Grow space plumbing with variable flow rates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydroponic systems face inefficiencies due to high water flow rates, which complicate modular growth, nutrient composition management, and increase the risk of waterborne diseases, while traditional farming methods are space-intensive and weather-dependent.
Innovation Solution
A low flow plumbing system with a global water source, one-way water transport mechanism, and local buffer that decouples water sources, allowing for on-demand water supply to growing trays without filtering or dumping, and includes features like robotic transport, fertigation systems, and gravity flow to enhance flexibility and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydroponic systems use large amounts of water for continuous flow, then plants have adequate water supply, but water efficiency decreases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water supply system into multiple independent modular units, each with its own water reservoir and flow control mechanism. This segmentation allows each module to operate independently with optimized water flow rates, preventing the need for high flow rates across the entire system while ensuring adequate water supply to each plant.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic water delivery through controlled flow rates that alternate between active water supply phases and idle phases. This periodic action allows water to be delivered in controlled amounts rather than continuous high flow, improving water efficiency while maintaining adequate plant hydration.
2Quantity of substance
If high flow rates are used in hydroponic plumbing, then water delivery is sufficient, but modular growth becomes complicated and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs modular plumbing units that can be independently configured and connected. Each module handles water delivery at optimized flow rates, allowing systematic expansion without requiring high flow rates throughout the entire system, thus simplifying modular growth implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable flow control mechanisms that allow dynamic optimization of water flow rates based on specific module requirements. This dynamic control enables each modular unit to operate at its optimal flow rate rather than requiring uniform high flow across all modules.
3Quantity of substance
If high flow rates are maintained in the plumbing system, then water supply is adequate, but nutrient composition management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water supply into separate modular units, each capable of independent nutrient dosing. This segmentation allows precise control of nutrient composition in each module without the mixing and dilution effects that occur in high-flow continuous systems, enabling accurate nutrient management.
Solution Approach 2:
Each modular unit is equipped with its own nutrient dosing and flow control capabilities, allowing the system to self-regulate nutrient composition without requiring centralized high-flow mixing. This self-service approach to nutrient management in each module maintains precise composition control.
4Quantity of substance
If continuous water flow is used in hydroponic systems, then plants receive adequate water, but the risk of waterborne diseases increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmented modular units with isolated water circuits. This segmentation prevents the continuous circulation of water throughout the entire system, limiting the spread of waterborne pathogens to individual modules rather than the whole system, thus reducing disease risk while maintaining adequate water supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic water delivery with controlled flow rates instead of continuous flow. This periodic action reduces water movement that could transport pathogens, while still ensuring plants receive adequate water during active supply phases.
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 system reduces water usage, lowers costs, enhances automation, prevents cross-contamination, and enables targeted nutrient delivery, improving growth efficiency and reducing the risk of diseases.
Implementation Method 1
a one way water transport mechanism
Implementation Method 2
water is delivered via gravity flow even in the event of a power loss
Data Source
AI summary
A plumbing system and water transport method. The system includes a global water source, a one way water transport mechanism, a growing tray, and a local buffer. The local buffer separates the global water source and the growing tray to prevent cross-contamination of water. The local buffer also continuously provides water to the growing tray on demand without the need for filtering or dumping of used or excess water. This results in low flow, efficient water transport.