Green Guard is an innovative and fully automated system that facilitates the regulation of temperature, humidity, and ventilation in soft-wall high tunnels. The system is specially designed to enable farmers to install a monitoring system quickly and easily, which regulates the temperature and humidity levels within the high tunnels. Additionally, the system automatically rolls and unrolls the sides of the high tunnels to regulate ventilation and humidity.

Project statement

Field Notes

• A simple way to check circulation and ventilation is to use a thermometer and a humidity sensor

• The middle of the high tunnel usually has the worst quality of ventilation

• Wind coming from the west can damage the aluminum louver (a metal grate that improves circulation)

• Ventilation is needed to control diseases, plants need the proper temperature and humidity to thrive

A simple hand crank spooling device is a very common and effective method for quickly opening and closing the side walls on high tunnels and hoop houses.

This system is a widely implemented mechanism to prevent dust and spillage in dump trucks and other transport trucks. It utilizes a simple arm and spool to spread a thin sheet of fabric over the top of the truck bed.

The Deprivator is a motorized system utilizing long metal arms to move dark tarps in a light-deprivation greenhouse. We hope to utilize similar technology for our project.

Wiring Diagram

Hand Crank

Simple hank crank systems are commonplace for high tunnels, providing an easy-to-use ventilation system. This system is very quick to install requiring minimal materials and an afternoon of work.

Motorized Crank

A hank crank system could be easily modified to become either a motorized crank or full autonomous system. This system would consist of a motor, control computer, input (either human interface or sensors), and a power source (preferably off the grid).

Automatic Door

The fully automatic system is very similar to the Motorized Crank with one critical change, instead of being controlled by user input it automatically opens and closes based off of environmental conditions inside the high tunnel.

User Interface

This early prototype of a control panel consists of a power switch, a switch to toggle between manual and automatic control, a dial that controls the manual control, and a setting for a humidity trigger.

Demo

Final Video

Next Steps

1) Complete the code for the end stops

2) Combine all parts into a full, working prototype

3) Make a full-sized metal model

4) Install the system in the high tunnel

Thank you for listening!