Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatuses for plant harvesting. More specifically, apparatuses for harvesting vertically grown fruit (620), plants, or vegetables are described herein. In one embodiment a harvesting system includes a grow line (100, 102) and one or more grow towers (150) coupled to and moveable along the grow line (100, 102). A plurality of platforms (306) are disposed adjacent to the grow towers (150) and include one or more robots (302) disposed on the platforms (306).

Abstract: Facility layouts and configurations for an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture. In particular implementations the core of the facility comprises a controlled growth environment and a central processing system. The controlled growth environment includes systems for exposing crops housed in modules, such as grow towers, to Controlled environmental conditions. The central processing system may include various stations and functionality both for preparing crop-bearing modules to be inserted in the controlled growth environment, for harvesting crops from the crop-bearing modules after they have been extracted from the controlled growth environment, and for cleaning or washing crop-hearing modules for re-use.

Abstract: An automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture that includes a horizontal-to-vertical grow tower interface between a vertical grow structure that includes vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, and a processing system that performs one or more processing operations—such as harvesting, cleaning and/or transplanting—on the grow towers in a substantially horizontal orientation. The present disclosure also describes an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture that selectively routes grow towers through various processing stages of an automated crop production system.

Abstract: An irrigation system for a vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a grow tower conveyance system that moves vertically-oriented grow towers to select positions along a grow line. An irrigation line having apertures at the select positions provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers, while a gutter structure captures excess solution. In a closed loop system, the excess solution returns to a recirculation tank. The present disclosure provides a dual pump system for effectively and efficiently removing excess nutrient solution from the gutter structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus for measuring various characteristics of an indoor agriculture system. In one embodiment, a plug holder weight measurement system includes a plant plug holder disposed in a grow tower and one or more load cells positioned and configured to detect a weight of a plug holder. The load cells may be compression-type, tension-type, torsion-type, or beam-type load cells and each may be integrated into the grow tower.

Abstract: A multi-piece hydroponic tower comprised of a tower body defining a tower cavity, where the tower cavity provides a passageway for a water/nutrient mix, and a tower face plate hingeably coupled to the tower body. The tower face plate is positionable relative to the tower body in a tower cavity closed position and a tower cavity open position. The tower face plate includes a plurality of plant container cut-outs configured to accept plant containers. A fastener temporarily latches tower face plate to the tower body when the tower face plate is in the tower cavity closed position.

Abstract: A hydroponic tower cleaning and debris removal system is provided that is configured to automatically clean and remove plant and material debris from within a hinged, hydroponic tower as well as the plant containers contained within such a hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower cleaning system utilizes a drive system to force the tower through the apparatus; an alignment system to ensure that the tower remains in proper alignment throughout the cleaning process; a brush system that initiates separation of plant debris from the tower/plant containers and ensures that the plant roots are torn apart; a plunger system to eject plant debris from within the plant containers; an air delivery system to blow away the debris; and rollers to maintain tower face alignment during the cleaning process.

Abstract: A crop production system (100) for a controlled plant growing environment is provided. A subassembly comprises a guide portion that includes passive guides (104, 504, 904, 1004) radiating outward from a central portion (102, 502, 520, 911). Each passive guide may be separated from two adjacent passive guides by respective angles. Each passive guide has a first end proximal to the central portion and a second end distal to the central portion. Each passive guide is configured to guide plant growth modules (210). The plant growth modules are movable between the first end and the second end of each passive guide. An active guide (406, 907, 1007) causes the plant growth modules to travel in a first direction along the passive guides as the active guide is moved.

Abstract: Facility layouts and configurations for an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture. In particular implementations, the core of the facility comprises a controlled growth environment and a central processing system. The controlled growth environment includes systems for exposing crops housed in modules, such as grow towers, to controlled environmental conditions. The central processing system may include various stations and functionality both for preparing crop-bearing modules to be inserted in the controlled growth environment for harvesting crops from the crop-bearing modules after they have been extracted from the controlled growth environment, and for cleaning or washing crop-hearing modules for re-use.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for determining optimum placement, within a grow space, of plants of different varieties. Sets of reference environmental setpoints each correspond to a desired predicted performance of a respective plant variety. Environmental condition metrics at different positions within the grow space are determined. An allocation of the plants is determined among different volumetric regions within the grow space based on predicted performance of the plant varieties as a function of position within the grow space.

Abstract: A vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a reciprocating cam mechanism that provides a cost-efficient mechanism for conveying vertical grow towers in the controlled environment. The reciprocating cam mechanism can be arranged to increase the spacing of the grow towers as they are conveyed through the controlled environment to index the crops growing on the towers. The present disclosure also describes an irrigation system that provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for fluid flow measurement in a controlled agricultural environment. A digital flow sensor comprises a flow sensor element including a first digital thermometer for providing a first output and a heating element thermally coupled to the first digital thermometer. The flow sensor may also include a second digital thermometer for providing a second output, and logic for providing a flow measurement based at least in part upon the first and second outputs. A flow sensor network may include multiple digital flow sensors, where data lines of the flow sensors are all coupled to the same network bus for communicating data.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for determining optimum placement, within a grow space, of plants of different varieties. Sets of reference environmental setpoints each correspond to a desired predicted performance of a respective plant variety. Environmental condition metrics at different positions within the grow space are determined. An allocation of the plants is determined among different volumetric regions within the grow space based on predicted performance of the plant varieties as a function of position within the grow space.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for controlling irrigation of plant media in a grow space in response to measurement of condensed water from air in the grow space. Irrigation supply volume may be set in response to a volume based on the measurement of the condensed water. The condensed water may result from evaporation and transpiration in the grow space.

Abstract: A tower catch mechanism that facilitates loading of vertical grow towers in a vertical farming structure having associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a load conveyance mechanism that transfers grow towers to a loading position where grow towers are loaded onto a select grow line. Each grow line may include a grow tower conveyance system that moves vertically-oriented grow towers to select positions along a grow line. The system may include a tower catch mechanism that registers grow towers in position at the loading position for insertion into a select grow line. In some implementations, the tower catch mechanism can be integrated into other structures of the vertical farming system, such as a gutter basin corresponding to a select grow line.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for entering a fail safe mode for a controlled agricultural environment (CAE). The CAE includes movable receptacle supports for holding plants. In response to determining a fault condition in the CAE or in environmental conditioning equipment for the CAE, operation of the CAE or the environmental conditioning equipment is controlled to effect a change from a standard operating mode to a fail safe mode. The standard operating mode corresponds to desired environmental conditions in the CAE and the fail safe mode corresponds to non-ideal environmental conditions.

Abstract: A drive unit in a controlled agricultural environment increases a distance between an alignment element and a drive element in order to receive a plant support structure that is oriented non-vertically so that the plant support structure rests on the drive element or the alignment element. The drive unit decreases the distance between the alignment element and the drive element so that the alignment element or the drive element rests on the plant support structure. The drive element conveys the plant support structure along a direction of conveyance.

Abstract: Facility layouts and configurations for an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture. In particular implementations, the core of the facility comprises a controlled growth environment and a central processing system. The controlled growth environment includes systems for exposing crops housed in modules, such as grow towers, to controlled environmental conditions. The central processing system may include various stations and functionality both for preparing crop-bearing modules to be inserted in the controlled growth environment, for harvesting crops from the crop-bearing modules after they have been extracted from the controlled growth environment, and for cleaning or washing crop-bearing modules for re-use. The controlled growth environment may include vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers along one or more grow lines.

Abstract: A vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a reciprocating cam mechanism that provides a cost-efficient mechanism for conveying vertical grow towers in the controlled environment. The reciprocating cam mechanism can be arranged to increase the spacing of the grow towers as they are conveyed through the controlled environment to index the crops growing on the towers. The present disclosure also describes a tower shuttle mechanism that provides operational flexibility by decoupling the loading and unloading operations of the grow towers from the vertical farming structure and, therefore, allowing multiple grow towers to be extracted for harvesting in a batch process before loading new grow towers into the vertical farming structure in a separate process.

Abstract: A plant support tower cleaning system for cleaning a plant support tower is provided. A drive actuator propels the tower through the tower cleaning system. One or more linear or rotating first structures each have at least one projection. One or more first actuators coupled to the one or more first structures push the at least one projection of the one or more first structures against a stem side of plant material in containers in the tower as the tower is propelled through the system. A rotating second structure has at least one circumferential projection to pull plant material from a root side of the plant containers as the tower is propelled through the system. A second actuator rotates the second structure.