APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY WATERING PLANTS

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically watering plants, comprising a fluid tight reservoir (1) containing a substrate (2) onto which the plants (3,4,5) are positioned, means to apply fluid to said plants and means to receive the not directly absorbed fluid and conduct said fluid to a measuring reservoir. Analog level detectors (13) are used to generate level proportional signals to a processor (22) in which these signals are compared with reference signals to generate control signals to said means for applying fluid.

Description: The invention relates to an apparatus for automatically watering plants, comprising: a fluid tight reservoir containing a substrate onto which the plants are positioned; a gutter running underneath said reservoir in open communication with the bottom of said reservoir, whereby within said gutter and at least on a part of the bottom of the reservoir a fluid absorbing matting is installed; an analog measuring means for measuring the amount of consumed fluid; a conduit system, connected through a pump to a fluid reservoir and comprising a fluid dispensing orifice for each of said plants; a processor receiving during operation analog signals generated by said analog measuring means and supplying in response thereto control signals to said pump. An apparatus of this type is described in the Dutch patent application NL-A-8303579. Therein the analog measuring means are embodied as analog weight measuring means destined to continuously measure the weight of a potted plant and to generate a thereto related signal which signal is supplied to a processor which in response thereto supplies control signals to the pump. The use of analog weight measuring means for measuring the weight of a potted plant has various disadvantages. The weight of the potted plant and of the fluid therein will not only vary dependent on the amount of fluid supplied, but will also vary because the plant will grow, because fruits, leaves, flowers, and other parts of the plant will be harvested, because pruning or cutting operations are carried out to the plant, or because for instance tools or other materials are left behind on the pot. Furthermore movements of the plant, caused for instance by ventilation, may lead to disturbing variations in the generated signal. As a result thereof it is very difficult to obtain information about the way in which the plants react on the fluid supply. An object of the invention is now to indicate in which way an accurate measuring signal can be generated, which is not influenced by the growth of the plant, by operations carried out to the plants or other weight disturbing factors, from which signal in a direct manner the water consumption or the activity of the plants, grown with the aid of the apparatus, can be determined without the disturbing parameters playing an important role in the prior art. In agreement with this object the invention provides an apparatus of the type indicated above, which is characterized in that the analog measuring means are embodied as analog fluid level measuring means and are installed in a measuring reservoir which has an open communication with said gutter, adjustment means are present for supplying at least reference signals determining a maximum level and a minimum level to said processor, whereby during operation the analog level measuring means generate analog signals proportional to the variation of the fluid level in said measuring reservoir and the processor compares the output signal of the level measuring means or a signal derived therefrom with the reference signals to start operation of the pump in case one predetermined signal combination is detected and stop the operation of the pump in case another predetermined signal combination is detected. It is remarked that the Dutch patent application NL-A-8303579 describes another embodiment comprising a measuring reservoir which has an open communication with said gutter and in which mechanically height adjustable level probes are installed for detecting a maximum and minimum level within said reservoir. As soon as one of these levels is reached a signal is generated to activate or deactivate the pump. In practice it is proven that the adjustment of such discrete level probes is rather difficult. Because said level probes are only supplying signals at two very specific fluid levels and do not generate signals if the water level is in between the maximum or minimum level it is hardly possible to obtain any information about the behavior of the plants and especially in the way in which the plants respond to any supply of water. By using analog measuring means delivering an analog signal and by a suitable processing of this analog signal a better understanding can be obtained about the evaporation of the plants, which for a grower is often a vital piece of information. In this respect a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the processor generates an output signal, related to the derivative of the level measuring means signal, which output signal can be used for controlling systems for influencing the environmental climat, such as systems for heating, ventilation, illumination, CO₂-dosing, sunlight- or energy screening, air humidity control. More in general the level measuring means signal as well as the derivative thereof can be used in a suitably programmed computer to generate on the basis thereof control signals for controlling the functioning of various types of climat control devices. A further embodiment is characterized in that the processor comprises means or software to determine the derivative of the level measuring means signal and therewith the velocity with which the fluid level in the measuring reservoir changes, to control the operation of the pump therewith. Based on the determined velocity conclusions can be drawn about the evaporation of the plant. On the basis of the measured velocity furthermore start- and stop signals for the pump can be generated. In such an embodiment the evaporation velocity is therefor the major criterium for the pump control and not the actual level of the measuring reservoir. The above-mentioned adjustment means may for instance comprise accurately adjustable potentiometers, thumb wheel switches, a digital keyboard etc., by means of which on the one hand in a very user friendly way and on the other hand also in a very accurate way signals, related to the minimum level and to the maximum level, can be delivered to the processor. Compared with the prior art apparatus the ease of operation and the comfort for the grower is enhanced significantly. Furthermore, thanks to the very simple operation a significant time saving is obtained. Further advantage of the apparatus according to the invention follows from the fact that the variation of the level in the measuring reservoir is in fact registered continuously by the analog level measuring means. If the level variations are visualised as function of time, than the grower is able to derive therefrom directly very interesting and very useful data. Therefore a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the processor is coupled to display means onto which the variation of the level measuring means signal and therewith the variation of the fluid level in the measuring reservoir as function of time can be visualised. Especially the angle of the slopes in the signal curve as the signal varies between a maximum and a minimum or vice versa provides important information about the velocity with which the fluid is absorbed by the plant or evaporated thereby and may eventually lead to further measures taken by the grower. In this respect a preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the measuring reservoir comprises a discharge channel containing a processor controlled valve, which valve is opened or closed by the processor in case predetermined levels are reached. After a lapse of time a deposit of salts will be formed in the matting which should be removed during a so-called overdrain procedure known to the expert in this field. In this respect a specific embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the apparatus can be used in an overdrain mode in which during a predetermined time period the maximum level signal is neglected so that the level in the measuring reservoir will rise to a predetermined further level at which the discharge valve is opened, causing the discharge of fluid until at another further level the discharge valve is closed, which opening and closing of the discharge valve can be repeated a number of times until the overdrain mode is ended, whereby the processor or computer is suitable programmed for calculating the amount of drained fluid based on the variations in the level measuring means signal as function of time. The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 shows schematically a general view of the main components of the apparatus according to the invention. Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view through the reservoir and through the gutter forming part of the apparatus according to the invention. Figure 3 illustrates an example of the way in which the level measuring means signal varies. Figure 4 illustrates in a diagram the relation between the sunlight radiation and the water level. Figure 5 provides more details about the analog level measuring means. Figure 6 illlustrates a multiplex configuration, in which a number of apparatuses according to the invention are combined with one single processor. In figure 1 an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is shown in a more detailed manner. The apparatus comprises a fluid tight reservoir 1 with therein a substrate 2 onto which the plants (in this example three plants are indicated by 3, 4 and 5) are positioned each in a separate pot, respectively indicated by 6, 7 and 8. The growing of plants on a substrate is a technology which is considered as known to the expert in this field and will not be discussed in detail. As appears furthermore from figure 2, in which a cross-sectional view through the reservoir 1 is illustrated, a gutter 10 is installed underneath the reservoir 1 such, that the there is an open communication path between a slot in the bottom of the reservoir 1 to which the gutter 10 closely fits and the gutter itself. Within the gutter and onto the bottom wall of the reservoir 1 a matting consisting of fluid absorbing material or a material with capillary action, is installed. This material is indicated by the reference number 11. At one end of the gutter a measuring reservoir 12 is installed having an open communication connection with the gutter as appears from figure 1. In this measuring reservoir an analog level probe 13 is positioned which through a suitable conduit 14 is connected to the level measuring unit 15. The measuring unit 15 supplies output signals to the computer 22 which in this example execute the function of the processor. In the usual manner the computer 22 comprises a display screen 16 and a keyboard 17 as well as a central processing unit. At the lower end of the measuring reservoir 12 a discharge pipe 18 is connected in which a remotely controllable valve 19 is installed, which valve can be operated through line 23 by means of a signal generated by the computer 22. Furthermore a separate alarm probe 20 is positioned in the measuring reservoir and connected through a suitable line 21 to the computer 22. This alarm probe only delivers a signal in case the fluid level in the measuring reservoir descends underneath an abnormal low value. The operation of the circuit illustrated in the figures 1 and 2 will be discussed in more detail with reference to figure 3. In figure 3 the variation of the output signal of the analog level probe 13 over a period of 24 hours as function of the time is shown. Along the vertical axis the water level is indicated in percentages. The 0% level as well as the 100% level in the measuring reservoir can be selected in an arbitrary way as will be discussed hereinafter. As appears from figure 3 the pump was switched on in the morning at ± 7.00 hours and water was supplied until the maximum level was reached. It is remarked that during the night all fluid was absorbed from the substrate and from the absorbing matting or was evaporated and that the level in the measuring reservoir was lowered until 0%. After reaching the maximum level, in this case adjusted to 70%, the pump was stopped and the supply of water was at least for the time being ended. The plants require, as appears from the first rather broad peak in the diagram, apparently some time to adapt themselves to the new situation, however, thereafter they start absorbing the water resulting into a gradual lowering of the water level until 55%, corresponding to the adjusted minimum level. After reaching this minimum level the pump is reactivated and again drop by drop fluid is added until the water level again reaches the maximum of 70%. Directly after the reactivation of the pump the ascending fluid flow in the absorbing matter 11 will have to be compensated before the level in the measuring reservoir will rise again. This appears also from the short horizontal sections in the curve of figure 3. This cyclic process is continued during the day until at ± 18.00 hours the last fluid drops are delivered whereafter the level is allowed to descend even underneath the minimum level to create therewith a favourable situation for the night. As appears from figure 3 the velocity with which the fluid evaporates respectively is absorbed by the plant during the morning increases whereafter the velocity obtains a rather stable character. The computer 22 is preferably programmed such, that from the input signal, received from the level probe 13, the slope is determined between its maximum and its minimum (70%, respectively 55%), which slope is directly related to the velocity with which the water level in the measuring reservoir varies. Furthermore, the computer can be programmed such that with a velocity which is too high or too low (to be determined separately for ascending and descending parts of the curve an alarm signal is generated. The velocity differences may be caused (at least partly by climatological changes during the day). One of the factors playing a role thereby is the sunlight radiation. As appears from figure 4 an increasing sunlight radiation results into an increasing evaporation which becomes evident from a faster descending level curve between a maximum and the adjacent minimum. Based on the momentary slope angle, which can be determined for instance by the computer 22 the grower is now able to take decisions about opening or closing windows, lowering or rising the temperature and if necessary adapting the humidity. This slope angle can be made visible on the screen of the computer, however, it is also possible to directly generate a control signal for instance to a mechanism for controlling the windows or to a climat control device in which this signal is processed as one of an eventual larger number of detection signals. In figure 4 the slope angle of the curve is measured continuously. The slope indicated by b caused by the peak a in the sunlight radiation, initiated the computer to activate the pump already before the minimum level was obtained. Above the attention is drawn to the fact that the apparatus according to the invention uses an analog level measuring device. Although one could think of a simple floating body coupled to a position-voltage-converter such as a potentiometer or a similar device, it is preferred to use an embodiment without any moving parts. A possible embodiment is schematically illustrated in figure 5. In this figure a cross-section is shown through a part of the reservoir 1 with the gutter 10 and the thereto connected measuring reservoir 12. Furthermore in this figure the discharge valve 19 and the discharge channel 18 are illustrated. In the measuring reservoir a pipe 30 is installed, the upper end of which in an air tight manner connected to an air conduit 21. The other end of this air conduit is air tight connected to a pressure sensitive sensor 24. Such sensors are commercially available in various embodiments and do not require any explanation. Through the electrical wiring 25 the output signal of the sensor 24 is supplied to a level measuring circuit (15 in figure 1) with which the output signal of the sensor 24 is converted into a signal suitable for reception by the computer 22. The 0% level in this embodiment is selected arbitrarily by the lower end of the pipe 30, which lower end is furthermore positioned underneath the lowest level of the gutter 10, so that the analog level detector can be calibrated easily. If fluid is poured into the initially empty measuring reservoir then the output signal of the pressure sensor will not show any change until the moment the 0% level is reached. At that moment the volume of air within the pipe 30 and within the conduit 21 is closed by the fluid and each further rise of the fluid level in the actual measuring reservoir will result into a pressure increase in this closed volume of air resulting into a thereto corresponding output signal of the pressure sensor 22. The 100% level can be calibrated once very simply for instance at the level of the bottom of the reservoir 1. The output signal of the pressure sensor, corresponding to this level, is assigned to the 100% level and the intermediate variation of the signal can be stored into the memory of the computer as a calibration curve. Therewith the apparatus is ready for use. By means of the keyboard the grower is able to input very simply percentage values for a selected minimum and maximum level into the computer. During operation in the computer continuously the output signal of the pressure sensor 22 is compared to these maximum and minimum values and if one of these limit levels is reached the pump is switched on or is switched off. If for one reason or another the level in the measuring reservoir would descend until the alarm probe 20 becomes free, then the resulting signal therefrom is processed by the computer into a suitable alarm signal. If on the other hand for one reason or another the level in the measuring reservoir would ascend above a predetermined limit value, for instance 75% in figure 3, then the computer has the ability to open a valve 19 until a predetermined lower level is reached at which level the valve 19 is closed again. In a plant growing firm in general a number of such apparatuses will be used alongside each other, either for the same type of plants or for different type of plants per apparatus. It is not necessary to duplicate the whole system each time. The computer can be used in multiplex configuration for controlling a large number of such apparatuses. Figure 6 illustrates an example of a system comprising two units as schematically indicated in figure 1, connected through a multiplexer to a central computer. Each of the separate units has two output lines and one input line, more specifically an output line 21a, 21b for the alarm probe, an output line 27a, 27b for the level detection circuit and an input line 23a, 23b for controlling the discharge valve 19. Between the computer 22 and the multiplexer 26 corresponding lines 21c, 27c and 23c are installed. The function of the multiplexer 26 is controlled through a line 28 by the computer. The functioning of multiplex systems is regarded as within the knowlegde of the expert in this field and will not be discussed in detail therefore. It will be clear that such a multiplex system is able to control a large number of separate apparatuses each with own parameters in a very comfortable and easy way by the grower. Data of each of these separate apparatuses can be stored in a memory and, selected by the user, visualised onto the screen. It will furthermore be clear, that dependent on the used computer, it is not necessary under all circumstances to use a separate multiplexer 26. Many computers have an integrally built in mulplexer function.

Claims: Apparatus for automatically watering plants (3, 4, 5), comprising: a fluid tight reservoir (1) containing a substrate (2) onto which the plants (3, 4, 5) are positioned; a gutter (10) running underneath said reservoir (1) in open communication with the bottom of said reservoir, whereby within said gutter (10) and at least on a part of the bottom of the reservoir (1) a fluid absorbing matting (11) is installed; an analog measuring means (13) for measuring the amount of consumed fluid; a conduit system, connected through a pump to a fluid reservoir and comprising a fluid dispensing orifice for each of said plants; a processor (16, 17, 22) receiving during operation analog signals -generated by said analog measuring means and supplying in response thereto control signals to said pump, characterized in that the analog measuring means are embodied as analog fluid level measuring means (13) and are installed in a measuring reservoir (12) which has an open communication with said gutter (10), adjustment means (17) are present for supplying at least reference signals determining a maximum level and a minimum level to said processor (22), whereby during operation the analog level measuring means generate analog signals proportional to the variation of the fluid level in said measuring reservoir and the processor compares the output signal of the level measuring means or a signal derived therefrom with the reference signals to start operation of the pump in case one predetermined signal combination is detected and stop the operation of the pump in case another predetermined signal combination is detected. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor (22) generates an output signal, related to the derivative of the level measuring means signal, which output signal can be used for controlling systems for influencing the environmental climate, such as systems for heating, ventilation, illumination, CO₂-dosing, sunlight- or energy screening, air humidity control. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor (22) generates an output signal related to the derivative of the level measuring means signal, which output signal during operation of the apparatus will be supplied to a further processor which further processor is programmed to control systems for influencing the environmental climate. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that both processors are combined in one suitably programmed computer. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processor or computer comprises means or software to determine the derivative of the level measuring means signal and therewith the velocity with which the fluid level in the measuring reservoir (12) changes, to control the operation of the pump therewith. Apparatus according to one of the claims 2-5, characterized in that the processor or computer compares the level measuring means signal with the reference signals to switch off the pump when the maximum level is reached and to switch on the pump when the minimum level is reached. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processor or computer is coupled to display means (16) onto which the variation of the level measuring means signal and therewith the variation of the fluid level in the measuring reservoir (12) as function of time can be visualized. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring reservoir comprises a discharge channel (18) containing a processor or computer controlled valve (19), which valve is opened or closed by the processor in case predetermined levels are reached. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the apparatus can be used in an overdrain mode in which during a predetermined time period the maximum level signal is neglected so that the level in the measuring reservoir (12) will rise to a predetermined further level at which the discharge valve (19) is opened, causing the discharge of fluid until at another further level the discharge valve (19) is closed, which opening and closing of the discharge valve (19) can be repeated a number of times until the overdrain mode is ended, whereby the processor or computer is suitably programmed for calculating the amount of drained fluid based on the variations in the level measuring means signal as function of time.

Inventors: BENTVELSEN, GERARDUS JOSEPHUS
Applicants: INNOCOM (I.T.) B.V.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A01G27
IPC codes: A01G27