Multiple level farming module and system

• US 20050076563A1
• Filed: 10/12/2004
• Published: 04/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sadeg M. Faris
• Original Assignee: Sadeg M. Faris
• Inventors: Faris, Sadeg M.
• Application Number:
  US10/962,993
• Publication Number:
  US 20050076563A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/58.1LS
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/04 Electric or magnetic or acoustic treatment of plants for promoting growth
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/243 Collecting solar energy in general F24S
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/12 using renewable energies, e.g. solar water pumping

Abstract

The present invention circumvents inherent inefficiencies of photosynthesis by exposing chloroplast (or equivalents thereof) to light in a periodic manner during the organisms'"'"' “daylight” cycle. Optical, electro-optical, and/or electromechanical techniques are introduced to conventional farming methods to increase the conversion efficiency and farming yield many-fold. A module is provided that carries out the above benefits. The module includes: a solar distribution sub-system; and a structure having a plurality of growing levels configured and dimensioned to support a desired quantity of plant life and associated nutrient sources (e.g., soil, hydroponic, or an equivalent nutrient source).

Claims

1. A method of growing plant life comprising modulating light intensity “

on”

for a time period t(h) at a frequency of 1/t(p), representing the harvesting period of the plant life necessary to collect sufficient energy in the form of light photons to carry out a cycle of light and dark reactions, and modulating light intensity “

off”

for the time required between harvesting periods.

2. A module for glowing plant life according to the method of claim 1.

3. The module claim 2, comprising:

a. a solar distribution sub-system; and

b. a structure having a plurality of growing levels configured and dimensioned to support a desired quantity of plant life and associated nutrient sources (e.g., soil, hydroponic, or an equivalent nutrient source).

4. The module as in claim 3, wherein the solar distribution sub-system comprises a solar energy collection sub-system, an energy storage sub-system, and a light distribution sub-system for periodically distributing light to the plant life at each structural level.

5. The module as in claim 2, further comprising a water collection sub-system and a distribution sub-system.

6. The module as in claim 4, further comprising a water collection sub-system and a distribution sub-system, wherein the water collection sub-system is integrated within the solar energy collection sub system.

7. The module as in claim 6, wherein channels are provided between and/or around certain photovoltaic cells in an array of such cells.

8. The module as in claim 6, wherein perforations are included between and/or around cells to collect water.