Modular Aeroponic Growth System Parallel Nutrient Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aeroponic systems suffer from poor crop reliability due to inefficient nutrient distribution, leading to wet and dry zones in the root area, and lack modular scalability and integrated automated control systems, making maintenance and expansion cumbersome and disruptive.
Innovation Solution
A modular automated growth system with parallel nutrient feeding, adjustable pressure regulators, and a system controller for independent control of lighting and nutrient delivery, minimizing wet and dry zones and enabling efficient maintenance and expansion without disrupting other units, using a network of modular growing units, sensors, and remote monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional aeroponic systems are used, then plant growth can be achieved, but poor crop reliability occurs due to wet and dry zones in the root area
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the root zone into multiple spray zones with individually controlled nozzles, ensuring each section receives uniform nutrient mist. This segmentation prevents wet and dry zones by independently adjusting spray patterns in different root area sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different spray characteristics to different zones within the root area. Nozzles are positioned and angled to deliver optimal mist distribution locally, with adjustable spray pressure and pattern for each zone to ensure uniform nutrient delivery across the entire root system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular growing units are added or removed from the system, then system scalability is improved, but fluid connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal quick-connect fittings that standardize fluid connections across all modular units. Each module uses identical connection interfaces, allowing any unit to be added or removed without requiring custom connection solutions, thereby simplifying the overall fluid connection system while maintaining scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid connection system incorporates dynamic quick-connect mechanisms that automatically seal and isolate when modules are added or removed. This dynamic sealing capability maintains system pressure and prevents leakage during reconfiguration, simplifying the expansion and maintenance processes.
3Ease of repair
If maintenance is performed on one modular unit, then system reliability is improved, but disruption to other units occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fluid delivery network into independent zones, each controlled by individual valves. When maintenance is required on one module, only the specific zone containing that module is isolated, while other zones continue to receive nutrient mist uninterrupted, maintaining system continuity during repair operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Isolation valves act as intermediaries between maintenance zones and the rest of the system. These valves enable selective closure of specific modules or zones during maintenance, preventing disruption to other operational units while ensuring safe access for repair activities.
4Measurement precision
If automated control systems are implemented, then environmental parameter precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and nutrient solution properties. This feedback is processed by a controller that automatically adjusts spray timing, pressure, and duration to maintain optimal growing conditions, achieving precise control through closed-loop regulation rather than complex manual systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to autonomously manage environmental parameters without requiring constant human intervention. Sensors and actuators work together to self-regulate conditions within the grow chamber, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms while maintaining high measurement and control precision.
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 ensures consistent plant growth by minimizing nutrient variability, allows for seamless expansion and maintenance, and enhances crop reliability through automated control of environmental parameters, resulting in increased plant density and reduced resource usage.
Implementation Method 1
A pump is in fluid communication between the reservoir and the growing units, and is configured for drawing the fluid from the reservoir to the growing units
Implementation Method 2
When used as an aeroponic growth system, the system may also utilize certain nozzle spacing, spray direction and cone angles to reduce variation in the growth of plants
Data Source
AI summary
A growth system for growing vegetation is provided, and includes a plurality of modular growing units defining a vegetative zone; a plurality of lighting units including a lighting node for selectively emitting first and/or second wavelengths of light in the vegetative zone; an unpressurized reservoir for housing a fluid containing one or more nutrients; a nutrient feeding system for fluidly connecting each of the modular units to the reservoir in parallel; and a pump in fluid communication between the reservoir and the modular units. When a modular unit is connected to the respective quick connect valve, the nutrient feeding system directs the fluid to the modular unit, and when the modular unit is disconnected from the valve, the valve is configured for preventing the fluid from flowing from the reservoir through the valve, and the other modular units connected to the nutrient feeding system remain fluidly connected to the reservoir.