Orchard climate control system
View Patent ↗Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a humidity and temperature control system for use in the outdoor cultivation of fruits, as typically found in an orchard setting, with the additional aid of a sunshade. Embodiments include a climate control system with an efficient and controlled introduction of water vapor into an outdoor orchard employing a plurality of fogging type nozzles, coupled with an overarching porous solar shade enclosure.
1. An orchard climate control system comprising:
a shade structure built over an orchard, the shade structure including:
a lateral shade and a top shade at least partially covering the orchard, and a perimeter shade support bordering an internal shade support,
wherein the lateral shade stretches from the perimeter shade support down to a perimeter shade anchor, located proximate to a ground surface, and
wherein the top shade is held up by the internal shade support, stretching across the orchard,
wherein the shade structure comprises a material having a high porosity, and the shade structure is substantially porous to water vapor, minimizing the greenhouse effect and allowing natural winds and ventilation to pass through the shade structure to transport, release, and remove vapor and heat from within the orchard,
wherein the shade structure defines an orchard vapor enclosure formed by the lateral shade and the top shade, within which a water vapor infusion system is arranged, containing humid air within the vapor enclosure and inducing a desirable ventilation air flow through the shade structure,
wherein the material having a high porosity in combination with the water vapor infusion system reduces a temperature within the orchard vapor enclosure and controls an air humidity through the desirable ventilation air flow,
wherein the orchard vapor enclosure is a non-sealed structure, wherein natural winds and ventilation pass through the shade structure to transport, release, and remove vapor and heat from within the orchard, controlling the movement of humid air inside the orchard vapor enclosure,
wherein the orchard climate control system further comprises at least one of a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor, coupled with a computer-controller system, automating the water vapor infusion system, and
wherein the orchard climate control system automatically maintains a desired Vapor Pressure Deficit target within the orchard vapor enclosure by regulating a periodicity and duration of operation of the water vapor infusion system, operating the water vapor infusion system in controlled ON-OFF cycles.
2. The orchard climate control system according to claim 1 , wherein the lateral shade and the top shade are made of a reflective screen fabric, wherein the top shade blocks approximately between 15% to 35% of the solar radiation from the orchard, while the lateral shade blocks approximately between 40% to 60% of the incident sun rays.
3. The orchard climate control system according to claim 1 , wherein the lateral shade is an angled shade that begins at the ground surface and angles upward to the perimeter shade support.
4. The orchard climate control system according to claim 1 , wherein the lateral shade deflects wind, and induces a sustained and desirable ventilation air flow through the shade structure, and also better filters the incident solar radiation, given that is better oriented at an orthogonal angle to the sun.
5. The orchard climate control system according to claim 1 , wherein the top shade is approximately six meters off the ground surface, stretching substantially horizontal from the lateral shade to an opposite lateral shade.
6. The orchard climate control system according to claim 1 , wherein the desired Vapor Pressure Deficit is approximately 2.0 kPa (15 mmHg) or less within the orchard vapor enclosure.
7. The orchard climate control system according to claim 1 , wherein the temperature within the orchard vapor enclosure closely matches the an ambient temperature or is lower than the ambient temperature.
8. The orchard climate control system according to claim 1 , wherein the water vapor infusion system includes foggers that inject a water vapor fog into the orchard, enclosed within the orchard vapor enclosure.
9. The orchard climate control system according to claim 8 , wherein a reflective net is employed for the lateral shade, which jointly with the water vapor fog produced by the foggers, both reflect or absorb a significant amount of the incident solar radiation before that radiation arrives to fruit vines or trees within the orchard vapor enclosure, and serve to remove additional heat energy from the orchard.
10. The orchard climate control system according to claim 8 , wherein the foggers are suspended from a water supply pipe at approximately five meters off the ground surface.
11. The orchard climate control system according to claim 8 , wherein the foggers can run at approximately between 50 to 75 psi, preferably 60 psi, to produce approximately between 55 to 75 micron diameter droplets in the water vapor fog, preferably 65 micron diameter droplets or smaller.
12. The orchard climate control system according to claim 1 , wherein the orchard includes fruit vines planted in a fruit row, and supported on a trellis, wherein the trellis includes trellis laterals which train and support the fruit vines.
13. The orchard climate control system according to claim 12 , wherein the trellis not only serves to help support the shade structure, but also supports a water supply pipe and foggers of the water vapor infusion system.