EP-4739096-A1 - SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A MODULAR GROW TOWER

Abstract

The present disclosure presents modular grow tower systems and related methods. One such system comprises a modular grow tower assembly having a plurality of body frames, a plurality of lift frames, and a plurality of rows extending in a longitudinal direction and stacked in a vertical direction; a plurality of carts for supporting crop material, one or more lowering lift mechanisms for vertically translating the carts between rows; one or more raising lift mechanisms for vertically translating the carts; a sustenance system for providing water and nutrients to the crop material; a lighting system including lighting elements mounted within the body frames; a drainage system comprising drainage troughs and drainage pipes for collecting and transporting excess water and nutrients; and/or a master controller for managing and controlling operations of the modular grow tower system.

Inventors

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

Assignees

• Tavaci Technologies LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240705

Claims (15)

1. 1. A modular grow tower system comprising: a modular grow tower assembly having: a plurality of body frames; a plurality’ of lift frames; and a plurality’ of rows extending in a longitudinal direction and stacked in a vertical direction; a plurality of carts for supporting crop material, each cart including: a plurality’ of wheels; and a tray for holding crop material; one or more lowering lift mechanisms for vertically translating the carts between rows; one or more raising lift mechanisms for vertically translating the carts; a sustenance system for providing water and nutrients to the crop material; a lighting system including lighting elements mounted within the body frames; a drainage system comprising drainage troughs and drainage pipes for collecting and transporting excess water and nutrients; and a master controller for managing and controlling operations of the modular grow tower system.
2. 2. The modular grow tower system of claim 1, wherein an individual one of the one or more raising lift mechanisms is located within a harvest frame.
3. 3. The modular grow tower system of claim 1, wherein the one or more lowering lift mechanisms are positioned within the lift frames.
4. 4. The modular grow tower system of claim 1 , wherein the modular grow tower assembly is configurable to adjust a size and arrangement of the modular grow tower assembly by adding or removing body frames or lift frames.
5. 5. The modular grow tower system of claim 1, wherein the carts traverse a moving path through the modular grow tower assembly, facilitated by the lowering lift mechanisms and the raising lift mechanisms.
6. 6. The modular grow tower system of claim 5, wherein the moving path comprises a serpentine moving path.
7. 7. The modular grow tower system of claim 1, further comprising: a seeding component mounted on one of the lift frames for dispensing crop material into the carts; a harvesting component for harvesting crop material from the carts; and a sanitation component for cleaning the carts after harvesting.
8. 8. The modular grow tower system of claim 7, wherein the sanitation component includes one or more ultraviolet sensors, imaging sensors, or microbial sensors.
9. 9. The modular grow tower system of claim 1 , wherein the master controller is configured to manage environmental factors including: lighting, temperature, humidity, airflow, and nutrient delivery through the sustenance system.
10. 10. The modular grow tower system of claim 9, wherein the master controller is configured to adjust the environmental factors and grow recipes based on user input.
11. 11. The modular grow tower system of claim 1. wherein the lowenng lift mechanisms and the raising lift mechanisms are synchronized to facilitate a transition of carts between different rows and sections of the modular grow tower assembly.
12. 12. The modular grow tower system of claim 1, wherein the carts include sensors for monitoring crop growth and development, wherein the master controller adjusts one or more grow recipes based on data from the sensors.
13. 13. The modular grow tower system of claim 1, wherein the sustenance system is configured to deliver precise amounts of water and nutrients to the crop material and includes spray nozzles, drip nozzles, flood nozzles, and fluid lines.
14. 14. The modular grow tower system of claim 1, wherein the drainage system is configured to reuse collected water and nutrients within the sustenance system.
15. 15. The modular grow tower system of claim 1 , wherein each cart includes male and female engagement mechanisms for connecting adjacent carts to maintain alignment and ensure smooth movement through the modular grow tower assembly.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING 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 Providing a Modular Grow Pod,” having application number 63/512,129, filed July 6, 2023. which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] Embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for providing a modular grow tower and, more specifically, to embodiments for providing a grow tower that includes a plurality of modular parts. 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 crop material for these purposes. SUMMARY [0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure present modular grow tower systems and related methods. One such system comprises a modular grow tower assembly having a plurality of body frames; a plurality of lift frames; and a plurality of rows extending in a longitudinal direction and stacked in a vertical direction. An exemplary7 system further includes a plurality7 of carts for supporting crop material, each cart including a plurality of wheels; and a tray for holding crop material. Such systems may also include one or more lowering lift mechanisms for vertically translating the carts between rows; one or more raising lift mechanisms for vertically translating the carts; a sustenance system for providing water and nutrients to the crop material; a lighting system including lighting elements mounted within the body frames; a drainage system comprising drainage troughs and drainage pipes for collecting and transporting excess water and nutrients; and/or a master controller for managing and controlling operations of the modular grow tower system. [0005] In one or more aspects for modular grow tower systems and related methods, an individual one of the one or more raising lift mechanisms are located within a harvest frame; the one or more lowering lift mechanisms are positioned within the lift frames; the modular grow tower assembly is configurable to adjust a size and arrangement of the modular grow tower assembly by adding or removing body frames or lift frames; the carts traverse a moving path through the modular grow tower assembly, facilitated by the lowering lift mechanisms and the raising lift mechanisms; the moving path comprises a serpentine moving path; the master controller is configured to manage environmental factors including: lighting, temperature, humidity, airflow, and nutrient delivery through the sustenance system; the master controller is configured to adjust the environmental factors and grow recipes based on user input; the lowering lift mechanisms and the raising lift mechanisms are synchronized to facilitate a transition of carts between different rows and sections of the modular grow tower assembly; the carts include sensors for monitoring crop growth and development, wherein the master controller adjusts one or more grow recipes based on data from the sensors; the sustenance system is configured to deliver precise amounts of water and nutrients to the crop material and includes spray nozzles, drip nozzles, flood nozzles, and/or fluid lines; the drainage system is configured to reuse collected water and nutrients within the sustenance system; and/ or each cart includes male and female engagement mechanisms for connecting adjacent carts to maintain alignment and ensure smooth movement through the modular grow tower assembly. [0006] In one or more aspects, the modular grow tower system can further comprise a seeding component mounted on one of the lift frames for dispensing crop material into the carts; a harvesting component for harvesting crop material from the carts; and/or a sanitation component for cleaning the carts after harvesting. In one or more aspects, the sanitation component includes one or more ultraviolet sensors, imaging sensors, or microbial sensors. [0007] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description and be within the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit t