LED Light Timing for High Density Closed Environment Hydroponics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing cost and reduced freshness of produce due to longer transportation distances and the shrinking land available for conventional farming necessitate a high growth, high density, closed environment hydroponics system for efficient and localized produce production.
Innovation Solution
A closed environment hydroponics system that optimizes nutrient solution composition, pH calibration, temperature control, lighting adjustment, and carbon dioxide enrichment, using equations based on plant species growth stages and variables to enhance plant growth, and incorporates carbon dioxide tubing for even distribution and oxygen recapture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional farming is used, then land availability is sufficient, but transportation distance increases and produce freshness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the farming process into modular units that can be deployed locally near consumption centers, eliminating the need for long-distance transportation while maintaining efficient production through standardized growth cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces controlled environment agriculture as an intermediary between production and consumption, allowing produce to be grown locally near population centers and thus reducing transportation time and preserving freshness
2Productivity
If high density growing is implemented, then land use efficiency improves, but environmental control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes growth density by dynamically adjusting environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, light cycles, and CO2 levels according to the specific plant species and growth stage, enabling high density cultivation with controlled conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sensors and control systems that continuously monitor environmental conditions and plant growth, automatically adjusting system parameters to maintain optimal conditions for high density growing while managing the complexity through automated feedback loops
3Productivity
If multiple harvests from same seedling are achieved, then productivity increases, but growth cycle control precision must improve
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic light cycles and controlled environmental interruptions that stimulate multiple harvest cycles from the same seedling, achieving increased productivity through repeated growth-phases while maintaining precise timing control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of growth conditions based on real-time plant response, allowing the system to optimize the timing and duration of each harvest cycle to maximize productivity while maintaining precise control over the growth cycle
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 system enables rapid, pesticide-free, and high-yield produce production with a low carbon footprint, maintaining produce freshness and allowing multiple harvests from the same seedling, while minimizing land use and transportation costs.
Implementation Method 1
The lighting system includes a first LED light configured to provide illumination to the plant during a first growth stage
Implementation Method 2
The system evenly disperses carbon dioxide across the hydroponic grow media from the distribution point
Implementation Method 3
a system for recapturing aspirated oxygen is via an aeration device that bubbles the oxygen into the hydroponic nutrient tank
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a high growth, high density, closed environment growing system and methods thereof. A method of accelerating plant cell growth in a growing system may include adjusting the lighting in accordance with an identified plant growth stage.