Liquid fractionation system useful for growing plants

Abstract

Liquid fractionation systems utilizing a novel low pressure liquid delivery system generated by centrifugal force utilizing a rotating cylinder device. The rotating cylinder device distributes liquid solution to the roots of plants by use of centrifugal force, thereby eliminating the need for a high-pressure pump and nozzles. The geometrical shape of the enclosed root growth chamber is such that it allows for fractionated droplets to ricochet in multiple random directions thus completely surrounding the plant roots in 360° in any plane. The invention also provides aeroponics apparati utilizing the low-pressure liquid delivery system, methods for fractionating liquid, methods for delivering the fractionated liquid to plants, and methods for growing plants and germinating seeds.

1 . A liquid fractionation system comprising: 
 a) a stationary perforated tube having an axis, a length, and a lower half;    b) a mesh tube in fluid communication with said stationary tube, wherein said mesh tube is coaxial with said stationary perforated tube, wherein at least a portion of said mesh tube surrounds said stationary tube, and wherein said mesh tube has a larger diameter than said stationary perforated tube;    c) a pump in fluid communication with said stationary tube; and    d) a motor capable of rotating said mesh tube thereby generating a centrifugal force;    wherein a liquid delivered into said stationary tube by said pump drips through perforations in said stationary tube, contacts said rotating mesh tube, and is ejected outward of said mesh tube in fractionated droplets by said centrifugal force.    
   
   
       2 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 1  wherein said axis has a non-zero horizontal component.  
   
   
       3 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 1  wherein the vertical component of said axis is about zero.  
   
   
       4 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 1  wherein said stationary tube only has perforations in said lower half of said stationary perforated tube.  
   
   
       5 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 1  wherein said mesh comprises apertures which comprise between about 20% and about 60% of the surface area of said mesh  
   
   
       6 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 1  wherein said mesh comprises radially aligned apertures.  
   
   
       7 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 1  wherein said stationary tube and said mesh tube are cylinders, substantially circular in cross-section, and concentric.  
   
   
       8 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 1  wherein said mesh tube rotates at periodic intervals.  
   
   
       9 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 1  wherein said pump delivers liquid at a pressure of about equal to or less than about 20 psi.  
   
   
       10 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 1  wherein said stationary tube comprises perforations along its entire length.  
   
   
       11 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 1  wherein said fractionated droplets have diameters between about 50 and about 100 microns.  
   
   
       12 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 1  further comprising a geometric chamber for enclosing said stationary tube, mesh tube, pump, and motor, wherein said fractionated droplets ricochet in random multiple directions inside of said geometric chamber.  
   
   
       13 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 11  wherein said liquid is recirculated.  
   
   
       14 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 1  wherein said system is in a fixed position while delivering liquid.  
   
   
       15 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 1  wherein said liquid comprises water and nutrients for growing a plant.  
   
   
       16 . The liquid fractionation system of  claim 1  wherein said mesh tube is at least about as long as said stationary tube.  
   
   
       17 . An aeroponics apparatus for growing a plant comprising: 
 a) an outer shell forming an enclosed chamber;    b) a plant support member for covering said enclosed chamber, said plant support member having at least one plant bearing opening to receive a plant or a seed, wherein the roots of said plant, or of the plant which will grow from said seed, are allowed to grow in said enclosed chamber;    c) a stationary perforated tube having an axis, a length, and a lower half;    d) a mesh tube in fluid communication with said stationary tube, wherein said mesh tube is coaxial with said stationary perforated tube, and wherein said mesh tube has a larger diameter than said stationary perforated tube;    e) a pump in fluid communication with said stationary tube; and    f) a motor capable of rotating said mesh tube thereby generating a centrifugal force;    wherein a liquid in said enclosed chamber is delivered into said stationary tube by said pump, drips through perforations in said stationary tube, contacts said rotating mesh tube, is ejected outward of said mesh tube in fractionated droplets by said centrifugal force, and contacts said roots.    
   
   
       18 . The aeroponics apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said liquid is recirculated.  
   
   
       19 . The aeroponics apparatus of said  17  also comprising a timer controller board for periodically causing said motor to rotate said mesh tube.  
   
   
       20 . The aeroponics apparatus of said  17  also comprising a water tight chamber for housing said motor.  
   
   
       21 . A method for fractionating a liquid into droplets, said method comprising: 
 a) providing said liquid;    b) providing a stationary perforated tube having an axis, a length, and a lower half;    c) providing a mesh tube in fluid communication with said stationary tube, wherein said mesh tube is coaxial with said stationary perforated tube, and wherein said mesh tube has a larger diameter than said stationary perforated tube;    d) providing a pump in fluid communication with said stationary tube and in contact with said liquid;    e) providing a motor capable of rotating said mesh tube thereby generating a centrifugal force;    f) pumping said liquid into said stationary tube;    g) rotating said mesh tube thereby creating a centrifugal force;    h) allowing said liquid to drip through perforations in said stationary tube;    i) allowing said dripped liquid to contact said rotating mesh tube; and    j) ejecting said dripped liquid in fractionated droplets outward of said mesh tube.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  performed within an enclosed chamber.  
   
   
       23 . A method for delivering liquid to a plant having at least one root, said method comprising: 
 a) providing said plant having at least one root;    b) performing the method of  claim 21;  and    c) allowing said fractionated droplets to contact said root of said plant.    
   
   
       24 . A method for growing a plant with at least one root or germinating a seed into a plant with at least one root, said method comprising: 
 a) providing an outer shell forming an enclosed chamber;    b) providing a plant support member for covering said enclosed chamber, said plant support member having at least one plant bearing opening to receive a plant or a seed, wherein the roots of said plant, or of the plant which will grow from said seed, are allowed to grow in said enclosed chamber;    c) providing said plant or said seed;    d) performing the method of  claim 21  within said enclosed chamber; and    e) allowing said fractionated droplets to contact said root of said plant or said seed;    whereby said plant grows or said seed germinates into a plant.