ANTI-FROST FAN SYSTEM FOR CROP PROTECTION

Abstract

An array of fans mounted on a metal frame forms an anti-frost system for agricultural crops. Each unit consists of three fans stacked vertically on a frame made of 50 x 50 mm structural steel. This system economically, both in terms of materials and energy, forces stratified, warm air to the top of the crops after the daily temperature inversion (where there are often differences of more than 5°C between the sub-zero temperatures below ground and the air temperature at higher altitudes). Each fan is powered by a 1 HP electric motor, allowing the system to operate at low power loads and thus reducing operating costs. No heaters or water are used; instead, the system utilizes the principle of the difference in energy stored in the two layers of atmospheric air. Approximately one unit protects one hectare when calculating the density of units per cultivated area.The structure's column is 5.3 meters high and occupies an area of ​​2.0 x 2.0 meters. This system achieves yields of up to 40% higher in crops affected by late frosts. The simplicity and low manufacturing cost of this invention, due to its design, are noteworthy.

Description

DESCRIPTIVE MEMORANDUM TITLE AND TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention consists of an arrangement of fans that constitute an anti-frost system for the protection of crops. STATE OF THE ART AND PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED While there are various ways to combat frost damage to crops, water spraying is not always viable because it requires quantities of water that may not be available, or where water is available but not pumped or transported. Furthermore, the weight of the water on weak or trellised crops cannot be supported and can cause the structures to collapse. Another disadvantage of spraying is that if the frost is severe or cannot be stopped or contained for any reason, the water will freeze onto the plants. The weight of the plants and the trellis structure will cause both the stems and the components of the equipment to break, collapsing under gravity. This, in turn, destroys the entire crop and prevents the plants from being harvested, further damages the growing season. Controlled burning of forest material or rubber compounds, such as tires, is also used to generate air convection and smoke. These two phenomena prevent cold air from stagnating over the cultivated area. These practices are not environmentally viable, either due to the air pollution produced by combustion or the risk of forest fires in wooded areas. Furthermore, they are not always permitted by the authorities, especially during the summer. The present invention, on the other hand, proposes an operation without any significant risk to the crop or the environment, dispensing with water or fire, by means of an arrangement of electrically driven air fans or internal combustion engines. The object of this invention is not based on generating heat, but rather it operates on the principle of convection of atmospheric air at different temperatures. Compared to patents such as AR032735A4, our invention uses the same concept as this patent and similar ones, but unlike it, our invention proposes an arrangement of three fixed fans (without axial or circular movement), with all of them blowing air in the same direction and generating a vertical, rectangular column of wind. Patents such as AR011140A4 propose generating point-source wind through propulsion systems. 1944535 of 4 to tractor power take-off and with axial fans, unlike our invention which uses axial fans. Patents such as CN209572644, CN103314821, and JP2008113556 propose systems with rotary movements that alter the direction of artificial wind and horizontal configurations through complex and large structures (in terms of weight, components, and supported forces). Similarly, large masts with gimbals transmit the power of high-power internal combustion engines to their summits, using gearboxes, etc. Our invention proposes a simpler solution, using a low-power electric motor per fan and only a speed-reducing pulley. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The purpose of this invention is achieved through the construction and subsequent installation in the fields of a system of structures that house an arrangement of three or more independent fans, stacked mainly vertically. The producer monitors the field conditions using thermometers at different heights above the ground, depending on the crop. If there is no natural wind and ambient temperatures approach 0°C, the equipment is turned on. During the experimentation and development phase, all fifteen frosts that occurred between January and March 2020 were successfully avoided. As a result, the yield of the experimented crop, hops, increased from 1700 kg / ha to 2600 kg / ha. Given that the yield per hectare had been declining over the years due to frost, reversing this phenomenon resulted in a relatively short and measurable return on investment. This return is calculated by multiplying the difference in kilograms harvested with and without the system by the market value per kilogram of product. The variable cost of electricity or fuel consumption (whether for generating electricity or powering the fans' internal combustion engines) must be subtracted from this amount. These values ​​can then be compared to the cost of constructing and installing each piece of equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND ILLUSTRATIONS To make the object of the invention more understandable, four figures have been illustrated in one of its preferred embodiments, which serve as illustrative examples. In all the figures, the same reference numbers and / or letters indicate identical or corresponding elements; in them: • Figure 1 corresponds to the right, left and top side views of the invention. • Figure 2 illustrates the isometric view of the invention with the following references: OA: Lower support legs of the apparatus structure. 1944535 of 4 OB: Main frame that supports the structure. OC: Main electrical box OD: Lateral structure reinforcement and vertical fan support attachment. OE: Fans OF: Elevated vertical structure that supports the fans. OG: Induction motors, fan drives. • Figure 3 also corresponds to the isometric view illustrated in Figure 2, but with the airflow diagram showing the equipment in operation. References: OA: Plants grown on trellises at height. OB: Ground level • Figure 4 illustrates the behavior of air over crops and how temperature is distributed in different layers at different heights. Hops are used as a demonstration crop as an example. 1944535 of 4 Maria del Rosario Mille - 27214862137 Digitally signed by PORTALTRAMITES - INPI Date: 2022.09.05 13:24:37 -03:00 Reason: Digitally Signed by the INPI Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina 1944535

Claims

1. Anti-frost fan system for crop protection, of the type comprising an arrangement of three or more vertically stacked axial fans, powered by three-phase induction electric motors of 0.75 kW each or by an internal combustion engine via a transmission chain, mounted on a metal structure constructed with structural tubes of 50 x 50 x 1.6 millimeters or larger dimensions, with four support legs one meter high that support a main frame of 2000 x 2000 millimeters, from which rises a vertical substructure of 4.3 meters in height that houses the fans with variable height according to the type of crop to be protected and that is provided with lateral reinforcement arms that ensure structural integrity under the lever loads generated by the air propulsion and by the natural wind, reaching a total structure height of 5.4 meters,with a total installed power of 2 to 3 HP per hectare of protected crop, all suitable for outdoor installation in agricultural fields. Sole Claim,