressure pumps and nozzels to create the nutrient fog, resulting in a reduction in system complexity and maintenance; and/or eliminating the requirement for submerging the system in water for ultrasonic cells to produce fog. This advantageously allows the production of fog at any location within an aeroponic system, providing direct delivery of nutrient mist to plant roots. It is advantageously possible to avoid the design constraints for maintaining the fog generators submerged completely under water at a specific distance from the water surface in order to generate fog-like mist, as is required in the prior art. This constraint removal allows the fogging system to gain flexibility and modularity, enabling the design of more simplified and easier-to-maintain aeroponic systems but also increasing nutrientdelivery-efficiency by placing the fogging system closer to the plant roots.

Flexibility: Due to the fact that the fog generators do not need to be submerged in water, the system according to some exemplary aspects can be used in a wider range of applications or environments where a submerged fog generator, such as an ultrasonic fogger, would not be practical or possible (i.e. farming in microgravity conditions or zero-gravity conditions). The ability also to produce fog at any location within an aeroponic system allows for more flexibility in aeroponic container design and plant placement on it. The removal of the submersion constraint also allows for the use of this system in microgravity conditions or even zero-gravity conditions, thus being highly suitable for space missions requiring plant growth management on board of spaceships, orbital space stations or lunar or planetary space stations.

Modularity: According to some exemplary aspects, it is possible to make the system easy to maintain.

Reduced complexity and maintenance: Submerged fog generators require regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent mineral buildup and other issues. The system according to some exemplary aspects becomes simpler and easier to maintain by eliminating the need for fog-generator cells to be submerged in liquid. This advantageously also allows for cost savings. Even if the formation of mineral buildup may not be completely avoided, still the modularity and accessibility gained by not having to have the fog-generators being immersed under water, makes the system much easier to be maintained, which also allows to further save costs.

Improved delivery of nutrient mist: The system according to some exemplary aspects can be able to deliver nutrients more effectively or efficiently to plants than traditional submerged fogponic systems. It allows to provide more targeted or precise delivery of nutrients to plant roots, which leads to better nutrient absorption and improved plant growth

Future proofed: The modular character of the system according to some exemplary aspects allows to easily re-configurate it in order to adapt it for future use cases, reducing the cost of developing new systems.

Lower maintenance costs: By eliminating the need of the system to be sub-merged into water, this system according to some exemplary aspects is less expensive to maintain and operate than traditional fogponic systems. This makes it more accessible to growers who are looking for more cost-effective, flexible, easy to implement and maintain growing systems.

Lower energy consumption: Without the need for high-pressure pumps, the system according to some exemplary aspects can be designed to consume less energy than existing fogponic systems. Specifically, the ultrasonic transducers used in current systems typically need more energy since it is required to compensate the weight of the water that is laying on top of it (typically 2cm of water). This is can be advantageously avoided in the present invention since the fog generators are advantageously arranged so as to receive the water from the back side (fluid tank side), e.g. via micro-holes

Microgravity and zero-gravity suitability: The system according to some exemplary aspects is capable of operating in both gravity and microgravity conditions, even zero-gravity conditions, without requiring any reconfiguration, thus being highly suitable for space missions requiring plant growth management on board of spaceships, orbital space stations or lunar or planetary space stations.

Altogether, it is established that the exemplary aspects above enable to provide significantly improved apparatus or system for aeroponic and/or fogponic water and/or nutrient supply for plants, in particular with regard to significantly improved efficiency, accessibility, versatility, flexibility, modularity and/or cost-effectiveness.

While certain exemplary aspects have been described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such aspects are merely illustrative of and are not restrictive on the broad invention, and that the aspects of invention are not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations, modifications, and/or combination of the just described aspects can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. For example, unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps of processes described herein may be performed in orders different from those described herein and one or more steps may be combined, split, or performed simultaneously. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate, in view of this disclosure, that different aspects of the invention described herein may be combined to form other aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for aeroponic and/or fogponic water and/or nutrient supply for plants, the apparatus comprising:

- a fluid tank section (120) which includes a fluid tank (122) for storing a fluid including water and/or a nutrient solution, wherein the fluid tank section (120) includes one or more side walls (123) forming an inner channel which extends in an axial direction (A) through the fluid tank section (120), and

- an airflow generation section (110; 140) configured to move air in the axial direction into the inner channel and/or in the axial direction (A) via the inner channel through the fluid tank section (120), wherein the fluid tank (122) is arranged around the inner channel being separated from the inner channel by the one or more side walls (123), and wherein the fluid tank section (120) includes one or more fog generators (121) configured to generate fog or mist, in particular with an average droplet size below 50 micrometers, and to introduce the generated fog or mist into the inner channel based on fluid stored the fluid tank (122), the one or more fog generators (121) being attached to the one or more side walls (123).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the one or more side walls (123) include a respective through hole (123a) for each of the one or more fog generators (121), each through hole (123a) being covered by the respective fog generator (121) to supply fluid from the fluid tank (122) to the respective fog generator (121) and to introduce the generated fog or mist into the inner channel.

3. Apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or more fog generators (121) are attached to the one or more side walls (123) on a side facing the inner channel.

4. Apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each fog generator (121) includes a vibrating member (121a) having micro holes or micro channels of diameters substantially smaller or equal to 100pm, in particular between 1 to 50 pm, in particular preferably 1 to 20 pm.

5. Apparatus according to at Least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or more fog generators (121) include ultrasonic transducers configured to generate fog or mist by ultrasonic vibrations.

6. Apparatus according to at Least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid tank (122) includes a single fluid tank compartment extending around the inner channel about the axial direction (A); or the fluid tank (122) includes plural separate fluid tank compartments (122a-122f) arranged around the inner channel about the axial direction (A), each fluid tank compartment (122a-122f) having respective one or more fog generators (121).

7. Apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by

- a control unit (112) configured to control operation of the airflow generation section (110; 140) and/or the one or more fog generators (121); and/or

- a battery (113) configured to supply electric power to the control unit (112), the airflow generation section (110; 140) and/or the one or more fog generators (121).

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the control unit (112) and/or the battery (113) are integrated in the airflow generation section (110; 140).

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the control unit (112) is configured to control a switching of an airflow direction of air flow generated by the airflow generation section (110; 140) between a normal airflow direction of blowing airflow towards a side of the fluid tank section and a reverse airflow direction of sucking airflow from the side of the fluid tank section.

10. Apparatus according to at Least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a reservoir section (130) including a fluid reservoir (132) and including an inner channel extending in the axial direction (A) through the reservoir section (130) connected to the inner channel of the fluid tank section (120), wherein the fluid reservoir (132) is arranged around the inner channel of the reservoir section (120) and is connected by a fluid connection (125) with the fluid tank (122) of the fluid tank section (120).

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the fluid reservoir (132) includes a single fluid reservoir compartment extending around the inner channel about the axial direction (A); or the fluid reservoir (132) includes plural separate fluid reservoir compartments (132a-132f) arranged around the inner channel about the axial direction (A).

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11 in combination with claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the control unit (112) is configured to control supply of fluid from the fluid reservoir (132) to the fluid tank (122), in particular by controlling one or more low-pressure pumps.

13. Apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the airflow generation section comprises a fan support section (110) which comprises an axial fan (111) configured to move air in the axial direction into the inner channel and/or in the axial direction (A) through the fluid tank section (120) via the inner channel.

14. Apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the airflow generation section comprises an ion blower section (140) configured to ionize air and move ionized air in the axial direction into the inner channel and/or in the axial direction (A) through the fluid tank section (120) via the inner channel.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the ion blower section (140) comprises a first electrode (141) and a second electrode (142), the second electrode (142) being arranged downstream of the first electrode (141) with respect to the direction of airflow towards a side of the fluid tank section.

16. Apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the apparatus is configured to apply a first voltage, in particular a high voltage, to the first electrode (141) to ionize air in the vicinity of the first electrode (141), and to apply a second voltage, in particular a low voltage or ground potential, to the second electrode (142) to generate an airflow of ionized air driven by an electric field between the first and second electrodes (141, 142).

17. Apparatus according to at Least one of claims 14 to 16 in combination with claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the control unit (112) is configured to control a switching of an airflow direction of air flow generated by the ion blower section (140) between a normal airflow direction of blowing airflow towards a side of the fluid tank section and a reverse airflow direction of sucking airflow from the side of the fluid tank section, in particular by switching polarities and/or a sign of a potential difference applied to the first and second electrodes according to claim 15 or 16.

18. Apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first electrode (141) is arranged in the inner channel, wherein the apparatus is configured to apply a first voltage, in particular a high voltage, to the first electrode (141) to ionize air in the vicinity of the first electrode (141) and/or to electrically charge droplets of fog or mist by ionized air.

19. Apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus includes multiple modules stackable in the axial direction (A) together including the inner channel extending in the axial direction (A) through the entire stack of modules, wherein one module includes the fluid tank section (120) forming a fluid tank module, and one module includes the airflow generation section (110; 140) forming an airflow generation module, with one or more fluid tank modules being stacked downstream of the airflow generation module with respect to the generated airflow.

20. Fluid tank module, in particular for use as a fluid tank section in an apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, the fluid tank module comprising a fluid tank section (120) which includes a fluid tank (122) for storing a fluid including water and/or a nutrient solution, wherein the fluid tank section (120) includes one or more side walls (123) forming an inner channel which extends in an axial direction (A) through the fluid tank section (120), wherein the fluid tank (122) is arranged around the inner channel being separated from the inner channel by the one or more side walls (123), and wherein the fluid tank section (120) includes one or more fog generators (121) configured to generate fog or mist and to introduce the generated fog or mist into the inner channel based on fluid stored the fluid tank (122), the one or more fog generators (121) being attached to the one or more side walls (123); and the fluid tank module being stackable in the axial direction (A) with further one or more fluid tank modules and/or with an airflow generation module configured to move air in the axial direction into the inner channel and/or in the axial direction (A) via the inner channel through the fluid tank section (120).