AU2018232934A1 - Improvements in and relating to environment-controlled multi-span structured greenhouse - Google Patents

Abstract

An environment-controlled multi-span structured greenhouse comprising a roof, four sides, a release blower equipped with a heating module and a capture manifold wherein in relatively cold weather geographical locations, a release blower 5 equipped with a cooling module wherein in relatively hot weather geographical locations for lowest cost supplementary heating and cooling of the greenhouse air, obviating burning fossil fuels thereby reducing global warming, the capture blower functions with the capture manifold wherein the external surfaces of the roof and the external surface of at least one side of the greenhouse comprise a diffused white film 0 at a predetermined areas and locations together with a thermal shading film affixed to the surface areas not comprising diffused white film, and wherein the greenhouse further comprises a mechanized module for adjusting the height of artificial light source and a module for melting snow. 5

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ENVIRONMENT-CONTROLLED MULTI SPANSTRUCTUREDGREENHOUSE

RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims priority from Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 201811024549 filed on July 2, 2018 and from Indian complete patent application No. 201811029265.

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to environment controlled multi-span structured greenhouses having lowest cost greenhouse supplementary heating and cooling for lowest cost food production. The present invention also relates to lowest cost heating of premises such as residential, commercial, including for example but not limited to, office, malls, multiplexes, hotels, industrial units and the like. The patent specification describes this use but it is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to this use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In relatively cold weather geographical locations there is the problem of very high capital and operating cost of greenhouse supplementary heating which mostly comprises, burning very substantial amount of fossil fuel which co-produces carbon dioxide and other pollutants, most of which increase global warming and some of which are also harmful to plants in the greenhouse. Likewise, in relatively cold weather geographical locations, there is the problem of high capital and very high operating cost of heating the premises such as residential, commercial premises, including, for example, but not limited to, office, malls, multiplexes, hotels, industrial units and the like, which mostly comprises burning very substantial amounts of fossil fuels to heat water to about 600 C for circulation into the heating radiators. Whereas, in relatively hot weather geographical locations there is the problem of very high capital and operating cost of greenhouse supplementary cooling which comprises, electric energy mostly produced by burning substantial amounts fossil fuels.

In relatively cold weather geographical locations there is the problem of maintaining the greenhouse relative humidity at a predetermined set point Whereas, in relatively hot weather geographical locations there is the problem of maintaining the greenhouse relative humidity at a predetermined set point There is also the problem of maintaining the crops in greenhouses free from disease organisms, bacteria, pathogens, fungi, viral infections, harmful pests, insects. It is a known fact that the intensity or brightness of light is a function of the distance from the light source and follows an inverse square relationship which is illustrated in figure 1, which shows the apparent brightness of a source with luminosity Lo at distances 2, 3, 4, 5. There is the problem in greenhouses for adjusting the height of the artificial light source to a predetermined distance from the top of the growing plants, which is very labour and operating cost intensive. As such, the greenhouse growers mostly install the artificial light source at a predetermined distance above the top level of a fully grown plant, the level which a growing plant would achieve after a long duration such that the plants during their relatively earlier growth stages derive minimal benefit from the artificial light source leading to reduced productivity. There is a problem of melting snow on various surfaces such as for example, o but not limited to roadways, railway tracks and airport runways. In many instances, snow on airport runways is melted by inbuilt heating modules in the concrete slabs of the runway mostly using fossil fuel or electric energy which is mostly a product of burning fossil fuels whereas snow on roadways and railway tracks is removed by earth moving machines which uses diesel, a fossil fuel product. Indian Patent Application No. 201711025454, filed on July 18, 2017, and patent applications claiming priority therefrom, including U.S. Patent Application No. 15/844,354, all filed by the same present inventor, relate to an environment controlled multi-span structured greenhouse comprising a compressor which is used mostly for adjusting the relative humidity of the greenhouse air to a predetermined set point in relatively cold weather geographical locations and for adjusting the temperature of the greenhouse air to a predetermined set point in the relatively hot weather geographical locations. The present invention obviates the use of compressor for the aforesaid needs.

There is still a further need and scope for overcoming the above-identified problems associated with heating, cooling of greenhouse air and further means for lowest cost of food production.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome the cost associated with heating and cooling air of greenhouses and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. It is also an object of the present invention to overcome the cost associated with heating residential and commercial premises for example but not limited to, offices, malls, multiplexes, hotels, industrial units and the like and obviating the use of a compressor which is very capital and operating cost intensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an environment-controlled, multi-span structured greenhouse comprising a roof and four sides, wherein, in relatively hot weather geographical locations, the greenhouse further comprises: a diffused white film of a predetermined thickness affixed to the external surface of the greenhouse roof and to the external surface of at least one side of the greenhouse at predetermined areas and locations based upon the climate o pattern of the geographical location, wherein the said external surfaces that do not comprise a diffused white film affixed thereto comprise fixing a thermal shading film of a predetermined thickness wherein the sides of the greenhouse which do not comprise a diffused white film together with the thermal shading film affixed thereto comprise fixing a thermal shading film of a predetermined thickness. In another aspect of the present invention, in relatively cold weather geographical locations, the release blower is equipped with a heating module for heating the greenhouse air for maintaining the greenhouse air at a predetermined temperature set point. In another aspect of the present invention, in relatively hot weather geographical locations, the release blower is equipped with a cooling module for cooling the greenhouse air for maintaining the greenhouse air temperature at a predetermined temperature set point. In another aspect of the present invention, in the relatively hot weather geographically locations the greenhouse air relative humidity is maintained by injecting foggers' fine droplets of water by automated small pump into the outlet pipe of the release blower at predetermined centers along total length of the outlet pipe. In another aspect of the present invention in the relatively cold weather geographically locations the greenhouse air relative humidity is maintained at a predetermined set point wherein during heating the greenhouse air by the release blower together with a heating module which squeezes the moisture content out of the heated greenhouse air. In another aspect of the present invention, the greenhouse comprises a mechanized module for adjusting the height of the artificial light source for maintaining a predetermined distance between the artificial light source and the top of the growing plant. Accordingly, this aspect satisfies the need for raising the height of artificial light source. In another aspect of the present invention, a crop patrolling officer of the greenhouse is equipped with a magnifying mirror together with a cell phone with camera for capturing during patrolling images of abnormal diseased plants' diseased leaves, stems, fruits and of insects / pests which are uploaded onto a computer. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for melting snow on a surface, the method comprising at least two blowers, each blower equipped with a heating module, each blower mounted on a motorized trolley wherein at least one motorized trolley is located staggered on each of the two sides of the surface for producing hot air of a predetermined temperature for melting snow. In another aspect of the present invention, based upon the length of the surface, there are a plurality of blowers located staggered at predetermined distances between each other. In an aspect of the present invention, the surface is the surface of an airport runway, a roadway or a railway track and the like. In another aspect of the present invention, an electric heating module of a predetermined temperature range is installed in the outlet of a bower for all heating needs including heating small furnaces of medium and small-scale industries. Accordingly, this module saves substantial fossil fuel. In another aspect of the present invention, in relatively cold weather geographical locations, a blower together with a heating module is provided which is used for heating the local environment of a location occupied by persons for maintaining the temperature of that location at a predetermined temperature set point. In another aspect of the present invention, in relatively hot weather geographical locations, a blower together with the cooling module is provided which is used for cooling the local environment of a location occupied by persons for maintaining that location at a predetermined temperature set point. In a further aspect, the present invention, provides an environment-controlled, multi-span structured greenhouse comprising: a roof and four sides wherein in a relatively hot weather geographical location, the external surfaces of the roof together with the external surface of at least one side of the greenhouse comprises a diffused white film of predetermined thickness fixed to predetermined areas and locations thereof based upon the climate pattern of the geographical location and wherein the areas that do not comprise the diffused white film comprise a thermal shading film of a predetermined thickness for admitting into the greenhouse only a predetermined deficient solar radiation for minimizing needless heat gain, reducing greenhouse air temperature and minimizing supplementary cooling cost while availing the benefits of natural light. The sides of the greenhouse which do not comprise diffused white film together with a thermal shading film comprise thermal shading film of a predetermined thickness. o The present invention provides a tangible solution of the problem of very high cost of heating residential, commercial, premises including but not limited to office, malls, multiplexes, hotels, industrial units and the like located in relatively cold weather geographical locations, wherein premises would otherwise be heated by burning very substantial amount of fossil fuel to heat water to about 600C for circulation into the heating radiators.

In another aspect, the present invention, wherein in relatively cold weather geographical locations, the greenhouse comprises a release blower equipped with a heating module for heating the greenhouse air for maintaining the temperature of the greenhouse air at a predetermined set point. The present invention also provides a tangible solution to the problem of the very high cost of supplementary cooling a greenhouse in relatively hot weather geographical locations, wherein the greenhouse comprises a release blower equipped with a cooling module for cooling the greenhouse air for maintaining the temperature of the greenhouse air at a predetermined temperature set point which would otherwise be cooled using electric energy produced by the burning of fossil fuels. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a mechanized module for adjusting the height of an artificial light source for maintaining a predetermined distance between the artificial light source and the top of a growing plant throughout all the growth stages of the growing plant. In another aspect of the present invention, a greenhouse crop patrolling officer is equipped with a magnifying mirror together with a cell phone with camera o for capturing, during patrolling, images of insects and abnormal diseased leaves, stems and fruits of diseased plants, and wherein the captured images are uploaded onto a computer screen wherein reference images of all kinds of insects , pests diseased leaves, stems and fruits of diseased plants are already stored for matching with the captured uploaded images wherein the treatment remedy, dose, frequency mode foliar or drench is displayed on the computer together with the uploaded image and the matched image for printing the prescribed treatment for execution which is automatically stored in a file to trace treatment history of a crop during its life time. The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying figures wherein: Figure 1 illustrates an inverse relationship between light source and the distance from the light source; Figure 2 illustrates mechanized module for adjusting height of the artificial light source to maintain a predetermined distance from the growing plant in various growth stages; and Figure 3 illustrates a greenhouse according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference Numerals in Figure 2:

100 - Steel pipe;

110 - Upper surface of steel pipe;

120 - Bottom surface of steel pipe;

130 - Bottom end of adjoining greenhouse truss for welding 140

140 - Ball bearing with mounting end plugged;

150 - Ball bearing with small hole in the plugged for running electric main wire;

160 - Connections to the artificial lighting source; and

170 - Electric wire running full lengths of growing media beds with hanging electric wires.

180 - Hanging wires of artificial lighting source

190 - Handle for raising the pipe to maintain predetermined distance between light source and top of growing plant

Reference Numerals in Figure 3:

300 - capture manifold

310 - from capture blower

500 - earth tube heat exchanger

520 - compartment storing oxygen rich greenhouse air

530 - compartment storing carbon dioxide rich greenhouse air

540 - compartment storing carbon dioxide rich dehumidified

greenhouse air

550 - compartment storing oxygen rich dehumidified

greenhouse air

400 - release manifold

410 - release blower

420 - heating module for relatively cold geographical location

430 - cooling module for relatively hot geographical location

440 - individual release pipes

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In an embodiment of the present invention, the greenhouse wherein in relatively hot weather geographical locations, the greenhouse comprises a diffused white film of predetermined thickness affixed to the external surface of the greenhouse roof and the external surface of at least one side of the greenhouse on predetermined areas and at predetermined locations based upon the climate pattern of the geographical location. The areas without the diffused white film comprise fixing a thermal shading film of a predetermined thickness such that only a predetermined deficient solar radiation is admitted into the greenhouse for reducing needless heat gain, reducing the greenhouse air temperature and minimizing the greenhouse supplementary cooling cost while availing the benefits of natural light. The sides which do not comprise diffused white film together with a thermal shading film, comprise fixing a thermal shading film of a predetermined thickness. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an environment-controlled, multi-span structured greenhouse comprising, a heating module, a cooling module which functions with the release blower, together with the release manifold, the capture blower functions with the capture manifold, a mechanized module for adjusting the height of an artificial light source and a module for maintaining the greenhouse crop free from diseases organisms fungi, bacteria, pathogens viruses and harmful insects / pests. In another embodiment of the present invention, in relatively cold weather geographical locations, the greenhouse comprises a release blower equipped with a heating module for heating the greenhouse air for maintaining the greenhouse air temperature at a predetermined temperature set point. In another embodiment of the present invention, in relatively hot weather geographical locations, the greenhouse comprises a release blower that is equipped with a cooling module for cooling the greenhouse air for maintaining the greenhouse air temperature at a predetermined temperature set point. In another embodiment of the present invention, in the relatively hot weather geographically locations for maintaining the greenhouse air relative humidity at a predetermined set point comprises injecting foggers' fine droplets of water into the outlet pipe of the release blower using an automated small water pump. In another embodiment of the present invention in relatively cold weather geographically locations the greenhouse air relative humidity is maintained at a predetermined set point wherein the moisture content of the heated greenhouse air is squeezed out during heating which settles at the bottom of the outlet pipe of release blower which is provided a predetermined slope to be drain off moisture content at a predetermined location. In another embodiment of the present invention, the greenhouse comprises a o mechanized module for adjusting the height of an artificial light source to maintain a predetermined distance between the artificial light source and the top of the growing plants, wherein the module comprises a steel pipe comprising ball bearings at 5 meters centres with the mounting hole plugged and provided a small hole in the plug for running an electric main wire together with two third circumference of the ball bearing comprising mild steel strip for welding onto a bottom end of an adjoining truss of the greenhouse wherein main electric wires run on upper surface of the pipe comprising connections of all the artificial lighting comprising one row of growing media bags or beds.While rotating the mechanized module pipe clockwisethe hanging wires of the artificial light sources are spooled onto the pipe. o Accordingly, this embodiment satisfies the need for raising the height of artificial light source from the top of the growing plants, and in one aspect uses a mechanized module. In another embodiment of the present invention, a greenhouse crop patrolling officer is equipped with a magnifying mirror together with a cell phone with camera for capturing, during patrolling, images of abnormal diseased plants', diseased leaves, diseased stems, diseased fruits, insect and pests. The images are uploaded onto the computer screen wherein reference images of all kinds of abnormalities of the diseased plants' leaves, stems, fruits and all kinds of insects and pests are already stored for matching the uploaded images with the stored images wherein the treatment, remedy, dose, frequency mode foliar or drench together with the uploaded captured images and the matching stored image are displayed. The treatment is printed for execution which is automatically stored into a file to trace history of all the treatments during the lifetime of the crop.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is disclosed for melting snow on a surface, including airport runways, railway tracks, roadways, and the like, wherein the method comprises using two blowers each with a heating module each mounted on a motorized trolley at staggered locations, one on each side of the trolley for producing hot air of a predetermined temperature for melting snow. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electric heating module of a predetermined temperature range installed in the outlet of a blower for all heating needs including heating of small furnaces in medium and small scale industries thereby saving substantial fossil fuel. In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein in relatively cold weather geographical locations, a blower together with a heating module is provided for heating the local environment of a location occupied by people for maintaining that location at a predetermined temperature set point. In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein in relatively hot weather geographical locations, a blower together with a cooling module is provided for cooling the local environment of a location occupied by people for maintaining that location at a predetermined temperature set point.

o VARIATIONS The above description is to be to in no way limit the scope of the present invention which is amendable to various modifications and improvements within the scope of the present invention which will be evident to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the present invention is not restricted to greenhouse applications only. Although certain embodiments have been described those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims (7)

1. An environment-controlled, multi-span structured greenhouse comprising a roof and four sides wherein in a relatively hot weather geographical location, external surfaces of the greenhouse roof together with the external surface of at least one side of the greenhouse comprises a diffused white film of a predetermined thickness fixed to predetermined areas and locations thereof based upon climate pattern of the geographical location and wherein the said areas that do not comprise a diffused white film comprise a thermal shading film of a o predetermined thickness for admitting into the greenhouse only a predetermined deficient solar radiation for minimizing needless heat gain, reducing greenhouse air temperature and minimizing supplementary cooling cost while availing the benefits of natural light.

2. The environment-controlled, multi-span structured greenhouse of claim 1, wherein in relatively cold weather geographical locations, greenhouse comprises a heating module which function with release blower for heating the greenhouse air for maintaining the temperature of the greenhouse air at a predetermined set point

3. The environment-controlled, multi-span structured greenhouse of claim 1, wherein, in relatively hot weather geographical locations the greenhouse comprises a cooling module which functions with a release blower for cooling the greenhouse air for maintaining temperature of the greenhouse air at a predetermined set point.

4. The environment-controlled, multi span structured greenhouse of claim 1, wherein in the relatively hot weather geographical locations for maintaining the greenhouse air relative humidity at a predetermined set point comprises injecting foggers' fine droplets of water into the outlet pipe of the release blower using an automated small water pump.

5. The environment-controlled, multi span structured greenhouse of claim 1, wherein, in relatively cold weather geographical locations the greenhouse air relative humidity is maintained at a predetermined set point wherein the moisture content of the greenhouse air during heating is squeezed out thus automatically maintaining the relative humidity of the greenhouse air at a predetermined set point corresponding to the greenhouse air temperature predetermined set point.

6. The environment-controlled, multi-span structured greenhouse of claim 1, further comprising a mechanized module for adjusting height of an artificial light source for maintaining a predetermined distance between the artificial light source and a top of a growing plant throughout all the growth stages of the growing plant.

7. The environment-controlled, multi-span structured greenhouse of claim 1, wherein a greenhouse crop patrolling officer is equipped with a magnifying mirror together with a cell phone with camera for capturing, during patrolling, images of insects, pests and diseased leaves, stems and fruits of diseased plants, wherein the captured images are uploaded onto a computer screen wherein reference images of all kinds of insects / pests and all kinds of diseased leaves, diseased stems and diseased fruits of a diseased plants are already stored for matching with the uploaded images wherein the treatment remedy, dose, frequency mode foliar or drench together with the uploaded image together with the matched image is displayed on the computer screen for printing the prescribed treatment for execution which is automatically stored in a file to trace treatment history of a crop during its life time.