Liquid fractionation system useful for growing plants

Abstract

Liquid fractionation systems utilizing a novel low pressure liquid delivery system generated by centrifugal force utilizing a rotating cylinder device. The rotating cylinder device distributes liquid solution to the roots of plants by use of centrifugal force, thereby eliminating the need for a high-pressure pump and nozzles. The geometrical shape of the enclosed root growth chamber is such that it allows for fractionated droplets to ricochet in multiple random directions thus completely surrounding the plant roots in 360° in any plane. The invention also provides aeroponics apparati utilizing the low-pressure liquid delivery system, methods for fractionating liquid, methods for delivering the fractionated liquid to plants, and methods for growing plants and germinating seeds.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 253,505, filed Sep. 24, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,770, issued Oct. 26, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety to the extent that it is not inconsistent with the disclosure herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the field of devices for fractionating liquid, cultivation of plants in controlled environments, and more specifically to the field of aeroponic cultivation of plants. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The increase of human population in geographic areas of environmentally adverse conditions has given rise to the need for an efficient, economical and easy to use apparatus to cultivate nutritious edible plants indoors for human consumption. The present invention also provides year-round cultivation in areas where seasonal changes prevent or limit outside growing. [0004] The field of indoor cultivation of plan...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] The present invention seeks to overcome problems and difficulties associated with former aeroponics systems by incorporating a new design which allows for the cultivation of a number of different types of plants, is presentable, attractive, quiet and convenient to use as a domestic kitchen appliance.

Problems solved by technology

If over-watering occurs, the plant may die or have its growth inhibited from root rot.

Allowing the roots of the plant to be dry for too long results in dehydration and starving the plant.

Also, the above-described devices take up large amounts of space, are physically cumbersome and not aesthetically pleasing for the home consumer.

This was largely due to the complexity of the pressurized pump system utilized in these units for high pressure oxygenated spray to the enclosed chamber which were expensive to manufacture, bulky, loud, and complicated to operate and repair.

These prior art units could require repair when the nozzles of the spraying units became clogged with scaling due to dissimilar metals in the nozzle assembly or organic matter which results from biological processes involved in plant growth.

This potential clogging could result in deficient delivery of the liquid nutrient solution and prevent optimum plant growth.

Prior art aeroponic growth units have contained spraying or misting parts which have generally required pressurized pumps or expensive mist generators to supply the nutrient solution in the form of a mist or fine droplets.

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