Title: Controlled environment agriculture facility and method for its operation

Abstract: This disclosure is of a controlled environment agriculture system in which a plurality of plant grow support racks are arranged in an array complementary to that of the lamps which provide illumination for the grow racks, so as to provide two positions for the rack array in each of which positions alternate racks are fully illuminated and the others not. The lamps then may be operated continuously and the rack array shifted between these two positions to provide alternating periods of full illumination and relative darkness for each rack. Means also are provided for improving the uniformity of air distribution to all racks within the array, and for control of humidity within the system by adjustment of the rate of moisture removal by the air conditioners to balance that of moisture addition through plant transpiration.

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Inventors: Fogg, Lewis W. (Cazenovia, NY, US)
Rauhala, Kenneth R. (Baldwinsville, NY, US)
Satterfield, H. Eugene (North Syracuse, NY, US)
Scott, Eion G. (Fayetteville, NY, US)

Application Number: 889965
Filing Date: 1978-03-24
Publication_date: 1979-08-07
Assignee: General Electric Company (Syracuse, NY)
Primary Class(es): 47/58.1R 47/17, 47/59R, 47/62C, 47/62R, 47/65, 47/82, 47/DIG6
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

3254447	Jun, 1966	Ruthner	47/65.
3824736	Jul, 1974	Davis	47/17.
3869826	Mar, 1975	Fischer	47/17.
4028847	Jun, 1977	Davis et al.	47/65.
4035949	Jul, 1977	Ruthner	47/17.
4035950	Jul, 1977	Anselm	47/59.
4059922	Nov, 1977	DiGiacinto	47/82.
4068405	Jan, 1978	Campbell et al.	47/65.
4118891	Oct, 1978	Kehl et al.	47/59.

Other Refs: 2732982

Feb, 1978	DE

Primary Examiner: Bagwill, Robert E.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Baker; Carl W., Lang; Richard V.