초록 ▼

A greenhouse and a method for controlling the environment of the interior space of the greenhouse is disclosed. The greenhouse (10) includes an interior insulative panel (22,23) and an exterior reflective panel (26) capable of insulating the interior of the greenhouse and reflecting sunlight into th

A greenhouse and a method for controlling the environment of the interior space of the greenhouse is disclosed. The greenhouse (10) includes an interior insulative panel (22,23) and an exterior reflective panel (26) capable of insulating the interior of the greenhouse and reflecting sunlight into the interior. The greenhouse also includes a closed-system heat exchanger (30,31) having a plurality of spaced water-impermeable water flow passageways (60) through which water flows by gravitational forces and having a means for blowing air (65) between the water flow passageways (60) such that the air does not contact the water and such that the air is either heated or cooled by the water. In addition, the heat exchanger (30,31) may include a water discharge (71) and/or a gas discharge for the control of humidity and gas levels within the greenhouse. Finally, the greenhouse includes hydroponic plant beds (34,35) disposed on top of the heat exchangers (30,31) and hydroponic solution tanks (36,37) along the outer interior walls of the greenhouse. The floor plan of the greenhouse allows easy access to all plants and assists in maintaining the temperature within the greenhouse due to the presence of the hydroponic solution tanks without significantly reducing the area available for plants. Such a greenhouse is inexpensive to operate and maintain and may be used to extend the growing season of seasonal plants throughout the calendar year.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for controlling the environment within a greenhouse, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a greenhouse having walls defining an interior space and exterior edges, a heat exchanger and a hydroponic plant growing means, the heat exchanger having an upper surface, the hydropo

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for controlling the environment within a greenhouse, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a greenhouse having walls defining an interior space and exterior edges, a heat exchanger and a hydroponic plant growing means, the heat exchanger having an upper surface, the hydroponic plant growing means positioned above the upper surface of the heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger comprising:(i) a plurality of spaced water-impermeable flow means having first and second opposing ends defining a length of the flow means, a width of the flow means being less than the length of the flow means, each flow means comprisinga water inlet end adaptive to receive water, anda water outlet means adaptive to discharge water, andeach flow means being disposed such that gravity may cause water to flow from the inlet end toward the outlet means;(ii) an air inlet and an air outlet, positioned such that air flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet moves between each of said flow means, wherein each of said flow means further comprises an interior passageway in which water flows, and wherein air flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet between the flow means does not contact water in said interior passageway, and(iii) a fan adapted to move air from the air inlet toward the air outlet, the fan positioned at one end of the flow means and oriented to move air toward an opposite end of the flow means;(b) providing a water source to the water inlet end;(c) draining water into the water outlet means; and(d) forcing air between the flow means such that the temperature of the air at the air outlet is closer to the temperature of provided water than the air at the air inlet.