IP Library Granted Patent US 9,241,453
Granted Patent B1
US 9,241,453 · App. 14/712,247 · Granted Jan 26, 2016

Aeroponic commercial plant cultivation system utilizing a grow enclosure

Inventors: David W. Martin (Las Vegas, NV); Ronald R. Evans (Las Vegas, NV)
Assignee: INDOOR FARMS OF AMERICA, LLC
A01G31/02A01G7/045
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,241,453
App. No.
14/712,247
Granted
Jan 26, 2016
Kind
B1
Abstract

A commercial plant cultivation system generates a controlled environment in which plants can be grown. A grow enclosure generate a controlled environment and can be either a mobile or fixed structure. A plurality of growing panels and a plurality of lighting fixtures are slidably mounted on a grow system support structure positioned within the grow enclosure. The plurality of growing panels can be positioned in either a vertical or horizontal configuration depending on the type of plants being grown. A nutrient delivery system is in fluid communication with the plurality of growing panels to deliver a nutrient solution to the plants. The nutrient solution is dispersed to the roots of the plants through a plurality of supply tubes positioned within each of the plurality of growing panels. Excess nutrient solution is collected and passed through a rock box in order to replenish nutrients and minerals.

Claims (67)

1. A commercial plant cultivation system comprises:

a grow enclosure;

a nutrient delivery system;

the nutrient delivery system comprises a nutrient solution reservoir, a nutrient solution supply piping, a nutrient solution collection and return piping, and a rock box;

the nutrient delivery system, a plurality of lighting fixtures, a plurality of growing panels, and a grow system support structure being positioned within the grow enclosure;

the plurality of growing panels and the plurality of lighting fixtures being suspended by the grow system support structure;

each of the plurality of lighting fixtures being positioned adjacent to a specific growing panel from the plurality of growing panels;

the nutrient solution supply piping being in fluid communication between the nutrient solution reservoir and the plurality of growing panels;

the plurality of growing panels being in fluid communication between the nutrient solution supply piping and the nutrient solution collection and return piping;

the nutrient solution collection and return piping being in fluid communication between the plurality of growing panels and the rock box;

the rock box being in fluid communication with the nutrient solution reservoir;

a controller and monitoring system being communicably connected to at least one member selected from the group consisting of the nutrient delivery system, the plurality of lighting fixtures, the plurality of growing panels, and an environmental control system;

an interior main breaker;

an exterior main breaker;

the interior main breaker being mounted within the grow enclosure;

the exterior main breaker being exteriorly mounted on the grow enclosure;

the interior main breaker being electrically connected to the exterior main breaker;

an environmental control system;

the nutrient delivery system further comprises a nutrient solution return sump tank;

the nutrient solution return sump tank being in fluid communication between the rock box and the nutrient solution reservoir;

the environmental control system being integrated into the grow enclosure; and

each of the plurality of growing panels being slidably connected to the grow system support structure.

2. The commercial plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

each of the plurality of lighting fixtures comprises a grow light assembly and a plurality of light array hanging devices;

the plurality of light array hanging devices being adjacently connected to the grow system support structure; and

the grow light assembly being adjacently connected to the plurality of light array hanging devices opposite the grow system support structure.

3. The commercial plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

the grow enclosure comprises a wall partition and a swing door; and

the swing door being hingedly connected to the partition wall.

4. The commercial plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

the grow enclosure comprises a plurality of filtered vents; and

the plurality of filtered vents being positioned through the grow enclosure.

5. The commercial plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

the grow enclosure comprises an insulation layer; and

the insulation layer being perimetrically positioned.

6. The commercial plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

the grow enclosure comprises a reflective layer; and

the reflective layer being perimetrically positioned.

7. The commercial plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

the nutrient delivery system further comprises a nutrient solution pump; and

the nutrient solution pump being in fluid communication between the nutrient solution reservoir and the nutrient solution supply piping.

8. The commercial plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

each of the plurality of lighting fixtures being slidably connected to the grow system support structure.

9. The commercial plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

each of the plurality of growing panels comprises a plurality of supply tubes;

the plurality of supply tubes being internally positioned; and

the plurality of supply tubes being in fluid communication between the nutrient solution supply piping and the nutrient solution collection and return piping.

10. The commercial plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 9 further comprises:

each of the plurality of growing panels further comprises a drain fixture; and

the drain fixture being in fluid communication in between the plurality of supply tubes and the nutrient solution collection and return piping.

11. The commercial plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 9 further comprises:

each of the plurality of supply tubes comprises a plurality of spray nozzles.

12. The commercial plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

a seed sprouting station;

the seed sprouting station comprises a plurality of sprouting trays; and

the plurality of sprouting trays being in fluid communication with the nutrient delivery system.

13. The commercial plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

a surveillance system; and

the surveillance system being integrated into the grow enclosure.

14. The commercial plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

a fire suppression system;

the fire suppression system comprises a distribution line and a plurality of dispersion nozzles;

the distribution line being mounted within the grow enclosure; and

the plurality of dispersion nozzles being positioned along the distribution line.

15. The commercial plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

a plurality of electrical fault circuit interrupter fixtures; and

the plurality of electrical fault interrupter fixtures being electrically connected to the interior main breaker.

Assignments (8)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2023
From: CO-ALLIANCE, LLP
To: INNOVATION AGRITECH GROUP LIMITED
Reel/Frame 063667/0364 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2020
From: INDOOR FARMS OF AMERICA, LLC; EVANS, RONALD R.; MARTIN, DAVID W.
To: CO-ALLIANCE, LLP
Reel/Frame 053023/0416 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 11, 2019
From: CO-ALLIANCE
To: INNOVATION AGRI-TECH GROUP, LTD.
Reel/Frame 051250/0904 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2019
From: TIGER CORNER FARMS, LLC
To: CO-ALLIANCE
Reel/Frame 050169/0932 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2019
From: INDOOR FARMS OF AMERICA; EVANS, RONALD R; MARTIN, DAVID W.
To: CO-ALLIANCE
Reel/Frame 050169/0715 →
CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT Recorded Aug 31, 2018
From: INDOOR FARMS OF AMERICA, LLC
To: TIGER CORNER FARMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 047004/0370 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2017
From: INDOOR FARMS OF AMERICA, LLC
To: CO-ALLIANCE, LLP
Reel/Frame 042593/0712 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 14, 2015
From: MARTIN, DAVID W.; EVANS, RONALD R.
To: INDOOR FARMS OF AMERICA, LLC
Reel/Frame 035640/0638 →
Continuity (4)
Provisional Application 62030944 · Jul 30, 2014
Provisional Application 62031177 · Jul 31, 2014
Provisional Application 62032437 · Aug 1, 2014
Provisional Application 62032442 · Aug 1, 2014