Greenhouse insulation system

Abstract

An insulation system for use in a greenhouse, comprising at least one insulation panel adapted to be mounted in the ceiling of a greenhouse, and means to move the at least one panel from a closed position to an open position, whereby when the panel or panels are closed, air below the panels remains in the area of the greenhouse below the panels, and when the panel or panels are open, air below the panels can move to a space in the greenhouse above the panels.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings that illustrate the present invention by way of example:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partly in phantom of a collapsible insulation panel module according to the present invention, in its closed condition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view a collapsible insulation panel module of FIG. 1, in its open condition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a panel module attached to either a fan or an air blower;

FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view of a series of modules, in open condition;

FIG. 5 is a similar view to that of FIG. 4, with the modules in closed condition;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section, through line VI-VI in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the bottom panel of a plenum, in place.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a preferred form of central supporting structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternate form of central support structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of another alternate form of central support structure according to the present invention, shown as being indefinite length.

Claims

1. An insulation system for use in a greenhouse, comprising at least one insulation panel adapted to be mounted in the ceiling of a greenhouse, and means to move said at least one panel from a closed position to an open position, whereby when said panel or panels are closed, air below said panels remains in the area of said greenhouse below said panels, and when said panel or panels are open, air below said panels can move to a space in said greenhouse above said panels.

2. An insulation system as described in claim 1, wherein said insulating panels are provided in pairs, each said pair comprising two rectangular panels hinged together along adjacent longitudinal edges.

3. An insulation system as described in claim 2, wherein said means to move said panels are connected to each said panel in a pair of panels, and act to fold said panels together.

4. An insulation system as described in claim 3, wherein said means to move said panels comprises a bellows formed by sealing securely a gas tight membrane to the edges of said panels in a said pair of panels other than the hinged together edges.

5. An insulation system as described in claim 4, wherein the hinged-together edges of a pair of panels is the lowermost edge in a v-shaped arrangement of panels defining a pair of panels.

6. An insulation system as described in claim 5, wherein pairs of panels are arranged parallel to each other to define a ceiling structure, with the upper edges of adjacent v-shaped pairs of panels abutting each other.

7. An insulation system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a central supporting element between each said pair of panels.

8. An insulation system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said central support element is a central vertical panel or framework between said insulation panels.

9. An insulation system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said insulation panels are hinged to said central vertical panels or framework along their lower edges.

10. An insulation system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said insulation panels are connected to said central support panel by flexible wires, cables or the like limiting the angle to which they can fall relative to the central support panel.

11. An insulation system as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a central supporting element between each said pair of panels.

12. An insulation system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said central support element is a central vertical panel or framework between said insulation panels.

13. An insulation system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said insulation panels are hinged to said central vertical panels or framework along their lower edges.

14. An insulation system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said insulation panels or framework are connected to said central support panel by flexible wires, cables or the like limiting the angle to which they can fall relative to the central support panel.

15. An insulation system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a longitudinal plenum mounted over said central support panel or framework, adapted to permit air flow from said bellows.

16. An insulation system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said central support panel is provided with vertical corrugations, and wherein said plenum has a lower wall with a slot to accommodate said central support panel, whereby air flow to or from said plenum into or out of said bellows is via the corrugations of said central support panel, and said air flow is thereby substantially equally split between the sides of said bellows.

17. An insulation system as described in claim 1, wherein said panels are made from a rigid framework incorporating an insulation material, surrounded by a perimeter frame of rigid material.

18. An insulation system as described in claim 1, wherein said panels are provided with a reflective lower surface.

19. An insulation system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said insulation material is a foam insulation.

20. An insulation system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said insulation material comprises sheets of rigid foam insulation.

21. An insulation system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said framework is made from a material selected from the group consisting of plastics, aluminum, steel, fibreglass and wood.