대표
청구항
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1. A light-weight, initially inorganic media-ponic modular hydroponic grow tube system for cultivation of a plurality of plants and beneficial soil organisms in symbiotic combination, including a plurality of dimensionally standardized modular grow tube assemblies that receives liquid nutrient fertigation, each of the dimensionally standardized modular grow tube assemblies comprising: a) a vertically suspended, vertically-oriented grow tube comprising a single elongated thermoplastic poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC) pipe of dimensionally standardized modular di...
1. A light-weight, initially inorganic media-ponic modular hydroponic grow tube system for cultivation of a plurality of plants and beneficial soil organisms in symbiotic combination, including a plurality of dimensionally standardized modular grow tube assemblies that receives liquid nutrient fertigation, each of the dimensionally standardized modular grow tube assemblies comprising: a) a vertically suspended, vertically-oriented grow tube comprising a single elongated thermoplastic poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC) pipe of dimensionally standardized modular dimensions having an outer surface and a media-filled hollow interior filled with a 100% inorganic granular grow media, the grow tube being fully and freely rotatable about its vertical axis, the grow tube having an upper grow tube hanger that is easily demountable by lifting, without disassembly of the grow tube, from an overhead swivel support by simply lifting the grow tube,b) a single elongated tubular, insulating filter-fabric media casing, to retain the granular grow media, that fits within and closely against the hollow interior of the elongated PVC pipe grow tube, has an open upper end for filling with the granular grow media and a closed lower end to retain the granular grow media,c) a plurality of plant ports formed in, and flush with the grow tube outer surface, each of the plant ports defining an aerating plant-pocket void formed proximate to the outer surface within the media-filled grow tube by penetration of the media casing and inward displacement of the granular grow media proximate to the plant port to provide a plurality of such voids within the media-filled grow tube for planting and nurturing of plants and to aid in aeration of fertigation draining by gravity-flow through the granular grow media,d) an open upper end fertigation inlet reservoir fabricated of dimensionally standardized modular PVC pipe and fittings, for receipt and temporary storage of liquid nutrient fertigation from an overhead fertigation distribution piping subsystem, and a removable perforated fertigation inlet basin that is recessed and that conforms to dimensionally standardized modular PVC pipe and fitting dimensions, for graduated dispersal of the liquid nutrient fertigation into the granular grow media; ande) an open lower end outlet assembly, fabricated of PVC pipe and PVC pipe fittings of dimensionally standardized modular dimensions, directed into and both loosely engaged and horizontally restrained by an inlet of a fertigation return subsystem positioned below the grow tube, thereby permitting the grow tube to be both rotated freely and easily demounted from the inlet by simply lifting the grow tube,wherein the open lower end outlet assembly is formed by a dimensionally standardized modular PVC pipe reducer bushing in combination with an open-ended dimensionally standardized modular PVC extension pipe, the open-ended extension pipe being of lesser diameter than a diameter of the elongated dimensionally standardized modular PVC pipe of the grow tube, and whereby the extension pipe terminates within, but is not in contact with, the inlet of the fertigation return subsystem which has a greater diameter than the diameter of the extension pipe, thereby being both freely rotatable and horizontally restrained. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the PVC pipe and PVC pipe fittings of dimensionally standardized modular dimensions used, are light-weight thin-wall types, designed for drain, waste and vent (DWV) uses and not typically certified as safe for potable water, but are manufactured by custom order wherein the thermoplastic used is a poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC) composition formulated and tested so as to be certified by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as safe for potable water. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the open upper end fertigation inlet reservoir is formed by a bell end section of PVC pipe of dimensionally standardized modular dimensions. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the open upper end fertigation inlet reservoir is of dimensionally standardized modular dimensions and is of slightly greater outer and inner diameters than an outer and inner diameter of the elongated PVC pipe of the grow tube below to which it joins, and the perforated fertigation inlet basin may be removeably inserted into the open upper end fertigation inlet reservoir so that it rests upon an internal basin support ledge created at a juncture of the greater inner diameter fertigation inlet reservoir and the lesser inner diameter elongated PVC pipe grow tube, thereby forming a recessed, removable bottom portion of the fertigation inlet reservoir. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the removable perforated fertigation inlet basin is a custom-fabricated PVC fitting, manufactured to conform to dimensionally standardized modular pipe fitting dimensions to fit within the open upper end fertigation inlet reservoir, and comprises: a) a cylindrical upper wall section with rounded upper edge,b) a downward sloping concave outer bottom surface,c) a circular inner bottom trough with a plurality of bottom trough perforations, andd) a centrally positioned bottom hole on a raised central ring, provided with a removable hole plug to aid in removal of the perforated fertigation inlet basin, without disassembly of the grow tube. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid nutrient fertigation is infused with customized, crop-specific beneficial soil organisms. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the 100% inorganic granular grow media comprises 100% expanded volcanic glass granules. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the 100% inorganic granular grow media comprises predominantly expanded volcanic glass granules mixed with a lesser portion of expanded recycled glass granules. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the tubular, insulating filter-fabric media casing is fabricated of in-organic, synthetic fibers, is of seamless construction, and is initially filled with the granular grow media prior to the cutting of plant ports, so that the thus encased in-organic media filling the grow tube may be inoculated with customized, crop-specific beneficial soil organisms prior to planting. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the grow tube is supported by an easily demountable grow tube hanger, wherein the hanger has a one-piece symmetrical, general W-shape, is provided with hooks at its two lower ends to engage two hanger holes in the open upper end of the grow tube, and is fabricated of heavy-gauge corrosion-resistant metal that remains engaged and in a generally upright position when the grow tube is lifted, so as to hold the hanger in a near vertical position as it is disengaged from the swivel hook, thereby facilitating its removal and replacement without disassembling of any grow tube components. 11. The system of claim 1, further including elongated open-tube emitters delivering pressurized fertigation from the overhead fertigation distribution subsystem to the fertigation inlet basin of the upper end fertigation inlet reservoir of each of the plurality of grow tube assemblies to minimize clogging and to agitate and aerate the liquid nutrient fertigation within the fertigation inlet basin. 12. A light-weight, initially in-organic media-ponic modular hydroponic grow tube system for cultivation of a plurality of plants and beneficial soil organisms in symbiotic combination, including a plurality of dimensionally standardized modular grow tube assemblies that receives liquid nutrient fertigation, each of the dimensionally standardized modular grow tube assemblies comprising: a) a suspended grow tube comprising a single elongated thermoplastic poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC) pipe of dimensionally standardized modular PVC pipe dimensions having an upper inlet end and a lower outlet end, an outer surface and a media-filled hollow interior filled with a 100% inorganic granular grow media,b) a single elongated tubular, insulating filter-fabric media casing, to retain the granular grow media, that fits within and closely against the hollow interior of the elongated PVC pipe grow tube,c) a plurality of plant ports formed in the grow tube outer surface, each of the plant ports defining an aerating plant-pocket void formed within the granular media-filled grow tube by penetration of the media casing and inward displacement of the granular grow media proximate to the plant port to provide a plurality of such voids within the media-filled grow tube for planting and nurturing of plants and to aid in aeration of fertigation flowing through the granular grow media, andd) a fertigation inlet reservoir, conforming to dimensionally standardized modular PVC pipe and fitting dimensions, an upper inlet end of the grow tube having an upwardly-opening inlet reservoir for receipt and temporary storage of fertigation from an overhead fertigation distribution subsystem, and a removable perforated fertigation inlet basin, that is recessed and that conforms to dimensionally standardized modular PVC pipe and fitting dimensions, for graduated dispersal of fertigation into the granular grow media; ande) a lower outlet assembly, fabricated of PVC pipe and PVC pipe fittings of dimensionally standardized modular dimensions, at the outlet end of the grow tube and directed into an inlet of a fertigation return subsystem positioned lower than the grow tube,wherein the lower end outlet assembly is formed by a dimensionally standardized modular PVC pipe reducer bushing in combination with an open-ended dimensionally standardized modular PVC extension pipe, the open-ended extension pipe being of lesser diameter than a diameter of the elongated dimensionally standardized modular PVC pipe of the grow tube, and whereby the extension pipe terminates within, but is not in contact with, the inlet of the fertigation return subsystem which has a greater diameter than the diameter of the extension pipe, thereby being both freely rotatable and horizontally restrained. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the upwardly-opening inlet reservoir of dimensionally standardized modular dimensions is also of slightly greater outer and inner diameters than an outer and inner diameter of the elongated PVC pipe grow tube below to which it joins. 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the lower outlet assembly is formed of dimensionally standardized modular PVC pipe fittings connected to drainage tubing leading to an inlet of the fertigation return subsystem positioned lower than the grow tube. 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the liquid nutrient fertigation is infused with customized, crop-specific beneficial soil organisms. 16. The system of claim 12, wherein the 100% inorganic granular grow media comprises 100% expanded volcanic glass granules. 17. The system of claim 12, wherein the 100% inorganic granular grow media comprises predominantly expanded volcanic glass granules mixed with a lesser portion of expanded recycled glass granules. 18. A light-weight, initially inorganic media-ponic modular hydroponic grow tube system for cultivation of a plurality of plants and beneficial soil organisms in symbiotic combination, including a plurality of dimensionally standardized modular grow tube assemblies that receives liquid nutrient fertigation, each of the dimensionally standardized modular grow tube assemblies comprising: a) a vertically suspended, vertically-oriented grow tube comprising a single elongated thermoplastic poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC) pipe of dimensionally standardized modular dimensions having an outer surface and a media-filled hollow interior filled with a 100% inorganic granular grow media, the grow tube being fully and freely rotatable about its vertical axis, the grow tube having an upper grow tube hanger that is easily demountable by lifting, without disassembly of the grow tube, from an overhead swivel support by simply lifting the grow tube,b) a single elongated tubular, insulating filter-fabric media casing, to retain the granular grow media, that fits within and closely against the hollow interior of the elongated PVC pipe grow tube, has an open upper end for filling with the granular grow media and a closed lower end to retain the granular grow media,c) a plurality of plant ports formed in, and flush with the grow tube outer surface, each of the plant ports defining an aerating plant-pocket void formed proximate to the outer surface within the media-filled grow tube by penetration of the media casing and inward displacement of the granular grow media proximate to the plant port to provide a plurality of such voids within the media-filled grow tube for planting and nurturing of plants and to aid in aeration of fertigation draining by gravity-flow through the granular grow media,d) an open upper end fertigation inlet reservoir fabricated of dimensionally standardized modular PVC pipe and fittings, for receipt and temporary storage of liquid nutrient fertigation from an overhead fertigation distribution piping subsystem, and a removable perforated fertigation inlet basin that is recessed and that conforms to dimensionally standardized modular PVC pipe and fitting dimensions, for graduated dispersal of the liquid nutrient fertigation into the granular grow media,e) an open lower end outlet assembly, fabricated of PVC pipe and PVC pipe fittings of dimensionally standardized modular dimensions, directed into and both loosely engaged and horizontally restrained by an inlet of a fertigation return subsystem positioned below the grow tube, thereby permitting the grow tube to be both rotated freely and easily demounted from the inlet by simply lifting the grow tube;wherein the plurality of grow tube assemblies are mounted within a climate-moderating greenhouse installed adjacent to an insulated and air-conditioned head house, the greenhouse including:f) at least one centering rotational momentum, vortex induction device installed downstream of each fertigation inlet basin to impart a centering rotational momentum to a fertigation flow to improve flow characteristics by rotating the flow within the overhead fertigation distribution piping subsystem to help avoid clogging, andg) the overhead fertigation distribution piping subsystem having insulated, pressurized thermoplastic pipes within the climate-moderating greenhouse to maintain fertigation at near ground water temperatures maintained within the insulated, air-conditioned head house, and to deliver the fertigation to the upper end fertigation inlet reservoirs of the grow tubes. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein both the head house and the greenhouse are factory fabricated, highway-transportable modular buildings suitable for occupancy, each provided with a wheeled undercarriage and a means of side-by-side connection in series to form a larger building of modularly variable size, including: a) both the head house and greenhouse modular buildings having a moment-resisting, clear-span, corrosion-resistant metal post and trussed roof framing system rigidly connected to a metal-framed structural floor module to withstand all imposed transportation, erection and building code required loads associated with factory fabricated highway-transportable modular buildings, andwherein the trussed roof framing system is provided with overhead corrosion resistant structural support purlins for hanging the grow tube assemblies, andwherein the greenhouse modular building is configured for attachment of transparent or translucent insulating exterior wall and roof enclosure panels, andwherein the head house is connected to a first one of the greenhouse modular building, and at least a second greenhouse modular building is connected to the first greenhouse modular building on a side opposite the head house, and all of the greenhouses are interconnected in series to fertigation supply and return subsystems of the head house.
