System For Growing Produce In Greenhouses With Assisted Complementary Solar Energy

Abstract

This invention relates to a system ( 1 ) for growing produce ( 3 ) in greenhouses. The system ( 1 ) includes at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) for housing the produce ( 3 ) to be grown, the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) being positioned, shaped and sized for receiving direct sun rays ( 7 d ). The system ( 1 ) also includes at least one reflector assembly ( 11 ) proximate to the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) and being positioned, shaped and sized for redirecting indirect sun rays ( 7 i ) by-passing the least one greenhouse ( 5 ), towards at least one targeted area ( 13 ) within the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ), so as to provide said at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) with assisted complementary solar energy.

1 . A system ( 1 ) for growing produce ( 3 ) in greenhouses, the system ( 1 ) comprising:
 at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) for housing the produce ( 3 ) to be grown, the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) being positioned, shaped and sized for receiving direct sun rays ( 7   d ) from the sun ( 9 ); and   at least one reflector assembly ( 11 ) proximate to the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) and being positioned, shaped and sized for redirecting indirect sun rays ( 7   i ) by-passing the least one greenhouse ( 5 ), towards at least one targeted area ( 13 ) within the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ), so as to provide said at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) with assisted complementary solar energy, the at least one targeted area ( 13 ) including a plurality of different targeted areas ( 13 ) via a corresponding operation of different reflective panels ( 33 ) of the at least one reflector assembly ( 11 ).   
     
     
         2 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reflector assembly ( 11 ) comprises:
 at least one erect support structure ( 15 ), separate from the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ); and   at least one reflective surface ( 17 ), operatively mountable onto the at least one erect support structure ( 15 ), for reflecting indirect sun rays ( 7   i ) towards the at least one targeted area ( 13 ) within the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ).   
     
     
         3 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one erect support structure ( 15 ) is substantially perpendicular with respect to a ground surface ( 19 ). 
     
     
         4 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one erect support structure ( 15 ) is substantially slanted with respect to a ground surface ( 19 ), and inclined towards the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ). 
     
     
         5 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein a given side ( 21 ) of the at least one erect support structure ( 15 ) facing the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) and the at least one reflective surface ( 17 ) are substantially coplanar. 
     
     
         6 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one reflective surface ( 17 ) is inclined at an operative angle (e) with respect to a vertical plane ( 23 ) so as to redirect sun rays ( 7 ) towards the at least one targeted area ( 13 ) within the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) at a given effective angle (φ). 
     
     
         7 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the operative angle (e) of the at least one reflective surface ( 17 ) ranges between about 30 degrees and about 40 degrees with respect to the vertical plane ( 23 ). 
     
     
         8 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the effective angle (φ) ranges between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one reflective surface ( 17 ) is displaceable along at least one degree of freedom with respect to the at least one erect support structure ( 15 ) in order to redirect sun rays ( 7 ) into the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) at optimal angles. 
     
     
         10 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one erect support structure ( 15 ) includes a solid structure. 
     
     
         11 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one erect support structure ( 15 ) includes a truss structure. 
     
     
         12 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one erect support structure ( 15 ) is mountable onto a base ( 25 ), and wherein the at least one erect support structure ( 15 ) is moveable along at least one degree of freedom with respect to said base ( 25 ). 
     
     
         13 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one erect support structure ( 15 ) is moveable in relation to a movement of the sun ( 9 ). 
     
     
         14 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 12 , wherein the base ( 25 ) is moveable along at least one degree of freedom with respect to a ground surface ( 19 ). 
     
     
         15 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 14 , wherein the base ( 25 ) is moveable in relation to a movement of the sun ( 9 ). 
     
     
         16 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one reflective surface ( 17 ) is positioned on a northern side of the at least one greenhouse ( 15 ). 
     
     
         17 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one reflective surface ( 17 ) faces southward. 
     
     
         18 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one reflective surface ( 17 ) has a height ( 27 ) dimensioned in view of at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of: a) a width (W) of the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ); b) a desired light penetration angle; c) a height (H) of a side of the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ); and d) limitations imposed by local by-laws. 
     
     
         19 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one reflective surface ( 17 ) has a length ( 29 ) being substantially equal to a length (L) of the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ). 
     
     
         20 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one reflective surface ( 17 ) has a length ( 29 ) dimensioned in view of a side orientation of the sun ( 9 ). 
     
     
         21 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one reflective surface ( 17 ) has a length ( 29 ) dimensioned in view of a correction factor for misalignment of the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ). 
     
     
         22 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one reflective surface ( 17 ) includes at least one row ( 31 ) of reflective panels ( 33 ) extending along a length ( 29 ) of said at least one reflective surface ( 17 ). 
     
     
         23 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 22 , wherein the at least one row ( 31 ) of reflective panels ( 33 ) are parallel to a north-facing wall of the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ). 
     
     
         24 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 22 , wherein the reflective panels ( 33 ) are operatively mountable to the at least one erect support structure ( 15 ), and are moveable via an actuating mechanism ( 35 ) along at least one degree of freedom with respect to said at least one erect support structure ( 15 ). 
     
     
         25 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 24 , wherein the actuating mechanism ( 35 ) includes at least one servo-motor. 
     
     
         26 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 22 , wherein the reflective panels ( 33 ) are independently actuated with respect to each another. 
     
     
         27 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 22 , wherein the reflective panels ( 33 ) are dependently actuated with respect to each another. 
     
     
         28 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 22 , wherein the reflective panels ( 33 ) are synchronously actuated with respect to each another. 
     
     
         29 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 22 , wherein the reflective panels ( 33 ) are operatively tiltable with respect to the at least one erect support structure ( 15 ) via a corresponding axle ( 37 ). 
     
     
         30 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 22 , wherein a lowermost row ( 31 ) of reflective panels ( 33 ) is located higher than a given height of the produce ( 3 ) to be grown inside the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ). 
     
     
         31 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 22 , wherein the reflective panels ( 33 ) are selected from the group consisting of flat panels, folded panels, curved panels, concave panels and convex panels. 
     
     
         32 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 22 , wherein the reflective panels ( 33 ) are moveable in relation to a movement of the sun. 
     
     
         33 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 22 , wherein the system comprises a sun-tracker ( 39 ) for tracking a movement of the sun ( 9 ), and wherein reflective panels ( 33 ) of the at least one reflector assembly ( 11 ) are operatively actuated based on signals received from the sun-tracker ( 39 ). 
     
     
         34 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 33 , wherein the at least one erect support structure ( 15 ) is selectively orientated based on signals received from the sun-tracker ( 39 ). 
     
     
         35 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one targeted area ( 13 ) includes at least one roof area ( 41 ) of the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ). 
     
     
         36 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one targeted area ( 13 ) includes at least one floor area ( 43 ) of the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ). 
     
     
         37 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one targeted area ( 13 ) includes at least one wall area ( 45 ) of the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ). 
     
     
         38 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one targeted area ( 13 ) includes at least one intermediate area ( 47 ) of the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ). 
     
     
         39 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one targeted area ( 13 ) is variable in size via an operation of the at least one reflector assembly ( 11 ). 
     
     
         40 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one targeted area ( 13 ) is variable in location via an operation of the at least one reflector assembly ( 11 ). 
     
     
         41 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one targeted area ( 13 ) is variable in shape via an operation of the at least one reflector assembly ( 11 ). 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) comprises a roof ( 49 ) configured for allowing indirect sun rays ( 7   i ) redirected from the at least one reflector assembly ( 11 ) to penetrate through said roof ( 49 ). 
     
     
         44 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 43 , wherein the roof ( 49 ) is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a translucid material, a translucent material, a transparent material and a perforated material. 
     
     
         45 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) is oriented along an east-west axis. 
     
     
         46 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein an interior portion of a northern upright wall ( 51 ) of the least one greenhouse ( 5 ) is provided with a reflective material ( 53 ) to reflect sun rays back into the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ). 
     
     
         47 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein a given portion of a southern upright wall ( 55 ) of the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) is made of a material ( 57 ) for configured for allowing sun rays to penetrate therethough, and into the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ). 
     
     
         48 . A system ( 1 ) according to  claim 47 , wherein the material ( 57 ) of the given portion of the southern upright wall ( 55 ) is selected from the group consisting of a translucid material, a translucent material, a transparent material and a perforated material. 
     
     
         49 . A kit with components for assembling a system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , in order to grow produce inside at least one greenhouse ( 5 ), the kit comprising at least one reflector assembly ( 11 ) configured to be proximate to the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) and being positioned, shaped and sized for redirecting indirect sun rays ( 7   i ) by-passing the least one greenhouse ( 5 ), towards at least one targeted area ( 13 ) within the at least one greenhouse ( 5 ), so as to provide said at least one greenhouse ( 5 ) with assisted complementary solar energy, the at least one targeted area ( 13 ) including a plurality of different targeted areas ( 13 ) via a corresponding operation of different reflective panels ( 33 ) of the at least one reflector assembly ( 11 ). 
     
     
         50 . A farm ( 59 ) being provided with a system ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         51 - 53 . (canceled)