Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
133~508
- 1 - P 1900-1 CA
PORTABLE GREEN HOUSE WORKING ON SOLAR SYSTEM
This invention relates to "an improved green house system for faster
growth of Agriculture crops using less quantity of water". More particularly this
invention relates to an improved green house system which provides a dark
germination area and a growing area having sufficient light for faster growth ofcrops, which is having better thermal insulation, which needs comparatively veryless quantity of water for irrigation, which operates on low volt D.C. power source
and which can be made portable.
"Green house" is a structure which is intended to foster plant life
with in it by giving shelter, passing solar radiation and providing thermal insulation
and providing controlled ventilation and watering.
The green houses known in the prior art are constructed as a
permanent structure at one place and require 110 to 210 volt or 220 to 240 volt
electricity, supplied by either A.C. main supply or generated by petrol or diesel
engine driven generating sets. There is some wastage of water by seepage throughthe floor and there is some thermal transmission also.
Keeping ill view the draught conditions and non availability of
electric supply in all the places or frequent break down of electric supply, and high
, '~
- 2 - 1332508 P 1900-1 CA
cost of petrol or diesel to run the power generating sets and also the restricted floor
area for growing crops, there is a need to develop an improved green house system
which can obviate the above mentioned draw-backs of the existing green houses
and which can grow the crops on hydroponic principles, using reduced quantities
S of water, which wi~l work at any remote place having no electric supply and which
will not need tne petrol or diesel power generating set, which can be made portable
and which improves the growth rate of the corps along with their nutrition value.
Accordingly this invention provides an improved green house system,
for faster growth of agricultural crops using less quantity of water, comprising a
closed chamber preferably made of fibre glass with polyurethane insulation and
inner lining of Polypropylene, having an upper dark portion with very less light for
germination and a lower growing portion with maximum light, the lower part of
the said chamber preferably having a plurality of double walled poly carbonate
sheet windows with air-gap between the two walls; a plurality of lights providedin the lower portion of the said chamber; the top of the said chamber being
covered by a pair of double shedded roofs for preventing thermal transmission; afan provided in the said chamber to maintain carbondioxide levels inside the said
chamber; a heating or cooling means provided in the said chamber. The said
chamber mounted over a bottom frame, the bottom of the said chamber provided
with water drainage holes, a water tank provided below the said drainage holes and
connected to a low voltage D.C. water pump; an array of batteries provided underthe said chamber, for operating the said pump; fan, lights, and the heating and/or
cooling means through a control panel; a plurality of trays, arranged on tray stands
-3- P1900-lCA
1332508
provided inside the said chamber; the said tray stands provided with sprinklers or
drippers for dripping water in each tray; the said tray having holes on its bottom
side for dripping off unutilized water which is drained into the water tank and
recirculated; and a door provided on one side of the said chamber.
S An embodiment of the invention will now be described with
reference to accompany drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 - shows the said elevation of the improved green house;
Fig. 2 - shows the floor plan of the improved green house;
Fig. 3 - shows the side elevation of the improved green house,
broken away to reveal some interior detail of the trays
and tray stands;
Fig 4 - shows the plan of improved green house
diagrammatically showing the inside arrangement of
various parts;
5 Fig. S - shows the front elevation of the improved green
house, broken away to reveal some interior detail, and
Fig. 6 - shows the partial front elevation showing the door in
detail.
Referring to figures 1 to 6 the improved green house system
20 according to a preferred embodiment os this invention comprises a closed chamber
1 which is preferably made of fibre glass having polyurethane insulation and imner
lining of polypropylene. The chamber 1 can be made of any other material which
can provide thermal insulation to maintain the desired internal atmosphere of the
- 4 - P 1900-1 CA
1332508
chamber and is non corrodible and cam resist the weather condition out side as well
as inside the chamber. The upper portion lA of the chamber 1 is dark, having
very less light, amd is used for germination of seeds amd the lower portion lB is
provided with maximum light and is used for fast growth of the crops to provide
maximum sun light in the lower portion lB it has a plurality of fixed windows lD.
The windows lD are preferably made of double walled poly carbonate sheets. The
air gap kept between the two walls of the windows lD prevents thermal
transmission. The windows lD cam be made of any other suitable material which
has maximum sun light transmission capacity and heat deflection capacity and
which helps in maintairling internal temperature of the chamber and photosynthesis
process of plants. In the lower portion lB lights 10 which are preferably
fluorescent tube lights are fixed to maintain the photosynthesis process in the
absence of sun light during night and on cloudy days. A fan lC is provided in the
chamber 1 to draw in fresh air to maintain a desired percentage level of CO2 inside
the chamber for optimum growth of the plants. The chamber 1 is moumted over
a bottom frame 7. The frame 7 may be made of metal angles, channels pipes or
the like amd consists of vertical columns 7B and cross members 70 provided at a
raised level over which bottom of the chamber rests. The vertical columns 7B maybe provided with wheels such as castor wheels 7D for making the green house
system portable. The bottom space below the container may be covered by wire
mesh 7A for protecting the water tank 5, water pump 6 and an array of batteries
9 which are provided lmder the chamber 1. The metal frame 7 can be replaced by
a masomy frame or support if green house is not need to be shifted from one place
- S - P 1900-1 CA
1332~8
to another. to maintain the desired temperatures inside the chamber which differs
from crop to crop, the chamber 1 is provided with necessary cooling and/or heating
means 4. At the top of the chamber 1 a pair of double shedded roof 11 is provided
for preventing the heat transmission from outside to the inside of the chamber.
S The bottom of the chamber 1 is provided with a drainage hole just above the water
thank S to drain the water from the floor to the tank. The floor of the chamber is
made slanting towards the drainage hole. A door 12 is provided on one side of the
chamber 1. The upper part 12A of the door is covered with non transparent glass
or film or non corrodible material which does not allow sunlight into the upper
germination portion lA. The lower part 12B of the door is made of transparent orsemitransparent glass, film or any non corrodible material. At the bottom of thedoor a window 13 is provided whose shutter can be lifted upwards for taking out
or keeping in trays 3 while the door is kept closed to maintain internal temperature
of the chamber 1. The window is provided with a curtain made of plastic strips
which prevents out side air from entering inside the chamber.
A plurality of tray stands 2 are kept inside the chamber 1 for keeping
a plurality of trays 3 for growing various crops particularly fodder, vegetables,
herbs and the like. The tray stands 2 are made of non corrodible metal such as
stainless steel or some other metal with non corrodible coatings. Tray stands 2 are
made of slotted an~les, pipes or the like on which trays can be adjustably placed
as per requirement, according to the crops. The trays are arranged in various ways,
tier shelves fashion. The number of shelves varies from crop to crop. The tray
stands 2 may be provided with wheels which permit easy movement. The trays 3
- 6 - P 1900-1 CA
1332508
are preferably made from moulded plastics or fibre glass or from welded
polypropylene sheets or any non-corrodible metal or any other material with a
plastic lining. The trays are provided with a number of small holes on one side
bottom edge to allow the water/nutrient solution to drip off from the trays. Thetrays 3 may be provided with upward dent in the base to allow the water to drip
down towards the sides of the tray.
A filter 5A is provided on the outlet of the water tank 5 to filter the
floating foreign matters and dust. thank 5 is made of non-corrodible material like
moulded plastic or fibre glass or welded polypropylene sheet. The nutrient solution
is filled mside the water tank 5 which is sprayed over the trays 3 with the help of
pump 6 and sprinklers or drippers 6A provided over trays 3. The pump 6,
tubelights 10, fan lC and the coolinglheating means 4 are operated by an array of
batteries 9. The batteries 9 may be dry cells or secondary cells which can be
charged by conventional source of electricity or which may be connected to non
conventional source of energy such as solar energy, wind mill, bio-gas.
The cooling system 4 works on low voltage power and does not
absorb moisture from the air inside the chamber but cools down the temperature
as per requirement of the crop. The cooling system is controlled either by
thermostat switch or timer switch.
Operation of the improved green house is very simple. Seeds are pre
soaked in the chemical solution, depending upon the crop, then the seeds are kept
in the trays 3 which may be filled with growing media such as, saw dust, sand,
gravel and some crops can be grown without any media. Trays 3 are kept on the
- 7 - P 1900-1 CA
1332~08
stmds 2 at the upper portion which remains in the dark portion lA. The
temperature is maintained by the cooling or heating means 4 which is controlled
by timer or thermostat, water or nutrient solution filled in tank S is pumped,
through pump 6 and sprayed through sprirlclers 6A over the trays 3. Pump 6 is put
S on or off automatically, controlled by timer. The solution filled in trays 3 will drip
down, through holes in the tray, on the floor and flow back to the tank S for
recycling. Next day the upper trays are brought down and new trays with seeds
are kept at the top. In this way every day the trays are moved down. It is foundthat within 2 or 3 days, germination is over so after the 3rd day trays are kept in
the portion lB havmg maximum light, where plant growth takes place at a faster
ratio due to continuous photosynthesis process during day and night as light canbe maintained with the help of tubes 10. The CO2 level is maintained by operating
the fan lC. There is no evaporation or seepage of water. Thus with improved
green house more crops with less water without using amy electricity, diesel or
petrol can be obtained. Due to vertical space utili~ation, the floor area required is
less and it is found that nutritive value of the crops also improves.
The above description is to understand the invention and in no way
to limit the scope of invention which is susceptible to various improvements andmodifications within the ambit and scope of present invention which will be
evident to those skilled in the art.
- 8 - P 1900-1 CA
13325~8
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE
Many developing coumtries are characterized by an abundance of
sunshine, a lack of rairlfall, and particularly in rural districts, the absence of
electrical energy. The present invention seeks to provide a low cost, high
S efficiency growth environment which minirnizes the need for irrigation water and
external power sources. It further seeks to provide structures that are easily
erectable, and which may be totally prefabricated and knocked-down for shipping
purposes, or which are partially prefabricated for erection using simple, locally
available framing materials, for example, although the broad concept of the
invention is also applicable to on-site construction, which may be preferable for
larger structures.
In growing fodder crops such as maize and barley or the like, the
growth cycle may be completed under optimum conditions within about seven
days. Of this period some two days comprises the germination period, and is bestcarried out under dark or subdued light conditions, and about four days comprises
a high growth period, which is best carried out at high ambient light levels. The
seventh day of the cycle includes such operations as seed preparation and
collection of the fodder, which may usually be effected outside of the greenhouse.
One of the problems encountered with the growth of crops indoors
is that of heat prostration. Depending on the intensity of the heat within the
- 9 - P 1900-1 CA
1332~08
greenhouse this may be countered by natural ventilation or forced ventilation, but
at extreme levels it is required to remove heat by refrigeration.
In accordance with my invention, the greenhouse comprises wall
means including roof means which when erected on a floor surface will form
together therewith a closed chamber. Windows are provided in the wall means, thewindows locating to diminish the entry of light to a minor part of the chamber
best suited for germination, and to permit high lighting levels in the major part of
the chamber to promote growth. Since the weight of the crop increases
enormously over the growth cycle, it is preferred that the lower part of the
chamber, generally about the lower two-thirds thereof, will be brightly illuminated,
with the upper part maintained under subdued lighting conditions. Rack means
which is mounted from the floor extends upwardly into the upper portion of the
chamber. Generally speaking the upper one third of the rack means will be in thesubdued lighting portion of the chamber and will support trays of seeds when
germinating, and the lower two-thirds of the rack means will be illuminated to
support trays of seeds in the growth cycle of the crop. Irrigation means is
supported from the rack means for supplying water and nutrients to the plants and
any growth medium contained in the trays.
The greenhouse further comprises means for accumulating energy.
Such energy is in the form of electrical energy which is accumulated in battery
means charged by photo-voltaic cells mounted on the chamber, and also thermal
energy, which is accumulated in a tank c~ntaining a liquid which may be heated
or cooled depending upon whether there will be a temperature excess or deficit
- 10 - P 1900 1 CA
in the chamber. For the purpose of this description, the accumulation of water at
a temperature of less than the ambient temperature is considered to accumulate
therrnal energy. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, where a temperature
excess will be encoumtered, the thermal energy accumulating means comprises
refrigeration means for cooling the liquid contained in the tank, which cooled
liquid may be used for cooling the atmosphere within the chamber.
The greenhouse may further comprise a fan means for inducing a
flow of air into the chamber. Suitably the chamber will be provided with one or
more openings for exhausting the air. In accordance with the preferred
embodiment ones of the windows locating in the wall opposed to the fan means
are louvred to control the exit of air *om the chalnber, and thereby the temperature
therein when moderate temperature excesses are experienced. Where more severe
temperature vatiations from that which is desirable are likely to be encounoered,
a heat exchamger connected in thermal flow relationship is placed in the air stream
from the fan means. Suitably the liquid in the therlnal energy accumulator is
water, and the heat exchanger may comprise a porous screen over which the
energized water is trickled.
Desirably wherever a temperature excess or deficit is likely to be
encountered, the wall meams and the roof means will include thermal insulation
therein to restrict the passage of heat therethrough. The solar panel means may be
spaced above the roof proper of the structure, so as to provide an air space
therebetween. The glazing material of the windows will also be desirably
- 11 - P 1900-1 CA
1~3~5~
selected to maximize light transfer and reduce thermal tramsfer and for this purpose
a double skinned clear polycarbonate or polyacrylate glazing is preferred.
These foregoing objects and aspects of the invention, together with
other objects, aspects and advantages thereof will be more apparent from the
following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with
the following drawings, wherein:
FIG. 7 - is a front elevation of the greenhouse of
the invention;
FIG. 8 - is a plan view in mid-horizontal section
of the greenhouse of Fig. 7;
FIG. 9 - is an elevational view on line 9-9 of
Fig. 8, and
FIG. 10 - is a rear elevational view of the
greenhouse of Fig. 7.
Referring to the drawings in detail, a greenhouse according to the
invention is identified generally therein by the letter G.
Greenhouse G comprises a front end wall 13, rear end wall 14
interconnected by side walls 16 and spanned by a roof 18. The front end wall 13
is provided centrally therein with a door 22 and on each side thereof with
adjustable, louvred windows 24 which extend from adjacent the floor 26
13325Q8
- 12- P 1900-1 CA
upwardly to about two-thirds the vertical height of wall 13. An opaque louvre 30locates above door 22.
Each side wall 16 is provided with fixed windows 32 therealong
having a vertical dimension similar to that of front windows 24. Windows 24 and
32 are formed of two skins of clear polycarbonate material having an air gap
therebetween and held in spaced apart relationship by internal ribs (not shown). Greenhouse G is mounted from a ground surface by a base 34 which
is a generally an open structure suitably enclosed by wire mesh 36. Within base
34 there is mounted a water reservoir 40, an irrigation pump 42 and conduit 44,
drainage conduit 46 and sludge separator 48.
Also contained within base 34 there are a plurality of heavy duty
rechargeable electrical storage batteries 52. Steps 50 are provided on base 34
leading to door 22, and the base may be supported on wheels 54 where it is desired
to move gre~lllouse G.
Roof 18 and walls 13, 14, 16 are all double skimned, having an air
gap therebetween filled with insulating material 56 and are all easily prefabricated
and shipped for on-site assembly. Preferably the interior skin of the walls and roof
comprises a smooth soil repellent material such as sheet polypropylene that is
easily washable and disinfectable periodically.
Photo-voltaic panels 60 are mounted on roof 18 in spaced apart
relationship therefrom by stilts 62 the height of which is adjustable so as to permit
panels 60 to be oriented for best efficiency. A plurality of openings 64
1332~0~
- 13 - P 1900-1 CA
are provided in roof 18 to exhaust into the space between the solar panels 60 and
the roof.
A plurality of racks 66 are provided within greenhouse G along each
side thereof. Racks 66 extend to adjacent roof 18, and are structured to supporta plurality of trays 68 in stacked relation therein, and permit the trays 68 to be
more widely vertically separated on approach to the bottom end of the racks, to
accommodate increased growth of the plants therein. Racks 66 support spray heads70 over each tray 68, which spray heads are connected in flow relation with
irrigation conduit 44. Racks 66 are slightly angulated to facilitate drainage of any
excess water therefrom, which drainage water is collected by a drainage tube (not
shown) and returned to water reservoir 40 by way of sludge separator 48.
Fluorescent discharge lamps 72 are provided within greenhouse G for
supplementing the lighting level.
On the rear wall 14 of greenhouse G there is mounted a thermal
storage tank 80 and a fan housing 82 on each lateral side thereof. Each fan
housing 82 contains a fan 84 and a motor 86 therefor operable by storage batteries
52. The external vertical sides of fan housings 82 are louvred at 88 to permit the
flow of air therethrough, and each such louvre 88 has a permeable screen 90
associated therewith. Thermal storage tank 80 contains water therein, and the
evaporator coil 92 of a refrigeration unit 94 which is operable by storage batteries
52. Water from storage tank 80 is trickled over screens 90 which thereby function
as heat exchangers to cool or warm the air passing over them on the operation offans 84.
1332~
-14 - P 1900-1 CA
Operation of the improved greenhouse G is very simple. Seeds are
pre-soaked, optionally using germination accelerators as are generally known in the
art, and seeds are planted in trays 68, which may contain a mulch compatible with
hydroponic culture, preferably one which is cellulosic whereby it may itself provide
5 some nutritive value to livestock where fodder is being cultivated. Newly plamted
trays 68 are stored in the uppermost position in racks 66. The following day these
trays are moved downwardly one slot, and the vacant uppermost position is taken
by the next planting and so on until racks 66 are filled. As illustrated in Fig. 3
each rack 66 has twelve vertical slots, and the trays 68 are moved downwardly two
10 at a time. The trays 68 are irrigated with water from reservoir 40, to which a
nutrient solution will normally be added. Each day, once rack 66 is filled, two
trays 68 are removed ready for use. The facilitate their removal, the lower part of
windows 24 and of door 22 are upwardly slidable. It is found that in this matter
a daily production of fodder of not less than about 50 kg/m2 of floor space is easily
sustainable using as little water for irrigation purposes as 2 I/kg of fodder.
Although not shown, the temperature control of greenhouse G is
easily automated using readily available thermostatic controls. While the energy
requirements of greenhouse G are wholly sustainable under favourable climatic
conditions, it may be easily supplemented by other energy sources commonly
20 available in a rural erlvironment such as anaerobic fermentation, wind powered
generators amd water poweled generators. However, where more conventional
energy sources are available these may be preferred.
13325()8
- 15 - P 1900-1 CA
The above description is to understand the invention and in no way
to limit the scope of invention which is susceptible to vatious improvements and
modifications within the ambit and scope of present invention which will be
evident to those skilled in the art.
