Plant husbandry – Greenhouse – apparatus or method
Patent
1996-07-02
1999-12-14
Carone, Michael J.
Plant husbandry
Greenhouse, apparatus or method
47 321, 52 1, 52 211, 521733, 527411, A01G 900
Patent
active
060001704
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus and a method for controlling the amount of solar energy and heat transferred into and out of a building or other structure through a glazed opening using a system of pneumatically actuated, reflective shutters. The air discharged from the blower flows through a venturi. The venturi communicates with a system of inflatable, reflective shutter elements. A control valve downstream from the venturi regulates airflow through the venturi. A photoelectric sensing element is installed at the level of the growing plants. The electric current generated by the sensing element is proportional to the intensity of the sunlight entering through the glazed roof. The control valve is operated by an electrical control means which responds to the electric current generated by the photoelectric sensing element. When the intensity of sunlight exceeds the desired intensity, air flowing through the venturi is restricted and redirected to inflate the inflatable, reflective shutter elements to the degree necessary to obtain the desired intensity of sunlight. The inflatable shutter elements have a specular reflective surface so that sunlight is reflected from the shutter elements without a change in wavelength thus permitting the reflected sunlight to exit through the glazed surface. When the intensity of sunlight is less than the desired intensity, air flow through the venturi is increased thereby creating a low pressure in the venturi and evacuating air from the inflatable reflective shutter elements thus causing the shutter elements to collapse to a minimal thickness and block only a negligible amount of sunlight. The shutter elements are mounted close to the glazed surface in such a manner as conform to the shape of the glazed roof and to provide an insulating barrier when fully inflated thus restricting the flow of heat through the glazed surface. When fully deflated, the reflective shutter elements can be inclined to reflect the sunlight entering at a relatively low angle of incidence in a desired direction to increase the intensity of sunlight at desired locations within the structure.
REFERENCES:
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Perry, R.L., "Reducing Night Heat Losses and Daytime Solar Extremes in Greenhouses", 1975 Annual Meeting American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Paper No. 75-4021, Jun. 22-25, 1975, pp. 1-25.
Rough Brothers Inc. brochure, "Venturion and Venturion II Specifications", 1992.
Carone Michael J.
Downs Joanne C.
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