Claims:1. An aeroponic system comprising of :
a. a modular triangular frame with a plurality of detachable latitudinal members, longitudinal members and vertical members forming a frame for two slanted surface members (4) defining an inverted V enclosed structure as a root chamber there within,
b. an assembly of two layers of crop boards, the inner black layer and outer white layer fastened on to the inner one with an intermediate layer of air
c. a plurality of removable crop boards (6) having oval apertures but round when viewed from top, and arranged in adjacent rows and columns on the slanted surface members (4),
d. a plurality of removable crop plugs (10) arranged in tiers coupled to the apertures of crop boards (6) and within the enclosed structure thus exposing all of root portions of the plant to the atmosphere contained within the said enclosure,
e. a nutrient delivery and distribution means, with pipe spray means with constant fluid communication arranged within the enclosed structure for providing a nutrient mist enclosure to the suspended plants,
f. a nutrient recovering and recirculation means defined in part by a bottom surface of said enclosure,
2. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number and arrangement of selected latitudinal members, longitudinal members and vertical members is based on the selected desired slanted surface members (4).

3. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, includes a plurality of member a front, includes a rear and a plurality of intermediary bottom most latitudinal members (1,45) adapted to be in contact with ground, and each member having atleast two distal terminals (FF) with atleast one distal terminal arranged at each of the two distal ends, and a central terminal (BB) arranged at the centre of each of the bottom latitudinal members (1,45).
4. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of washers (24) corresponding to plurality of bottom latitudinal members (1), each washers (24) with cooperating M4 nuts-bolts (26,27) and each washer (24) adapted for mating with the central terminals (BB) of atleast one of the bottom latitudinal members (1,45).
5. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of washers (25) corresponding to plurality of bottom latitudinal members (1) each washers (25) with cooperating nuts-bolts (28,29) and each washers (25) adapted for mating with the distal terminals (FF) of atleast one of the bottom latitudinal members (1,45).
6. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of base vertical members (12) corresponding to two distal ends of plurality of bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and each base vertical members (12) is adapted at its lower end for mating with atleast one of the washers (25) and cooperating M4 nuts-bolts (28,29) disposed at the distal terminals (FF) of atleast one of the bottom latitudinal member (1,45).
7. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of base inner connector (2) with each adapted to be coupled onto the top free end of atleast one of the base vertical members (12), which base vertical members (12) are coupled onto atleast one of the bottom latitudinal members (1,45).
8. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of inwardly sloping left and right side slating members (4,44) corresponding to two ends of each of (a front, a rear and a plurality of intermediary) bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and with each one of the slanting member (4, 44) adapted at its lower end to couple onto one side of the top free end of one of the base inner connectors (2) which base inner connectors (2) is coupled to a base vertical member (12), which base vertical member (12) is coupled to one of the bottom latitudinal members (1,45).
9. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of board bottom connector (13) with each connector (13) adapted to be coupled onto the other side of top free end of atleast one of the base inner connectors (2), which base inner connectors (2) is coupled to a base vertical member (12), which base vertical member (12) is coupled to one of the bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and the bottom connector (13) further is coupled to bottom latitudinal member (30).
10. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of board bottom stopper (14) with each stopper (14) adapted to be coupled onto a portion of the top end of atleast one of the plurality of board bottom connectors (13), which board bottom connector (13) is coupled to a base inner connector (2), which base inner connector (2) is coupled to a base vertical member (12), which base vertical member (12) is coupled to one of the bottom latitudinal members (1,45).
11. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of bottom flange (3) corresponding to the (front, rear and plurality of intermediate) bottom latitudinal member (1,4,5) with each of the bottom flange (3) adapted to the coupled to atleast one of the bottom latitudinal member (1,4,5) and mating with its corresponding washer (24) and nuts-bolts (26,27) at the terminal (BB).
12. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of middle vertical members level 1(15,46) coupled onto corresponding bottom flanges (3) which plurality of bottom flanges (3) are coupled to the plurality of bottom latitudinal members (1,45).
13. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of middle vertical members level 2 (18) coupled above and onto one of the corresponding plurality of middle vertical member level 1(15,46) (wherein the cross section of MVML2 (18) is same as of MVML1(15)), which plurality of middle vertical members level 1 (15,46) are coupled to plurality of bottom flanges (3) and which plurality of flanges (3) are coupled to plurality of bottom latitudinal member (1,45).
14. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of middle vertical members level 3 (19) coupled above and onto one of the corresponding plurality of middle vertical member level 2 (18), (wherein cross section of 15=18=19 is same), which plurality of middle vertical members level 2 are coupled to plurality of vertical members level 1 and which plurality of vertical members level are coupled to plurality of flanges (3) and which plurality of flanges (3) are coupled to plurality of bottom latitudinal members (1,45).
15. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of slanting member connectors (20) with atleast three connectors corresponding to atleast level 1, level 2 and level 3 are coupled onto and arranged along the length and at different heights of each of the pluralityof slating members (4), thereby adapted to connect middle latitudinal member level 1 (21,47), middle latitudinal member level 2 (22), middle latitudinal member level 3 (23), to slanting member (4,44) on either side of the frame.
16. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of middle latitudinal member level 1 (21,47) corresponding to plurality of slanting members (4) and plurality of slanting member connectors (20) such that each middle latitudinal member level 1 is coupled between a corresponding lowest pair of coupled slanting member connectors (20) onto slanting members, the said middle latitudinal member level 1 (21) is generally parallel to the bottom latitudinal members (1,45).
17. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of middle latitudinal member level 2 (22), corresponding to plurality of middle latitudinal member level 1 and is coupled between a corresponding pair of coupled slanting member connectors (20) onto slanting members, such that the middle latitudinal member level 2 is parallel and above the middle latitudinal member level 1.
18. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of middle latitudinal member level 3(23) corresponding to plurality of middle latitudinal members 1 and 2, and is coupled between a pair of coupled slanting member connectors (20) onto slanting members, such that the middle latitudinal member level 3 is parallel and above the middle latitudinal member level 2.
19. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a left and right bottom longitudinal member (30), each member arranged perpendicular to the front, the rear and plurality of intermediary bottom latitudinal members (1,45), thereby forming a frame with an enclosed surface.
20. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a middle bottom longitudinal member (31) is coupled at one end to the centre of front bottom latitudinal member (1) and coupled at the other end to the centre of rear bottom latitudinal membe (1,45) and the middle bottom longitudinal member (31) is generally parallel to the right and left bottom longitudinal member (30).
21. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of frame interior longitudinal member (32), where each of the frame interior longitudinal member (32) is arranged above the middle bottom longitudinal member (31) at different heights and coupled at one end to the centre of front bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and coupled at the other end to the centre of the rear bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and the frame interior longitudinal member (32) is generally parallel to the middle bottom longitudinal member (31) [and which interior longitudinal member (32) provides frame interior longitudinal connections between subsequent 6 way connection base (14)].
22. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of top connections (5) couple the free ends of the each of the corresponding left and right slanting members (4,44) which free ends of the slanting mebers (4,44) is remote from the bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and bottom longitudinal members (30).
23. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a top longitudinal member (33) is coupled to the plurality of the top connectors (5) with the slanting members (4) on its either side top longitudinal member is extending parallel to bottom longitudinal member (30) and extending between the front and rear bottom latitudinal members (1,45).
24. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a bottom sheet (34,48) is coupled at the above and between the left and right bottom longitudinal member (30) and middle longitudinal member (31) on two sides, below base vertical member (12) also on two sides, and above the front and rear latitudinal members (1) on other two sides, the said bottom sheet (34,48) is coupled to the plurality of bottom flanges (3) which plurality of flanges (3) are coupled firstly to the plurality of bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and secondly also plurality of middle vertical members level 1 (15,46), further the washer (24) interfaces between base vertical member (12) on either side and the bottom sheet (34) when fixed combinedly onto bottom latitudinal members (1,45), and thereby providing an air tight and water proof interface and further washer (25) interfaces between middle vertical level 1 (15) and bottom sheet (34) when combinedly fixed onto bottom latitudinal member (1) at the centre and thereby providing an air tight and water proof interface)).
25. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of inner crop board (6) having a plurality of holes arranged thereon and coupled to the plurality of inner crop board base connector (8), wherein more than one inner crop board (6) is coupled to each of the board base connector (8), and wherein one or more the plurality of inner crop board base connector (8) are coupled onto corresponding plurality of board bottom connector (13), which board bottom connector (13) are coupled with a inner plurality of board bottom stopper (14) to form a base of inner black board [and is held in locking position by board bottom stopper (14)].
26. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of inner board interlocks (9) arranged for coupling the crop boards (6) mutually.
27. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of punch cut foam crop pulgs (10) for holding the seedlings coupled inwardly and vertically onto each the inner crop boards (6) and behind the holes arranged on the inner crop board (6).
28. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of outer crop boards (7) arranged outwardly against inner crop board (6) and coupled onto inner crop boards (6) with a rivet (11), with an air layer formed therein between.
29. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sheet (39,49) covering the surface between the front bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and corresponding two slanting members (4,44) on its either side.
30. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sheet (39,49) covering the surface between the rear bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and corresponding two slanting members (4,44) on its either side.
31. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a 6 way connector base (16) having 6 male connectors (17) forming a 6 way function member (53SA) connecting the bottom connect flange (3) with male connector (17) and the frame interior longitudinal member (32) profile providing interior longitudinal connectors between subsequent 6 way connector base (14) and also the top longitudinal member (33) profile providing interior longitudinal connectors between subsequent top connect (5) such that the atleast some of the members are coupled mutually which may be vertical members (15,18,19 and 46) and latitudinal members (1,21,22,23,47,45).

- Such that middle vertical member level 1 (15) is coupled to flange (3) with male connector for 6 way male connector (17) for interconnecting the horizontal and vertical members in the interior frame.
- Such that middle vertical member level 2 (18) is coupled to male connector for 6 way male connector (17) at level 1 to male connector for 6 way male connector (17) at level 2 in the interior frame.
- Such that middle vertical member level 3 (19) is coupled to make connector for 6 way male connector (17) at level 2 to male connector for 6 way male connector (17) at level 3 in the interior frame.
- Such that middle latitudinal member level 1 (21) is coupled to male connector (17) at the bottom level to slanting member (4,44) on either side of the frame.
- Such that middle latitudinal member level 2 (22) is coupled 6 way male connector (17) at level 2 to slanting member (4) at the middle level on either side of the frame.
- Such that middle latitudinal member level 3 (23) is coupled to 6 way male connector (17) at upper level to slanting member (4) at upper level on either side of the frame.
32. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tube (35) alongwith associated plurality of micro sprayers extending along the entire length and just above bottom sheet (34,48).
33. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sprayers which may be plurality of
- a micro sprayer type 1 (36),
- a micro sprayer type 2 (37),
- a micro sprayer type 3 (38),
- a micro sprayer type 4 (50), and
combination thereof
such that each sprayer (36) is a tubular rotary spray spaced away mutually and is coupled at its bottom side onto the tube (35) and each of the spray tips latched to a portion of the frame interior longitudinal member (32) at level 1,
such that each sprayer (37) is a rotary sprayer, spaced away mutually is coupled at its bottom side onto the tube (35) and each the spray tips latched to a portion of the frame interior longitudinal member (32) at level 2,
such that each sprayer (38) is a rotary sprayer, spaced away mutually and is coupled at its bottom side onto the tube (35) and each of the spray tips latched to a portion of the frame interior longitudinal member (32) at level 3.
34. The aeroponic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein an exit port pipe (40) with an exit port bottom flange (43), a exit port top flange (41) and a port washer (42) disposed therein between.
, Description:I. FIELD OF INVENTION AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The technology of Aeroponics is growing plants without soil, by spraying water and water dissolved mineral nutrients on suspended roots inside a closed chamber, and by allowing the canopies establish on the outside. Both root zone and canopy zone are separated by the walls of the root chamber, in such a way, while allowing the stems to pass through, air and water are retained inside.

A good aeroponics provides plants with an enclosed air and water/nutrient rich root zone that can stimulate rapid plant growth, without soil or aggregate media. It can propagate and grow plants in a shorter span of time than that in soil based or aggregate media based culturing. A healthy root system also gets developed, again within a short span, without mechanical impediments.

Aeroponics accelerate this process by providing nutrients directly to the roots. Few versions of Hydroponics namely Nutrient film technique, and Deep water culture, etcetera are also soil less and aggregate media less types but having the downside that oxygen levels have to be managed over time. Standing water, and depleted oxygen, sunlight entry into root zone albeit in very miniscule levels, can trigger algae growth and anaerobic pathogenic problems in hydroponics. But aeroponic systems nourish plants using nutrient-laden mist. Aeroponics is an advanced form of hydroponics using the process of growing plants by exposing the root system in an air and mist environment rather than submerging roots in running water or in standing water. Aeroponic systems use water, dissolved nutrients and a soilless growing medium to quickly and efficiently grow the plants producing incredibly nutritious produce/yield.

The principle behind how aeroponics works is that it grows plants which are suspended in a partly closed/fully enclosed system. With the roots being suspended, a nutrient-rich water solution is sprayed or misted onto the roots. Aeroponics is essentially a system arrangement and a process of cultivating plants without the use of soil; instead the plants are thriving in an air/water spray environment. When comparing hydroponics and aeroponics, some of the basic principles are similar but one thing is distinctive. Aeroponics let the roots establish in an oxygen rich surrounding within the rhizosphere.

As said above aeroponics works on plants which are suspended in a partly closed/fully enclosed system. With the roots being suspended, a nutrient-rich water solution is sprayed or misted onto the roots. This kind of nutrient delivery is found to be more efficient than standard hydroponics systems. This allows optimal oxygen saturation in the roots as well as receiving an abundant supply of nutrients. For any plant to grow to its full potential, it is absolutely essential that the root system receives a well-balanced amount of oxygen and water/nutrient solution. The reason why aeroponics works so well over soil-based systems is that in the latter case the watering level is not always within the available moisture level, and thus seriously affecting the soil, moisture and air balance in the rhizosphere, but with aeroponics the watering that is sprayed or misted travels through air, capturing enough dissolved oxygen and thus keeps the air-water-nutrient balance at conducive levels. Hence this feeding of water/nutrient and oxygen to plants is far more superior to growing in soil.

Generally, when growing with aeroponics, due to the absence of soil the plants are not exposed to soil borne diseases and pests. However, depending on the dissolved oxygen level and the temperature in the water nutrient solution, water borne anaerobic pathogens and nematodes may still pose a threat. It is very important to sterilize the water and nutrient mix now and then. The roots systems of the plants in aeroponics is very delicate, and could be fatal to the plants with any system failures. A backup power source and standby capacities of critical equipment is recommended. One needs to have everything calculated, one or two miscalculations can stall the plant growth, so it is critical to know the system, all of its components and to know emergency actions.

Many are now switching to aeroponics due to the unique ability to saturate and aerate the roots thereby promoting extraordinary growth rate and yields.

Hence aeroponics is an amazing method of cultivation and is scientifically proven to get better results than any other method of growing.

In an aeroponics system, plants can be grown in troughs, tubes or other types of chambers. Their roots are not in any kind of solid material such as rock wool or soil. Instead, roots hang in space and are periodically bathed in nutrient mist. This means that roots can get larger and more easily absorb nutrients and oxygen. There’s less chance of root zone disease, because there’s no material for debris or pathogens to reside. Because aeroponics system chambers are constantly wet with nutrient spray, they must be continually sterilized to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi.
Aeroponics plants have no root zone media to anchor in, so aeroponics systems have support collars or crop plugs that hold stems in place. These collars are rigid enough to hold plants upright and keep the roots in place, but flexible enough to allow plant growth.

Although most are unaware of the role that oxygen plays in plant growth, hydroponics scientists have long known that the density of root zone media is a limiting factor on plant growth.

That’s because roots need oxygen, and root zone media surrounds roots to limit the amount of oxygen they can absorb in comparison to how much they can absorb when grown aeroponicaly. Aeroponics nutrients are misted through oxygen, and there’s plenty of oxygen in the growing chamber for roots to absorb. That’s one reason aeroponics plants grow faster and absorb more nutrients than regular hydroponics or soil grown plants.

Another advantage of aeroponics systems is ease of cleaning and renewal. In aeroponics systems, growers remove plants and their roots, wash the irrigation channels, reservoirs and root chambers with water and disinfectant, and then the system is ready for new plants.

It would be misleading to believe and have the impression that aeroponics systems are easy to set up and run. The increasing popularity of aeroponics has led to a variety of plug and play systems that involve about the same amount of set up as a regular hydroponics system watered by conventional irrigation means.

Most aeroponics systems include standard features such as a lower chamber/reservoir, upper chamber, pumps, sprayers and neoprene collars. Many aeroponics systems feature continual chambers that run in rows. Others are a “stadium style” system that features a sub-structure that holds a V-shaped growing area with a high intensity light in the middle.

One very important thing to know: any chamber in which roots reside must be dark. Roots do not need light and they evolved to grow underground. Using aeroponics for cloning improves root growth, survival rate, growth rate, and maturation time. As plants mature, aeroponics benefits include efficient use of fertilizer and more biomass growth. Aeroponics plants can produce more flowers with less above-ground growth. They can be easily moved around in the aeroponics system, by removing from one support collar and placed in another.

It’s important to use selected fertilizers in aeroponics systems. There’s no root zone media to buffer and hold nutrients. The nutrients also need to be properly manufactured for easy spray and prevent clogs in the pipes. They have to be manufactured in correct ratios and the proper pH buffering so they provide nutrients that can be immediately absorbed by roots.

The advantageous of aeroponics has been consistently proven. The amazing ability of oxygen to increase plant metabolism, root formation and root efficiency have been well-established.

Experiments have been conducted to measure the effect of dissolved oxygen on clone survival and rooting. The rooting rates was improved, due to increased dissolved oxygen concentrations. The number of roots and total root length increased as dissolved oxygen increased.

But aeroponics systems are far less forgiving than regular hydroponics systems, especially as regards to electricity outages and loss of irrigation schedule. One needs to manage precise control of nutrients and water in aeroponics systems because there’s no root zone material to buffer solution. If the system has pump failure, bad nutrients, dry reservoir or blocked nozzles, the plants can be horribly damaged or killed in just a few hours.

US 9974243B2:

An aeroponic system for supporting efficient low-resource usage plant growth comprises a housing comprising one or more openings and one or more root chambers; one or more sealing members configured to substantially conform to a stalk of a plant and to substantially isolate a canopy of the plant from the one or more root chambers; one or more root chamber sensors; one or more nutrient storage reservoirs for storage of plant nutrients; one or more air-assisted nozzles configured to introduce atomized nutrient solution into the one or more root chambers; a temperature control system configured to control a temperature of the one or more root chambers; and a control system configured to control the temperature control apparatus and the one or more air assisted nozzles to maintain environmental parameters associated with the one or more root chambers within desired parameter ranges.

US 10070600B2:

An aeroponic system that includes a number of grow chambers that support plants in a contaminant free environment above a reservoir that collects excess fluid. A pumping and piping system is provided to deliver nutrient fortified water to the plants in the grow chamber and to recycle or drain the excess liquid from the reservoir. A number of access ports provide a grower with access to the chambers and reservoir.

US 4332105B2:

Apparatus for aeroponic growth and development of a multiplicity of plants comprising at least one plant development unit including at least one perforate plant support member adapted to secure plants above the root portions thereof and thereby to directly expose substantially all of the root portions thereof to the atmosphere; spraying apparatus for providing a nutrient mist directly to the exposed root portions of the plants; and nutrient collection and recircu1ation means; and control means for determining the timing of mist provision.

US 10136594:
An aeroponic growing system and method is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the system includes at least one vertical column of interconnected growing pots and an overhead support to suspend the vertical column of interconnected growing pots. The system also includes a supply conduit that is in fluid communication with a top of the vertical column of interconnected growing pots and a return conduit in fluid communication with a bottom of the vertical column of interconnected growing pots. In addition, the system includes a reservoir in fluid communication with the supply conduit and the return conduit. A turning mechanism may also be used for rotating the column to achieve uniformity of illumination.

US 8484890:

An aeroponic growing system is provided. The aeroponic growing system can include a distribution pipe, multiple, different sprayers, and a plurality of plant supports. Each plant support can include a body. Each body can include an upper panel, a lower panel, and at least one opening adapted to retain a seed container fonned on the upper panel. Each plant support can further comprise a liquid nutrient solution guide in fluid communication with the interior of body and extending from the lower panel of the body.

II. FEW ADVANTAGES OF AEROPONICS SYSTEMS

Aeroponic systems nourish plants with nothing more than nutrient-laden mist. The roots are held in a soilless growing medium. Aeroponics simply dispenses with the growing medium, leaving the roots to dangle in the air, where they are periodically puffed by specially-designed misting devices.

Towers and other vertical approaches are increasingly popular for aeroponics systems. Since the roots have need to spread out, this is a clever way to save space. A vertical setup also allows misting devices to by placed at the top, allowing gravity to distribute the moisture.

It uses considerably less energy and water than traditional agriculture per kilogram of produce.

Air and nutrient mixed water mist acts as a medium to grow plants, considerably less maintenance is needed.

In this system, the plant roots are exposed to sufficient oxygen and they can easily absorb it.

In aeroponics systems, seeds are “planted” in pieces of non water absorbing foam stuffed into tiny pots, which are exposed to light on one end and nutrient mist on the other. The foam also holds the stem and root mass in place as the plants grow.

Simply put the aeroponics thus allows the naked roots to survive. Eliminating the aggregate growing medium is the reason for plants’ roots become naked roots. The extra oxygen they are exposed to results in faster growth. Aeroponic systems are also extremely water-efficient. Typical closed-loop systems use less irrigation than plants grown in soil. And since the nutrients are held in the water, they get recycled, too.

In addition to these efficiencies, aeroponics’ eco-friendly reputation is enhanced by the ability to grow large quantities of food in small spaces. The approach is mainly employed in vertical farms. And because aeroponics systems are fully enclosed, there is no nutrient runoff to foul nearby waterways. Rather than treating pest and disease with harsh chemicals, the growing equipment can simply be sterilized as needed.

Thus the advantages that come with using aeroponics which include and allow the progress of innovation of new models in aeroponic system are:
• Complete control of the plant-growing conditions
• No weeding, tilling, or digging
• No nutrient pollution of the environment
• Space savings
• No risk of soil-borne pests and diseases
• Great flexibility in system design and location
• Year-round growing

III. FEW DRAWBACKS OF AEROPONICS

Aeroponics systems require and demand accuracy, precision and a bit of finesse to operate effectively. The nutrient concentration of the water must be maintained within precise parameters and even a slight malfunction of the system can cause the loss of a crop. If the misters do not spray properly for reasons such as power out, for example – the dangling roots will quickly desiccate. And the misters need regular cleaning to keep them from becoming clogged by mineral deposits in the water.

There is also one major drawback, aeroponic systems rely on electrical power to pump water through the tiny misting devices. And while they can be employed in the natural light of a greenhouse, they are more often used with energy-intensive grow lights. Solar power or other alternative energy sources can be harnessed to eliminate this drawback, however.

The prospect of growing plants in nothing but thin air may be true, but it exhibits some sufferings, some of the disadvantages of aeroponics systems are:-

First and foremost, the technical requirements make it a more complicated system requiring a more expensive initial investment to build. Whereas other systems may call for a simple submersible fountain or pond pump to move the nutrient solution around the system, aeroponics systems require more precise pumping power to deliver those tiny water droplets to the plant roots.

Aeroponics systems also require constant monitoring and maintenance. For example, one need to keep monitoring the water pressure and output of the mister heads, as they tend to become clogged by buildup of minerals in the nutrient solution. So there is a need to regularly to replace those that need cleaning. Also, there is a need to design the system so one can make adjustments to the misters as the root masses grow and become denser.

Perhaps one of the biggest disadvantages of aeroponics systems is that they are vulnerable to power outages because the spray cycles occur in such short intervals, which are set to ensure that the exposed roots receive the moisture and nutrients they need but don’t dry out in between spraying. Even a relatively minor hiccup in the cycle can be very hurtful to the plants.

IV. REQUIREMENT OF COMPONENTS TO CREATE THE SYSTEM

All aeroponics systems require an enclosure to hold in the humidity and prevent light from reaching the roots.

Some aeroponics systems are designed to be used horizontally, like a traditional planting bed. But towers and other vertical approaches are increasingly popular – since the roots need to spread out. Vertical systems are also popular because the misting devices may be placed at the top, allowing gravity to distribute the moisture.

The aeroponic equipment may be high-pressure and/or low-pressure systems.

Low-pressure systems, which rely on a simple fountain pump to spray water through the misters, are inexpensive and suitable for DIY construction. This approach is sometimes called “soakaponics,” as low-pressure misters are capable of producing only a light spray, kind of like a tiny sprinkler, not true mist.

For true mist – meaning moisture floats in the air and more effectively delivers nutrients to the roots – you need higher water pressure than an ordinary pump can provide. Thus, professional aeroponics systems rely on a pressurized water tank along with top-quality misters capable of delivering the finest possible puff of moisture.

V. VARIETY OF CROPS IN THE SYSTEM

Aeroponics systems are primarily used for the same applications as hydroponics systems, including leafy greens, culinary herbs, marijuana, strawberries, tomatoes, and cucumbers. One exception is root crops, which are impractical in a hydroponic system, but well-suited to aeroponics, as the roots have plenty of room to grow and are easily accessible for harvesting. Other vegetable crops are possible but have more complex nutrient requirements. Fruiting shrubs and trees are impractical in aeroponics systems due to their size.

VI. OBJECTS OF INVENTION

As the soil quality begins to deteriorate, the alternative methods to grow crops, being worked on by many. One such alternative is aeroponics.

Aeroponics is considered one of the best methods to grow plants in a soil-free environment and the need for this method has been growing due to a clear need for a more convenient way to grow plants.

The invention addresses in creating a modular structure by using specially designed, light weight food grade plastic components made by injection molding and profile extrusion and assembled into an inverted “V” shaped platform of differing heights and differing base widths to accommodate all types of non-perennial crops classified under the categories of grasses, herbaceous, and shrubs endemic to tropical, subtropical and temperate regions.

The other object of the invention is to provide for structural accommodation for the geotropism nature of plants’ under growth even though the planting is done on the side slopes of the inverted “V” shaped aeroponics plat form of the present invention. The subsurface parts of any plants tend to grow vertically downwards against gravity. In case of root and tuber crops, if the planting is not vertical to the surface of earth, the resultant tubers tend grow in a curved manner towards the earth.

The other object of the invention is to create an inverted “V” shaped aeroponics platform with both sides made up of black inner surface to provide complete darkness to the root zone, White outer surface to reflect back the grow room light to the plants, and with an intervening layer of air to thermally insulate the grow room from the root zone.
It is another object of the invention to provide ample space for roots growth so that for crops in which harvestable part is roots, the root zone volume does not become a constraint. Vetiver is one such crop, the roots of which contain high value essential oils. The crop grows roots to a length of 2 meters. The present invention provides 0.13 cum of root zone volume per square meter of grow room surface.

It is another object of the invention to provide an user friendly handling of the inverted “V” shaped aeroponics platform to conduct inter cultural operations like planting, harvesting, cleaning the root zone area at localized way without disrupting operations in the whole area.

It is another object of the invention is to provide a system which avoids labour oriented regular case of the growing crop.

VII. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished to provide a multi crop cultivating system and method which eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks. It is one object of the present invention to provide an multi crop cultivating plat form, which is inexpensive to manufacture. It is another object of the present invention to provide an multi crop cultivating device and system, which is convenient in use. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multi crop cultivating device, which provides required darkness to the root zone while reflecting the sunlight back to the plant canopy and thermally insulating the root zone from grow room. It is still another object of the present invention which adheres to geotropism even with a tilted surface. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multi crop cultivating device, which enables cultivated crop to be conveniently replaced. According to one aspect of the present invention, the cultivating device is comprised of a flat base member, and two slanting members detachably fastened to the base plate to hold cultivated crop. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the slanting members and the base members are modular, therefore, the manufacturing cost of the cultivating device is low and simple. According to still another aspect of the present invention, a spray means is arranged within system for spraying nutrients to the roots to cultivate crops. According to still another aspect of the present invention, a collection sheet is provided at the bottom of the frame to collect excessive nutrient water which is recycled.

As per the invention it is Aeroponics method for growing plants without soil and without any aggregate media. It is one of the methods adapted for conducting vertical farming. Aeroponics is distinct and an advanced method of soilless farming techniques. The other such techniques like hydroponics, nutrient film technique, and ebb - flow technique are even though similar in core technical terms, the effect on the crop productivity is limited compared to aeroponics, in terms of crop range, efficiency and productivity.

As per invention relating to aeroponics water and nutrients in the form of a solution is sprayed on the plant roots dangling within a root chamber whereas in hydroponics NFT a thin film of nutrient solution flows over the surface of a channel on which roots are in contact and in ebb and flow method the nutrient solution is allowed to rise up to a height submerging the entire root mass and after predetermined time drained. The latter methods need augmented oxygen supply in the nutrient solution but in aeroponics the sprayed nutrient solution particles capture enough oxygen when in flight.

The existing models of aeroponics and hydroponics are designed to grow only limited range of crops like lettuce, greens and other short growing plants. The major disadvantage in such systems is less space for roots to grow in case of prolific growing plants like cucumber, capsicum, eggplants etc and for tubers to grow in case of plants like potato, turmeric, beetroot, carrot, radish etc.

Apart from that the nutrient solution gets heated up from small amount of light passing through the intersection wall separating root chamber and the grow room which allows algae growth in it, especially when the systems are installed in tropics and subtropics.

The present invention is to design a modular aeroponics crop growing platform in multiple shapes, sizes to accommodate multiple species within a single grow room or to accommodate individual species in separate grow rooms.
Further the present invention is designed to assemble multiple sized triangular aeroponics growing platforms out of fifty one components and such assemblies shall be decided based on choice of crop, its physiology and spacing requirements of a user. By using these components one can create a triangular aeroponics cropping platform to accommodate enough area for root development even for prolific growing plants and for tuber crops.

Further the present invention is designed to prevent air exchange between canopy zone and root zone, provided with features preventing convectional heat transfer from canopy area to root chamber.

Further the present invention is designed to prevent incursion of sunlight or grow light, albeit in small fraction, from grow room to root chamber and the outer surface of root chamber walls designed to reflect sunlight or grow light back to the canopy area.

VIII. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION:

The present invention is to create a modular aeroponics crop production platform assembled out of 51 custom designed components, accommodative to multi species of varying climatic zones, adhering to geotropism, and allowing dark root zone, light reflecting outer surface, and reducing thermal conduction to the root zone.

The platform is shaped like an inverted “V” with crop supporting side slopes formed out of detachable boards and inner structural frame made out of extruded plastic profiles of different cross sections and lengths. The bottom is closed with laminated plastic sheets. The water spraying heads are mounted strategically inside the triangle forming the root zone.

The crop boards are having two distinct layers, one, black in color at the inner side assembled to make up the required size by interconnecting and the other one, at the outer side formed by fastening on to the inner boards. The fasteners connect both outer and inner boards in such away than air layer is created in between.

IX. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG: 1
PART: 1
Bottom GI latitudinal member-type 1, which forms the bottom most member of the embodiment of module 7.0 assembly (56), one of the two preferred embodiments, in contact with ground and placed in latitudinal direction. In the said embodiment this member is positioned at an interval of 0.6 meters apart up to whatever length a grow room accommodates.

FIG: 2
PART: 2
LH RH base inner connector is an injection moulded connecting piece designed to connect LH RH base vertical member (12) and LH RH slanting member type 1 (4) in both the preferred embodiments

FIG: 3
PART: 3
Bottom connector ` is an injection moulded connecting piece designed to connect bottom GI latitudinal member-Type 1(1), bottom sheet- type 1(34) and middle vertical member level 1(15), in the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

Bottom connector flange is also designed to connect bottom GI latitudinal member-Type 2(45), bottom sheet- type 2(48) and middle vertical member level 1 type 2(46), in the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 4
PART: 4
LH RH slanting member type 1 is an extruded profile forming the slanting leg of either side of the triangular frame of the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56). It is connected to LH RH base inner connector (2) at the bottom and top connector (5) at the top.

FIG: 5
PART: 5
Top connector is an injection moulded connecting piece designed to connect LH RH slanting member type 1(4), with top longitudinal member (33) in the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56MA).

Top connector is also designed to connect LH RH slanting member type 2(44), with top longitudinal member (33) in the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58MA).

FIG: 6
PART: 6
Inner crop board is an injection molded board designed to get interlocked by inner board interlock (9) with the same up to 10 numbers for forming an assembly of inner crop boards for the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

Inner crop board is also designed to get interlocked by inner board interlock (9) with the same up to 3 numbers for forming an assembly of inner crop boards for the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 7
PART: 7
Outer crop board is an injection moulded board designed to get riveted by plastic rivet (11) onto each inner crop board (6) for forming a 3 layer crop board assembly with inner crop board (6) as inner layer, outer crop board (7) as outer layer and intermediate layer of air as the third one, in both embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 8
PART: 8
Inner board base connector is an extruded plastic profile to form the base of inner black board in both embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 9
PART: 9
Inner board interlock is an injection moulded piece designed to interlock ten or three crop inner boards (6) in both embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and of module 1.5 assembly (58) respectively.

FIG: 10
PART: 10
Crop plug is a punch cut foamy plastic piece designed to hold the seedlings and to get compressed as the plant grows in size. It is inserted vertically onto the holes in inner crop board (6) through the holes in outer crop board (7) in both embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 11
PART: 11
Plastic rivet is an injection moulded piece designed to fix outer crop board (7) onto inner crop board (6) to form a 3 layer crop board assembly with inner crop board (6) as inner layer, outer crop board (7) as outer layer and intermediate layer of air as the third one, in both embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 12
PART: 12
LH RH base vertical member is an injection moulded piece designed to connect Bottom GI latitudinal member-type 1(1) at the bottom with LH RH base inner connector (2) and LH RH board bottom connector (13) at the top in the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

LH RH base vertical member is also a piece designed to connect Bottom GI latitudinal member-type 2(45) at the bottom with LH RH base inner connector (2) and LH RH board bottom connector (13) at the top in the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 13
PART: 13
LH RH board bottom connector is an injection moulded piece designed to connect LH RH base vertical member (12), LH RH base inner connector (2), LH RH board bottom stopper (14) and LH RH bottom longitudinal member (30) in both embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 14
PART: 14
LH RH board bottom stopper is an injection moulded piece fixed on top of LH RH board bottom connector (13) in both embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and of module 1.5 assembly (58).It functions as a latter movement arrestor for inner board base connector (8) which in turn forms as the bottom most part of crop board assembly.

FIG: 15
PART: 15
Middle vertical member level 1 is an extruded profile designed to connect bottom connector flange (3) with male connector -for 6 way male connector (17) in the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 16
PART: 16
6 way connector base is an extruded profile designed to connect six members on six directions by using male connector for 6 way male connector (17) but to connect middle latitudinal member level 1(21) on left and right, Middle vertical member level 1 (15) at the bottom, middle vertical member level 2(18) at the top in the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

6 way connector base is also used to connect middle latitudinal member level 2(22) on left and right, Middle vertical member level 2 (18) at the bottom, middle vertical member level 3(19) at the top in the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

6 way connector base is also used to connect middle latitudinal member level 3(23) on left and right, Middle vertical member level 3 (19) at the bottom, in the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

6 way connector base is also designed to connect six members on six directions by using male connector for 6 way male connector (17) but to connect middle latitudinal member level 1 type 2(47) on left and right, Middle vertical member level 1 type 2(46) at the bottom, in the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 17
PART: 17
Male connector for 6 way base an injection moulded piece designed to connect 6 way connector base (16) with appropriate horizontal and vertical members in the interior frames of both embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 18
PART: 18
Middle vertical member level 2 is an extruded profile connecting male connector for 6 way male connector (17) at level 1 to male connector for 6 way male connector (17) at level 2 in the interior frame of the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 19
PART: 19
Middle vertical member level 3 is an extruded profile connecting male connector for 6 way male connector (17) at level 2 to male connector for 6 way male connector (17) at level 3 in the interior frame of the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 20
PART: 20
LH RH slanting member connector is an injection moulded piece designed to connect middle latitudinal member level 1 (21), middle latitudinal member level 2 (22), middle latitudinal member level 3(23) to LH RH slanting member type 1 (4) on either side of the frame of the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).
LH RH slanting member connector is also designed to connect middle latitudinal member level 1 type 2 (47), to LH RH slanting member type 2 (44) on either side of the frame of the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 21
PART: 21
Middle latitudinal member level 1 is an extruded profile connecting 6 way male connector (17) at the bottom level to LH RH slanting member type 1 (4) on either side of the frame of the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 22
PART: 22
Middle latitudinal member level 2 is an extruded profile connecting 6 way male connector (17) at level 2 to LH RH slanting member type 1 (4) at the middle level on either side of the frame of the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 23
PART: 23
Middle latitudinal member level 3 is an extruded profile connecting 6 way male connector (17) at upper level to LH RH slanting member type 1 (4) at the upper level on either side of the frame of the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 24
PART: 24
Washer type 1 is an injection moulded rubber washer provides air tight and water proof interface between LH RH base vertical member (12) and bottom sheet type 1 (34) when both fixed on the top of Bottom GI latitudinal member-type 1 (1) on either side of the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

Washer type 1 also provides air tight and water proof interface between LH RH base vertical member (12) and bottom sheet type 2 (48) when both fixed on the top of Bottom GI latitudinal member-type 2 (45) on either side of the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 25
PART: 25
Washer type 2 is an injection moulded rubber washer provides air tight and water proof interface between Middle vertical member level 1 (15) and bottom sheet type 1 (34) when both fixed on the top of Bottom GI latitudinal member-type 1 (1) at the centre of the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

Washer type 1 also provides air tight and water proof interface between Middle vertical member level 1 type 2(46) and bottom sheet type 2 (48) when both fixed on the top of Bottom GI latitudinal member-type 2 (45) at the centre of the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 26
PART: 26
M4 Bolts is a fastener used for fixing LH RH base inner connector (2) with LH RH base vertical member (12) in both the embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 27
PART: 27
M4 Nuts is a fastener used for fixing LH RH base inner connector (2) with LH RH base vertical member (12) in both the embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 28
PART: 28
M6 Bolts is a fastener used for connecting Bottom GI latitudinal member-type 1 (1) to middle GI bottom longitudinal member (31) in the embodiments of module 7 assembly (56).
M6 Bolts is also used for connecting Bottom GI latitudinal member-type 2 (45) to middle GI bottom longitudinal member (31) in the embodiments of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 29
PART: 29
M6 nuts is a fastener used for connecting Bottom GI latitudinal member-type 1 (1) to middle GI bottom longitudinal member (31) in the embodiments of module 7 assembly (56).
M6 nuts is also used for connecting Bottom GI latitudinal member-type 2 (45) to middle GI bottom longitudinal member (31) in the embodiments of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 30
PART: 30
LH RH bottom longitudinal member is an extruded profile used to connect subsequent pieces of LH RH board bottom connector (13) on either side of both the embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 31
PART: 31
Middle GI bottom longitudinal member is a prefabricated steel member used to connect subsequent pieces of bottom GI latitudinal member type 1 (1) in the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).
Middle GI bottom longitudinal member is also used to connect subsequent pieces of bottom GI latitudinal member type 2 (45) in the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 32
PART: 32
Frame interior longitudinal member is an extruded profile providing interior longitudinal connections between subsequent 6 way connector base (14) components in both the embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 33
PART: 33
Top longitudinal member is an extruded profile providing interior longitudinal connections between subsequent top connector (5) components in both the embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 34
PART: 34
Bottom sheet type 1 is a flexible laminated polyethylene sheet fixed above both Bottom GI latitudinal member-type 1 (1), and middle GI bottom longitudinal member (31), below LH RH base vertical member (12) on either side and below Bottom connector flange (3) effectively nullifying the soil contact to the root chamber in the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 35
PART: 35
25 MM LDPE tube is a flexible tube running along the full length of the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56) just above the bottom sheet type 1 (34).

FIG: 36
PART: 36
Micro sprayer Type 1 is a flexible tube of 6mm OD tipped with rotary micro sprinkling sprayer, connected at the bottom on to the 25 mm LDPE tube (35) and the tip latched to the frame interior longitudinal member (32) at level 1. Subsequent such micro sprayer type 1(36) is positioned at 1.2 metre apart along the length of the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 37
PART: 37
Micro sprayer Type 2 is a flexible tube of 6mm OD tipped with rotary micro sprinkling sprayer, connected at the bottom on to the 25 mm LDPE tube (35) and the tip latched to the frame interior longitudinal member (32) at level 2. Subsequent such micro sprayer type 1(36) is positioned at 1.2 metre apart along the length of the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 38
PART: 38
Micro sprayer Type 3 is a flexible tube of 6mm OD tipped with rotary micro sprinkling sprayer, connected at the bottom on to the 25 mm LDPE tube (35) and the tip latched to the frame interior longitudinal member (32) at level 2. Subsequent such micro sprayer type 1(36) is positioned at 1.2 metre apart along the length of the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 39
PART: 39
F & B Sheet type 1 is a prefabricated rigid composite sheet, used for closing the root chamber at the front and back of the embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 40
PART: 40
Exit port pipe is prefabricated steel tubular member connected to the exit port bottom flange (43) at its bottom in both the embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and in module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 41
PART: 41
Exit port top flange is prefabricated steel plate member connected to the exit port washer (42) at its top in both the embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and in module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 42
PART: 42
Exit port washer is prefabricated compressible plate fixed between the exit port top flange (41) at its top and exit port bottom flange (43) in both the embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and in module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 43
PART: 43
Exit port bottom flange is prefabricated steel plate member connected to the exit port washer (42) at its bottom in both the embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and in module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 44
PART: 44
LH RH slanting member type 2 is an extruded profile forming the slanting leg of either side of the triangular frame of the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58). It is connected to LH RH base inner connector (2) at the bottom and top connector (5) at the top.

FIG: 45
PART: 45
Bottom GI latitudinal member-type 2, which forms the bottom most member of the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58), one of the two preferred embodiments, in contact with ground and placed in latitudinal direction. In the said embodiment this member is positioned at an interval of 0.6 meters apart up to whatever length a grow room accommodates.

FIG: 46
PART: 46
Middle vertical member level 1 type 2 is an extruded profile designed to connect bottom connector flange (3) with male connector -for 6 way male connector (17) in the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 47
PART: 47
Middle latitudinal member level 1 is an extruded profile connecting 6 way male connector (17) at the bottom level to LH RH slanting member type 2 (44) on either side of the frame of the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 48
PART: 48
Bottom sheet type 2 is a flexible laminated polyethylene sheet fixed above both Bottom GI latitudinal member-type 2 (45), and middle GI bottom longitudinal member (31), below LH RH base vertical member (12) on either side and below Bottom connector flange (3) effectively nullifying the soil contact to the root chamber in the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 49
PART: 49
F & B Sheet type 2 is a prefabricated rigid composite sheet, used for closing the root chamber at the front and back of the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 50
PART: 50
Micro sprayer Type 4 is a flexible tube of 6mm OD tipped with rotary micro sprinkling sprayer, connected at the bottom on to the 25 mm LDPE tube (51) and the tip latched to the frame interior longitudinal member (32) at level 1. Subsequent such micro sprayer type 4(50) is positioned at 1.2 metre apart along the length of the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 51
PART: 51
20 MM LDPE tube is a flexible tube running along the full length in the embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58) just above the bottom sheet type 2(48).

FIG: 52
S.ASLY: 52 SA
It is a sub assembly of three pieces of inner crop board (6), three pieces of outer crop board (7), one piece of inner board base connector (8), two pieces of inner board interlock (9), eighteen pieces of crop plug (10) and eighteen pieces of plastic rivet (11) to form a full crop support board to be fixed on either side of the preferred embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58).

Another sub assembly of ten pieces of inner crop board (6), ten pieces of outer crop board (7), one piece of inner board base connector (8), nine pieces of inner board interlock (9), sixty pieces of crop plug (10) and sixty pieces of plastic rivet (11) to form a full crop support board to be fixed on either side of the preferred embodiment of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 53
S.ASLY: 53 SA
It is a sub assembly of 6 way connector base (16) and male connector (17) showing the possibility of creating 6 way, 5 way, 4 way, 3 way, 2 way, L connection, T connection, + connection and straight connection options out of these two basic parts by configuring in multiple ways. It works as a connecting joint to connect latitudinal, longitudinal and vertical extruded members in the interior frames of both the preferred embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 54
S.ASLY: 54 SA
It is a sub assembly of internal frame of the preferred embodiment of module 7 assembly (56). This sub assembly (54 SA) is on a vertical plane giving the basic triangular shape for the preferred embodiment of module 7 assembly (56). Subsequent six such assemblies are placed one behind another at a distance of 0.6 metres to form the preferred embodiment of module 7 (56).

FIG: 55
S.ASLY: 55 SA
It is a sub assembly of one piece of exit port top flange (41), one piece of exit port washer (42), one piece of exit port bottom flange (43), one piece of exit port pipe (40), four pieces of M6 Bolts (28) and four pieces of M6 Nuts (29) to form a water drain port for taking the nutrient solution back to the external reservoir for recycling. This sub assembly (55 SA) is fixed at the front end of bottom sheet of both the preferred embodiments of module 7 assembly (56) and module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 56
S.ASLY: 56 MA
This is one of the preferred embodiment of module 7 assembly (56). It is 2.21 metres in height assembled out of parts drawn from part 1 to part 51. The base width is 1.31 metre and the running length is 3.6 metres. Any number of module 7 assembly (56) can be fixed one after another in longitudinal direction to have a continuous crop production platform of any length of multiples of 3.6 metres.

FIG: 57
S.ASLY: 57 SA
It is a sub assembly of internal frame of the preferred embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58). This sub assembly (57 SA) is on a vertical plane giving the basic triangular shape for the preferred embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58). Subsequent six such assemblies are placed one behind another at a distance of 0.6 metres to form the preferred embodiment of module 1.5 (58).

FIG: 58
S.ASLY: 58 MA
This is one of the preferred embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58). It is 0.84 metres in height assembled out of parts drawn from part 1 to part 51. The base width is 0.46 metres and the running length is 3.6 metres. Any number of module 1.5 assembly (58) can be fixed one after another in longitudinal direction to have a continuous crop production platform of any length of multiples of 3.6 metres.
FIG: 59
A.ARGMT: 59 AASL
It is an array of arrangement of the preferred embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58) in an arrangement in latitudinal direction within a grow room. The centre to centre distance between two rows of such arrangement (59) is 1.14 metres. Any number of the same arrangement can be placed one after another in longitudinal direction to have a larger commercial farm with crop production platforms made out of modular arrangement of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 60
A.ARGMT: 60 AATL
It is an array of arrangement of the preferred embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58) in an arrangement in vertical direction into a three storey grow room. It is to show that the basic embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58) can be arranged in latitudinal, longitudinal and in vertical directions to create a large multi storied farm.

FIG: 61
A.ARGMT: 61 AASL
It is an array of arrangement of the preferred embodiment of module 7 assembly (56) in an arrangement in latitudinal direction within a grow room. The centre to centre distance between two rows of such arrangement (61) is 2.0 metres. Any number of the same arrangement can be placed one after another in longitudinal direction to have a larger commercial farm with crop production platforms made out of modular arrangement of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 62
A.ARGMT: 62 AATL
It is an array of arrangement of the preferred embodiment of module 7 assembly (56) in an arrangement in vertical direction into a three storey grow room. It is to show that the basic embodiment of module 7 assembly (56) can be arranged in latitudinal, longitudinal and in vertical directions to create a large multi storied farm.

It is to be understood that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits and scope of the invention disclosed.

Detailed Description of Invention

The present invention is for two preferred embodiments of aeroponics crop production platforms which could be assembled out of fifty one parts for any length of multiples of 0.6 meters, which forms part of the core part of an aeroponics driven controlled environment farm, which is configured with many other subsystems to deliver flawless aeroponics process for growing plants on the present crop production platforms.

The said subsystems are greenhouse grow room, water purification plant, Thermo hygro plant to manage grow room temperature, relative humidity and air sterilization, nutrient solution pumping system, nutrient solution recycling network, nutrient solution cooling system, nutrient solution injection system, network of tanks, network of ancillary pumps, filtration plants and automation master controller.

The aeroponic crop production platforms so far available in the commercial domain are falling under one of the following types.
• vertical column type,
• Pyramidal type,
• Triangular type,
• Trapezoidal type
• Tabular type

The vertical column type is made up of tubular plastic sub sections mounted one above another with semi-circular outward projecting circumferential holes to hold crops. It cannot support plants having annual and biennial crop duration and plants of creeping nature because of the enormous length and mass of root growth. In few months the prolific growing roots gets accumulated inside the tubular space, slowly restricting oxygen availability, choking the nutrient solution from draining back, and physically suffocating the roots leading to anaerobic condition and rotting. This type of crop production platforms are suitable only for crops accumulating low biomass like lettuce, greens, and zucchini.

Further there is another drawback of vertical type of not accommodating tuber crops of even short varieties like carrot and radish, because of the bent tubers produced. The crown of the tuber is at the cup like projections extending outside and tail portion bending downwards due to geotropism.

In tropical and sub-tropical zones the sunlight intensity is more than 50000 lux even during winter. Such intense radiation falling on the walls of the crop production platforms heats up the plastic walls and in turn the heat is conducted on to the nutrient solution, eventually heating it up to even 45 deg Celsius. The power requirement to keep the nutrient solution temperature between 18 to 22 deg Celsius by refrigerated chilling plants makes it commercially non-feasible in tropics. This may not be a problem if the grow rooms are with LED lighting and only a maximum intensity of 10000 is applied. But in tropics preference is for sunlight over LED light, because of the fact that the availability is throughout the year, and the photoperiod is not less than 10 hours.

The Pyramidal, Triangular, Trapezoidal and Tabular types are made with metallic or rigid plastic frames of respective shapes and covered with white foamed polystyrene boards or with white extruded polystyrene boards. On all the sides of such boards holes are drilled, through which plants are inserted. Unlike the vertical column type, these are made in large sizes to accommodate large biomass but technically flawed by the nature of white foam boards inability to prevent complete reflection of light back to the grow room. A small amount of light, enough to read a newspaper or about 200 lux passes through these boards where grow room light is more than 5000 lux. In tropical and sub-tropical locations throughout the year, and in temperate locations in summer, the light level is always more than 10000 lux. This passage of light, albeit in very small intensity, enables algae growth inside the root chamber, leading to reduced dissolved oxygen. Besides it also induces bio synthetic reactions on the roots leading to negative results like toxic green substances accumulating over potato skin.

The present invention is designed to assemble multiple sized triangular aeroponics growing platforms out of fifty one components and such assemblies shall be decided based on choice of crop, its physiology and spacing requirements of a user.

By using these components one can create a triangular aeroponics cropping platform to accommodate enough area for root development even for prolific growing plants and for tuber crops.

The height of the platform could be decided based on the requirement of space by roots and shoots. Plant shoots growing up to 2.0 meters could be accommodated in a growing plat form of 1.5 ft in height 1.0 ft in width as shown in the preferred embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58).

Plant shoots growing not more than 0.5 meters could be accommodated in a growing plat form of 7.0 ft in height 4.0 ft in width as shown in the preferred embodiment of module 7.0 assembly (56).
As these assemblies of the preferred embodiments are made with 51 modular components, intermediate heights of the crop production platforms could also be assembled making the root chamber volume flexible.

The boards making the walls of either side of the triangle in both the preferred embodiments of (56) and (58) are made by assembling a number of inter locked inner crop boards, and the same number of outer crop board riveted to each other as shown in (52). The inner crop board is of block colour and the outer crop board is of white colour. The white outer board reflects the light back to the grow room, and the inner block board prevents light passing to the root chamber. The intervening layer of air functions as an insulator effectively preventing convective, conductive and radiant heat transmission into the root chamber.

One of the preferred embodiment is module 7 assembly (56). It is 2.21 metres in height assembled out of parts drawn from part 1 to part 51. The base width is 1.31 metre and the running length is 3.6 metres. Any number of module 7 assembly (56) can be fixed one after another in longitudinal direction to have a continuous crop production platform of any length of multiples of 3.6 metres. It can support a maximum of 720 plants at a spacing of 0.2 meters vertically and 0.1 meters longitudinally. Depending upon the choice of the crop the spacing is decided. For example onions are planted on all the 720 holes where as cauliflower is planted on every third hole on the longitudinal direction. In case of short growing varieties this platform provides 4 to 5 times more population than that in conventional farming.

Another one of the preferred embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58). It is 0.84 metres in height assembled out of parts drawn from part 1 to part 51. The base width is 0.46 metres and the running length is 3.6 metres. Any number of module 1.5 assembly (58) can be fixed one after another in longitudinal direction to have a continuous crop production platform of any length of multiples of 3.6 metres. It can support a maximum of 216 plants at a spacing of 0.2 meters vertically and 0.1 meters longitudinally. Depending upon the choice of the crop the spacing is decided. For example Gloriosa superba is planted on every alternate hole where as vanilla is planted on every third hole on the longitudinal direction and only at the middle row in vertical direction. In case of short growing varieties this platform provides 2 to 3 times more population than that in conventional farming.

FIG: 59 depicts the concept of an array of arrangement of the preferred embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58) in an arrangement in latitudinal direction within a grow room. The centre to centre distance between two rows of such arrangement is 1.14 metres. Any number of the same arrangement can be placed one after another in longitudinal direction to have a larger commercial farm with crop production platforms made out of modular arrangement of module 1.5 assembly (58).

FIG: 60 depicts the concept of an array of arrangement of the preferred embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58) in an arrangement in vertical direction into a three storey grow room. It is to show that the basic embodiment of module 1.5 assembly (58) can be arranged in latitudinal, longitudinal and in vertical directions to create a large multi storied farm.

FIG: 61 depicts the concept of an array of arrangement of the preferred embodiment of module 7 assembly (56) in an arrangement in latitudinal direction within a grow room. The centre to centre distance between two rows of such arrangement is 2.0 metres. Any number of the same arrangement can be placed one after another in longitudinal direction to have a larger commercial farm with crop production platforms made out of modular arrangement of module 7 assembly (56).

FIG: 62 depicts the concept of an array of arrangement of the preferred embodiment of module 7 assembly (56) in an arrangement in vertical direction into a three storey grow room. It is to show that the basic embodiment of module 7 assembly (56) can be arranged in latitudinal, longitudinal and in vertical directions to create a large multi storied farm.

The parts are custom designed to suit the requirement of modules of 1.5 assembly (58), and 7.0 assembly (56) with unique structural parameters and material of construction so as to achieve the stated technical objectives of removing the flaws in the available platforms and to grow any crop, anywhere in the world.

In one aspect the invention relates to an aeroponic system comprising of a modular triangular frame with a plurality of detachable latitudinal members, longitudinal members and vertical members forming a frame for two slanted surface members (4) defining an inverted V enclosed structure as a root chamber there within.

An assembly of two layers of crop boards, the inner black layer and outer white layer is fastened on to the inner one with an intermediate layer of air. A plurality of removable crop boards (6) having oval apertures but round when viewed from top, and arranged in adjacent rows and columns on the slanted surface members (4). A plurality of removable crop plugs (10) arranged in tiers coupled to the apertures of crop boards (6) and within the enclosed structure thus exposing all of root portions of the plant to the atmosphere contained within the said enclosure. A nutrient delivery and distribution means, with pipe spray means with constant fluid communication arranged within the enclosed structure for providing a nutrient mist enclosure to the suspended plants, and a nutrient recovering and recirculation means defined in part by a bottom surface of said enclosure.

In another aspects the invention relates to the number and arrangement of selected latitudinal members, longitudinal members and vertical members is based on the selected desired slanted surface members (4).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of member a front, includes a rear and a plurality of intermediary bottom most latitudinal members (1,45) adapted to be in contact with ground, and each member having atleast two distal terminals (FF) with atleast one distal terminal arranged at each of the two distal ends, and a central terminal (BB) arranged at the centre of each of the bottom latitudinal members (1,45).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of washers (24) corresponding to plurality of bottom latitudinal members (1), each washers (24) with cooperating M4 nuts-bolts (26,27) and each washer (24) adapted for mating with the central terminals (BB) of atleast one of the bottom latitudinal members (1,45).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of washers (25) corresponding to plurality of bottom latitudinal members (1) each washers (25) with cooperating nuts-bolts (28,29) and each washers (25) adapted for mating with the distal terminals (FF) of atleast one of the bottom latitudinal members (1,45).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of base vertical members (12) corresponding to two distal ends of plurality of bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and each base vertical members (12) is adapted at its lower end for mating with atleast one of the washers (25) and cooperating M4 nuts-bolts (28,29) disposed at the distal terminals (FF) of atleast one of the bottom latitudinal member (1,45).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of base inner connector (2) with each adapted to be coupled onto the top free end of atleast one of the base vertical members (12), which base vertical members (12) are coupled onto atleast one of the bottom latitudinal members (1,45).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of inwardly sloping left and right side slating members (4,44) corresponding to two ends of each of (a front, a rear and a plurality of intermediary) bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and with each one of the slanting member (4, 44) adapted at its lower end to couple onto one side of the top free end of one of the base inner connectors (2) which base inner connectors (2) is coupled to a base vertical member (12), which base vertical member (12) is coupled to one of the bottom latitudinal members (1,45).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of board bottom connector (13) with each connector (13) adapted to be coupled onto the other side of top free end of atleast one of the base inner connectors (2), which base inner connectors (2) is coupled to a base vertical member (12), which base vertical member (12) is coupled to one of the bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and the bottom connector (13) further is coupled to bottom latitudinal member (30).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of board bottom stopper (14) with each stopper (14) adapted to be coupled onto a portion of the top end of atleast one of the plurality of board bottom connectors (13), which board bottom connector (13) is coupled to a base inner connector (2), which base inner connector (2) is coupled to a base vertical member (12), which base vertical member (12) is coupled to one of the bottom latitudinal members (1,45).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of bottom flange (3) corresponding to the (front, rear and plurality of intermediate) bottom latitudinal member (1,4,5) with each of the bottom flange (3) adapted to the coupled to atleast one of the bottom latitudinal member (1,4,5) and mating with its corresponding washer (24) and nuts-bolts (26,27) at the terminal (BB).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of middle vertical members level 1(15,46) coupled onto corresponding bottom flanges (3) which plurality of bottom flanges (3) are coupled to the plurality of bottom latitudinal members (1,45).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of middle vertical members level 2 (18) coupled above and onto one of the corresponding plurality of middle vertical member level 1(15,46) (wherein the cross section of MVML2 (18) is same as of MVML1(15)), which plurality of middle vertical members level 1 (15,46) are coupled to plurality of bottom flanges (3) and which plurality of flanges (3) are coupled to plurality of bottom latitudinal member (1,45).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of middle vertical members level 3 (19) coupled above and onto one of the corresponding plurality of middle vertical member level 2 (18), (wherein cross section of 15=18=19 is same), which plurality of middle vertical members level 2 are coupled to plurality of vertical members level 1 and which plurality of vertical members level are coupled to plurality of flanges (3) and which plurality of flanges (3) are coupled to plurality of bottom latitudinal members (1,45).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of slanting member connectors (20) with atleast three connectors corresponding to atleast level 1, level 2 and level 3 are coupled onto and arranged along the length and at different heights of each of the pluralityof slating members (4), thereby adapted to connect middle latitudinal member level 1 (21,47), middle latitudinal member level 2 (22), middle latitudinal member level 3 (23), to slanting member (4,44) on either side of the frame.

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of middle latitudinal member level 1 (21,47) corresponding to plurality of slanting members (4) and plurality of slanting member connectors (20) such that each middle latitudinal member level 1 is coupled between a corresponding lowest pair of coupled slanting member connectors (20) onto slanting members, the said middle latitudinal member level 1 (21) is generally parallel to the bottom latitudinal members (1,45).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of middle latitudinal member level 2 (22), corresponding to plurality of middle latitudinal member level 1 and is coupled between a corresponding pair of coupled slanting member connectors (20) onto slanting members, such that the middle latitudinal member level 2 is parallel and above the middle latitudinal member level 1.
In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of middle latitudinal member level 3(23) corresponding to plurality of middle latitudinal members 1 and 2, and is coupled between a pair of coupled slanting member connectors (20) onto slanting members, such that the middle latitudinal member level 3 is parallel and above the middle latitudinal member level 2.

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a left and right bottom longitudinal member (30), each member arranged perpendicular to the front, the rear and plurality of intermediary bottom latitudinal members (1,45), thereby forming a frame with an enclosed surface.

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a middle bottom longitudinal member (31) is coupled at one end to the centre of front bottom latitudinal member (1) and coupled at the other end to the centre of rear bottom latitudinal membe (1,45) and the middle bottom longitudinal member (31) is generally parallel to the right and left bottom longitudinal member (30).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of frame interior longitudinal member (32), where each of the frame interior longitudinal member (32) is arranged above the middle bottom longitudinal member (31) at different heights and coupled at one end to the centre of front bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and coupled at the other end to the centre of the rear bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and the frame interior longitudinal member (32) is generally parallel to the middle bottom longitudinal member (31) [and which interior longitudinal member (32) provides frame interior longitudinal connections between subsequent 6 way connection base (14)].

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includesa plurality of top connections (5) couple the free ends of the each of the corresponding left and right slanting members (4,44) which free ends of the slanting mebers (4,44) is remote from the bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and bottom longitudinal members (30).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a top longitudinal member (33) is coupled to the plurality of the top connectors (5) with the slanting members (4) on its either side top longitudinal member is extending parallel to bottom longitudinal member (30) and extending between the front and rear bottom latitudinal members (1,45).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a bottom sheet (34,48) is coupled at the above and between the left and right bottom longitudinal member (30) and middle longitudinal member (31) on two sides, below base vertical member (12) also on two sides, and above the front and rear latitudinal members (1) on other two sides, the said bottom sheet (34,48) is coupled to the plurality of bottom flanges (3) which plurality of flanges (3) are coupled firstly to the plurality of bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and secondly also plurality of middle vertical members level 1 (15,46), further the washer (24) interfaces between base vertical member (12) on either side and the bottom sheet (34) when fixed combinedly onto bottom latitudinal members (1,45), and thereby providing an air tight and water proof interface and further washer (25) interfaces between middle vertical level 1 (15) and bottom sheet (34) when combinedly fixed onto bottom latitudinal member (1) at the centre and thereby providing an air tight and water proof interface)).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of inner crop board (6) having a plurality of holes arranged thereon and coupled to the plurality of inner crop board base connector (8), wherein more than one inner crop board (6) is coupled to each of the board base connector (8), and wherein one or more the plurality of inner crop board base connector (8) are coupled onto corresponding plurality of board bottom connector (13), which board bottom connector (13) are coupled with a inner plurality of board bottom stopper (14) to form a base of inner black board [and is held in locking position by board bottom stopper (14)].

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of inner board interlocks (9) arranged for coupling the crop boards (6) mutually.

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of punch cut foam crop pulgs (10) for holding the seedlings coupled inwardly and vertically onto each the inner crop boards (6) and behind the holes arranged on the inner crop board (6).
In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a plurality of outer crop boards (7) arranged outwardly against inner crop board (6) and coupled onto inner crop boards (6) with a rivet (11), with an air layer formed therein between.

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a sheet (39,49) covering the surface between the front bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and corresponding two slanting members (4,44) on its either side.

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a sheet (39,49) covering the surface between the rear bottom latitudinal members (1,45) and corresponding two slanting members (4,44) on its either side.

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a 6 way connector base (16) having 6 male connectors (17) forming a 6 way function member (53SA) connecting the bottom connect flange (3) with male connector (17) and the frame interior longitudinal member (32) profile providing interior longitudinal connectors between subsequent 6 way connector base (14) and also the top longitudinal member (33) profile providing interior longitudinal connectors between subsequent top connect (5) such that the atleast some of the members are coupled mutually which may be vertical members (15,18,19 and 46) and latitudinal members (1,21,22,23,47,45).
- Such that middle vertical member level 1 (15) is coupled to flange (3) with male connector for 6 way male connector (17) for interconnecting the horizontal and vertical members in the interior frame.
- Such that middle vertical member level 2 (18) is coupled to male connector for 6 way male connector (17) at level 1 to male connector for 6 way male connector (17) at level 2 in the interior frame.
- Such that middle vertical member level 3 (19) is coupled to make connector for 6 way male connector (17) at level 2 to male connector for 6 way male connector (17) at level 3 in the interior frame.
- Such that middle latitudinal member level 1 (21) is coupled to male connector (17) at the bottom level to slanting member (4,44) on either side of the frame.
- Such that middle latitudinal member level 2 (22) is coupled 6 way male connector (17) at level 2 to slanting member (4) at the middle level on either side of the frame.
- Such that middle latitudinal member level 3 (23) is coupled to 6 way male connector (17) at upper level to slanting member (4) at upper level on either side of the frame.

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes a tube (35) alongwith associated plurality of micro sprayers extending along the entire length and just above bottom sheet (34,48).

In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes the plurality of sprayers which may be plurality of
- a micro sprayer type 1 (36),
- a micro sprayer type 2 (37),
- a micro sprayer type 3 (38),
- a micro sprayer type 4 (50), and
combination thereof
such that each sprayer (36) is a tubular rotary spray spaced away mutually and is coupled at its bottom side onto the tube (35) and each of the spray tips latched to a portion of the frame interior longitudinal member (32) at level 1,
such that each sprayer (37) is a rotary sprayer, spaced away mutually is coupled at its bottom side onto the tube (35) and each the spray tips latched to a portion of the frame interior longitudinal member (32) at level 2,
such that each sprayer (38) is a rotary sprayer, spaced away mutually and is coupled at its bottom side onto the tube (35) and each of the spray tips latched to a portion of the frame interior longitudinal member (32) at level 3.
In another aspects the invention relates to the aeroponic system includes an exit port pipe (40) with an exit port bottom flange (43), a exit port top flange (41) and a port washer (42) disposed therein between.

The examples and embodiments are provided only for the purpose of understanding and none of them shall limit the scope of the invention. All variants and modifications as will be envisaged by skilled person are within the spirit and scope of the invention.