Arizona Patent of the Month – May 2022
The agricultural industry is in a constant state of growth. In recent years, vertical farming has boomed. It offers a solution to constrained spaces and growing demand for food. In many designs, these vertical farms are set with multiple tiers to support as much plant growth as possible. As these systems become more and more popular, the technology that supports them must also grow. Recently, Urban Planter, LLC has designed an automated cultivation system that supports vertical growth indoors.
Their vertical farming system also uses a multi-tier design with each level capable of holding seeds or plant capsules. Water and minerals flow through a circulation system to deliver nutrients and feed the plants. The automated cultivator is designed with a magazine structure with a fluid channel, a light source, and a set of seed and plant reservoirs.
The system tracks the plant growth cycle, identifying the optimal time to nurture the plant. Based on this cycle, it also determines when to cultivate. The light source provides the required UV light to the plant from various angles. A reflector aperture is positioned and provides a source of air flow to prevent any overheating. The light quantity, airflow, and fluid circulation is entirely automated by sensors which track the plant growth and health. By providing the light and fluid needed to support plant growth, a home garden is possible even in less than ideal conditions.
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