Environmentally controlled vertical farming system

US10306847B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MJNN LLC · US

Inventors

• John L. Whitcher · Tualatin, US
• Jack Oslan · Henderson, US
• Nate Mazonson · Menlo Park, US
• Nathaniel R. Storey · Laramie, US
• Daniel Cook · Woodside, US
• Philip E. Beatty · Tualatin, US
• Matthew Barnard · Woodside, US
• Christopher K. Conway · Loomis, US
• Ernest Learn · Loomis, US
• Michael Duffy · Duryea, US
• Russell Varone · Red Lion, US
• Russell Field · Portola Valley, US
• William R. George · Santa Cruz, US
• Rob Jensen · Rocklin, US
• Benjamin J. Clark · Redwood City, US
• Jaremy Creechley · Laramie, US
• Matteo Melani · Menlo Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 28, 2016
• Grant date: Jun 4, 2019
• Expiry date: Sep 28, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P60/21
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A plant growing system configured for high density crop growth and yield, including an environmentally-controlled growing chamber and a vertical growth column within, the column configured to support a hydroponic plant growth module which is configured for containing and supporting plant growth media for containing and supporting a root structure of at least one gravitropic crop plant growing therein and for detachably mounting to the vertical growth column, the hydroponic plant growth module including a lateral growth opening to allow the plant to grow laterally through toward a light emitting source, a nutrient supply system to direct aqueous crop nutrient solution through an upper opening of the hydroponic plant growth module, an airflow source to direct airflow away from the growth opening and through an under-canopy of the plant, so as to disturb the boundary layer, and a control system for regulating, at least one growing condition in an area in or adjacent to the under-canopy.