SELF-REGULATING GREENHOUSE

• US 20120000121A1
• Filed: 07/01/2011
• Published: 01/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James J. Swann
• Original Assignee: James J. Swann
• Inventors: Swann, James J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,839,551 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/17
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/14 Greenhouses cloches A01G13/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8593 Systems

Abstract

An apparatus and system are disclosed for a self-regulating greenhouse. The apparatus includes a horizontal air pathway disposed within a growing bed, and a vertical air pathway extending upward from the horizontal air pathway through the growing bed to an air intake apparatus positioned adjacent the roof. The system includes the apparatus and a structure comprising walls and a roof formed of at least a first transparent sheet coupled with a rotatable arm and an adjacent second transparent sheet coupled with an extending arm such that when the extending arm lifts the second transparent sheet an opening is formed in the roof between the first and second transparent sheets to allow a flow of air between an interior of the structure and an exterior of the structure. The system also includes an external surface of formed of a transparent membrane allowing sunlight to enter the structure.

Claims

1. A greenhouse comprising:

a structure comprising walls and a roof;

an external surface of the structure comprising a transparent membrane allowing sunlight to enter the structure;

an air flow system disposed within the structure comprising;

a horizontal air pathway disposed within a growing bed; and

a vertical air pathway extending upward from the horizontal air pathway through the growing bed to an air intake apparatus positioned adjacent the roof.

2. The greenhouse of claim 1, wherein the growing bed is a raised growing bed having at least one interior sidewall, and wherein the horizontal air pathway extends through the at least one interior sidewall to circulate air from the air intake apparatus into the structure.

3. The greenhouse of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of raised growing beds and a walkway formed between adjacent raised growing beds.

4. The greenhouse of claim 3, further comprising a breathable waterproof membrane disposed between the horizontal air pathway and soil in the growing bed to prevent water from entering the horizontal air pathway, and configured to direct water towards a drain formed in the interior sidewall, and wherein the walkway further comprises a collection path for collecting the water.

5. The greenhouse of claim 1, further comprising an insulating layer disposed between the horizontal air pathway and the ground.

6. The greenhouse of claim 1, wherein the air flow system further comprises a forced air device in electrical communication with a photovoltaic panel such that the speed of the fan is controlled by the power output of the panel in response to the solar output of the sun.

7. The greenhouse of claim 1, wherein the forced air device is in communication with one of a battery system or an alternating current power system.

8. The greenhouse of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a powered system of fans, LED lights, and candles to extend growing times.

9. The greenhouse of claim 1, wherein the roof is formed of at least a first transparent sheet coupled with a rotatable arm and an adjacent second transparent sheet coupled with an extending arm such that when the extending arm lifts the second transparent sheet an opening is formed in the roof between the first and second transparent sheets to allow a flow of air between an interior of the structure and an exterior of the structure.

10. An air flow system comprising:

a perforated horizontal air pathway disposed within a growing bed configured to transfer air and moisture into and out of the growing bed; and

a vertical air pathway extending upward from the horizontal air pathway through the growing bed to an air intake apparatus positioned above the growing bed.

11. The air flow system of claim 10, wherein the air intake apparatus is positioned above the growing bed a distance of between about 2 and 8 feet.

12. The air flow system of claim 10, wherein the growing bed is a raised growing bed having at least one sidewall, and wherein the horizontal air pathway extends through the at least one sidewall to circulate air from the air intake apparatus.

13. The air flow system of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of raised growing beds and a walkway formed between adjacent raised growing beds.

14. The air flow system of claim 13, further comprising a breathable waterproof membrane disposed between the horizontal air pathway and soil in the growing bed to prevent water from entering the horizontal air pathway, and configured to direct water towards a drain formed in the sidewall, and wherein the walkway further comprises a collection path for collecting the water.

15. The air flow system of claim 10, further comprising an insulating layer disposed between the horizontal air pathway and the ground.

16. The air flow system of claim 10, wherein the air flow system further comprises a forced air device in electrical communication with a photovoltaic panel such that the speed of the fan is controlled by the power output of the panel in response to the solar output of the sun.

17. A system comprising:

a structure comprising walls and a roof;

wherein the roof is formed of at least a first transparent sheet coupled with a rotatable arm and an adjacent second transparent sheet coupled with an extending arm such that when the extending arm lifts the second transparent sheet an opening is formed in the roof between the first and second transparent sheets to allow a flow of air between an interior of the structure and an exterior of the structure

an external surface of the structure comprising a transparent membrane allowing sunlight to enter the structure;

an air flow system disposed within the structure comprising;

a horizontal air pathway disposed within a growing bed;

a vertical air pathway extending upward from the horizontal air pathway through the growing bed to an air intake apparatus positioned adjacent the roof; and

a forced air device in electrical communication with a photovoltaic panel such that the speed of the fan is controlled by the power output of the panel in response to the solar output of the sun.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the growing bed is a raised growing bed having at least one interior sidewall, and wherein the horizontal air pathway extends through the at least one interior sidewall to circulate air from the air intake apparatus into the structure.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of raised growing beds and a walkway formed between adjacent raised growing beds.

20. The system of claim 17, further comprising a breathable waterproof membrane disposed between the horizontal air pathway and soil in the growing bed to prevent water from entering the horizontal air pathway, and configured to direct water towards a drain formed in the interior sidewall, and wherein the walkway further comprises a collection path for collecting the water.