US20180014471A1

US20180014471A1 - Vertical growth tower and module for an environmentally controlled vertical farming system

Info

Publication number: US20180014471A1
Application number: US15/278,181
Authority: US
Inventors: Rob Jensen; Jack OSLAN; Nate MAZONSON; Nathaniel R. Storey; Daniel Cook; Philip E. BEATTY; John L. WHITCHER; Christopher K. CONWAY; Ernest LEARN; Michael Duffy; Russell Varone; Russell FIELD; William R. George; Matthew Barnard; Benjamin J. Clark; Jaremy CREECHLEY
Original assignee: MJNN LLC
Current assignee: MJNN LLC
Priority date: 2016-07-14
Filing date: 2016-09-28
Publication date: 2018-01-18
Also published as: US20180014485A1; WO2018013161A1; US10973185B2; WO2018013162A1; US10306847B2; WO2018013163A1; US20180014486A1; US20210235643A1

Abstract

A multi-stage, plant growing system is configured for high density growth and crop yields and includes among other things, towers or vertical growth columns, an enclosed controlled environmental growth chamber, interchangeable growth modules, and control systems capable of machine learning wherein the crops are optimally spaced and continually staged in their planting cycles utilizing special growth modules to provide an accelerated and continuous annual production yield. A vertical growth tower for vertical farming comprising a plurality of growth modules, each growth module comprising an enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant; a drain aperture in the enclosure; and at least one lateral growth opening in the enclosure configured to permit and to encourage lateral growth of the at least one plant away from the enclosure; wherein one or more of the growth modules is configured to stackably support one or more of the other growth modules above and/or below itself within the vertical growth tower.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/362,380, filed Jul. 14, 2016, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/366,510, filed Jul. 25, 2016 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/369,520, filed Aug. 1, 2016, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a vertical hydroponic and aeroponic plant production apparatus and system and, more particularly, the invention relates to a growth module apparatus configured for use in a vertical hydroponic and aeroponic plant production system comprising a controlled environment allowing for vertical hydroponic and aeroponic crop production in a fraction of the space necessary for traditional plant production techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

During the twentieth century, agriculture slowly began to evolve from a conservative industry to a fast-moving high-tech industry in order to keep up with world food shortages, climate change and societal changes moving away from manually-implemented agriculture techniques increasingly toward computer implemented technologies. In the past, and in many cases still today, farmers only had one growing season to produce the crops that would determine their revenue and food production for the entire year. However, this is changing. With indoor growing as an option and with better access to data processing technologies, among other advanced techniques, the science of agriculture has become more agile. It is adapting and learning as new data is collected and insights are generated.
Advancements in technology are making it feasible to control the effects of nature with the advent of “controlled indoor agriculture”. Improved efficiencies in space utilization, lighting, and a better understanding of hydroponics, aeroponics, crop cycles, and advancements in environmental control systems have allowed humans to better recreate environments conducive for agriculture crop growth with the goals of greater yields per square foot, better nutrition and lower cost.
The inventors combine advances in agriculture with the increasing technological advances of industry acquired since the industrial revolution. The inventors also incorporate the more recent concept of assembly line automation, and herein have conceived a vertical farming structure within a controlled environment and having columns comprising automated growth modules. The vertical structure is capable of being moved about an automated conveyance system in an open or closed-loop fashion, exposed to precision-controlled lighting, airflow and humidity, with ideal nutritional support.
Among those technology advancements is the application of new control systems capable of machine learning, or artificial intelligence, through the assimilation of thousands or even millions of data points acquired by strategically placed sensors during the course of a growing cycle or multiple growing cycles, and further capable of automatically adjusting year-round crop growth conditions within the controlled environment such as lighting, fertilizers (nutrients), moisture, gas levels, temperature, air flow, and ultimately, packaging to produce higher yields at a lower cost per square foot due to plants' vertical growth and increased space efficiency, with reduced overall losses per planted crop, better nutritional value, visual appeal and faster growth cycles.
Additionally, a multi-stage, plant growing system has been configured for high density growth and crop yields and includes among other things, towers and/or vertical columns comprising a plurality of interchangeable growth modules, an enclosed controlled environmental growth chamber, sensors or sensor arrays and control systems capable of machine learning wherein the crops are optimally spaced and continually staged in their planting cycles utilizing the interchangeable growth modules to provide an accelerated and continuous annual production yield. The growth modules are capable of being moveably and detachably affixed to vertical columns, or stand-alone towers, within the enclosed controlled environmental growth chamber and support automated staging for planting and harvesting activities within a growth cycle. The growth modules are adaptable to monitoring by sensors, sensor arrays and control systems that are capable of automated adjustments to control mechanical operations and growing conditions within the growth chamber and to make continuous improvements to crop yields, visual appeal and nutrient content of the crops grown within the growth modules.
Provided herein is a vertical growth tower for vertical farming comprising a plurality of growth modules, each growth module comprising: an enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant; a drain aperture in the enclosure; and at least one lateral growth opening in the enclosure configured to permit growth of the at least one plant therethrough, and to encourage lateral growth of the at least one plant away from the enclosure; wherein one or more of the growth modules is configured to stackably support one or more of the other growth modules above and/or below itself within the vertical growth tower, thereby allowing formation of a plurality of vertically stacked growth modules and enabling vertical farming of a plurality of plants in growth modules stacked along a vertical axis; wherein the drain aperture allows vertical flow of fluids comprising water and one or more nutrients between adjacent growth modules within the vertical growth tower in a flow direction generally downward along the vertical axis, and wherein said lateral growth opening is configured to allow for an airflow to disrupt a boundary layer of an under-canopy of the at least one plant growing away from the growth module.
In some embodiments, a growth module is configured to provide a containment shape comprising: a completely circular shape; a partially circular shape; an elliptical shape; an irregular geometric shape; a non-symmetric, irregular geometric shape; a symmetric, multi-sided geometric shape; a triangular shape; a rectangular shape; a square shape; a trapezoidal shape; a pentagonal shape; a hexagonal shape; a heptagonal shape; an octagonal shape; a geometric shape comprising non-flat sides; or any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the vertical growth tower further comprises: at least a partial lower surface connected to the containment shape; wherein the drain aperture is positioned in or near the at least partial lower surface, and wherein the at least partial lower surface optionally comprises a non-perpendicular surface relative to the containment shape, configured to facilitate the movement of fluids toward the drain aperture.
In some embodiments, the vertical growth tower further comprises at least a partial upper surface connected to the containment shape.
In some embodiments, a plurality of growth modules is an unsupported, self-standing vertical growth tower.
In some embodiments, each growth module is orientable such that the at least one growth opening of a first growth module faces a different direction from a corresponding at least one growth opening of the one or more other growth modules within the vertical growth tower.
In some embodiments, a top end of the unsupported, self-standing vertical growth tower is configured for attachment to a conveyance system for conveying growth modules toward or away from the vertical growth tower.
In some embodiments, the unsupported, self-standing tower is between: approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 60.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 50.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 40.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 30.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 25.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 20.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 19.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 18.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 17.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 16.0 feet tall; or approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 15.0 feet tall.
In some embodiments of the vertical column, the conveyance system provides a controlled, timed movement of each unsupported, self-standing tower, in unison with the other unsupported, self-standing towers attached to the conveyance system, to move a plant contained within the plurality of enclosures from a starting point location corresponding with an immature growth stage to a finishing point corresponding with a harvestable plant along a circuit within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber.
In some embodiments, a bottom end of the unsupported, self-standing vertical growth tower is configured for attachment to a conveyance system for conveying growth modules toward or away from the vertical growth tower.
In some embodiments, the top end of the vertical growth tower is configured for attachment to a support structure capable of supporting a plurality other vertical growth towers.
In some embodiments, said vertical growth tower is configured to rotate about the vertical axis when attached to the support structure for similarly exposing the at least one growth opening of the attached plurality of vertically stacked growth modules to a light source and/or an airflow.
In some embodiments, said conveyance system provides a controlled, timed movement of each vertical growth tower, in unison with the other vertical growth towers attached to the conveyance system, to move plants contained within the plurality of vertically stacked growth modules from a starting point location corresponding with an immature growth stage to a finishing point corresponding with a harvestable plant along a circuit within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber.
In some embodiments, each enclosure further comprises: an environmental sensor; an environment sensor array; a growth medium; a wicking medium; a root cluster of a germinated plant; or any combination thereof; wherein the environmental sensor or environmental sensor array is configured to collect environmental data within and around a growth module and transmit said data to a master control system capable of compiling the environmental data and adjusting environmental conditions within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber containing said growth module.
In some embodiments of the tower, at least one of the growth modules has an adjustable height to accommodate growth of the at least one plant.
Provided herein is a vertical column for a vertical farming system configured for detachable attachment to at least one growth module, the vertical column comprising: a central vertical axis; and a periphery comprising: a square shape; a rectangular shape; a generally circular shape; a partially circular shape; triangular shape; a trapezoidal shape; a pentagonal shape; a hexagonal shape; a heptagonal shape; an octagonal shape; any geometric shape comprising non-flat sides; or any combination thereof; wherein the growth module comprises: an enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant; or a sleeve configured to hold a plurality of sub-growth modules comprising an enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant; or a housing configured to hold a plurality of sub-growth modules, each sub-growth module comprising the enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant; a drain aperture; and at least one lateral growth opening in the enclosure and/or at least one sub-growth module configured to permit growth of the at least one plant therethrough, and to encourage lateral growth of the at least one plant away from the growth module; wherein the growth module is configured to stackably support a plurality of other growth modules stacked above and/or below itself, wherein the drain aperture is configured to facilitate a generally downward vertical flow of fluids from the growth module to another growth module stacked below itself, and wherein said lateral growth opening is configured to allow for an airflow to disrupt a boundary layer of an under-canopy of the at least one plant growing away from the growth module.
In some embodiments, the vertical column comprises an at least partially hollow interior.
In some embodiments, the vertical column is between: approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 60.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 50.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 40.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 30.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 25.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 20.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 19.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 18.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 17.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 16.0 feet tall; or approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 15.0 feet tall.
In some embodiments, the vertical column is configured for attachment to a conveyance system for conveying the growth module to and/or away from the vertical column, and wherein the vertical column configured for attachment to the conveyance system at a bottom end and/or a top end of the vertical column.
In some embodiments, said conveyance system provides a controlled, timed movement of each vertical column, in unison with the other vertical columns attached to the conveyance system, to move plants contained within a plurality of growth modules having enclosures from a starting point location corresponding with an immature growth stage to a finishing point corresponding with a harvestable plant along a circuit within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber.
In some embodiments, the vertical column further comprises at least one attachment mechanism configured for detachable attachment to the at least one growth module, wherein the at least one attachment mechanism comprises: a “T”-rail; a “V”-rail; a separable ring; a protruding notch; an indented notch; a slot; a groove; a through-hole and retaining pin; a magnet; or any combination thereof; and wherein said at least one attachment mechanism is on a longitudinal surface of said vertical column.
In some embodiments, the at least one growth module is attached in a radial pattern about the periphery of the vertical column.
In some embodiments, said vertical column is configured to provide at least one of: a forced airflow conduit; and a gravity-feed water and nutritional conduit; wherein the forced airflow conduit and the gravity-feed water and nutritional conduit are optionally, within the at least partially hollow interior of the vertical column, or on the exterior of the vertical column, with ports accessible to and from an attached growth module.
In some embodiments, a top end of the vertical column is configured for attachment to a support structure capable of supporting a plurality other vertical columns, and wherein the vertical column is configured to rotate about the central vertical axis when attached to the support structure for uniformly exposing the at least one lateral growth opening of the attached growth modules to a light source and/or an airflow during each rotation.
In some embodiments of the vertical column, the conveyance system provides a controlled, timed movement of each vertical column comprising attached growth modules, in unison with the other vertical columns comprising attached growth modules attached to the conveyance system, to move a plant contained within the of enclosures of the growth modules from a starting point location corresponding with an immature growth stage to a finishing point corresponding with a harvestable plant along a circuit within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber.
In some embodiments, each enclosure of the growth modules further comprises: an environmental sensor; an environment sensor array; a growth medium; a wicking medium; a root cluster of a germinated plant; or any combination thereof; wherein the environmental sensor or environmental sensor array is configured to collect environmental data within and around a growth module and transmit said data to a master control system capable of compiling the environmental data and adjusting environmental conditions within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber containing said growth module.
In some embodiments of the at least one environmental sensor or environmental sensor array, the environmental data collected and transmitted comprises: nutrient concentrations; water pH; water electrical conductivity (EC); O₂gas level concentrations; CO₂gas level concentrations; O₂dissolved in water; water oxidation reduction potential (ORP); water temperature; water flow rate; air temperature; environmental ambient air speed; light spectrum; light intensity; air pressure; air speed; humidity or any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the vertical column further comprises: a guided vertical lift mechanism capable of supporting, raising and lowering the detachably attachable growth modules along the vertical length of the vertical column.
In some embodiments, the lift mechanism is configured on the exterior or the interior of the vertical column.
In some embodiments, the plurality of growth modules can be fixed at variable heights to accommodate variable stages of plant growth, with or without spaces between each vertical module.
In some embodiments, the variable heights are adjustable throughout a growth cycle.
In some embodiments, the plurality of growth modules can be fixed at a plurality of radial positions.
In some embodiments, the vertical column further comprises, a plurality of loading point locations along the length of the vertical column to facilitate loading and unloading the plurality of growth modules.
In some embodiments of the vertical column or unsupported, self-standing tower of any one of the previously described configurations, the conveyance system provides a controlled, timed movement of each vertical column or unsupported, self-standing tower, in unison with the other vertical columns or unsupported, self-standing towers attached to the conveyance system, to move a plant contained within the plurality of growth modules from a starting point location corresponding with an immature growth stage to a finishing point corresponding with a harvestable plant along a circuit within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber.
In some embodiments, the growth module further comprises a growth medium and a wicking medium placed within the enclosure; wherein the wicking medium is wrapped within the growth medium and is configured to contain a root structure of the plant, and wherein the growth medium is configured to support the root structure of the plant contained within the root system and to capture and hold moisture and nutrients, and wherein the wicking medium is configured to direct moisture and nutrients to the root structure of a plant contained therein.
In some embodiments of the growth module, the wicking strip and growth media are angularly oriented within the growth module so as to promote the growth of the germinated plant through the lateral growth opening, wherein the angular orientation is an angle comprising between: about 0.0 degrees to about 45.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal; about 0.0 degrees to about 40.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal; about 0.0 degrees to about 35.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal; about 0.0 degrees to about 34.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal; about 0.0 degrees to about 33.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal; about 0.0 degrees to about 32.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal; about 0.0 degrees to about 31.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal; or about 0.0 degrees to about 30.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal.
Provided herein is a growth module for a vertical farming system comprising an enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant, wherein the enclosure further comprises at least two of the following: at least one vertical wall; a drain aperture in the enclosure; at least a partial lower surface connected to the enclosure; at least a partial upper surface connected to the enclosure; at least one lateral growth opening in the enclosure configured to permit growth of the at least one plant therethrough, and to encourage lateral growth of the at least one plant away from the growth module; a non-perpendicular, surface relative to the at least one vertical wall; an attachment mechanism configured for detachable attachment to a vertical column; an environmental sensor; an environment sensor array; a growth medium; and a wicking medium; wherein the enclosure is configured to provide a containment shape comprising: a completely circular shape; a partially circular shape; an elliptical shape; an irregular geometric shape; a non-symmetric, irregular geometric shape; a symmetric, multi-sided geometric shape; a triangular shape; a rectangular shape; a square shape; a trapezoidal shape; a pentagonal shape; a hexagonal shape; a heptagonal shape; an octagonal shape; a geometric shape comprising non-flat sides; or any combination thereof; wherein the growth module is configured to support a plurality of growth modules stacked above and/or below itself, wherein the drain aperture is configured to facilitate vertical flow of fluids from the growth module to another growth module stacked below itself, wherein said lateral growth opening is configured to allow for an airflow to disrupt a boundary layer of an under-canopy of the at least one plant growing away from the growth module, wherein the environmental sensor or environmental sensor array is configured to collect environmental data within and around a growth module and transmit said data to a master control system capable of compiling the environmental data and adjusting environmental conditions within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber containing said growth module, wherein the wicking medium is wrapped within the growth medium and is configured to contain a root structure of the plant, wherein the growth medium is configured to support the root structure of the plant contained within the root system and to capture and hold moisture and nutrients, wherein the wicking medium is configured to direct moisture and nutrients to the root structure of a plant contained therein; and wherein the growth module has an adjustable height to accommodate growth of the at least one plant.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1A is an illustrative isometric exterior view of a production farming facility comprising environmentally controlled growing chambers with multi-stage vertical growth systems therein.

FIG. 1B is an illustrative isometric exterior cut-away view of a production farming facility comprising environmentally controlled growing chambers with multi-stage vertical growth systems therein.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative isometric view of several multi-stage vertical growth systems within one of the environmentally controlled growing chambers.

FIG. 3 is another illustrative isometric view of one multi-stage vertical growth system.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative detail end view one possible vertical column configuration showing relative size and spacing considerations.

FIG. 5A is a front view of side-by-side vertical columns with illustrative representations of stacked growth modules comprising at least one lateral growth opening.

FIG. 5B is a side view of a vertical column with illustrative representations of stacked growth modules comprising at least one lateral growth opening.

FIG. 5C is an illustrative Isometric view of a stacked growth modules positioned at a random height along a vertical column without spacers between the growth modules.

FIG. 5D is a non-limiting illustrative example of various possible cross-sections (D-D) of the vertical column illustrated in FIG. 5C.

FIG. 6A is an illustrative top isometric, side and bottom isometric view of one of many possible configurations of a growth module, illustrating a V-baffle hinge connection, one of many possible hinge configurations.

FIG. 6B is an illustrative top view of a growth module illustrating a T-baffle hinge connection, one of many possible hinge configurations.

FIG. 7A is another illustrative isometric view of one of many possible configurations of a growth module, illustrating a circular design with a plurality of lateral growth openings.

FIG. 7B is an illustrative example of a circular growth module configuration on a circular vertical column.

FIG. 7C is another illustrative example showing a top view of a circular growth module configuration on a circular vertical column, comprising a stackable sleeve configured to hold multiple growth sub-modules.

FIG. 7D is illustrative example showing a cut-away section of a growth module with a porous growth medium that may be placed into a growth module.

FIG. 8A is an illustrative isometric end view of an (optionally) superiorly mounted conveyor system capable of moving the coupled vertical columns about a structural support circuit.

FIG. 8B is an illustrative side cross-section view of an (optionally) superiorly mounted conveyor system capable of moving the coupled vertical columns about a structural support circuit.

FIG. 9A is an illustrative isometric view of an alternative vertical column configuration utilizing a growth module, in this case, with a partially closed upper surface design with a lateral growth opening, configured for loading into a sleeved collar-type column configured for loading from the bottom.

FIG. 9B is an illustrative isometric view of another alternative vertical column configuration utilizing a growth module, in this case, with an open upper surface design with a lateral growth opening, configured for loading into a sleeved collar-type column configured for loading from the top.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative schematic of the machine learning capability and system controls associated with the automated master control system.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative schematic of a control system configured for automatic and routine manual inputs of commands to control the environmental growing conditions of the growing chamber.

FIG. 12 is an illustrative schematic of a control system configured for full automated control of the environmental growing conditions of the growing chamber by an artificial intelligence-controlled software module, not requiring routine manual inputs.

FIG. 13A is an illustrative top view of a hydroponic plant growth module configured for containing a sensor unit including sensors for sensing one or more environmental growing conditions.

FIG. 13B is an illustrative view of a sensor unit including sensors for sensing one or more environmental growing conditions.

FIG. 13C is an illustrative view of a sensor module containing a sensor unit including sensors for sensing one or more environmental growing conditions.

FIG. 13D is an illustrative view of a device for placement over an opening of a sensor module and having apertures therethrough allowing for one or more sensors to protrude therefrom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Advancements in technology are making it feasible to control the effects of nature with the advent of “controlled indoor agriculture”. Improved efficiencies in space utilization, lighting, and a better understanding of hydroponics, aeroponics, crop cycles, and advancements in environmental control systems have allowed man to better recreate environments conducive for agriculture with the goals of greater yields per square foot, better nutrition and lower cost.
A multi-stage, plant growing system is configured for high density growth and crop yields and includes vertical columns, an enclosed controlled environmental growth chamber, interchangeable growth modules, automated lighting, a nutrient supply system, an airflow source and a control system capable of machine learning wherein the crops are optimally spaced and continually staged in their planting cycles to provide an accelerated and continuous annual production yield. The columns are capable of moving about a circuit within the environment to promote automated staging for planting and harvesting activities and the control system is capable of automated adjustments to optimize growing conditions within the growth chamber to make continuous improvements to crop yields, visual appeal and nutrient content.
Combining advances in agriculture with the increasing technological advances of industry acquired since the industrial revolution and more recently, the concept of assembly line automation, the inventors herein have conceived a vertical farming structure 101 in a controlled environment 100, 1000, 1001 having columns comprising automated hydroponic plant growth modules 104, capable of being moved about an automated conveyance system 200(a/b) in a carousel fashion, exposed to controlled lighting 108, airflow provided by an airflow source 400 and humidity, with ideal nutritional support provided by a nutrient supply system 300.
Among those technology advancements is the application of new control systems 600 capable of machine learning, or artificial intelligence, capable of assimilating thousands or even millions of data points acquired by strategically placed sensors 615 during the course of a growing cycle or multiple growing cycles, and further capable of automatically adjusting the growth conditions 610 for a crop 20 on a year-round basis within the controlled environment such as lighting 108, fertilizers (nutrients), moisture, gas levels, temperature, air flow, and ultimately, packaging to produce higher yields at a lower cost per square foot, with reduced overall losses per planted crop, better nutritional value, visual appeal and faster growth cycles.
A multi-stage, plant growing system 1001, 100, 101 has been configured for high density growth and crop yields and includes among other things, towers 102 and/or vertical columns comprising a plurality of interchangeable growth modules 104, an enclosed controlled environmental growth chamber 100, sensors or sensor arrays 30, 615, 110 and control systems 600 capable of machine learning wherein the crops are optimally spaced and continually staged in their planting cycles utilizing the interchangeable growth modules 104 to provide an accelerated and continuous annual production yield. The growth modules are capable of being moveably and detachably affixed to vertical growth columns 102, or stand-alone towers 102, within the enclosed controlled environmental growth chamber 100 and support automated staging for planting and harvesting activities within a growth cycle. The growth modules are adaptable to monitoring by sensors 615, sensor arrays 30, 110 and control systems 600 that are capable of automated adjustments to control mechanical operations and growing conditions within the growth chamber and to make continuous improvements to crop yields, visual appeal and nutrient content of the crops grown within the growth modules.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B and FIG. 2 the inventors have conceived a system 1001 for automating and integrating the traditional agricultural farm and greenhouse farming under one roof by incorporating one or more massive environmentally-controlled growing chambers 100; a plurality of towers 101 and/or vertical growth columns 102 disposed within each of the growing chambers, the towers and/or vertical growth columns comprising unique growth modules 104 with lateral growth openings 106 to optimize crop yields per square foot by minimizing vertical crowding of plants between growth modules, and an environment control system 600 for regulating at least one growing condition 610 in the environmentally-controlled growing chamber 100. Additionally, the inclusion of automated conveyance systems 200(a) and sensors 615 tied to special machine learning software 690 configured to adaptively optimize the growing conditions 610 within the growth chambers in response to any number of identified characteristics 695 monitored by the sensors has been shown to dramatically increase the annual crop yield by shortening the growth cycle of crops and expediting the delivery of fresh produce from the vertical farm facility 1000 to local markets. An exemplary characteristic is leaf area index (LAI), which may be measured with the implementation of image capture techniques and measuring devices 625 including cameras and accompanying software. By combining these factors with immediate and automated planting and harvesting apparatus capable of re-planting new crops and fresh-packing the harvested crop for immediate bulk delivery by local transport, the inventors have been able to see increases in production and output up to at least 33 growth cycles per year.
As further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, an environmentally-controlled growing chamber is extremely large and is limited in geographic size and volume only by the ability to economically provide environmental systems (re: heating, ventilation, air conditioning, (HVAC)) capable of accurately controlling the internal environment of the chamber. Those conditions would include: water temperature and qualities, air temperature, humidity, gas content of the air in the chamber (i.e.: CO₂, N₂, O₂, etc.), airflow, lighting quality and quantity.
Further, each chamber is capable of holding multiple towers and/or vertical growth structures, each structure containing multiple towers and/or vertical columns, (i.e.: up to hundreds, or more), each column of which is capable of supporting multiple growth modules, (i.e.: up to hundreds, or more). Alternatively, a vertical growth structure can contain as few as three vertical growth columns or towers, allowing for many vertical growth structures within the environmentally-controlled growing chamber, each comprising different crops within a given chamber.
Additionally, as was illustrated in FIG. 1A, natural external light is utilized to further augment this system, by either providing an additional (direct) light source through the roof of the environmentally-controlled growing chamber, or by supplying solar power to the internal systems through the use of solar panels mounted on the roof or from a nearby solar farm that can be used for lighting, power back-up power systems or for economically powering any of the environmental control systems on a daily basis.
As used herein, machine learning or artificial intelligence means intelligence exhibited by machines. In computer science, an ideal “intelligent” machine is a flexible rational agent that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its chance of success at some goal. Colloquially, the term “artificial intelligence” is applied when a machine mimics “cognitive” functions that humans associate with other human minds, such as “learning” and “problem solving”. As machines become increasingly capable, facilities once thought to require intelligence are removed from the definition. For example, optical character recognition is no longer perceived as an exemplar of “artificial intelligence” having become a routine technology. Capabilities still classified as AI include advanced Chess and Go systems and self-driving cars. The central problems (or goals) of AI research include reasoning, knowledge, planning, learning, natural language processing (communication), perception and the ability to move and manipulate objects. General intelligence is among the field's long-term goals. Approaches include statistical methods, computational intelligence, soft computing (e.g. machine learning), and traditional symbolic AI. Many tools are used in AI, including versions of search and mathematical optimization, logic, methods based on probability and economics. The AI field draws upon computer science, mathematics, psychology, linguistics, philosophy, neuroscience and artificial psychology.
The AI system herein comprises various sensors and circuit boards that optionally include a Raspberry Pi (a series of credit card-sized single-board computers) or Arduinos (an open-source prototyping platform) that either through wifi, radio frequency, wires, or other mechanism communicate to a server that can store data in the cloud, or a hard drive, or in a data historian. Humans may play some role in the form of gathering, analyzing, or manipulating this data.
With environmental data such as oxygen levels, humidity, temperature, light penetration, airflow etc. and data points on the crop cycle such as yield, taste, plant health, nutrient intake, etc., the learning possibilities are expanded significantly. Compounding this data within improved horticultural knowledge now makes it possible to attain up to approximately 33 crop cycles in a year per vertical carousel, versus one or two typical growing seasons in outdoor agriculture or approximately eight growing cycles in some greenhouse environments.
Those of skill in the art will recognize that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein, including with reference to the control systems described herein, for example, may be implemented as electronic hardware, software stored on a computer readable medium and executable by a processor, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention. For example, various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a Raspberry PI further comprising Arduinos, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Software associated with such modules may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other suitable form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. For example, in one embodiment, a controller for use of control of the IVT comprises a processor (not shown).

Certain Definitions

Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Any reference to “or” herein is intended to encompass “and/or” unless otherwise stated.

Digital Processing Device

In some embodiments, the Automated Control System and or the Master Control System 600 for the multi-stage, automated growth system described herein includes a digital processing device 635, or use of the same. In further embodiments, the digital processing device includes one or more hardware central processing units (CPU) that carry out the device's functions. In still further embodiments, the digital processing device further comprises an operating system 665 configured to perform executable instructions. In some embodiments, the digital processing device is optionally connected a computer network. In further embodiments, the digital processing device is optionally connected to the Internet such that it accesses the World Wide Web. In still further embodiments, the digital processing device is optionally connected to a cloud computing infrastructure. In other embodiments, the digital processing device is optionally connected to an intranet. In other embodiments, the digital processing device is optionally connected to a data storage device.
In accordance with the description herein, suitable digital processing devices include, by way of non-limiting examples, server computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, notebook computers, sub-notebook computers, netbook computers, netpad computers, set-top computers, media streaming devices, handheld computers, Internet appliances, mobile smartphones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, video game consoles, and vehicles. Those of skill in the art will recognize that many smartphones are suitable for use in the system described herein. Those of skill in the art will also recognize that select televisions, video players, and digital music players with optional computer network connectivity are suitable for use in the system described herein. Suitable tablet computers include those with booklet, slate, and convertible configurations, known to those of skill in the art.
In some embodiments, the digital processing device includes an operating system configured to perform executable instructions. The operating system is, for example, software, including programs and data, which manages the device's hardware and provides services for execution of applications. Those of skill in the art will recognize that suitable server operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD®, Linux, Apple® Mac OS X Server®, Oracle® Solaris®, Windows Server®, and Novell® NetWare®. Those of skill in the art will recognize that suitable personal computer operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Microsoft® Windows®, Apple® Mac OS X®, UNIX®, and UNIX-like operating systems such as GNU/Linux®. In some embodiments, the operating system is provided by cloud computing. Those of skill in the art will also recognize that suitable mobile smart phone operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Nokia® Symbian® OS, Apple® iOS®, Research In Motion® BlackBerry OS®, Google® Android®, Microsoft® Windows Phone® OS, Microsoft® Windows Mobile® OS, Linux®, and Palm® WebOS®. Those of skill in the art will also recognize that suitable media streaming device operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Apple TV®, Roku®, Boxee®, Google TV®, Google Chromecast®, Amazon Fire®, and Samsung® HomeSync®. Those of skill in the art will also recognize that suitable video game console operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Sony® PS3®, Sony® PS4®, Microsoft® Xbox 360®, Microsoft Xbox One, Nintendo® Wii®, Nintendo® Wii U®, and Ouya®.
In some embodiments, the device includes a storage and/or memory device 640. The storage and/or memory device is one or more physical apparatuses used to store data or programs on a temporary or permanent basis. In some embodiments, the device is volatile memory and requires power to maintain stored information. In some embodiments, the device is non-volatile memory and retains stored information when the digital processing device is not powered. In further embodiments, the non-volatile memory comprises flash memory. In some embodiments, the non-volatile memory comprises dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). In some embodiments, the non-volatile memory comprises ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM). In some embodiments, the non-volatile memory comprises phase-change random access memory (PRAM). In other embodiments, the device is a storage device including, by way of non-limiting examples, CD-ROMs, DVDs, flash memory devices, magnetic disk drives, magnetic tapes drives, optical disk drives, and cloud computing based storage. In further embodiments, the storage and/or memory device is a combination of devices such as those disclosed herein.
In some embodiments, the digital processing device 635 includes a display 670 to send visual information to a user. In some embodiments, the display is a cathode ray tube (CRT). In some embodiments, the display is a liquid crystal display (LCD). In further embodiments, the display is a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). In some embodiments, the display is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. In various further embodiments, on OLED display is a passive-matrix OLED (PMOLED) or active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) display. In some embodiments, the display is a plasma display. In other embodiments, the display is a video projector. In still further embodiments, the display is a combination of devices such as those disclosed herein.
In some embodiments, the digital processing device 635 includes an input device to receive information from a user. In some embodiments, the input device is a keyboard. In some embodiments, the input device is a pointing device including, by way of non-limiting examples, a mouse, trackball, track pad, joystick, game controller, or stylus. In some embodiments, the input device is a touch screen or a multi-touch screen. In other embodiments, the input device is a microphone to capture voice or other sound input. In other embodiments, the input device is a video camera or other sensor to capture motion or visual input. In further embodiments, the input device is a Kinect, Leap Motion, or the like. In still further embodiments, the input device is a combination of devices such as those disclosed herein.

Non-Transitory Computer Readable Storage Medium

In some embodiments, the Automated Control System and or the Master Control System 600 for the multi-stage, automated growth system disclosed herein includes one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media 645 encoded with a program including instructions executable by the operating system of an optionally networked digital processing device. In further embodiments, a computer readable storage medium is a tangible component of a digital processing device. In still further embodiments, a computer readable storage medium is optionally removable from a digital processing device. In some embodiments, a computer readable storage medium includes, by way of non-limiting examples, CD-ROMs, DVDs, flash memory devices, solid state memory, magnetic disk drives, magnetic tape drives, optical disk drives, cloud computing systems and services, and the like. In some cases, the program and instructions are permanently, substantially permanently, semi-permanently, or non-transitorily encoded on the media.

Computer Program

In some embodiments, the Automated Control System and or the Master Control System 600 for the multi-stage, automated growth system disclosed herein includes at least one computer program, or use of the same. A computer program includes a sequence of instructions, executable in the digital processing device's CPU, written to perform a specified task. Computer readable instructions may be implemented as program modules 655, 665, such as functions, objects, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), data structures, and the like, that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In light of the disclosure provided herein, those of skill in the art will recognize that a computer program may be written in various versions of various languages.
The functionality of the computer readable instructions may be combined or distributed as desired in various environments. In some embodiments, a computer program comprises one sequence of instructions. In some embodiments, a computer program comprises a plurality of sequences of instructions. In some embodiments, a computer program is provided from one location. In other embodiments, a computer program is provided from a plurality of locations. In various embodiments, a computer program includes one or more software modules. In various embodiments, a computer program includes, in part or in whole, one or more web applications, one or more mobile applications, one or more standalone applications, one or more web browser plug-ins, extensions, add-ins, or add-ons, or combinations thereof.
As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term “about” or “approximately” means an acceptable error for a particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which depends in part on how the value is measured or determined. In certain embodiments, the term “about” or “approximately” means within 1, 2, 3, or 4 standard deviations. In certain embodiments, the term “about” or “approximately” means within 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, or 0.05% of a given value or range. In certain embodiments, the term “about” or “approximately” means within 40.0 mm, 30.0 mm, 20.0 mm, 10.0mm 5.0 mm 1.0 mm, 0.9 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.2 mm or 0.1 mm of a given value or range. In certain embodiments, the term “about” or “approximately” means within 20.0 degrees, 15.0 degrees, 10.0 degrees, 9.0 degrees, 8.0 degrees, 7.0 degrees, 6.0 degrees, 5.0 degrees, 4.0 degrees, 3.0 degrees, 2.0 degrees, 1.0 degrees, 0.9 degrees, 0.8 degrees, 0.7 degrees, 0.6 degrees, 0.5 degrees, 0.4 degrees, 0.3 degrees, 0.2 degrees, 0.1 degrees, 0.09 degrees. 0.08 degrees, 0.07 degrees, 0.06 degrees, 0.05 degrees, 0.04 degrees, 0.03 degrees, 0.02 degrees or 0.01 degrees of a given value or range.
As used herein, the terms “connected”, “operationally connected”, “coupled”, “operationally coupled”, “operationally linked”, “operably connected”, “operably coupled”, “operably linked,” and like terms, refer to a relationship (mechanical, linkage, coupling, etc.) between elements whereby operation of one element results in a corresponding, following, or simultaneous operation or actuation of a second element. It is noted that in using said terms to describe inventive embodiments, specific structures or mechanisms that link or couple the elements are typically described. However, unless otherwise specifically stated, when one of said terms is used, the term indicates that the actual linkage or coupling may take a variety of forms, which in certain instances will be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the relevant technology.
For description purposes, the term “radial” is used here to indicate a direction or position that is perpendicular relative to a longitudinal axis.
The term “axial” as used here refers to a direction or position along an axis that is parallel to a main or longitudinal axis. For clarity and conciseness, at times similar components labeled similarly (for example, axis 1011A and axis 1011B) will be referred to collectively by a single label (for example, axis 1011).
As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term “anterior” means the front surface of an apparatus or structure; often used to indicate the position of one structure relative to another, that is, situated nearer the front part of an apparatus or structure.
As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term “posterior” means the back surface of an apparatus or structure; Often used to indicate the position of one structure relative to another, that is, nearer the back of an apparatus or structure.
As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term “superior” refers to an apparatus or structure and means situated above or nearer the vertex of the head in relation to a specific reference point; opposite of inferior. It may also mean situated above or directed upward.
As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term “inferior” refers to an apparatus or structure and means situated nearer the soles of the feet in relation to a specific reference point; opposite of superior. It may also mean situated below or directed downward.
As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term “lateral” means denoting a position farther from the median plane or midline of an apparatus or a structure. It may also mean “pertaining to a side”.
As used herein and unless otherwise specified, the term “medial” means, situated toward the median plane or midline of an apparatus or structure.
As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
As used herein, the term “vertical growth assembly” means a tower assembly comprising a plurality of growth modules, or alternately means a vertical column or vertical growth column comprising a plurality of growth modules. The tower assembly comprises either a supported tower or an unsupported, self-standing tower. The vertical column typically comprises a vertical support member having a plurality of growth modules affixed thereto. The vertical support member may affix to an outer edge of a growth module container or through an interior portion thereof.
As used herein, “light intensity” refers to or photosynthetically active radiation [PAR] or photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). PPFD is a measured metric whereas PAR is a descriptive term for a range of wavelengths.
Provided herein is a vertical growth tower for vertical farming comprising a plurality of growth modules, each growth module comprising: an enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant; a drain aperture in the enclosure; and at least one lateral growth opening in the enclosure configured to permit growth of the at least one plant therethrough, and to encourage lateral growth of the at least one plant away from the enclosure; wherein one or more of the growth modules is configured to stackably support one or more of the other growth modules above and/or below itself within the vertical growth tower, thereby allowing formation of a plurality of vertically stacked growth modules and enabling vertical farming of a plurality of plants in growth modules stacked along a vertical axis; wherein the drain aperture allows vertical flow of fluids comprising water and one or more nutrients between adjacent growth modules within the vertical growth tower in a flow direction generally downward along the vertical axis, and wherein said lateral growth opening is configured to allow for an airflow to disrupt a boundary layer of an under-canopy of the at least one plant growing away from the growth module.
In some embodiments, a growth module is configured to provide a containment shape comprising: a completely circular shape; a partially circular shape; an elliptical shape; an irregular geometric shape; a non-symmetric, irregular geometric shape; a symmetric, multi-sided geometric shape; a triangular shape; a rectangular shape; a square shape; a trapezoidal shape; a pentagonal shape; a hexagonal shape; a heptagonal shape; an octagonal shape; a geometric shape comprising non-flat sides; or any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the vertical growth tower further comprises: at least a partial lower surface connected to the containment shape; wherein the drain aperture is positioned in or near the at least partial lower surface, and wherein the at least partial lower surface optionally comprises a non-perpendicular surface relative to the containment shape, configured to facilitate the movement of fluids toward the drain aperture.
In some embodiments, the vertical growth tower further comprises at least a partial upper surface connected to the containment shape.
In some embodiments, a plurality of growth modules is an unsupported, self-standing vertical growth tower.
In some embodiments, each growth module is orientable such that the at least one growth opening of a first growth module faces a different direction from a corresponding at least one growth opening of the one or more other growth modules within the vertical growth tower.
In some embodiments, a top end of the unsupported, self-standing vertical growth tower is configured for attachment to a conveyance system for conveying growth modules toward or away from the vertical growth tower.
As shown in FIG. 4, a vertical growth tower 102, or simply a “tower”, is illustrated with a plurality of growth modules 104 stacked vertically, one on top of another. By way of non-limiting example, in cases where hydroponic plant growth modules in the vertical growth tower are adapted to house a growing plant that ultimately requires additional spacing between hydroponic plant growth modules during the growth cycle, FIG. 4 illustrates where spacer modules 105 (and/or sensor modules 110) are configured to be placed in single or multiple layers between hydroponic plant growth modules. The placement of these additional modules can occur at any time in the growth cycle, in the initial seeding stages, or during the middle or later growth stages, using either manual or automated loading and conveyor systems as will be described hereinafter.
Each growth module may be placed directly on top of the prior growth module, or spaced apart, with or without a “spacer” 105 (and/or sensor module 110) between each growth module, depending on the stage of the growth cycle. Spacers, when used, are generally configured with drain holes 13 to allow for passage of airflow and moisture between vertically-spaced growth modules. Each growth module 104 is configured as an enclosure with at least one lateral growth opening 106, configured to permit and encourage growth of a plant laterally, away from the growth module. Additionally, the utilization of the lateral growth opening and resulting lateral growth of a plant provides an opportunity for better circulation of airflow from a variety of directions, to better disrupt a boundary layer of an under-canopy of a plant, thus minimizing stagnant moisture accumulation and the potential for undesired biologic growth (i.e.: fungus, etc.).
An enclosure stack utilized in a particular tower or columnar growth structure is configured from a plethora of potential shapes, but generally speaking, all growth modules within a particular tower or columnar growth structure would ideally be the same shape. Alternatively, it is also conceived that the enclosures could have different shapes for the containment component of the growth module, but be configured with identical mounting components on the top, bottom, side and/or through a central aspect thereof, that would allow for stacking of different shaped growth modules.
In some embodiments, the plurality of growth modules is an unsupported, self-standing tower.
As further illustrated in FIG. 4, in some configurations, a vertical growth tower 102 is configured to stand as an unsupported, self-standing tower. This is possible due to the construction of the containment shape of the growth module. The containment shape is configurable to allow for the growth modules to potentially snap, press-fit, or otherwise snugly adhere to one another in a vertical fashion, providing stability to the structure
In some embodiments of the tower, a growth module 104 is configured to provide a containment shape comprising: a completely circular shape; a partially circular shape; an elliptical shape; an irregular geometric shape; a non-symmetric, irregular geometric shape; a symmetric, multi-sided geometric shape; a triangular shape; a rectangular shape; a square shape; a trapezoidal shape; a pentagonal shape; a hexagonal shape; a heptagonal shape; an octagonal shape; a geometric shape comprising non-flat sides; or any combination thereof. Non-limiting examples of these shapes and characteristics can be noted in FIGS. 5A-5D, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B and 7C, at least.
As noted above, the inventors have conceived a variety of potential shapes that the enclosures of the growth module 104 could have, resulting in towers or vertical growth structures of similar vertical shape. There are a virtually limitless number of potential containment shapes that can be utilized. Additionally, the vertical columns used for supported vertical towers can also comprise a nearly limitless number of shapes as illustrated in the non-limiting examples shown in cross-section D-D of FIG. 5D, each of which is configurable with an at least partially hollow center to allow for nutrient and/or airflow that is ventable to the attached growth modules.
Referring to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7C, three such configurations of growth modules are illustrated. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a growth module 104 having a containment shape that is representative of a rectangular shape or a square shape comprising a slotted lateral growth opening 106, partially open top 11, partially open bottom 12, multiple configurations of drain openings 13, hinge attachment feature 109 for removable fixation to a vertical column 102 and an optionally available separable side wall to allow for vertical expansion of the growth module to accommodate larger plant sizes. As further noted in FIG. 6B, the growth module is configurable to mount above or below a spacer module 105 or sensor module 110, having similar features for drainage and attachment for removable fixation to a vertical column 102. Whereas FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a growth module 104 having a containment shape that is representative of a completely circular shape, a lateral opening 106 (of any convenient shape), drain holes 13 and a central fixation means for removable fixation to a vertical column 102. Still further, in some embodiments the hydroponic plant growth modules 104 and spacer modules 105 are configured with expandable wall height means 25, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 7B.
Further still, the vertical column is configurable as a rotatable column, configured to rotate about a central axis of itself from a vertical support structure and optionally configurable with weights 40 or balancing means to provide a stabilizing effect and minimize “sway” of the column(s) within the environmentally controlled farming facility.
Further still, FIG. 7C illustrates yet another non-limiting configuration of circular growth module 104, alternately described as a composite growth module assembly 104 having a sleeved vertical column opening 102 x with a capture mechanism for attachment to a vertical column and containment shape configured to hold sub-growth modules 104 s, each containing a plant 20 and further comprising at least one drain 13. The containment shape-growth module 104 configured to hold the sub-growth modules 104 s is configurable to hold any shape of sub-growth modules 104 s that is selected for a given plant species, depending on what is required, including a completely circular shape; a partially circular shape; an elliptical shape; an irregular geometric shape; a non-symmetric, irregular geometric shape; a symmetric, multi-sided geometric shape; a triangular shape; a rectangular shape; a trapezoidal shape; a pentagonal shape; a hexagonal shape; a heptagonal shape; an octagonal shape; a geometric shape comprising non-flat sides; or any combination thereof.
Referring now to FIG. 7D, a cut-away section of a growth module illustrates just one example of growth medium contained therein. Further still the growth module can contain a wicking medium; a root cluster of a germinated plant; or any combination thereof.
In some embodiments of the tower, at least one of the growth modules of any configuration described herein has an adjustable height feature 25 to adjustably accommodate growth of the at least one plant contained therein.
Referring back to FIG. 4, it can now be appreciated that the growth modules are alternately configured to have adjustable sizing. This is desirable for a number of reasons and possible in a number of ways. At any given time during a plant growth cycle, it is desirable to provide more space between plants as they mature. By providing expandable growth modules, the space between stacked modules is easily accomplished without the need to transplant the plant to a new, larger/taller module.
When addressing the expandable nature of a growth module, the inventors have conceived a growth module with telescoping side walls that provide added space between stacked growth modules. The telescoping walls can come in at least two configurations; wherein a number of sliding, telescoping panels affixed to the outside of the containment shape, are movably and lockably adjusted to telescope up or down on the outside of the containment shape, providing additional air gap space between adjacent modules without changing the internal containment shape holding the growth medium and the plant. Alternatively, the telescoping walls can be integral to the containment shape, so that when the top and bottom of the containment walls of the growth module are pulled in opposite directions, the internal volume and external height of height of the growth module increases, providing a larger gap between the lateral openings of adjacent growth modules.
In some embodiments, the tower further comprises at least a partial lower surface connected to the containment shape. In some embodiments, the drain aperture is positioned in or near the at least partial lower surface. In some embodiments, the at least partial lower surface optionally comprises a non-perpendicular surface relative to the containment shape, configured to facilitate the movement of fluids toward the drain aperture.
As further illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 7A or 7C, the growth module containment shape is variable and allows for many scenarios for the optimization of plant growth and size. FIG. 6A illustrates a growth module with 3 complete sides and an incomplete, but connected fourth side with a lateral growth opening, a partially open upper surface and a partially open lower surface. The lateral growth opening may alternately be a hole of any shape in any complete and/or connected side of the containment shape. The partial lower surface provides for a drain aperture to facilitate vertical movement of fluids and nutrients from an upper growth module to a lower growth module. In the event of a solid or complete lower surface in the growth module, at least one drain hole would be provided. Additionally, the lower surface is optionally configured to have a slope that would encourage gravitational flow of the fluids and nutrients towards the drain aperture.
In some embodiments, the tower further comprises at least a partial upper surface connected to the containment shape. In some embodiments of the unsupported, self-standing tower, each growth module is orientable in a different direction from at least one other growth module within the tower.
Referring back to FIGS. 5C and 6A, it is apparent that some embodiments of the growth modules comprising the tower are alternately configured to have either open upper surfaces or partially open upper surfaces to, either of which are configurable to support stacking. As noted previously, the growth modules are configured to promote stacking, such that the at least one lateral growth opening in the enclosure of each module can be oriented in the same direction or an alternate direction to the growth module above or below it, simply be rotating the enclosure and securing the symmetric attachment features of the growth modules to the one above or below it.
Alternatively, FIG. 7A illustrates a circular growth module with multiple lateral growth openings in the containment shape. As with any of the other containment shapes, the illustrated growth module is stackable. The stackable assembly is possible with or without a central or support column. In the absence of a central column, a central hole would/could provide a conduit for airflow, additional fluid flow or nutrient supply conduits, for example. The illustrated module comprises both an upper and lower surface, and further comprises multiple apertures in both the top and bottom (not shown) surfaces to facilitate gravitational flow of the fluids and nutrients and vertical drainage to another growth module below.
Still further, FIG. 7C illustrates a top view of another circular growth module configuration on an optional circular vertical column, comprising a stackable sleeve configured to hold multiple growth modules. As with FIG. 7A, this module 104 illustrates just one possible arrangement of multiple lateral growth openings in the containment shape. As described previously, the stackable sleeve assembly 102 x is possible with or without a central support column 102. In the absence of a central column, a central hole would/could provide a conduit for airflow, additional fluid flow or nutrient supply conduits, for example. As shown, a growth module is configured with multiple slots or cut away sections configured to hold internally-captured growth modules 104 s, or alternately, sub-modules. Such a configuration makes it possible to optimize space on the column during the early growth cycle following germination, where a plant requires less space. At a later time, the internally-captured growth modules 104 s, or alternately, sub-modules, would be removed and either the plants therein would be transplanted to larger modules, or the modules themselves would simply be moved to a vertically-stacked column.
It would be obvious to one skilled in the art that the size of any growth module is not limited. Growth modules can all be of a common size or be scaled larger or smaller as needed to accommodate the need. For example, newly germinated plants could be placed in a small, starter modules (of any shape), and placed in a sleeved containment module. Or newly germinated plants could be placed in a standard module (of any shape), and placed in a much larger sleeved containment module. Further still, newly germinated plants could be placed in small, starter modules (of any shape), and placed directly into a tower or vertical growth assembly, then later, transplanted into larger growth modules, if needed and replaced in the vertical growth assembly. Or alternately, the newly germinated plants could be placed in a standard module (of any shape), and placed directly into a tower or vertical growth assembly where it will remain for the entire growth cycle.
Further still, FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate yet another variation of a sleeved vertical growth column 1101. As illustrated in the figures, growth modules 104 of nearly any shape, would be loadable from either the top or the bottom of the vertical sleeve 1101, and contained within the sleeve. In this illustrative configuration, each module would support the combined weight of the other modules above it in the sleeve. However, one of skill in the art would easily recognize that a guided lift system mentioned previously, and described in greater detail below, could alternatively be used to provide spacing between the growth modules as they are loaded into the sleeve.
Alternatively, the inventors have also conceived of similar sleeved column comprising a guided vertical lift track 500, or similar track feature, configured to work in concert with a loading/unloading system (not shown), wherein the hydroponic plant growth modules are loaded into the sleeve 1101 and spaced along the internal track 500 to control spacing between modules. In this configuration, the column/sleeve can also be loaded or unloaded from either the top or the bottom in a controlled and/or automated manner with or without a loading/unloading system described above.
In some embodiments, a top end of the unsupported, self-standing tower is configured for attachment to a conveyance system for conveying growth modules toward or away from the tower. In some embodiments of the unsupported, self-standing tower, a bottom end of the unsupported, self-standing tower is configured for attachment to a conveyance system for conveying growth modules toward or away from the tower.
In some embodiments, said vertical column is configured to provide at least one of: a forced airflow conduit; and a gravity-feed water and nutritional conduit; wherein the forced airflow conduit and the gravity-feed water and nutritional conduit are optionally, within the at least partially hollow interior of the vertical column, or on the exterior of the vertical column, with ports accessible to and from an attached growth module.
In some embodiments, a top end of the vertical column is configured for attachment to a support structure capable of supporting a plurality other vertical columns, and wherein the vertical column is configured to rotate about the central vertical axis when attached to the support structure for uniformly exposing the at least one lateral growth opening of the attached growth modules to a light source and/or an airflow during each rotation.
In some embodiments of the vertical column, the conveyance system provides a controlled, timed movement of each vertical column comprising attached growth modules, in unison with the other vertical columns comprising attached growth modules attached to the conveyance system, to move a plant contained within the of enclosures of the growth modules from a starting point location corresponding with an immature growth stage to a finishing point corresponding with a harvestable plant along a circuit within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber.
In some embodiments, each enclosure of the growth modules further comprises: an environmental sensor; an environment sensor array; a growth medium; a wicking medium; a root cluster of a germinated plant; or any combination thereof; wherein the environmental sensor or environmental sensor array is configured to collect environmental data within and around a growth module and transmit said data to a master control system capable of compiling the environmental data and adjusting environmental conditions within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber containing said growth module.
In some embodiments of the at least one environmental sensor or environmental sensor array, the environmental data collected and transmitted comprises: nutrient concentrations; water pH; water electrical conductivity (EC); O₂gas level concentrations; CO₂gas level concentrations; O₂dissolved in water; water oxidation reduction potential (ORP); water temperature; water flow rate; air temperature; environmental ambient air speed; light spectrum; light intensity; air pressure; air speed; humidity or any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the vertical column further comprises: a guided vertical lift mechanism 500 capable of supporting, raising and lowering the detachably attachable growth modules 104 along the vertical length of the vertical column 1101.
In some embodiments, the lift mechanism is configured on the exterior or the interior of the vertical column.
In some embodiments, the plurality of growth modules can be fixed at variable heights to accommodate variable stages of plant growth, with or without spaces between each vertical module.
In some embodiments, the variable heights are adjustable throughout a growth cycle.
In some embodiments, the plurality of growth modules can be fixed at a plurality of radial positions.
In some embodiments, the vertical column further comprises, a plurality of loading point locations along the length of the vertical column to facilitate loading and unloading the plurality of growth modules.
In some embodiments of the vertical column or unsupported, self-standing tower of any one of the previously described configurations, the conveyance system provides a controlled, timed movement of each vertical column or unsupported, self-standing tower, in unison with the other vertical columns or unsupported, self-standing towers attached to the conveyance system, to move a plant contained within the plurality of growth modules from a starting point location corresponding with an immature growth stage to a finishing point corresponding with a harvestable plant along a circuit within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber.
In some embodiments, the growth module further comprises a growth medium 111 and a wicking medium (not shown) placed within the enclosure; wherein the wicking medium is wrapped within the growth medium and is configured to contain a root structure of the plant, and wherein the growth medium is configured to support the root structure of the plant 30 contained within the root system and to capture and hold moisture and nutrients, and wherein the wicking medium is configured to direct moisture and nutrients to the root structure of a plant contained therein.
In some embodiments of the growth module, the wicking strip and growth media are angularly oriented within the growth module so as to promote the growth of the germinated plant through the lateral growth opening, wherein the angular orientation is an angle comprising between: about 0.0 degrees to about 45.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal; about 0.0 degrees to about 40.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal; about 0.0 degrees to about 35.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal; about 0.0 degrees to about 34.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal; about 0.0 degrees to about 33.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal; about 0.0 degrees to about 32.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal; about 0.0 degrees to about 31.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal; or about 0.0 degrees to about 30.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal.
In some embodiments, a top end of the unsupported, self-standing tower is configured for attachment to a support structure 103 capable of supporting a plurality other unsupported, self-standing towers. In some embodiments, the unsupported, self-standing tower is configured to rotate about its vertical axis, as illustrated in FIG. 7B when attached to the support structure for similarly exposing the attached enclosures to a light source 108 and/or an airflow (not shown).
In some embodiments of the unsupported, self-standing tower, the conveyance system provides a controlled, timed movement of each unsupported, self-standing tower, in unison with the other unsupported, self-standing towers attached to the conveyance system, to move a plant contained within the plurality of enclosures from a starting point location corresponding with an immature growth stage to a finishing point corresponding with a harvestable plant along a circuit within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber.
Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the inventors have considered the inclusion of a conveyance system 200 to facilitate the movement of the vertical growth tower assembly to provide for a regular cyclic rotation of crops from a germination stage to a harvest stage. As shown in the figure, one potential configuration of the conveyance system is attached to a vertical support structure 103 as shown in FIG. 3, and connects to the vertical growth assembly at the top. The conveyance system is configured to move a plurality of tower or columnar assemblies about a circuit within the environmentally controlled growing chamber.
The conveyance system can be a vertically driven 200(a), a bottom driven conveyance system (not shown), or combination of both. As shown in the non-limiting illustrations herein, the top-mounted conveyance components 200(a) comprise rollers 202, guiderails 203 mounted to the support structure 103, and vertical column hangers 204 for mounting directly to the vertical column 102. The hangers 204 are configurable to allow the vertical columns 104 to hang freely, if unsupported at the bottom, or to spin, if desired, as noted above.
In addition, or alternatively, the conveyance system is configured to connect to the bottom of the vertical growth assembly. The conveyance system on the bottom of the vertical growth assembly may be the same or different in configuration with the top conveyance system. For example, the bottom conveyance system is optionally configured to be a conveyor belt system, such as one used in airport luggage handling systems. This system is specifically designed to allow for turning the vertical growth assembly around the turns in a circuit, and optionally also provides the ability to rotate the entire vertical growth assembly about its central axis. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 8B, the conveyance system is alternately equipable with a hanger system capable of providing suspension of the vertical growth assembly.
The bottom-mounted conveyance components (not shown) are configurable as guide components to stabilize the hanging growth columns, if desired, or simply to assist with guiding the hanging growth columns around the conveyance circuit while maintaining spacing between the columns. Alternatively the bottom-mounted conveyance components are configurable to act as drive components for the conveyance system similar to the system illustrated in FIG. 8B, reversing the roles described for the conveyance system described previously. Further still, the conveyance system can be configured to work as a complimentary combination system wherein the top-mounted and bottom-mounted conveyance components work in tandem to move the vertical growth columns around the conveyance circuit.
In some embodiments, the unsupported, self-standing tower is between: approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 60.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 50.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 40.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 30.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 25.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 20.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 19.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 18.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 17.0 feet tall; approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 16.0 feet tall; or approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 15.0 feet tall.
Provided herein is a growth module for a vertical farming system comprising an enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant, wherein the enclosure further comprises at least two of the following: at least one vertical wall; a drain aperture in the enclosure; at least a partial lower surface connected to the enclosure; at least a partial upper surface connected to the enclosure; at least one lateral growth opening in the enclosure configured to permit growth of the at least one plant therethrough, and to encourage lateral growth of the at least one plant away from the growth module; a non-perpendicular, surface relative to the at least one vertical wall; an attachment mechanism configured for detachable attachment to a vertical column; an environmental sensor; an environment sensor array; a growth medium; and a wicking medium; wherein the enclosure is configured to provide a containment shape comprising: a completely circular shape; a partially circular shape; an elliptical shape; an irregular geometric shape; a non-symmetric, irregular geometric shape; a symmetric, multi-sided geometric shape; a triangular shape; a rectangular shape; a square shape; a trapezoidal shape; a pentagonal shape; a hexagonal shape; a heptagonal shape; an octagonal shape; a geometric shape comprising non-flat sides; or any combination thereof; wherein the growth module is configured to support a plurality of growth modules stacked above and/or below itself, wherein the drain aperture is configured to facilitate vertical flow of fluids from the growth module to another growth module stacked below itself, wherein said lateral growth opening is configured to allow for an airflow to disrupt a boundary layer of an under-canopy of the at least one plant growing away from the growth module, wherein the environmental sensor or environmental sensor array is configured to collect environmental data within and around a growth module and transmit said data to a master control system capable of compiling the environmental data and adjusting environmental conditions within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber containing said growth module, wherein the wicking medium is wrapped within the growth medium and is configured to contain a root structure of the plant, wherein the growth medium is configured to support the root structure of the plant contained within the root system and to capture and hold moisture and nutrients, wherein the wicking medium is configured to direct moisture and nutrients to the root structure of a plant contained therein; and wherein the growth module has an adjustable height to accommodate growth of the at least one plant.
As noted previously, the environmentally controlled vertical farming system is specifically designed to take greenhouse-like farming to a massive scale. As such, it is now obvious to one reading this application that the scale and size of the vertical growth structures, the towers and/or vertical growth column is only limited by the size and height of the facility holding the environmentally controlled vertical farming system and the capacity of the stacked growth modules, vertical growth columns, support structures and optional conveyance systems to support their collective weights. In any given embodiment, the unsupported, self-standing tower is conceivably between: approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 100.0 feet tall, or more. In other more common production environments embodiments, the unsupported, self-standing tower is between: approximately 10.0 feet and approximately 60.0 feet tall, where facilities permit. In smaller scale embodiments the unsupported, self-standing tower is between: approximately 10.0 feet and anywhere between approximately 15.0 feet to approximately 50.0 feet tall, as available facilities for these sizes are more common.
Additionally it should be noted that although not insignificant, the environmental control issues associated with such an endeavor are themselves potentially more manageable from a HVAC perspective. Balancing the height of a facility with the square footage of a facility of this size presents a challenge in that the movement of airflow, air temperature control and humidity control can be very costly in large, open facilities.
In some embodiments, each enclosure of the growth modules further comprises: an environmental sensor; an environment sensor array; a growth medium; a wicking medium; a root cluster of a germinated plant; or any combination thereof; wherein the environmental sensor or environmental sensor array is configured to collect environmental data within and around a growth module and transmit said data to a master control system capable of compiling the environmental data and adjusting environmental conditions within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber containing said growth module.
In some embodiments of the at least one environmental sensor or environmental sensor array, the environmental data collected and transmitted comprises: nutrient concentrations; water pH; water electrical conductivity (EC); O₂gas level concentrations; CO₂gas level concentrations; O₂dissolved in water; water oxidation reduction potential (ORP); water temperature; water flow rate; air temperature; environmental ambient air speed; light spectrum; light intensity; air pressure; air speed; humidity or any combination thereof.
As noted originally in this disclosure, the inventors have incorporated the utilization of machine learning into this environmentally controlled vertical farming system. Along with the application of new control systems capable of machine learning, or artificial intelligence (AI), the system's capabilities are further enhanced with the ability to accurately track each of the plants in a growth module in the system, utilizing tracking and monitor devices such as visual monitoring devices (cameras) among other systems, as well as overall ambient environment and other locally critical data points within each growth module, during the course of a growing cycle or multiple growing cycles, through the assimilation of thousands or even millions of data points acquired from strategically placed sensors. Armed with this data and the ability to learn and adjust, the AI control system is further capable of automatically adjusting year-round crop growth conditions within the controlled environment; such as lighting, fertilizers (nutrients), moisture, gas levels, temperature, air flow, and ultimately, packaging, to produce higher yields at a lower cost per square foot due to plants' vertical growth and increased space efficiency, with reduced overall losses per planted crop, better nutritional value, visual appeal and faster growth cycles. Data collected and transmitted to the AI control system comprises, but is not limited to nutrient concentrations; water pH; water electrical conductivity (EC); O₂gas level concentrations; CO₂gas level concentrations; O₂dissolved in water; water oxidation reduction potential (ORP); water temperature; water flow rate; air temperature; environmental ambient air speed; light spectrum; light intensity (photosynthetically active radiation [PAR] or photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD)); air pressure; air speed; and humidity.
In some embodiments, a control system 600 as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, comprising: a sensor 615 configured for measuring an environmental growing condition 610 in the environmentally-controlled growing chamber over time to generate environmental condition data 645; a device configured for measuring a crop characteristic 625 of a plant grown in the hydroponic plant growth module in the environmentally-controlled growing chamber to generate crop growth data; and a processing device 635 comprising at least one processor, a memory, an operating system configured to perform executable instructions, and a computer program including instructions executable by the processing device to create an application comprising: a software module 665 configured for receiving the environmental condition data and the crop growth data from the environmental sensor 30, 615 and the measuring device 625; a software module configured to apply an algorithm 655 to the environmental growing condition data 610 and the crop growth data to generate an improved environmental growing condition; and a software module configured to generate and transmit instructions 671/672/674 for adjustment of the environmental growing condition in or around the hydroponic plant growth module to a sub-system 675/685 of the environmentally-controlled growing chamber to implement the improved environmental growing condition.
In some embodiments, the device is a crop characteristic measuring device 625 or digital image capturing device positioned and configured to capture images of the under-canopy when the hydroponic plant growth module is mounted to the vertical growth columns, and further wherein the crop characteristic is a leaf area index (LAI).
In some embodiments, the plant growing system further comprises a plurality of nutrient concentration sensors 615 adapted to measure, in the aqueous crop nutrient solution, an aqueous concentration of at least one nutrient selected from the group consisting of: zinc; molybdenum; manganese; iron; copper; chlorine; boron; sulfur; magnesium; calcium; potassium; phosphorus; and nitrogen.
As described in subsequent FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, the control system 600 includes one or more sensors 615 or measuring devices, which measure one or more environmental growing conditions in the environmentally-controlled growing chamber over time, to generate environmental condition data. A sensor is, for example, an air temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or a sensor for measuring gaseous carbon dioxide content. The sensors or measuring devices may also measure numerous other environmental conditions, including air pressure, air flow, gaseous oxygen content, light quality (e.g.: spectral properties of natural or artificial light), and/or light quantity (e.g.: light intensity or length of light/dark cycles). Alternatively or additionally, the sensors may measure one or more properties of an aqueous nutrient solution that is optionally provided to one or more crops growing in the vertical farming system. These properties may include temperature, dissolved oxygen and/or carbon dioxide content, nutrient content (e.g.: content of one or more of zinc, molybdenum, manganese, iron, copper, chlorine, boron, sulfur, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen), pH, oxygen reduction potential, or electrical conductivity. In addition or alternatively, the sensor may also measure a rate of movement or velocities of growing plants, for example, as such plants are moved up or down a vertical growth tower, and/or around a growing circuit in the vertical farming system. In some systems, the sensor may include a sensor array 30, suitable for measuring any combination of environmental growing conditions, including any possible combination of the conditions described in this paragraph. An exemplary sensor is depicted at FIGS. 13A through 13D, adapted for placement in the hydroponic plant growth module, spacer module or sensor module 104/105/110.
As depicted in FIGS. 13A through 13D, the sensor system comprises a sensor module 110, a sensor circuit board 31, a sensor mounting port 32, a sensor battery pack 33, a sensor nose mount 34, a sensor nose 35, a sensor circuit mounting board 37 configurable for mounting a sensor 615 (not shown) or a crop characteristic measuring device 625 (not shown) and a digital imaging device/crop characteristic device mounting port 38.
The sensor may measure the environmental growing condition(s) continually, or at defined intervals during the growing cycle of the crop plant grown in the vertical farming system. The environmental growing condition data generated by the sensor may, for example, provide a “fingerprint” corresponding to one or more environmental conditions experienced by a growing crop plant as it grows over time, for example, from planting until the time of harvest. Alternatively, the data may be measured and recorded during two or more discrete time points during the course of the plant's growth cycle.
In some embodiments, the sub-system is selected from the group consisting of: a lighting control sub-system (not shown); a HVAC control sub-system (not shown); a nutrient supply control sub-system (not shown); a conveyance control sub-system (not shown); and a vertical lift mechanism control sub-system (not shown).
In some embodiments, the computer program including instructions executable by the processing device comprises artificial intelligence programming capable of generating an improved environmental growing condition 610 based at least in part on continuously updated environmental and output characteristic crop data 695.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the computer control system or master control system 600, comprises: an input variable server 620, a Fog Node 630, a SCADA interface 640 to provide instantaneous automatic control 650, Cloud Servers 660, Graphical Displays 670, the ability to accommodate and provide Real Time Queries 680 and software systems providing Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence programming 690. When properly programed and combined the master control system 600 monitors growth conditions 610 of the enclosed production farming facility 1000, 1001, the growth chambers 100 and individual hydroponic plant growth modules 104 in each vertical growth system 101, analyzing the input data from the monitored growth conditions 610 provided by the sensors 615 and crop characteristic measuring devices 625, sent to the senor arrays 30 and subsequently transmitted to the master control system 600 for processing. Once this data is collected and analyzed, the master control system 600 is configured, through Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence programming 690, to adjust growth conditions by sending out new instructions 671, 672, 674 to the various environmental control systems 675, 685 and nutrient control systems 300 in order to improve and continually optimize the output characteristics 695 of the crop.
In some embodiments of the plant growing systems the output characteristics 695 of the crop comprise nutrition levels, weight, growth (manufacturing/production) costs, color or appearance, flavor and/or texture.
Provided herein is a vertical column for a vertical farming system configured for detachable attachment to at least one growth module, the vertical column comprising a periphery having: a square shape; a rectangular shape; a generally circular shape; a partially circular shape; triangular shape; a trapezoidal shape; a pentagonal shape; a hexagonal shape; a heptagonal shape; an octagonal shape; any geometric shape comprising non-flat sides; or any combination thereof; wherein the growth module comprises: a sleeve configured to hold a plurality of sub-growth modules; a housing configured to hold a plurality of sub-growth modules, each sub-growth module comprising an enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant; a drain aperture in the growth module; and at least one lateral growth opening in the enclosure and/or at least one sub-growth module configured to permit growth of the at least one plant therethrough, and to encourage lateral growth of the at least one plant away from the growth module; wherein the growth module is configured to stackably support a plurality of other growth modules stacked above and/or below itself, wherein the drain aperture is configured to facilitate vertical flow of fluids from the growth module to another growth module stacked below itself, and wherein said lateral growth opening is configured to allow for an airflow to disrupt a boundary layer of an under-canopy of the at least one plant growing away from the growth module. In some embodiments, the vertical column comprises an at least partially hollow interior.
In some embodiments, the vertical column further comprising at least one attachment mechanism configured for detachable attachment to the growth module. In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism comprises: a “T”-rail; a “V”-rail; a separable ring; a protruding notch; an indented notch; a slot; a groove; a through-hole and retaining pin; a magnet; or any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism is on a longitudinal surface of said vertical column. In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism is on a longitudinal surface of said vertical column. In some embodiments, the at least one growth module is attached in a radial pattern about the periphery of the vertical column.
In addition to the concept of vertical growth, unsupported, free-standing towers, the inventors have developed vertical columns comprising growth modules affixed thereto. The vertical column comprises a vertical internal or external support column. The support column can have a variety of peripheral shapes comprising a square shape; a rectangular shape; a generally circular shape; a partially circular shape; triangular shape; a trapezoidal shape; a pentagonal shape; a hexagonal shape; a heptagonal shape; an octagonal shape; any geometric shape comprising non-flat sides; or any combination thereof, and is preferably at least partially hollow on the interior, but not required to be. Modules slide over, or onto the support column is some embodiments. In other embodiments, they attach to an attachment mechanism such as a “T”-rail; a “V”-rail; a separable ring; a protruding notch; an indented notch; a slot; a groove; a through-hole and retaining pin; a magnet; or any combination thereof.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

Claims

1. A growth tower for vertical farming, the growth tower comprising one or more growth modules, each growth module comprising:

an enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant;

a drain aperture in the enclosure;

a capture mechanism configured for detachable attachment of the one or more growth modules to a vertical column of the growth tower; and

at least one lateral growth opening in the enclosure configured to permit growth of the at least one plant therethrough, and to encourage lateral growth of the at least one plant away from the enclosure;

the capture mechanism permitting the attachment of the one or more growth modules to the vertical column of the growth tower at variable heights,

the one or more growth modules being further configurable to stackably support one or more of the other growth modules with or without spaces above or below itself within the growth tower, thereby allowing formation of a plurality of vertically stacked growth modules and enabling vertical farming of a plurality of plants in growth modules stacked along a vertical axis,

the drain aperture allowing vertical flow of fluids comprising water and one or more nutrients between adjacent growth modules within the growth tower in a flow direction generally downward along the vertical axis, and

said lateral growth opening having an angular orientation at an angle comprising between about 0.0 degrees to about 45.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal, and said lateral growth opening is thereby configured to allow for improved airflow from any one of multiple directions to disrupt a boundary layer of an under-canopy of the at least one plant growing away from the one or more growth modules.

2. The growth tower of claim 1, the one or more growth modules being configured to provide a containment shape comprising:

a completely circular shape;

a partially circular shape;

an elliptical shape;

an irregular geometric shape;

a non-symmetric, irregular geometric shape;

a symmetric, multi-sided geometric shape;

a triangular shape;

a rectangular shape;

a square shape;

a trapezoidal shape;

a pentagonal shape;

a hexagonal shape;

a heptagonal shape;

an octagonal shape;

a geometric shape comprising non-flat sides; or

any combination thereof.

3. The growth tower of claim 2, the one or more growth modules, further comprising:

at least a partial lower surface connected to the containment shape;

the drain aperture being positioned in or near the at least partial lower surface, and

the at least partial lower surface comprising a non-perpendicular surface relative to the containment shape, configured to facilitate the movement of fluids toward the drain aperture.

4. The growth tower of claim 2, the one or more growth modules further comprising at least a partial upper surface connected to the containment shape.

5. The growth tower of claim 1, wherein the one or more growth modules is an unsupported, self-standing growth tower.

6. The growth tower of claim 5, wherein each of the one or more growth modules is orientable such that the at least one growth opening of a first growth module faces a different direction from a corresponding at least one growth opening of the one or more other growth modules within the growth tower.

7. The growth tower of claim 5, wherein a top end of the unsupported, self-standing growth tower is configured for attachment to a conveyance system for conveying one or more growth modules toward or away from the growth tower.

8. The growth tower of claim 7, wherein a bottom end of the unsupported, self-standing vertical growth tower is configured for attachment to a conveyance system for conveying one or more growth modules toward or away from the vertical growth tower.

9. The growth tower of claim 7, wherein the top end of the vertical growth tower is configured for attachment to a support structure capable of supporting a plurality other vertical growth towers.

10. The growth tower of claim 9, wherein said vertical growth tower is configured to rotate about the vertical axis when attached to the support structure for similarly exposing the at least one growth opening of the attached one or more vertically stacked growth modules to a light source or an airflow.

11. The growth tower of claim 7, wherein said conveyance system provides a controlled, timed movement of each vertical growth tower, in unison with the other vertical growth towers attached to the conveyance system, to move plants contained within the one or more vertically stacked growth modules from a starting point location corresponding with an immature growth stage to a finishing point corresponding with a harvestable plant along a circuit within an environmentally-controlled growing chamber.

12. A vertical farming system comprising:

at least one vertical column comprising:

a central vertical axis;

a periphery comprising:

a square shape;

a rectangular shape;

a generally circular shape;

a partially circular shape;

triangular shape;

a trapezoidal shape;

a pentagonal shape;

a hexagonal shape;

a heptagonal shape;

an octagonal shape;

any geometric shape comprising non-flat sides; or

any combination thereof; and

one or more growth modules configured for detachable attachment to the at least one vertical column, the one or more growth modules each comprising:

an enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant; or

a sleeve configured to hold a plurality of sub-growth modules comprising an enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant; or

a housing configured to hold a plurality of sub-growth modules, each sub-growth module comprising the enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant;

a drain aperture; and

at least one lateral growth opening in the enclosure or at least one sub-growth module configured to permit growth of the at least one plant therethrough, and to encourage lateral growth of the at least one plant away from the growth module;

the one or more growth modules being configured to stackably support one or more other growth modules stacked above or below itself,

the drain aperture being configured to facilitate a generally downward vertical flow of fluids from the growth module to another growth module stacked below itself,

said lateral growth opening having an angular orientation at an angle comprising between about 0.0 degrees to about 45.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal, and

said lateral growth opening being thereby configured to allow for improved airflow from any one of multiple directions to disrupt a boundary layer of an under-canopy of the at least one plant growing away from the one or more growth modules.

13. The vertical farming system of claim 12, further comprising a conveyance system and a guided vertical lift, the guided vertical lift being configured for:

conveying the one or more growth modules up and down on the at least one vertical column; and

the at least one vertical column being further configured for attachment to the conveyance system at or about at least one of;

a bottom end or a top end of the at least one vertical column; and

a bottom end and a top end of the at least one vertical column.

14. The farming system of claim 13, further comprising an environmentally controlled growing chamber, wherein said conveyance system is configured to provides a controlled, timed movement of the at least one vertical column, in unison with other vertical columns attached to the conveyance system, to move plants contained within the one or more growth modules having enclosures about a circuit within the environmentally controlled growing chamber of the farming system from a starting point location corresponding with an immature growth stage to a finishing point corresponding with a harvestable plant along the circuit.

15. The farming system of claim 12, wherein the at least one vertical column further comprises at least one attachment mechanism configured for detachable attachment to the one or more growth modules, wherein the at least one attachment mechanism comprises:

a “T”-rail;

a “V”-rail;

a separable ring;

a protruding notch;

an indented notch;

a slot;

a groove;

a through-hole and retaining pin;

a magnet; or

any combination thereof; and

wherein said at least one attachment mechanism is positioned on a longitudinal surface of said vertical column.

16. The farming system of claim 12, wherein the at least one growth module is attached in a radial pattern about the periphery of the at least one vertical column.

17. The farming system of claim 12, wherein the at least one vertical column comprises at least one of:

a forced airflow conduit; and

a gravity-feed water and nutritional conduit;

the forced airflow conduit and the gravity-feed water and nutritional conduit being positioned either within the interior of the at least one vertical column or on the exterior of the at least one vertical column, with ports accessible to and from at least one attached growth module.

18. The farming system of claim 12, wherein the at least one vertical column has a top end configured for attachment to a support structure capable of supporting a plurality other vertical columns, and

the vertical column being further configured to rotate about the central vertical axis when attached to the support structure for uniformly exposing the at least one lateral growth opening of the attached one or more growth modules to a light source or an airflow during each rotation.

19. A vertical farming system comprising:

a) a vertical column comprising:

a central vertical axis; and

a periphery comprising:

a square shape;

a rectangular shape;

a generally circular shape;

a partially circular shape;

triangular shape;

a trapezoidal shape;

a pentagonal shape;

a hexagonal shape;

a heptagonal shape;

an octagonal shape;

any geometric shape comprising non-flat sides; or

any combination thereof;

b) one or more growth modules, and

c) a guided vertical lift mechanism capable of supporting, raising, and lowering the one or more growth modules;

the vertical column having a sleeved configuration that captures the one or more growth modules; and

the one or more growth modules comprising:

an enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant; or

a drain aperture; and

at least one lateral growth opening in the enclosure or at least one sub-growth module configured to permit growth of the at least one plant therethrough, and to encourage lateral growth of the at least one plant away from the one or more growth modules;

the one or more growth modules configured to stackably supportone or more other growth modules stacked above or below itself,

the drain aperture configured to facilitate a generally downward vertical flow of fluids from one or more growth modules to another growth module stacked below itself,

an angular orientation of said at least one lateral growth opening being an angle comprising between about 0.0 degrees to about 45.0 degrees vertical of parallel to horizontal, and

said lateral growth opening being configured to allow for an improved airflow to disrupt a boundary layer of an under-canopy of the at least one plant growing away from the one or more growth modules.