The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for efficiently growing plants.
Various plants have been grown indoors with artificial light, in order to protect from pests or provide optimum light energy to the growing plants. Cannabis is one such plant that is often found grown indoors. Meanwhile, the benefits and uses of Cannabis are becoming more widely recognized at the same time legal and stigmatic barriers to Cannabis are diminishing. Many growers of Cannabis have developed indoor growing systems over the years. These systems can provide optimization of growing conditions year-round. However, such systems often consume large amounts of energy and water. It is beneficial to minimize the inefficiencies of such systems to optimize growing conditions and to address the sometimes delicate nature of the Cannabis plants.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system for growing plants in a controlled environment. The system includes a first platform, configured to support a first set of plants thereon, and a second platform, spaced above the first platform a sufficient distance to allow for full growth of the plants thereunder, and configured to support a second set of plants thereon. A first movable frame is suspended above the first platform and below the second platform and having a first array of grow lights mounted thereon. A second movable frame is suspended above the second platform and having a second array of grow lights mounted thereon. The system also includes a lift system configured to raise and lower the first movable frame so as to maintain the first array of grow lights within a predetermined distance above the first set of plants as it grows, and configured to raise and lower the second movable frame so as to maintain the second array of grow lights within the predetermined distance above the second set of plants as it grows.
Further embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a method for growing plants. The method includes providing a first shelf, configured to support a first set of plants thereon. A second shelf is provided and, spaced above the first shelf a sufficient distance to allow for full growth of the first set of plants thereunder, and configured to support a second set of plants thereon. A first movable shelf is provided, with the first moveable frame suspended above the first shelf and below the second shelf. The first movable frame has a first array of grow lights mounted thereon. A second movable frame is suspended above the second shelf and has a second array of grow lights mounted thereon. A lift system configured to raise and lower the first movable frame is provided. The first array of grow lights is maintained within a predetermined distance above the first set of plants as they grow. The second array of grow lights is maintained a predetermined distance above the second set of plants as they grow. The first and second movable frames raise and lower so as to maintain the first and second arrays of grow lights within the predetermined distance above the first and second set of plants as they grow.
Further aspects and embodiments are provided in the foregoing drawings, detailed description, and claims.
The following drawings are provided to illustrate certain embodiments described herein. The drawings are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of claimed inventions and are not intended to show every potential feature or embodiment of the claimed inventions. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; in some instances, certain elements of the drawing may be enlarged with respect to other elements of the drawing for purposes of illustration.
The following description recites various aspects and embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein. No particular embodiment is intended to define the scope of the invention. Rather, the embodiments provide non-limiting examples of various compositions, and methods that are included within the scope of the claimed inventions. The description is to be read from the perspective of one of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, information that is well known to the ordinarily skilled artisan is not necessarily included.
The following terms and phrases have the meanings indicated below, unless otherwise provided herein. This disclosure may employ other terms and phrases not expressly defined herein. Such other terms and phrases shall have the meanings that they would possess within the context of this disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some instances, a term or phrase may be defined in the singular or plural. In such instances, it is understood that any term in the singular may include its plural counterpart and vice versa, unless expressly indicated to the contrary.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to “a substituent” encompasses a single substituent as well as two or more substituents, and the like.
As used herein, “for example,” “for instance,” “such as,” or “including” are meant to introduce examples that further clarify more general subject matter. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, such examples are provided only as an aid for understanding embodiments illustrated in the present disclosure and are not meant to be limiting in any fashion. Nor do these phrases indicate any kind of preference for the disclosed embodiment.
As used herein, “lifter” is meant to refer to a device capable of raising and/or lowering an object by mechanical means such as a motor, spool, and a line.
As used herein, “line” is meant to refer to an elongated cable, wire, or cord that is generally flexible and has tensile strength sufficient to withstand the weight of an object to be lifted by a hoist of the present disclosure.
As used herein, “plant” refers to a tree, bush, or other vegetation that is to be cultivated using the systems and methods of the present disclosure. Plant includes but is not limited to a Cannabis plant. Reference to specific species of plants, such as Cannabis, does not preclude application of the systems and methods of the present disclosure with other varieties of plants and vegetation.
The electric lines 131 provide power to various components in the movable frames 112, such as fans, lights, and sensors. The movable frames 112 can include a number of sensors that can detect a variety of conditions, such as temperature, humidity, light, and distance to the plants. In some embodiments the movable frames 112 include a proximity sensor that determines a distance between the plants and the movable frames 112. As the plants grow the distance will be reduced. If the movable frames 112 are too close the hoists 16 can raise the movable frames 112. In other embodiments application of certain fluids and/or air to the plants can be achieved from a certain distance to the plants. The movable frames 112 can be moved to any desired distance within the range of the hoists 16 to achieve a fluid or air delivery. For example, if it is desired to water plants from a close distance, the hoists 16 can lower the movable frames 112 down to be nearer the plants, at which point the water is applied, and after which the hoists 16 can return the movable frames 112 to the standard position.
In some embodiments the sensors are optical sensors that can include cameras for video or photographic inspection of the plants. The sensors can also include temperature sensors that can monitor a temperature of the plant, the soil, the environment around the plant, etc. In some embodiments the sensors can include a sensor that can detect the presence of insects that may be harmful to the plant. The sensors can allow early detection of such insects or other living organisms such as a moss or fungus that may be present on or around the plant.
In some embodiments, the system is provided with humidity sensors. Signals from such sensors can be fed into the controller, which may, in response, activate the water misters.
It should be appreciated that there may be a different number of hoists 16 for a given number of movable frames 112 in different indoor grow facilities. There may be multiple hydraulic lines 141 to provide fluids to the movable frames 112.
The fixed bracket 110 includes a hoist support 116 that serves as an anchor point for rotation of the hoist 120. The fixed bracket 110 also includes pulley supports 118 that allow the lines 114 to extend horizontally from the hoist 120, pass through the pulley supports 118, and from that point downward to provide multiple points of contact for the lines 114. The movable frame 112 is therefore stabilized and will not tip or swing excessively, despite being suspended by flexible lines 114.
The hoist 120 also includes one or more spool assemblies mounted to the driveshaft 124. The spool assemblies are configured to rotate with the driveshaft 124, and each has a line that extends and retracts. In some embodiments the various spool assemblies can carry a different type of line, such as a mechanical line for supporting weight, an electrical line 131 for power, a hydraulic or fluid line 141 for supplying fluids such as water, medicine, or other fluids. The hoist 120 can includes a line spool assembly 126 that carries a mechanical line 114. The mechanical line can be passed to a pulley 128 and down. The hoist 120 can include a power spool assembly 130 that carries an electrical cord 131. The hoist 120 can also include a hydraulic spool assembly 140 that carries a hydraulic or fluid line 141 for fluids such as water.
Each of the spool assemblies with the various line types may have different dimensions to accommodate the characteristics of the lines. For example, the electrical cord 131 may have a larger diameter than that mechanical line 114. To accommodate this the dimensions of the electrical spool assembly 130 can be different such that each unit of rotation of the driveshaft results in the same linear pay out of the line from each of the spool assemblies. Accordingly, raising and lowering the movable frame 112 also winds and unwinds a proper amount of each line and there is no extra slack or tension in any of the lines.
Examples of embodiments of lifters, spools, and motors are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,624,076 and 9,975,745, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
The hoist 120 can also include a rail 144 that is generally parallel with the driveshaft 124 and includes a wheel 148 that helps to prevent misalignment of the lines onto their respective spool assemblies. The wheel 148 can cause tension on the lines as the lines are unwound from the spool assemblies, and through a one-way bearing, can freely rotate as the lines are wound onto the spool assemblies. The hoist 120 can also include a rod 146 that provides mechanical stiffness to the assembly and prevents twisting of the driveshaft, rail, and spool assemblies.
The movable frame 112 can also include sensors 174 that can detect light, temperature, moisture, and or distance. In an area on or around the plants. The movable nature of the movable frame 112 allows for precise monitoring even as the plants below grow taller. The observed characteristics obtained by the sensors 174 can enable automatic operation of the hoist unit. A controller (not pictured) can be used with the hoist system 120 and can provide logic to operate the hoist 120 to move the movable frame 112 and to deliver air, fluid, or other resources to the plant. Each individual plant may have different needs, different temperatures, moisture contents, and as such may need a slightly different application of light, water, etc. which is enabled by the hoist system of the present disclosure. In some embodiments raising and lowering of each individual hoist unit is automated such that even without direct supervision from a trained professional, the plant below is receiving a precise amount of light, water, air, and other nutrients or resources. All this is achieved without the inefficiencies experienced by other, static grow factories which apply water, air, light, and other resources to large tracts of plants, without regard to the needs of each individual plant. The result is a more efficient grow factory that yields better results because each plant receives just what is needed.
The plants are placed on platforms or shelves large enough to accommodate the fully grown plants.
Frames 1112a, 1112b, and 1112c have lights 1170 attached to the bottom of the frames. The output of lights 1170 can be calibrated for optimal growing efficiency of the desired plants. There are many lights available which will provide adequate light for growing. Some lights can be calibrated for different wavelengths. Different wavelengths of lights can affect plant growth and the incorporation of certain properties into the plant. Therefore, lights that have an output which can be calibrated are most desirable.
Sensors are placed on the bottom of the movable frames 1112a, 1112b, and 1112c to monitor the growth of the plants. These sensors include but are not limited to optical sensors. As the plants grow, such sensors communicate with the hoist to raise the movable frames 1112a, 1112b, and 1112c. The sensors are calibrated to keep the movable frame a set distance from the plants. When the plants grow to a point that they are closer to the moveable frame, the sensor communicates with the hoist to reel in the line and raise the movable platform.
By raising the movable frames, the light is kept at an optimal distance from the plants. Also, the plants growth is not inhibited or altered by the plants coming into contact with the movable frame or any component on the moveable frame. In some embodiments, other sensors are attached to the movable frame. These sensors include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, fire sensors, carbon monoxide sensors, oxygen sensors, and other sensors for monitoring the growth and development of the plants.
The invention can provide an easy-to-install automated growing module. Some of the features of the preferred embodiment include:
A sturdy hoist-mounting frame attaches to racking easily and can be adjusted to fit multiple rack widths. Hoists can also be attached to existing ceilings or other mounting surfaces with mounting hardware.
As to power, each hoist can act as a complete grow system, and multiple hoists can be wired in series within operation power limits.
Most indoor grow systems supply water near the roots of the plants, whether in a hydroponic system or a soil-based system. Nevertheless, it some embodiments, the system is also used to provide water from above.
While much of the discussion and figures have focused on growing Cannabis, other plants, such as herbs, vegetables and fruits can also benefit from the system of the present invention.
Although the preferred embodiment of the stackable grow system has stationary platforms and moveable racks with the grow lights and other components being moved to maintain the optimum height above the growing plants, an alternative embodiment includes stationary racks and movable platforms. In other words, the array of lights, the air movers and the water misters are mounted above each platform and stay at a given vertical point. The platforms, with new plants are raised to be just under those components then lowered as the plants grow in height.
All patents and published patent applications referred to herein are incorporated herein by reference. The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. Nevertheless, it is understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/373,326, filed Aug. 23, 2022, and entitled “Stackable Grow System,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63373326 | Aug 2022 | US |