Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. An oxygen generating apparatus (100), comprising:
an oxygen collection unit (102), wherein the oxygen collection unit (102) comprises:
an oxygen level sensor (110) to sense a level of oxygen in plants (108); and
a first controller (114) connected to the oxygen level sensor (110), wherein the first controller (114) is configured to:
receive the sensed level of oxygen from the oxygen level sensor (110);
compare the sensed level of oxygen with a first pre-set oxygen level and a second pre-set oxygen level; and
activate an air extraction pump (112) to extract an oxygenated air from the plants (108), when the sensed level of oxygen exceeds the first pre-set oxygen level;
an oxygen separation unit (104) connected to the oxygen collection unit (102), wherein the oxygen separation unit (104) is configured to separate a liquid oxygen from the oxygenated air by using a fractional distillation process; and
an oxygen accumulation unit (106) connected to the oxygen separation unit (104), wherein the oxygen accumulation unit (106) is configured to accumulate the separated liquid oxygen into a high-pressure oxygen cylinder (132).
2. The oxygen generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first controller (114) is configured to deactivate the air extraction pump (112) when the sensed level of oxygen is less than the second pre-set oxygen level.
3. The oxygen generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an irrigation unit (140), wherein the irrigation unit (140) comprises a moisture level sensor (142) to sense a moisture level in the plants (108).
4. The oxygen generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the irrigation unit (140) further comprises a second controller (154) configured to activate a solenoid valve (148) to supply water to the plants (108), when the sensed moisture level is less than a pre-defined moisture level.
5. The oxygen generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the high-pressure oxygen cylinder (132) is provided with a flow rate meter (134) to control a flow rate of the liquid oxygen to be delivered to a patient.
6. A method for generating oxygen by using an oxygen generating apparatus (100), wherein the method comprising steps of:
receiving the sensed level of oxygen in plants (108) from an oxygen level sensor (110);
comparing the sensed level of oxygen with a first pre-set oxygen level and a second pre-set oxygen level;
activating an air extraction pump (112) to extract an oxygenated air from the plants (108), when the sensed level of oxygen exceeds the first pre-set oxygen level;
directing the extracted oxygenated air into a purification chamber (122);
separating a liquid oxygen from the oxygenated air by using a fractional distillation process; and
accumulating the separated liquid oxygen in a high-pressure oxygen cylinder (132).
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a step of deactivating the air extraction pump (112) when the sensed level of oxygen is less than the second pre-set oxygen level.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a step of sensing a moisture level in the plants (108) by using a moisture level sensor (142).
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a step of activating a solenoid valve (148) to supply water to the plants (108), when the sensed moisture level in the plants (108) is less than a pre-defined moisture level.
10. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a step of controlling a flow rate of the liquid oxygen to be delivered to a patient by using a flow rate meter (134).
Date: 29th October 2021
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10, and rule 13)

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING OXYGEN

APPLICANT(S)
NAME: CHITKARA INNOVATION INCUBATOR FOUNDATION
NATIONALITY: INDIAN
ADDRESS: SCO: 160-161, SECTOR - 9C, MADHYA MARG, CHANDIGARH – 160009, INDIA

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an oxygen generation and more particularly to an apparatus and a method for generating oxygen from plants.
Description of Related Art
[002] Oxygen is commonly required by patients who have compromised respiratory capabilities, often resulting from an acute infection or a chronic illness, such as emphysema. While these patients are capable of normal or nearly normal respirations, their oxygen exchange is not sufficient and it must be supplemented. Also, ongoing pandemic of a Coronavirus disease has abruptly increased a mortality rate due to lack of the oxygen. This troublesome situation has created an enormous chaos among normal people.
[003] Conventionally, various methods such as Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) methods and cryogenic separation methods have been used for a production of the oxygen from air. However, such methods are expensive and have high power consumption. Moreover, such methods have a large physical footprint and requires high capital cost. Further, such methods have a limited scalability and requires high maintenance due to zeolite regeneration.
[004] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced apparatus and method for generating the oxygen from plants in a more-efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an oxygen generating apparatus. The oxygen generating apparatus comprising: an oxygen collection unit. The oxygen collection unit comprises: an oxygen level sensor to sense a level of oxygen in plants. The oxygen collection unit further comprises: a first controller connected to the oxygen level sensor. The first controller is configured to: receive the sensed level of oxygen from the oxygen level sensor; compare the sensed level of oxygen with a first pre-set oxygen level and a second pre-set oxygen level; and activate an air extraction pump to extract an oxygenated air from the plants, when the sensed level of oxygen exceeds the first pre-set oxygen level. The oxygen generating apparatus further comprising: an oxygen separation unit connected to the oxygen collection unit. The oxygen separation unit is configured to separate a liquid oxygen from the oxygenated air by using a fractional distillation process. The oxygen generating apparatus further comprising: an oxygen accumulation unit connected to the oxygen separation unit. The oxygen accumulation unit is configured to accumulate the separated liquid oxygen in a high-pressure oxygen cylinder.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for generating oxygen by using an oxygen generating apparatus, wherein the method comprising steps of: receiving a sensed level of oxygen of plants from an oxygen level sensor; comparing the sensed level of oxygen with a first pre-set oxygen level and a second pre-set oxygen level; activating an air extraction pump to extract an oxygenated air from the plants, when the sensed level of oxygen exceeds the first pre-set oxygen level; directing the extracted oxygenated air into a purification chamber; separating a liquid oxygen from the oxygenated air by using a fractional distillation process; and accumulating the separated liquid oxygen in a high-pressure oxygen cylinder.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide an oxygen generating apparatus that may reduce waste products generated by using an industrial approach as the apparatus is generating oxygen from plants.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an oxygen generating apparatus that may reduce a carbon footprint of an individual as plants require water once a week.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present invention may provide an oxygen generating apparatus that may consume energy of 50 Watts (W) and requires low maintenance.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present invention may provide an oxygen generating apparatus that may be deployed with an irrigation unit to cater daily requirements of plants automatically.
[0011] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0012] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of an oxygen generating apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 1B illustrates a schematic representation of the oxygen generating apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 1C illustrates a high-pressure oxygen cylinder of the oxygen generating apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 1D illustrates a humidifier of the oxygen generating apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 1E illustrates a delivery mask of the oxygen generating apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 1F illustrates an irrigation unit of the oxygen generating apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates components of a first controller of an oxygen collection unit of the oxygen generating apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates components of a second controller of the irrigation unit of the oxygen generating apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a method for generating purified oxygen by using the oxygen generating apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0025] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0026] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0027] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of an oxygen generating apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 may be configured to utilize an organic system to generate and store liquid oxygen, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus 100 may comprise an oxygen collection unit 102, an oxygen separation unit 104 and an oxygen accumulation unit 106. The oxygen collection unit 102 may be configured to generate oxygen from plants 108 using photosynthesis, in an embodiment of the present invention. The plants 108 may be, but not limited to, a money plant, a snake plant, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the plants 108 that may be capable to generate the oxygen.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the oxygen collection unit 102 may comprise an oxygen level sensor 110, an air extraction pump 112 and a first controller 114. The oxygen level sensor 110 may be configured to sense a level of the oxygen in the plants 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen level sensor 110 may be connected to the first controller 114, to transmit the sensed level of oxygen to the first controller 114, in an embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen level sensor 110 may be, but not limited to, an electrochemical oxygen sensor, a zirconia oxygen sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the oxygen level sensor 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the air extraction pump 112 may be operated automatically to extract oxygenated air from the plants 108. In such embodiment of the present invention, the air extraction pump 112 may be operated automatically based on an output generated by the first controller 114. In another embodiment of the present invention, the air extraction pump 112 may be operated manually by a user to extract the oxygenated air from the plants 108. In such embodiment of the present invention, the air extraction pump 112 may be operated manually by the user based on the output generated by the first controller 114.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first controller 114 may be configured to receive the sensed level of oxygen of the plants 108 from the oxygen level sensor 110. The first controller 114 may be configured to execute a first set of computer executable instructions stored in a first memory (not shown) to generate the output. The first controller 114 may be, but not limited to, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a development board, a digital signal processor, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the first controller 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, a working of the first controller 114 may be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first memory may be connected to the first controller 114. The first memory may be capable to store the first set of computer readable instructions executed by the first controller 114. In an embodiment of the present invention, non-limiting examples of the first memory may be a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random-Access Memory (RAM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a hard drive, a removable media drive for handling memory cards. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the first memory, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] The oxygen separation unit 104 may be connected to the oxygen collection unit 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen separation unit 104 may be configured to separate the liquid oxygen from the collected oxygenated air by using a fractional distillation process. The fractional distillation process may be explained in conjunction with FIG. 1B. Further, the oxygen accumulation unit 106 may be connected to the oxygen separation unit 104. The oxygen accumulation unit 106 may be configured to accumulate the separated liquid oxygen in a high-pressure oxygen cylinder 132 (hereinafter referred to as the oxygen cylinder 132) (as shown in the FIG.1B).
[0033] FIG. 1B illustrates a schematic representation of the apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 may comprise the air extraction pump 112 that may be configured to extract the oxygenated air from the plants 108 based on the sensed level of oxygen (as discussed above). In an embodiment of the present invention, the air extraction pump 112 may be provided with a handle 116 that may be pressed by the user to manually operate the air extraction pump 112. In an embodiment of the present invention, the handle 116 may be a squeeze handle that may be squeezed by the user to operate the air extraction pump 112. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus 100 may comprise a flow meter 118 that may be attached to a discharge pipe 120, to measure a flow rate of the oxygenated air passing through the discharge pipe 120. The flow meter 118 may be attached near to the air extraction pump 112, to obtain a reliable reading of the flow rate, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the discharge pipe 120 may be connected to a purification chamber 122 of the oxygen separation unit 104. The purification chamber 122 may be provided to receive the oxygenated air through the discharge pipe 120. Further, the oxygen separation unit 104 may comprise a compressor 124 that may be provided to compress the oxygenated air in order to increase a temperature of the oxygenated air. In an embodiment of the present invention, the oxygen separation unit 104 may further comprise a coolant 126 that may provide cooling to the oxygenated air for liquification. In such embodiment of the present invention, the coolant 126 may comprise a high energy refrigeration system and a liquid nitrogen to cool down the oxygenated air until the oxygenated air reaches a first pre-defined temperature and liquifies the oxygenated air. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first pre-defined temperature may be -200 degree Celsius. Further, the liquid air may undergo the process named as the fractional distillation process. The fractional distillation process may use different boiling points of main elements of the liquid air. As the liquid air is heated, the main elements of the liquid air may change from liquid to gas and separate from one another.
[0035] Further, in an embodiment of the preset invention, the oxygen separation unit 104 may comprise a filter 128 to remove dust and other contaminants from the air. In an embodiment of the present invention, the air may be cooled in stages until the air reaches a second pre-defined temperature. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second pre-defined temperature may be -79 degrees Celsius. At this point, a carbon dioxide gas may become solid and drop from the cooled air, leaving nitrogen, oxygen and argon in the air. Further, the air may be cooled until the air reaches a third pre-defined temperature of -200 degrees Celsius and liquifies the air.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the oxygen separation unit 104 may comprise a fractionating column 130 that may be configured to receive the liquid air. Further, a marginal amount of heat may be created at a bottom of the fractionating column 130 to increase the temperature of the liquid air. Upon heating, the nitrogen may be converted to gas and may rise to a top of the fractionating column 130 when the temperature reaches a fourth pre-defined temperature. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fourth pre-defined temperature may be -196 degree Celsius. In an embodiment of the present invention, a fifth pre-defined temperature may be maintained at the bottom of the fractionating column 130 so that the oxygen remains liquid. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fifth pre-defined temperature may be -183 degree Celsius. Further, the liquid oxygen may be pumped from the bottom of the fractionating column 130 into a separate fractionating column where a marginal amount of heat may be created to raise the temperature of the liquid oxygen. The temperature of the liquid oxygen may be raised to convert remaining elements such as, the argon into gas and separate the elements from the liquid oxygen. Further, the oxygen separation unit 104 may be configured to pump the pure liquid oxygen into the oxygen cylinder 132.
[0037] FIG. 1C illustrates the oxygen cylinder 132 of the apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen cylinder 132 may be a storage tank that may be capable to store the liquid oxygen. The oxygen cylinder 132 may be provided with a flow rate meter 134 that may be kept in a range of 3 Liters/minute to 4 Liters/minute to control a flow rate of the liquid oxygen to be delivered to a patient, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 1D illustrates a humidifier 136 of the apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The humidifier 136 may be attached to an output valve of the flow rate meter 134 to provide long-lasting moisture for the patients. The humidifier 136 may use only sterile water that may be distilled and replaced on daily basis.
[0039] FIG. 1E illustrates a delivery mask 138 of the apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The delivery mask 138 may be attached to an output valve of the humidifier 136 to supply the liquid oxygen from the oxygen cylinder 132 to the patient. The delivery mask 138 may be, but not limited to, a nebulizer mask, a venturi mask, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the delivery mask 138 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0040] FIG. 1F illustrates an irrigation unit 140 of the apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The irrigation unit 140 may be deployed to sprinkle water onto the plants 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. The irrigation unit 140 may comprise a moisture level sensor 142, a light sensor 144, a relay 146, a solenoid valve 148, lights 150, a power supply 152, and a second controller 154.
[0041] The moisture level sensor 142 may be deployed inside the plants 108, to sense a moisture level of the plants 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. The moisture level sensor 142 may be of any type such as, but not limited to, a tension meter, a volumetric, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the moisture level sensor 142 including known related art and/or later developed technologies. The moisture level sensor 142 may be connected to the second controller 154 to transmit the sensed moisture level to the second controller 154.
[0042] The light sensor 144 may be installed inside the plants 108 to measure an intensity of light falling on the plants 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. The light sensor 144 may be connected to the second controller 154 to transmit the sensed intensity of light to the second controller 154. The light sensor 144 may be, but not limited to, a photodiode, a phototransistor, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light sensor 144 may be a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) sensor. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the light sensor 144 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0043] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the relay 146 may be an electrical switch that may be electrically connected to the solenoid valve 148 and the lights 150 to control an operation of the solenoid valve 148 and the lights 150 based on the output generated by the second controller 154. The relay 146 may be, but not limited to, a coaxial relay, a latching relay, a multi-voltage relay, a force-guided contact relay, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the relay 146, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0044] The solenoid valve 148 may be activated to sprinkle the water onto the plants 108 based on the output generated by the second controller 154, in an embodiment of the present invention. The solenoid valve 148 may be 12 Volts (V) solenoid valve such as, but not limited to, a direct acting valve, a pilot operated valve, a two-way valve, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the solenoid valve 148, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0045] Further, the power supply 152 may be an electrical device that may be connected to the relay 146, the solenoid valve 148, the lights 150 and the second controller 154. The power supply 152 may be configured to supply an electrical power to the relay 146, the solenoid valve 148, the lights 150 and the second controller 154, in an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power supply 152 may be a battery that may be, but not limited to, a dry battery, a rechargeable battery, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the battery, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the power supply 152, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0046] The second controller 154 may be configured to receive the sensed moisture level and sensed intensity of light from the moisture level sensor 142 and the light sensor 144. The second controller 154 may be configured to execute a second set of computer executable instructions stored in a second memory to generate the output. The second controller 154 may be, but not limited to, the microcontroller, the microprocessor, the development board, the digital signal processor, and alike. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second controller 154 may be a NodeMCU. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the second controller 154, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, a working of the second controller 154 may be explained in conjunction with FIG. 3.
[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, the second controller 154 may be configured to transmit the sensed moisture level to a server (not shown) to keep track of a land condition of the plants 108. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the server may be an Adafruit IO server. In an embodiment of the present invention, a dashboard of the server may have buttons to manually turn on/off the solenoid valve 148 and the lights 150.
[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, the second memory may be connected to the second controller 154. The second memory may be capable to store the first set of computer readable instructions executed by the second controller 154. In an embodiment of the present invention, non-limiting examples of the second memory may be a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random-Access Memory (RAM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a hard drive, a removable media drive for handling memory cards. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the second memory, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates components of the first controller 114 of the oxygen collection unit 102 of the apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first controller 114 may comprise a data receiving module 200, a comparison module 202, and a pump control module 204.
[0050] The data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the sensed level of oxygen from the oxygen level sensor 110, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to transmit the sensed level of oxygen to the comparison module 202, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0051] The comparison module 202 may be configured to compare the sensed level of oxygen with a first pre-set oxygen level and a second pre-set oxygen level. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first pre-set oxygen level may be 60% and the second pre-set oxygen level may be 20%. The comparison module 202 may be configured to generate a pump activation signal, when the sensed level of oxygen exceeds the first pre-set oxygen level, in an embodiment of the present invention. The comparison module 202 may be configured to transmit the generated pump activation signal to the pump control module 204. In another embodiment of the present invention, the comparison module 202 may be configured to generate a pump deactivation signal, when the sensed level of oxygen is less than the second pre-set oxygen level. The comparison module 202 may be configured to transmit the generated pump deactivation signal to the pump control module 204.
[0052] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the comparison module 200 may be configured to enable the data receiving module 200 to continue receiving the sensed level of oxygen from the oxygen level sensor 110, when the sensed level of oxygen is less than the first pre-set oxygen level and greater than the second pre-set oxygen level.
[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pump control module 204 may be configured to activate the air extraction pump 112 to extract the oxygenated air from the plants 108 based on the received pump activation signal. In another embodiment of the present invention, the pump control module 204 may be configured to deactivate the air extraction pump 112 based on the received pump deactivation signal.
[0054] FIG. 3 illustrates components of the second controller 154 of the irrigation unit 140 of the apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The second controller 154 may comprise a data collection module 300, a data processing module 302, a valve control module 304, and a light control module 306.
[0055] The data collection module 300 may be configured to collect the sensed moisture level and the sensed intensity of light from the moisture level sensor 142 and the light sensor 144 respectively. The data collection module 300 may be configured to transmit the sensed moisture level and the sensed intensity of light to the data processing module 302.
[0056] The data processing module 302 may be configured to compare the sensed moisture level with a pre-defined moisture level. The data processing module 302 may be configured to generate a valve activation signal, when the sensed moisture level is less than the pre-defined moisture level, in an embodiment of the present invention. The data processing module 302 may be configured to transmit the generated valve activation signal to the valve control module 304. In another embodiment of the present invention, the data processing module 302 may be configured to enable the data collection module 300 to continue receiving the sensed moisture level from the moisture level sensor 142, when the sensed moisture level is more than or equal to the pre-defined moisture level.
[0057] The data processing module 302 may also be configured to compare the sensed intensity of light with a pre-defined intensity of light stored in the second memory. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data processing module 302 may be configured to generate a light activation signal, when the sensed intensity of light is not equal to the pre-defined intensity of light. In such embodiment of the present invention, the data processing module 302 may be configured to transmit the generated light activation signal to the light control module 306. In another embodiment of the present invention, the data processing module 302 may be configured to enable the data collection module 300 to continue receiving the sensed intensity of light from the light sensor 144, when the sensed intensity of light is equal to the pre-defined intensity of light.
[0058] In an embodiment of the present invention, the valve control module 304 may be configured to energize the relay 146 to supply the electrical power to the solenoid valve 148 based on the generated valve activation signal. The valve control module 304 may be configured to supply the electrical power to the solenoid valve 148 to sprinkle the water onto the plants 108.
[0059] In an embodiment of the present invention, the light control module 306 may be configured to energize the relay 146 to supply the electrical power to the lights 150 based on the generated light activation signal. The light control module 306 may be configured to energize the relay 146 to supply the electrical power to the lights 150 to throw some light onto the plants 108.
[0060] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a method 400 for generating the oxygen by using the apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] At step 402, the apparatus 100 may receive the sensed level of oxygen of the plants 108 from the oxygen level sensor 110.
[0062] At step 404, the apparatus 100 may compare the sensed level of oxygen with the first pre-set oxygen level. The method 400 may proceed to a step 406, when the sensed level of oxygen is less than the first pre-set oxygen level. Otherwise, the method 400 may proceed to a step 408.
[0063] At the step 406, the apparatus 100 may compare whether the sensed level of oxygen is less than the second pre-set oxygen level or not. The method 400 may proceed to a step 410, when the sensed level of oxygen is less than the second pre-set oxygen level. Otherwise, the method 400 may return to the step 402.
[0064] At the step 408, the apparatus 100 may activate the air extraction pump 112 to extract the oxygenated air from the plants 108.
[0065] At the step 410, the apparatus 100 may deactivate the air extraction pump 112 and may return to the step 402.
[0066] At step 412, the apparatus 100 may direct the extracted oxygenated air into the purification chamber 122.
[0067] At step 414, the apparatus 100 may separate the liquid oxygen from the oxygenated air by using the fractional distillation process.
[0068] At step 416, the apparatus 100 may accumulate the separated liquid oxygen in the oxygen cylinder 132.
[0069] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0070] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.