Irrigation method and apparatus for indoor farming
Methods and systems for irrigating growth trays in a multi-level farming structure are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a system comprises a conveyor segment an irrigation flow line. The conveyor is configured to move one or more growth trays in a first direction through an irrigation section of the multi-level farming structure. The irrigation flow line may be disposed vertically above the conveyor and extending longitudinally in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The irrigation flow line has one or more apertures formed therein that facilitate fluid flowing out of the irrigation flow line onto growth trays being moved through the irrigation section, the one or more apertures spanning multiple points along a length of the irrigation flow line.
1 . A system for irrigating growth trays in a multi-level farming structure, the system comprising:
a transport elevator that selectively elevates one or more of the growth trays from a first station at a lowest vertical level, through one or more second stations at intermediate higher vertical levels, to a third station at a highest vertical level;
a roller conveyor that receives the one or more growth trays from the third station and conveys the one or more growth trays to the first station; wherein the roller conveyor comprises a conveyor segment to move one or more growth trays in a first direction through an irrigation section of the multi-level farming structure; and
an irrigation flow line vertically above the conveyor segment and extending longitudinally in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the irrigation flow line has one or more apertures formed therein that facilitate fluid flowing out of the irrigation flow line onto the one or more growth trays being moved through the irrigation section, the one or more apertures spanning multiple points along a length of the irrigation flow line.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein each growth tray among the one or more growth trays comprises one or more drain openings having an elongated shape.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more drain openings are elongated slits extending in a direction parallel to the first direction in which the growth trays are moved along the conveyor segment.
4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein each particular growth tray among the one or more growth trays comprises two elongated drain openings located equidistant from a center of the particular growth tray.
5 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising one or more gutters disposed under the conveyor segment and in a position to catch water draining from the one or more drain openings in the one or more growth trays.
6 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a water reservoir to supply water to the irrigation flow line; and
one or more drain lines coupled to the one or more gutters to recirculate water caught in the one or more gutters to the water reservoir.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the irrigation flow line is coupled to a drainage device that recaptures excess water traveling out of the growth trays.
8 . A multi-level farming apparatus, comprising:
elevating means for selectively elevating the growth trays from a first station at a lowest vertical level, through one or more second stations at intermediate higher vertical levels, to a third station at a highest vertical level;
conveying means for receiving the growth trays from the third station and for conveying growth trays through a plurality of stations to the first station, each station located at a different vertical level within the multi-level farming apparatus; and
an irrigation means for applying water to the growth trays, the irrigation means being located at one of the plurality of stations through which the growth trays are moved by the conveying means, and the irrigation means comprising an irrigation flow line disposed vertically above the conveying means and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of growth trays via the conveying means, wherein the irrigation flow line has one or more apertures formed therein to dispense water.
9 . The multi-level farming apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the irrigation means is a sole irrigation means of the multi-level farming apparatus.
10 . The multi-level farming apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of stations comprise at least one night simulation station and at least one daylight simulation station, wherein the irrigation means is located at a first daylight simulation station following, in the direction of the conveying means, a night simulation station.
11 . The multi-level farming apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of stations comprise six daylight simulation stations and two night simulation stations.
12 . The multi-level farming apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising a loading means for loading growth trays onto the conveying means, the loading means being located at a same station as the irrigation means.
13 . A method of irrigating growth trays in a multi-level farming structure, the method comprising:
selectively elevating one or more of the growth trays from a first station at a lowest vertical level, through one or more second stations at intermediate higher vertical levels, to a third station at a highest vertical level;
receiving, using a roller conveyor, one or more of the growth trays from the third station and conveying the one or more growth trays to the first station;
moving one or more growth trays in a first direction through an irrigation section of the multi-level farming structure via a conveyor segment of the roller conveyor; and
applying water to the growth trays in the irrigation section via an irrigation flow line disposed vertically above the conveyor segment and extending longitudinally in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the irrigation flow line outputs water through one or more apertures spanning multiple points along a length of the irrigation flow line.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising pausing each particular growth tray on the conveyor segment under the irrigation flow line while applying water to the particular growth tray.
15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising moving each particular growth tray continuously on the conveyor segment under the irrigation flow line while applying water to the particular growth tray.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the irrigation flow line outputs water at a flow rate between approximately 400 gallons per hour and 800 gallons per hour.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the irrigation flow line outputs water at a flow rate that is higher than a drainage rate for the growth trays.
18 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising draining excess water through one or more drain openings in the growth trays into one or more gutters.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising recirculating the excess water collected by the one or more gutters for reuse in the irrigation section.