Controlled environment and method

Abstract

An illustrative embodiment of an irrigation system may include a carriage that may move along a predetermined path in a reciprocal manner. The carriage may support one or more exit ports that may be fed nutrient supply by a pressurized delivery arrangement. One or more plant stands may be configured and arranged to straddle the carriage as it moves along the predetermined path. The one or more plant stands may form a chamber into which plant roots may extend, and into which the one or more exit ports may discharge their nutrient supply. The one or more plant stands may include side panels and a cap to reduce infiltration of light and contaminants and to enhance the plant root/nutrient supply interface and absorption rates. The carriage and/or the plant stand(s) may include friction reducing elements that facilitate transverse movement. The carriage and/or the plant stand(s) may be supported by framework.

1 . A method of growing a crop in a controlled environment, said method comprising the steps of:
 a. arranging a first plurality of plants on a frame, wherein said frame is angled upward with respect to a horizontal plane;   b. positioning at least one nozzle beneath said frame, wherein said nozzle is moveable with respect to said frame, and wherein said nozzle is in fluid communication with a supply line;   c. providing a nutrient supply to said supply line, wherein said nutrient supply includes at least one nutrient said first plurality of plants require for growth;   d. pressurizing said nutrient supply such that said nutrient supply exits said at least one nozzle in a direction toward said first plurality of plants;   e. moving said at least one nozzle such that said nutrient supply exits said at least one nozzle in a direction toward a second plurality of plants, wherein said second plurality of plants is arranged on said frame adjacent said first plurality of plants;   f. collecting a portion of said nutrient supply not absorbed by said first plurality of plants; and   g. redistributing said portion of said nutrient supply not absorbed by said first plurality of plants to said first and second pluralities of plants.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one nozzle is further defined as being moveable in a linear fashion with respect to said plurality of plants. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one nozzle is further defined as being moveable in a rotational fashion with respect to said plurality of plants. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said frame is further defined as comprising two frame portions, and wherein said two frame portions are generally symmetrical about a vertical plane. 
     
     
         5 . An irrigation system comprising:
 a. a carriage comprising a body with a platform, wherein said carriage is movable between a first position and a second position in a reciprocal manner;   b. a delivery arrangement comprising an intake portion and a discharge portion, wherein said discharge portion is operatively engaged with said carriage, wherein said delivery arrangement is configured and arranged to provide nutrient supply from said intake portion to said discharge portion; and   c. a plant stand positioned over at least a portion of said carriage, wherein said plant stand is configured and arranged retain a plant so that a plant root is able to extend downwardly, said plant stand positionable so that the plant root is able to receive nutrient supply from said discharge portion of said delivery arrangement.   
     
     
         6 . The irrigation system according to  claim 5  further comprising a guide assembly, wherein said guide assembly is configured and arranged to allow said carriage to move in one dimension with respect to said plant stand. 
     
     
         7 . The irrigation system according to  claim 6  wherein said discharge portion of said delivery arrangement comprises a nozzle. 
     
     
         8 . The irrigation system according to  claim 6  wherein said carriage further comprises at least one friction reducing element that supports said carriage as it moves between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         9 . The irrigation system according to  claim 6  wherein said plant stand is further defined as being configured and arranged to support a plurality of plants in a plurality of steps or tiers. 
     
     
         10 . The irrigation system according to  claim 6  herein said plant stand defines a chamber into which said plant root extends, and wherein at least a portion of said carriage may be positioned in said chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The irrigation system according to  claim 6  further comprising a drive assembly, wherein said drive assembly is configured and arranged to move said carriage between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         12 . The irrigation system according to  claim 6  wherein said discharge portion of said delivery arrangement is further defined as being rotatable with respect to said plant stand. 
     
     
         13 . The irrigation system according to  claim 6  wherein said plant stand is further defined as being supported by a framework. 
     
     
         14 . The irrigation system according to  claim 6  further comprising a plurality of said carriages and said plant stands arranged in a plurality of parallel rows. 
     
     
         15 . The irrigation system according to  claim 6  further comprising at least one lighting fixture positioned between adjacent rows of said plurality of rows. 
     
     
         16 . An irrigation system for use in a controlled environment, said irrigation system comprising:
 a. a support frame comprising two generally horizontal rails;   b. a secondary frame operatively engaged with said horizontal rails, wherein said secondary frame is moveable along the length of said horizontal rails;   c. at least one plant stand supported by said horizontal rails, wherein said plant stand is moveable along the length of said horizontal rails, and wherein at least a portion of said secondary frame is positionable under said at least one plant stand; and,   d. an air system positioned adjacent said at least one plant stand, wherein said air system includes at least one duct, wherein said duct is configured to provide air to said at least one plant stand.   
     
     
         17 . The irrigation system according to  claim 16  further comprising a lighting fixture operatively engaged with said air system, wherein said lighting fixture is configured to provide light to said at least one plant stand. 
     
     
         18 . The irrigation system according to  claim 17  further comprising a delivery arrangement, said delivery arrangement comprising:
 a. a discharge portion operatively engaged with said secondary frame; 
 b. an intake portion in fluid communication with said discharge portion and a central reservoir, wherein said intake portion is configured to deliver a nutrient supply from said central reservoir to said discharge portion, and wherein said discharge portion is configured to provide said nutrient supply to said at least one plant stand. 
 
     
     
         19 . The irrigation system according to  claim 18  wherein said discharge portion of said delivery arrangement is further defined as being rotatable with respect to said support frame. 
     
     
         20 . The irrigation system according to  claim 19  further comprising:
 a. a plurality of said plant stands positioned adjacent one another along the length of said horizontal rails, wherein each said plant stand include a plurality of horizontal holders spaced vertically from one another; and, 
 b. a plurality of plants positioned in said plurality of horizontal holders, wherein said plurality of plants and said plurality of horizontal holders are configured such that at least a portion of a root of said plurality of plants extends downward toward said discharge portion of said delivery arrangement, wherein said delivery arrangement is configured to supply said nutrient supply to at least a first portion of said plurality of plants via said root.