Portable Frost Protection Module with Hot Air Generator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for protecting cultivated areas from spring frosts, such as vineyards and orchards, are either costly, complex, or ineffective at low temperatures, and fail to adapt to annual variations in frost-affected areas due to their fixed nature and high maintenance requirements.

Innovation Solution

A transportable frost protection module with a compact, adjustable design that generates a propelled air flow using a hot air generator, allowing for easy placement between trees or shrubs, and featuring a rotatable and tiltable fan system powered by an autonomous energy source, enabling flexible operation and adaptation to varying frost patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wind turbines are used to protect cultivated areas from frost, then frost protection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrost protection effectivenessVSAvoidmaintenance requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential function of frost protection from complex wind turbine systems and implements it through a simple portable module with a heater and fan. The module removes unnecessary complexity while retaining the core capability of generating warm air currents to protect crops from frost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, complex wind turbines with an inexpensive, portable module that can be easily deployed and removed. The module uses simple components like heaters and fans that are cost-effective and do not require extensive maintenance infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If wind turbines are placed on the periphery of cultivated plots, then installation is simplified, but protection coverage is reduced due to fixed positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidprotection coverage adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transforms the static peripheral placement of wind turbines into a dynamic system where portable modules can be moved to any location within the cultivated plot. The modules can be positioned according to real-time frost risk assessment, allowing flexible adaptation to varying protection needs across different areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention divides the protection system into multiple portable modules that can be independently positioned throughout the cultivated area, replacing the single large peripheral wind turbine structure. This segmentation allows flexible deployment based on specific frost risk zones within the plot.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If fixed wind turbines are used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to annual variations in frost zones is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to frost zone variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces fixed structural stability with dynamic deployability. The portable modules can be set up and taken down as needed, allowing the system to adapt to annual variations in frost zone locations while maintaining operational stability during use through proper module design and deployment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The module effectively protects crops from frost damage by generating a significant air flow that can be directed precisely, reducing damage and maintenance costs while accommodating annual changes in frost-affected areas, enhancing crop yields and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

By ensuring a mixture of warm air layers present at altitude with the cold air layer present on the ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal convection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a device for generating a guided air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient driven flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4104674B1Module for protecting a cultivated surface against freezing
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 PERRINET PIERRE
  • EP4104674B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4104674B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a module for protecting a cultivated area against frost, said cultivated area comprising rows of trees or shrubs spaced from each other by a distance d, called inter-row, said module comprising: - a transportable chassis (10), dimensioned to allow its passage through the inter-row, said chassis (10) comprising a ground support surface and support legs (12) movable between a deployed position in which they are in contact with the ground to stabilize said chassis (10) and a raised position when the module has to be moved to another location, - said chassis (10) supporting a mast (13) or a lifting table (30) at the free end of which, or respectively of which, is placed a device for generating a guided airflow (14), and - said chassis (10) comprising a hot air generator (15),said hot air generator (15) being connected and in fluid communication with a supply duct (16), the upper end of which is directly connected to the air inlet, or to the air outlet, of said guided airflow generation device (14) to supply the latter with hot air, or opens at said air inlet, or respectively at said air outlet, so as to ensure a mixture of fresh and hot air at the air inlet, or respectively at said air outlet, of said airflow generation device (14).