Ebb-flow Container Gas Duct Threshold Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Containers for ebb-flow plant growth in greenhouses face issues with gas inlet fouling due to dirt accumulation, requiring frequent cleaning and affecting gas flow efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The gas inlet extends along a side wall for at least 25% of its length, creating a threshold portion that prevents plant growth medium from entering the gas duct upstream, reducing fouling and making the container less sensitive to dirt and easier to clean, with additional features like a removable gas duct section and overflow to manage excess liquid and improve accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air stones are used at the gas inlet to prevent liquid entry, then liquid ingress is prevented, but the air stones get dirty and require frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the air stone component entirely from the gas inlet. Instead of using air stones that trap dirt, the patent employs a simple threshold portion (raised barrier) at the gas inlet that physically blocks liquid while allowing gas to pass through. This extraction of the problematic component eliminates the fouling issue while maintaining liquid prevention functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using a porous material (air stone) that filters gas but accumulates dirt, the invention inverts the approach by using a solid threshold barrier that filters liquid while allowing gas to pass freely around and over it. This reversal of the filtering mechanism eliminates the dirt accumulation problem.
2Device complexity
If a single point gas inlet is used, then the gas duct structure is simple, but dirt accumulation at the inlet impairs gas flow efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-point gas inlet to a linear gas inlet extending along the side wall. This dimensional change from point to line provides multiple gas entry points, reducing the impact of dirt at any single location while maintaining relatively simple duct structure. The threshold portion runs along this extended inlet, providing continuous liquid protection.
3Ease of operation
If the gas inlet is positioned low to facilitate cleaning access, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but liquid is more likely to enter the gas duct during flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The threshold portion is positioned upstream of the gas inlet, creating a preliminary barrier before liquid can reach the gas entry points. This preliminary action of blocking liquid upstream allows the gas inlet to be positioned lower for cleaning access while the threshold portion prevents liquid from reaching that lower position during flooding operations.
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
This design enhances the container's resistance to fouling, reduces maintenance needs, and ensures efficient gas delivery to plants by minimizing liquid entry and dirt accumulation, while allowing for easier cleaning and closer arrangement of containers.
Implementation Method 1
The threshold portion prevents plant growth medium from entering a portion upstream of the threshold zone
Implementation Method 2
said gas passing via the through holes in the support in order to provide the gas to the plants from underneath
Implementation Method 3
The gas inlet extends along a length of a side wall for at least 25% of the length of said side wall
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 4
AI summary
A container for an ebb-flow plant growth system, said container comprising a support for plants, wherein said support extends between opposite sidewalls dividing the interior space of the container in a lower interior space and an upper interior space, and wherein the support further comprises through holes to allow passage of fluid between the lower interior space and the upper interior space. The container also comprises) a gas duct in communication with the lower interior space. To reduce and/or facilitate maintenance, the gas duct comprises a threshold portion upstream of the downstream end of the gas duct, which threshold portion comprises a lowest point located higher than the support.