Control system for periodically feeding nutrient solutions to hydroponic plant beds

• Main Author: HOLMES; FLOYD W
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 17.06.1975
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION ORPROCESSING OF GOODS; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPSOR SEAWEED; FISHING; FORESTRY; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HORTICULTURE; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINSTCLIMATE CHANGE; TRAPPING; WATERING

A control system and circuit for periodically pumping nutrient solutions to hydroponic plant beds. Two twenty-four hour electric clock switches are so interconnected that the first one is adapted to periodically make contact at preselected intervals and for preselected time periods, while the second one is adapted to disable the first one during a preselected (relatively dark) part of each day. The second (or day-night) switch also controls a solenoid valve so that replenishing water can be fed to a storage vat for nutrient solution only at night to avoid the danger of vat overflow. Another feature is the provision of an outlet connected across the pump circuit to permit a common electric clock to be used to time a pumping cycle or a series (day, week, etc.) of cycles.