I have developed the basic principles of motion and control for one of the most important aspects of my design proposals, the ‘GIZZMOTO’ special pump with a telescopic outlet/extension and a distribution head attachment.
The purpose of the system is to give the options of supplying Air – at ambient or increased temperature – or Moisture, in the form of atomised droplets – again, at a pre-set temperature – to each of four levels, where growing containers are sited.
Notes on configuration and calculations - Ref 3101 Power Motion Control.jpg
A Motion Drive Enclosure will sit on the very top of the Vertical Farm Construction
MVF DRIVE ENCLOSURE 1 jpg
MVF DRIVE ENCLOSURE 2 jpg
MVF DRIVE ENCLOSURE 3 jpg
MVF DRIVE ENCLOSURE 4 jpg
The Motion Drive comprises a DC Electric Motor driving a Pulley Wheel assembly with a cord that is centered by a Follower Guide Wheel and attached to the top of the Distribution Head Attachment. A through-spindle allows for fitting a Mechanical Handle to allow for setting up or to continue operation in the event of an electrical failure. The Enclosure includes an isolation switch and a momentary push-button to incrementally rotate the Motion Drive.
MVF DRIVE ENCLOSURE 5 jpg
The following video clips show operation of the Motion Drive, both electrically impulse and using the Mechanical Handle
MVF DRIVE 1.MOV
MVF DRIVE 2.MOV
MVF DRIVE 3.MOV
MVF DRIVE 4.MOV
MVF DRIVE 5.MOV
MVF DRIVE 6.MOV
So that mechanical limit switches do not have to be fitted on each level – where they might be affected by moisture – signalling is substituted by cogs/stops on the face of the Pulley Wheel. There is a long stop and a short stop, fixed at 180 degrees to each other. A 50% rotation of the Pulley Wheel is equivalent to lifting (or lowering) the Distribution Head one level. This will mean that the positions of the long and short stop will change so that the combination of input signals to the Raspberry Pi 4 will vary and from this the next output Motion Drive movement will be determined.
MVF DRIVE PULLEY jpg
Note: In the original proposal I had included a Solar Panel (or a series of panels) to be sited at the very top of the Construction to provide additional back-up power.
The next stage involves setting up LED lighting and configuring the Operational Controls.
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