Abstract:
An intelligent canopy greenhouse control system is provided with two main brackets symmetrically arranged, each of which penetrates a curved tubular beam at its upper edge for the curved tubular beam&#39;s one end to protrude from each main bracket. Several small crossbeams are installed between two curved tubular beams for a reinforced structure. At least a louvered shutter is provided between two curved tubular beams and between two main brackets. A film is covered between two curved tubular beams, and steel sheets are freely connected to gaps between two main brackets and under the lower edges of two curved tubular beams for development of a first skeleton unit with gutters installed, around which a canopy greenhouse can be assembled with a plurality of first skeleton units.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an intelligent canopy greenhouse control system applicable to cultivation and production of fruit trees or vegetables at different latitudes, including temperate zones (cold in winter) and subtropical zones (hot in summer), as well as different seasons and various wind directions. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     As indispensible foods of human beings, plants are affected by critical conditions such as weather, water source, and soil, and may grow in greenhouses of different regions without influence of changeable weather. 
       FIG. 1  shows a conventional greenhouse A suitable for use in a temperate monsoon climate, manufactured with one high concrete wall A 1  facing a windward side and low concrete walls A 2 . The high concrete wall A 1  is equipped with thermal insulation A 11  inside, and the low concrete wall A 2  is provided with double-layer thermal insulation A 21  both inside and outside. An access A 5  is installed on one lateral concrete wall, and a steel skeleton A 3  is set up on top of the high concrete wall A 1 , which extends to the top of the low concrete walls A 2  and is covered with a plastic film A 4 . Therefore, a greenhouse A is developed according to this arrangement thereof. 
     However, a long time is spent in building the greenhouse A having a high concrete wall A 1  which is effective in resisting chilly wind, and plants in summer cannot grow inside the overheated greenhouse A, as there is no intake/vent installed except the single access A 5  for ventilation only. 
       FIG. 2  shows a conventional greenhouse B suitable for use in the subtropical monsoon climate, manufactured using hot-dip galvanized pipes B 1  as a skeleton, and covered with a plastic film B 2  on which there are several intakes/vents B 3  installed. However, hot air accumulates at the top of the greenhouse B but has nowhere to go because there is no skylight in the ceiling which opens. Installation of an extra mechanical ventilation system is necessary to control the temperature in such a greenhouse B, which increases energy consumption and has a high maintenance cost. 
     In view of the foregoing drawbacks to conventional greenhouses, the present invention provides an intelligent canopy greenhouse control system which can be quickly constructed at a low cost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principal object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent canopy greenhouse control system in which certain elements can be adjusted in compliance with different latitudes, seasons, and wind directions. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent canopy greenhouse control system which can be quickly constructed at a low cost. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent canopy greenhouse control system which can be further extended laterally and longitudinally according to environmental factors. 
     To this end, the intelligent canopy greenhouse control system of the present invention is provided with a plurality of main brackets which are symmetrically arranged, each of which penetrates to the upper edge of a curved tubular beam, wherein one end of the curved tubular beam protrudes from each main bracket. A plurality of small crossbeams are set up between two curved tubular beams to reinforce the structure of the system. At least one louvered shutter is set up between the two curved tubular beams and the two main brackets. A film covers the two curved tubular beams, and a steel sheet wraps over gaps of two main brackets or the lower edges of two curved tubular beams to become a first skeleton. A gutter is constructed at the edge of the first skeleton unit, and at least one first skeleton unit is assembled to construct the intelligent canopy greenhouse control system. 
     To achieve this purpose, the intelligent canopy greenhouse control system of the present invention comprises a first skeleton unit as discussed above, and a second skeleton unit installed beside the first skeleton unit. The second skeleton unit comprises two symmetrically arranged master brackets, each of which is connected to and penetrates one end of a curved tubular beam at its upper edge, so that one end of each curved tubular beam protrudes from one main bracket and the other end is coupled with one main bracket of the first skeleton unit. Several small crossbeams are installed between two curved tubular beams for development of a reinforced structure in which there is one film covered between two curved tubular beams and also steel sheets wrapped over gaps of the two main brackets or the lower edges of two curved tubular beams, so as to become a second skeleton. Therefore, a canopy greenhouse can be assembled by means of a plurality of first and second skeleton units. 
     In the intelligent canopy greenhouse control system, the main bracket is a quasi-L-shaped framework provided with a port at the top for connection of a bent extension component on which one steel sheet and one louvered shutter are mounted. 
     In the intelligent canopy greenhouse control system, the main bracket&#39;s middle segment is connected to a curved slanted strut which is coupled with one curved tubular beam at one end and provided with a gutter between the curved slanted strut and the main bracket. 
     In the intelligent canopy greenhouse control system, the louvered shutters are mounted between the main brackets of the first skeleton unit, and are connected to the middle-to-lower or middle-to-upper segments of the two main brackets. 
     In the said intelligent canopy greenhouse control system, the film could be a thin-film solar glass or plastic film. 
     In the said intelligent canopy greenhouse control system, the two curved tubular beams of the first skeleton unit have extended ends, which penetrate and protrude from the main brackets and are provided with a gutter and other ends vertically contacting the ground level. Two curved tubular beams are coupled with two louvered shutters, one of which is connected to one side of the curved tubular beams near the ground and equipped with a gutter at a joint of the louvered shutter&#39;s top. A film and the other louvered shutter are vertically connected near an apex of the curved tubular beams&#39; other side. 
     In the intelligent canopy greenhouse control system, the steel sheet could be a compound metal curtain steel sheet or a double-layer coated steel sheet. 
     In the intelligent canopy greenhouse control system, the steel sheets connected between two curved tubular beams of the first skeleton unit and lower edges of the second skeleton unit&#39;s curved tubular beams are further provided with side windows or side doors. 
     In the intelligent canopy greenhouse control system, a plurality of first skeleton units are assembled laterally. Each end of both of the curved tubular beams for one first skeleton unit penetrates and extends from two main brackets and is further coupled with a straight tubular beam separately. The other ends of the two straight tubular beams vertically contact the ground level for wind walls or windshields installed between two straight tubular beams. 
     In the intelligent canopy greenhouse control system with a first skeleton unit and several second skeleton units assembled longitudinally, each end of the last curved tubular beam of the second skeleton unit penetrates and extends from two main brackets and is further coupled with a straight tubular beam separately. The other ends of two straight tubular beams vertically contact the ground level for wind walls or windshields installed between two straight tubular beams. 
     In the intelligent canopy greenhouse control system, the small crossbeams installed between the two curved tubular beams of the first skeleton unit or the two curved tubular beams of the second skeleton unit are further coupled with a funnel cap for introduction of wind, on which there are two oppositely arranged vents with tubes extended from their base. 
     In the intelligent canopy greenhouse control system, the canopy greenhouse composed of a plurality of first skeleton units or the canopy greenhouse composed of a plurality of first and second skeleton units is developed to be an automatic environmental adjustment/control system in which there is a LED light-compensation system, sunshades, a micro-infiltrating irrigation system, a sprayer &amp; cooling system, a CO 2  adjustment system and a sensor system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a conventional greenhouse in a temperate monsoon climate. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a conventional greenhouse in a subtropical monsoon climate. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates another perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention, from another viewpoint. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a wind direction in summer of the subtropical monsoon climate for the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a wind direction in winter of the subtropical monsoon climate for the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another application of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a wind direction in summer of the temperate monsoon climate for the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a wind direction in winter of the temperate monsoon climate for the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a lateral assembly of the first embodiment in the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a side view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a longitudinal assembly of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a longitudinal and lateral assembly of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention with other systems incorporated. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIGS. 3 and 3A  illustrate an intelligent canopy greenhouse control system of the present invention which comprises a first skeleton unit  1  with two quasi-L-shaped main brackets  11 , each of which has a port on its top end for connection of a bended extension part  111 . Two louvered shutters  142 ,  143  and a steel sheet  15  installed on two extension parts  111  are provided, wherein two louvered shutters  142 ,  143  are oppositely arranged with a steel sheet covered over a small gap in between. A steel sheet  151  and a louvered shutter  14  ( FIG. 5 ) are installed between two main brackets  11 , wherein the louvered shutter  14  is located at middle-to-lower segments of the main brackets  11 . An upward curved slanted strut  112  is connected to the middle segment of the master bracket  11 . A gutter  161  is installed at the joint of the upward curved slanted strut  112  and the main bracket  11  ( FIG. 4A ). An extension segment  121  extends from one end of a curved tubular beam  12  penetrating the upper part of the main bracket  11 , is connected to the upward curved slanted strut  112  on the main bracket  11 , and is coupled with the gutter  16  at the edge. Equidistant small crossbeams are mounted between two curved tubular beams  12  for a reinforced structure wherein the first small crossbeam  122  near the ground level is coupled with the gutter  16  and the louvered shutter  141 . A film  13  covers from a front small crossbeam  122  to a rear small crossbeam  123 , which is between two curved tubular beams  12 , and on the extension segment  121 . The rear small crossbeam  123  is coupled with the other end of a louvered shutter  142  and the film  13  is manufactured with thin-film solar glass (in this embodiment) or plastic film. Steel sheets  152  as walls are developed from lower edges of two curved tubular beams  12  and provided with windows  18  and door planks  19 . 
     The descriptions hereinafter are the present invention erected in a subtropical monsoon climate and allowing its film  13  to face windward in summer.  FIG. 4A  illustrates opened louvered shutters  14 ,  141 ,  142  and  143 , wherein the louvered shutters  141 ,  142  are wind-driven intakes (louvered shutter  141  is a gravity intake without wind flowing). Also, the louvered shutters  14 ,  143  are wind-driven vents (louvered shutter  143  is a gravity intake without wind flowing). The film  13  and the steel sheet  15  on extension parts  111  are effective in guiding wind toward the vents, accelerating discharge of the interior hot air from the louvered shutter  143 , and introducing outdoor air from the louvered shutters  14 ,  141  for higher gravity ventilation efficiency, ventilation frequency and better wind-driven ventilation efficiency at a lower layer due to the opposite louvered shutters  14 ,  141 . 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates the louvered shutter  141 ,  142  and  143  opened and the louvered shutter  14  closed in winter. Because the louvered shutter  141  is a gravity intake, wind is guided toward the vents by the extension segments  121  of two curved tubular beams  12  and the steel sheet  151  accelerates discharge of the interior hot air from the louvered shutter  142  and introduction of the outdoor air from the louvered shutter  141  for higher ventilation efficiency. Cold air is not directly absorbed indoors nor is interior temperature suddenly reduced, which could adversely affect growth of plants. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment different from  FIG. 2 , in which the louvered shutter  14  is installed on the middle-to-upper segments of main brackets  11 . A funnel cap  17  is installed between the rear small crossbeam  123  linking two curved tubular beams  12  and the main brackets  11 , and is provided with two-way vents, a large orifice  171  and a small orifice  172 . The large orifice  171  is equipped with a wind vane  174  and the funnel cap  17  is extended downward to develop an air refreshing tube  173 . The structure erected in a temperate monsoon climate is intended for the film  13  to face windward a summer monsoon.  FIG. 6  illustrates the louvered shutters  14  and  141  being opened (louvered shutter  141  as a wind-driven intake or gravity intake without wind flowing; louvered shutter  14  as a wind-driven vent). The wind vane  174  on the funnel cap  17  turns due to flowing wind and allows the small orifice  172  (the large orifice  171 ) to always face windward (leeward). The film  13  guides wind to be absorbed from the small orifice  172  and blow downward along an air refreshing tube  173  for air flow to be transferred to the bottom of the greenhouse, and louvered shutters  141  and  14  are set up along a diagonal to reduce dead space and increase ventilation efficiency indoors. 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates louvered shutters  14  and  141  being closed in winter, large and small orifices  171  and  172  of the funnel cap  17  working as a gravity intake and a vent separately, so as to allow cold air absorbed into the greenhouse  1  to be heated by hot air which will be discharged. Also, the steel sheet  151  resists cold wind in winter. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates multiple first skeleton units  1  to increase a windward area and promote a ventilation rate in summer. In this embodiment, there are three first skeleton units  1  side by side wherein the steel sheets  152  are not connected to two curved tubular beams  12  of the central first skeleton unit  1  but instead to curved tubular beams  12  of other two first skeleton units  1  on both sides for development of a greenhouse structure with a high ventilation rate. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the second embodiment of the present invention comprises the first skeleton unit  1  and the second skeleton unit  2 , wherein the former is identical to that of the first embodiment and not repeatedly described hereinafter. The second skeleton unit  2  comprises two quasi-L-shaped master brackets  21 , each of which is equipped with a port  211  at the top, and two curved tubular beams  22 . Each of the two curved tubular beams  22  has one end penetrating the top of a main bracket  21  to develop an extension segment  221  further coupled with a straight tubular beam  24  for a wind wall or a windshield installed between two straight tubular beams  24 , and has the other free end connected to the medium segment of one main bracket  11  on the first skeleton unit  1  and provided with a gutter  261  at the joint. Equidistant small crossbeams  222  are installed between two curved tubular beams  22  for a reinforced structure. A funnel cap  17  is installed between a rear small crossbeam  222  and main brackets  21  and comprises two-way vents, a large orifice  171 , and a small orifice  172 , wherein the small orifice  172  is equipped with an extended tube  173  and the large orifice  171  is provided with a wind vane  174 . A film  23  is covered between two curved tubular beams  22  from front to back wherein the film  23  could be solar membrane glass (in this embodiment) or plastic film. Steel sheets  25  as walls are developed from lower edges of two curved tubular beams  22  and provided with windows  18  and door planks  19 . 
     In addition, the gradient of a master bracket  11  on the first skeleton unit  1  or a main bracket  21  on the second skeleton unit  2  in the present invention is developed by an algorithm.  FIG. 8  illustrates the present invention erected in Harbin (Latitudes from 44° 04′ to 46° 40′; solar elevation angle at noon in summer: 68.5°; solar elevation angle at noon in winner: 21.5°) wherein both the film  13  covered between two curved tubular beams  12  of the first skeleton unit  1  and the film  23  covered between two curved tubular beams  22  of the second skeleton unit are southward and manufactured with solar membrane glass for increased sunshine hours. Effective incident angles of sunlight and power are stably supplied in summer or winter. Gradients of main brackets  11 ,  21  are parallel to incident angles of sunlight in summer, which results in sunshine hours of the second skeleton unit  2  not being affected by main brackets  11  of the first skeleton unit  1 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a first skeleton unit  1  and several second skeleton units  2  (two second skeleton units  2  in this embodiment) which are arranged from front to back. Two main brackets  11  of the first skeleton unit  1  are not connected to the steel sheet  151 . the second skeleton units  2  are arranged in front of the first skeleton unit  1 , and the free ends of two curved tubular beams  22  on one second skeleton unit  2  are coupled with main brackets  11  on the first skeleton unit  1  for both the first skeleton unit  1  and the second skeleton units  2  connected one another. The free ends of two curved tubular beams  22  on one second skeleton unit  2  are coupled with main brackets  21  on the other second skeleton unit  2 . The extension segment  221  is coupled with a straight tubular beam  24  for wind walls or windshields installed between two straight tubular beams  24 . Steel sheets  152 ,  25  are mounted around the first skeleton unit  1  and two second skeleton units  2 . Therefore, a windward area in winter of a temperate zone is reduced to match a structure of one greenhouse for ventilation rates. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates several first skeleton units  1  and a second skeleton unit  2  combined to become a greenhouse matching a required size as shown in  FIG. 7 . Furthermore, the present invention is also provided with other systems for a collective application.  FIG. 11  illustrates a greenhouse in the present invention being equipped with a LED light-compensation system  3 , a micro-infiltrating irrigation system  4 , a sprayer and cooling system  5 , a CO 2  adjustment system  6 , and a sensor system  7  for the greenhouse developed as an automatic environmental adjustment/control system and plants growing under best conditions. 
     It must be emphasized that the said disclosures demonstrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention only and cannot be used to restrict other embodiments of the present invention. Any significant change or adjustment made by any person skilled in the art should be still referred to as the essence content of the present invention.