WO2018164645A2

WO2018164645A2 - Air control method and apparatus for cultivation

Info

Publication number: WO2018164645A2
Application number: PCT/TH2017/000087
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mankaew MUANCHART
Original assignee: Muanchart Mankaew
Priority date: 2017-03-08
Filing date: 2017-12-15
Publication date: 2018-09-13
Also published as: WO2018164645A3

Abstract

According to aspect of the present invention there is provided the air control method and apparatus for cultivation comprising: The source of air, the air flow generator and the air velocity retention device (AVRD) wherein consist of the internal hollow airway and an air outlet ventilator. To control air movement in areas where plants grow and to consistent air speed. To solve the problem of plant quality control to grow equally or similarly in all area. The technique of the invention is to create the source of air motion with carbon dioxide and temperature control. Release the air to the air emission point that is working with the wing airplane principle. That cause of the air movement which carry carbon dioxide and temperature to the cropping area through the plant. And having the air velocity retention device (AVRD) for keeping the speed constant throughout the area.

Description

AIR CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CULTIVATION Technical field

The present invention relates to agriculture and engineering, apparatus and method, in particular air control method and apparatus for cultivation. Background

The planting under environment control system is divided into three categories: water, light and air. The invention refers to plant with climate control, which consists of gas and temperature. The key gas for growing plants is carbon dioxide. The optimum temperature for growing plants is between 5 - 45 degrees Celsius, which depend on the type of plant and the growth stage of the plant. The present climate control system is mainly done for indoor plants such as greenhouse, plant factory, and container type. Plant factory and container type is usually controlled climate at all times. There are emission points to release the necessary gases into the system and suck the air for circulating. The air circulation and air temperature are controlled by the air conditioner installed in the system. Greenhouse is often used to control the climate conditions, such as the use of air suction fan from the outside air to circulate occasionally.

The problem of planting with climate control is to control the distribution of gas regularly. It is difficult to control the speed of air movement optimally in all the same area. This result is effect the growth of plants in each area unequal. And this is the mainly problem of standard control in industrial crops. Nowadays, this problem is solved by quality plants harvest.

From researching the 25,449 wing airplane patent, the wing airplane uses the unequal air pressure principle to move air by pulling the surrounding air to blow ahead. This principle applies to many fields of science, especially wind fan system.

And from studying the related patent in US and Europe . We found 3,708,929 patents that related to fans and describe the equipment and the creating air movement work instruction.

WO Patent No. 2010/100460 Al of Dyson Technology revealed the application of the wing airplane to the bladeless fan. It is a hollow cylinder without a propeller. The wind blow out of the hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder is attached to a base with a small fan in the base to generate wind . Let the wind blow out along the hollow curve of the cylinder as shown in Figure 1. WO Patent No. 2013/117895 Al of Dyson Technology revealed the bladeless fan with air purification by added the air purification system into the bladeless fan. By using the same principle applies to wing airplane.

From both of early patents that demonstrate the application of wing airplane principles to various industries which related to air movement. And the development of the bladeless fan has some features , such as safety, easy maintenance and clean the air into the fan before it blow out. However, the speed of air movement is insufficient for cropping. When the fan size increases, the movement of some air is not linear and spiral turbulence .which has a negative effect on the plants. The plant requires carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Therefore, the air movement must to bring carbon dioxide to the planting area and bring oxygen from the photosynthesis out of that area. The proper air flow must be blown in one direction. If the turbulence occur, it will cause the none gas area . As a result, the plants die eventually. And another important disadvantage of both patents is the added fan size of the crop, that can not generate sufficient the speed of air movement to the optimum conditions for cropping. And from the study, we found the related air patents in the field of agronomy and crop science 211 patents which describes the overall state of the system, air movement control and air equipment.

Patent ZA 200803785 B discloses the tools and methods for controlling winds to blow through at least one plant, which can be applied to group plants and control the air flow through plants. This patent implies that the specific control of the airflow near the plant need less energy than the control of entire system airflow. Regardless of the speed of the wind and constantly wind speed.

In industrial crops, the quality control is the same for both plots. This will reduce the use of human labor. It also improves the quality of the production process in the industry. Summary of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided the air control method and apparatus for cultivation comprising:

The source of air, the air flow generator and the air velocity retention device (AVRD). To control air movement in areas where plants grow and to consistent air speed. To solve the problem of plant quality control to grow equally or similarly in all area. The technique of the invention is to create the source of air motion with carbon dioxide and temperature control. Release the air to the air emission point that is working with the wing airplane principle. That cause of the air movement which carry carbon dioxide and temperature to the cropping area through the plant. And having the air velocity retention device (AVRD) for keeping the speed constant throughout the area.

Brief description of the drawings

An embodiment, incorporating all aspects of the invention, will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing in which

Figure 1 is a view of the WO patent No. 2010/100460 Al of Dyson Technology which is a hollow cylinder without a propeller.

Figure 2 is the block diagram of the plant cultivation in accordance with an embodiment of the system.

Figure 3 is drawing of the air flow generation.

Figure 4 is drawing shows the in house of the air flow generation and the air velocity retention device (AVRD).

Figure 5 is drawing shows the in house of the air flow generation and the air velocity retention device (AVRD).

Figure 6 is the first form dramatic diagram of the air control method in accordance with an embodiment of the system. Figure 7 is the second form dramatic diagram of the air control method in accordance with an embodiment of the system.

Detailed description

According to aspect of the present invention the air control method and apparatus for cultivation is described as the apparatus for cultivation consist of the source of air, the air flow generator and the air velocity retention device (AVRD) , that including of,

The air velocity retention device (AVRD) shown in Figure 2 that can be described as follows, The source of air (1) will adjust the air condition to a certain temperature and keep the air and carbon dioxide which necessary for plant growth. By collecting the air and gas, the tank can be separated and used as a connecting piece. Carbon dioxide emissions are released from the source of air (1) at a certain speed flow through the fluid pipe (2) which connected to the air flow generator (3) and the AVRD (5) to distribute air and gas. When air and gas pass into the air flow generator (3), the air moves at the certain speed passes through the plant (4) that blows oxygen from photosynthesis out of the cropping area and carbon dioxide replace it. In addition to carbon dioxide replacement, the temperature of the air will change optimally. When the air flow through and hit the plants, the direction will changes slightly and the velocity will decreases. The AVRD (5) works as a pre-existing air intake and accelerates the movement of air from the air received from the connecting pipe. The speed of air movement will be the nearby level and constantly. As well as the carbon dioxide coming from the fluid pipe which cause the plant (4) will gets enough carbon dioxide.

To crop the plants, the plant good photosynthesis depend on the two factors: light and carbon dioxide. When photosynthesis occurs, plants produce oxygen, the oxygen will flow in the crop area. Therefore, the air must be flow to remove the oxygen and replace with carbon dioxide. If there is no carbon dioxide, the plant unable to photosynthesis and eventually die. The air movement must be at the right speed to make the plant grow best. The optimal air velocity for seedling is 0.1-1 m / s. The optimal air velocity for seedlings is 0.3 m / s. The optimal air flow velocity for seedlings to harvest is in the range of 0.1 -5 m / s. The optimal air flow velocity for seedlings to harvest is 1 m/s.

The source of air consists of the air conditioner and gas tank. The air conditioner is a device that adjusts the air temperature to the desired temperature. The air conditioner is used as a piece of air movement device can adjust the optimum temperature 5 to 50 degrees Celsius. The optimum temperature is 15 to 45 degrees Celsius. The gas tank serves to store carbon dioxide. It is designed according to the choice of whether to store gas or liquid carbon dioxide such that both are packed in pressure-resistant tank. Carbon dioxide gas storage is contained in high pressure C02cylinder with no temperature control. Carbon dioxide liquid storage are packed in pressure-resistant containers with temperature control. By controlling the temperature to -180 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius (Low pressure C02 Tank). And carbon dioxide suitable for planting that appropriate concentration for the device is in ranges of 450 to 1600 parts per million. The Carbon dioxide concentration is the best optimal in the range of 500 to 1000 parts per million (ppm). Gas tanks can also contain the other gases that affect the growth of plants. And measurements of gas are measured in the cropping area or install the additional measuring device into the air movement device. The measurement can be done in two ways: automatic

measurement and measure with the device used by the person collecting data or can do either or both way.

In addition, the source of air can be fitted with the accessories or the additional heating systems or replace with the air conditioner. The right system is Geothermal Energy, which adjusts the temperature to the range of -20 and 60 degrees Celsius.

The air flow generator (3) can be described as in Figure 3, with the hollow cylinder (6) which have an outer diameter (7) in the range of 250-4000 mm, the inner diameter (8) is in range of 240 - 3990 mm. and the middle is the air gap. The thickness of the hollow cylinder edge, the edge thicker will cause the more speed affects. But at a certain thickness, it cannot increase the speed of air movement. The appropriate thickness is in the range of 5 to 30 mm. The optimum thickness is 10 mm. On the outside of the hollow cylinder is a fluid pipe (2) connect together. Within the edge of the hollow cylinder shows the in house of the air flow generation and the air velocity retention device (AVRD) can be described as in Figure 4. can be explained. The left most image is the top view of the hollow cylinder (6) with the fluid pipe (2) on each side which pass through the axis along the axis E (10). The next figure, the longitudinal lines (11) within the hollows for air flow along the curve like cow nose or nozzle. The long section of the longitudinal line (11) as shown in circle line F (12) for describe the inner of line (11) which show in (13) and (14) show the view from below in the hollow cylinder (6) connect to the fluid pipe (2).

Figure 5 shows the in house of the air flow generation and the air velocity retention device (AVRD) such that the image of the side view. As explain, the image above shows the side view when we look at the air flow generator (3) when viewed from the outside. We can see the hollow cylinder (6) and the fluid pipe (2) on both sides along the line A (15) like below image. And to consider the below image at circle line B (16) that give the image (17). Finally the image (17) shows the outer edge (7) and the inner edge (8). The inner edge (8) in each level is not equal. So the diameter measured from inside edges of each level is not equal too. And the hollow airway (18) in the inner and the air outlets (19) in the present invention. The inner edge is made up of the shortest diameter of the inner edge (8). When the air from the fluid pipe (2) flows on the edge of the hollow cylinder (6), it is designed to have a characteristic that is a hollow airway (18) inside and an air outlet ventilator (19). The moving air moves to produce a lower air density, resulting in unequal air pressure. Remove the air from the hollow airway (18) through the air outlet (19) and from the design with respect to drawing, the air moves to the crop area and draws air from the other side of the hollow cylinder (6) assist to move the air to the growing area faster.

In addition to the air flow generator (3), other devices may also be used instead of those described above. The air flow generator (3) is suitable as follow, the directly connected to the air conditioner, the fan has a propeller, a hollow cylinder with the characteristic as shown in the Figure 3. And the geometric shape with features such as the origin of the air movement in the above. The optimum characteristics are divided according to the cropping method, hollow cylindrical, as shown in Figure 3. For vertical cropping, stacked plants are stacked upwards, with hollow squares at work as above for planting seedlings. And all geometric types are working like the above for horizontal crops. In the air flow generator (3), the fluid pipe (2) it can be installed from at least one branch to the appropriate. Single pipe welding from gas storage in the air conditioner to the hollow cylinder (6), there is insufficient speed of movement of the air from the seedling to the harvest, i.e, less than 1 meter per second. Therefore, the number of branches of the ideal fluid pipe is at least 2 branches. The AVRD (5) with internal hollow path and an air outlet ventilator can be described as

Figure 3 and has an internal view as shown in Figure 5 is unique. There is an internal hollow pathway which contains the parts described above and has the same internal behavior. But there are different working procedures in crop cultivation. There can be explained by Figure 1 anew, the AVRD (5) divides the area of the cultivating area into two areas, with the velocity of the air movement centered on the first side closest to the air flow generator (3) and the second side is the far side. The process of AVRD (5) as follow, when the air from the fluid pipe (2) moves on the edge of the hollow cylinder (6), the hollow air path (18) moves inward through the air outlet (19). The moving air is moving in a way that causes the air density to be lower than normal, resulting in unequal air pressure. The first side of the air flow from the source, the lower air movement through the plant. The aerosol from the plant's photosynthesis to the second side increases and the carbon dioxide from the source of air (1) is decreases. The AVRD (5) will be increase the speed of movement and release carbon dioxide to the plantation to the second side. The second side crop grows in the same condition as the first side.

In the AVRD (5), the connecting fluid pipe (2) has a branch of the fluidized-bed pipe. It can be installed from one branch up to the appropriate. No need to use at least 2 branches as the fluid pipe welded to the air flow generator (3). Because of the moving force from the source, the air movement is the substrate. The AVRD (5) acts as an accelerator, providing less force. The number of branches of the fluid pipe (2) that is suitable for most of the movement is at least one branch.

In the connection of the fluid pipe (2) used in Figure 3, 2 branches upwardly have the appropriate design for the speed of uniform air movement and sufficient speed is placed at the same distance. Or similar in circumference or outer edge (7). Design of geometric shapes with features such as the AVRD (5) with the fluid pipe (2). Each pipe on the circumference or inner edge of the outside (7) is equal or close too.

In addition, the size of the branch of the fluid pipe (2) also affects the velocity of the moving air force, the smaller the particle, the greater the velocity of the air movement. But the size of the branches will only the ceiling effect.

The design of present invention can be adapted to suit the growing conditions.

The first form shown in Figure 6 that can be described as follows,

The air flow generator (3) and AVRD (5) is connected to the fluid pipe (2) such that at least one branch. Plant (4) is placed in an airy area that the inside is a long row. This model is suitable for planting seedlings till the harvest and suitable of both vertical and horizontal cropping. Because the space of each plant (4) is enough to grow blossom.

The second form shown in Figure 7 that can be described as follows,

The air flow generator (3) and AVRD (5) is connected to the fluid pipe (2) such that at least one branch. And the hollow cylinder (20) contains the air flow generator (3) and AVRD (5). Like drawing, this is suitable for planting, seedling and seedling stage. The pots can be placed in the hollow cylinder (20), making them comfortable to handle.

The optimum velocity for the growth of the plant is 2 step. The first step, the sprout has a velocity of 0.1-1 m / s. The turbulence is defined as a hollow cylinder (6) with a diameter measured from the outer edge (7) in the range of 250-4000 mm. The center line is measured from the inside edge (8). In the range of 240-3990 mm, the appropriate thickness is in the range of 5-30 mm. The thickness of the branches of the fluid pipe is in the range of 2-8 mm and for the best air flow velocity. For the best air flow velocity of seedling is 0.3 m per second, the suitable air flow velocity of transmission from the source of air (1) is 5 meters per second into the present invention.

The second step, the seedling is harvest at the velocity of 0.1-5 m / s. The turbulence is a hollow cylinder (6) with an outer diameter (7) measured in the range of 250-4000 mm. The diameter of the inner edge (8) is in the range of 240 -3990 mm. The appropriate thickness is in the range of 5-30 mm. The thickness of the branches of the fluid pipe is in the range of 2-10 mm and for the air flow velocity. The optimal air flow velocity for seedling is 1 meter per second. The velocity from the source of air (1) is 10 meters per second. And the number of branch of the fluid pipe (2) is at least 2 into the present invention.

In addition, in case of distances, arrange the crop in either horizontal or vertical planting, or both. There is no shortage of use the AVRD (5).Use of the air flow generator (3) with the characteristic such as the AVRD (5) according to the present invention.

Claims

1. Air control method and apparatus for cultivation consist of the source of air (1), the air flow generator (3) and the air velocity retention device (AVRD) (5) that consist of the hollow airway (18) in the inner and the air outlets ventilator (19).

2. Air control method and apparatus for cultivation in accordance with claim 1 wherein said the process of creating air control method comprising, the source of air (1) will adjust the air condition to a certain temperature and keep the air and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide emissions are released from the source of air (1) at a certain speed flow through the fluid pipe (2) which connected to the air flow generator (3) and the AVRD (5) to distribute air and gas. When air and gas pass into the air flow generator (3), the air moves at the certain speed passes through the plant (4) and the AVRD (5) works as a pre-existing air intake and accelerates the movement of air from the air received from the fluid pipe (2). The speed of air movement will be the nearby level and constantly. As well as the carbon dioxide coming from the fluid pipe which cause the plant (4).

3. Air control method and apparatus for cultivation in accordance with any one of claim 1 - 2 wherein the source of air (1) consists of the air conditioner and gas tank.

4. Air control method and apparatus for cultivation in accordance with claim 3 wherein is Geothermal Energy system instead of the air condition in the source of air (1) which adjusts the temperature to the range of -20 and 60 degrees Celsius.

5. Air control method and apparatus for cultivation in accordance with any one of claim 1- 3 wherein the carbon dioxide concentration is suitable in ranges of 450 to 1600 parts per million.

6. Air control method and apparatus for cultivation in accordance with any one of claim 5 wherein the gas measurement can be done in two ways: automatic measurement and measure with the device used by the person collecting data or can do either or both way.

7. Air control method and apparatus for cultivation in accordance with any one of claim 1- 2 wherein the air flow generator (3) consist of the internal hollow airway (18) and an air outlet ventilator (19).

8. Air control method and apparatus for cultivation in accordance with any one of claim 1- 2 and claim 7 wherein the air flow generator (3) is suitable as follow, the directly connected to the air conditioner, the fan has a propeller, or the geometric shape that consist of the internal hollow airway (18) and an air outlet ventilator (19).

9. Air control method and apparatus for cultivation in accordance with any one of claim 7- 8 wherein the thickness of the hollow cylinder edge of the air flow generator (3) is suitable in the range of 5 to 30 mm.

10. Air control method and apparatus for cultivation in accordance with any one of claim 1- 2 wherein said the process of apparatus for cultivation the AVRD (5) comprising, the AVRD (5) divides the area of the cultivating area into two areas, with the velocity of the air movement centered on the first side closest to the air flow generator (3) and the second side is the far side, the air from the fluid pipe (2) moves on the edge of the hollow cylinder (6), the hollow airway (18) moves inward through the air outlet ventilator (19). The moving air is moving in a way that causes the air density to be lower than normal, resulting in unequal air pressure. The first side of the air flow from the source, the lower air movement through the plant. The aerosol from the plant's photosynthesis to the second side increases and the carbon dioxide from the source of air (1) is decreases. The AVRD (5) will be increase the speed of movement and release carbon dioxide to the plantation to the second side. The second side crop grows in the same condition as the first side.

11. Air control method and apparatus for cultivation in accordance with any one of claim 1- 2, 10 wherein the AVRD (5) connect the fluid pipe (2) by at least 2 branch where the distance of each branch are similar or nearest.

12. Air control method and apparatus for cultivation in accordance with any one of claim 1, 2, 10- 11 wherein the hollow cylinder (6) with an outer diameter (7) measured in the range of 250- 4000 mm., the diameter of the inner edge (8) is in the range of 240 -3990 mm., the suitable thickness is in the range of 5-30 mm., the thickness of the branches of the fluid pipe (2) is in the range of 2- 10 mm and for the air flow velocity (3) such that the optimal air flow velocity for seedling is 1 meter per second. The velocity from the source of air (1) is 10 meters per second., and the number of branch of the fluid pipe (2) is at least 2.

13. Air control method and apparatus for cultivation in accordance with any one of claim 1, 2, 10 - 11 wherein the hollow cylinder (6) with an outer diameter (7) measured in the range of 250- 4000 mm., the diameter of the inner edge (8) is in the range of 240 -3990 mm., the suitable thickness is in the range of 5-30 mm., the thickness of the branches of the fluid pipe (2) is in the range of 2-8 mm and for the air flow velocity (3) such that the optimal air flow velocity for seedling is 0.3 meter per second. The velocity from the source of air (1) is 5 meters per second.

14. Air control method and apparatus for cultivation in accordance with any one of claim 1, 2, 7 and 11 wherein the case of distances, arrange the crop in either horizontal or vertical planting, or both. There is no shortage of use the AVRD (5), use of the air flow generator (3) with the characteristic such as the AVRD (5).