EP-4739090-A1 - SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOWERING A CART IN A MODULAR GROW TOWER

Abstract

The present disclosure presents systems and related methods for lowering a cart in a modular grow tower assembly. One such system comprise a plurality of body frames, each having multiple subframe supports arranged in parallel in a vertical direction, and a plurality of lift frames positioned at opposite ends of the body frames. The system further includes a plurality of carts, each cart comprising at least a plurality of wheels for traversing the subframe supports; a tray to support growing of crop material; or an engagement mechanism such that the carts remain in contact with adjacent carts as they traverse the subframe supports and become disengaged when the cart is moved vertically by a lowering lift mechanism. The system also includes a plurality of lowering lift mechanisms confined within the lift frames that are configured to pull, lower, and push one of the carts.

Inventors

• PETERSON, SEAN R.
• TUELLER, Todd Garrett
• TUELLER, Johndavid
• CRAWFORD, Ryan Joseph

Assignees

• Tavaci Technologies LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240705

Claims (15)

1. 1. A system for lowering a cart in a modular grow tower assembly, the system comprising: a plurality of body frames, each having multiple subframe supports arranged in parallel in a vertical direction; a plurality' of lift frames positioned at opposite ends of the body frames; a plurality’ of carts, each cart comprising at least one of the following features: a plurality' of wheels for traversing the subframe supports; a tray to support gro ving of crop material; or an engagement mechanism such that the carts remain in contact with adjacent carts as they traverse the subframe supports and become disengaged yvhen the cart is moved vertically by a lowering lift mechanism; and a plurality of lowering lift mechanisms confined within the lift frames, each configured to pull one of the carts from a subframe support, lo ver the cart to a ne v subframe support, and push the cart onto the neyv subframe support, facilitating movement of the carts through the modular grow tower assembly.
2. 2. The system of claim 1, yvherein the carts move in serpentine movement through the modular groyv tower assembly.
3. 3. The system of claim 1. wherein the body frames and lift frames are connected using a fastening mechanisms and are configured or rearranged to adjust a size of the modular grow to ver assembly.
4. 4. The system of claim 1. wherein each cart includes wheels for supporting a cart.
5. 5. The system of claim 1, yvherein the engagement mechanism comprises a notch for secure engagement with a corresponding engagement mechanism of an adjacent cart.
6. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising support stops located at the ends of the subframe supports, each support stop including a bumper to stop motion of the carts.
7. 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a computing environment to monitor and control operations of the modular grow tower assembly, including a tower computing device configured to execute system synchronization and crop logic for managing the movement of carts and crop growth conditions.
8. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the tower computing device is configured to control operation of the body frames, lift frames, and carts.
9. 9. A method for lowering a cart in a modular grow tower assembly, the method comprising: providing a modular grow tower assembly including a plurality of body frames and a plurality of lift frames, where each body frame includes multiple subframe supports arranged in parallel in a vertical direction: configuring a plurality of carts to traverse the subframe supports, each cart having a first end with at least one male engagement mechanism and a second end with at least one female engagement mechanism; and utilizing a plurality of lowering lift mechanisms within the lift frames to pull carts from the subframe supports of the body frames, lower the carts, and push the carts onto lower subframe supports.
10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the lowering lift mechanisms are synchronized to ensure that a cart is pulled from a subframe support before another cart is pushed onto the same subframe support.
11. 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising raising the cart above a bumper located at the end of each subframe support before pulling the cart into the lift frame.
12. 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising introducing new carts onto the uppermost subframe support of a top row, pushing existing carts in a longitudinal direction through the body frames, and repeating the lowering process until the carts traverse in a serpentine path to a bottommost subframe support of a bottom row.
13. 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising sanitizing and seeding the carts with new crop material after harvesting.
14. 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising receiving, by a tower computing device, grow recipes from a remote computing device and adjusting operation of the modular grow tower assembly accordingly.
15. 15. A lowering lift mechanism for lowering a cart in a modular grow tower assembly, the lowering lift mechanism comprising: a receiving plate for engaging with the cart, including first and second arms located at opposite ends of the receiving plate; first and second receiving blocks located on the first and second arms, respectively, each receiving block including notches configured to engage male and female engagement mechanisms on the cart; an actuator configured to move the receiving plate between an extended position, where the first and second arms extend into subframe supports to engage the cart, and a retracted position, where the plate is within the lift frame; and a lifting mechanism configured to raise the cart above a bumper on the subframe support before pulling the cart into the lift frame and lowering the cart to align with a lower subframe support, then extending the receiving plate to push the cart onto the new subframe support.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOWERING A CART IN A MODULAR GROW TOWER CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. provisional application entitled, “Systems and Methods for Lowering a Cart in a Grow Pod,” having application number 63/512,138, filed July 6, 2023, and U.S. provisional application entitled, “Systems and Methods for Providing a Modular Grow Pod,” having application number 63/512,129. filed July 6, 2023, each of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] Embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for lowering a cart in a modular grow tower, and more particularly, to a plurality of lowering lift mechanisms for lowering a cart in a modular grow tower. BACKGROUND [0003] While crop growth technologies have advanced over the years, there are still many problems in the farming and crop industry today. As an example, while technological advances have increased efficiency and production of various crops, many factors may affect a harvest, such as weather, disease, infestation, and the like. Additionally, while the United States currently has suitable farmland to adequately provide food for the U.S. population, pets, and livestock, other countries and future populations may not have enough farmland to provide the appropriate amount of crops for these purposes. SUMMARY [0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure present systems and related methods for lowering a cart in a modular grow tower assembly. One such system comprises a plurality of body frames, each having multiple subframe supports arranged in parallel in a vertical direction; a plurality of lift frames positioned at opposite ends of the body frames; and a plurality of carts, each cart comprising at least one of the following features: a plurality’ of wheels for traversing the subframe supports; a tray to support growing of crop material; or an engagement mechanism such that the carts remain in contact with adjacent carts as they traverse the subframe supports and become disengaged when the cart is moved vertically by a lowering lift mechanism. Such a system can further includes a plurality of lowering lift mechanisms confined within the lift frames, each configured to pull one of the carts from a subframe support, lower the cart to a new subframe support, and push the cart onto the new subframe support, facilitating movement of the carts through the modular grow tower assembly. [0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure also include a method comprising providing a modular grow tower assembly including a plurality of body frames and a plurality of lift frames, where each body frame includes multiple subframe supports arranged in parallel in a vertical direction; configuring a plurality of carts to traverse the subframe supports, each cart having a first end with at least one male engagement mechanism and a second end with at least one female engagement mechanism; and/or utilizing a plurality of lowering lift mechanisms within the lift frames to pull carts from the subframe supports of the body frames, lower the carts, and push the carts onto lower subframe supports. [0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure also include a lowering lift mechanism for lowering a cart in a modular grow tower assembly. Such an apparatus comprises a receiving plate for engaging with the cart, including first and second arms located at opposite ends of the receiving plate; first and second receiving blocks located on the first and second arms, respectively, each receiving block including notches configured to engage male and female engagement mechanisms on the cart; an actuator configured to move the receiving plate between an extended position, where the first and second arms extend into subframe supports to engage the cart, and a retracted position, where the plate is within the lift frame; and a lifting mechanism configured to raise the cart above a bumper on the subframe support before pulling the cart into the lift frame and lowering the cart to align with a lower subframe support, then extending the receiving plate to push the cart onto the new subframe support. [0007] In one or more aspects for modular grow tower systems and related methods and apparatuses, the carts move in serpentine movement through the modular grow tower assembly; the body frames and lift frames are connected using a fastening mechanisms and are configured or rearranged to adjust a size of the modular grow tower assembly; each cart includes wheels for supporting a cart; the engagement mechanism comprises a notch for secure engagement with a corresponding engagement mechanism of an adjacent cart; and/or the lowering lift mechanisms are synchronized to ensure that a cart is pulled from a subframe support before another cart is pushed onto the same subframe support. [0008] In one or more aspects, such systems, methods, and/or apparatuses of the present disclosure can involve or com