Smart, environmentally controlled, mobile enclosure system
A mobile enclosure system includes a container and subsystems, including at least one of: a heating unit, a cooling unit, a humidity control unit, and a gas/vapor input unit. The system also includes sensors for monitoring environmental conditions within the container and generating environmental data, and a control unit connected with the subsystems and the sensors. The container includes a mobile foundation and a structural envelope on top of the mobile foundation. The control unit is configured for tracking power consumption by the plurality of subsystems coupled with the container, receiving the environmental data from the plurality of sensors, and modifying at least one operating parameter of the plurality of subsystems in accordance with the environmental data. In embodiments, the structural envelope is a permanent structure or includes insulated panels configured for repeated assembly and disassembly. The system may be compatible with multiple add-on packages for different applications.
1 . A mobile enclosure system comprising:
a container;
a plurality of subsystems coupled with the container, the plurality of subsystems including at least one of:
a heating unit configured for providing heat into the container,
a cooling unit configured for providing cooling into the container,
a humidity control unit for modifying a humidity within the container, and
a gas/vapor input unit for providing at least one of a gas and a vapor into the container; and
a plurality of sensors for monitoring environmental conditions within the container and generating environmental data; and
a control unit connected with the plurality of subsystems and the plurality of sensors,
wherein
the container comprises
a mobile foundation, and
a structural envelope on top of the mobile foundation,
the control unit is configured for
tracking power consumption by the plurality of subsystems coupled with the container,
receiving the environmental data from the plurality of sensors, and
modifying at least one operating parameter of the plurality of subsystems in accordance with the environmental data,
the plurality of subsystems and the plurality of sensors are selected for use with agronomy applications, and
the plurality of subsystems includes programmable illumination configured for providing time-controlled illumination tailored for growth of a particular crop.
2 . The mobile enclosure system of claim 1 ,
wherein the plurality of subsystems further includes at least one of:
an air circulation unit,
a gas/environmental control unit,
an infrared monitoring unit,
a Varroa chemical control unit,
an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding mechanism,
a loading/unloading system,
advanced insulation,
optical monitoring unit, and
an illumination unit.
3 . The mobile enclosure system of claim 1 ,
wherein the plurality of sensors are configured for monitoring at least one of:
temperature,
humidity,
altitude,
pressure,
orientation of the container,
location,
gas composition within the container,
illumination, and
electromagnetic radiation.
4 . The mobile enclosure system of claim 1 ,
wherein at least a portion of the plurality of sensors is configured for monitoring an environmental condition outside of the container, the environmental condition including at least one of:
temperature,
humidity,
pressure, and
electromagnetic radiation.
5 . The mobile enclosure system of claim 1 ,
wherein the structural envelope is defined by a plurality of insulated panels configured for repeatably being assembled and disassembled to form the structural envelope on top of the mobile foundation.
6 . The mobile enclosure system of claim 1 ,
wherein the structural envelope is defined by a permanent structure.
7 . The mobile enclosure system of claim 1 ,
wherein the structural envelope further includes at least one of foam, fiberglass, glass wool, natural wool, cork, straw, hemp, resin, polyurethane, polystyrene, cellulose, polyethylene, polyisocyanurate, vacuum gap, gas-filled gap, aerogel, and phase change material.
8 . The mobile enclosure system of claim 7 ,
wherein the phase change material is selected for providing a passive cooling effect with temperature as the phase change material changes from a first phase to a second phase.
9 . The mobile enclosure system of claim 1 ,
wherein the plurality of subsystems and the plurality of sensors are selected and provided as a first add-on package.
10 . The mobile enclosure system of claim 9 , further comprising a second add-on package including a second plurality of subsystems and a second plurality of sensors,
wherein the second plurality of subsystems and the second plurality of sensors are configured for compatibility with the container and the controller, and
wherein the second add-on package is configured to be swapped out with the first add-on package.
11 . The mobile enclosure system of claim 1 ,
wherein the plurality of subsystems and the plurality of sensors are selected for use with entomology applications.
12 . The mobile enclosure system of claim 11 ,
wherein the plurality of subsystems include at least one of CO2 control, ultraviolet light application, and chemical vapor application for varroa mite mitigation.
13 . The mobile enclosure system of claim 11 ,
wherein the plurality of subsystems includes temperature control for elevating the temperature within the container during honey collection processes.
14 . The mobile enclosure system of claim 1 ,
wherein the plurality of subsystems and the plurality of sensors are selected for use with produce storage applications.
15 . The mobile enclosure system of claim 1 ,
wherein the plurality of subsystems includes coordinated temperature and gas content control for inducing ripening of produce stored within the container.