Patent Application
20180235156
The present invention relates to high density horticulture growing systems, methods and apparatus. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to crop movement, heating, cooling, watering and control systems, methods and apparatus for high density horticulture growing systems.
High density horticulture growing systems are used in efforts to provide sustainable and efficient food production. These systems often comprise closed loop nutrient solutions built to provide simple and controlled access to nutrients to minimise waste and environmental pollution.
Prior art systems have typically been based on simple rack, pot and pipe systems that are angled towards natural light. One problem with these systems is the unequal distribution of light over the growing crops. The functionality of these systems is limited such that it does not allow for easy rotation of the crop in an effort to equalise the distribution of light.
More complex prior art horticulture systems have costly motorised closed loop conveyors to periodically move the crop depending on the growing stage. However, the conveyors of these systems only allow for the shifting of plants for seeding, germination, separate growth stages and harvesting.
Another problem with prior art horticulture systems is that they are often a fixed size or arrangement and they cannot be built to any height, or scaled for demand. Prior art horticulture systems also typically consume large amounts of energy in lighting and/or movement systems and can produce “weak” crops because the crops are too protected from natural growing conditions.
Another drawback of prior art horticulture systems is that they often require expert and complex onsite installation and maintenance. This can be costly for construction and for ongoing monitoring and labour costs.
Many prior art horticulture systems only offer partial solutions in that they only provide one or some, but not all stages of the process from seeding, growing, harvesting through to packaging ready for sale. Costs and resources are therefore consumed, for example, in transporting harvested crops to a packaging location. Furthermore, the tracking and traceability of crops grown in prior art horticulture systems is either not possible or limited.
It is a preferred object of the invention to provide an improved high density horticulture growing system and/or method and/or apparatus that addresses or at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art and/or provides a useful commercial alternative.
Generally, the present invention relates to high density horticulture growing systems, methods and apparatus. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to crop movement, heating, cooling, watering and control systems, methods and apparatus for high density horticulture growing systems.
In one form, although not necessarily the broadest form, the invention resides in a high density horticulture growing system comprising:
containers in which crops are grown; and
one or more elevator devices to automatically move the containers between vertically spaced levels.
In preferred embodiments, the high density horticulture growing system comprises one or more racks each comprising a plurality of the vertically spaced levels.
Suitably, each rack comprises one or more supports at each of the vertically spaced levels, each of the supports preferably comprising a low friction surface.
Suitably, each rack comprises a frame to which the supports are coupled.
In some embodiments, each support comprises one or more brackets at each end of the support to couple the support to the frame at a selected height.
Suitably, each rack is modular such that the number of vertically spaced levels can be changed.
Preferably, each of the elevator devices comprises a carrier to transport the containers between the vertically spaced levels.
Suitably, the carrier of each of the elevator devices comprises a platform to support one or more containers and the platform is inclined.
In some embodiments, each of the elevator devices comprises a ram, such as a hydraulic ram or an electric ram, to push the containers from the carrier onto the one or more supports at the vertically spaced levels.
Suitably, the carrier of each of the elevator devices is mounted to one or more vertical guides.
In some embodiments, each of the elevator devices comprises a drive system to move the carriers along the guides between the vertically spaced levels.
Suitably, the drive system comprises a chain drive or a belt drive coupled to the carrier and a motor which drives the chain drive or the belt drive to move the carrier.
Suitably, each of the elevator devices comprises a safety line to support the carrier if the chain drive fails.
In preferred embodiments, the high density horticulture growing system comprises a first elevator device adjacent a first side of each rack and a second elevator device adjacent a second and opposing side of each rack.
Preferably, the high density horticulture growing system comprises a watering system to water the crops in each rack.
Suitably, the watering system comprises a primary watering system to provide water to containers on a highest level of each rack and optionally to one or more lower levels of each rack.
Suitably, the watering system comprises a secondary watering system to circulate water through at least part of the supports of each rack.
Suitably, the watering system comprises one or more water outlets on each rack which align with a respective input aperture in each container to provide water to the container when the container is in a predetermined position on the rack.
In some embodiments, each container is elongate and preferably comprises a plurality of crop apertures to receive crops.
Suitably, each container comprises one or more channels to direct the water to the crops.
Suitably, each container comprises an output aperture to enable at least some of the water to exit the container.
Suitably, a temperature of the water in the primary watering system and/or the secondary watering system is controlled to control a temperature of the containers, the supports and/or the air surrounding the rack.
In some embodiments, the rack comprises artificial lighting, such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), at one or more levels of the rack, such as at every second level of the rack.
Suitably, the rack comprises one or more air blowers, such as one or more fans at one or more levels of the rack.
Suitably, the rack comprises one or more readers to read a unique identifier from each of the containers as the container passes a location on the rack.
In some embodiments, the high density horticulture growing system comprises a first conveying device to move containers to each rack from a crop planting area.
Suitably, the first conveying device includes an inclined section which slopes downward from the crop planting area toward a lower region of the respective rack.
Suitably, the carrier of one of the elevator devices lifts containers, transported to the rack by the first conveying device, to a highest level of the respective rack.
In some embodiments, the high density horticulture growing system comprises a second conveying device to move containers from each rack to a crop storage area.
Suitably, the second conveying device includes one or more driven rollers to move the containers from the rack to the crop storage area.
Suitably, the carrier of one of the elevator devices lowers containers onto the second conveying device from one or more levels of the respective rack.
Suitably, the second conveying device receives containers from the first conveying device, and the carrier of one of the elevator devices lifts the containers from the second conveying device onto the respective rack.
Suitably, when a container is moved from one of the racks to a crop storage area, the respective rack receives a container from the crop planting area.
In some embodiments, the high density horticulture growing system comprises a processor to control one or more aspects of the high density horticulture growing system, such as loading and unloading of the containers, movement of the containers between levels of the rack, movement of the containers between planting, growing, harvesting and storage areas, planting times, growing durations, harvesting times, watering, cleaning, power consumption, and growing conditions including, for example, fertilisers, nutrients, carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, light spectrum, lighting levels, temperature, humidity, ventilation and air pressure.
Suitably, the high density horticulture growing system comprises one or more sensors to monitor one or more parameters relating to the high density horticulture growing system.
For example, the one or more sensors can include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, light sensors, cameras, location sensors, product traceability sensors, irrigation sensors, water quality sensors, electrical conductivity and pH sensors, carbon dioxide sensors and plant growth sensors.
In another form, although not necessarily the broadest form, the invention resides in a building housing the high density horticulture growing system described above.
Suitably, a positive pressure is maintained within the building.
In some embodiments, a roof of the building, and optionally one or more walls of the building, is/are transparent to enable natural light to enter the building.
For example, the roof and/or the one or more walls are made from glass or a dual layer plastic.
Suitably, the roof comprises one or more openable and closable vents.
Suitably, the building comprises a fan to circulate air.
Suitably, one or more movable shade screens are provided adjacent the roof and/or one or more of the walls.
In yet another form, although not necessarily the broadest form, the invention resides in a crop growing method comprising:
growing crops in containers; and
automatically moving the containers between vertically spaced levels via one or more elevator devices while the crops grow.
Preferably, the method comprises moving the containers between the vertically spaced levels via the one or more elevator devices to control growth conditions for the crops in the containers.
Suitably, the method comprises moving each of the containers through a highest of the vertically spaced levels to expose the crops in the respective container to maximum natural light levels.
Suitably, one or more of the containers receive a similar amount of natural light during a predetermined period. For example, each container comprising a certain crop is moved such that it receives a similar amount of natural light during the predetermined period.
Suitably, the method comprises moving each of the containers to the highest of the vertically spaced levels for the same, or a similar, duration each day during daylight.
In some embodiments, the method comprises watering the crops in the containers when the containers are at the highest of the vertically spaced levels.
Suitably, a rack supports the containers at the vertically spaced levels.
In some embodiments, the method comprises receiving a first container from a first level of the rack on a carrier of a first elevator device.
Suitably, the method comprises pushing the first container from the carrier onto a second level of the rack.
Suitably, one or more second containers on the second level of the rack are pushed along the second level by the first container.
Suitably, at least one of the second containers is pushed from an opposing side of the second level onto a carrier of a second elevator device by the first container.
The method preferably comprises moving containers at least horizontally to each rack from a crop planting area via a first conveying device.
The method preferably comprises moving containers at least horizontally from each rack to a crop storage area via a second conveying device.
In a further form, although not necessarily the broadest form, the invention resides in a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer readable code components that when selectively executed by a processor implements one or more aspects of the present invention. For example, the selective execution of the computer readable code components by the processor causes one or more elevator devices to automatically move containers in which plants are growing between vertically spaced levels.
In a further form, although not necessarily the broadest form, the invention resides in a kit for the aforementioned high density horticulture growing system, wherein the kit is transportable in a shipping container.
According to another form, although not necessarily the broadest form, the invention resides in a high density horticulture growing system comprising a crop planting area, a crop growing area and a crop storage area, the system further comprising:
one or more racks each comprising a plurality of the vertically spaced levels;
a first conveying device to move containers, in which crops are grown, at least horizontally to each rack from the crop planting area;
one or more elevator devices to automatically move the containers between the vertically spaced levels of the racks; and
a second conveying device to move containers at least horizontally from each rack to the crop storage area.
The system preferably further comprises a crop harvesting and packing area adjacent the crop storage area.
The system preferably further comprises a computing device in communication with the first and second conveying devices and the one or more elevator devices, the computing device comprising a computer processor in communication with a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer readable code components that when selectively executed by the processor cause movement of the containers at least horizontally between the crop planting area, the crop growing area and the crop storage area and movement of the containers between the vertically spaced levels of the racks.
According to another form, although not necessarily the broadest form, the invention resides in plurality of the aforementioned high density horticulture growing systems in communication with a centralised data monitoring and collection system via one or more communication networks, wherein the centralised data monitoring and collection system transmits and receives data relating to the growing of crops to and from the plurality of high density horticulture growing systems.
Further forms and/or features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.
In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to identical elements. The drawings are provided by way of example only, wherein:
Skilled addressees will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the relative dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be distorted to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
Generally, the present invention relates to high density horticulture growing systems, methods and apparatus. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to crop movement, heating, cooling and watering systems, methods and apparatus for high density horticulture growing systems.
The high density horticulture growing system 10 comprises a building 100 housing the planting areas 220, racks 300 and harvesting areas 250. In preferred embodiments, the building is made from lightweight materials to reduce shipping and installation time and costs. The building 100 comprises frame 110 mounted to foundations 120. Walls 130 and a roof 140 are mounted to the frame 110. The roof 140, or at least part thereof, is transparent to enable natural light to enter the building. One or more of the walls 130, or at least part thereof, can also be transparent to provide additional natural light to the crops. For example, the roof 140 and/or the walls 130 can be made from glass, a dual layer plastic or another suitable transparent material.
In some embodiments, a positive pressure is maintained within the building 100. The positive pressure can provide a controlled environment inside the building 100 and can mitigate the entry of unwanted pollutants into the building 100 that may adversely affect the growth of plants. For example, filtered air enters the building 100 via one or more fans. The roof 140 can comprise one or more openable and closable vents 122, which can, for example, be opened/closed to control the pressure and/or temperature and/or humidity within the building 100. In some embodiments, the positive pressure is set such that air flows out of the vents 122, for example, at 5 m/s.
In some embodiments, the vents 122 are selectively closed to prevent air from flowing into the building through the vents 122. For example, when wind outside the building is above a threshold speed, such as the speed at which air flows out of the vents 122 in still conditions, vents 122 directed toward the wind can be closed, while vents 122 that are not directed toward the wind can be left open. The threshold speed can be determined by the positive pressure within the building 100. In some embodiments, the building 100 comprises a fan to circulate air within the building 100.
The high density horticulture growing system 10 comprises a watering system 500 (shown, for example, in
In some embodiments, the high density horticulture growing system 10 comprises solar panels on the roof 140 to power various aspects of the high density horticulture growing system 10 described herein. It will however be appreciated that other power sources can alternatively or additionally be employed.
The crops 205 are removed from the germination area 210 and planted in containers 200 in the planting area 220.
Elevator devices 400 are provided on opposing sides of each rack 300. One of the elevator devices of the respective rack 300 lifts containers 200, transported to the rack by the first conveying device 230, onto vertically spaced levels of the respective rack 300. As described in more detail herein, the elevator devices 400 automatically move the containers 200 between vertically spaced levels of the rack 300 while the crops 205 grow. When the crops 205 in a container 200 are ready for harvesting, the container 200 is lowered by one of the elevator devices 400 from a level of the respective rack 300 onto a second conveying device 235. The second conveying device 235 moves the container 200 from the rack 300 to a crop storage area 240.
The crop storage area 240 is dark and stores the crops 205 at cool temperatures, for example, 12 degrees Celsius. The container 200 stays in the crop storage area 240, for a predetermined period, for example, for 24 hours, to allow for the crops 205 in the container 200 to cool. The container 200 is then automatically lifted from the crop storage area 240 to a harvesting area 250, where the crops 205 in the container 200 are harvested. The harvested crop is then packed, for example in cellophane, and placed in a respective adjacent storage area 260.
Once the crops 205 are harvested from a container 200, the container 200 is moved to a cleaner 270 where the container 200 is washed and returned to the planting area 220. For example, the cleaner 270 can be a pressurised cleaner. In some embodiments, the container 200 is moved to the cleaner 270, washed and returned to the planting area 220 automatically via a conveying device. In this embodiment, a cleaner 270 is provided for each respective planting area 220 at the same end of the building 100 as the planting areas 220.
In the embodiment shown in
Each of the elevator devices 400 comprises a carrier 410 to transport the containers 200 between the vertically spaced levels 310 and a ram 420 to push a container 200 from the carrier 410 onto the longitudinal supports 320 at the vertically spaced levels 310. The elevator devices 400 automatically move the containers 200 between the vertically spaced levels 310 while the crops 205 grow according to growing protocols as described herein.
In some embodiments, a separate second conveying device 235 is provided on each side of the rack 300, as illustrated in
Crops 205 in the containers 200 are exposed to natural light at least on a highest level 312 of the rack 300. In the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, air blowers 345 are provided on one or more levels 310 of the rack 300 to increase airflow over the crops 205. In
In some embodiments, a reader 360 is provided on one or more levels 310 of the rack 300. In
A watering system 500 is shown comprising a primary watering system 510 to provide water to one or more containers 200 on the highest level 312 of each rack 300, and optionally to provide water to one or more containers 200 on each other level 310 of each rack 300. It will be appreciated that the water can comprise nutrients, the type and quantity being added according to the crop being grown. The watering system 500 comprises a secondary watering system 520 to circulate water through at least part of the longitudinal supports 320 of each rack 300. In some embodiments, a temperature of the water in the primary watering system 510 and/or the secondary watering system 520 is controlled to control a temperature of the containers 200, the supports 320 and/or the air surrounding the rack 300. For example, warmer water is used during winter to warm the containers and the crops and colder water is used during summer to cool the containers and the crops. In some embodiments, water is provided to the crops 205 by flooding the containers 200 and allowing the crops 205 absorb the water. In other embodiments, water flows steadily through the containers 200 to provide water to the crops 205.
The support 320 at each of the levels 310 of the rack 300 comprises brackets 350 at each end of the support 320 to couple the support 320 to uprights 335 of the frame 330 at a selected height. The uprights 335 comprise holes 332 at set locations along their length to enable the supports 320 to be mounted at different heights. In some embodiments, the holes 332 are at an interval of 50 mm to enable the height of each bracket 250 to be adjusted in 50 mm increments. The height at which the bracket 350 is coupled to the uprights 335 can be selected to set a distance or separation between adjacent vertically spaced levels 310. In some embodiments, the height is the same at each end of the longitudinal support 320 such that the support is horizontal. In some embodiments, the height can be selected to be different at each end of the support 320 to enable selection of an angle of inclination to thus incline the support 320 to promote the flow of water through the containers 200 resting on the support 320 in a desired flow direction. For example, the weight of the containers 200 can cause the support 320 and the containers 200 to bend, for example, 3-15 mm depending on the growth stage of the crops 205. The bend in the containers 200 can cause water to pool, for example, near the centre of the container 200. Inclining the support 320 can improve the flow of water through the containers 200 and prevent such pooling.
Water outlets 502 are provided at a first end 321 of the support 320 which are configured to align with input aperture 220 of containers 200 when the containers are in position on the support 320. A trough 504 is provided at a second end 323 of the support 320 to receive water flowing out of the output aperture 240 of the containers 200. The water from the trough 504 can be recycled by the watering system 500. In some embodiments, the water from the trough 504 is used to power aspects of the growing system 10.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In such a way, a container 200 is added to a level and pushed transversely across the level 310 as other containers 200 are added to the level 310. When the container reaches the other side of the level 310, the arrival of a container on the same level at the opposite side pushes the container onto the adjacent carrier of the other elevator device 400 ready for movement to another level 310.
In preferred embodiments, the container 200 is moved to the highest level 312 of the rack 300 first. When the container 200 reaches the other side of the highest level 310, the container is moved to another, lower level 310, such as a second highest level, of the rack 300. The container 200 moves across the other level 310 and then is moved back to the highest level 310. The container 200 moves across the highest level 312 again and is then moved to another, lower level 310, such as a third highest level, of the rack 300. Further details and examples of movement cycles for the containers 200 are provided later in this document.
The conveying device 235 is coupled to one side of the lowest support 327. The second conveying device 235 is located below the transverse members 326 of the lowest support 327. This enables containers 200 to be transported to, and pushed onto, the lowest support 327 by the elevator device 400, without being obstructed by the second conveying device 235.
The elevator device 400 can move below the lowest support 327 to deposit a container 200 onto the second conveying device 235 and/or to lift a container from the second conveying device 235. The second conveying device 235 comprises rollers 237. The rollers 237 can be driven, for example by a motor, to transport a container 200 along the second conveying device 235, for example, when receiving a container 200 from the first conveying device 230 or moving a container 200 from the rack 300 to the storage area 240.
The crop storage area 240 is provided within the bench 225. The crop storage area 240 comprises sealable door 242 at the end of the bench 225 nearest the rack 300. Containers 200 are received from the second conveying device 235 through the sealable door 242 onto rollers 244 in the storage area 240 on the first side of the bench 225. The rollers 244 form an inclined conveyor 245 which transports the containers 200 under gravity to the opposing side of the bench 225. A movable stop 246 is provided on the conveyor 245 to prevent the containers 200 from moving along the conveyor while the container is entering the storage area 240. The stop 246 can be controlled, for example, by a linear actuator, to move the stop 246 downwards and out of the way of the container 200 once the container is detected to be completely inside the storage area 240.
One or more elevators 248 are provided at the opposing side of the storage area 240 to lift containers 200 from the storage area 240 through a sealable door 252 at the top of the bench 225 to the harvesting area 250. Elevators 248 can be any suitable hydraulic, pneumatic or electric elevator.
At step 620, the method 600 comprises automatically moving the containers 200 between vertically spaced levels 310 via one or more elevator devices 400 while the crops grow. For example, the containers can be moved between the vertically spaced levels 410 via the one or more elevator devices 400 to control growth conditions for the crops in the containers 200, such as lighting, as described herein. In preferred embodiments, the method 600 comprises moving each of the containers 200 through a highest of the vertically spaced levels 312 to expose the crops in the respective container to maximum natural light levels. Each of the containers 200 can be moved to the highest of the vertically spaced levels 312, for example, for the same, or a similar, duration each day during daylight. In some embodiments, the crops in the containers 200 are watered when the containers are at the highest of the vertically spaced levels 312. It will be appreciated that the crop growing method 600 can include further method steps corresponding to the actions involved in growing crops as described herein.
The computer readable medium 722 can also store data such as data received from sensors in the high density horticulture growing system. As will be understood by a person skilled in the art, a single memory, such as the memory 720, can be used to store both dynamic and static data. The structure of the memory 720 is well known to those skilled in the art and can include a basic input/output system (BIOS) stored in a read only memory (ROM) and one or more program modules such as operating systems, application programs and program data stored in random access memory (RAM).
One or more interfaces 730 are coupled to the processor 710 to enable control of the systems described herein and/or programming of the systems described herein. For example, the one or more interfaces 730 can include one or more communications devices and/or one or more user interface elements, such as a display, a touchscreen, a keypad, and/or a keyboard. In some embodiments, the high density horticulture growing system comprises one or more sensors 810 to monitor one or more parameters relating to the high density horticulture growing system and the one or more interfaces 730 receive data from the one or more sensors 810. For example, the one or more sensors can include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, light sensors, location sensors, such as code readers, cameras, product traceability sensors, irrigation sensors, water quality sensors, electrical conductivity sensors, pH sensors, carbon dioxide sensors and plant growth sensors.
In some embodiments, the memory 720 comprises computer program code components 724 for performing one or more of the steps of the method 600.
For example, the control system 800 can control the elevator devices 400 to control the movement of the containers 200. In one example, a container 200 is moved in a predetermined sequence through the rack 300 by the elevator devices 400 and then unloaded to the storage area 240. In another example, a location of a container 200 is monitored via the reader(s) 360 or by logging the movements of the containers 200 by the elevator devices 400, and the computing device 700 controls the elevator device(s) 400 to move the container 200 off the rack 300 when the crops 205 in the container 200 are ready for harvesting. In some embodiments, the growth stage of the crops 205 in the containers 200 can be monitored on the computing device 700 via cameras on the racks 300. The computing device 700 can also display a visualisation of the locations of the containers 200 in the racks 300 showing each container's location and the growth stage and/or type of the crops 205 in each container 200. For example, the growth stages and/or types of crops can be colour coded. In some embodiments, the growth stage is automatically determined via the time the containers 200 have been in the racks 300 and/or via the camera images of the crops 205 in the containers 200.
In some embodiments, for example when a crop 205 is identified as having a disease, the computing device 700 implements an emergency unload cycle in which the crop 205 is moved to one side of a level 310 and then unloaded from the rack 300 via the respective elevator 400.
The computing device 700 can also monitor environmental conditions in the building 100, such as temperature, light levels, humidity and air pressure via the one or more sensors 810. The computing device 700 can control the airflow systems, such as the fans and the openable and closable vents 122; the artificial lighting 340; and/or the watering system 500 based on the environmental conditions. In some embodiments, the computing device 700 also controls one or more shade screens provided adjacent the roof 120 and/or one or more of the walls 110 which alter the light entering the building 100 through the roof 120 and/or walls 110.
In some embodiments, the computing device 700 is programmed to operate on a per crop basis. For example, independent and/or predetermined growing cycles can be implemented for each crop 205 or container 200, and/or each individual crop 205 and/or container 200 can be monitored and moved through the system as required.
In some embodiments, the control system 800 stores data remotely, for example, in a cloud based system or a central server. For example, in some embodiments, a centralised data monitoring and collection system 830 can be provided for collection and monitoring of data from each of a plurality of buildings 100 or high density horticulture growing systems via a communications network 840. For example, at each location in which the system is provided, data for existing and new plant varieties can be downloaded from the centralised data monitoring and collection system 830 to the computing device 700 for the growing of the plant varieties at that location. Data relating to the growing of particular plant varieties can be uploaded from each location to the centralised data monitoring and collection system 830 for collation and analysis and for use by other systems at other locations globally.
The skilled addressee will appreciate that the aforementioned examples of monitoring and controlling the planting, growing, storage and movement of crops in the containers 200 can be selectively combined and varied as necessary to optimise the growing conditions for the particular crop being grown and to minimise the consumption of resources.
Example sequences for moving the crops between the vertically spaced levels 310 are provided below. In some sequences, crops 205 receive 1 hour of natural light, 9 hours of artificial light and 8 hours of darkness during an 18 hour period. For example, an 18 hour period is chosen so that crops 205 receive natural light at different times each successive day. An example of such a sequence for a single container 200 in the rack 300 is shown in Tables 1 and 2 below, where Table 1 shows the times at which the container 200 is on the highest level 312 and Table 2 shows the times that the container is at each of the other levels 310.
To achieve such a sequence for containers 200 in the system, the elevator devices 400 move between levels and extend the respective rams 425 in a selected sequence. An example of such a sequence is shown in Table 3. By implementing the sequence in Table 3, containers 200 move across the levels 310 as containers 200 are added to the levels 310. When a container 200 reaches the end of a level 312, the container is moved to another level 312 or is moved to the second conveying device 325 if the container 200 is ready for harvesting.
When a container 200 is removed from the rack 300 for harvesting, another container 200 is added to the rack 300. Table 4 illustrates an example sequence for loading containers 200 onto the racks 300, for example, from the second conveying device 235. The example sequence comprises cycles in which a container 200 is loaded onto the highest level 312 and a container 200 is received from an opposing side of the highest level and moved to another level 310. Each cycle can be repeated, for example 20 times, before the sequence moves on to the next cycle.
If a crop 205 needs to be removed from the rack 300, for example, if the crop 205 is diseased, an emergency unload sequence can be implemented. In one example emergency unload sequence containers 200 are moved between two levels 310 of the rack 300 until the desired container 200 reaches the side of the level 310 and can be unloaded via the elevator device 400.
Embodiments of the present invention thus provide high density horticulture growing systems, methods and apparatus that address or at least ameliorate one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art. For example, embodiments of the present invention provide a high density horticulture growing system in which each crop 205 can receive an equal amount of natural light. Embodiments of the present invention also provide more full natural light to each crop than known high density horticulture growing systems. The high density horticulture growing system of the present invention consumes less energy and is more cost effective than prior art systems. For example, artificial lighting, which is expensive and consumes a significant amount of power, is not required to be used on every level 310 of the rack 300. LEDs also provide a much more efficient method of artificial lighting. Furthermore, in embodiments of the present invention containers 200 are moved which consumes far less power than moving whole plant racks which support plant trays in the prior art.
The high density horticulture growing systems of the present invention are designed to be transportable in a standard shipping container and be modular such that they can be scaled or expanded to different sizes and to suit different applications. For example, the components of the system 10 are designed to be shorter than the length of a standard shipping container and to be lightweight so that they are easily transported and assembled. For example, the system of the present invention including the building 100 can be assembled in 3-4 weeks or less. The system is flexible and adaptable in that the distance between vertically spaced levels 310 of the rack 300 can also be adjusted to suit different crops and different stages of growth.
Aspects of the system of the present invention are automatically controlled to reduce labour. Automated control of the growing environment is also provided. Remote reporting and monitoring is provided, for example, by sensors 810 which collect data on the environmental conditions and the growth process. This enables a quick response when there is a problem in the system, such as if a crop has a disease, and enables the time of harvesting to be accurately monitored and selected. Embodiments of the present invention also control the environmental conditions in which the crops are grown. For example, it is anticipated that embodiments of the present invention can operate when temperatures outside the building are as low as about −25 degrees Celsius or as high as about 45 degrees Celsius.
In embodiments of the present invention, water is provided directly to containers 200 in which the crops 205 are grown, and is recycled for reuse. This reduces the amount of water wasted when compared to inventions in the prior art where, for example, water is sprayed on the crops. The gravity driven conveying devices and the low power/low torque motors enable the crops to be moved while only producing a low level of noise and using a low level of energy. For example, in some embodiments, each elevator device 400 only moves for 20 seconds in each 3 minute period.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a greater crop yield per square metre than many prior art systems. For example, it is anticipated that embodiments of the present invention can produce 4.5 times the yield per square metre of a traditional hydroponic glass house.
In this specification, the terms “comprises”, “comprising” or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.
Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015903244 | Aug 2015 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2016/050730 | 8/11/2016 | WO | 00 |
