US 12,408,595 B2
HVAC system for hydroponic farm
Kai Misner, Detroit, MI (US); Simon Yevzelman, Detroit, MI (US); Kelly Sharpe, Detroit, MI (US); Megan Burritt, Detroit, MI (US); and Thomas Adamczyk, Detroit, MI (US)
Assigned to Planted, LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by Planted, LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/559,274.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/130,101, filed on Dec. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0192105 A1, Jun. 23, 2022
Int. Cl. A01G 9/24 (2006.01); A01G 31/06 (2006.01)
CPC A01G 9/246 (2013.01) [A01G 31/06 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hydroponic system for optimizing a growing environment, comprising:
a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall, a bottom surface and a top wall coupled together to define a growth chamber, the first end wall opposite of the second end wall;
one or more growing racks disposed in the growth chamber and including a plurality of vertically arranged shelves spaced apart from each other to define a gap, the gap having a middle interposed between the first end wall and the second end wall;
wherein the first end wall includes a first cavity and a pair of side openings spaced apart from the bottom surface and the top wall of the growth chamber and open to the growth chamber and the second end wall includes a second cavity and a second opening open to the growth chamber;
an air unit configured to force air into the first cavity of the first end wall and the second cavity of the second end wall, through the pair of side openings, into the growth chamber, and through the gap between each of the plurality of vertically arranged shelves of the one or more growing racks to define a forced airflow path;
an exhaust fan disposed on the top wall and centered with respect to the growth chamber, the exhaust fan configured to draw air through the middle of the growing racks and out of the growth chamber; at least one evaporative cooling pad disposed on the pair of side openings of the first end wall, wherein air forced into the growth chamber is directed through the evaporative cooling pad;
a humidity sensor mounted to one of the plurality of vertically arranged shelves, the humidity sensor configured to detect a relative humidity at a plant disposed within a corresponding one of the plurality of vertically arranged shelves; and
a controller configured to achieve a desired vapor pressure deficit through the middle of the gap, the controller being configured to process the relative humidity to adjust a saturation of the at least one evaporative cooling pad, an operation of the air unit, and an operation of the exhaust fan to maintain the desired vapor pressure deficit.