Patent Publication Number: US-2017354100-A1

Title: Safety Grow Pod

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a self-contained growing pod for use within commercial and residential structures. The invention more particularly relates to growing pods having unique safety and water reclamation features. 
     Grow pods are artificially controllable environments for growing plants. Grow pods have been known to contain a variety of electrical components. The purpose of a grow pod is to cultivate plants, which need water. The combination of the electronic components, heat generated from the electronic components and water create a substantial risk for fires. 
     All of the water necessary for plant growth must be supplied to the grow pod. Grey water is created from several sources the HVAC and Dehumidification systems produce grey water that is relatively pure. The grey water produced from the run off from watering the plants contains waste from the plants in the form of salts and extra nutrients that the plants did not absorb. The grey water is often drained to waste creating high water and sewer costs. 
     SUMMARY 
     A safety grow pod embodying the principles of the present invention comprises a container having vertical sidewalls, a top wall and a base which define a growing or drying chamber. The container may safely be used inside other structures because of its fire safety features including a sprinkler system have a sprinkler head coupled to a water supply line; a sensor mounted within the container that communicates directly with an output devise to activate or deactivate liquid flow to the supply line and sprinkler head, as a further benefit the data from the sensor may be sent to a remote user. 
     The container&#39;s climate is optimized for plant growth by climate control system which distributes air of a specific temperature to the interior of the container, and removes air from the container, the system has at least one supply and one return for this purpose. The climate control system is managed by a control system with sensors, controllers, output devices, and user interfaces. It can be monitored and controlled remotely. The climate control system further controls the climate with a dehumidifier integrated within the system. 
     A safety grow pod includes a reclamation system having reservoirs and pumps for reusing grey water, the water reclamation system has a control system with sensors; a controller; an output device; and a user interface. The sensors and pumps are located within each of the reservoir for communicating measurements of a liquid such as PH, PPM to the controller. The controller processes communications from the sensor relaying information to output device for activating or deactivating the pumps. The effect is that the plant runoff liquid may be reused in combination with the greywater from the climate control system in the feeding reservoir for reuse as plant food and water. The control system effectuates the transfer of liquid between the reservoirs via the pump according to parameters set by the operator. 
     In some embodiments, the sidewall and the top wall are double-walled insulated panels with metal panels sandwiching insulation material having a flame spread of less than 25. The frame supporting the walls is made of a material having a flame spread of less than 25. These materials increase the fire safety of the pod. 
     In some embodiments, the safety grow pod has a security system which includes a door that is operated and locked electronically so that access can be controlled and monitored. A security camera may be located exterior or interior to the grow pod and integrated within the control system for remote monitoring of the grow pod. 
     In some embodiments, the safety grow pod may be used for drying and curing plants. This is accomplished by using the container&#39;s climate control system with the addition of a humidifier to optimize temperature and humidity according to the product requirements. In addition, the plants are mounted to a conveyor with a track and plant mount for easy of mounting an removing plants. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  2-D cross-section view of an embodiment of a safety grow pod. 
         FIG. 2A  front view of an embodiment of a safety grow pod highlighting an embodiment of the exterior portion of the climate control system. 
         FIG. 3  An isometric view of an embodiment of the exterior of the safety grow pod. 
         FIG. 4  A diagram illustrating the grey water reclamation system of the safety grow pod. 
         FIG. 5  An isometric view illustrating a version of the safety grow pod frame. 
         FIG. 6  An isometric view illustrating components the plant drying system. 
         FIG. 7  An isometric view of an embodiment of the plant drying system, one or more side walls are not shown for illustrative purposes. 
         FIG. 8  A top view of a version of a plant drying conveyor. 
         FIG. 9  A front partial view of the interior of the safety pod configured with a two-room plant drying system. 
         FIG. 10  An isometric view of the safety grow pod illustrating the security system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention as illustrated is a self contained module for growing plants, conveniently named a grow pod. The grow pod is comprised of a series of systems that allow for safe and efficient growing of plants in a secondary structure, such as a house, garage, barn or other structure allowing for the housing of the grow pod. 
       FIGS. 1-3  depict a safety grow pod in accordance with the invention, for safely growing plants in a container  10 , comprising at least one substantially vertical side wall  4 , a top wall  3  and a base  5 . The sidewalls  4 , the top wall  3  and base  5  are constructed of material that has a flame spread rating of less than 25 and a smoke spread rating of less than 450. In a preferred embodiment, the sidewall  4 , the top wall  3  and base  5  are constructed of insulation with paneling on either side creating a double wall with insulation inbetween. In one embodiment, the double wall consists of a 26, 24, or 22-inch Galvanized Steel Inverted Rib Aluminum Zinc pre-painted steel panels and the insulation core of the panels consists of mineral and wool. The walls and base have a high r value ranging from 31-49, stabilizing the temperature within the container and saving on energy costs. The container  10  has a door  9  for access into the container  10 . The container  10  has dimensions within the following range 6′-60′×6′-60′×8′-18′ (length×width×height). The dimensions are measured in feet. The container  10  is configurable and scalable. The preferred dimensions of the container are 6×6×12; 20×20×12; and 40×40×12. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the frame  15  is built according to building code. In a preferred embodiment, the frame is constructed of material that has a flame spread rating of less than 25. The container  10  is constructed by building the frame  15  as the structural support for the container  10  a door. The sidewalls  4 , the top wall  3  and base  5  are assembled around the the frame. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the sidewalls  4 , the top wall  3  and base  5  are modular tongue and groove cold storage panels with the above specified r-values and fire rating. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the safety grow pod comprises a sprinkler system. The container  10  has port to accommodate a sprinkler supply line  1 . The supply line  1  ranges in size from 0.5 inches to 3 inches. In the preferred embodiment, the supply line  1  is one-inch. The water supply line  1  is attached to a fire sprinkler head  2  at one end, the other end is attached to a water supply. The water supply line  1  varies in size based on the size of the system and the pressure of available water. The opening with the supply line  1  is sealed to prevent air, light or gas to substantially pass through the opening. The container  10  may have more than one sprinkler head  2 . The number of sprinkler heads  2  will be calculated and determined based on the size of the container  10 . A sensor  6  is mounted within the container for detecting smoke and/or carbon monoxide. The sensor  6  is integrated within a control system additionally comprising a controller  35 ; an output device [maybe integrated within a pump  33 , or the hot and cold distribution unit  7 ]; and a user interface  34 . The controller  35  and the user interface  34  are utilized across all systems for setting and implementing the parameters within the container  10 . When the sprinkler system is integrated with the control system, alerts may be sent to an operator in a remote location. In response, the user is able to activate various systems within the container  10 , to mediate potential damage from a fire, such as shut off air supply and ensure the sprinkler system is activated. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor  6  communicates to a controller  35  (such as a computer processor) via Bluetooth, hardwire, or wifi, the controller  35  in accordance with preset parameters activates or deactivates liquid flow to the supply line  1  and sprinkler head  2 . 
     The climate control system though integrated with the control system, which comprises a controller  35 , an output device [maybe integrated within a pump  33 , or the hot and cold distribution unit  7 ], a user interface  34  and a sensor  6 , is different in that the climate control system, which also contains at least one supply  11  and at least one return  8  defined in the container, a hot and cold distribution unit  7  mounted to the exterior of the container and a dehumidifier  26 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 , the hot and cold distribution unit  7 , such as a variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) unit is mounted to the top wall  3 . The hot and cold distribution unit  7  is plummed to the supply  11  and return  8  with, for example, 4-18-inch PVC pipe. In the preferred embodiment, the supply  11  is integrated into lower portion of the sidewall  4  for supplying air into the container  10 . The return  8  integrated into the upper portion of the sidewall  4 , on the opposite sidewall  4 . The return  8  removes air from the container  10 . 
     At least one climate sensor  6 , for example, a HVAC automated control sensor is mounted within the container  10 . The sensor  6  is integrated within the control system. The control system comprising a controller  35 ; an output device [maybe integrated within the hot and cold distribution unit  7 ]; and a user interface  34 . The sensor  6  communicates to a controller  35  (such as a computer processor) via Bluetooth, hardwire, or wifi, the controller  35  in accordance with preset parameters activating or deactivating the hot and cold distribution unit  7 . The climate control system is light and efficient and mounted to the container  7  requiring only a power supply. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1  and illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the safety grow pod comprises a grey water reclamation system including at least a feeding reservoir  28  and a collection reservoir  31 . The reclamation system may also include a fresh water reservoir  32  which receives condensed water from the hot and cold distribution unit  7  and the dehumidifier  26 . The feeding reservoir  28  is initially filled with water from an outside source, the water is then pumped to water potted plants or a hydroponic system. Nutrients, PH adjusters or other additives are added to the water in the feeding reservoir  28  for feeding cycles. The parts per million (“PPM”) or mass per volume of chemicals in solution and PH measurements are critical when feeding plants. The runoff from watering or feeding the plants is captured in a collection reservoir  31 . This water is available for reuse and may be pumped into the feeding reservoir  28  so long as the PPMs and the PH are within is a range required by the plants. The fresh water reservoir  32  is pumped into the feeding reservoir  28  to lower the PPM of the runoff water. Water from an outside source may be used to fill or dilute the feeding reservoir  28  if the fresh water reservoir  32  isn&#39;t available. 
     Sensors  6 , such as PH meters and PPM meters, and pumps  33  are disposed within each of the reservoirs  31 ,  28 , &amp;  32 . The sensors  6  communicate measurements to the controller  35 , the controller  35  processes communications from the sensors  6  according to preset parameters for controlling the pumps  33 . The pumps effectuate the transfer of liquid between the reservoirs  32 ,  28 , &amp;  31  via the pumps  33 ; the user interface  34  receives parameters from an operator and displays output from the controller. The whole process could be accessed via Bluetooth or WiFi on a hand held device  57 , such as a smart phone or tablet. During the week the PH in the Feeding Reservoir  28  will either rise or fall depending on the plants life cycle and to some extent the plant nutrients used in the Feeding Reservoir  28 . Using an automatic PH adjustor located within the Feeding Reservoir  28  in conjunction with the control system, an operator or the controller may request the PH adjuster make adjustments before sending out water to the plants. 
     The pumps  33  are plummed between reservoirs  32 ,  28 , &amp;  31 , with, e.g., PVC pipe. The water collect into the collection reservoir  31  and fresh water reservoir is gravity collected. However, the water may be pumped if necessary. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , the safety grow pod further comprises a plant drying system having at least one conveyor  22  with a track and plant mount, the conveyor system is mounted substantially perpendicular the sidewalls  4  and parallel to the top wall  3  wherein pants are mounted to the conveyor system for drying. The plant drying system further comprises a humidifier  27  for increasing the moisture content of the container  10  according to parameters entered into the controller. 
     The plant drying system integrates into the grow pod. The grow pod may be modified subsequent to the growing cycle into drying and curing pod. In the alternative, an operator may have two pods one configured for growing and one configured for curing. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the container  10  is configured for drying and curing the plants. The container  10  has the climate control system  7 ,  26 ,  27 ,  11 , &amp;  8 . If further comprises, the conveyor  22  (as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 ), plant mounts  70  for hanging the plants for drying and curing. The mounts may be wire. Wire mounts are illustrated independent of the conveyor in  FIG. 8  as  22 . 
     The plant drying system may further comprise a base  5  having an interior layer of CDX plywood (painted with epoxy paint) base  21 ; one or more base grates  41 ; an elevated base  42  that is 2-8 inches off the subbase  12  wherein the base provides extra structural integrity 
     The grow or curing pod further comprises a security system comprising a door  9  having electronic hinges  67  mounted to the frame  15 , an electric lock set integrated within the door; an electric key reader  64  communicates with the electric lock set  66 ; and an electronic key  71 . The security system may further comprise a security camera  24  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). The security system in also integrated into the control system, such that it can be operated and monitored remotely. The control system is the same system used and discussed throughout. 
     A Method of Operating a Grow Pod Water Reclamation System 
     A method of operating a grow pod water reclamation system starts with adding water or nutrient solution (“the receiving liquid”) to the feeding reservoir  101 . The liquid (water or nutrient mix) is then pumped to one or more plant containers or hydroponic reservoir  102 . The runoff grey water from the plant containers or hydroponic reservoir is captured in a collection reservoir  103 . The runoff grey water/liquid collected in the collection reservoir is pumped to the feeding reservoir  104  for reuse if specified by the parameters set by the user. The runoff can only be used if the PPM and the PH are within an adjustable range. The method may further comprise of collecting liquid waste from a dehumidifier and an HVAC system into a fresh water reservoir  105 . This water may be used to dilute the PPMS or modify the PH in the feeding reservoir. lithe water is needed in the feeding reservoir, it is pumped from the fresh water reservoir into the feeding reservoir in a specified volume  106 . The method may further comprise an operator imputing PH and PPM parameters for the feeding reservoir into a user interface  107 . The parameter data is transferred to a controller, such as a computer, then processed and store  108 . The controller also receives data from sensors in each reservoir regarding PH and PPM  109 . All of the data is processed according to the input parameters. The controller, according to the parameters activates one or more pumps, either pumping water from the fresh water reservoir to the feeding reservoir or pumping water from the collection reservoir to the feeding reservoir, or activating both pumps at once  110 - 112 . The controller also deactivates the pumps according to the parameters  113 .