US 12,329,079 B2
Stackable growth module for supporting plants in a vertical farming system
Trond Austrheim, Etne (NO); and Ivar Fjeldheim, Haugesund (NO)
Assigned to AutoStore Technology AS, Nedre Vats (NO)
Filed by Autostore Technology AS, Nedre Vats (NO)
Filed on May 30, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/325,877.
Application 18/325,877 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/316,859, filed on May 12, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0373804 A1, Nov. 14, 2024
Int. Cl. A01G 31/06 (2006.01)
CPC A01G 31/06 (2013.01) 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A stackable growth module comprising a vertically arranged growth board having a vertical surface for supporting plants, the growth board comprising:
a porous growth medium supported by the vertical surface;
a watering trough arranged along an upper edge of the growth board, the watering trough having water distribution holes for distributing water to the growth medium;
a water collection trough arranged along a lower edge of the growth board to collect water draining from the growth medium, the water collection trough having a valve that is configured to open and permit water to flow out of the collection trough when the valve is an open position and which prevents water from flowing out of the collection trough when the valve is in a closed position, and
a drain comprising a liquid passage from the watering trough to the water collection trough, said liquid passage bypassing the porous growth medium, the drain having an inlet within the watering trough, the inlet being elevated at a distance D1 above a lowest point in the watering trough;
the stackable growth module comprising a load-bearing frame comprising a first support member and a second support member held in a spaced apart and parallel configuration by the growth board,
whereby the load-bearing frame is configured to enable the stackable growth module to occupy a cuboidal volume within which the growth board is supported,
and wherein the load-bearing frame comprises upper and lower load-transferring edge surfaces.