Hydroponic control apparatus

• US 5,771,634 A
• Filed: 06/20/1996
• Issued: 06/30/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Edward Fudger
• Original Assignee: Michael Edward Fudger
• Inventors: Fudger, Michael Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEZZUTO, ROBERT ERIC
• Application Number:
  US08/615,315
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 47/59, 47/62, 47/79, 47/1.01, 47/14
• US Class Current: 47/62.00N
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 31/02 Special apparatus therefor self-acting watering devices A01G27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 27/02 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/21 Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures

Abstract

A small (e.g. in home) hydroponic installation is controlled by a computer. The computer controls the on/off status of the outputs such as the lights, fan, water pump etc. Corresponding sensors feed data and readings into the computer. The basis operation is carried out by stepping through the outputs and the corresponding sensors. An LCD displays the parameters one at a time, in sequence. A keyboard is provided for entering settings.

Claims

1. Apparatus for controlling hydroponic cultivation, characterized in that the apparatus combines the following features:

the apparatus includes several electrical output elements;

one of the output elements is connected, in use of the apparatus to control the operation of a hydroponic cultivation facility, to an electric light unit of the facility;

the apparatus includes several electrical input elements, the input elements being capable, in use of the apparatus, of receiving input signals from respective independent sensors;

one of the input elements is so arranged as to receive, in use, an electrical signal from a sensor which senses the temperature of the hydroponic cultivation facility;

the apparatus includes a computer;

the apparatus includes means for conveying the signals from the sensors into the computer, and the computer is effective to receive said signals;

the apparatus includes a timer or clock, which is effective to produce electrical time signals, and the apparatus includes means for conveying the signals from the clock into the computer, and the computer is effective to receive said signals;

the apparatus includes a manual input device, which is effective to produce electrical signals corresponding to manual manipulations of the device, and the apparatus includes means for conveying the signals from the manual input device into the computer, and the computer is effective to receive said signals;

the apparatus includes respective control switches, one for each output element, for setting the on/off status of the respective output elements;

the computer is effective, in accordance with a pre-determined program, and in response to the signals from the sensors, signals from the clock, and signals from the manual input device, to operate the control switches, whereby the computer is effective to control independently the on/off status of the output elements;

the apparatus includes a visual display means;

in respect of each output element, at least one of the sensors corresponds to that output element, and the computer is effective to set the on/off status of the output element in accordance with the setting of that corresponding sensor;

the apparatus includes means for stepping the display means sequentially through the output elements, and for selecting each output element in turn for display, sequentially, on the display means;

the arrangement of the apparatus is such that, as each element is selected for display, the display means is effective to identify the selected element, and is effective to display the setting of the corresponding sensor;

the arrangement of the apparatus is such that, when the setting of the corresponding sensor is on display, the apparatus is at that time then enabled to allow an operator to manually adjust the setting of the corresponding sensor by means of a keyboard.

2. Apparatus of claim 1, further characterised in that the visual display means has the capacity to display about forty alpha-numeric digits.

3. Apparatus of claim 1, further characterized in that:

the apparatus has from four to eight output elements, and the apparatus has from five to ten sensor input elements;

and at least one of the output elements has at least two corresponding sensor input elements.

4. Apparatus of claim 1, further characterised in that the total number of steps, upon stepping through all the output elements and all the corresponding sensor input elements, is between twenty and thirty.

5. Apparatus of claim 1, further characterised in that:

the apparatus includes a container, having a panel;

the display means and the keyboard are mounted on the panel;

the computer is physically integrated into the container;

the container is provided with means for effecting respective electrical connections to the several output and input elements.

6. Apparatus of claim 5, further characterised in that the apparatus is suitable for the simultaneous control of two cultivation facilities, being cultivation room A and room B, and the output and input elements of room A are substantially duplicated, in the container, in respect of room B, and the display means and the keyboard are operable in sequence in respect of both room A and room B.