All season greenhouse with advanced thermal management

Abstract

An all-season greenhouse, wherein the greenhouse comprises a front wall, a rear wall; and a solar energy controlling front face system disposed between the front wall and rear wall. In various embodiments the solar energy controlling front face system comprises an inner layer comprising a solar energy non-filtering film, and a controlled exposure outer layer system. The controlled exposure outer layer system comprises a transparent radiative sky-cooling (TRSC) film and is controllably moveable between a fully closed position a fully opened position.

Description

Atty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066ALL SEASON GREENHOUSE WITH ADVANCED THERMAL MANAGEMENTCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a PCT International Application of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 679,870, filed on August 6, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to greenhouses, and more particularly to an all-season greenhouse with advanced thermal management.BACKGROUND

[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0004] Greenhouses are designed to protect crops and enhance their growth by controlling light, temperature, and humidity. However, they can face challenges, particularly with managing excessive heat accumulation during hot, sunny days. In summer, excessive solar irradiation is the primary cause of greenhouse overheating. Solar radiation comprises ultraviolet (UV) radiation (e.g., <380 nm wavelength), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (e.g., 400-700 nm wavelength), and near-infrared radiation (NIR) (e.g., 760-2500 nm wavelength). While PAR is essential for effective photosynthesis, UV and NIR, which account for more than 50% of solar radiation, contribute to undesirable heating within the greenhouse during the summertime. Passive cooling strategies, such as utilizing black barrels filled with water, offer a solution but can sometimes retain too much heat, leading to higher temperatures at night. Moreover, these water barrels occupy valuable space that could otherwise be used for crop cultivation. Shading methods can provide relief in moderately hot conditions but often fall short during extreme heat waves. While active cooling systems like ventilation and evaporative cooling are effective, they also come with a higher cost. Furthermore, traditionalAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 greenhouse covering materials lack spectral selectivity (or filtering ability), transmitting PAR, LIV and NIR equally, resulting in elevated temperatures inside the structure. Manual shading methods are often employed to mitigate heat, but they indiscriminately reduce PAR, LIV and NIR transmission. The reduction in PAR transmission negatively impacts crop photosynthesis and can lead to reduced yield.SUMMARY

[0005] In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an all- season greenhouse, wherein the greenhouse comprises a front wall, a rear wall; and a solar energy controlling front face system disposed between the front wall and rear wall. In various embodiments the solar energy controlling front face system comprises an inner layer comprising a solar energy non-filtering film, and a controlled exposure outer layer system. The controlled exposure outer layer system comprises a transparent radiative sky-cooling (TRSC) film and is controllably moveable between a fully closed position a fully opened position.

[0006] In various other embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling an environment of an interior growing area of an all-season greenhouse. In various instances the method comprises selectively reflecting ultraviolet (UV) radiation and near-infrared (NIR) radiation away from the interior growing area of the greenhouse while allowing photosynthetically active radiation to enter the interior growing area utilizing a solar energy controlling front face system, harvesting condensation produced by and formed on the solar energy controlling front face system, and collecting the harvested condensation within a fresh water storage reservoir of the greenhouse. The method additionally comprises utilizing the collect condensation to maintain a temperature of soil of the greenhouse via one or more water conduits disposed within the soil, fluidly connected to the fresh water storage reservoir, and thermally connected to an underground heat exchanger, to thereby maintain a temperature of the interior growing area within a desired range. The method further comprises exchanging thermal energy between interior ambientAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 air of the interior growing area and a phase change material (PCM) wall of the greenhouse to thereby maintain the temperature of the interior growing area within the desired range, wherein a temperature of the PCM wall is controlled by the collected condensation flowing through the one or more water conduits and / or solar radiation striking the PCM wall.

[0007] In yet other embodiments, the present disclosure provides an all-season greenhouse that comprises a solar energy controlling front face system, wherein the solar energy controlling front face system is disposed such that solar energy controlling front face system faces South. In various instances the solar energy controlling front face system comprises an inner layer comprising a solar energy non-filtering film; a controlled exposure outer layer system comprising a plurality of louvers each comprising a transparent radiative sky-cooling (TRSC) film, wherein the louvers are controllably moveable the fully closed position and the fully opened position; and a thermal gap provided between the inner layer and the controlled exposure outer layer system. The greenhouse additionally comprises a phase change material (PCM) energy storage wall, wherein the PCM energy storage wall comprises a cavity filled with a PCM and at least one heat pipe structure disposed within the PCM.

[0008] This summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing various example embodiments of the present disclosure so as to provide a basic understanding of various aspects of the teachings herein. Various embodiments, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments. Accordingly, it should be understood that the description and specific examples set forth herein are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings.Atty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.

[0010] Figure 1 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a four-season greenhouse having a solar energy controlling front face system configured in a fully closed position and illustrating the direction of solar radiation during warm and hot periods (e.g., hours, days, months when the exterior ambient environment temperature is above approximately 27°C, e.g., spring and summer months), in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the four- season greenhouse solar energy controlling front face system shown in Figure 1 configured in a fully opened position and illustrating the direction of solar radiation during cool and cold periods (e.g., hours, days months when the exterior ambient environment temperature is below approximately 27°C, e.g., fall and winter months), in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 3 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a portion of the four-season greenhouse solar energy controlling front face system shown in Figures 1 and 2 having a controlled exposure outer layer system thereof disposed in the fully closed position, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 4 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the portion of the four-season greenhouse solar energy controlling front face system shown in Figures 1 , 2, and 3 having the controlled exposure outer layer system thereof disposed in the fully opened position, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 5 is an exemplary illustration of a heat exchanger fresh air vent of the four-season greenhouse shown in Figures 1 and 2, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] It should be understood that any or all of the features, functions and and / or method steps illustrated in each respective figure can be readily andAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 easily combined with any or all of the features, functions and / or method step illustrated in one or more of the other figures to describe, generate and exemplarily illustrate various embodiments of the present invention that are described and / or claimed herein, and such embodiments would be readily and easily understood and envisioned by one skilled in the art without the need for exemplary illustrations of such embodiments whose features, functions and / or method steps are clearly described and illustrated in the combination of the various figures.

[0016] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present teachings, application, or uses. Throughout this specification, like / same reference numerals will be used to refer to like elements. Additionally, the embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art can utilize their teachings. As well, it should be understood that the drawings are intended to illustrate and plainly disclose presently envisioned embodiments to one of skill in the art, but are not intended to be manufacturing level drawings or renditions of final products and may include simplified conceptual views to facilitate understanding or explanation. As well, the relative size and arrangement of the components may differ from that shown and still operate within the spirit of the invention.

[0018] As used herein, the word "exemplary" or "illustrative" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described herein as "exemplary" or "illustrative" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the artAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

[0019] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a”, "an”, and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", “including”, and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps can be employed.

[0020] When an element, object, device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., is referred to as being "on”, “engaged to or with”, "connected to or with”, or "coupled to or with" another element, object, device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., it can be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to or with the other element, object, device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., or intervening elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, regions or sections, etc., can be present. In contrast, when an element, object, device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., is referred to as being "directly on”, “directly engaged to”, "directly connected to”, or "directly coupled to" another element, object, device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., there may be no intervening elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, regions or sections, etc., present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, regionsAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 or sections, etc., should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between”, “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”, etc.).

[0021] As used herein the phrase “operably connected to” will be understood to mean two are more elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, etc., that are directly or indirectly connected to each other in an operational and / or cooperative manner such that operation or function of at least one of the elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, etc., imparts or causes operation or function of at least one other of the elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, etc. Such imparting or causing of operation or function can be unilateral or bilateral.

[0022] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example, A and / or B includes A alone, or B alone, or both A and B.

[0023] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, regions or sections, etc., these elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, regions or sections, etc., should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, object, device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., from another element, object, device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., and do not necessarily imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.

[0024] Moreover, it will be understood that various directions such as "upper", "lower", "bottom", "top", "left", "right", "first", "second" and so forth are made only with respect to explanation in conjunction with the drawings, and that components may be oriented differently, for instance, during transportation and manufacturing as well as operation. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the concept(s) taught herein, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments described herein, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and non-limiting.Atty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066

[0025] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, the present disclosure provides an all-season greenhouse 10 that comprises and integrates state-of-the- art technologies that are structured and operable to provide a desired plant growing environment generally all year round. The greenhouse 10 has a unique shape and is designed to optimally function when erected in a particular orientation (e.g., directional orientation) where an angled solar energy controlling front face system 14 faces South and a rear wall 18 faces North. The greenhouse 10 comprises a frame or chassis, such as an aluminum frame or chassis that provides structural strength, stability and integrity of the greenhouse 10 and to which other features and elements of the greenhouse described herein are mounted, connected or attached. The frame / chassis is not specifically illustrated in the figures but would be readily understood by one skilled in the art without such specific illustration. The greenhouse 10 generally comprises a front wall 22, the rear wall 18, a roof 26, a heat exchanger fresh air vent 30, the solar energy controlling front face system 14, an underground fresh water storage reservoir 34, an underground energy storage system 38, a sprinkler system 42, and a phase change material (PCM) energy storage wall 46.

[0026] The front wall 22 is mounted to or otherwise anchored to a ground surface 48 at a first end and a second end is connected to or otherwise fixedly joined with a lower end of the solar energy controlling front face system 14 at an angle p. An upper end of the solar energy controlling front face system 14 is connected to or otherwise fixedly joined with a front end of the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 at an angle a. More specifically, the solar energy controlling front face system 14 is connected to or otherwise fixedly joined with the front wall 22 and the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 such that the solar energy controlling front face system 14 is angled downward from the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 to the front wall 22. A rear end of the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 is connected to or otherwise fixedly joined with a top end of the PCM energy storage wall 46. In various instances, the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 is disposed at a right angle to the PCM energy storage wall 46 and the angle plus the angle a equals 180°. A bottomAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 end of the PCM energy storage wall 46 is mounted to or otherwise anchored to the ground surface 48. The PCM energy storage wall 46 is a hollow structure having a front side 46A, and back side 46B, top side 46C (the top side 46C forms a portion of the roof 26) and a bottom side 46D that define a PCM cavity 50 that is filled with a phase change material (PCM) 54.

[0027] The rear wall 18 is connected to or otherwise fixedly joined with roof 26 at a first end, mounted to or otherwise anchored to the ground surface 48 at a second end, and spaced apart from the back side 46B of the PCM energy storage wall 46, thereby defining an auxiliary room 58 between the PCM energy storage wall 46 and rear wall 18. The underground energy storage system 38 comprises one or more of water conduits 62 disposed underground in soil 66 that are fluidly connected to the fresh water storage reservoir 34. Additionally, the water conduit(s) 62 is / are physically and thermally connected to an underground heat exchanger 70 that is also disposed underground in the soil 66. For example, in various embodiments the one or more water conduits 62 can comprise a single water conduit 62 that is fluidly connected to the fresh water reservoir 34 at an inlet end 62A and at an outlet end 62B. In such instances, the water conduit 62 is disposed in a serpentine manner, pattern or arrangement within the soil 66 and passing through the underground heat exchanger 70 multiple times. The greenhouse 10 includes a water pump 72 that is controllable by a computer-based main control system 102 of the greenhouse 10 and is structured and operable to pump water from within the fresh water storage reservoir 34, into and through the water conduit(s) 62, whereafter the water returns to the fresh water storage reservoir 34. The main control system 102 will control the pump 72 to control the supply of a flow rate of water through the conduit(s) 62 to help control the temperature and humidity within the interior growing area 74, as described below. The underground heat exchanger 70 can be any desired type of heat exchanger, for example, in various embodiments the underground heat exchanger 70 can be an oscillating heat pipe (OHP) heat exchanger.

[0028] The sprinkler system 42 comprises a plurality of water sprinklers 42A that are fluidly connected to the underground water conduit(s) 62 andAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 are structured and operable to sprinkle, spray or otherwise disperse water from the fresh water storage reservoir 34 to desired portions of an interior growing area 74 of the greenhouse 10, as described below. More particularly, the sprinklers 42A are structured and operable to water plants 78 growing in the soil 66 within the interior growing area 74. The front wall 22 comprises a hollow downspout 82 that can be disposed internally within a body of the front wall 22 or disposed on an exterior or interior surface or face of the front wall 22. The front wall downspout 82 is fluidly connected between the solar energy controlling front face system 14 and the fresh water storage reservoir 34 such that condensation that forms on and / or within the solar energy controlling front face system 14 will flow into and be collected by the fresh water storage reservoir 34, via the front wall downspout, as described further below. The PCM energy storage wall 46 additionally comprises at least one heat pipe structure or system 86 disposed internally within the PCM wall cavity 50 and within the PCM 54 whereby the PCM 54 surrounds the heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86 such that the heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86 is / are in thermal contact with the PCM 54 and will exchange thermal energy with the PCM 54, and vice-versa. Furthermore, a lower end of the heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86 is / are disposed within and / or in thermal contact with the underground heat exchanger 70 such that the heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86 is / are structured and operable to exchange thermal energy between water flowing through the underground water conduits 62 and the PCM material 50, and vice-versa, via the heat exchanger 70. Additionally, the PCM energy storage wall 46 is structured and operable to exchange thermal energy between the PCM material 50 and the ambient air within the interior growing area 74, and vice-versa. The heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86 can be any desired heat pipe structure(s) or system(s), for example, in various embodiments the heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86 comprises OHP heat pipe structure(s) or system(s).

[0029] Referring now to Figures 1 , 2, 3 and 4, the solar energy controlling front face system 14 is a duo-layer solar energy filtration system having a fixed disposition inner layer 90 and a controlled exposure outer layer system 94.Atty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066In various embodiments the solar energy controlling front face system 14 further comprises a thermal gap 98 provided between inner layer 90 and the outer layer system 94. The inner layer 90 is fixedly secured to the frame or chassis, is comprised of a solar energy non-filtering film 92 that allows generally all solar energy (e.g., photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), ultraviolet (UV) radiation and nearinfrared (NIR) radiation) to pass therethrough. The solar energy non-filtering film 92 can comprise any material or film that structured and operable to allow generally all solar energy (e.g., PAR, UV radiation and NIR radiation) to pass therethrough. For example, in various embodiments the solar energy non-filtering film 92 can comprise a polyethylene (PE) film. The solar energy non-filtering film 92 is structured and operable to let all solar energy (e.g., radiation energy) pass through into the greenhouse interior growing area 74. The controlled exposure outer layer system 94 is comprised of a transparent radiative sky-cooling (TRSC) film 96 and is structured and operable to be controllably moveable or adjustable (manually controlled or computer controlled) between a fully closed position (Figures 1 and 3) and a fully opened position (Figures 2 and 4). For example, in various embodiments, the controlled exposure outer layer system 94 can comprise a plurality of TRSC louvers 94A that can be controllably adjusted to any position between the closed and Open positions. It is envisioned that in various embodiments the TRSC louvers 94A can comprise panels that are fabricated of the TRSC film and extend from base channels (not shown but clearly understood by one skilled in the art) that are connected to linkage (not shown but clearly understood by one skilled in the art) that can be controlled to move the TRSC louvers 94A between the closed and Open positions. Alternatively, it is envisioned that in various embodiments, the TRSC louvers 94A can comprise frames (not shown but clearly understood by one skilled in the art) that have the TRSC film disposed over the frames, wherein the frames are connected to linkage (not shown but clearly understood by one skilled in the art) that can be controlled to move the TRSC louvers 94A between closed and Open positions.Atty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066

[0030] The thermal gap 98 between the inner layer 90 and the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 is structured and operable to function as an insulating layer when the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 is in the fully closed position and air is trapped between the inner layer 90 and the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94. Additionally, when the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 is in the fully or partially closed position, the heat and moisture within the air within the thermal gap 98 will generate or produce condensation that accumulates on the interior surfaces (i.e. , the surfaces facing the thermal gap 98) of one or both of the inner layer 90 and the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 and is collected in the fresh water storage reservoir 34. As described further below, this condensation will flow down the inner layer 90 and / or the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 of the angled the solar energy controlling front face system 14 into the front wall downspout 82 and thereafter into the fresh water storage reservoir 34, as described below.

[0031] As described above, the solar energy controlling front face system 14 of the greenhouse 10 is a duo-layer solar energy filtration system having the inner layer 90 comprising a film and the controlled exposure outer layer system 94 comprising the TRSC film. The film allows all solar energy (identified in Figures 1 and 2 as incident solar radiation ISR) to pass through inner layer 90 into the interior growing area 74 of the greenhouse 10. The TRSC film of the controlled exposure outer layer system 94 is structured and operable allow photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) pass therethrough but reflect ultra-violet (UV) and near infrared (NIR) radiation (identified in Figure 1 as reflected solar radiation RSR) back into space while allowing visible light to pass therethrough into the interior growing area 74. The Importantly, by reflecting the UV and NIR radiation (RSR) back into space, the TRSC film of the controlled exposure outer layer system 94 will maintain a temperature that is lower (e.g., -15° to -10°C lower) than both the ambient air outside the greenhouse 10 (exterior ambient air) and the ambient air within the interior growing area 74 (interior ambient air). As a result of the TRSC film of the controlledAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 exposure outer layer system 94 having a lower temperature (e.g., -15° to -10°C lower) than the exterior and interior ambient air, condensation will be produced and formed on both the exterior and the interior face or surface of the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94. The exterior face or surface of the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 being understood to be the face or surface of the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 generally facing the exterior ambient environment of the greenhouse 10, and the interior face or surface of the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 being understood to be the face or surface of the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 generally facing the thermal gap 98.

[0032] For example, in the various embodiments wherein the controlled exposure outer layer system 94 comprises a plurality of TRSC louvers 94A, condensation will form on both exterior face and the interior face of each of the TRSC louvers 94A of the controlled exposure outer layer system 94. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, the amount of condensation formed on the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 will increase or decrease relative to the level or amount of closure of the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94. That is, the nearer the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 is to the fully closed position the greater the amount of condensation that will be produced and formed on the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94. For example, in the various embodiments wherein the controlled exposure outer layer system 94 comprises a plurality of TRSC louvers 94A, the production and formation of condensation will be greatest when the TRSC louvers 94A are in the fully closed position as shown in Figure 3, will be the least when the TRSC louvers 94A are in the fully opened position as shown in Figure 3, and will vary therebetween relative to the degree or level of closure of the TRSC louvers 94A between the fully Open and fully closed positions. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art, condensation will also be produced or generated and formed on both the exterior and interior faces or surfaces of the inner layer 90 of the solar energy controlling front face system 14 at all time, regardless of the state ofAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066Openness / closedness of the TRSC controlled exposure outer layer system 94. The exterior face or surface of the inner layer 90 being understood to be the face or surface of the inner layer 90 generally facing the thermal gap 98, and interior face of surface of the inner layer 90 being understood to be the face or surface of the inner layer 90 generally facing the interior growing area 74 of the greenhouse 10.

[0033] Furthermore, state of openness / closedness of the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 will be controlled to regulate the exposure of the TRSC film 96 based on weather conditions and sunlight. Particularly, the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 will be closed completely or partially during warm or hot days (e.g., when the exterior ambient environment temperature is above approximately 27°C) with significant sunlight (as described below) to controllably reflect the UV and NIR radiation (RSR) into space, and thereby controllably reduce or prevent the amount of UV and NIR radiation that enters the interior growing area 74. Accordingly, a rise of temperature within the interior growing area 74 will be controllably reduced or minimized to prevent the temperature within the interior growing area 74 from rising above a desired temperature range. Conversely, the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 will be opened completely or partially during cool or cold days (e.g., when the exterior ambient environment temperature is below approximately 27°C) and thereby reflect less UV and NIR radiation into space, to controllably increase the amount of UV and NIR radiation that enters the interior growing area 74. Accordingly, a rise of temperature within the interior growing area 74 will be controllably increased to prevent the temperature within the interior growing area 74 from decreasing below the desired temperature range. In various embodiments the desired temperature range within the interior growing area 74 can be 15°- 20°C in winter and fall seasons, and 10°- 30° in summer and spring seasons.

[0034] Additionally, as described above, when the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 is in the fully closed position the air trapped within the gap 98 between the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 and the inner layer will provide an insulating layer that reduce the amountAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 of thermal heat that passes from the TRSO film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 into the interior growing area 74 to further assist in controllably maintaining the desired temperature of the interior growing area 74 within the desired temperature range.

[0035] For example, in the various embodiments wherein the controlled exposure outer layer system 94 comprises a plurality of TRSC louvers 94A, on warmer or hot days (e.g., above approximately 27°C) with significant sunlight the TRSC louvers 94A will be fully or more closed than on cooler, cold (e.g., below approximately 27°C) days will little sun. Conversely, on cooler, cold not sunny days the TRSC louvers 94A will be fully or more opened than on warmer, hot, sunny days. More particularly, on warmer, hot, sunny days the TRSC louvers 94A will be positioned to be fully closed (e.g., 0°, see Figures 1 and 3 ) or more-closed-than- open (e.g., between 0° and 45°) to thereby reflect more or all (e.g., 50% to 100%) of the UV and NIR radiation (RSR) into space, and thereby controllably reduce or prevent the amount of UV and NIR radiation entering the interior growing area 74. Consequently, a rise of temperature within the interior growing area 74 will be controllably reduced to prevent the temperature within the interior growing area 74 from rising above the desired temperature range. Conversely, on cooler, cold, not sunny days the TRSC louvers 94A will be positioned to be fully open (e.g., 90°, see Figures 2 and 4) or more-open-than-closed (e.g., between 45° and 90°) to thereby reduce, minimize or eliminate the reflection (e.g., 0% to 50%) of the UV and NIR radiation into space, and thereby controllably increase the amount (e.g., 50% to 100%) of UV and NIR radiation that enters the interior growing area 74. Consequently, a rise of temperature within the interior growing area 74 will be controllably increased to prevent the temperature within the interior growing area 74 from decreasing below the desired temperature range.

[0036] As described above, the controlled exposure outer layer system 94 is controllably moveable or adjustable between the closed and open positions via a manually controlled operation system or via a computer controlled operation system. For example, in various embodiments, greenhouse 10 canAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 further include a computer-based main control system 102, comprising at least one processor. The main control system 102 controls various systems, functions and operations of the greenhouse 10 via execution by the processor of one or more greenhouse climate control algorithm. For example, in the various embodiments wherein the controlled exposure outer layer system 94 comprises a plurality of TRSC louvers 94A the main control system 102, via execution the greenhouse climate control algorithm(s) by the processor, will control the opening and closing of TRSC louvers 94A in response to greenhouse conditions such as the temperature within the interior growing area 74, the humidity within the interior growing area 74, the moisture content of the soil 66, and the weather conditions and / or forecasts for the exterior environment. In such instances the greenhouse 10 can further comprise one or more interior temperature sensor 106 for monitoring the temperature within the interior growing area 74, one or more interior humidity sensor 110 for monitoring the humidity within the interior growing area 74, and one or more soil moisture sensor 114 for monitoring the moisture content of the soil 66. The exterior weather conditions and / or forecast can be monitored by one or more exterior temperature sensor 118, one or more exterior humidity sensor 122 and one or more exterior barometer 126. All the sensors of the greenhouse 10 (e.g., sensors 106, 1 10, 114, 118, 122 and 126) are communicatively connected to the main control system 102 (wired or wirelessly) to transmit data to the main control system 102.

[0037] The greenhouse 10 further comprises at least one air circulating fan 130 that is structured and operable to move or circulate air within and throughout the interior growing area 74. In various instances, the air circulating fan 130 is communicatively (wired or wirelessly) to the main control system 102 such that the main control system 102 controls operation of the air circulating fan 130 (e.g., controls fan speed), via execution of the greenhouse climate control algorithm(s). Particularly, the main control system 102 controls operation of the air circulating fan 130 to ensure proper ventilation and maintain optimal fresh air circulation within the greenhouse, via the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30, and toAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 help control and maintain the temperature and humidity within the interior growing area 74 within the desired temperature and humidity ranges. The main control system 102 is further communicatively connected (wired or wirelessly) with a sprinkler controller 134 that is structured and operable to turn the sprinklers 42A on and off. Accordingly, the main control system 102 can control operation of the sprinklers 42A (e.g., control sprinkler 42A flow rates) to main a desired soil moisture content and help maintain the temperature and humidity within the interior growing area 74 within the desired temperature and humidity ranges. It is envisioned that in various instances the main control 102 implement artificial intelligence (Al) to manage the opening and closing of TRSC louvers 94A based on the temperature within the interior growing area 74, the humidity within the interior growing area 74, the moisture content of the soil 66, and the weather conditions and / or forecasts for the exterior environment. For example, in various embodiments, The position of the TRSC louvers 94A can be governed by solar irradiance (W / m2), daily solar radiation (kWh / m2), the sun's position in the sky (elevation angles in °) and the temperature (°C) of the interior growing area 74. For example, when the daily solar irradiations exceed a threshold (e.g., 2.35 kWh / m2for vegetables in subtropical regions), or when the interior growing area 74 temperature surpasses 32°C (common to most warm season vegetables), the TRSC louvers 94A will close to prevent overheating. Conversely, when irradiance is low (below 1 .1 kWh / m2which is not good for healthy vegetable growth), the TRSC louvers 94A will open to allow more sunlight (e.g., LIV and NIR radiation) to enter the interior growing area 74. The angle of the TRSC louvers 94A is dynamically adjusted to match the solar elevation angle, maximizing light distribution across the plants 78. This dynamic control ensures optimal photosynthesis while protecting the plants 78.

[0038] As described above, the PCM energy storage wall 46 is a hollow structure comprising the PCM cavity 50 that is filled with the PCM 54 and the heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86 (e.g., OHP heat pipe structure(s) or system(s)) is / are disposed internally within the PCM wall cavity 50 and within the PCM 54. The PCM 54 surrounds the heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86 suchAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 that the heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86 is / are in thermal contact with the PCM 54 and will exchange thermal energy with the PCM 54, and vice-versa. As also described above, the heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86 is / are disposed within and / or in thermal contact with the underground heat exchanger 70 such that the heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86 is / are structured and operable to exchange thermal energy between water flowing through the underground water conduits 62 and the PCM material 50, and vice-versa, via the heat exchanger 70. As further described above, the PCM energy storage wall 46 is structured and operable to exchange thermal energy between the PCM material 50 and the interior ambient air within the interior growing area 74, and vice-versa.

[0039] As described above, during the cooler and cold periods (e.g., hours, days, months or times when the exterior ambient environment temperature is below approximately 27°C, e.g., fall and winter months) the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 (e.g., the TRSC louvers 94A) will be partially to fully opened. Additionally, due to the orientation of the greenhouse 10 (i.e., the angled solar energy controlling front face system 14 facing South and a rear wall 18 facing North) and the angle of the earth’s axis during its orbital cycle around the sun, during the cooler and cold periods the angle of the sun’s solar energy will pass through the partially to fully open TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 (e.g., the TRSC louvers 94A) at an angle whereby the solar energy (i.e., the incident solar radiation ISR) will directly strike the front side 46A of the PCM energy storage wall 46. Consequently, solar energy directly striking the PCM energy storage wall front side 46A will exchange thermal energy (e.g., heat) with the PCM 54. That is, the PCM 54 will absorb heat from the incident solar radiation ISR directly striking the PCM energy storage wall front side 46A and the PCM energy storage wall 46 will store thermal energy as latent heat of PCM 54. This stored latent heat can then be released into, or absorbed by, the interior ambient air within the interior growing area 74 to help maintain the temperature within the interior growing area 74 within the desired range.Atty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066

[0040] Furthermore, since the heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86 within the PCM energy storage wall 46 are thermally connected to the water conduits 62 disposed within the soil 66, the stored heat within the PCM 54 of the PCM energy storage wall 46 can be absorbed by the water flowing through the water conduits 62, thereby heating or warming the water flowing through the water conduits 62. Consequently, during the cooler and cold periods the heated or warmed water flowing the water conduits 62 will heat or warm the soil 66 and heat or warm the water stored within the fresh water storage reservoir. Moreover, the heated or warmed soil 66 can function as an energy storage unit that utilizes the soil mass to store thermal energy in the form of sensible heat. This stored sensible heat can then be released into, or absorbed by, the interior ambient air within the interior growing area 74 to help maintain the temperature within the interior growing area 74 within the desired range.

[0041] As described above, during the warm and hot periods (e.g., hours, days, months or times when the exterior ambient environment temperature is above approximately 27°C, e.g., spring and summer months) the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 (e.g., the TRSC louvers 94A) will be partially to fully closed. Additionally, due to the orientation of the greenhouse 10 (i.e., the angled solar energy controlling front face system 14 facing South and a rear wall 18 facing North) and the angle of the earth’s axis during its orbital cycle around the sun, during the warmer or hot periods the angle of the sun’s solar energy will pass through the partially to fully closed TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 (e.g., the TRSC louvers 94A) at an angle whereby the solar energy (i.e., the incident solar radiation ISR) will not strike the front side 46A of the PCM energy storage wall 46, but rather will directly strike the ground surface 48. However, the TRSC film 96 of the partially to fully closed controlled exposure outer layer system 94 (e.g., the TRSC louvers 94A) will reflect a large portion or all (e.g., 50% to 100%) of the UV and NIR radiation (RSR) into space away from the interior growing area 74. By reflecting the UV and NIR radiation (RSR) back into space, the TRSC film of the controlled exposure outer layer system 94 will maintain aAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 temperature that is lower (e.g., 5° - 15°F lower) than both the exterior ambient air outside the greenhouse 10 and the interior ambient air within the interior growing area 74.

[0042] As a result of the TRSC film of the controlled exposure outer layer system 94 maintaining a temperature that is lower than both the exterior ambient air and the interior ambient air the heat and moisture within the exterior ambient air and the interior ambient air (e.g., the air within the thermal gap 98) will generate or produce condensation that accumulates on the exterior and interior surfaces of the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94. As described above, condensation will also be produced and collected on the interior and exterior surfaces of the inner layer 90 (regardless of the openness or closedness of the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94). The condensation from both the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 and the inner layer 90 will flow down the interior and exterior surfaces of the angled TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 and / or the angle inner layer 90 into the front wall downspout 82, and the front wall downspout 82 will direct the harvested condensation flowing from both the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 and the inner layer 90 into the fresh water storage reservoir 34. As an example, on a summer day where the exterior ambient air temperature is approximately 85QF and a relative humidity is about 50%, the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 can produce about 0.8 kg (0.8 L) of water per square meter. For example, a TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 having a surface area of 1076 square feet when in a fully closed position can produce about 80 kg (80 L) of water per day. Furthermore, during hours with the temperature of the exterior ambient environment lowers (e.g., evening, night and morning hours) the heat transfer rate from the exterior ambient air to the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 will be smaller such that the TRSC film of the controlled exposure outer layer system 94 will have a lower temperature and have a higher capacity to generate condensation and produce water that is channeled into the fresh water reservoir 34.Atty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066

[0043] During the warm and hot periods, the water from the fresh water reservoir can be used to cool the interior growing area 74. More specifically, during the warm and hot periods, the water collected in the fresh water temperature will generally have a lower temperature than interior ambient air within the interior growing area 74. Additionally, during the warm and hot periods the soil 66 will generally have a lower temperature than interior ambient air within the interior growing area 74. Therefore, the temperature of the water pumped through the underground water conduits 66 be thermally exchanged with the heat exchanger 70, which will in turn undergo thermal exchange with the heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86 of the PCM energy storage wall 46. More particularly, the temperature of the water from the fresh water reservoir 34 will be thermally exchanged with the fluid within the heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86. Thereafter, the temperature of the fluid within the heat pipe structure(s) or system(s) 86 will be thermally exchanged with the PCM 54 within the PCM energy storage wall 46. As described above, the PCM energy storage wall 46 is structured and operable to exchange thermal energy between the PCM material 50 and the interior ambient air within the interior growing area 74, and vice-versa. Accordingly, during the warm and hot periods heat from the interior ambient air within the interior growing area 74 will be released into, or absorbed by, PMC material 54 within the PCM energy storage wall 46 to help cool interior ambient air within the interior growing area 74 and thereby help maintain the temperature within the interior growing area 74 within the desired range.

[0044] Additionally, as described above, the soil 66 can function as an energy storage unit that utilizes the soil mass to store thermal energy. Particularly, the water from the fresh water reservoir 34 that is pumped through the underground water conduits 66 will help maintain the soil 66 at a lower temperature than the temperature of the interior ambient air within the interior growing area 74. Accordingly, during the warm and hot periods temperature of the soil 66 will absorbed by the interior ambient air within the interior growing area 74 and thereby also help cool interior ambient air within the interior growing area 74 and helpAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 maintain the temperature within the interior growing area 74 within the desired range. Still further, during the warm and hot periods the controlled operation of the sprinklers 42A can generate evaporative cooling that will also help maintain the desire temperature within the interior growing area 74 within the desired range.

[0045] The PCM 54 can be any PCM suitable to provide the desired thermal phase change characteristics for the greenhouse 10. For example, various organic chemicals such as paraffins, alcohols, fatty acids, or esters with carbon numbers between 10-20 can be selected as phase change materials depending on their cost, availability, toxicity, corrosion capability, safety, and so forth. Distinct types of PCMs can be selected to maintain optimal growth conditions for various crops and various climates. Moreover, it should be noted that the desired temperature ranges for the interior ambient environment of the interior growing area 74 listed herein are only exemplary and can change based on the geographical location of the greenhouse 10. For example, the PCM 54 and the desired interior growing area 74 temperature will be different for a greenhouse 10 located is Northern US states that a greenhouse 10 located in Southern US states. Additionally, the angles a and [3 of the solar energy controlling front face system 14 can change based on the geographical locations to accommodate different angles of the sun’s radiation relative to greenhouse’s proximity to the equator.

[0046] Referring now to Figures 1 , 2, 3, 4 and 5, the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 is structured and operable to allow outside air from the exterior ambient environment to enter the greenhouse 10 and allow air from the interior environment of the interior growing area 74 vent or leave the interior environment of the interior growing area 74. Moreover, due to the shape of the greenhouse 10 a natural convection of air flow will occur within the greenhouse 10 and through the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30. In various embodiments, the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 comprises a plurality of spaced apart vent fins or panels 138, wherein each vent fins 138 comprises an internal oscillating heat pipe (OHP). Due to the operation of the OHP (as in known in the art) each OHP panel will maintain an equilibrium temperature (TE) across and throughout the entire body of each ventAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 panel 138. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, the equilibrium temperature TE will be determined by, or a result of, the temperature of the exterior ambient air (Text) entering the greenhouse 10 through the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 and the temperature of the interior ambient air (Tint) exiting the greenhouse 10 through the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30. More specifically, equilibrium temperature TE will be the equilibrium or balance of the exterior ambient air temperature Text and the interior ambient air temperature Tint reached based on the materials of the vent fins 138 and the working fluid of the OHP within each vent panel 138. Hence, the equilibrium temperature TE will be between the exterior ambient air temperature Text and the interior ambient air temperature Tint.

[0047] Particularly, during the cool and cold periods, the interior ambient air exiting the greenhouse 10 via the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 will warm or heat the OHP vent fins 138 to an equilibrium temperature TE that is warmer than the exterior ambient air temperature Text. Accordingly, when the exterior ambient air is cooler than the interior ambient air, the equilibrium temperature TE across and throughout the entire body of each vent panel 138 will be warmer than the exterior ambient air temperature Text and cooler than the interior ambient air temperature Tint. Therefore, during the cool and cold periods the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 will heat, warm or otherwise increase the temperature of the exterior ambient air entering the greenhouse 10 through the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30, thereby helping to maintain the desire temperature within the interior growing area 74 within the desired range. Conversely, during the warm and hot periods, the interior ambient air exiting the greenhouse 10 via the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 will cool the OHP vent fins 138 to an equilibrium temperature TE that is lower than the exterior ambient air temperature Text. Accordingly, when the exterior ambient air is warmer than the interior ambient air, the equilibrium temperature TE across and throughout the entire body of each vent panel 138 will be cooler than the exterior ambient air temperature Text and warmer than the interior ambient air temperature Tint. Therefore, during the warm and hot periods the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 will cool or otherwise decrease the temperature of, theAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 exterior ambient air entering the greenhouse 10 through the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30, thereby helping to maintain the temperature within the interior growing area 74 within the desired range.

[0048] For example, during cool or cold periods, if the exterior ambient air temperature Text is 10 °C, the OHP vent fins 138 of the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 will recover the heat from the interior ambient air exiting or exhausting to the exterior ambient environment via the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30, which will can exemplarily be at around 35°C and transfer this thermal energy to the incoming fresh exterior ambient air to raise temperature of (e.g., preheat) the exterior ambient air, e.g., raise temperature of the exterior ambient air exemplarily to at least 25°C . In warm and hot periods, the opposite occurs, in which the incoming hot exterior ambient air is cooled (pre-cooled) by the vented cooler interior ambient air.

[0049] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, as described above, the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 is connected to the top end of the PCM energy storage wall 46. More particularly, the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 is connected to the top end of the PCM energy storage wall 46 such that the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 and the PCM energy storage wall 46 form an (upside-down L) where the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 functions as an awning to prevent an amount of solar radiation from directly striking the front side 46A of the PCM energy storage wall 46. That is, the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 provides shade for the PCM energy storage wall 46. The amount of shade provided by the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 is based on a length L of the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 and the position of the sun during each day and during the solar year. For example, during the warm or hot periods, the tilt angle of the earth relative to the sun results in the sun being at a higher position in the sky relative to other seasons. Accordingly, the greater the length L of the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 the greater the amount of shade that is provided to the PCM energy storage wall 46, thereby a greater amount of solar radiation from directly striking the front side 46A. During the warm and hot periods, reducing the amount solar radiation that directly strikes the frontAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 side 46A will reduce the amount of thermal exchange from the solar radiation to the PCM 54, thereby allowing the water from the fresh water storage reservoir 34 to more efficiently cool the PCM energy storage wall as described above, and thereby more efficiently maintain the temperature and humidity within the interior growing area 74 within the desired temperature and humidity ranges. Accordingly, the length L of the of the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 can be chosen based on the geographical location of the greenhouse 10 and the desired amount of shading of the PCM energy storage wall front side 46A.

[0050] Furthermore, as described above, the greenhouse 10 is designed to have the front wall 22 be shorter than 46 having the solar energy controlling front face system 14 disposed at an angle such during the cool and cold periods the angle of the sun’s solar energy will directly strike the PCM energy storage wall front face 46A. Therefore, during the cool and cold periods the temperature of the interior ambient air near (in close proximity to) the PCM energy storage wall front face 46A will be higher than the temperature of the interior ambient air near front wall 22 and throughout the remainder of the interior growing area 74. This configuration will promote the natural convection of the interior ambient air that will move / circulate in first direction (e.g., in a counter-clockwise direction relative to Figures 1 and 2), thereby facilitating efficient circulation of the interior ambient air and ensuring a more uniform distribution of temperature throughout the interior growing area 74. Conversely, during the warm and hot periods the angle of the sun’s solar energy combined with the length L of the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 will prevent the solar energy from directly striking the PCM energy storage wall front face 46A. Therefore, during the warm and hot periods the temperature of the interior ambient air near (in close proximity to) the PCM energy storage wall front face 46A will be less than the temperature of the interior ambient air near front wall 22 and throughout the remainder of the interior growing area 74. This configuration will also promote the natural convection of the interior ambient air that will move / circulate in second direction that is opposite the first direction (e.g., in a clockwise direction relative to Figures 1 and 2), thereby also facilitating efficientAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 circulation of the interior ambient air and ensuring a more uniform distribution of temperature throughout the interior growing area 74.

[0051] The auxiliary room 58 can is used for storing tools, equipment, maintenance items, etc. However, and important role of the auxiliary room 58 is that it provides insulation for the PCM energy storage wall 46 to protect the PCM energy storage wall 46 from exposure to the exterior ambient environment temperature.

[0052] The greenhouse 10, as described and illustrated herein provides the following advantageous features and functions: 1 ) the TRSC film of the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 will prevent the greenhouse 10 from overheating during warm and hot periods by selectively reflecting (via control of the openness and closedness of the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94) unwanted ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) radiation while transmitting the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR); 2) In addition to providing passive cooling, the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system 94 will produce condensation / water for storage and cooling the interior ambient air of the interior growing area 74; 3) the PCM energy storage wall 46, the soil 66, and the water storage reservoir 34 are used to store thermal energy during the day in the form of latent heat (PCM 54) and sensible heat (soil and water), which can be utilized for nighttime heating, or for heating during cool and cold periods; 4) the heat pipes (e.g., OHPs) embedded within the PCM energy storage wall 46 that will provide bidirectional heat transfer between the PCM energy storage wall 46 the soil 66 and the water within the fresh water storage reservoir 34. During warm and hot periods, the underground heat exchanger 70 will keep the PCM energy storage wall 46 cool by transferring cool thermal energy from the soil 66 and the water within the fresh water storage reservoir 34 to the PCM 54, whereas, during cool and cold periods, underground heat exchanger 70 will transfer the excess heat from the melted PCM 54 to the soil and water storage unit that will be stored as sensible heat; 5) the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 with recover both heating and cooling potential from the vented air during cool and cold periods and during warm and hot periods.Atty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066Additionally, The heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 will promote fresh air intake and natural convection within the greenhouse interior growing area 74; 6) The auxiliary room 58 will provide insulation for the PCM energy storage wall 46 as well as the greenhouse interior growing area 74; 7) when the TRSC controlled exposure outer layer system 94 is in the fully closed position (e.g., during cool and cold periods) the thermal gap 98 between the TRSC controlled exposure outer layer system 94 and the inner layer 90 will provide high-quality insulation; 8) the awning function of the heat exchanger fresh air vent 30 will help prevent solar radiation from directly striking the PCM energy storage wall front face 46A during the warm and hot periods, and will also help produce natural convection for a more uniform distribution of temperature and humidity within the interior growing area 74; 9) the design and engineering of the greenhouse 10 will provide natural convection that will ensure efficient air circulation and temperature distribution within the interior growing area 74 throughout the year; and 10) execution of the greenhouse climate control algorithm(s) (e.g., Al algorithms) by the main control system 102 will maintain the temperature and humidity within the interior growing area 74 with the desired ranges by controlling the operation of the TRSC controlled exposure outer layer system 94 based on the temperature, humidity, soil moisture within the interior growing area 74, based on the temperature and weather forecasts of the exterior ambient environment.

[0053] The description herein is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of that which is described are intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions can be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Such variations and alternative combinations of elements and / or functions are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the teachings.

Claims

Atty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . An all-season greenhouse, said greenhouse comprising: a front wall; a rear wall; and a solar energy controlling front face system disposed between the front wall and rear wall, the solar energy controlling front face system comprising: an inner layer comprising a solar energy non-filtering film; and a controlled exposure outer layer system comprising a transparent radiative sky-cooling (TRSC) film and is controllably moveable between a fully closed position a fully opened position.

2. The greenhouse of Clai ml further comprising a thermal gap provided between the inner layer and the controlled exposure outer layer system3. The greenhouse of Claim 1 further comprising a phase change material (PCM) energy storage wall, the PCM energy storage wall comprising a cavity filled with a PCM and at least one heat pipe structure disposed within the PCM.

4. The greenhouse of Claim 3 further comprising an underground energy storage system, the underground energy storage system comprising: a fresh water storage reservoir; soil; an underground heat exchanger; and one or more water conduits disposed within the soil, fluidly connected to the fresh water storage reservoir, and thermally connected to the underground heat exchanger.Atty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC0665. The greenhouse of Claim 4 further comprising a front wall downspout fluidly connected between the solar energy controlling front face system and the fresh water storage reservoir, the front wall downspout structured and operable to direct condensation formed on and flowing from both the TRSC film controlled exposure outer layer system and the inner layer into the fresh water storage reservoir.

6. The greenhouse of Claim 5 further comprising a heat exchanger fresh air vent, the heat exchanger fresh air vent comprising a plurality of vent fins, each vent panel comprising an internal oscillating heat pipe.

7. The greenhouse of Claim 6, wherein the controlled exposure outer layer system comprises a plurality of TRSC louvers that are controllably moveable the fully closed position and the fully opened position.

8. The greenhouse of Claim 6 further comprising a main control system having at least one processor structured and operable to execute one or more climate control algorithm, the main control system communicatively connected to a plurality of sensors of the greenhouse that are structured and operable to: monitor one or more of: an interior temperature of an interior growing area of the greenhouse, a humidity of the interior growing area of the greenhouse, a soil moisture of the interior growing area of the greenhouse, and a exterior temperature of an exterior ambient environment of the greenhouse, and control the positioning of the TRSC film outer layer, control water flow rates to a plurality of sprinklers disposed within the interior growing area of the greenhouse, and control the water from the fresh water storage through the one or more water conduits to maintain the soil at a desired temperature.Atty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268 Client Ref. No. 25UMC0669. The greenhouse of Claim 1 , wherein the solar energy non-filtering film comprises a polyethylene (PE) film.Atty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC06610. A method of controlling an environment of an interior growing area of an all-season greenhouse, said method comprising: selectively reflecting ultraviolet (UV) radiation and near-infrared (NIR) radiation away from the interior growing area of the greenhouse while allowing photosynthetically active radiation to enter the interior growing area utilizing a solar energy controlling front face system; harvesting condensation produced by and formed on the solar energy controlling front face system; collecting the harvested condensation within a fresh water storage reservoir of the greenhouse; utilizing the collect condensation to maintain a temperature of soil of the greenhouse via one or more water conduits disposed within the soil, fluidly connected to the fresh water storage reservoir, and thermally connected to an underground heat exchanger, to thereby maintain a temperature of the interior growing area within a desired range; and exchanging thermal energy between interior ambient air of the interior growing area and a phase change material (PCM) wall of the greenhouse to thereby maintain the temperature of the interior growing area within the desired range, wherein a temperature of the PCM wall is controlled by at least one of: the collected condensation flowing through the one or more water conduits; and solar radiation striking the PCM wall.1 1 . The method of Claim 10 further comprising at least one of preheating and precooling exterior ambient air flowing into the interior growing area utilizing a heat exchanger fresh air vent having a plurality of vent fins each comprising an internal oscillating heat pipe, to thereby maintain a temperature of the interior growing area within a desired range.

12. The method of Claim 10, wherein selectively reflecting UV radiation and NIR radiation comprises adjusting a position of a transparent radiative skycooling (TRSC) controlled exposure outer layer system of the solar energyAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268 Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 controlling front face system, between a fully closed and fully opened position based on one or more of: an interior temperature of an interior growing area of the greenhouse, a humidity of the interior growing area of the greenhouse, a soil moisture of the interior growing area of the greenhouse, and a exterior temperature of an exterior ambient environment of the greenhouse, the TRSC controlled exposure outer layer system comprising a transparent radiative sky-cooling (TRSC) film.

13. The method of Claim 12, wherein the controlled exposure outer layer system comprises a plurality of TRSC louvers each comprising a TRSC film, and wherein adjusting a position of the TRSC controlled exposure outer layer system comprises are controllably adjusting a position of the TRSC louvers between the fully closed position and the fully opened position.

14. The method of Claim 13 wherein harvesting the condensation and collecting the condensation produced by and formed on the solar energy controlling front face system comprises directing condensation produced by and formed on at least one of: an inner layer comprising a solar energy non-filtering film of the solar energy controlling front face system; and the TRSC controlled exposure outer layer system, into the fresh water storage reservoir, via a front wall downspout of the greenhouse.

15. The method of Claim 10 further comprising evaporatively cooling the interior growing area by controllably spraying the collected condensation into the interior growing area via a plurality of sprinklers of the greenhouse.Atty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC06616. The method of Claim 10 further comprises orienting the greenhouse such that the solar energy controlling front face system faces South and a rear wall of the greenhouse faces North.Atty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC06617. An all-season greenhouse, said greenhouse comprising: a solar energy controlling front face system, the solar energy controlling front face system disposed such that solar energy controlling front face system faces South, the solar energy controlling front face system comprising: an inner layer comprising a solar energy non-filtering film; a controlled exposure outer layer system comprising a plurality of louvers each comprising a transparent radiative sky-cooling (TRSC) film, wherein the louvers are controllably moveable the fully closed position and the fully opened position; and a thermal gap provided between the inner layer and the controlled exposure outer layer system; a phase change material (PCM) energy storage wall, the PCM energy storage wall comprising a cavity filled with a PCM and at least one heat pipe structure disposed within the PCM.

18. The greenhouse of Claim 17 further comprising an underground energy storage system, the underground energy storage system comprising: a fresh water storage reservoir; soil; an underground heat exchanger; and one or more water conduits disposed within the soil, fluidly connected to the fresh water storage reservoir, and thermally connected to the underground heat exchanger.

19. The greenhouse of Claim 18 further comprising a heat exchanger fresh air vent, the heat exchanger fresh air vent comprising a plurality of vent fins, each vent panel comprising an internal oscillating heat pipe.

20. The greenhouse of Claim 19 further comprising a front wall downspout fluidly connected between the solar energy controlling front face system and the fresh water storage reservoir, the front wall downspout structured and operable to direct condensation formed on and flowing from both the TRSCAtty. Dkt. No. UMCO H819WO / 17193-00268Client Ref. No. 25UMC066 film controlled exposure outer layer system and the inner layer into the fresh water storage reservoir.

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