Single Pump Hydroponic System with Triangular Rows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing growing systems require multiple pumping installations and reservoirs, leading to inefficiencies in water use and sunlight exposure, which limits their scalability and plant yield, especially in large-scale farming where direct sunlight is essential for optimal growth.
Innovation Solution
A hydroponic or soil-based growing system with tiered, triangular rows of enclosed rigid pipes, utilizing a single pump and fluid source to distribute water, maximizing sunlight exposure and allowing easy maintenance, while recycling water to conserve resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pumping installations and reservoirs are used for each growing system, then water distribution is reliable, but device complexity and water loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pumping installations and reservoirs into a single pump and reservoir system that serves multiple growing systems. The fluid source is positioned centrally and connects to multiple growing assemblies through a network of pipes, eliminating the need for separate pumping installations at each location while maintaining reliable water distribution throughout the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump and fluid source serve multiple growing assemblies simultaneously, making the system multi-functional. The fluid distribution network is designed to supply water to various growing systems from a common source, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to independently control water flow to each growing assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If vertical planting towers are used with individual reservoirs, then water distribution is simplified, but sunlight exposure is limited and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric triangular configurations for the growing assemblies rather than symmetric vertical towers. This triangular arrangement optimizes the spatial positioning to maximize sunlight exposure to all growing sites while maintaining simplified water distribution through the asymmetric pipe network connected to the central fluid source.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from vertical stacking to a more distributed spatial arrangement using triangular configurations. This dimensional reorganization allows growing sites to be positioned for optimal sunlight exposure while maintaining connection to the central fluid source through an extended pipe network, effectively distributing plants across multiple spatial dimensions rather than concentrating them vertically.
3Ease of operation
If rectangular arrangement rows are used, then farming layout is simple, but shading issues occur and maintenance access is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rectangular arrangements with asymmetric triangular configurations. This geometric change optimizes both sunlight exposure and maintenance access by positioning growing sites at vertices and along edges of triangles, allowing workers to access plants from multiple directions while minimizing mutual shading between adjacent growing assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system moves from two-dimensional rectangular layouts to three-dimensional triangular configurations with growing sites positioned at different elevations and spatial locations. This dimensional change enables better sunlight exposure by reducing overlapping shadows while maintaining easy maintenance access through the open triangular structure that allows approach from multiple sides.
4Productivity
If conventional farming methods are used, then water availability is unlimited, but water consumption is excessive and land use is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recirculating water system where fluid is pumped from the source to growing assemblies and then returned to the same source through drainage systems. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows water to be reused multiple times, dramatically reducing water consumption while supporting high-density plant growth that increases yield per square foot of land use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous water circulation through the recirculating pump system, keeping water in constant motion from the fluid source through the growing assemblies and back again. This continuous circulation ensures efficient water delivery to all plants while enabling repeated use of the same water supply, reducing overall water consumption and supporting sustained high productivity.
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 triples plant yield per square foot compared to conventional methods and uses 75% less water than traditional farming, enabling efficient large-scale farming with reduced shading and improved access for maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the rows are unslanted and use the force of a pump, rather than gravity, to distribute water to the rows
Implementation Method 2
By recycling water from the vertical growing system back to a reservoir, the invention described herein uses 75% less water than conventional farming methods
Data Source
AI summary
A growing system for providing fluids to a plurality of growing assemblies using only a single pump and fluid source. The growing system generally includes a single fluid source such as a reservoir from which fluids are drawn by a single pump. A main manifold connected to the pump outlet splits the fluids drawn from the fluid source into a plurality of feeder pipes. Each of the feeder pipes provides fluid to a separate growing assembly; with the present invention providing support for a plurality of growing assemblies. Each growing assembly comprises an inlet manifold for receiving the fluids, a plurality of growing pipes for providing the fluids to a plurality of planters, and a drainage device for discharging fluids back into the fluid source for further use.