Adjustable CO2 Emitter for Greenhouse Plant Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural systems for delivering CO2 to crops, particularly in hoop houses and greenhouses, are inefficient and lack effective monitoring and control mechanisms, limiting plant growth and production.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage CO2 gas delivery system comprising upstream, midstream, and downstream subsystems that store, monitor, and distribute CO2 gas to plants, with adjustable gas emitters and monitoring devices to optimize gas application throughout the plant growth cycle, integrated with environmental control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If CO2 gas is delivered to crops in hoop houses and greenhouses, then plant growth and production are enhanced, but the system lacks effective monitoring and control mechanisms reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a monitoring system with sensors that detect CO2 levels, temperature, and humidity in the greenhouse environment. This feedback is transmitted to a controller that automatically adjusts CO2 delivery and environmental parameters to optimize plant growth, resolving the contradiction by adding intelligent control rather than simple delivery mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses automated controllers and sensors that operate independently to maintain optimal growing conditions. The controller receives sensor data and automatically regulates CO2 emission and environmental controls without manual intervention, enhancing productivity while managing complexity through automation
2Productivity
If gas emitters are positioned near plants to optimize CO2 application, then plant growth is improved, but the system cannot adapt as plants grow taller
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs height-adjustable gas emitter assemblies that can be vertically repositioned along support structures as plants grow. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain optimal proximity between emitters and plant foliage throughout the growth cycle, resolving the contradiction by making the system adaptable rather than fixed
Solution Approach 2:
The gas delivery system is divided into multiple adjustable emitter assemblies that can be independently positioned at different heights. Each assembly can be separately adjusted to match the growth stage of plants in different zones, providing versatility while maintaining optimized CO2 delivery for improved productivity
3Productivity
If CO2 delivery system is integrated with environmental controls, then overall growth optimization is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates CO2 delivery control with environmental control systems into a unified platform. The controller manages both CO2 emission and environmental parameters (temperature, humidity) together, achieving overall growth optimization while consolidating complexity into a single integrated system rather than separate independent systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances plant growth and production by maintaining optimal CO2 levels near plants, reducing costs, and allowing for easy adjustment and retraction during the growth cycle and harvest, while integrating with other growth controls like lighting and watering.
Implementation Method 1
a vaporizer connected to the pressure builder to convert liquid CO2 to CO2 gas
Data Source
AI summary
A system for applying CO2 gas to improve Cannabis production. A multi-stage system is disclosed including upstream, midstream, and downstream stages or subsystems. The upstream subsystem receives and stores gas, particularly CO2 gas. The midstream subsystem is communicatively connected to the upstream subsystem and to the downstream subsystem. It monitors the environment of the downstream subsystem, determines when and how to apply gas to plants growing in the downstream system, acquires gas stored in the upstream subsystem, and distributes it to the downstream system. It also has various monitoring, command and control, management, and reporting features. The downstream subsystem includes one or more plant growth areas or plots, gas distribution means, such as gas conduits, tubes or lines from the midstream subsystem, and the high efficiency, adjustable gas applicator, and various sensing and monitoring devices communicatively connected to the midstream subsystem.