Vertical farming system

Abstract

A vertical farming system comprising: a plurality of growing trays for receiving a growing medium for germinating, propagating, and / or growing organisms, wherein each growing tray comprises a tray bottom surface; a plurality of support units, wherein each support unit comprises a single platform having a platform upper surface for supporting the tray bottom surface of the growing tray from below, and wherein each tray bottom surface and / or each platform upper surface is configured such that when the growing tray is supported on the support unit, a ventilation space is defined between the tray bottom surface and the platform upper surface; each support unit further comprising a fan attached to the platform, the fan being configured to generate an air flow through the ventilation space; and a support structure configured to support the plurality of support units in a vertically spaced-apart arrangement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vertical farming system.

Background Art

[0002] Historically, systems and methods for growing crops have required large areas of land and needed to be located in places with a climate suitable for effective crop growth.

[0003] Indoor vertical farming, where grow trays for accommodating crops are arranged vertically on a support structure under artificial light, has received favorable reviews for many crops.

[0004] The present invention aims to improve the efficiency of installing a support structure for a grow tray of a vertical farming system and assist in controlling or maintaining the environment around the grow tray.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention is defined in the appended claims.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a vertical farming system, the vertical farming system comprising: a plurality of grow trays for receiving a growth medium for germinating, propagating, and / or growing organisms, wherein each grow tray comprises a tray bottom surface; a plurality of support units, wherein each support unit comprises a single platform having a platform upper surface for supporting the tray bottom surface of the grow tray from below, and each tray bottom surface and / or each platform upper surface is configured such that when the grow tray is supported on the support unit, a ventilation space is defined between the tray bottom surface and the platform upper surface, and each support unit further comprises a fan attached to the platform, the fan being configured to generate an air flow through the ventilation space; a support structure configured to support the plurality of support units in a vertically spaced arrangement.

[0007] The platform of each support unit may further include a platform bottom surface, a platform top surface, and a platform opening extending through the platform bottom surface. The platform opening may be in fluid communication with the ventilation space. The fan may be configured to generate an air flow through the platform opening and the ventilation space.

[0008] The fan may be at least partially mounted within the platform opening, or directly above or below the platform opening. The fan may be configured to blow air in a vertical direction, for example, upward or downward.

[0009] The platform of each support unit may further include a plurality of platform openings and a plurality of fans. Each platform opening may have a corresponding fan.

[0010] The fan may be a bladeless fan, or the support unit may further include a bladeless fan. The bladeless fan may be located below the bottom surface of the platform. The bladeless fan may have an annular nozzle configured to discharge air downward. The annular nozzle may have a shape and size similar to the outer periphery of each growing tray.

[0011] Each support unit may further include a lighting unit attached to the platform. The lighting unit may be configured to emit light into the area below the platform.

[0012] The platform may further include ventilation holes extending through the platform top surface and the platform bottom surface, and the ventilation space is in fluid communication with both the platform opening and the ventilation holes. The lighting unit may be at least partially mounted within or below the ventilation holes.

[0013] Each support unit may further include a plurality of lighting units and a plurality of ventilation holes. Each lighting unit may be at least partially mounted within or below the corresponding ventilation hole.

[0014] Each support unit may further include a heat sink attached to the lighting unit and configured to dissipate heat from the lighting unit upward into the ventilation hole.

[0015] The ventilation space may be partially defined by a recess in the upper surface of the platform. The platform opening may extend through the recess and the bottom surface of the platform.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the ventilation space may be partially defined by a recess in the bottom surface of the tray.

[0017] The ventilation space may be in the form of a channel extending between opposite side surfaces of the platform. The bottom surface of the tray and / or the upper surface of the platform may be configured to define two ventilation spaces in the form of channels disposed on both sides of the central support portion.

[0018] Each growing tray may include a tray opening for receiving fluid into the growing tray. The inner surface of the platform may define an internal irrigation conduit for transferring the fluid. The irrigation conduit may include an inlet for receiving the fluid and an outlet connectable to the tray opening to establish fluid communication between the internal irrigation conduit and the growing tray.

[0019] The tray opening may extend through the bottom surface of the tray. The outlet may be configured to couple to the tray opening at the bottom surface of the tray.

[0020] The outlet may include an irrigation connector configured to couple to the tray opening.

[0021] The vertical farming system may further include a central irrigation system configured to transfer fluid to the inlets of the internal irrigation conduits of each support unit.

[0022] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a vertical farming system, the vertical farming system comprising: a plurality of growing trays for receiving a growing medium for germinating, propagating, and / or growing organisms, wherein each growing tray comprises a tray bottom surface; a plurality of support units, wherein each support unit comprises a single platform having a platform upper surface for supporting the tray bottom surface of the growing tray from below, and an inner surface of the platform defines an internal irrigation conduit having an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet for delivering the fluid to the growing tray supported on the platform; a support structure configured to support the plurality of support units in a vertically spaced arrangement.

[0023] Each growing tray may comprise a tray opening for receiving fluid into the growing tray. The outlet of the internal irrigation conduit may be connectable to the tray opening to establish fluid communication between the internal irrigation conduit and the growing tray.

[0024] The tray opening may extend through the tray bottom surface.

[0025] The outlet may comprise an irrigation connector configured to couple to the tray opening at the tray bottom surface.

[0026] The vertical farming system may further comprise a central irrigation system configured to transfer fluid to the inlets of the internal irrigation conduits of each support unit.

[0027] Each support unit may further comprise a lighting unit attached to the platform. The lighting unit may be configured to emit light into the region below the platform.

[0028] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a vertical farming system, the vertical farming system comprising: a plurality of growing trays for receiving a growing medium for germinating, propagating, and / or growing organisms; A support structure configured to support a plurality of growing trays at tray positions spaced apart in a plurality of vertical directions, a plurality of bladeless fans, wherein each bladeless fan is located above one or more corresponding tray positions and each bladeless fan comprises an annular nozzle configured to discharge air downward.

[0029] Each annular nozzle may be sized and shaped similar to the outer perimeter of at least one of the growing trays.

[0030] The vertical farming system may further comprise one or more lighting units located above each tray position. The one or more lighting units may be configured to emit light downward to their associated tray positions. The annular nozzle of each bladeless fan may extend around the one or more lighting units at each tray position.

[0031] The bladeless fan may comprise a base housing a motor-driven impeller for drawing air into the base. The annular nozzle may be connected to the base such that the drawn air is driven by the impeller into an internal annular passage of the annular nozzle. The annular nozzle may further comprise an annular outlet through which the air is discharged. The annular nozzle 152 may further comprise a Coanda surface located adjacent to the annular outlet, and the air is directed onto this Coanda surface as it exits the annular outlet.

[0032] In any of the above aspects, the platform of at least one support unit may further comprise a power connector configured to electrically couple to an external power source for transmitting power from the external power source to at least one electrical or electronic component of the support unit.

[0033] The platform of each support unit may comprise a power transmission connector configured to enable adjacent support units to be electrically coupled for transmitting power between adjacent support units.

[0034] The platform of each support unit may include an internal rechargeable or replaceable power source configured to supply power to at least one electrical or electronic component of the support unit.

[0035] Each support unit may further include at least one sensor attached to the platform. The at least one sensor may be configured to measure at least one of temperature, humidity, light intensity, and CO 2 concentration.

[0036] Each support unit may further include wireless communication means configured to transmit data from the at least one sensor to an external data logging device.

[0037] Next, the present invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 12

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a portion of a vertical farming system 100. The vertical farming system 100 includes a support structure 102 for supporting a plurality of support units 110 in a vertically spaced-apart arrangement. The illustrated portion of the support structure 102 includes four upright members 104 with the upright members 104 located at the corners to define a rectangular column, and a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal members 106 connecting the two upright members 104 in the front of the figure and the two upright members 104 in the back of the figure to form a pair of horizontal members 106, each pair defining a tier of the support structure 102. Each support unit 110 is placed on a pair of horizontal members 106.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the vertical farming system 100 further includes a plurality of growth trays 160 that can be placed directly on the support units 110, with each support unit 110 configured to support the growth tray 160 from below. Each growth tray 160 may be made of plastic (e.g., a thermoplastic such as HDPE or nylon) and may be formed by known plastic molding processes, such as injection molding. In use, the growth tray 160 can accommodate a growth medium in which crops can be grown from seeds. The growth tray 160 can be used for hydroponic crop cultivation. Typical growth media for hydroponic cultivation include mineral wool (e.g., ROCKWOOL®), perlite, vermiculite, coir, clay pellets, etc. The growth medium can be in the form of a sheet, such as a mineral wool sheet.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the portion of the support structure 102 shown in FIG. 1 is modular in that it can be expanded in the orthogonal horizontal directions by adding more vertical members 104 and horizontal members 106. The support structure 102 can also be expanded vertically to create more levels for supporting more support units 110 by using taller vertical members 104 together with more pairs of horizontal members 106, or by joining a plurality of vertical members 104 together in the vertical direction.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a top perspective view of the support unit 110. The support unit 110 includes a single platform 112. The platform 112 may be made of, for example, plastic (such as a thermoplastic material like HDPE or nylon) and can be formed by known plastic molding processes, such as injection molding. The platform 112 can be formed as a single piece (i.e., having an integral structure).

[0043] The platform 112 includes a platform upper surface 118 for supporting the growth tray 160 from below and a platform bottom surface 114. In this particular example, the platform upper surface 118 includes a central support portion 120a extending between two opposing sides of the platform 112 and two edge support portions 120b extending parallel to both sides of the central support portion 120a at each edge of the platform 112. Between each edge support portion 120b and the central support portion 120a, the platform upper surface 118 includes two recesses 124 on both sides of the central support portion 120a. The recesses 124 are recessed with respect to the support portions 120a, 120b of the platform upper surface and extend between two opposing sides of the platform 112 to form two channels.

[0044] Figure 5 shows the growth tray 160 on the support unit 110. The central support portion 120a and the edge support portion 120b provide a substantially horizontal plane on which the growth tray 160 can be placed. Further, when the growth tray 160 is placed on the support unit 110 such that the tray bottom surface 166 contacts the support portions 120a, 120b of the platform upper surface 118, a ventilation space 126 is defined between each recess 124 of the platform upper surface 118 and the tray bottom surface 166 of the growth tray 160. In this particular example, the tray bottom surface 166 also includes recesses 170, and a ventilation space 126 is defined between the recesses of the platform upper surface 118 and the tray bottom surface 166.

[0045] The central support portion 120a also includes an alignment mechanism 122, which engages with a corresponding alignment mechanism at the bottom of the growth tray 160 to assist in aligning the growth tray 160 to a specific position on the support unit 110. In this particular example, the alignment mechanism 122 is in the form of a rib protruding upward and engages with a corresponding rib protruding downward of the growth tray 160, but the alignment mechanism 122 of the support unit 110 and the corresponding alignment mechanism of the growth tray 160 can take the form of any suitable protrusions and corresponding recesses or vice versa.

[0046] Referring back to FIG. 4, the support unit 110 further includes four platform openings 128 in the form of through holes extending through the recesses 124 of the platform upper surface 118 and the platform bottom surface 114. The support unit 110 further includes four ventilation holes 132 in the form of through holes extending through the recesses 124 of the platform upper surface 118 and the platform bottom surface 114.

[0047] Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of the support unit 110. The platform bottom surface 114 includes a pair of grooves 116 at opposite ends of the platform 112, and these grooves receive a pair of horizontal members 106 of the support structure 102 when the support unit 110 is placed on the support structure 102.

[0048] The support unit 110 further includes four fans 130 attached to the platform bottom surface 114 directly below the corresponding platform opening 128, such that the fans 130 cover the platform opening 128. The fans are configured to blow air vertically, either upward or downward. Instead of being attached directly below the platform opening 128, the fans 130 may be at least partially attached within the platform opening 128, or, if the ventilation space 126 is sufficiently large, may be attached directly above the platform opening 128.

[0049] The support unit 110 further includes four lighting units 134 in the form of strip lights that are at least partially attached within or directly below the corresponding ventilation holes 132. The lighting units 134 face downward so as to emit artificial light into the area below the platform 112 during use (i.e., the lighting units of a particular support unit 110 of the support structure 102 emit light onto the growing tray directly below that particular support unit 110). The lighting units 134 may be LED strip lights configured to emit light having a spectrum that promotes the growth of crops growing within the growing tray 160.

[0050] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the support unit 110 along a line extending in a direction transverse to the lighting unit 134, showing the lighting unit 134 located within the ventilation hole 132. Within each ventilation hole 132, there is a heat sink 136 mounted on top of each lighting unit 134. The heat sink 136 has a strip shape similar to that of the lighting unit 134. The heat sink 136 may be provided as part of the platform 112 such that the lighting unit 134 is mounted on the platform by attaching the lighting unit to the bottom of the heat sink 136, or alternatively, the heat sink 136 may be provided as part of the lighting unit 134 such that the lighting unit 134 already includes the heat sink 136 before the lighting unit 134 is attached to the platform 112. In use, the heat sink 136 transfers the heat generated by the lighting unit 134 to the air within the ventilation hole 132 and above the ventilation hole 132. The heat sink 136 is provided with fins to increase the surface area available for heat transfer, and the heat sink 136 may be made of any material suitable for acting as a heat sink, for example, a material having a high heat capacity and thermal conductivity such as aluminum or copper.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 7, the ventilation holes 132 are in the form of continuous channels leading towards the bottom surface 114 of the platform for accommodating the strip lighting units 134, but are in the form of a series of sub-ventilation holes leading towards the upper surface 118 of the platform. This configuration of the ventilation holes 132 may be useful for maintaining the structural integrity of the platform 112.

[0052] Considering that the platform openings 128 and the ventilation holes 132 extend through the recess 124 in the upper surface 118 of the platform, each ventilation space 126 is also in fluid communication with the corresponding platform opening 128 and ventilation hole 132. Each ventilation space 126 also opens on opposite sides of the platform 112.

[0053] In use, the fan 130 operates to generate an air flow in the vicinity of each growing tray 160 of each tier of the support structure. These air flows help to evenly distribute heat, humidity, CO 2 etc., which helps to provide uniform conditions for optimal and uniform crop growth. The fan 130 also operates to generate an air flow through each ventilation space 126, which helps to remove the warm air generated by the lighting unit 134 from the bottom of the growing tray 160. The fan 130 also helps to draw air from the controlled environment surrounding the support structure into the center of the support structure 102, so that the growing environment across all growing trays 160 adapts as quickly as possible to the controlled environment.

[0054] The fan 130 may be configured to blow air upwards or downwards, since both directions have the same effect of generating an air flow through each ventilation space 126. However, it may be desirable to configure the fan 130 to blow air upwards in order to avoid the air pushing down the crops within the growing tray 160.

[0055] In addition to the ventilation spaces 126 that provide a path for air to circulate within the support structure 102, the two ventilation spaces 126 of this example also allow the forks of a forklift vehicle to be inserted or stored under the growing tray 160 supported on the support unit 110, whereby the growing tray 160 can be removed from or placed on the support unit 110. In this example, both the platform upper surface 118 and the tray bottom surface 166 have recesses 124, 170 between which the ventilation space 126 is defined, but only one of the platform upper surface 118 and the tray bottom surface 166 may be provided with a recess and the other surface may be substantially flat. However, it is not essential to enable a forklift vehicle to handle the growing tray 160, and thus any number and arrangement of ventilation spaces 126 may be defined between the support unit 110 and the growing tray 160.

[0056] The support unit is also not limited to the exact number of platform openings 128, fans 130, ventilation holes 132, lighting units 134, and heat sinks 136 described in the above example. Depending on the ventilation and lighting requirements of the vertical farming system 100, one or more of each of these mechanisms may be provided.

[0057] FIG. 8 shows an alternative example in which, instead of or in addition to the individual fans 130 provided for each platform opening 128, the support unit 110 comprises a "bladeless" fan 150 attached to the bottom side of the platform 112 of each support unit 110. The bladeless fan 150 comprises an annular nozzle 152, which is configured to discharge air downwardly towards the growing tray 160 directly below the annular nozzle of the support structure 102. Further, the annular nozzle 152 is shaped and sized similar to the outer periphery of the growing tray 160 such that air is discharged substantially around the edge of the growing tray 160.

[0058] The principle of how a bladeless fan operates is well-known. For example, WO2010 / 100451 (Dyson Technology Limited), which is incorporated herein by reference, describes the structure and operation of a bladeless fan. For example, to generate an air stream discharged by an annular nozzle 152, the bladeless fan 150 of the support unit 110 of the present application may include a base (not shown) that houses a motor-driven impeller for drawing air into the base. Referring to the cross-sectional perspective view of the support unit 110 in FIG. 9, the annular nozzle 152 is connected to a base (not shown) such that the drawn air is driven by the impeller into the internal annular passage 154 of the annular nozzle 152. The annular nozzle 152 further includes an annular outlet 156 in the form of an annular slot through which air is discharged. When air is discharged downward, air from the ventilation space 126 is drawn downward through the platform opening 128 and through the central opening defined by the annular nozzle 152, creating an air stream that flows downward through each ventilation space 126 toward the growth tray 160. The annular nozzle 152 may further include a Coanda surface located adjacent to the annular outlet 156, and the air is directed onto this Coanda surface when it exits the annular outlet 156. In this way, an increased amount of air can be drawn downward through the ventilation space 126.

[0059] When using the bladeless fan 150 as described, a smooth and uniform air stream can be generated that substantially covers the growth tray 160 to its outer periphery, which can help provide a more uniform growth environment across each growth tray 160. Further, the annular shape of the annular nozzle 152 allows the annular nozzle to extend around the outside of the lighting unit 134 without obstructing the light emitted by the lighting unit 134. Further, the bladeless fan 150 can be used to replace the individual fans 130, which makes it possible to reduce the number of electrical components on each support unit 110 while still providing a good air stream over a large surface area.

[0060] To supply power to each support unit 110 to power the fans 130, 150, and / or the lighting unit 134, each support unit 110 may include a power connector (not shown) configured to connect to an external power source (not shown). Wires for transmitting power from the external power source to the support unit 110 may be routed along the upright member 104. Wires for transmitting power between the power connector and the fans 130, 150, the lighting unit 134, and / or any other electrical components may be routed through grooves (not shown) in the platform top surface 118 and / or the platform bottom surface 114, or the wires may be routed internally within the platform 112. The platform 112 may include a connection interface for reversibly connecting the fans 130, 150, the lighting unit 134, and / or other electrical components to the power connector so that the fans and lighting units can be quickly and easily electrically coupled and attached to the platform 112.

[0061] Other ways of powering the electrical components of the platform are also possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, horizontally adjacent support units 110 may be electrically coupled together via an electrical connector 158. In this way, only one of the series of electrically coupled support units 110 needs to be connected to an external power source.

[0062] Alternatively, the platform 112 may include an internal rechargeable or replaceable power source (e.g., a battery) and a connection interface for reversibly connecting the fans 130, 150, the lighting unit 134, and / or other electrical components to the internal power source. Alternatively, each electrical component may have its own integrated power source.

[0063] Referring back to FIG. 4, the support unit 110 further includes an internal irrigation conduit 138 defined by the inner surface of the platform 112. In this particular example, the internal irrigation conduit 138 is defined by the inner surface below the central support portion 120a of the platform upper surface 118. The internal irrigation conduit 138 extends from one side surface of the platform 112 to the opposite side surface of the platform 112, and there are two inlet portions 140 at both ends of the internal irrigation conduit 138 for receiving fluid into the internal irrigation conduit 138, and an outlet portion 142 at the center. The outlet portion 142 is configured to deliver fluid from the internal irrigation conduit 138 to the platform upper surface 118. The outlet portion 142 includes an irrigation connector 144 for connecting to a growing tray 160 supported on the support unit 110. The irrigation connector 144 is configured to be removably insertable into the internal irrigation conduit through the outlet portion 142.

[0064] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional side view of each support unit 110 along a line extending along the internal irrigation conduit 138. The irrigation connector 144 includes a vertically extending tubular wall 146 that defines a lateral opening 147. The irrigation connector 144 can be inserted into the outlet portion 142 such that the lateral opening 147 aligns with one side of the internal irrigation conduit 138 while the tubular wall 146 blocks the other half of the internal irrigation conduit 138. In this way, fluid flowing into the internal irrigation conduit 138 from the inlet portion 140 on the open side can pass through the outlet portion 142 via the irrigation connector, but the fluid is prevented from flowing out from the other inlet portion 140 on the blocked side of the internal irrigation conduit 138.

[0065] The growth tray 160 is configured to receive fluid from below into the growth tray 160 through an irrigation opening 172 that extends through the base 162 of the growth tray 160. (The irrigation opening 172 is shown in FIG. 11 but may be present and not shown in any of the other figures.) The tray bottom surface 166 of the growth tray 160 includes a protruding male connection portion 174 that surrounds the irrigation opening 172, and the irrigation connector 144 of the support unit 110 is a female connector configured to receive the male connection portion 174 downward. When the growth tray 160 is received on the support unit 110, the male connection portion is received within the irrigation connector 144 such that the irrigation opening 172 of the growth tray 160 is in fluid communication with the internal irrigation conduit 138.

[0066] The irrigation connector 144 may be made of a flexible material, such as a rubber material, so as to be able to form a watertight seal between the irrigation connector 144 and the male connection portion 174.

[0067] FIG. 12 shows how fluid can be delivered to the internal irrigation conduits 138 of each growth tray 160. The vertical farming system 100 includes an irrigation system configured to transfer fluid from a central fluid source to the internal irrigation conduits 138 of each support unit 110. The irrigation system includes a plurality of supply conduits 180 that extend horizontally at each level of the support structure 102. A pair of opposing support units 110 on a particular level are arranged along both sides of the supply conduit 180 on that level, and the support unit 110 is oriented such that one of the inlet portions 140 faces the supply conduit 180. The irrigation system further includes four-way connectors 182 spaced along the supply conduit 180 configured to connect the supply conduit 180 to one of the inlet portions 140 of each pair of support units 110. Each of the supply conduits 180 on each level may be connected to a central supply conduit for supplying fluid to each of the supply conduits 180.

[0068] To fill the growing tray 160 with fluid, the fluid is supplied to the supply conduit 180, whereby the fluid flows into the growing tray via the internal irrigation conduit 138 of the support unit 110. When the fluid height in each growing tray 160 reaches the desired height, the fluid can be held in the growing tray 160 for a predetermined time period and then discharged under gravity through the internal irrigation conduit 138 and the supply conduit 180. The supply conduit 180 can be connected to a central discharge conduit that transfers the discharged fluid away from the support structure 102. The irrigation system can include one or more valves for controlling the supply of fluid to the growing tray 160 and the discharge of fluid from the growing tray 160.

[0069] The irrigation system is not limited to the above-described arrangement, and other arrangements of conduits for supplying fluid to each of the growing trays are possible. For example, instead of the supply conduits extending horizontally in each tier, the irrigation system may include supply conduits extending vertically and configured to supply fluid to the growing trays 160 in different tiers.

[0070] Furthermore, having two inlet portions 140 for the internal irrigation conduit 138 provides flexibility regarding how each support unit 110 is oriented on the support structure, although the internal irrigation conduit 138 may of course be formed to have only one inlet portion 140 (e.g., the internal irrigation conduit 138 does not extend beyond the outlet portion 142 to the other side of the platform 112).

[0071] The fluid used in the vertical farming system 100 can be a liquid or a liquid solution, such as water in which nutrients or other substances that promote crop growth are dissolved.

[0072] The support unit 110 can also further include one or more sensors (not shown) attached to the platform 112. The sensors can be, for example, temperature, humidity, light intensity, CO 2It can be configured to monitor one or more local environmental conditions such as concentration. The support unit 110 may further include data communication means for transmitting data from the sensor to an external data logging device so that the environment throughout the support structure 102 can be monitored. The data communication means can be wired (for example, using an electric wire routed along the upright member 104), or wireless using any suitable wireless network protocol, such as Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, LoRaWAN®, etc.

[0073] Accordingly, the support unit 110 of the vertical farming system 100 of the present application provides a support for the growth tray 160 that conveniently integrates one or more utilities such as ventilation, lighting, irrigation, and / or power into a single platform 112. By using a single platform 112 with integrated utilities, it becomes possible to modularly and quickly assemble the vertical farming system 100, and it becomes possible to easily place the growth tray 160 on the platform 112 without using additional manual connections.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the exact forms described above, and various modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. For example, although the support unit 110 described above has a plurality of integrated utilities, a support unit 110 having only one integrated utility may still be advantageous. Further, although the support unit 110 described above is configured to support only one growth tray 160, the support unit 110 may be sized to support a plurality of growth trays 160 on a single platform 112. In this case, the internal irrigation conduit 138 may include a plurality of outlet portions 142 for coupling to the plurality of growth trays 160. Further, the support unit 110 does not necessarily have to be supported on the horizontal member 106 of the support structure 102, and instead, it may be directly attached to the upright member 104.

[0075] An example of the bladeless fan 150 has been described above in combination with the support unit 110. However, the bladeless fan 150 can be more generally used in vertical farming systems because it uses fewer electrical components to provide an air flow over a wider area compared to using many conventional bladed fans. For example, a vertical farming system can include a plurality of growing trays and a support structure for supporting the plurality of growing trays at a plurality of vertically spaced tray positions (e.g., using shelves, racks, or other support means). The bladeless fan can be provided above one or more corresponding tray positions, and each bladeless fan includes an annular nozzle configured to discharge air downward. The annular nozzle can be sized and shaped similar to the outer perimeter of at least one of the growing trays. For example, the annular nozzle can be sized and shaped similar to the outer perimeter of one growing tray such that the bladeless fan generates an air flow around the perimeter of one growing tray. However, the annular nozzle can be sized larger to extend around the perimeter of two or more growing trays. The vertical farming system can further include one or more lighting units positioned above each tray position to radiate light downward onto each growing tray. The annular nozzle can be configured to extend around the perimeter of the lighting unit at each tray position such that the radiated light is not blocked by the bladeless fan.

Claims

1. A vertical farming system comprising: a plurality of growing trays for receiving a growing medium for germinating, propagating, and / or growing organisms, wherein each growing tray comprises a tray bottom surface; a plurality of support units, wherein each support unit comprises a single platform having a platform upper surface for supporting the tray bottom surface of the growing tray from below, and each tray bottom surface and / or each platform upper surface is configured such that when the growing tray is supported on the support unit, a ventilation space is defined between the tray bottom surface and the platform upper surface, and each support unit further comprises a fan attached to the platform, the fan being configured to generate an air flow through the ventilation space; a support structure configured to support the plurality of support units in a vertically spaced arrangement; A vertical farming system comprising the above.

2. The platform of each support unit further comprises a platform bottom surface and a platform opening extending through the platform upper surface and the platform bottom surface, the platform opening being in fluid communication with the ventilation space, and the fan being configured to generate an air flow through the platform opening and the ventilation space. The vertical farming system according to Claim 1.

3. The fan is at least partially attached within the platform opening, or directly above or below the platform opening, and the fan is configured to blow air vertically. The vertical farming system according to Claim 2.

4. The fan is a bladeless fan, or the support unit further comprises a bladeless fan, the bladeless fan is located below the bottom surface of the platform, the bladeless fan has an annular nozzle configured to discharge air downward, and the annular nozzle has a shape and size similar to the outer periphery of each growing tray. The vertical farming system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. Each support unit further comprises a lighting unit attached to the platform, the lighting unit being configured to emit light into a region below the platform. The vertical farming system according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. The platform further includes ventilation holes extending through the upper surface and the bottom surface of the platform, such that the ventilation space is in fluid communication with both the platform opening and the ventilation holes, and the lighting unit is at least partially mounted within or below the ventilation holes. The vertical farming system according to claim 5.

7. The support unit further includes a heat sink attached to the lighting unit and configured to dissipate heat from the lighting unit upward into the ventilation holes. The vertical farming system according to claim 6.

8. The ventilation space is partially defined by a recess in the upper surface of the platform, and the platform opening extends through the recess and the bottom surface of the platform. The vertical farming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The ventilation space is partially defined by a recess in the bottom surface of the tray. The vertical farming system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The ventilation space is in the form of a channel extending between opposite side surfaces of the platform. The vertical farming system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The bottom surface of the tray and / or the upper surface of the platform are configured to define two ventilation spaces in the form of channels disposed on both sides of a central support portion. The vertical farming system according to claim 10.

12. Each growing tray includes a tray opening for receiving fluid into the growing tray, the inner surface of the platform defines an internal irrigation conduit for transferring fluid, and the internal irrigation conduit includes an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet connectable to the tray opening to establish fluid communication between the internal irrigation conduit and the growing tray. The vertical farming system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The tray opening extends through the bottom surface of the tray, and the outlet is configured to couple to the tray opening at the bottom surface of the tray. The vertical farming system according to claim 12.

14. The outlet includes an irrigation connector configured to couple to the tray opening. The vertical farming system according to claim 13.

15. The vertical farming system according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising a central irrigation system configured to transfer fluid to the inlet of the internal irrigation conduit of each support unit.

16. A vertical farming system, comprising: a plurality of growing trays for receiving a growing medium for germinating, propagating, and / or growing organisms, wherein each growing tray has a tray bottom surface; a plurality of support units, wherein each support unit comprises a single platform having a platform upper surface for supporting the tray bottom surface of the growing tray from below, and an inner surface of the platform defines an internal irrigation conduit having an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet for delivering the fluid to the growing tray supported on the platform; a support structure configured to support the plurality of support units in a vertically spaced-apart arrangement; A vertical farming system comprising the above.

17. The vertical farming system according to claim 16, wherein each growing tray has a tray opening for receiving fluid into the growing tray, and the outlet of the internal irrigation conduit is connectable to the tray opening to establish fluid communication between the internal irrigation conduit and the growing tray.

18. The vertical farming system according to claim 17, wherein the tray opening extends through the tray bottom surface.

19. The vertical farming system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the outlet comprises an irrigation connector configured to couple to the tray opening at the tray bottom surface.

20. The vertical farming system according to any one of claims 16 to 19, further comprising a central irrigation system configured to transfer fluid to the inlet of the internal irrigation conduit of each support unit.

21. The vertical farming system according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein each support unit further comprises a lighting unit attached to the platform, and the lighting unit is configured to emit light into a region below the platform.

22. A vertical farming system, comprising: a plurality of growing trays for receiving a growing medium for germinating, propagating, and / or growing organisms; a support structure configured to support the plurality of growing trays at a plurality of vertically spaced-apart tray positions; A plurality of bladeless fans, wherein each bladeless fan is located above one or more corresponding tray positions, and each bladeless fan comprises an annular nozzle configured to discharge air downward. A vertical farming system comprising the above.

23. The vertical farming system according to claim 22, wherein each annular nozzle has a size and shape similar to the outer periphery of at least one of the growing trays.

24. Further comprising one or more lighting units located above each tray position and configured to emit light downward. The annular nozzle of each bladeless fan extends around the one or more lighting units at each tray position. The vertical farming system according to claim 22 or 23.

25. The vertical farming system according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the platform of at least one support unit further comprises a power connector configured to be electrically coupled to an external power source for transmitting power from the external power source to at least one electrical or electronic component of the support unit.

26. The vertical farming system according to any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the platform of each support unit comprises a power transmission connector configured to enable adjacent support units to be electrically coupled for transmitting power between adjacent support units.

27. The vertical farming system according to any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein the platform of each support unit comprises an internal rechargeable or replaceable power source configured to supply power to at least one electrical or electronic component of the support unit.

28. Each support unit further includes at least one sensor attached to the platform, and the at least one sensor is configured to measure at least one of temperature, humidity, light intensity, and CO ２ The vertical farming system according to any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein the vertical farming system is configured to measure at least one of concentrations.

29. The vertical farming system according to claim 28, wherein each support unit further comprises wireless communication means configured to transmit data from the at least one sensor to an external data logging device.

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