Multilevel closed ecosystem greenhouse
First Claim
1. A greenhouse comprising:
- a light-transmitting barrier; and
a floor surface;
the barrier and the floor surface defining an enclosure within the greenhouse for plant cultivation, the barrier comprising an inner layer delimiting the enclosure and an outer layer, the inner and outer layers being impermeable to air to prevent air from entering the enclosure through the inner layer, a shape of the outer layer being the same as a shape of the inner layer, the outer layer being spaced apart above the inner layer to define an air passage therebetween, the air passage being in fluid communication with at least one air inlet in a bottom portion of the outer layer and with an air outlet, the air passage being unobstructed between the at least one air inlet and the air outlet to allow air within the air passage to flow passively from the at least one air inlet to the air outlet upon being heated; and
an outlet tower mounted to a top portion of the outer layer and extending upwardly from an opening in an apex of the barrier to an outlet passage, the outlet tower having an hourglass shape and curved airfoil surface, and an inlet guide vane spaced inwardly from the curved airfoil surface to define a gap therebetween, the gap being in fluid communication with a secondary air inlet to provide air into the gap.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A greenhouse is disclosed having a light-transmitting barrier and a floor surface. The barrier and floor surface are connected to define an enclosure within the greenhouse for plant cultivation. The barrier includes an inner layer delimiting the enclosure and an outer layer. The inner and outer layers are impermeable to air to substantially prevent air from entering the enclosure through the inner layer. The outer layer is spaced apart above the inner layer to define an air passage therebetween. The air passage is in fluid communication with at least one air inlet in a bottom portion of the outer layer and with an air outlet in a top portion of the outer layer. Air within the air passage flows passively from the at least one air inlet to the air outlet upon being heated.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A greenhouse comprising:
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a light-transmitting barrier; and a floor surface; the barrier and the floor surface defining an enclosure within the greenhouse for plant cultivation, the barrier comprising an inner layer delimiting the enclosure and an outer layer, the inner and outer layers being impermeable to air to prevent air from entering the enclosure through the inner layer, a shape of the outer layer being the same as a shape of the inner layer, the outer layer being spaced apart above the inner layer to define an air passage therebetween, the air passage being in fluid communication with at least one air inlet in a bottom portion of the outer layer and with an air outlet, the air passage being unobstructed between the at least one air inlet and the air outlet to allow air within the air passage to flow passively from the at least one air inlet to the air outlet upon being heated; and an outlet tower mounted to a top portion of the outer layer and extending upwardly from an opening in an apex of the barrier to an outlet passage, the outlet tower having an hourglass shape and curved airfoil surface, and an inlet guide vane spaced inwardly from the curved airfoil surface to define a gap therebetween, the gap being in fluid communication with a secondary air inlet to provide air into the gap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A greenhouse, comprising:
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a double shell geometry defined by an inner light-transparent shell forming an air-tight lower enclosure with a floor for plant cultivation that is not connected to outside air, and an outer light-transparent shell separated from the inner shell by an air gap; both the shells having the same shape, both the shells being impermeable to air and defining an air passage where air is constrained between the inner and outer shells, the air passage being in fluid communication with at least one bottom air inlet at a lower portion of the outer shell and with at least one upper air outlet, the air passage being unobstructed between the at least one bottom air inlet and the at least one upper air outlet to form an upward flow of air within the air passage from the at least one bottom air inlet to the upper air outlet, the upward flow resulting from convection when the air within the air passage is being heated, the upward flow transporting heated air to the upper air outlet; and an outlet tower mounted to a top portion of the outer shell and extending upwardly from an opening in an apex of the outer shell to an outlet passage, the outlet tower having an hourglass shape and a curved airfoil surface, and an inlet guide vane spaced inwardly from the curved airfoil surface to define a secondary gap therebetween, the secondary gap being in fluid communication with a secondary air inlet to provide air into the secondary gap. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification