Aquaponic cultivation device and method implementing it

Abstract

The invention relates to an aquaponic culture device, comprising: an aquarium tank containing water and intended to contain at least one aquatic organism, a culture tank, containing: at least one plant culture substrate, at least one water inlet and at least one water outlet to said aquarium tank, a pump for circulating water from said aquarium tank to said culture tank through said water inlet, so as to generate a water level in said culture tank, and a so-called tidal system configured to vary said water level in said culture tank between a first height, at which said substrate is not immersed, and a second height, at which said substrate is at least partially immersed by a so-called lower face, said tidal system comprises a module for controlling the flow rate of the pump,said control module being configured to set said flow rate alternately to a first value inducing that said water level is at said first height in said culture tank, and a second value inducing that said water level is at said second height in said culture tank. Figure for the abstract: Fig.1,

Description

Title of the invention: Aquaponic culture device and method implementing it Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention falls within the field of aquaculture, more particularly combined with aquaponics.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to an aquaponic culture device, as well as an aquaponic culture method implementing such a device. Prior art

[0003] Aquaponics is a cultivation system that combines aquaculture (the breeding of aquatic organisms, especially aquatic animals, usually fish) with hydroponics (the cultivation of plants above ground), in order to ensure the breeding of animals and the production of plants simultaneously. In this system, the waste produced by the aquatic organisms is used as nutrients for the plants, while the plants filter the water used to breed the aquatic organisms, and thereby decontaminate it, creating a healthy environment for them.

[0004] Aquaponics systems are designed to facilitate the establishment of this interaction between aquatic organisms and plants. They are based on several key elements: - an aquarium: this is a tank that contains aquatic organisms, which can be of different sizes and shapes depending in particular on the quantity of animals that you wish to raise; - a filtration system: some of the waste produced by animals, which cannot be recovered in its original state by plants, must be filtered and / or transformed to avoid toxic accumulation. Different types of filtration systems can be used, such as mechanical filters, and / or biological filters (involving bacteria, for example), - a growing tank: it accommodates the plants which are grown there in a growing substrate, in a hydroponic system which uses water from the aquarium to irrigate the plants. The roots of the plants absorb the nutrients present in the water and thus filter the water for the animals; - a water pump: a pump is used to circulate water between the animal tank and the plant growing system. This provides water and nutrients to the plants.

[0005] In order to optimize the supply of nutrients as well as the oxygenation of the culture substrate, a so-called tidal control system can be set up. Such a system aims to alternate periods of filling, from the aquarium water, and emptying, the plant culture tank. During the rising tide period, nutrient-rich water is brought from the aquarium into the culture tank, allowing the plant roots to absorb the nutrients. During the falling tide period, the water is drained from the culture tank to the aquarium, allowing the roots to breathe and avoiding problems of rotting due to water stagnation.

[0006] This periodic cycle of filling and emptying the culture tank can for example be set up using a "tide table" system: a pump is used to bring water from the aquarium to the culture tank through a network of pipes, sometimes equipped with sprinklers and nozzles to disperse the water evenly over the surface of the culture tank, and immerse the substrate on which the plants grow. The water can be maintained at a constant level for a certain time by closing all the orifices allowing hydraulic communication of the culture tank with the aquarium, in order to ensure a certain duration of immersion. Then, a drainage system is activated, for example by opening valves, which can be controlled manually, and which allow the water to flow from the culture tank to the aquarium thanks to the action of gravity.However, this type of device does not allow precise control of the immersion cycle of the substrate in the culture tank. More sophisticated devices have therefore been developed, based for example on siphons, solenoid valves or sensors.

[0007] Patent application US2014041594 A1 thus discloses an aquaponic device comprising an aquarium, a plant growing tank containing a growing substrate and a reservoir module, connected so as to allow water exchanges. The water is pumped from the aquarium to the growing tank, which comprises a siphon-bell allowing the water to be evacuated to the aquarium when the water level in the growing tank reaches a threshold predetermined by the siphon itself. When the water level rises in the growing tank, it fills the inside of the siphon-bell until it reaches its design height: the water then creates a low pressure zone which generates a suction phenomenon which drains the water towards the aquarium until the growing tank is emptied.

[0008] Bell siphons are used very frequently in aquaponic devices to generate tides, but they present significant problems in terms of maintenance, with a tendency to clog, which can generate recurring obstructions and therefore functionality problems, requiring regular and restrictive maintenance. Their operation also generates noise pollution, particularly with suction noises, which can cause discomfort for the user. Finally, they do not allow precise control of the configuration and duration of the immersion cycle of the growing substrate in water, the water being drained as soon as it reaches a certain level in the growing tank.

[0009] Patent US10182536B1 describes an aquaponics device in which several culture tanks are connected to bell siphons allowing, for one culture tank at a time, the evacuation of water towards pipes connected to an aquarium. The cycle of filling and emptying the culture tanks is controlled by sensors, positioned at the level of the evacuation pipes, and by a solenoid valve which regulates the passage of water towards the culture tanks. This device has the advantage of allowing finer control of the immersion cycles of the culture substrates, however the solenoid valve and the sensors constitute equipment with several disadvantages, and in particular a significant economic cost. The solenoid valves are, moreover, subject, like the siphons, to fouling, and the electronic sensors present problems of durability and reliability. Finally, for both of these devices, variations in the water level in the aquarium when the tides are in place are significant and likely to constitute a source of stress for the animals present there. Statement of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the aquaponics devices proposed by the prior art, in particular the drawbacks set out above, by proposing an aquaponics device which makes it possible to precisely control the duration and periodicity of immersion in water of the plant culture substrate, by means of an inexpensive system, of great durability, easy to use and maintain, and which limits noise pollution. An additional objective of the invention is that the implementation of this device ensures efficient growth of the plants at the same time as maximum comfort for the aquatic organisms contained in the aquarium.

[0011] To this end, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to an aquaponic culture device, also called “aquaponic device”, comprising: - an aquarium tank containing water and intended to contain at least one aquatic organism, - a culture tank, containing: • at least one plant growing substrate, • at least one water inlet and, • at least one water outlet to said aquarium tank, - a pump for circulating water from said aquarium tank to said culture tank through said water inlet port, so as to generate a water level in said culture tank, and, - a so-called tidal system configured to vary said water level in said culture tank between a first height, at which said substrate is not immersed, and a second height, at which said substrate is at least partially immersed by a so-called lower face,

[0012] said device being characterized in that said tidal system comprises a pump flow control module, said control module being configured to set said flow alternately to a first value inducing that said water level is at said first height in said culture tank, and a second value inducing that said water level is at said second height in said culture tank.

[0013] In the present invention, the term "aquarium tank" means any reservoir filled with fresh water or salt water in which one or more aquatic organisms can be kept and maintained and the walls of which are preferably transparent.

[0014] By aquatic organism is meant any animal organism dependent on water, and linked to an ecosystem or a biotope with hydromorphological characteristics compatible with life. By way of example, and in a non-limiting manner, in the present invention the aquatic organism may be a fish, an arthropod, a mollusk, a cnidarian, an amphibian, a plant, etc. Preferably, and in a non-limiting manner, said aquatic organism is a fish.

[0015] By growing container, we mean any container, modular or not, allowing the cultivation of one or more plants, also called “plant organisms”.

[0016] By culture substrate or substrate is meant, in the present invention, any material or mixture of materials used as a support for the growth of one or more plants.

[0017] By pump or water pump is meant, in the present invention, a device configured to suck and circulate water, and comprising a central rotation axis making it possible to create a movement and to cause the water to move through the pump mechanism according to a flow rate. A pump, as understood in the present invention, is therefore characterized by a rotation frequency which corresponds to the speed at which the central rotation axis rotates, said frequency being in direct relation to the flow rate of water generated by said pump.

[0018] By water level, in the present invention, is meant the height of a water surface in direct contact with the atmosphere, above a reference plane, the reference plane being, in the present invention, a wall of the culture tank opposite the water surface, also designated as "lower wall" of the culture tank.

[0019] In the present invention, tide means the periodic change of the water level in the culture tank.

[0020] In the present application, the first height at which the water level can be find is also called "low tide", and the second height at which the water level can be found is also called "high tide".

[0021] In the present invention, the term "control module" means a component or functional unit configured to regulate and control the flow rate of the pump. Said control module of the present invention comprises, for example, a pre-programmed programmable electronic system such as a microcontroller, configured to measure and regulate the flow rate of the pump.

[0022] The tidal system advantageously allows the periodic immersion of the substrate, in order to allow its humidification and its contact with nutrients present in the water. Said immersion of the substrate in the water preferably occurs by capillarity in order to limit as much as possible the area of ​​the substrate in contact with the water.

[0023] When the water level is at the first height, it is below the lower face of the substrate, which advantageously allows the substrate not to be in contact with the water. When the water level is at the second height, the substrate is at least partially submerged in the water, which advantageously allows the substrate to be in contact with the water and nutrients, produced by the aquatic organisms, which it contains.

[0024] The pump makes it possible to circulate water from the aquarium tank to the culture tank through one or more water inlet orifices, preferably one water inlet orifice, so as to advantageously generate a water level in said culture tank. The pump also allows the circulation of water between the aquarium tank and the culture tank continuously, which advantageously allows the oxygenation of the water, the filtration of the water by the plants, and the humidification of the roots of the plants.

[0025] Another advantage of the aquaponic culture device according to the invention lies in the fact that the oxygenation of the water is ensured by several mechanisms: the oxygenation of the water is ensured by the gas exchanges between the water and the atmosphere taking place at the surface of the water in the culture tank or in the aquarium tank, by the circulation of the water through the culture tank, and by the evacuation of the water, by the action of gravity, from the culture tank to the aquarium tank after its passage through the water outlet orifice, also called the outlet orifice.

[0026] In one of the particular embodiments, the invention further meets the following characteristics, implemented separately or in each of their technically operative combinations.

[0027] In one of the preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention, the culture tank comprises, in a non-limiting manner, at least two water outlet orifices.

[0028] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the substrate is enriched with nutrients so that these nutrients are released gradually in order to advantageously cover the nutritional needs of the plant during a period of at least 4 months.

[0029] Preferably, the substrate is enriched with nutritive elements whose nature and content are defined so as to advantageously complement the nutrients produced by the aquatic organisms in the aquaponic culture device.

[0030] Preferably, the composition of the substrate is advantageously defined so as to provide all the nutrients necessary for the optimal growth of any plant organism, whatever the species of plant organism in question, even in the absence of an aquatic organism inside said aquarium tank.

[0031] Preferably, and in a non-limiting manner, the composition of the substrate is developed so as to meet more particularly the nutritional needs of the following plant species: basil (Ocimum basilicum), purple basil (Ocimum basilicum 'purpurascens'), lemon basil (Ocimum basilicum bitriodorum'), oregano (Origanum vulgare), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), mint (Mentha), sage (Salvia), marigold (Calendula and / or Caltha), chives (Allium schoenoprasum), sorrel (Rumex), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), marigold (Tagetes patula), thyme (Thymus), etc.

[0032] In one of the embodiments of the invention, the substrate comprises between 30% and 90%, preferably 70%, of coconut fibers, a germination fertilizer, and a slow-release fertilizer.

[0033] By germination fertilizer is meant any composition formulated to stimulate and / or promote the germination of plant seeds, and / or to meet the needs of plants at the early stage of their growth.

[0034] By slow-release fertilizer is meant any composition formulated to gradually release nutrients into a growing substrate over an extended period in order to cover the needs of the plants while minimizing the number of fertilizer applications.

[0035] Preferably, the slow-release fertilizer is in the form of beads covered with a resin, the contents of which are released by capillarity upon contact with water.

[0036] In one of the preferred embodiments of the invention, when the water level is at the first height, the water level in the culture tank is sufficiently low so that no contact is established between the water and the substrate even if the aquaponic culture device is placed on a plane inclined between 1° and 5°, preferably inclined by 2° or less, preferably inclined by less than 2°.

[0037] In one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, when the water level is at said first height, and when the substrate comprises at least one plant, roots of said plant can be immersed in the water if they have a sufficient length.

[0038] According to one of the embodiments of the invention, when the water level is at the second height, the water level in the culture tank makes it possible to immerse at less partially the substrate so as to allow the substrate to moisten by capillarity, even when the aquaponic culture device is on an inclined plane between 1° and 5°, preferably inclined by 3° or less, preferably inclined by less than 3°.

[0039] In embodiments of the device according to the invention, the outlet orifice has a defined shape to maximize the oxygenation of the water passing through it, preferably a circular or rectangular shape.

[0040] In particular embodiments of the present invention, said culture tank comprises at least one receptacle for said substrate holding said substrate in a position in which its lower face lies in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the water in said culture tank.

[0041] By receptacle is meant, in the present invention, a structure, a container or a device configured to contain and hold in place the substrate. The receptacle advantageously provides physical support to the substrate and the plants, while allowing gas exchanges to take place between the substrate and the water contained in the growing tank.

[0042] Preferably, said receptacle is configured so as to allow homogeneous hydration of the substrate when the water level is at the second height.

[0043] In particular embodiments of the invention, said receptacle is configured to maintain said substrate in a position such that said substrate is immersed to a height of between 1 and 30 mm when said water level reaches said second height, preferably between 3 and 20 mm, preferentially between 5 and 15 mm.

[0044] Preferably, the receptacle is configured to hold the substrate in a position such that the substrate is advantageously immersed to a height equal to 5 mm when the water level reaches the second height.

[0045] In particular embodiments of the invention, said culture tank comprises a plurality of partitions imposing a predetermined path on the water between said inlet orifice and said outlet orifice, this path successively taking a series of distinct zones, in the direction of circulation of the water between said inlet orifice and said outlet orifice, including: - a first zone in which said culture tank has a first depth, - a second zone in which said culture tank has a second depth less than said first depth, - a third zone comprising said outlet orifice, said culture substrate being positioned in said first zone and / or said second zone.

[0046] In particular embodiments of the invention, the first depth and the second depth are equal. By partition is meant: a solid wall making it possible to establish divisions of the space inside the culture tank.

[0047] In particular embodiments of the invention, at least one partition, preferably two partitions, is / are positioned transversely in the culture tank and is / are integral with the lower wall of the culture tank, so as to advantageously direct the circulation of water in a direction facing the inlet orifice, through the first zone, and so as to advantageously avoid tangling of the roots of the plants contained in the culture substrate.

[0048] The term "integral" is understood to mean, when it refers to parts in relation to each other in a conventional manner, that said parts are mutually connected, although relative movement between them may be possible. In the present description, by convention, "integral" will be used to refer to parts that are connected to each other by a connection allowing relative movement of one part in relation to the other. "Fixedly integral" will be used to refer to parts that are mutually connected in a fixed manner, i.e. in such a way that relative movement between them is impossible.

[0049] Preferably, the partition(s) positioned transversely is / are fixedly attached to the lower wall of the culture tank.

[0050] In particular embodiments of the invention, the partition may be a continuous or discontinuous wall.

[0051] In particular embodiments of the invention, the first depth of the first zone is defined so as to advantageously allow the retention of heavy elements possibly present in the water, said heavy elements being able to be, in a non-limiting manner, undissolved and ammonia-rich excrement produced by aquatic organisms, fragments of plant organs, etc. To this end, in particular embodiments of the invention, this first depth is between 1 cm and 20 cm, preferably, it is 2 cm. The depth of 2 cm advantageously allows the retention of heavy elements without adding too much weight to the culture tank.

[0052] The retention of heavy elements in the first zone has the advantage of promoting the development of bacteria which will allow the splitting of heavy elements into trace elements and / or allow the transformation of nitrogen which cannot be assimilated by plants into assimilable nitrogen. More particularly, the retention of heavy elements in the first zone promotes the development of heterotrophic bacteria and nitrifying bacteria Nitrosomonas and / or Nitrobacter on said heavy elements: the heterotrophic bacteria contribute to their mineralization by feeding on organic substances, and the nitrifying bacteria allow the oxidation of ammonia and nitrites, which cannot be assimilated by plants, to convert them into nitrates, which can be assimilated by plants.

[0053] In particular embodiments of the invention, said third zone of said culture tank contains at least one filtration element, also called a mechanical and / or biological “filter”, positioned so that the path of the water passes through said mechanical and / or biological filter before reaching the outlet orifice.

[0054] A filtration element, or filter, is understood to mean any device, mechanical or biological, making it possible to eliminate particles / elements present in the water and circulating in the aquaponic device.

[0055] In one of the preferred embodiments, the present invention comprises two filters positioned one after the other, successively in the direction of water circulation: a mechanical filter, and a biological filter, the set of two filters being called a “filtration pair”.

[0056] Preferably, two filtration pairs are positioned so that the water has the possibility of passing through one or the other, in order to advantageously improve the efficiency of the filtration and maximize its impact in the aquaponic device.

[0057] Preferably, in each filtration pair, the mechanical filter is positioned upstream of the biological filter relative to the direction of water circulation, so as to advantageously avoid the obstruction of said biological filter.

[0058] In particular embodiments of the invention, the mechanical filter comprises filter media, such as, but not limited to, a sponge, a sieve, sand, a mesh polymer, a grid, a brush, a drum or a membrane, to trap particles, which advantageously makes it possible to preserve the clarity of the water and to prevent clogging of the other components of the device, in particular to prevent clogging of the biological filter. Preferably, the mechanical filter makes it possible to eliminate particles larger than 3 μm, preferably larger than 1 μm.

[0059] In particular embodiments of the invention, the biological filter comprises nitrifying bacteria, such as Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter, advantageously capable of transforming ammonia, present at a high level in organic elements (excrement of aquatic organisms, food remains, dead leaves), into nitrite then into nitrate, the nitrate being assimilable by plants.

[0060] In particular embodiments of the invention, the biological filter comprises porous elements containing said nitrifying bacteria. Such porous elements are, for example and in a non-limiting manner, chosen from pozzolan, clay balls, ceramic balls, etc.

[0061] It is found that the retention of heavy elements in the first zone allows also advantageously avoid fouling of the filter elements arranged upstream of the outlet orifice. More particularly, the retention of heavy elements in the first zone makes it possible to avoid clogging of the mechanical filter, located upstream of the biological filter, and therefore to prevent the release of particles into the biological filter, which can reduce its efficiency. The retention of heavy elements in the first zone upstream of the mechanical and biological filters therefore makes it possible to advantageously reduce the frequency of maintenance of the latter.

[0062] The retention of heavy elements in the first zone also makes it possible to advantageously promote their mineralization by the microbial flora, and therefore to allow the production and release into the water of minerals assimilable by plants such as, but not limited to, potassium, phosphate, or iron.

[0063] In particular embodiments of the invention, said third zone of said culture tank contains a part with solid walls, comprising a first opening located at said first height, and a second opening located at said second height, said first opening and said second opening being in hydraulic communication with said outlet orifice, said part being positioned so as to channel the circulation of water through said first opening and / or said second opening before the water reaches the outlet orifice.

[0064] The first opening advantageously makes it possible to fix the first height of the water level, and the second opening advantageously makes it possible to fix the second height of the water level, said second height corresponding to the maximum height at which the water level can be found in the culture tank.

[0065] Preferably, the area of ​​the first opening is defined as a function of the flow rate of the pump, the distance between the first opening and the second opening, and the gravity.

[0066] In the present invention, the second opening advantageously allows the flow of water towards the outlet orifice by overflowing through said second opening.

[0067] Preferably, and in a non-limiting manner, the shape of said first opening is a circle, a square, a rectangle, a polygon, etc.

[0068] In embodiments of the device according to the invention, the solid-walled part is removably mounted in said culture tank, which has advantages in terms of industrialization and flexibility of use.

[0069] Indeed, in the present invention, the removable nature of said part makes it possible, when the flow rate of the pump is modified, in the event of a change of pump for example, to change only said part, and not the entire culture tank, to maintain the water level at the first height and / or at the second height.

[0070] In particular embodiments of the invention, Make A of said first opening of said solid-walled room is defined by the following equation:

[0071] [Math.l] IA* = Dmax7 (7(2 * g * h)

[0072] where A is the area of ​​said first opening of said solid-walled part, x is the number of said outlet ports, Dmax is the maximum flow rate of said water pump, g is the gravity and h is the distance between the second opening and a point on the lower edge of said first opening, said point on the lower edge being the vertically closest point to the lower wall of said culture tank. As previously described, the lower wall of the culture tank is a wall of the culture tank opposite the water surface and which forms a reference plane above which the water surface is located. Said lower wall of said culture tank is also the wall of the culture tank intended to be the wall on which said culture tank rests during its use.

[0073] In particular embodiments of the invention, the aquaponic cultivation device comprises a lighting module positioned so as to illuminate said upper face of said substrate, and / or a plant growth zone located above said substrate. A lighting module means: a modular device configured to provide artificial lighting to substrates and / or the plants growing therein, in order to enable their optimal growth.

[0074] In particular embodiments of the invention, the lighting module comprises at least one light source, preferably several light sources, selected to advantageously meet the needs of plant organisms.

[0075] Preferably, said light sources of the lighting module are selected so that they emit in a light spectrum making it possible to optimize the growth of so-called "leafy" plants, i.e. plants whose aerial part, and more particularly the leaf, is consumed.

[0076] Preferably, the light sources of the lighting module are selected so that they emit in the absorption spectrum of chlorophylls A and B in order to promote the vegetative development of the plants cultivated in the device according to the invention.

[0077] Preferably, said light sources are light-emitting diodes.

[0078] In embodiments of the present invention, the light sources of the lighting module are configured to emit light of wavelength between 350 nm and 850 nm. Preferably, the light sources are configured to emit light of wavelengths of 440 and 660 nm, which correspond advantageously to the absorption peaks of chlorophyll a, and / or 445 and 645 nm, which advantageously correspond to the absorption peaks of chlorophyll b, which makes it possible to advantageously maximize the photosynthetic efficiency of the plants.

[0079] In particular embodiments of the invention, the lighting module is controlled by an artificial intelligence device which allows the reproduction of natural light cycles. Preferably, the lighting module is configured so that the user has the choice between two lighting modes: a so-called spring mode, which allows lighting for 12 consecutive hours, and a so-called summer mode, which allows lighting for 14 consecutive hours.

[0080] In particular embodiments of the invention, the light-emitting diodes are fixed on a support made of a material advantageously making it possible to maximize heat dissipation during their operation. Preferably, and in a non-limiting manner, said support is made of aluminum.

[0081] According to one of the particular embodiments of the invention, said support comprises three electronic cards, two of said electronic cards themselves comprising between 1 and 40 light-emitting diodes, preferably 20 light-emitting diodes, positioned above the substrate(s), and the third electronic card comprising control, electrical safety and intelligence (microcontroller) components of the lighting module.

[0082] Preferably, the light-emitting diodes have a light emission cone with an angle of between 40° and 150°.

[0083] Preferably, the light-emitting diodes are distributed on the electronic cards so as to optimize the photosynthetic photon flux density, i.e. the quantity of photosynthetically active light received by a plant per unit of time. For this purpose, the diodes are distributed on the electronic cards so as to obtain a quantity of photosynthetically active light of between 4 mol / m2 / day and 45 mol / m2 / day.

[0084] Preferably, the light-emitting diodes are connected in parallel in order to distribute the control current fairly between the different light-emitting diodes, which advantageously makes it possible to reduce the risk of deterioration of the other diodes in the event of failure of one of them, and in order to balance the dissipation of heat.

[0085] The present invention further relates to an aquaponic cultivation method using a device according to the invention and comprising reiterations of a cycle of steps comprising: a first step of controlling the flow rate of said pump to set it at said first value for a first duration, so as to induce that said water level in said cultivation tank is at said first height, and a second step of controlling the flow rate of said pump to set it at said second value for a second duration, so as to induce that said water level in said culture tank is at said second height.

[0086] Preferably, the water pump is configured so that it emits a signal which is the image of the flow rate of the water pump. This signal may be, in a non-limiting manner: a frequency (rotation frequency of the pump), a current, a voltage.

[0087] According to particular embodiments of the method which is the subject of the present invention, said first control step and said second control step each comprise two sub-steps: a first sub-step of measuring a signal emitted by said pump and image of the flow rate of said pump, for example, and in a non-limiting manner, the rotation frequency of said pump, and a second sub-step of converting said signal emitted by said pump to deduce said flow rate of said pump.

[0088] According to embodiments of the method which is the subject of the present invention, the value of the flow rate of the pump is calculated and recorded by a computer program from the value of the rotation frequency of the pump, measured by a measuring stage, that is to say an electronic circuit designed specifically to transform the rotation frequency signal emitted by the pump into a signal interpretable by the software.

[0089] In one of the preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention, the computer program sequentially performs the following operations: it triggers the first step, i.e. the variation of the flow rate of the pump up to a threshold value A corresponding to the flow rate allowing the water to reach the second height in the culture tank, then measures the rotation frequency of the pump, deduces the flow rate therefrom, verifies that the measured flow rate corresponds to the threshold value A, measures the time elapsed since the previous variation in flow rate and compares it to a threshold value T1 corresponding to the time defined for maintaining the water at the second height in the culture tank, and, if the time elapsed is equal to the time T1, triggers the second step, i.e. the variation of the flow rate of the pump up to a threshold value B corresponding to the flow rate allowing the water to reach the first height in the culture tank.Then, the computer program measures the rotation frequency of the pump, deduces the flow rate, checks that the measured flow rate corresponds to the threshold value B, measures the time elapsed since the previous flow rate variation and compares it to a threshold value T2 corresponding to the time defined for maintaining the water at the first height in the culture tank, and, if the time elapsed is equal to the time T2, it triggers the first stage.

[0090] Preferably, the threshold value B corresponds to the lowest flow rate that the pump can reach when it is operating, and this flow rate is different from zero.

[0091] In one of the preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention, the cycle of steps is carried out so that the frequency of immersion of the substrate when the water is at the second height is sufficiently high to advantageously prevent said substrate from drying out, but sufficiently low to advantageously allow the absorption by the substrate and / or the plant of nitrogen from the nutrients contained in the water.

[0092] Preferably, the duration of immersion of the substrate when the water is at the second height is long enough to allow the substrate to moisten, but short enough to avoid the release into the water of the nutrients contained in said substrate, so as to advantageously avoid rotting of the plant organs, avoid coloring of the water, and avoid the release into the water of the nutrients contained in the substrate.

[0093] In embodiments of the method according to the present invention, the duration of immersion of said substrate when the water is at the second height is between 1 and 15 minutes, preferably the duration of immersion of said substrate is 5 minutes.

[0094] According to embodiments of the method according to the invention, the first duration, which allows the immersion of the substrate, is shorter than the second duration, during which the substrate is not immersed, in order to advantageously avoid the dissolution in water of the nutritive elements contained in the substrate, which presents a risk for living things, and in order to avoid the rotting of the organs of the plants.

[0095] In one of the embodiments of the method according to the invention, the first duration is between 0.05% and 1%, preferably 0.35%, of the immersion cycle of the substrate, said immersion cycle of the substrate corresponding to the sum of the first duration and the second duration.

[0096] In particular embodiments of the aquaponic culture method according to the invention, said first duration is between 1 second and 60 minutes, and said second duration is between 1380 minutes and 1439 minutes 59 seconds.

[0097] Preferably, said first duration is a value between 1 and 15 minutes, preferably substantially equal to 5 minutes, and said second duration is a value between 1425 and 1439 minutes, preferably substantially equal to 1435 minutes.

[0098] In one of the particular embodiments of the aquaponic culture method according to the invention, the first duration is not constant. More particularly, the first duration of immersion of the substrate immediately following the putting into operation of the device is longer than the other first durations, in order to advantageously allow rapid hydration of the substrate.

[0099] In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the first duration and the second duration are defined as a function of the immersion frequency of the substrate. When the substrate is immersed every 24 hours, i.e. every 1440 minutes, preferably the first duration is between 1 and 10 minutes, preferably it is equal to 5 minutes.

[0100] When the substrate is immersed every 48 hours, i.e. every 2880 minutes, preferably the first duration is between 2 and 20 minutes, preferably it is equal to 10 minutes.

[0101] When the substrate is immersed every 24 minutes, i.e. every 1440 seconds, preferably the second duration is between 1 and 10 seconds, preferably it is 5 seconds. Brief Description of the Figures

[0102] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly in light of the examples of implementation below, provided for purely illustrative purposes and in no way limiting the invention, with the support of figures 1 to 9, in which:

[0103] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents a general view of an aquaponic culture device in accordance with the invention.

[0104] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] schematically represents a top view of a tank of culture of the aquaponic culture device according to the invention comprising in particular the water inlet and outlet orifices, as well as the receptacles containing the culture substrates.

[0105] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents an isometric view of the culture tank of the device of aquaponic culture according to the invention and the main elements which constitute it.

[0106] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a top view of the culture tank illustrated in [Fig.3] and a schematic representation of the circulation of water through the different elements that constitute it. Some elements, and in particular the culture receptacles, are not represented.

[0107] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents a section along a vertical longitudinal plane A / A of the culture tank illustrated in [Fig.4] and schematically illustrates the circulation of water from the inlet to the lateral ends of the culture tank, the water passing successively through the so-called first depth zone and the so-called second depth zone of the culture tank. Receptacles containing culture substrates, as well as the two water levels corresponding on the one hand to the first height, and on the other hand to the second height are also represented.

[0108] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents a section along a vertical longitudinal plane B / B of the culture tank illustrated in [Fig.4] and schematically illustrates the circulation of water from the lateral ends of the culture tank to the outlet orifice. The mechanical and / or biological filters, located upstream of the outlet orifice, as well as the water levels corresponding on the one hand to the first height, and on the other hand to the second height are also represented.

[0109] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] schematically represents a side view of the tank of culture in which the variation in the water level between the two tide heights is indicated in relation to the position of a receptacle containing a culture substrate, as well as in relation to the position of the two openings located on the solid-walled part positioned upstream of the water outlet orifice.

[0110] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] represents the solid-walled part, covering the outlet orifice of water, and comprising the two openings allowing the water level to be regulated, the first opening allowing the flow of water towards the aquarium tank when the water level is at the first height, the second opening allowing the flow of water towards the aquarium tank when the water level is at the second height.

[0111] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] schematically represents the different operations of the software control to control variations in the pump flow rate and therefore to control the frequency of changes in water levels in the culture tank. Please note that the figures are not to scale. Detailed description

[0112] Generally, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above as non-limiting examples, but rather extends to all modifications within the reach of those skilled in the art. Each feature of an embodiment may be implemented in isolation or combined with any other feature of any other embodiment in an advantageous manner.

[0113] It should be noted that, in the present text, the term "vertical" is defined along a direction which is parallel to the direction of gravity. In addition, the relative terms "upper" and "lower" are defined along a vertical line, and are relative to the position of the aquaponics device according to the invention as illustrated in [Fig.l], a so-called "upper" element being above a so-called "lower" element.

[0114] [Fig.l] shows a schematic view of the aquaponic culture device 20 according to one embodiment of the invention. The aquaponic culture device 20 according to the invention is also called “aquaponic device” or “aquaponics device” in the remainder of the description. It comprises an aquarium tank 21, containing water and intended to contain at least one aquatic organism. The aquarium tank 21 may be, in a non-limiting manner, cuboid, parallelepiped, spherical, etc. [Fig.l] illustrates an aquaponic device 20 whose aquarium tank 21 is parallelepiped in shape. The aquaponics device 20 also comprises a culture tank 22 in which at least one receptacle 23 is placed, the receptacle 23 being configured to contain a culture substrate. A receptacle designates a container which may be, but is not limited to, cuboid, parallelepiped, spherical, etc., and comprising an open area or face, in contact with the atmosphere, opposite a lower area or face which may be immersed in water which may be contained in the culture tank 22. [Fig.l] illustrates an aquaponic device 20 whose culture tank 22 comprises four receptacles 23 of ellipsoid shape.

[0115] The culture tank 22 comprises at least one water inlet orifice 24 and at least one water outlet orifice 25, which allows it to be in hydraulic communication with the aquarium tank 21. The water outlet orifice 25 has a shape defined to maximize the oxygenation of the water passing through it, preferably a circular shape (shape not illustrated in the figures). [Fig.l] illustrates an aquaponic device 20 whose culture tank 22 comprises a single water inlet orifice 24 and two water outlet orifices 25. The culture tank 22 also comprises a pore 26, removably obstructed by a receptacle 23 surmounted by a stopper 27, preferably made of cork, allowing the user direct access to the aquarium tank 21. In an alternative embodiment, not visible in the figure, a plant having already developed its roots is positioned in the pore 26, so that the roots of said plant are immersed in the water.

[0116] The aquaponic device 20 comprises a water pump 28 positioned so that the pump mechanism can pump the water contained in the aquarium tank 21 and send it into the culture tank 22 according to a water flow rate of said water pump 28. By water pump, is meant, in the present invention, a device configured to suck and circulate the water, and comprising a central rotation axis for creating a movement and causing the movement of the water through the pump mechanism according to a flow rate. A pump, as understood in the present invention, is therefore characterized by a rotation frequency which corresponds to the speed at which the central rotation axis rotates, said frequency being in direct relation to the flow rate of water generated by said pump. The water pump 28 can be positioned inside the aquarium tank 21 or, as illustrated in [Fig.l], it can be placed in a housing 29 itself positioned in the aquarium tank 21, so that the water pump 28 is immersed in the water contained in the aquarium tank 21. In an alternative embodiment, the water pump 28 can be positioned in the culture tank 22 and in hydraulic connection with the aquarium tank 21. The term housing designates a container configured to protect the water pump 28. The housing 29 is preferably removably mounted on the water inlet orifice 24. . In other embodiments of the invention, the housing 29 is irremovably mounted on the water inlet orifice 24.

[0117] The water pump 28 is preferably a submersible water pump. Preferably, the water pump 28 is powered by a direct current which is modulated to vary the speed of said water pump 28. Preferably, this modulation is carried out by means of a current generator controlled by a PMW signal (pulse width modulation).

[0118] The aquaponics device 20 comprises a tidal system comprising a control module 30 for the water flow rate of the water pump 28 configured to set the flow rate alternately to a first value inducing that the water level in the culture tank 22 is at a first height 31, also called “low tide”, and to a second value inducing that the water level in the culture tank 22 is at a second height 32, also called “high tide” ([Fig.l]).

[0119] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the control module 30 is a module independent of the aquarium tank 21 and the culture tank 22. In other embodiments of the invention, the control module 30 is securely attached to the aquarium tank 21 or to the culture tank 22. In still other preferred embodiments of the invention, the control module 30 is incorporated in the aquarium tank 21 or in the culture tank 22.

[0120] In one embodiment of the invention, the control module 30 comprises a pre-programmed programmable electronic system such as a microcontroller (not illustrated in the figures), configured to measure and regulate the flow rate of the water pump 28, thus making it possible to set the flow rate alternately at the first value and at the second value and therefore, respectively to induce low tide and high tide in the culture tank 22.

[0121] Preferably, the water pump 28 is configured so that it emits a signal which is the image of the flow rate of the water pump 28. This signal can be, in a non-limiting manner: a frequency (rotation frequency of the pump), a current, a voltage. Preferably, the control module 30 also comprises an electronic circuit designed specifically to transform the signal emitted by the water pump 28 into a signal that can be interpreted by software contained in the microcontroller, one of the functions of said software being to record and calculate the value of the flow rate of the water pump 28 from the interpretable signal transmitted by the electronic circuit.

[0122] In one of the embodiments of the invention, the electronic circuit of the control module 30 comprises a stage for controlling the flow rate of the water pump 28 and a stage for measuring the flow rate of the water pump 28. Preferably, to allow precise control of the rotation speed of the water pump 28, the water pump 28 is current controlled by a constant current generator, itself controlled by a filtered PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal generated by the control stage of the microcontroller of the module. order.

[0123] In one of the embodiments of the invention, the flow control stage of the water pump comprises: - A first circuit stage, comprising several passive components (resistors and capacitors), a first MOFSET transistor, and a first operational amplifier, which creates a first constant current source which serves as a voltage reference for driving the second stage of the design circuit. - A second circuit stage, comprising several passive components (resistors and capacitors), a second MOFSET transistor, and a second operational amplifier, which creates a second constant current source that drives the water pump 28. This second operational amplifier is controlled by the setpoint applied to it by the first stage of the circuit on its non-inverting input. A resistor, placed in series with the water pump 28, and which creates a voltage drop proportional to the load current flowing therein, is applied to the inverting input of the second operational amplifier. The second operational amplifier then automatically adjusts the current flowing through the water pump 28 according to the current setpoint applied to it. - Components, including a pair of passive components (resistor and capacitor), produce a first-order low-pass filter, transforming the 10kHz PWM signal coming from the microcontroller of the control module 30 into a quasi-constant signal on the non-inverting input of the first operational amplifier of the first stage of the circuit. The duty cycle of this PWM signal is used to manage the average voltage of this filtered signal, which is the setpoint of the current to be generated. - A final 2Q resistor, placed in series with the water pump 28, allows the measurement of the current, which the measuring stage will use to determine the rotation speed of the water pump 28.

[0124] In one of the embodiments of the invention, the flow rate measurement stage of the water pump comprises: - A first-order high-pass filtration stage, comprising a pair consisting of a resistor and a capacitor. - An amplification stage comprising several resistors and a third operational amplifier. - A third-order low-pass filter stage, which includes several passive components (resistors and capacitors) and a fourth operational amplifier. - A comparison stage composed of several passive components (resistors and capacitors), a fifth operational amplifier and a third transistor.

[0125] The aquaponics device 20 comprises a lighting module 33, configured to illuminate the culture tank 22. [Fig.l] illustrates an aquaponics device 20 comprising a lighting module 33 supported by a support, here a mast 34, preferably vertical and fixedly secured to the culture tank 22, the axis of the mast 34 being preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the culture tank 22. The lighting module 33 comprises at least one light source, preferably several light sources.

[0126] In other embodiments of the invention, the lighting module 33 is supported by any type of support allowing the light sources to be oriented so that they illuminate the culture substrates and / or the plants when they are contained in the receptacle.

[0127] Preferably, said light sources of the lighting module 33 are selected so that they emit in a light spectrum making it possible to optimize the growth of so-called “leafy” plants, that is to say plants whose aerial part, and more particularly the leaf, is consumed. Preferably, the light sources of the lighting module 33 are selected so that they emit in the absorption spectrum of chlorophylls A and B in order to promote the vegetative development of the plants cultivated in the device according to the invention.

[0128] In particular embodiments of the invention, the light sources may be, in a non-limiting manner, fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps, high pressure sodium vapor (HPS) lamps, metal halide (MH) lamps, induction lamps, plasma lamps, light-emitting diodes. Preferably, said light sources are light-emitting diodes. Preferably, the light-emitting diodes have a light emission cone with an angle of between 40° and 150°. The light-emitting diodes are preferably fixed on a diode support made of a material which advantageously maximizes heat dissipation during their operation. Preferably, and in a non-limiting manner, said diode support is made of aluminum.

[0129] In particular embodiments of the invention, said diode support comprises three electronic cards, two of said electronic cards comprising between 1 and 40 light-emitting diodes, preferably 20 light-emitting diodes, positioned above the substrate(s), the third electronic card comprising the electrical safety, control, and intelligence (microcontroller) components. Preferably, the light-emitting diodes are distributed on the electronic cards so as to optimize the photosynthetic photon flux density, i.e. the quantity of photosynthetically active light received by one plant per unit of time. For this purpose, the diodes are distributed on the electronic boards so as to obtain a quantity of photosynthetically active light of between 4 mol / m2 / day and 45 mol / m2 / day.

[0130] Preferably, the light-emitting diodes are connected in parallel in order to distribute the current equally between the different diodes and to maximize heat dissipation. In embodiments of the invention, the light sources of the lighting module 33 are configured to emit light of wavelength between 350 nm and 850 nm, preferably 440 nm and 660 nm, which correspond to the absorption peaks of chlorophyll a, and 445 nm and 645 nm, which correspond to the absorption peaks of chlorophyll b.

[0131] Preferably, the lighting module 33 is controlled by an artificial intelligence device that allows the reproduction of natural light cycles. Preferably, the lighting module 33 is configured so that the user has the choice between two lighting modes: a so-called spring mode, which allows lighting for a duration of between 6 and 20 consecutive hours, preferably 12 consecutive hours, and a so-called summer mode, which allows lighting for a duration of between 6 and 20 consecutive hours, preferably 14 consecutive hours.

[0132] [Fig. 2] shows a top schematic view of the culture tank 22 according to one embodiment of the invention. The culture tank 22 may be, in a non-limiting manner, cuboid, parallelepiped, spherical, etc. The culture tank 22 illustrated in [Fig. 2] is of parallelepiped shape just like that illustrated in the aquaponic device 20 of [Fig. 1]. The culture tank 22 illustrated in [Fig. 2] comprises four receptacles 23 of oval section, as well as the water inlet orifice 24 and the pore 26, allowing access to the aquarium tank 21. Each receptacle 23 is configured to contain culture substrate, said substrate being able to be any material or mixture of materials used as a support for the growth of one or more plants.

[0133] Preferably, and in a non-limiting manner, the composition of the substrate is prepared so as to more particularly meet the nutritional needs of the following plant species: basil (Ocimum basilicum), purple basil (Ocimum basilicum 'purpurascens'), lemon basil (Ocimum basilicum bitriodorum'), oregano (Origanum vulgare), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), mint (Mentha), sage (Salvia), marigold (Calendula and / or Caltha), chives (Allium schoenoprasum), sorrel (Rumex), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), marigold (Tagetes patula), thyme (Thymus), etc. In particular embodiments of the invention, the substrate may contain organic components and / or inorganic components. The inorganic components may be selected, but are not limited to, perlite, pumice, vermiculite, sand, hydrogel, etc. and a mixture of two or more of the latter.

[0134] The organic components may be selected, but are not limited to, peat, bark, coconut fiber, rice grain husks, etc. and a mixture of two or more of these. The culture tank further comprises at least one biological and / or mechanical filter, preferably two filters, positioned so that the water passes through the filter(s) before reaching the outlet orifice 25. [Fig. 2] illustrates an aquaponic device 20 in which the culture tank 22 comprises, for each outlet orifice 25, two filters, a mechanical filter 35 and a biological filter 36, arranged successively in the direction of circulation of the water, so that the water passes through one of the two filters before reaching the other filter, then reaching the outlet orifice 25.

[0135] Preferably, the mechanical filter 35 is positioned before the biological filter 36 in the direction of water circulation, so that the water travels through the mechanical filter 35 before reaching the biological filter 36. The assembly of the mechanical filter 35 and the biological filter 36 is also called a filtration pair 37. The culture tank 22 illustrated in [Fig.2] comprises two filtration pairs 37 (one filtration pair for each outlet orifice 25). Preferably, two filtration pairs 37 are positioned so that the water has the possibility of passing through one or the other before reaching the outlet orifice 25. Such an embodiment is not shown in the figures. Preferably, in a filtration pair 37, the mechanical filter 35 is positioned before the biological filter 36. The mechanical filter 35 preferably comprises filter media, such as, but not limited to, a sponge, a sieve, or a membrane. Preferably, the filter medium is a mesh polymer, also called “foam”.

[0136] The biological filter 36 preferably comprises nitrifying bacteria, such as Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter. Preferably, the biological filter 36 comprises one or more porous elements containing said nitrifying bacteria. Such porous elements are, for example and in a non-limiting manner, chosen from pozzolan, clay beads, ceramic beads, etc. Preferably, the porous elements containing the bacteria are ceramic beads. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the porous elements containing the bacteria are natural rock beads, preferably “Matrix” beads from the Seachem® brand.

[0137] [Fig.3] represents an isometric view of the culture tank 22 and [Fig.4] a top view of the culture tank 22 of the aquaponics device 20 according to a method of rea implementation of the invention. As illustrated in [Fig.3] and in [Fig.4], the culture tank 22 comprises, on either side of a plane P of transverse and vertical symmetry passing through the water inlet orifice 24: - a first zone 38 of a first depth, - a second zone 39 of a second depth, the first depth being greater than the second depth, - a third zone 40 comprising the outlet orifice 25 as well as a filtration pair 37 not shown in figures 3 and 4.

[0138] Preferably, the depth of the second zone 39 is between 3 cm and 20 cm, preferably, it is 4.5 cm. Preferably, the depth of the first zone 38 is between 4 cm and 21 cm, preferably, it is 7 cm. Preferably, the difference in depth between the first zone and the second zone is between 1 cm and 20 cm, preferably 2 cm. In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the first zone and the second zone are of equal depth. The first zone 38, the second zone 39, and the third zone 40 are delimited by partitions, including a transverse partition 41 separating the first zone 38 from the second zone 39, and a longitudinal partition 42 separating the first zone 38 and the second zone 39 from the third zone 40.

[0139] The culture tank 22 preferably comprises, on either side of the plane P of transverse and vertical symmetry passing through the water inlet orifice 24, at least one transverse partition 4L In another embodiment of the invention, not shown in the figures, the culture tank only has a single culture receptacle and does not have a partition. Preferably, the transverse partition 41 is positioned so as to separate two receptacles 23 and so as to block and direct the path of the water contained in the culture tank 22.

[0140] In the aquaponics device 20 as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the culture tank 22 is rectangular in shape and comprises two transverse partitions 41 (one on either side of the plane P) positioned transversely in the direction of the width of the culture tank 22, each transverse partition 41 being fixedly secured to a lower wall 49 of the culture tank 22, and positioned perpendicular to the length of the culture tank 22.

[0141] The term "solidary" is understood to mean, when referring to parts in relation to each other in a conventional manner in itself, that said parts are mutually linked, although relative movement between them may be possible. In In this description, by convention, the term "solid" will be used to refer to parts that are connected to each other by a connection allowing relative movement of one part relative to the other. The term "fixedly solid" will be used to refer to parts that are mutually connected in a fixed manner, that is to say in such a way that relative movement between them is impossible. In other embodiments of the invention, said transverse partition 41 is integral with the lower wall 49 of the culture tank 22.

[0142] The culture tank 22 further comprises at least one longitudinal partition 42. Preferably, the longitudinal partition 22 is positioned so as to block the circulation of water and to direct the path of the water in the culture tank. Preferably the culture tank 22 comprises two longitudinal partitions 42 (one on either side of the plane P) positioned longitudinally in the direction of the length of the culture tank 22, each longitudinal partition 42 being fixedly secured to the lower wall 49 of the culture tank 22, and positioned perpendicular to the width of the culture tank (Figures 3 and 4).

[0143] In other embodiments of the invention, said at least one longitudinal partition 42 is integral with the lower wall 49 of the culture tank 22.

[0144] Preferably, and as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, each transverse partition 41 is a solid, rectangular wall, comprising two through notches 43a allowing the passage of water through said solid wall, each through notch 43a being positioned at one of the longitudinal ends of said transverse partition 41.

[0145] Preferably, and as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, each longitudinal partition 42 is a solid, rectangular wall, comprising a through notch 43b allowing the passage of water, said notch 43b being positioned at a longitudinal end of said longitudinal partition 42 opposite the water inlet orifice 24 (the longitudinal end furthest from the water inlet orifice 24).

[0146] The culture tank 22 as illustrated in [Fig.4] being symmetrical with respect to the plane P passing through the water inlet orifice 24, and the path of the water itself being symmetrical with respect to the plane P, for the sake of simplification, the description of the path of the water given below is limited to the part of the culture tank 22 being on one of the sides with respect to the plane P. The characteristics of the culture tank 22 cited above allow the water to travel 44 in the culture tank 22 between the water inlet orifice 24 and the outlet orifice 25 as illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0147] The water is sucked by the water pump 28 into the aquarium tank 21 and is then led into the culture tank 22 through the water inlet orifice 24. The path 44 of the water then passes through the first zone 38 of first depth, then passes through the notches 43a of the transverse partition 41 to reach the second zone 39 of second depth. The path 44 of the water then passes through the notch 43b of the longitudinal wall 42 to reach the third zone 40, passes through the filtration pair (not illustrated in [Fig.4]), preferably through two filtration pairs, and reaches the outlet orifice 25.

[0148] [Fig.5] and [Fig.6] represent longitudinal sections of the culture tank 22 as illustrated by [Fig.4], [Fig.5] being a longitudinal section along a plane A / A of the culture tank 22 and [Fig.6] being a longitudinal section along a plane B / B of the culture tank 22. The culture tank 22 as illustrated in [Fig.5] and in [Fig.6] being symmetrical with respect to the plane P, for the sake of simplification, the description of the invention as given below with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6 is limited to the part of the culture tank 22 being on one of the sides with respect to the plane P.

[0149] Figures 5 and 6 show part of the path 44 of the water in the culture tank 22. Said culture tank 22 illustrated in [Fig.5] comprises the water inlet orifice 24, the first zone 38 of first depth, the second zone 39 of second depth as well as two receptacles 23 each comprising substrate 45 for growing plants 50. As illustrated schematically in [Fig.6], the culture tank 22 also comprises two filter pairs 37 and the outlet orifice 25. The path 44 of the water in the culture tank 22 can be seen, passing through the mechanical filter 35, the biological filter 36 and the outlet orifice 25.

[0150] The culture tank 22, as illustrated in [Fig.5], is configured so that the water sucked in by the water pump 28 arrives in the culture tank 22 through the water inlet orifice 24, is distributed into two distinct flows and of similar flow rates, directed on either side of the plane P by a connector 53, then that the path 44 of the water passes through the first zone 38 of first depth, then into the second zone 39 of second depth. The culture tank 22 is notably configured so that the path 44 of the water then passes into the third zone 40 within which it passes through a filtration pair 37 before reaching the outlet orifice 25 ([Fig.6]).

[0151] As indicated previously, the aquaponics device 20 according to the invention comprises a tidal system making it possible to vary the water level in the culture tank 22 between the first height 31 (low tide), at which the plant culture substrate 45 contained in the receptacle 23 is not immersed, and the second height 32 (high tide), at which the substrate 45 contained in the receptacle 23 is partially immersed by a so-called lower face (figures 1, 5 and 6).

[0152] Preferably when the water level is at said first height 31, the roots of said plant 50 are immersed in the water if they have sufficient length ([Fig.5]). Preferably, when the water level is at the first height 31, the water level in the culture tank 22 is sufficiently low so that no contact is established between the water and the substrate 45 even if the aquaponic culture device 20 is placed on an inclined plane. Here, the term "inclined" means an inclination less than or equal to 2°, preferably less than 2°, relative to a horizontal plane parallel to the ground.

[0153] Preferably, when the water level is at the second height 32, the water level in the culture tank 22 makes it possible to at least partially immerse the substrate 45 so as to allow the substrate 45 to moisten by capillarity, even when the aquaponic culture device 20 is on an inclined plane. This time, by "inclined", we mean an inclination less than or equal to 3°, preferably less than 3°, relative to a horizontal plane parallel to the ground.

[0154] [Fig.7] schematically represents an enlargement of the culture tank 22 illustrating the variation of the water level in the culture tank 22 between high tide, where the water is at the second height 32, and low tide, where the water is at the first height 31, relative to a substrate 45 contained in a receptacle 23. Preferably the receptacle 23 comprises through grooves 51 so that the water can pass through said grooves to reach the substrate 45 when the water level is at the second height 32.

[0155] Preferably, the receptacle 23 is configured to hold the substrate 45 in a position such that the substrate 45 is immersed to a height of between 1 and 30 mm when the water level is at the second height 32.

[0156] Preferably, the receptacle 23 is further configured to hold the substrate 45 in a position such that the lower face of the substrate 45 is separated from the surface of the water by a distance less than or equal to 20 mm, when the water level is at the first height 31.

[0157] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.7], the receptacle 23 is configured to hold the substrate 45 in a position such that the substrate 45 is immersed to a height equal to 5 mm when the water level is at the second height 32. The receptacle 23 is further configured to hold the substrate 45 in a position such that the lower face of the substrate 45 is separated from the surface of the water by a distance equal to 14 mm, when the water level is at the first height 31.

[0158] According to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in [Fig.7], the third zone 40 of the culture tank 22 contains a part 46 with solid walls comprising a first opening 47 located at a level lower than the first height 31, preferably between the first height 31 and 5 mm below the first height 31, preferably between the first height 31 and 1 mm below the first height 31, and a second opening 48, located at a level lower than the second height 32, preferably between the second height 32 and 5 mm below the second height 32, preferably between the second height 32 and 1 mm below the second height 32, the first opening 47 and the second opening 48 being in hydraulic communication with the outlet orifice 25 not illustrated in [Fig.7]. The solid-walled part 46 is positioned so as to channel the path 44 of the water through the first opening 47 and / or the second opening 48 before the water reaches the outlet orifice 25.

[0159] The area A of the first opening 47 is defined as a function of: - the number of outlet orifices 25, a part 46 with solid walls comprising a first opening 47 of area A being positioned upstream of each outlet orifice 25 on the path 44 of the water, - the flow rate of the water pump 28, - the distance between the first opening 47 and the second opening 48, said distance corresponding to the maximum height of the water level in the culture tank 22 - of the Earth's attraction.

[0160] Preferably, the area A of the first opening 47 of the part 46 with solid walls is defined by the following equation:

[0161] [Math.l] IAx = Dmax / (A(2 * g * h)

[0162] Where A is the area of ​​the first opening 47 of a part 46 with solid walls, x is the number of outlet orifices 25, Dmax is the maximum flow rate of the water pump 28, g is the earth's gravity and h is the distance between the second opening 48 and a point on the lower edge of said first opening 47, said point on the lower edge being the point vertically closest to the lower wall 49 of said culture tank. Preferably, Dmax is equal to 2.89*105 m3.s 1 and h is equal to 0.026 m so that SAx is equal to 40.5 mm2.

[0163] [Fig.8] schematically represents an enlargement of the interior of the culture tank 22 at the level of part 46 with solid walls, according to one embodiment of the invention. The solid-walled part 46 is preferably removably mounted in the culture tank 22. In another embodiment of the invention, the solid-walled part 46 is securely attached to the culture tank 22. In another embodiment of the invention, the solid-walled part 46 covers the outlet orifice 25 (Figures 3, 4 and 7). In another embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the solid-walled part surrounds the outlet orifice. In yet another embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the solid-walled part is positioned upstream of the outlet orifice, in the path of the water, so that the water circulates in the culture tank between the solid-walled part and the outlet orifice.

[0164] The present invention further relates to an aquaponic cultivation method using a device 20 according to the invention and comprising reiterations of a cycle of steps comprising: a first step of controlling the flow rate of the water pump 28 to set it at the first value for a first duration, so as to induce that the water level in the cultivation tank 22 is at the first height 31, and a second step of controlling the flow rate of the water pump 28 to set it at the second value for a second duration, so as to induce that the water level in the cultivation tank 22 is at the second height 32. The aquaponic cultivation method according to the invention notably implements the control module 30 presented previously, comprising a microcontroller. In fact, the software of the microcontroller of the control module 20 sequentially performs the following operations:

[0165] It triggers the first step, i.e. the variation of the flow rate of the water pump 28 up to a threshold value A corresponding to the flow rate allowing the water to reach the second height 32 (high tide) in the culture tank 22, then measures the rotation frequency of the water pump 28, deduces the flow rate therefrom, verifies that the measured flow rate corresponds to the threshold value A, measures the time elapsed since the previous flow rate variation and compares it to a threshold value T1 corresponding to the time defined for maintaining the water at the second height 32 in the culture tank 22, and, if the time elapsed is equal to the time T1, triggers the second step, i.e. the variation of the flow rate of the water pump 28 up to a threshold value B corresponding to the flow rate allowing the water to reach the first height 31 (low tide) in the culture tank 22.Then, the computer program measures the rotation frequency of the pump 28, deduces the flow rate, checks that the measured flow rate corresponds to the threshold value B, measures the time elapsed since the previous flow rate variation and compares it to a threshold value T2 corresponding to the time defined for maintaining the water at the first height 31 in the culture tank 22, and, if the time elapsed is equal to the time T2, it triggers the first step.

[0166] [Fig.9] illustrates the steps of controlling the microcontroller software according to one of the modes of implementation of the method according to the invention. Preferably, the threshold value T2 for the duration of immersion of said substrate 45 when the water is at the second height 32 is between 1 and 15 minutes. Preferably, and as illustrated in [Fig.9], the threshold value T2 for the duration of immersion of said substrate 45 is 5 minutes.

[0167] Preferably, the threshold value A of the flow rate of the water pump 28 is higher than the threshold value B of the flow rate of the water pump 28. In one of the embodiments of the method according to the invention, illustrated in [Fig.9], the threshold value A of the flow rate of the water pump 28 corresponds to the maximum flow rate of the water pump 28. According to an embodiment of the method which is the subject of the present invention where the water pump 28 is a water pump of model JYC-D1022 of the brand JYC®, the software of the microcontroller of the control module 30 calculates the value of the flow rate of the water pump 28 from the value of the rotation frequency of the water pump, by means of the following equations:

[0168] [Math.2] [pump = 0.0051 * P - 0.0966*f + 21.882

[0169] [Math.3] Flow=-0.0002 * [pump2 + 0.0449 * [pump -0.8736 Where Ipump is the current of the water pump 28, where the values ​​0.0051, 0.0966, 21.882, 0.0002, 0.0449 and 0.8736 are constants specific to the water pump of model JYC-D1022 of the JYC® brand and where f is the rotation frequency of the water pump 28, measured by the flow rate measuring stage of the water pump 28, the rotation frequency of the water pump 28 being the image of its output flow rate through the first opening 47 and / or the second opening 48 of the solid-walled part 46.

[0170] The software of the microcontroller of the control module 30 defines the current to be applied to the water pump 28 by a modification of the duty cycle (a) of the PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal of the pump. The duty cycle (a) corresponds to the ratio between the duration of the high state of the PWM signal and its period, and it makes it possible to define the current of the water pump 28. An electronic stage composed of a filter and a current generator is placed between the microcontroller and the water pump 28 in order to smooth the voltage of the PWM signal and to limit the current applied to the water pump 28.

[0171] In one of the embodiments of the invention, the values ​​of the duty cycle for a water pump 28 having a maximum current, for example 94mA, and a minimum current, for example 35mA, are respectively 100% and 34%.

[0172] According to embodiments of the invention, the measurement stage of the microcontroller also makes it possible to detect operating anomalies of the aquaponics device 20 according to the invention such as, for example, in a non-limiting manner, a water level that is too low, the blockage of the water pump 28 by debris or the blockage of a rotor of the water pump 28 when it comprises a rotor, a short circuit of the water pump 28, a loss of priming of the water pump 28. Preferably, said operating anomalies of the aquaponics device 20 according to the invention are processed by the software of the microcontroller of the control module in the “error management” step illustrated in [Fig.9].

Claims

Claims

1. Aquaponic culture device comprising: - an aquarium tank (21) containing water and intended to contain at least one aquatic organism - a culture tank (22), containing: • at least one plant culture substrate (45), • at least one water inlet orifice (24) and, • at least one water outlet orifice (25) towards said aquarium tank (21) - a pump (28) for circulating water from said aquarium tank (21) to said culture tank (22) via said water inlet orifice (24), so as to generate a water level in said culture tank and (22), - a so-called tidal system configured to vary said water level in said culture tank (22) between a first height (31), at which said substrate (45) is not immersed, and a second height (32), at which said substrate (45) is at least partially immersed by one face called inferior,said device being characterized in that said tidal system comprises a control module (30) for the flow rate of said pump (28) configured to set said flow rate alternately to a first value inducing that said water level is at said first height (31) in said culture tank (22), and a second value inducing that said water level is at said second height (32) in said culture tank (22).,

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said culture tank (22) comprises at least one receptacle (23) for said substrate (45), holding said substrate (45) in a position in which its lower face lies in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the water in said culture tank (22).

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said receptacle (23) is configured to hold said substrate (45) in a position such that said substrate (45) is immersed to a height of between 1 and 30 mm when said water level is at said second height (32).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said culture tank (22) comprises a plurality of partitions (41, 42) imposing on the water a predetermined path between said inlet orifice (24) and said outlet orifice (25), this path successively taking a series of distinct zones, including: A first zone (38) in which said culture tank (22) has a first depth, A second zone (39) in which said culture tank (22) has a second depth less than said first depth, A third zone (40) comprising said outlet orifice (25), Said culture substrate (45) being positioned in said first zone (38) and / or said second zone (39).

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein said third zone (40) of said culture tank (22) contains at least one mechanical (35) and / or biological (36) filtration element positioned so that the path of the water passes through said mechanical (35) and / or biological (36) filter before reaching the outlet orifice (25).

6. A device according to any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein said third zone (40) of said growing tank (22) contains a solid-walled part (46), having a first opening (47) located at said first height (31), and a second opening (48) located at said second height (32), said first opening (48) and said second opening being in hydraulic communication with said outlet orifice (25), said part (46) being positioned so as to channel the circulation of water through said first opening (47) and / or said second opening (48) before the water reaches the outlet orifice (25).

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said solid-walled part (46) is removably mounted in said culture tank (22).

8. A device according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the area A of said first opening (47) of said solid-walled part (46) is defined by the following equation: [Math.l] SAx - Dmax7 H(2 * g * h) where A is the area of ​​said first opening (47) of said solid-walled part (46), x is the number of said outlet orifices (25), Dmax is the maximum flow rate of said water pump (28), h is the distance between the lower edge of said first opening (47) and said second opening (48), said lower edge being the closest point to the lower wall (49) of said culture tank (22), said lower wall (49) of said culture tank (22) being the wall of said culture tank (22) in contact with the support on which said culture tank (22) is placed, and g is the Earth's gravity.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a lighting module (33) positioned so as to illuminate an upper face of said substrate (45) opposite said lower face, and / or a plant growth zone located above said substrate (45).

10. A method of aquaponic cultivation implementing the device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising reiterations of a cycle of steps comprising: a first step of controlling the flow rate of said pump (28) to set it at said first value for a first duration, so as to induce that said water level in said culture tank (22) is at said first height (31), and a second step of controlling the flow rate of said pump (28) to set it at said second value for a second duration, so as to induce that said water level in said culture tank (22) is at said second height (32).

11. The aquaponic cultivation method according to claim 10 wherein said first control step and said second control step each comprise two sub-steps: a first sub-step of measuring the image signal of the flow rate of said pump (28), and a second sub-step of converting said image signal of the flow rate of said pump (28) to deduce said flow rate of said pump (28).

12. A method of aquaponic cultivation according to any one of claims 10 and 11, wherein said first duration is shorter than said second duration.

Images