SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CARBON DIOXIDE AND CIRCULATING AIR FOR A VERTICAL GARDENING SYSTEM

• US 20190059242A1
• Filed: 08/24/2018
• Published: 02/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pipp Mobile Storage Systems, Inc. (PIPP Mobile Storage Systems Holding Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Vertical Air Solutions LLC (PIPP Mobile Storage Systems Holding Corp.)
• Inventors: BOGNER, Matthew Lawrence, CUNNINGHAM, James Allen
• Granted Patent: US 10,806,099 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/02 Treatment of plants with carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/045 with electric lighting
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/18 Greenhouses for treating plants with carbon dioxide or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/246 Air-conditioning systems
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/249 Lighting means with special arrangements for promoting growth A01G7/045
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/134 Distributing means, e.g. baffles, valves, manifolds, nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/14 Filtering means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/16 Connections to a HVAC unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0038 with means for influencing the odor, e.g. deodorizing substances
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor

Abstract

Vertical growing uses a plurality of shelves to support plants. The system has an air filtration and ultraviolet (UV) air purification system. The purified and filtered air is mixed with nitrogen, which is directed towards plants. The system can include lights to help grow the plants placed on the shelves. The filters can remove odors from the circulating air.

Claims

1. A flow distribution assembly, comprising:

a filter housing having an air inlet portion;

a first elongated duct fluidly coupled to a first outlet portion of the filter housing and having a first plurality of openings defined on a lower surface of the first elongated duct;

a second elongated duct fluidly coupled to a second outlet portion of the filter housing adjacent to the first outlet portion and having a second plurality of openings defined on a lower surface of the second elongated duct, and

wherein the first elongated duct and second elongated duct extend adjacent to one another from the filter housing such that the flow distribution assembly is positionable upon a rack.

2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a pre-filter;

a UV light; and

a secondary filter mounted in the filter housing between the air inlet portion and the outlet portion of the filter housing.

3. The assembly of claim 2 further comprising a carbon dioxide input coupled to the outlet portion of the filter housing.

4. The assembly of claim 3 further comprising a fan fluidly coupled to the filter housing, wherein the fan directs ambient air into the filter housing.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein filtered air is exposed to the UV light and mixed with the carbon dioxide, the air and carbon dioxide flows through the plurality of holes in the elongated duct to plants growing under the elongated duct.

6. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the pre-filter and the secondary filter are each planar and substantially parallel and opaque to light emitted by the UV light.

7. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the UV light is positioned between the pre-filter and the secondary filter.

8. The assembly of claim 2 further comprising a second UV light mounted in the filter housing.

9. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the fan directs the ambient air in a downward direction and the first elongated duct is oriented in a horizontal direction.

10. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the UV lights output light wavelengths between 250 nm and 270 nm.

11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein at least the first plurality of openings comprise rectangular or square shapes.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein at least the first plurality of openings define an increasing size of the first plurality of openings distal to the filter housing.

13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein at least the first elongated duct tapers from a first height to a second height which is lower than the first height along a length of the first elongated duct.

14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein at least the first elongated duct defines a decreasing width of the first elongated duct along a length of the first elongated duct.

15. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising one or more flow diverters configured for securement within or in proximity to at least one of the first plurality of openings.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the one or more flow diverters comprises:

a diverter platform;

a first gusset; and

a second gusset apposed to the first gusset such that a securement channel is defined between first and second gussets.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the diverter platform is angled relative to a surface of the first elongated duct.

18. The assembly of claim 1 wherein at least the first plurality of openings comprise a flow diverter extending from an edge of at least one opening.

19. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second elongated ducts are integrated with the rack.

20. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the rack is configured to slide or roll.

21. A method of distributing flow, comprising:

positioning a first elongated duct and a second elongated duct upon a rack, wherein each of the first and second elongated ducts is fluidly coupled via an outlet portion to a filter housing and extends adjacent to one another along the rack;

introducing air through an air inlet portion and into the filter housing which is positioned external to the rack and into the first and second elongated ducts; and

distributing the air through a first plurality of openings defined on a lower surface of the first elongated duct and through a second plurality of openings defined on a lower surface of the second elongated duct.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein introducing air further comprises:

filtering the air via a secondary filter mounted in the filter housing between the air inlet portion and the outlet portion, and/or

exposing the air to a UV light.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising introducing carbon dioxide into the air.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein distributing the air comprises distributing the air to one or more plants positioned below at least the first elongated duct.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein distributing the air comprises flowing the air through at least the first plurality of openings having rectangular or square shapes.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein at least the first plurality of openings define an increasing distribution of openings distal to the filter housing.

27. The method of claim 21 wherein at least the first plurality of openings define an increasing size of the first plurality of openings distal to the filter housing.

28. The method of claim 21 wherein at least the first elongated duct tapers from a first height to a second height which is lower than the first height along a length of the first elongated duct.

29. The method of claim 21 further comprising diverting airflow through at least the first plurality of openings via one or more flow diverters.

30. The method of claim 21 further comprising adjusting a position of the rack relative to a second rack.