Aeroponic Growing Column and System

Abstract

An aeroponic growing column system is disclosed. The aeroponic growing column system includes a plurality of removable growing columns having an elongated body with a fluid receiving end, an opposite fluid draining end, an interior receiving space extending between the fluid receiving end and the fluid draining end, and a plurality of growing receptacle receiving openings positioned on the body. A plurality of growing receptacles are positioned in the growing receptacle receiving openings, and the aeroponic growing column system further includes a reservoir base having a first plurality of column receiving holes. The fluid draining end of each removable growing column is positioned in one of the first plurality of column receiving holes and supported by the reservoir base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aeroponic growing column system, comprising:
 a plurality of removable growing columns having an elongated body with a fluid receiving end, an opposite fluid draining end, an interior receiving space extending between the fluid receiving end and the fluid draining end, and a plurality of growing receptacle receiving openings positioned on the body, a plurality of growing receptacles positioned in the growing receptacle receiving openings; and a reservoir base having a first plurality of column receiving holes; wherein the fluid draining end of each removable growing column is positioned in one of the first plurality of column receiving holes and supported by the reservoir base.   
     
     
         2 . The aeroponic growing column system of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir base includes a pump and a fluid receiving space. 
     
     
         3 . The aeroponic growing column system of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one supply conduit connected to the pump. 
     
     
         4 . The aeroponic growing column system of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of base collars extending around the circumference of the reservoir base. 
     
     
         5 . The aeroponic growing column system of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of wheels attached to the base collars and positioned on a side of the reservoir base opposite the plurality of column receiving holes. 
     
     
         6 . The aeroponic growing column system of  claim 3 , further comprising a manifold housing having a second plurality of column receiving holes. 
     
     
         7 . The aeroponic growing column system of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid receiving end of each removable growing column is positioned in one of the second plurality of column receiving holes. 
     
     
         8 . The aeroponic growing column system of  claim 7 , wherein the manifold housing includes a central connecting conduit, a plurality of sprayers, at least one intake port, and at least one manifold brace. 
     
     
         9 . The aeroponic growing column system of  claim 8 , wherein each of the sprayers is positioned in the interior receiving space on the fluid receiving end of one of the plurality of removable growing columns. 
     
     
         10 . The aeroponic growing column system of  claim 9 , wherein the central connecting conduit connects the plurality of sprayers and the at least one intake port in fluid communication, and the supply conduit connects the pump to the at least one intake port in fluid communication. 
     
     
         11 . The aeroponic growing column system of  claim 10 , wherein the supply conduit extends through a first conduit receiving opening in the reservoir base, the first conduit receiving opening spaced apart from the first plurality of column receiving holes, and also extends through a second conduit receiving opening in the manifold housing, the second conduit receiving opening spaced apart from the second plurality of column receiving holes. 
     
     
         12 . The aeroponic growing column system of  claim 9 , further comprising a distribution element positioned in the interior receiving space on the fluid receiving end of a removable growing column, the distribution element including a distribution tube having distribution holes, a cap attached to a distal end of the distribution tube, and a distribution surface having channels. 
     
     
         13 . The aeroponic growing column system of  claim 12 , wherein the sprayer extends into a proximal end of the distribution tube. 
     
     
         14 . The aeroponic growing column system of  claim 8 , wherein the manifold brace has a conduit receiving hole and a spring member, the central connecting conduit extending through the conduit receiving hole, and the manifold brace positioned within the manifold housing such that the spring member abut inner surfaces of the manifold housing. 
     
     
         15 . The aeroponic growing system of  claim 3 , wherein a plurality of supply conduits each extend through one of the first plurality of column receiving holes and through the interior receiving space of one of the plurality of growing columns. 
     
     
         16 . The aeroponic growing system of  claim 15 , further comprising a distribution element positioned in the interior receiving space on the fluid receiving end of a removable growing column, the distribution element including a distribution tube having distribution holes and a distribution surface having channels. 
     
     
         17 . The aeroponic growing system of  claim 16 , wherein the supply conduit connects the pump and the distribution tube in fluid communication. 
     
     
         18 . The aeroponic growing column system of  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of end caps, wherein each end cap is positioned over the fluid receiving end of one growing column. 
     
     
         19 . A distribution element, comprising:
 a body having a planar surface, the planar surface including a recess;   a distribution surface spaced apart from the body and the planar surface; and   a distribution tube with a first end connected to the body, and a second end extending through the distribution surface; wherein the recess extends from the planar surface through the body and the distribution tube.   
     
     
         20 . The distribution element of  claim 19 , wherein the body, the planar surface, and the distribution surface are square. 
     
     
         21 . The distribution element of  claim 19 , wherein the body, the planar surface, and the distribution surface are cylindrical. 
     
     
         22 . The distribution element of  claim 19 , wherein the distribution surface extends orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the distribution tube. 
     
     
         23 . The distribution element of  claim 19 , wherein the distribution surface extends at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second end of the distribution tube. 
     
     
         24 . The distribution element of  claim 19 , wherein the distribution tube includes a plurality of distribution holes positioned around the circumference of the distribution tube, the distribution holes extending into the recess of the distribution tube. 
     
     
         25 . The distribution element of  claim 24 , wherein the distribution holes are positioned between the distribution surface and the body along the longitudinal axis of the distribution tube. 
     
     
         26 . The distribution element of  claim 25 , wherein the distribution surface includes a plurality of channels. 
     
     
         27 . The distribution element of  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of channels align with the plurality of distribution holes. 
     
     
         28 . The distribution element of  claim 27 , wherein the channels have either a square or curved cross-section. 
     
     
         29 . The distribution element of  claim 27 , wherein the channels extend radially along the distribution surface. 
     
     
         30 . The distribution element of  claim 19 , wherein the planar surface includes a flange around the circumferential edge thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The distribution element of  claim 19 , wherein a cap is positioned on the second end of the distribution tube.