Moveable cover for rotational hydroponic farming systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a moveable cover for rotational hydroponic farming systems of the type comprising rows or lines of posts (1) for supporting the crops, the top of the posts ending in a horizontal shaft (8) on which a mechanism comprising a pair of supports for the hydroponic crop can rotate, wherein the rotation mechanism for the crop supports includes a moveable cover (6), which rotates together with the shaft (8) by means of an T-shaped structure (5). When the structure is in the position in which the hydroponic crop supports (11) are aligned horizontally, the cover (6) is disposed horizontally, parallel to the supports, while when the supports (11) are aligned vertically, the cover (6) is disposed laterally to the supports, in a vertical position, thereby determining a means for regulating the solar radiation falling on the lines of crops.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Mobile cover for rotational hydroponic cultivation systems.

[0003] TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0004] The present invention relates to a mobile cover that has been specially designed to be attached to a rotational system for hydroponic equipment, and whose purpose is to control the light radiation that reaches the plants in order to optimize plant growth, as well as plant production.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a system that allows controlling the radiation incident on the plant, and therefore the control of the temperature of the substrate, by allowing this cover to retain the heat in the substrate and thus avoid rapid cooling of the substrate, all from a simple structure, independent of the greenhouse in which it is implanted, and can even be implanted outdoors, and that allows optimizing the exposure of the plants to sunlight.

[0006] This invention consists of a new dual-axis traction system connected by a rack, responsible for transmitting movement between the axles.

[0007] The invention is applicable to any type of hydroponic cultivation, being especially interesting for the cultivation of strawberries.

[0008] Ultimately, the object of the invention is to provide means that allow hydroponic crops to be optimized with greater control over the evolution and development of the plant.

[0009] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The hydroponic plant cultivation method is based on the exclusive use of nutrient-enriched water to promote plant growth. In this approach, we dispense with soil, placing the plants on pipes through which water circulates, carrying the nutrients necessary for their growth.

[0011] The applicant himself is the holder of the invention patent P202030424, which describes a rotational system for hydroponic equipment consisting of a series of vertical struts embedded in the ground, which, near their upper end, include a 90° inclined "V" section that allows the supports for the hydroponic crops to be arranged in vertical alignment. The struts end at the top in a horizontal axis on which a series of double arms rotate, by means of bearings, rollers or any other conventional means, at the ends of which the supports intended to contain the hydroponic crops in question are supported.

[0012] Until the time of the present invention, crops lacked a physical means by which light radiation and temperature could be controlled at the plant level.

[0013] On the other hand, when there are installations or equipment for radiation or temperature control, they are based on elements incorporated into high-resistance greenhouses, so in outdoor hydroponic installations or greenhouses not designed to support loads, the installation of radiation and temperature control elements is not possible.

[0014] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The proposed installation has been designed to solve the aforementioned problem, based on a simple but effective solution.

[0016] To this end, the invention is based on the structuring of the rotational system for hydroponic equipment described in invention patent P202030424, which includes a plurality of vertical struts arranged in a row with a distance between struts appropriate to the weight of the crop, and where near their upper end said struts include a 90° inclined "V" section that allows the supports for the hydroponic crops to be arranged in vertical alignment.

[0017] Well, according to the invention, before the 90° inclined "V" section there is a support composed of a bearing, roller or any mechanical support, on which a curved or straight rack can move, which is responsible for transmitting the tilting movement to double arms, from the ends of which the supports intended to contain the hydroponic crops in question are supported in the hydroponic channels.

[0018] More specifically, there are two sets of axles. The first, the lower axle, transmits the turning motion and is the one on which the rack moves. The second set of axles, the upper one, supports the mobile cover and the double arms and allows for turning motion, allowing horizontal and vertical alignment of the crop lines.

[0019] On the upper shaft, an "L"-shaped piece is permanently or temporarily attached to the axle using conventional materials. The curved rack end is connected to the lower end of the "L" by a rotating movable joint, consisting of a shaft, screws, nuts, or any element that allows rotational movement. This joint allows the contact surfaces of the "L" and the rack to move relative to each other.

[0020] On the upper end of the "L" there is a "T" shaped support, which serves as a frame to support the element responsible for producing or preventing radiation from reaching the plant. This "T" frame is composed of metal elements of the same or different sections. The lower part of the "T" is fixed by means of a temporary union to the upper part of the "L".

[0021] Both the "L" and "T" supports are securely attached to the upper axis, which acts as the center of rotation, allowing for horizontal and vertical arrangement. A series of double arms are arranged on this same axis, and at the ends of these arms are the supports that support the hydroponic channels.

[0022] The axles can be driven by a motorized transmission, or, in a simpler variant, by a lever attached to the rotation assembly provided for the axles. The movement, via a motorized transmission, begins with an electric motor buried in the ground, from which a power transmission shaft extends, positioned perpendicular to the crop lines at one end of the line. The movement is transmitted from the power shaft to the lower shaft, described above, by means of a flexible transmission with a pinion, chain, belt, and a reduction gearbox for greater control over the rotation speed.

[0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description that follows and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0024] Figure 1.- Shows an elevation view of the mobile cover of the invention applied to a rotational hydroponic cultivation system, which cover is shown in its two extreme operating positions.

[0025] Figure 2.- Shows an elevation representation with several crop lines with the mobile screen in a horizontal position.

[0026] Figure 3.- Shows an elevation representation with several crop lines with the mobile screen in a vertical position.

[0027] Figure 4.- Shows a representation corresponding to a perspective of the different elements and components that participate in the hydroponic irrigation installation represented in the previous figure in a horizontal position.

[0028] Figure 5.- Shows a representation corresponding to a perspective of the different elements and components that participate in the hydroponic irrigation installation represented in the previous figure in a vertical position.

[0029] Figure 6.- Shows a detail of the drive system, corresponding to a perspective of the different elements and components that participate in the hydroponic irrigation installation represented in the previous figure in a vertical position.

[0030] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0031] In view of the figures shown, it can be seen how the device of the invention is intended to be implemented in rotational systems for hydroponic equipment such as that described in invention patent P202030424, in which rows or lines of struts (1) for supporting the crops participate, struts that in proximity to their upper end include a "V" sector (2) inclined 90° or adjusted to the profile of the specific support of the corresponding hydroponic crop, which ends at the top in a horizontal axis (8) on which a mechanism can rotate in which a pair of supports (11) of the hydroponic crop in question participate, by means of articulated fixings (10), supports that are hung from said mechanism through respective arms (9), so that through the corresponding means of regulating the angular position of the horizontal axis (8),Hydroponic growing lines can be aligned either horizontally or vertically, as shown in Figure 1.

[0032] Well, in accordance with the essence of the invention, it has been provided that a “T” structure (5) is attached to the horizontal axis (8) that controls the position of the cultivation lines, to whose upper branch a cover (6) is linked.

[0033] From this structuring, the cover (6) will move synchronously with the supports (11) of the cultivation lines, so that it, as shown in figures 2 and 4, can adopt two extreme positions, a position in which it is arranged horizontally, parallel and superior to the supports (11), protecting the cultivation lines from solar radiation, and another extreme position, the one shown in figures 3, 5 and 6, in which said cover (6) adopts a vertical and lateral arrangement to the cultivation lines, without obstructing the incident solar radiation on the hydroponic crops.

[0034] Consequently, the horizontal axis (8) will be conveniently actuated between its two extreme working positions depending on the incident solar radiation. This allows greater heat retention in the substrate, preventing rapid cooling of said substrate.

[0035] As stated above, this axis (8) can be operated manually, although its operation will preferably be motorized.

[0036] To this end, and as can be seen in detail in figures 1 and 6, the means for regulating the angular position of the support mechanism of the crop lines between two extreme working positions will preferably be embodied in an “L” shaped arm (4) which is attached at one of its ends to the shaft (8), while at its other end it is linked to a rack (3) which is actuated by means of a pinion (7) whose rotation axis is parallel to the shaft (8), and which is associated with a motorized transmission, linked to the strut (1) below the “V” shaped section (2), transmission in which a chain (12) linked to an electric motor installed at ground level participates.

[0037] It only remains to point out finally that the complete system can be implemented in a greenhouse (13) under which the system of the invention does not need the structure for its stability.

[0038] Likewise, this system can be installed outdoors and will be protected by the proposed system object of the invention.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S 1 a.- Mobile cover for rotational hydroponic cultivation systems, systems in which rows or lines of struts (1) for supporting the crops participate, struts that in proximity to their upper end include a "V" sector (2) inclined at 90° or adjusted to the profile of the specific support of the corresponding hydroponic cultivation, which ends at the top in a horizontal axis (8) on which a mechanism can rotate in which a pair of supports for the hydroponic cultivation in question participate, supports that are hung from said mechanism through respective arms (9), the system including means for regulating the angular position of the support mechanism between two extreme working positions, a position in which the supports (11) of the hydroponic cultivation are aligned horizontally, and another position in which the supports (11) are aligned vertically, characterized in that,The rotation mechanism of the cultivation supports includes an equally mobile cover (6), which rotates in a manner integral with the axis (8) through a "T" structure (5), a structure that in the position in which the supports (11) of the hydroponic cultivation are aligned horizontally, the cover (6) is arranged horizontally, superior, parallel to them, while in the position in which the supports (11) are aligned vertically, the cover (6) is arranged laterally to said supports in a vertical position, thus determining a means of regulating the incident solar radiation on the cultivation lines associated with the supports (11). 2 a .- Mobile cover for rotational hydroponic cultivation systems, according to claim 1 a, where the axis (8) is actuated through an “L” shaped arm (4) associated with a rack (3) that is actuated by means of a pinion (7) whose rotation axis is parallel to the axis (8), and which is associated with a motorized transmission, linked to the strut (1) below the “V” shaped section (2), which can be activated depending on the incident solar radiation. 3 a .- Mobile cover for rotational hydroponic cultivation systems, according to claim 1 a , where the shaft (8) is actuated through a manual drive mechanism.

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