Nutrient delivery system
First Claim
1. A plant nutrient delivery system, comprising:
- a sensor and a riser, the sensor being coupled directly to the distal end of the riser, positionable in plant nutrient liquid in a plant nutrient liquid space and operable to sense a low level of the plant nutrient liquid indicating a condition of plant growth media located above and covering the plant nutrient liquid space;
an electronically actuated valve with a connection to a source of the plant nutrient liquid, the electronically actuated valve being coupled to the riser and spaced apart from the sensor, wherein the electronically actuated valve and riser are positionable in an operating position with the riser extending downwardly from the electronically-actuated valve and the sensor in the plant nutrient liquid space; and
an electronic controller linked to the sensor and to the electronically actuated valve, the controller being programmed to carry out automatic demand-based nutrient delivery by controlling the electronically actuated valve to turn on and off based on signals received from the sensor regarding the level of the plant nutrient liquid, thereby causing a flow of the plant nutrient liquid into the plant nutrient liquid space to start and to stop, wherein in response to the sensed low level, the controller initiates a stress cycle for a predetermined duration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A plant nutrient delivery system comprises a sensor, an electronically actuated valve and an electronic controller. The sensor is positionable in plant growing media and operable to detect a condition of the plant growing media. The electronically actuated valve has a connection to a liquid nutrient source. The electronic controller is linked to the sensor and to the electronically actuated valve. The controller is programmed to carry out automatic demand-based nutrient delivery to the plant growing media by controlling the electronically actuated valve to turn on and off based on signals received from the sensor regarding a condition of the plant growing media, thereby causing a flow of the liquid nutrient into the plant growth media to start and to stop. Methods are also described.
57 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A plant nutrient delivery system, comprising:
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a sensor and a riser, the sensor being coupled directly to the distal end of the riser, positionable in plant nutrient liquid in a plant nutrient liquid space and operable to sense a low level of the plant nutrient liquid indicating a condition of plant growth media located above and covering the plant nutrient liquid space; an electronically actuated valve with a connection to a source of the plant nutrient liquid, the electronically actuated valve being coupled to the riser and spaced apart from the sensor, wherein the electronically actuated valve and riser are positionable in an operating position with the riser extending downwardly from the electronically-actuated valve and the sensor in the plant nutrient liquid space; and an electronic controller linked to the sensor and to the electronically actuated valve, the controller being programmed to carry out automatic demand-based nutrient delivery by controlling the electronically actuated valve to turn on and off based on signals received from the sensor regarding the level of the plant nutrient liquid, thereby causing a flow of the plant nutrient liquid into the plant nutrient liquid space to start and to stop, wherein in response to the sensed low level, the controller initiates a stress cycle for a predetermined duration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A demand-based automatic plant nutrient delivery system, comprising:
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a sensor positionable in plant nutrient liquid in a plant nutrient liquid space and operable to sense a low level of the plant nutrient liquid indicating a condition of plant growth media located at a level above the plant nutrient liquid space; an electronically actuated valve, the valve comprising an inlet connection connectible to a source of the plant nutrient liquid, a first outlet connection connected to a riser and a second outlet connection for distributing flow from the first inlet connection to a downstream use, wherein the riser is positionable to extend into the plant nutrient liquid space and has a distal end to which the sensor is directly coupled; and an electronic controller linked to the sensor and to the electronically actuated valve, the controller being programmed to carry out demand-based nutrient delivery by controlling the valve to turn on and off based on signals received from the sensor regarding the level of plant nutrient liquid, thereby causing a flow of the plant nutrient liquid into the plant nutrient liquid space to start and to stop, wherein in response to the sensed low level, the controller initiates a stress cycle for a predetermined duration. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification