APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR BEE CONTROL BACKGROUND
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for pollination within a controlled agricultural environment. In one example, a pollination system ( 300 ) includes a pollination chamber ( 322 ) having air curtains ( 302 , 304 ) and walls ( 402 , 404 , 406 ) defining a volume, a grow tower conveyance system, and ultra-violet light sources ( 314 , 318 , 330 , 334 ) for illuminating the pollination volume. Pollinators, such as bees or the like, are positioned within the volume of the pollination chamber ( 322 ) and the light sources ( 314 , 318 , 330 , 334 ) are utilized to control and encourage pollination and pollinator movement with the pollination chamber ( 322 ).
1 . A pollination system, comprising:
a grow line having a plurality of grow towers disposed thereon; and
a pollination chamber, comprising:
a plurality of walls at least partially defining a volume;
a first flow generator positioned adjacent to the plurality of walls;
a second flow generator positioned adjacent to the plurality of walls and opposite the first flow generator; and
a plurality of light sources disposed within the pollination chamber.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first flow receiver disposed opposite the first flow generator; and
a second flow receiver disposed opposite the second flow generator.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first flow generator and the second flow generator are configured to generate first and second air curtains, respectively.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light sources are ultraviolet light sources.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the ultraviolet light sources are light emitting diodes.
6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the ultraviolet light sources comprise a polarization filter.
7 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the ultraviolet light sources comprise a lens or reflector.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a first light source of the plurality of light sources is disposed above the grow towers.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a second light source of the plurality of light sources is disposed below the grow towers.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a third light source of the plurality of light sources is disposed adjacent to the first flow generator.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein a fourth light source of the plurality of light sources is disposed adjacent to the second flow generator.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the third light source and the fourth light source are disposed on opposite sides of a travel path of the grow towers.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a fifth light source of the plurality of light sources is disposed adjacent to a first wall of the plurality of walls.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein a sixth light source of the plurality of light sources is disposed adjacent to a second wall of the plurality of walls opposite the first wall.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of walls comprise an opaque material.
16 . The system of claim 1 , wherein each grow tower of the plurality of grow towers is coupled to the grow line by a hook.
17 . A pollination system, comprising:
a plurality of walls;
a first flow generator disposed adjacent to the plurality of walls and configured to generate a first air curtain;
a second flow generator disposed adjacent to the plurality of walls and configured to generate a second air curtain, the second air curtain disposed opposite the first air curtain, wherein the plurality of walls, the first air curtain, and the second air curtain define a volume; and
a plurality of light sources disposed in the volume.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of light sources are ultraviolet light sources.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the ultraviolet light sources are light emitting diodes.
20 . A pollination system, comprising:
a grow line having a plurality of grow towers disposed thereon; and
a pollination chamber, comprising:
a plurality of walls at least partially defining a volume;
a first flow generator positioned adjacent to the plurality of walls;
a second flow generator positioned adjacent to the plurality of walls and opposite the first flow generator; and
a plurality of light sources disposed within the pollination chamber, the plurality of light sources comprising:
a plurality of light source pairs, wherein a first light source of a pair is disposed above the grow towers and a second light source of the pair is disposed below the grow towers, and wherein the plurality of light source pairs are positioned within the volume along a travel path of the grow towers.