Hydroponic growing system

Abstract

A hydroponic growing system that comprises a plurality of parallel horizontal pipes, a vertical drain pipe, and a plurality of nutrient-delivering tubes. The horizontal pipes are adapted to support crops that receive nutrients from the nutrient-delivering tubes and grow in high density. The horizontal pipes have opposite first and second ends, as well as a plurality of openings along a length, and a plurality of pipe segments extending angularly from an outer surface. The vertical drain pipe has a plurality of angular pipe extensions along a length, which mate with one of the first and second ends of the horizontal pipes. The nutrient-delivering tubes have openings along a length and extend from the vertical drain pipe, branching through the pipe segments extending from the horizontal pipes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydroponic growing system comprising:
 a plurality of parallel horizontal pipes each having opposite first and second ends, a plurality of openings along a length between said first and second ends on one side thereof through which crops grow, and a plurality of pipe segments extending angularly from an outer surface on an opposing side thereof;   a vertical drain pipe having a plurality of angular pipe extensions along a length thereof, said pipe extensions mating with one of said first and second ends of said plurality of parallel horizontal pipes; and   a plurality of nutrient-delivering tubes having openings along a length thereof and extending from said vertical drain pipe and branching through said plurality of pipe segments,   wherein each of said horizontal pipes being adapted to support crops that receive nutrients from said nutrient-delivering tubes, thereby producing crops in high density.   
     
     
         2 . A hydroponic growing system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of parallel vertical support members having a plurality of circular openings along a length; and   at least one horizontal support member coupled to a bottom end of each of said plurality of vertical support members,   wherein each of said opposing ends of said horizontal pipes rests within said circular openings of said parallel vertical support members, and at least one end of said horizontal pipes extends through said circular openings.   
     
     
         3 . A hydroponic growing system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said horizontal pipes are substantially cylindrical.   
     
     
         4 . A hydroponic growing system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said plurality of nutrient-delivering tubes extend vertically up one of said plurality of parallel vertical support members.   
     
     
         5 . A hydroponic growing system according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a reservoir for storing said nutrient-enriched water.   
     
     
         6 . A hydroponic growing system according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a water pump coupled to one of said plurality of nutrient-delivering tubes.   
     
     
         7 . A hydroponic growing system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said plurality of pipe segments have opposing circular openings at one end to receive said nutrient-delivering tubes.   
     
     
         8 . A hydroponic growing system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a portion of said plurality of pipe segments are coupled to adjacent said horizontal pipes.   
     
     
         9 . A hydroponic growing system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said nutrient-delivering tubes include nutrient-enriched water.   
     
     
         10 . A hydroponic growing system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said angular pipe extensions on said vertical drain pipe are perpendicular.   
     
     
         11 . A hydroponic growing system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said horizontal pipes and said vertical and horizontal support members are slanted to allow for reuse of said nutrient-enriched water.   
     
     
         12 . A method of growing crops using a hydroponic growing system, comprising the steps of:
 providing,
 a plurality of parallel horizontal pipes each having opposite first and second ends, a plurality of openings along a length between said first and second ends on one side thereof, and a plurality of pipe segments extending angularly from an outer surface on an opposing side thereof;
 a vertical drain pipe having a plurality of angular pipe extensions along a length thereof, said pipe extensions mating with one of said first and second ends of said plurality of parallel horizontal pipes; and 
 a plurality of nutrient-delivering tubes having openings along a length thereof and extending from said vertical drain pipe and branching through said plurality of pipe segments, 
 
 wherein each of said horizontal pipes being adapted to support crops that receive nutrients from said nutrient-delivering tubes, thereby producing crops in high density; 
   placing said crops in said horizontal pipes adjacent to said openings;   filling said vertical drain pipe with nutrient-enriched water; and   pumping said nutrient-enriched water from said vertical drain pipe through said nutrient-delivering tubes,   whereby water exits said openings in said nutrient-delivering tubes, feeds crops, and drains back to said vertical drain pipe through said horizontal pipes and said pipe segments for recycling.