Patent Application
20150237811
The present disclosure generally relates to modular system for air purification and growth of plants. The modular system provides for a growth media container and a unit for drawing air from the external environment through the system. A growth media can be provided with sufficient porosity and sized particles for plant acclimation and removal of air contaminants. The system is made up of one or more modules, preferably a plurality modules, which can be connected one with the other to form expanded systems. The interconnectability of the modules thereby provides flexibility for multiple environments, including small or large walls, small or large rooms, as well as indoor and outdoor systems.
In modern economies there is large growth in the number of people working indoors and in large office buildings. One of the difficulties that has arisen is the quality of air within the office and building environments. In recent years the physiological and psychological benefits of providing plants in such environments has been studied and recognized.
As a result of such recognition, efforts have been made to improve the air quality and office environment. Such efforts include certification systems such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) which have been developed to improve the indoor air quality (AQ) of buildings and their occupants.
Additionally plant growth units have been developed such as that disclosed in US 2002/0136669. Therein is disclosed an air filter system utilizing a house plant provided in a growth media and a subsurface air withdrawal member positioned below the top surface of the media. A fan unit pulls air from the environment into and through the plant growth medium. As the air is pulled through the growth media, airborne contaminants such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's), pollens and dust and the like are removed.
Unfortunately, despite these efforts, there are still difficulties in improving the office environment, and in particular providing plant systems which can easily and effectively built into home and building environments. Identified by the inventor herein therefore is a need to provide a system to facilitate easy installation, maintenance and a monitor system for improved plant growth and air quality and in a manner which is aesthetically pleasing.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a modular system for plants and air purification, the system including a plant module. The plant module can comprise a containment portion for holding a plant growth medium, a conduit for passage of air therethrough, and an exhaust module. The exhaust module can comprise an inlet aperture for receiving air flow from the plant module, an outlet aperture, and an air pumping unit arranged to urge air from the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. The plant module and exhaust module being independent units and connectable one with the other, and wherein when connected air flow is permitted from the conduit of the plant module to the inlet aperture of the exhaust module.
In further aspects, one or more exhaust modules can be connected together.
In further aspects, the exhaust module can be a stand-alone unit.
In further aspects, the exhaust module can have one or more removable panels, wherein the removable panels can be arranged parallel, adjacent or in series of one another.
In further aspects, the removable panels can have one or more connectors for attaching one or more plant modules.
In further aspects, the removable panels can have one or more air inlets and air outlets, wherein the air inlets can receive air that passed through the plant module and wherein the air outlets can deliver air to the exhaust module.
In further aspects, the plant module is connectable with one or more additional plant modules.
In further aspects, the containment portion has a surface containing a plurality of apertures extending to the conduit.
In further aspects, the exhaust module has one or more air pump units, wherein the air pump unit can be a fan.
In further aspects, the air pump unit is contained within a housing.
In further aspects, the air pump units can be positioned at a top surface of the exhaust module.
In further aspects, the exhaust module has a housing and the exit aperture is located on a surface of the housing.
In further aspects, an air channel is provided from the plant modules to the exhaust pumps for passage of exhaust air from the plant modules out of the exhaust module.
In further aspects, the plant module further includes a plant growth media selected from the group consisting of porous soil, clays, perlite, expanded clay, activated carbon, zeolites, pumice, sphagnum moss, synthetic resins for odor removal, ion-exchange resins for contaminants removal and mixtures thereof.
In further aspects, the growth media contains 10% to 100% pumice.
In further aspects, at least 10% by volume of the plant growth medium is made up of particles from 5 mm to 20 mm in diameter.
In further aspects, the modular system further has watering inlets for providing water to the growth medium.
In further aspects, the modular system includes a plurality of modular sets made up of connected plant modules, and each having a moisture sensor and transmitting data from the sensor to a control unit via wire or wireless transmission.
In further aspects, the system is controlled by a control unit based on one or more variables selected from at least one of light levels, moisture levels, airflow, fan integrity and watering.
In further aspects the plant module includes a sensor for detecting a condition variable, the system further comprising a control unit having a processor, the control unit receiving data from the sensor via wired or wireless communication. The control unit can be integrated with the modular system or located externally from the modular system.
In further aspects, the condition variable is growth media moisture level, degree of light, or air flow rate or a mixture thereof.
In further aspects, the control unit provides a notification to a user when a condition variable is outside of a predetermined range.
In further aspects, the control unit automatically adjusts a condition variable in response to a sensor reading of a condition variable outside of a predetermined range.
In further aspects, a user can modify a condition variable by means of the control unit.
In further aspects, the control unit is a desktop computer, laptop or a handheld mobile device.
In further aspects, an exhaust module can comprise a removable panel, wherein the removable panel contains one or more levels. The one or more levels defining one or more plant apertures therethrough. One or more plant modules supported by the one or more plant apertures. An air pumping unit arranged to urge air from outside the exhaust module through the plant modules to the inside of the exhaust module. The air pumping unit further arranged to urge the purified air outside the exhaust module through an outlet.
The exhaust module can further comprising an ultraviolent purifying device located inside the exhaust module configured to treat the air urged in from the air pumping unit.
In at least one embodiment, an exhaust module can comprising a removable panel, wherein the removable panel contains one or more levels, the one or more levels defining one or more plant apertures therethrough, one or more plant modules supported by the one or more plant apertures, an air pumping unit arranged to urge air from outside the exhaust module through the plant modules to the inside of the exhaust module, the air pumping unit further arranged to urge the purified air outside the exhaust module through an outlet.
In further aspects, the exhaust module can further comprising an ultraviolent purifying device located inside the exhaust module configured to treat the air urged in from the air pumping unit.
In further aspects, the air pumping unit can be contained within a housing.
In further aspects, the plant module can further comprises a plant growth media selected from the group consisting of porous soil, clays, perlite, expanded clay, activated carbon, zeolites, pumice, sphagnum moss, and mixtures thereof. The growth media can contain 10% to 100% pumice. In at least one embodiment, 10% by volume of the plant growth medium can be made up of particles from 5 mm to 20 mm in diameter.
In further aspects, the exhaust module can further comprising watering inlets for providing water to the growth medium.
In further aspects, the exhaust module can further comprising a moisture sensor which transmits data via wire or wireless transmission to a control unit. The sensors can measure moisture and light levels.
In further aspects, the exhaust module the system can be controlled by a control unit based on one or more variables selected from at least one of light levels, moisture levels, airflow, fan integrity and watering.
A detailed description of embodiments of the present system, process and apparatus is disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary and that there may be multiple embodiments and alternative forms of the present disclosure. Therefore, specific procedural, structural and functional details which are addressed in the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
Disclosed herein is an air filtration and purification system utilizing house plants in an interconnected modular system. Air is drawn from the external environment into a plant module through a containment portion holding a specialized growth media and passed through an air conduit to a second exhaust module. An air pumping unit is provided in the second module for drawing the air from the plant module passed out of an exhaust outlet aperture.
The plant module can be connected with multiple other plant modules to form a system having any number of plant modules. Additionally, an exhaust module can be connected with any of the plant modules thereby providing the driving force for air flow in the plurality of modules in the system. The modules can be easily installed into a wall indoors of a building or outside. Accordingly, the system is flexible and can be designed for a small wall or easily expanded to fit a much larger surface area. The system can also be attached to existing ventilation system of homes and buildings.
For illustration purposes, a modular system 1 is shown in
As shown in
The growth media suitable for use in the presently disclosed modular system includes media which can support the growth of plants as well having sufficient porosity and permeability to permit airflow therethrough. Suitable media include hydroponic media or semi-permeable growth media such as particles of expanded clay, sand, peat, zeolites, fugacites, mulinites, Vermiculite scoria, pumice, perlite soil enhancers such as SoilPro, charcoal, activated carbon, high surface area ion exchange resins, or other aerated soil alone, in combination or in combination with other standard soil compositions. In particular, plants acclimate well with the use of pumice as the growth media. Pumice can make up from 10-100% of the media, alternatively from 30-100%, alternatively from 50-100%, alternatively from 70-100% of the media.
Regardless of the particular media used, the media can be comprised of particles ranging from of 1 mm to 25 mm, 3 mm to 15 mm, and more particularly from 5 mm to 10 mm. Such particles can make up from 10-100% of the media, from 30-100%, from 50-100%, from 70-100% of the media, or any other range of particle sizes that provides optimal acclimation of plants. The media comprised of such sized particles provide optimal acclimation of plants, as well as air flow, and sufficient contact of the air with the media and plants. When particles are too small the media will tend to become too compact, thus interfering with air flow and reducing the degree of air purification and filtration.
Plants suitable for use in the modular system include any plant that will grow in the modular system, in particular standard house plants. Preferred are those with enhanced ability to remove organic contaminants from the air. Houseplants with enhanced contamination removal include: English Ivy (Hedera helix), weeping fig (Ficus benjamina), peace lily (Spathiphyllum sp.), areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens), Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum), corn plant (Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana”), lady palm (Rhapis excelsa), Warneckei (Dracaena deremensis “Warneckei”), dumb cane (Dieffenbachia “Exotica compacta”), Ficus alli' (Ficus alli'), dumb cane (Dieffenbachia camille), elephant ear philodendron (Philodendron domesticum), Heart-shape philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium), golden pathos (Epipremnum aureum), Boston Fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata), arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum), snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata “Laurentii”), Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum “Vittatum”), Rubber Plant (Ficus robusta), croton (Codiaeum variegatum) and umbrella grass (Cyperus alternifolius) and other plants known or discovered to have special efficiency for this purpose. Additionally, any plant capable of growing in closed or semi-closed environments will have some beneficial effect.
Most tropical plants sold in nurseries can be beneficially employed. Other wetland plants can also be used although some wetland plants can have extensive root growth and are therefore are not most preferred. Succulents can be used although succulents can have limited microbial activity due to limited root growth.
Exhaust module 3 can be a stand-alone unit (as shown in
The air pump unit 17 can be an air pump, a fan or any device capable of creating air flow. Generally the pumping unit operates by creating a vacuum thus forcing the movement of air. For example, the air pumping unit suitable for use in the modular system includes so-called squirrel cage fans, propeller fans, impeller fans, pumps or any other apparatus that can be used to draw air from a room into a subsurface element and exhausted back into the room. Generally, the fan or circulation device should pull at a rate of between about 1 and 1,000 ft3/min or any other rate which can force the movement of air. As multiple plant modules may be connected together, the pumping unit should be sufficiently powerful drive the airflow through all of the connected modules. An air flow rate of about 20 to 200 cubic feet per minute (CFM) is suitable for most applications.
The pumping unit can include an electric fan, a power supply for supplying electrical power to the fan, an on/off switch for turning the fan on and off and associated electronic circuitry for supporting electric communication between the fan, the power supply and the switch. The unit can further comprise a housing having an intake aperture in fluid communication with the exhaust aperture of the interior and an exhaust aperture in fluid communication with outside air.
The plant module 2 can be connected with the exhaust module 3. As shown in
Upon connection, the modules are arranged such that the barrier 10 aligns with the air inlets (not shown) of the exhaust module. Accordingly, when the air pump unit 17 is activated air is drawn from the external environment through the growth media (as well as any plants growing therein) and passed through the barrier 10 into exhaust module housing 20. The air is then drawn through the housing of exhaust module 3 through the air pump unit 17 and urged out of housing 20 as purified air.
In further embodiments, one or more additional plant modules can be connected to the exhaust module thus forming a plurality of plant modules all connected to the same exhaust module. In this way, any number of plant modules could be placed in series and additionally connected with the exhaust module. The pump unit 17 of the exhaust module should be powerful enough to draw air through each of the modules connected in line. Additionally, multiple exhaust module can be placed in series to aid in promoting air flow through the modules.
With the flexibility to build the modules into module sets and as many as desired placed on a wall or in a room, it can therefore fit in small or large areas. For example, it may fit on a small surface area of less than 4 ft2 and up to surface areas of 100 ft2 or more.
As shown in
In the system as shown in
Airflow is a consideration in the effectiveness and speed of contaminant removal. Generally, the greater the airflow rates through the system, the better the system operates. The modular system allows for ability of several mechanical fans to be used or for a central connection to be used to a more powerful vacuum source (such as a building HVAC).
As shown in
In another embodiment removal panel 16 can be a screen grid. The screen grid can be composed of metal, non-metal material or a combination of metal and non-metal. The screen grid defines one or more holes therethrough. The holes can be of a plurality of sizes, for example, 2″, 4″, 6″, or any other defined size. One or more growth media 7 can be inserted into the holes created by the screen grid. The grid can be a square shape, rectangular shape, or diamond shaped.
The removable panel 16 can comprise one or more grow lights 33. The grow lights enable the illumination and aid in the health of the growth media 7. The grow lights 33 can include one or more of an incandescent light, compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), or a light emitting diode (LED). The grow lights 33 can be detachably attached to the level 29 and risers 31 of removable panel 16. In another embodiment the grow lights can be permanently affixed to the removable panel 16. The grow lights 33 can be arranged in a grid configuration on the one or more risers 31. The grow lights 33 can further be arranged in a grid configuration on the one or more levels 29. The grow lights 33 can be arranged on the one or more levels 29 and on the circumferences of the one or more plant apertures 30. The grow lights 33 can be further arrange on the one or more risers 31 and positioned above the one or more plant apertures 30. The grow lights 33 can further be arranged in a user-defined configuration.
Exhaust module 3 and removable panel 16 can further be configured with a watering system as previously described in
The one or more plant apertures 30 are configured to receive and support one or more plant modules 32. Plant module 32 can be composed of felt material 18, as shown in
The modular system described herein can use manual watering or automatic watering via the filler panel, or a piping or valve in a home or building providing a water source.
This system can be used in an open space as well to remove contaminants in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoor environments are more effective as there is a limited amount of air volume which can be repeatedly turned over in the system. However, outdoor environments would also benefit if there are any external odors or non-noticeable emissions such as carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide from nearby parking garages or traffic areas.
The modular system disclosed herein also includes a visible and an audible alert system that will notify personnel in immediate vicinity. One or more sensors can be employed in the plant module or exhaust modules to detect the module conditions, such as the moisture content or water level in the growth media, the moisture content of the air, or the amount of light, or air flow. In particular, one or more sensors can be employed for each plant module or for each series of modules connected together. If any of the conditions vary outside of an acceptable range, such as too little water, too much water, too little light, too much light, too high or low air flow, the an audible and/or visible alert can be made as a notification that a variable in the system needs to be corrected. Different notifications can be made for each type of problem, for example, as different light or sound depending on whether the water level is low or the air flow is inadequate.
This disclosure can also incorporates a photodiode that is designed to prevent an audible alert if light levels are too low. This prevents alerting building occupants in the middle of the night and thus waking them if system has problems. For example, in one embodiment, the photodiode control will only allow the alert light to flash and allow the system to automatically shut off if problem is severe. In another embodiment, the photodiode can be an LED modified to detect light.
Accordingly, for control of the conditions of the modular system a control unit can be employed. The control unit can be any type of device with a processor, such as a desktop computer, laptop, handheld mobile device or other processing device having proper hardware and software can be employed. The one or more sensors 27 (shown in
The one or more sensors can be connected to the control unit to provide data regarding the conditions of the modular system. The control unit can then be used to monitor the conditions of each module as well as the entire system (i.e. all the modules and sets of modules together). Additionally the control unit can issue notifications or alarms to a user if any of the conditions vary outside of acceptable ranges. Additionally, the control unit can be used to vary various condition variables of the process such as air flow rate (e.g. adjusting fan power), watering the growth media, increasing or decreasing lights, as well as other aspects. This can be carried out automatically via by the control unit or manually by the user. Moreover, the sensor data or notifications, or alarms can be provided to a mobile phone such that a user could control the system or any of the modules from a hand held mobile device. Remote monitoring via a camera is also useful with the disclosed modular system, and further such camera may be in communication with the control unit for presentation to a user.
The following is a prophetic example regarding potential outcome for testing the particle size of a growth media, wherein pumice is employed:
As shown above, it is surprisingly found that particle size has a significant effect on the ability of plants to acclimate. In particular, particle sizes of 5 mm to 10 mm produced the best results with the fewest drawbacks as they allow plants to acclimate well and provide very good filtration.
The following is prophetic example regarding the testing of growth medium:
The above shows that many types of growth media may be employed, however, pumice produces the best results when proper particle size is used as shown in Table 1. Furthermore, the above mentioned growth media may be mixed and used in combination.
The following is a prophetic example regarding the ability of certain plants to remove VOC's and also ease of growth.
This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/678,412 filed Nov. 15, 2012 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 61/560,266 filed Nov. 15, 2011 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61560266 | Nov 2011 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13678412 | Nov 2012 | US |
| Child | 14706719 | US |
