Hydroponic Electroculture System and Methods of Use

Abstract

A hydroponic electroculture system is disclosed for use in a hydroponic growing environment. In at least one embodiment, an at least one electroculture unit is positioned in fluid communication with the hydroponic growing environment and provides a conductive core comprising an absorbing layer sandwiched between a pair of opposing first and second conductive layers; each of the first and second conductive layers being in electrical communication with an at least one electrical wire. With the absorbing layer saturated with the fluid of the hydroponic growing environment, an electrical current is selectively delivered to each of the first and second conductive layers which, in turn, forms a reaction within the absorbing layer that causes an off-gassing of oxygen and hydrogen in the form of bubbles to be delivered, along with the electrical current in the fluid, to the roots of an at least one plant in the hydroponic growing environment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electroculture system for use in a hydroponic growing environment having at least one container, configured for supporting at least one plant such that the roots of said plant are able to extend down into a volume of fluid positioned within the container, along with at least one supply line, return line and pump, said hydroponic growing environment defining an at least one passageway through which the fluid may flow between each of the at least one container, supply line, return line and pump, the electroculture system comprising:
 at least one electroculture unit comprising:
 a conductive core positioned within the at least one passageway and comprising:
 a first conductive layer formed proximal an inner surface of the at least one passageway; 
 an absorbing layer capable of being saturated with the fluid and having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first surface attached to an inner surface of the first conductive layer; and 
 a second conductive layer attached to the second surface of the absorbing layer, such that the absorbing layer is sandwiched between the first and second conductive layers and the first conductive layer is spaced apart from the second conductive layer; 
 
 at least one first electrical wire in electrical communication with the first conductive layer; and 
 at least one second electrical wire in electrical communication with the second conductive layer; 
   whereby, an electrical current is selectively deliverable to each of the first and second conductive layers via the at least one first electrical wire and second electrical wire, respectively, which, in turn, forms a reaction within the absorbing layer that causes an off-gassing of oxygen and hydrogen in the form of bubbles to be delivered, along with the electrical current in the fluid, to the roots of the at least one plant in the at least one container.   
     
     
         2 . The electroculture system of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbing layer is constructed out of a microfiber material. 
     
     
         3 . The electroculture system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second conductive layers is liquid permeable, allowing the fluid to flow therethrough and into the absorbing layer. 
     
     
         4 . The electroculture system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electroculture unit further comprises a porous layer formed immediately adjacent and directly attached to an exposed inner surface of the second conductive layer, such that the second conductive layer is sandwiched between the porous layer and the absorbing layer. 
     
     
         5 . The electroculture system of  claim 4 , wherein the porous layer is constructed of a gypsum-ceramic casting. 
     
     
         6 . The electroculture system of  claim 4 , wherein the porous layer includes anti-microbial material for better preventing mold, bacteria or viruses from developing. 
     
     
         7 . The electroculture system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one passageway is sized and configured for allowing both the fluid as well as a volume of air to pass therethrough, such that a portion of the porous layer is in contact with the fluid while a remaining portion of the porous layer is exposed to the air. 
     
     
         8 . The electroculture system of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one booster unit in fluid communication with the at least one passageway, the at least one booster unit being configured for assisting in modifying the temperature of the fluid before it enters the at least one container. 
     
     
         9 . The electroculture system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one booster unit is a fan positioned and configured for moving the air through the at least one passageway. 
     
     
         10 . The electroculture system of  claim 7 , wherein an exposed first surface of the porous layer is convoluted so as to maximize the surface area of the porous layer. 
     
     
         11 . The electroculture system of  claim 10 , wherein the first surface of the porous layer provides a plurality of finger-like protrusions extending inwardly within the at least one passageway. 
     
     
         12 . The electroculture system of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive core further comprises a further absorbing layer positioned between the first conductive layer and the inner surface of the passageway, the further absorbing layer formed immediately adjacent and directly attached to an outer surface of the first conductive layer, thereby sandwiching the first conductive layer between the absorbing layer and the further absorbing layer. 
     
     
         13 . The electroculture system of  claim 12 , wherein the further absorbing layer is also directly attached to the inner surface of the passageway, such that the further absorbing layer is sandwiched between the first conductive layer and the inner surface of the passageway. 
     
     
         14 . The electroculture system of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the first conductive layer is directly attached to the inner surface of the passageway. 
     
     
         15 . The electroculture system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electroculture unit further comprises at least one generator in electrical communication with each of the at least one first electrical wire and second electrical wire and configured for selectively delivering an electrical current to the first and second conductive layers, respectively. 
     
     
         16 . The electroculture system of  claim 15 , wherein the electrical current delivered by the generator is a relatively low voltage DC current, on the order of approximately 5-24 volts. 
     
     
         17 . The electroculture system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one electroculture unit further comprises a housing in fluid communication with the at least one container, supply line, return line and pump;   the housing cooperates with the hydroponic growing environment to define the at least one passageway through which the fluid may flow between each of the at least one container, supply line, return line, pump and housing; and   said at least one electroculture unit is positioned within the at least one passageway of the housing.   
     
     
         18 . An electroculture system for use in a hydroponic growing environment having at least one container, configured for supporting at least one plant such that the roots of said plant are able to extend down into a volume of fluid positioned within the container, along with at least one supply line, return line and pump, said hydroponic growing environment defining an at least one passageway through which the fluid may flow between each of the at least one container, supply line, return line and pump, the electroculture system comprising:
 at least one electroculture unit comprising:
 a housing in fluid communication with the at least one container, supply line, return line and pump, the housing cooperating with the hydroponic growing environment to define the at least one passageway through which the fluid may flow between each of the at least one container, supply line, return line, pump and housing; 
 a conductive core positioned within the at least one passageway of the housing and comprising:
 a first conductive layer formed proximal an inner surface of the at least one passageway; 
 an absorbing layer capable of being saturated with the fluid and having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first surface attached to an inner surface of the first conductive layer; and 
 a second conductive layer attached to the second surface of the absorbing layer, such that the absorbing layer is sandwiched between the first and second conductive layers and the first conductive layer is spaced apart from the second conductive layer; 
 
 at least one first electrical wire in electrical communication with the first conductive layer; and 
 at least one second electrical wire in electrical communication with the second conductive layer; 
   whereby, an electrical current is selectively deliverable to each of the first and second conductive layers via the at least one first electrical wire and second electrical wire, respectively, which, in turn, forms a reaction within the absorbing layer that causes an off-gassing of oxygen and hydrogen in the form of bubbles to be delivered, along with the electrical current in the fluid, to the roots of the at least one plant in the at least one container.   
     
     
         19 . A hydroponic electroculture system comprising:
 at least one container configured for supporting at least one plant such that the roots of said plant are able to extend down into a volume of fluid positioned within the container;   at least one supply line in fluid communication with the at least one container and configured for allowing the fluid to flow into the container;   at least one return line in fluid communication with the at least one container and configured for allowing the fluid to flow out of the container;   at least one pump in fluid communication with the at least one supply line and return line, the at least one pump configured for circulating the fluid through the container using the at least one supply line and return line;   the at least one container, supply line, return line and pump cooperating to define an at least one passageway through which the fluid may flow therebetween; and   at least one electroculture unit positioned in fluid communication with at least one of the at least one container, supply line, return line and pump, the at least one electroculture unit comprising:
 a conductive core positioned within the at least one passageway and comprising:
 a first conductive layer formed proximal an inner surface of the at least one passageway; 
 an absorbing layer capable of being saturated with the fluid and having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first surface attached to an inner surface of the first conductive layer; and 
 a second conductive layer attached to the second surface of the absorbing layer, such that the absorbing layer is sandwiched between the first and second conductive layers and the first conductive layer is spaced apart from the second conductive layer; 
 
 at least one first electrical wire in electrical communication with the first conductive layer; and 
 at least one second electrical wire in electrical communication with the second conductive layer; 
   whereby, an electrical current is selectively deliverable to each of the first and second conductive layers via the at least one first electrical wire and second electrical wire, respectively, which, in turn, forms a reaction within the absorbing layer that causes an off-gassing of oxygen and hydrogen in the form of bubbles to be delivered, along with the electrical current in the fluid, to the roots of the at least one plant in the at least one container.   
     
     
         20 . The hydroponic electroculture system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one electroculture unit further comprises a porous layer formed immediately adjacent and directly attached to an exposed inner surface of the second conductive layer, such that the second conductive layer is sandwiched between the porous layer and the absorbing layer.