U.S. patent application number 16/833057 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-15 for method for making and using gas-delivery light fixture.
The applicant listed for this patent is Grow Lites, LLC. Invention is credited to Barbara A. DeBaun, John T. Golle, Charles A. Lemaire, Matthew P. Limpert, Walter J. Paciorek.
Application Number | 20200323149 16/833057 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004928751 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-15 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200323149 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Limpert; Matthew P. ; et
al. |
October 15, 2020 |
METHOD FOR MAKING AND USING GAS-DELIVERY LIGHT FIXTURE
Abstract
A plant-light system that includes a plurality of ducted
plant-lighting plenum sheets, wherein each ducted plant-lighting
plenum sheet includes a plurality of flexible perforated LED
sheets, each LED sheet including a plurality of LEDs arranged on a
grid, the plurality of LEDs including LEDs emitting light that
appears red, light that appears blue, light that appears white, and
light that is at least mostly infrared light, wherein each plant
lighting sheet has a length and a width, and wherein the plurality
of lighting sheets is arranged along a length of a room; a
plurality of plant-holding pockets arranged along the length of the
room generally parallel to the plurality of ducted plant-lighting
plenum sheets; and a plant-lighting plenum sheets motion and
withdrawal system arranged to move the plurality of ducted
plant-lighting plenum sheets to a plurality of different locations
relative to the plurality of plant-holding pockets for different
time periods.
Inventors: |
Limpert; Matthew P.;
(Bloomington, MN) ; DeBaun; Barbara A.; (Woodbury,
MN) ; Paciorek; Walter J.; (Phoenix, AZ) ;
Golle; John T.; (Eden Prairie, MN) ; Lemaire; Charles
A.; (Apple Valley, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Grow Lites, LLC |
Eden Prairie |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004928751 |
Appl. No.: |
16/833057 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15987857 |
May 23, 2018 |
10602671 |
|
|
16833057 |
|
|
|
|
62621041 |
Jan 23, 2018 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 2021/0044 20130101;
A01G 9/025 20130101; F21V 23/001 20130101; A61M 21/02 20130101;
A61M 2205/587 20130101; F21V 19/003 20130101; F21V 33/0056
20130101; F21Y 2105/10 20160801; F21Y 2115/10 20160801; F21V
33/0096 20130101; A01G 7/02 20130101; A61M 21/00 20130101; A01C
23/00 20130101; F21Y 2113/13 20160801; A01G 9/246 20130101; A61M
2021/0077 20130101; A01G 7/045 20130101; A61M 2021/0066 20130101;
A61M 2021/0016 20130101; A61M 2202/0208 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01G 7/04 20060101
A01G007/04; F21V 33/00 20060101 F21V033/00; F21V 19/00 20060101
F21V019/00; A01G 7/02 20060101 A01G007/02; A01G 9/24 20060101
A01G009/24; A01C 23/00 20060101 A01C023/00; A01G 9/02 20060101
A01G009/02; A61M 21/02 20060101 A61M021/02; A61M 21/00 20060101
A61M021/00 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: providing a housing connected to a
perforated circuit substrate having a plurality of electrical
conductors on a first face of the circuit substrate and a plurality
of perforations through the substrate and a first plurality of LEDs
affixed to the plurality of electrical conductors; delivering a gas
to the housing such that the gas is emitted out through the
plurality of perforations; and delivering electrical power to the
first plurality of LEDs such that light is emitted from each of the
first plurality of LEDs.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivering of the gas to the
housing includes using a fan to blow air into the housing.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivering of the gas to the
housing includes delivering carbon dioxide from a compressed source
of carbon dioxide.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein each one of the first plurality
of LEDs emits the red light with a peak wavelength in a range of
610 nm and 690 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum
bandwidth of no more than 40 nm, and wherein the gas-delivery
lighting apparatus further includes: a second plurality of LEDs
affixed to the conductors, wherein each one of the second plurality
of LEDs emits the infrared light with a peak wavelength in a range
of 700 nm and 780 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum
bandwidth of no more than 40 nm; and a third plurality of LEDs
affixed to the conductors, wherein each one of the third plurality
of LEDs emits the blue light with a peak wavelength in a range of
420 nm and 480 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum
bandwidth of no more than 30 nm.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein each die of the first plurality
of LED dice emits the blue light at a first intensity, wherein each
die of the second plurality of LED dice emits the red light at a
second intensity, wherein each die of the third plurality of LED
dice emits the infrared light at a third intensity, and wherein the
third intensity is between approximately 10 percent and
approximately 20 percent of the second intensity.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first gas conduit includes a
fan housing with an electrically powered fan mounted therein.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: a source of one or
more aromatic chemicals useful for aroma therapy; a
temperature-adjustment device operatively coupled to the first gas
conduit; and a controller operatively coupled to the source of one
or more aromatic chemicals, to the temperature-adjustment device,
and to the conductors coupled to the first plurality of LEDs and
configured to allow user control of the light, aroma therapy and
gas temperature.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/987,857, filed May 23, 2018 and titled
"Gas-delivery light fixture and method for making and using" (which
issues as U.S. Pat. No. 10,602,671 on Mar. 31, 2020), which claims
priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(c), of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/621,041, filed Jan. 23, 2018
by Matthew P. Limpert, et al., titled "Gas-delivery light fixture
and method for making and using," each of which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
[0002] This invention is related to [0003] U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/421,970 filed Nov. 14, 2016 by Michael C. Naylor
et al., titled "Plant growth lighting system and method," [0004]
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/486,444 filed Apr. 17,
2017 by John T. Golle et al., titled "Plant growth lighting system
and method," [0005] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/574,172 filed Oct. 18, 2017 by John T. Golle et al., titled
"Lighting fixture and method for making and using," [0006] U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/574,193 filed Oct. 18, 2017
by John T. Golle et al., titled "Lighting fixture and method for
making and using," [0007] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/574,194 filed Oct. 18, 2017 by John T. Golle et al., titled
"Lighting fixture and method for making and using," [0008] U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/576,646 filed Oct. 24, 2017
by John T. Golle et al., titled "Lighting fixture and method for
making and using," [0009] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/894,495 filed Oct. 23, 2013 by Aaron J. Golle et al., titled
"High powered LED light module with a balanced matrix circuit,"
[0010] Publication WO/2015/061332 of P.C.T. Patent Application No.
PCT/US2014/061594 filed Oct. 21, 2014 by Aaron J. Golle et al.,
titled "High powered LED light module with a balanced matrix
circuit," [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 9,903,574 to Aaron J. Golle et al.
issued on Feb. 27, 2018 with the title "High powered LED light
module with a balanced matrix circuit" (from U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/031,564 filed Apr. 22, 2016 by Golle et
al.), titled "High powered LED light module with a balanced matrix
circuit," [0012] U.S. Pat. No. 8,471,274 issued Jun. 25, 2013 to
Aaron J. Golle, et al. with the title "LED light disposed on a
flexible substrate and connected with a printed 3D conductor,"
[0013] PCT Publication WO/2018/089955, published May 17, 2018, of
P.C.T. Patent Application No. PCT/US2017/061416 filed Nov. 13, 2017
by John T. Golle et al., titled "Lighting fixture and method for
making and using," [0014] U.S. Patent Application Publication US
2018/0135840, published May 17, 2018, of U.S. Application No.
15/811,660 filed Nov. 13, 2017 by John T. Golle et al., titled
"Acoustic-control light fixture and method for making and using"
(which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,215,387 on Feb. 26, 2019), which
are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention relates to devices and methods for
lighting, and in particular to a lighting system and methods for
making and using the lighting system for such applications as
architectural lighting, light-assisted aroma therapy, and
gas-supplemented agricultural lighting for enhanced growth of
plants to improve time to harvest, plant size, and plant quality,
and to obtain better taste, smell and/or potency of products from
the plants, and in some embodiments, the present invention provides
a skinny air plenum covered on one or both opposing faces with one
or more perforated flexible plant-illumination sheets, which
optionally include air scoops, for use in controlled-environment
agriculture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0016] One problem with LED (light-emitting-diode) illumination of
large areas with a large amount of light is to manage the heat from
the LED devices, and in particular, to prevent the large
temperature rise associated with locating a large number of LED
devices in a small area, to efficiently power the devices from a
low-cost power supply, and to provide a low-cost substrate on which
to mount the LED devices.
[0017] Architectural building lighting often needs different
spectra of light and different amounts of light for different times
of the day. The need for different spectra of light and different
amounts of light for different times of the day also applies for
light supplied to crop plants and therapy lighting for seasonal
affective disorder (SAD therapy).
[0018] The conventional approach for home growers of plants is to
select lighting depending on the types and quantity of plants they
grow. As a general rule, inexpensive lights tend to be the most
expensive to operate and least effective in promoting plant growth.
Home growers typically choose fluorescent to grow herbs and to
germinate flowering varieties. High-pressure sodium (HPS) lights or
metal halide (MH) lights are often chosen for commercial-scale
indoor growing of plants, but these high-wattage systems create
excessive heat and consume excessive energy. All of these sources
generate much heat and much of their light is in wavelengths that
are not efficiently used by plants.
[0019] Some light-emitting-diode (LED) grow lights maximize blue
and red light to provide a balance for plants, but high initial
purchase cost has prohibited mass adoption for home growers. In
addition, even conventional LED grow lights are driven with high
current, often consuming 100 to 300 watts of electrical power,
which leads to excess heat, forcing growers to keep the LEDs 18 to
30 or more inches away from the plants (which uses up valuable
volumetric indoor space) and to use fans and air conditioning
(involving further cost and volumetric space) in order to remove
harmful excess heat.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 9,903,574 to Aaron J. Golle et al. issued on
Feb. 27, 2018 with the title "High powered LED light module with a
balanced matrix circuit," and is incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,903,574 describes inventive embodiments that
include a device for distributing power to devices over an area,
with a power density of at least one Watt per ft.sup.2 (or 900
cm.sup.2 in metric units). The device includes a flexible
substrate; a circuit that includes a thin film conductor having a
thickness of 400 nanometers or less, wherein the circuit is adhered
to the substrate; a plurality of devices positioned on the sheet
and attached to the circuit wherein each device of the plurality is
driven at substantially the same voltage; and the power delivered
to the devices is at least 90% of the input power of the energized
circuit.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 8,471,274 to Aaron J. Golle, et al. issued on
Jun. 25, 2013 with the title "LED light disposed on a flexible
substrate and connected with a printed 3D conductor," and is
incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 8,471,274 describes
a flexible planar substrate including a first surface that is
planar, at least one bare light-emitting-diode ("LED") die coupled
to the substrate and conductive ink electrically coupling the at
least one bare LED die, wherein the conductive ink is disposed on
the substrate and extends onto a surface of the LED that is
out-of-plane from the first surface.
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 7,607,815 to Pang issued on Oct. 27, 2009 with
the title "Low profile and high efficiency lighting device for
backlighting applications" and is incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,607,815 describes a light source having a flexible
substrate and a plurality of dies having LEDs is disclosed. The
light source can be conveniently utilized to provide an extended
light source by bonding the light source to a suitable light pipe.
The substrate is divided into first and second regions. The dies
are bonded to the substrate in a first region. A portion of the
surface of the substrate in the second region is reflective. The
substrate is bent such that the second region forms a reflector
that reflects light that would otherwise be emitted in a non-useful
direction to a more useful direction. The substrate can be
constructed from a three-layer flexible circuit carrier in which
the dies are mounted on a bottom metal layer to provide an improved
thermal path for heat generated in the dies.
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,857 to Froese issued Nov. 17, 2009 with
the title "Illuminated window blind assembly" and is incorporated
herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,857 describes an
illuminated blind assembly having either horizontally oriented
slats or vertically oriented slats. The slats have structure that
allows them to be illuminated. The slats can be A.C. or D.C.
powered. The window blind assembly may have a housing containing
rechargeable batteries. These batteries can be charged by
photovoltaic solar cells that are positioned on the top surfaces of
the slats. The window blind assembly can have a tilt/raise/lower
pulley system structure and electrical servos in a housing
extending across the top of the window blind assembly. An infrared
remote sensor can be located in the front of the housing for
controlling the electric servos and the switch for lighting up the
slats.
[0024] U.S. Pat. No. 9,116,276 to Montfort et al. issued on Aug.
25, 2015 with the title "Room divider with illuminated light guide
blind blade" and is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No.
9,116,276 describes an apparatus that includes a first holder
configured to hold a light source and having an interface for
receiving power to feed to said light source, and a light guide
plate configured to be coupled to said first holder and guide light
emitted by the light source out from at least one surface of the
light guide plate.
[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 8,454,991 to Woo et al. issued on Jun. 4, 2013
with the title "Method and device for photodynamic therapy," and is
incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 8,454,991 describes
a photodynamic therapy method and uses thereof for treating an
individual in need thereof, including administering a
photosensitizer to an individual and activating the photosensitizer
with a chemiluminescent light source, and/or a light-emitting diode
light source, wherein the light source is in dermal contact with
the individual. The light source is a chemiluminescent light source
or a light-emitting diode light source and the device is adapted to
deliver the photosensitizer to the individual and to irradiate a
part of an individual to activate the photosensitizer.
[0026] U.S. Pat. No. 9,282,699 to Anderson, et al. issued on Mar.
15, 2016 with the title "Irrigation system," and is incorporated
herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 9,282,699 describes an
irrigation system that includes a carriage may move along a
predetermined path in a reciprocal manner. The carriage supports
one or more exit ports that are fed plant growth material by a
pressurized delivery arrangement. One or more plant stands are
configured and arranged to straddle the carriage as it moves along
the predetermined path. The one or more plant stands form a chamber
into which plant roots may extend, and into which the one or more
exit ports are able to discharge their plant growth material. The
one or more plant stands may include side panels and a cap to
reduce infiltration of light and contaminants, and to enhance the
plant root-plant growth material interface and absorption rates.
The carriage and/or the plant stand(s) may include friction
reducing elements that facilitate transverse movement. The carriage
and/or the plant stand(s) may be supported by a modular
framework.
[0027] U.S. Pat. No. 9,474,217 to Anderson, et al. issued on Oct.
25, 2016 with the title "Controlled environment and method," and is
incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 9,474,217 describes
an irrigation system that may include a carriage that may move
along a predetermined path in a reciprocal manner. The carriage may
support one or more exit ports that may be fed nutrient supply by a
pressurized delivery arrangement. One or more plant stands may be
configured and arranged to straddle the carriage as it moves along
the predetermined path. The one or more plant stands may form a
chamber into which plant roots may extend, and into which the one
or more exit ports may discharge their nutrient supply. The one or
more plant stands may include side panels and a cap to reduce
infiltration of light and contaminants and to enhance the plant
root/nutrient supply interface and absorption rates. The carriage
and/or the plant stand(s) may include friction reducing elements
that facilitate transverse movement. The carriage and/or the plant
stand(s) may be supported by framework.
[0028] U.S. Pat. No. 9,814,186 to Anderson et al. issued on Nov.
14, 2017 with the title "Growing system," and is incorporated
herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 9,814,186 describes a growing
system and/or plant support structure that may include one or more
feet supporting at least one or more uprights, on which a plurality
of plants and/or grow boards for growing plants may be positioned.
A nutrient delivery system may be positioned between opposing
uprights to provide nutrient supply to a root zone of plants, which
nutrient delivery system may be positioned adjacent each opposing
upright in an interior chamber of the plant support structure. A
light system may be positioned between two adjacent plant support
structures such that it simultaneously provides light to the
exterior surface of the two plant support structures.
[0029] U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,661 to Lebens, Bourn and Lemaire issued
on Aug. 1, 2000 with the title "Method and apparatus for an L.E.D.
flashlight," and is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No.
6,095,661 describes an improved method and apparatus for hand-held
portable illumination. An illumination source includes a housing, a
plurality of LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively
applies power from the DC voltage source to the LED units, wherein
the illumination source is suitable for handheld portable operation
by a user. In one embodiment, the first electrical circuit further
includes a control circuit for controlling a light spectrum and
maintaining a predetermined light output level of the LED units as
a charge on a battery varies. In another embodiment, the control
circuit maintains an average predetermined light output level of
the LED units as the charge on the battery cell varies by changing
a pulse width or frequency as the charge on the battery cell varies
to maintain a given average light output. Another aspect provides
an illumination source that includes a light-emitting diode (LED)
housing including one or more LEDs, and a control circuit that
selectively applies power from a source of electric power to the
LEDs, the control circuit substantially maintaining a light output
characteristic of the LEDs as a voltage of the voltage source
varies over a range that would otherwise vary the light output
characteristic. Still another aspect provides an illumination
source including a light-emitting diode (LED) housing including one
or more LEDs; and a control circuit that selectively applies power
from a source of electric power to the LEDs, thus maintaining or
controlling a light output color spectrum of the LEDs.
[0030] What is needed is a more efficient and effective lighting
solutions having air-flow and/or other capabilities that are useful
for architectural lighting as well as for growing plants,
particularly in large mass-production warehouse indoor growing
facilities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0031] The present invention provides one or more skinny lighted
gas-delivery ducts or plenums having outer walls made of perforated
flexible LED illumination sheets, each supporting an array of LEDs
that are interconnected in parallel and in series. In some
embodiments, the perforated LED sheet is thermo-formed such that
each respective perforation includes an air scoop to redirect a
predetermined or desired amount of the supplied gas through that
respective perforation with a given directionality. In some
embodiments, the LEDs are mounted as bare LED dice that are
electrically connected to electrical conductors on the
substrate.
[0032] Some embodiments include a plant-light system that includes
a plurality of ducted plant-lighting plenum sheets, wherein each
ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet includes a plurality of
perforated LED tiles (e.g., in some embodiments, flexible polymer
substrates having copper circuitry used to electrically connect to
the LEDs), each LED tile including a plurality of LEDs arranged on
a grid, the plurality of LEDs including LEDs emitting light that
appears red, light that appears blue, light that appears white, and
light that is at least mostly infrared light, wherein each plant
lighting sheet has a length and a width, and wherein the plurality
of lighting sheets is arranged along a length of a room; a
plurality of plant-holding pockets arranged along the length of the
room generally parallel to the plurality of ducted plant-lighting
plenum sheets; and a plant-lighting plenum sheets motion and
withdrawal system arranged to move the plurality of ducted
plant-lighting plenum sheets to a plurality of different locations
relative to the plurality of plant-holding pockets for different
time periods.
[0033] Some embodiments include a lighting apparatus that includes
a flexible circuit substrate that has a front face and an opposite
back face, and a first end and an opposite second end; a first
plurality of LEDs on the flexible substrate, wherein each die of
the first plurality of LEDs emits blue light; a second plurality of
LEDs that emits red light; a third plurality of LEDs that emits
infrared, wherein the first, second and third plurality of LEDs
each emit a full-width-half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 50 nm
in each of their respective colors. Some embodiments provide
variable spacing to the apparatus and variable scheduled lighting
periods and accommodate various types of botanical plants.
[0034] In some embodiments, the present invention is used to
enhance plant growth, and the supplied gas delivered through the
perforations in the gas-delivery light fixture includes air and/or
carbon dioxide and/or water mist and/or other plant nutrients in
gas or vapor form, and the lighted gas-delivery plenums form
movable light-delivery and gas-delivery functions in narrow aisles
between vertical racks of crop plants, such as lettuce, spinach or
herbs indoors in a large warehouse-type structure. In some
embodiments, the gas is thermally regulated to provide, e.g.,
cooled air to compensate for the small amount of heat generated by
the LEDs on the perforated LED sheets, or warmed air for cold
climates.
[0035] In some embodiments, the present invention is used in a
lighted gas-delivery therapy device for treatment of humans or
other animals, such as for seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
therapy. In some such embodiments, the gas includes air (in some
embodiments, temperature-regulated air), and/or one or more
aromatherapy agents in gas or vapor form, and/or one or more
photosensitizer agents, and optionally including an enhanced oxygen
content, and the lighted gas-delivery plenum provides table-top SAD
light- and gas-delivery functions. In some embodiments, the gas is
thermally regulated to provide, e.g., a therapeutic cooling or
warming airflow that is controlled by a patient based on the
patient's self-perceived needs.
[0036] In some embodiments, the parallel-series interconnections
connect rows of LEDs in parallel, wherein each LED in a given row
has substantially the same voltage drop and substantially the same
current through the respective LED, but wherein different rows of
LEDs can provide different voltage drops (such as red and/or
infrared LEDs that typically have a relatively low voltage drop
(for example, about 2.0 to 2.4 volts depending on device type), in
contrast to green, cyan, blue, violet or ultraviolet LEDs that have
relatively higher voltage drops (for example, 2.8 to 3.5 volts
depending on device type) and a plurality of such rows are
connected in series from a common voltage supply or current supply
conductor to a common ground conductor. In some embodiments, there
are no required conductor crossings of the parallel-series
interconnections, so a single single-layer conductor pattern is
deposited on the substrate, reducing the cost of the substrate.
[0037] In some embodiments, the parallel-series interconnections
are arranged in a rectangular grid (e.g., in some embodiments, a
grid of squares), and in the center of each grid rectangle or
square, the substrate is removed, leaving a rectangle or square
opening, optionally having rounded corners to help prevent tearing
that can otherwise occur if the corners were sharp.
[0038] In some embodiments, the movable skinny air-delivery ducts
having outer walls made of perforated flexible LED illumination
sheets of the present invention are used in narrow-aisled
controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) applications.
[0039] In some embodiments, the present invention further includes
air-movement actuators (such as air-driving pistons, audio
speakers, subwoofers and/or the like operatively coupled to the
air-delivery duct(s) and/or plenums), and/or actuators that move
the lighted movable skinny air-delivery ducts having outer walls
made of perforated flexible LED illumination sheets or outward
facing sheets made of perforated flexible LED illumination sheets
located within one or more outer covering sheets or protective
layers that are at least partially transparent to the wavelengths
of interest. In some embodiments, the wavelengths of interest for
plant-growing applications include red, white and blue wavelengths
and optionally cyan, green, yellow, violet, ultraviolet (UV) and/or
infrared (IR) wavelengths. In some embodiments, the air-movement
actuators and/or audio speakers are used to output sound vibrations
of about 600 Hz to promote plant pollination. In other embodiments,
sound vibrations in a range between 300 and 900 Hz, are used. In
some embodiments, these sound vibrations are pulsed (modulated by a
pulse envelope). In some embodiments, the air supply is pulsed
using an air-motion device such as a piston to periodically move
the leaves and stems of the crop plants.
[0040] Certain marks referenced herein may be common-law or
registered trademarks of applicant or the assignee, or of third
parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the
assignee. Use of these marks is for providing a descriptive and
enabling disclosure by way of example and shall not be construed to
limit the scope of the claimed subject matter to material, services
or products associated with such marks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0041] FIG. 1A is a front view of perforated plant light sheet 101,
according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 1B1 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of
assembled gas-delivery plenum plant light apparatus 102A, according
to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 1B2 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of plant
light apparatus 102B having a clear polymer cover 137 and a
plurality of push-pin type air-pore devices 156, according to some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 1B3 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of plant
light apparatus 102C having a clear polymer cover 137 and a
plurality of air-pore devices 156 having T-shaped air dispersers
173, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 1B4 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of plant
light apparatus 102D having a clear polymer cover 137 and a
plurality of air-pore devices 156 having flapper air dispersers
174, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 1B5 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of plant
light apparatus 102E having a clear polymer cover 137 and a
plurality of air-pore devices 156 having spiral-shaped air
dispersers 175, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0047] FIG. 1B6 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of plant
light apparatus 102F having a clear polymer cover 137 and a
plurality of air-pore devices 156 having flapper air dispersers 176
on a mover device 189, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0048] FIG. 1B7 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of plant
light apparatus 102G having a clear polymer cover 137, a plurality
of short air-pore devices 156 connecting the clear polymer cover
137 to the perforated plant light sheet 101, and a plurality of
long air-pore devices 158 connecting the clear polymer cover 137 to
the perforated center sheet 190, according to some embodiments of
the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 1B8 is a schematic top cross-sectional view of a skinny
gas-delivery plant light system 104 having a gas-movement unit 192
(such as a gas pump, fan or other actuator) and an assembled
gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102, according to some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0050] FIG. 1C is an orthographic view of assembled plant light
apparatus 102, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0051] FIG. 1D is an orthographic view of a plant-growth system 103
utilizing a plurality of assembled plant light apparatuses 102,
according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0052] FIG. 1E is an orthographic view of a lighted gas-delivery
therapy system 105 utilizing a perforated light-sheet 130,
according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0053] FIG. 1F is a plan view of a perforated light-sheet system
106 with small circular holes, according to some embodiments of the
present invention.
[0054] FIG. 1G is an orthographic view of a swinging assembled
plant light apparatus 107, according to some embodiments of the
present invention.
[0055] FIG. 1H1 is an orthographic view of a plant-growth system
108 utilizing a plurality of swinging assembled plant light
apparatus 107, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0056] FIG. 1H2 is an orthographic view of a small sub-portion of
plant -holder system 180, according to some embodiments of the
present invention.
[0057] FIG. 1H3 is an orthographic view of a small sub-portion of
plant -holder system 180', according to some embodiments of the
present invention.
[0058] FIG. 1H4 is an orthographic view of a small sub-portion of
plant-holder system 180'', according to some embodiments of the
present invention.
[0059] FIG. 1i is a plan view of an enclosed plant-growth container
apparatus 990, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0060] FIG. 1J is an orthographic view of a plant-growth system 109
utilizing a plurality of swinging plant light apparatuses 107 and a
plurality of movable plant walls 185, according to some embodiments
of the present invention.
[0061] FIG. 2A is a plan view of a perforated light-sheet system
201 with small circular holes, according to some embodiments of the
present invention.
[0062] FIG. 2B is a cross-section block diagram of a portion of a
SAD-light- and aromatherapy-therapy perforated light-sheet system
202, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0063] FIG. 3 is a top view of plant light system 301, with a
plurality of parallel tracks for variable light-to-plant spacings,
according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0064] FIG. 4A1 is an end view of a portion of a perforated
light-sheet 401 with air scoops 470 and large metal areas 479
adjacent the LEDs 130, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0065] FIG. 4B1 is a plan view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet 401, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0066] FIG. 4C1 is a side view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet 401, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0067] FIG. 4A2 is an end view of a portion of a perforated
light-sheet 401' with air scoops 470 and large metal areas 479
adjacent the LEDs 130, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0068] FIG. 4B2 is a plan view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet 401', according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0069] FIG. 4C2 is a side view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet 401', according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0070] FIG. 4D is an end view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet 404 with air scoops 470, according to some embodiments
of the present invention.
[0071] FIG. 4E is a plan view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet 404, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0072] FIG. 4F is a top view of a portion of perforated light-sheet
404, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0073] FIG. 4G is a cross-section top view of a portion of
perforated light-sheet assembly 407 made using two perforated
light-sheets 408 with varied-sized air scoops 471-475, according to
some embodiments of the present invention.
[0074] FIG. 4H is a perspective view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet assembly 409 with same-sized air scoops 470, according
to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0075] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet assembly 500, according to some embodiments of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0076] Although the following detailed description contains many
specifics for the purpose of illustration, a person of ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and
alterations to the following details are within the scope of the
invention. Specific examples are used to illustrate particular
embodiments; however, the invention described in the claims is not
intended to be limited to only these examples, but rather includes
the full scope of the attached claims. Accordingly, the following
preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without any
loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon the
claimed invention. Further, in the following detailed description
of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of
illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be
practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized
and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope
of the present invention.
[0077] It is specifically contemplated that the present invention
includes embodiments having combinations and subcombinations of the
various embodiments and features that are individually described
herein (i.e., rather than listing every combinatorial of the
elements, this specification includes descriptions of
representative embodiments and contemplates embodiments that
include some of the features from one embodiment combined with some
of the features of another embodiment, including embodiments that
include some of the features from one embodiment combined with some
of the features of embodiments described in the patents and
application publications incorporated by reference in the present
application). Further, some embodiments include fewer than all the
components described as part of any one of the embodiments
described herein.
[0078] The leading digit(s) of reference numbers appearing in the
Figures generally corresponds to the Figure number in which that
component is first introduced, such that the same reference number
is used throughout to refer to an identical component which appears
in multiple Figures. Signals and connections may be referred to by
the same reference number or label, and the actual meaning will be
clear from its use in the context of the description.
[0079] FIG. 1A is a plan view of a portion of a perforated light
sheet 101, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
In some embodiments, light sheet 101 includes a plurality of
perforations 150 and a plurality of LEDs 130 mounted on junctions
of series conductors 125, which are connected to one another
between rows of LEDs 130 by parallel conductors 135, wherein a
polymer substrate 124 is visible in the rectangular space with
rounded corners between each adjacent pair of series conductors 125
and each adjacent pair of parallel conductors 135. In some
embodiments (as shown in FIG. 4A1 herein, and also shown in P.C.T.
Patent Application Publication WO/2018/089955, which is
incorporated herein by reference), each LED is mounted right next
to a junction 138 between two parallel conductor and forming a
series-connected plurality of sets of parallel-connected LEDs, in
order for each LED to be as close as possible to the larger metal
area (e.g., metal areas 479 of FIG. 4A1) adjacent the junction 138
in order to better spread the heat from the operating LEDs to the
horizontal parallel conductors 135 to the left and right of the
junction and to the vertical series-connected conductors 125 (above
the junction and below the LED for LEDs in the upper half of
perforated light sheet 101, and below the junction 138 and above
the LED 130 for LEDs in the lower half of perforated light sheet
101). In some embodiments (not shown here but shown in P.C.T.
Patent Application Publication WO/2018/089955, which is
incorporated herein by reference), each row 110 has the same
height, whereas two middle rows 111 are of a smaller height, in
order that all LEDs are evenly spaced vertically and the LEDs on
the upper-edge row and the lower-edge row are closer to the top and
bottom conductors 121 and 122. In some embodiments, top conductor
121 is the DC power-supply conductor and bottom conductor 122 is
the DC ground conductor. In some embodiments, polymer substrate 124
extends slightly beyond the outer edge of the top and bottom
conductors 121 and 122, and of the left-most and right-most series
conductors 125. In some embodiments, rounded or circular holes 150
are provided between each adjacent pair of series conductors 125
and each adjacent pair of parallel conductors 135. In some
embodiments, round holes are used and the junctions 138 between
series conductors 125 and parallel conductors 135 are of larger
area for increased physical panel strength and better heat
spreading to keep the temperature rise smaller.
[0080] FIG. 1B1 is a cross-section view of a portion of a plenum
cartridge 102A (also sometimes called a gas-delivery plant-light
assembly or fixture), showing a cross-section view of two
oppositely facing perforated light-sheets 101 along section line
1B1 of FIG. 1A, according to some embodiments of the present
invention. In some embodiments, each perforated light-sheet 101
includes a perforated substrate 136, a plurality of LEDs 130
connected to conductors 123. In some embodiments, a supply of gas
161 is forced into the plenum cartridge 102A through duct or pipe
160 and exits both sides to the vegetative or crop plants through
opening 150. In some embodiments, insulating connectors 139 (e.g.,
a polymer filament with knobbed ends or the like) are used to
minimize ballooning of the light sheets that would otherwise occur
due to the gas 161 being pushed through the skinny duct plenum
cartridge 102A. In some embodiments, a clear polymer cover sheet
(not shown in this Figure, but such as shown as sheet 137 of FIG.
1B2) is used on the outer surfaces of light sheets 101.
[0081] FIG. 1B2 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of
assembled gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102B having a clear
polymer cover 137 and a plurality of push-pin type air-pore devices
156, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In
some embodiments, hollow air-pore devices 156 (such as a
cylindrical polymer tube) are formed or flared at their inner and
outer ends to have a larger diameter outside the clear polymer
cover 137 and inside the perforations of perforated light-sheet 101
in order to form air pores with through-hole passageways that
function to emit/deliver gas 151 to the plant crops (see FIG. 1D,
plants 181); the end flares of air-pore devices 156 also function
to hold together the parts of plant light apparatus 102B. In some
embodiments, insulating connectors 139 (e.g., a polymer filament
with knobbed ends or the like) are used to minimize ballooning of
the light sheets that would otherwise occur due to the gas 161
being pushed through the skinny duct plenum cartridge 102B. In some
embodiments, insulating connectors 139 connect the outer clear
polymer cover 137 to the center support sheet 190 alternately on
each surface, while in other embodiments, insulating connectors 139
connect the outer clear polymer cover 137 on one side to the outer
clear polymer cover 137 on the opposite side.
[0082] FIG. 1B3 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of plant
light apparatus 102C having a clear polymer cover 137 and a
plurality of air-pore devices 156 having T-shaped air dispersers
173, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In
some embodiments, T-shaped air dispersers 173 function to spread
the gas 151 to the sides of the pores 150 through air-pore devices
156 such that crop plants get air pushing the leaf structures
sideways, particularly when the structure of assembled plant light
apparatus 102C is combined with an oscillating or swinging
assembled plant light apparatus 107 such as shown in FIG. 1G and
FIG. 1H1.
[0083] FIG. 1B4 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of
gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102D having a clear polymer
cover 137 and a plurality of air-pore devices 156 having flapper
air dispersers 174, according to some embodiments of the present
invention. In some embodiments, flapper air dispersers 174 are
flexible polymer structures that are inherently unstable such that
they physically flap and oscillate back and forth to provide
oscillating gas flow (of a gas such as air), when gas is pumped
through gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102D. In some preferred
embodiments, the flapper air dispersers 174 are designed such that
the oscillation is about 600 hertz (or, in other embodiments, in a
range from 300 to 900 hertz, in a range of about 500 to about 700
hertz, in a range of about 400 to about 800 hertz, or in another
suitable range), which is thought by some to promote plant
pollination.
[0084] FIG. 1B5 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of
gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102E having a clear polymer
cover 137 and a plurality of air-pore devices 156 having
spiral-shaped air dispersers 175, according to some embodiments of
the present invention.
[0085] FIG. 1B6 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of
gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102E having a clear polymer
cover 137 and a plurality of air-pore devices 156 having flapper
air dispersers 176 on a mover device 189, according to some
embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, mover
device 189 oscillates left and right, thus moving flapper air
dispersers 176 back and forth using the pore sides as fulcrum
points.
[0086] FIG. 1B7 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of
assembled gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102G having a clear
polymer cover 137, a plurality of short air-pore devices 156
connecting the clear polymer cover 137 to the perforated plant
light sheet 101, and a plurality of long air-pore devices 158
connecting the clear polymer cover 137 to the perforated center
sheet 190, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
In some such embodiments, the long air-pore devices help minimize
and/or prevent ballooning of the plenum shape as gas 161 is forced
into gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102G.
[0087] FIG. 1B8 is a schematic top cross-sectional view of a skinny
gas-delivery plant light system 104 having a gas-movement unit 192
(such as a gas pump, fan or other actuator) and an assembled
gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102, according to some
embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments,
gas-delivery plant light system 104 includes an LED power supply
187, an air-pulsing device 188 (such as a periodically activated
piston or the like) to selectively pulse the air supply from time
to time to agitate the leaves of the crop plants, an audio
transducer 189 that outputs an audio signal (e.g., in some
embodiments, 600 Hz) to help the plants self-pollinate, and/or a
gas-movement unit 192. In some embodiments, gas-movement unit 192
is also (or alternatively instead of air-pulsing device 188) used
to periodically pulse the gas and/or air supply delivered to
gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102. In some embodiments,
gas-movement unit 192 is also (or alternatively instead of audio
transducer 189) used to periodically or continuously supply an
audio signal into the gas delivered to gas-delivery plant light
apparatus 102.
[0088] In some embodiments, any one or more of the assembled
gas-delivery plant light apparatuses 102A through 102G of FIGS.
1B1-1B7 are combined to form a gas-delivery plant light apparatus
102 such as shown in FIG. 1B8, FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D or with swinging
gas-delivery plant light apparatus 107 such as shown in FIG. 1G and
FIG. 1H1.
[0089] FIG. 1C is an orthographic view of assembled gas-delivery
plant light apparatus 102, according to some embodiments of the
present invention. In some embodiments, gas-delivery plant light
apparatus 102 includes a plurality of perforated light sheets 101
(e.g., one or more facing in two opposite directions), each
perforated light sheet 101 having a plurality of LEDs 130 and holes
150. In some embodiments, gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102
includes a gas-delivery duct 160 and a plurality of rollers 170
from which gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102 is hung and moved
along overhead tracks (as shown in FIG. 1H1 reference number 176).
In some embodiments, each gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102 is
implemented as one or more of plant light apparatuses 102A through
102G of FIGS. 1B1-1B7, respectively, for example 102A of FIG. 1B1
or 102B of FIG. 1B2. In some embodiments, gas-delivery plant light
apparatus 102 is implemented using a plurality of the same type
selected from plant light apparatuses 102A through 102G of FIGS.
1B1-1B7, while in other embodiments, different ones of plant light
apparatuses 102A through 102G of FIGS. 1B1-1B7 are combined to
implement gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102 of FIG. 1C.
[0090] In some embodiments, the thickness of gas-delivery plant
light apparatus 102 is made thin enough, and the height and width
of plant light apparatus 102 sufficiently tall and wide, in order
to locate pot-holder systems 180 very close together to maximize
the number of plants in a given volume. For example, in some
embodiments, each gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102 has a
thickness of no more than 2 cm (about 0.8 inches), while in other
embodiments, the thickness is no more than 4 cm, no more than 6 cm,
no more than 8 cm or no more than 10 cm (about 2.5 inches). In
other embodiments, gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102 has a
thickness of no more than 15 cm, a thickness of no more than 20 cm,
a thickness of no more than 30 cm, a thickness of no more than 40
cm, or a thickness of no more than 50 cm (about 18 inches). In some
preferred embodiments, the thickness of gas-delivery plant light
apparatus 102 is no more than 25 cm (about 10 inches). In some
embodiments, the height of each gas-delivery plant light apparatus
102 is at least 2 meters (about 6.5 feet tall), with a width of at
least 1.22 meters (about 4 feet wide). In some other embodiments,
the height of each gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102 is at
least 3 meters, at least 4 meters, at least 5 meters, or at least
6.1 meters (about 20 feet tall). In some other embodiments, the
width of each gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102 is at least 2
meters, at least 3 meters (about 10 feet wide), at least 4 meters,
at least 5 meters, or at least 6.1 meters (about 20 feet wide).
[0091] Of course, different widths and heights can be combined for
a given application of gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102, such
as a height of about 2.44 meters (about 8 feet tall) and a width of
about 1.22 meters (about 4 feet wide). Five such 4-foot-wide
gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102 would be placed between and
be used to illuminate two parallel walls of pot-holder systems 180
that are each about 12.2 meters long (about 40 feet long), wherein
the five gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102 would be moved
sideways to different locations every 12 hours to alternately
illuminate different sections of the 40-foot-long wall of
pot-holder systems 180. In that way, each plant would receive 12
hours of light during each 24-hour period.
[0092] In some embodiments, the thickness of each of the pot-holder
systems 180 is made thin enough, and tall and wide, in order to
locate the pot-holder systems 180 very close together to maximize
the number of plants in a given volume. For example, in some
embodiments, each pot-holder system 180 has a thickness of no more
than 20 cm (about 8 inches), while in other embodiments, the
thickness is no more than 40 cm, no more than 60 cm, no more than
80 cm or no more than 100 cm (about 25 inches). In some preferred
embodiments, the thickness of pot-holder system 180 is no more than
25 cm (about 10 inches), and a plurality of pot-holder systems 180
are located parallel to one another at a center-to-center spacing
of about 30 to 35 cm (about 12 to 14 inches), with one or more
gas-delivery plant light apparatus 102 located between each pair of
crop plant walls to be moved sideways to different locations every
12 hours to alternately illuminate different sections of the walls
of pot-holder systems 180. In that way, each plant receives 12
hours of light and 12 hours of darkness during each 24-hour
period.
[0093] FIG. 1D is an orthographic view of a plant-growth system 103
utilizing a plurality of assembled plant light apparatuses 102,
each located between a respective pair of walls of pot-holder
systems 180, according to some embodiments of the present
invention. In some embodiments, plant-growth system 103 includes a
plurality of holder systems 180 each having a plurality of plant
holders or pots held or formed horizontally or at an angle between
horizontal and vertical, oriented on each wall, and the plants 181
grow generally horizontally from each pot in the space between the
pot and the ducted light panel systems 102 adjacent the pot. In
other embodiments, the pots are oriented horizontally with the
plants growing initially sideways (horizontally) and then growing
upward and/or downward vertically (for example, herbs or tomato
vines) over and along the sides of the pot-holder systems 180.
[0094] FIG. 1E is an orthographic view of a lighted desktop
gas-delivery therapy system 105 utilizing a perforated light-sheet
130, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In
some embodiments, lighted desktop gas-delivery therapy system 105
(placed on desktop 199) includes a source of aromatic and/or
pharmaceutical chemicals 191, a fan, pump or other gas-moving
device 192, a thermoelectric or other temperature-control device
193, an oxygen-enhancing device 194 (such as a source of compressed
oxygen gas or an oxygen-enhancing apparatus as are well known in
the art), and a controller 195 that controls devices 191, 192, 193,
and/or 194 and/or the LEDs 130. In some embodiments, lighted
desktop gas-delivery therapy system 105 is configured to be useful
in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
[0095] In some embodiments, the spectrum of the LEDs 130 of lighted
desktop gas-delivery therapy system 105 is adjustable and
controlled by the user and/or a timer such that more blue
(shorter-wavelength) light is emitted in the morning (or upon the
user waking after sleep) by activating and/or providing a greater
duty cycle to blue (e.g., about 440 nm to 470 nm wavelength) LEDs
and/or LEDs that emit a cool-white light (e.g., having a color
temperature of greater than 5000K) to make the user more alert for
the day ahead. Conversely, the spectrum of the LEDs 130 is
controlled by the user and/or a timer to emit mostly red
(longer-wavelength) light in the evening in order to help the user
get sleepy and ready for a night of restful sleep.
[0096] FIG. 1F is a plan view of a perforated light-sheet system
106 with an array of small circular holes 150 distributed among an
array of LEDs 130, according to some embodiments of the present
invention. In some embodiments, perforated light-sheet system 106
can be used for making the gas-delivery light-panel systems 102, or
as a starting part for further processing into any suitable one of
the other perforated light sheets (such as 101) or parts for skinny
gas-delivery lighting fixtures (such as 102, 102A through 102G,
105, 103A, 103b, 103c, 401, 402, 404, 407 and the like).
[0097] FIG. 1G is an orthographic view of a swinging assembled
plant light apparatus 107, according to some embodiments of the
present invention. In some embodiments, a rotary motor 168 drives a
rotating camshaft 167 connected to a connecting rod 169, in order
to move gas-delivery plant light systems 102 in an oscillating
motion 181. In some embodiments, gas-delivery plant light systems
102 is hung from pendulum-like connectors 169, such that when moved
back and forth along a mostly width-wise direction by motor 168,
camshaft 167 and connecting rod 169, the gas that is emerging
through-holes (pores) 150 is moved back-and-forth across the
adjacent crop plants. In some embodiments, back-and-forth
plant-light apparatus 107 is used to agitate the leaves of the crop
plants, in addition to (or instead of) air-pulsing device 188
and/or a gas-movement unit 192 of plant light system 104 shown in
FIG. 1B8.
[0098] FIG. 1H1 is an orthographic view of a plant-growth system
108 utilizing a plurality of swinging gas-delivery plant light
apparatuses 107 on both sides of a wall of plants 181 growing from
pots or other plant holders of a wall pot-holder system 180,
according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some
embodiments, a repeating series of parallel walls of pot-holder
systems 180 have a plurality of gas-delivery plant light
apparatuses 107 located therebetween, and movable along a length
direction 182 (e.g., in some embodiments, on a 12-hour on, 12-hour
off schedule such that each group of plants gets 12 hours of light
and gas delivery and 12 hours of dark. In some embodiments, a
hanger 179 is supported by rollers 170 that roll along tracks
176.
[0099] FIG. 1H2 is an orthographic view of a small sub-portion of
pot-holder system 180, according to some embodiments of the present
invention. In some embodiments, pot-holder system 180 includes a
light-weight sheet of material 196, such as sheet metal (e.g.,
steel or aluminum) or polymer (such as a polypropylene film or
extruded polystyrene) or fabric, a plurality of "pots" 197 such as
hollow cylinders of polypropylene film, recycled fabric or other
suitable material, wherein each pot 197 is stuffed with a
water-holding material or mixture 198 (such as fiberglass "wool"
combined with water-retaining plant gel (such as plant gel soil
alternative such as available from www.seedman.com/plantge.htm, or
Miracle-Gro.RTM. Water Storing Crystals available at many retail
outlets)). In some embodiments, "pots" 197 are vacuum-formed as
pockets in a polypropylene film sheet 196, wherein alternating
"pots" 197 are vacuum-formed as cylindrical (or other suitable
hollow prism shape) pockets on alternate sides of polypropylene
film sheet 196 such as shown in FIG. 1H3.
[0100] FIG. 1H3 is an orthographic view of a small sub-portion of
plant-holder system 180', according to some embodiments of the
present invention. In some such embodiments, the support sheet 196'
(such as a thin sheet or film of polypropylene, aluminum, non-woven
fabric, or the like) has the first subpopulation of cup-shaped
pockets 197' (called the far-side pockets) with their convex
surfaces extending outward from the far surface of support sheet
196', while the other second subpopulation of cup-shaped pockets
197'' (called the near-side pockets) have their convex surfaces
extending outward from the opposite (near-side) surface of support
sheet 196'. In some embodiments, cup-shaped pockets 197'' and
cup-shaped pockets 197' are made by heating support sheet 196' and
vacuum forming the desired shape. In some embodiments, the central
axis of each cup-shaped pocket 197'' and 197' is perpendicular to
the plane of support sheet 196' and the fill material 198 is stiff
enough to hold the plants in place while they grow. In other
embodiments, the central axis of each cup-shaped pocket 197'' is
downward sloping toward the closed deep end of each pocket (such as
shown in FIG. 1H4) to provide improved support for the rooting
material 198 and the plants 181. This solution provides a denser
(thinner) plant-holder system 180' since the horizontal extent of
the crop plants 181 growing towards the right from far-side pockets
197' extend only from the plane of the near-side surface of sheet
196' and are in the near-side volume of space also occupied by the
near-side pockets 197'', and conversely the horizontal extent of
the crop plants 181 growing towards the left from near-side pockets
197'' extend only from the plane of the near-side surface of sheet
196' and are in the near-side volume of space also occupied by the
far-side pockets 197'.
[0101] FIG. 1H4 is an orthographic view of a small sub-portion of
plant-holder system 180'', according to some embodiments of the
present invention. In some such embodiments, the central axis of
each cup-shaped pocket 197'' is downward sloping toward the closed
deep end of each pocket (such as shown in FIG. 1H4) to provide
improved support for the rooting material/soil substitute 198 and
the plants 181.
[0102] FIG. 1i is a plan view of an enclosed plant-growth container
apparatus 990 that includes an enclosure 991 having a plurality of
plant-growth systems 109 therein, and a door 992, according to some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0103] FIG. 1J is an orthographic view of a plant-growth system 109
utilizing a plurality of swinging plant light apparatuses 107 and a
plurality of movable plant walls 185, according to some embodiments
of the present invention.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 External measurements for some embodiments
of container 990 Standard High-Cube Type Length Width Height Height
20 ft 20'(6.06 m) 8'(2.44 m) 8' 6''(2.59 m) 9' 6''(2.89 m) 25 ft
25'(7.58 m) 8'(2.44 m) 8' 6''(2.59 m) 9' 6''(2.89 m) 30 ft 30'(9.12
m) 8'(2.44 m) 8' 6''(2.59 m) 9' 6''(2.89 m) 40 ft 40'(12.19 m)
8'(2.44 m) 8' 6''(2.59 m) 9' 6''(2.89 m) 45 ft 45'(13.72 m) 8'(2.44
m) 8' 6''(2.59 m) 9' 6''(2.89 m)
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Internal measurements for some embodiments
of container 990 Standard High-Cube Type Length Width Height Height
20 ft 19' 3''(5.87 m) 7' 8''(2.33 m) 7' 9''(2.35 m) 8' 9''(2.65 m)
25 ft 24' 4''(7.43 m) 7' 8''(2.33 m) 7' 9''(2.35 m) 8' 9''(2.65 m)
30 ft 29' 4''(8.93 m) 7' 8''(2.33 m) 7' 9''(2.35 m) 8' 9''(2.65 m)
40 ft 39' 5''(12.00 m) 7' 8''(2.33 m) 7' 9''(2.35 m) 8' 9''(2.65 m)
45 ft 44' 4''(13.51 m) 7' 8''(2.33 m) 7' 9''(2.35 m) 8' 9''(2.65
m)
[0104] FIG. 2A is a plan view of a portion of a stacked perforated
light-sheet system 201 with a plurality of layers of perforated
light-sheet 103, according to some embodiments of the present
invention. In some embodiments, the outermost layer 103A is stacked
on a middle layer 103B and innermost layer 103C. In other
embodiments, other numbers of layers are used. In some embodiments,
each different layer includes a plurality of LEDs having an overall
different spectrum than the spectra of other layers. In some
embodiments, this allows the intensity of light of each spectrum to
be controlled independent of the other spectra (e.g., by using
different duty cycles of pulse-width modulation (PWM) or different
current amounts), while each light sheet 103 needs only a single
layer of conductor, thus reducing costs. In other embodiments, two
or more of the layers have the same or substantially similar
spectra. In some embodiments, such a multi-layer multi-color
stacked perforated light-sheet system 201 is used in a
SAD-light-and aromatherapy-therapy system such as system 105 shown
in FIG. 1E. In other embodiments, rather than large holes 138, the
substrate is made of a transparent polymer and smaller holes are
provided.
[0105] FIG. 2B is a cross-section block diagram of a portion of a
SAD-light- and aromatherapy-therapy perforated light-sheet system
202, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In
some embodiments, a stacked perforated light-sheet system 201
includes a plurality of perforated light sheets (e.g., in some
embodiments, 103A, 103B, 103C). In some embodiments, system 202
includes a common insulated conductor 260 used to supply power to
all three light sheets 103A, 103B, and 103C. In some embodiments,
system 202 further includes individual conductors 261, 262, and 263
that are individually connected to their own respective sheet
(e.g., in some embodiments, conductor 261 is connected to sheet
103A, conductor 262 is connected to sheet 103B, and conductor 263
is connected to sheet 103C) with power supply 270 under control of
controller 195 in order to provide sheet-specific control of amount
of current, pulse-width modulation, and/or other suitable signal
control, in order to control brightness (amount of light) and/or
color spectrum (which wavelengths and how much of each wavelengths
are emitted) and/or time-of-day or time-of week or season to use
for each spectrum and/or brightness.
[0106] FIG. 3 is a top view of plant light system 301, with a
plurality of parallel tracks for variable light-to-plant spacings,
according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some
embodiments, one or more hanging chained (or hinged) and ducted
light panel systems 331 each having a string of gas-pipe-connected
and electrical-power-connected gas-delivery light panels or systems
340 (in some embodiments, implemented by gas-delivery plant light
systems 102 as shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D) are movable by sliding
the ducted light panel systems 331 in an end-to-end direction from
any of a plurality of tracks 321, 322, . . . 329 of one set of
parallel tracks 320 (e.g., 320A) to any of a plurality of tracks
321, 322, . . . 329 of another set of parallel tracks 320 (e.g.,
320B). The selectable one of the parallel tracks allows a desired
spacing to the adjacent set of pot-holder systems 180 (such as
shown in FIG. 1H1 or FIG. 1J) or shelves 310 of pots, wherein a
plurality of plant holders or pots are formed or positioned
horizontally (as shown in FIG. 1H2 and FIG. 1H3) or at an angle
between horizontal and vertical oriented (such as shown in FIG.
1H4) or on each shelf and the plants grow horizontally from each
pot in the space between the pot and the ducted light panel systems
331 adjacent the pot. In other embodiments, the pots are oriented
horizontally with the plants growing initially sideways
(horizontally) and then upward and/or downward vertically (for
example, tomato vines) over and along the sides of the pot-holder
systems 180 or shelves of pots 310. While seven, nine or eleven
parallel tracks (321, 322, . . . 329) are shown for each set of
tracks 320 in this FIG. 3, other embodiments use other quantities
of parallel tracks between adjacent shelf units 310. In some
embodiments, each hanging ducted light-sheet panel 340 of a given
hanging ducted light panel system 331 is connected to the
neighboring hanging light-sheet panels 340 by a common chain along
the track from which it is hanging and by a series of inter-panel
ducts 162, with one or more ducts 160 supplying gas and electrical
conductors supplying electrical power to the set of hanging ducted
light panel systems 331. Such chain-and-duct systems generally need
the leading edge of a given hanging light panel system 331 to be
pulled towards its destination (wherever the light and gas is
desired at a given time). In some other embodiments, each hanging
ducted light panel system 102 of a given hanging light panel system
331 is connected to the neighboring hanging light-sheet panels by
one or more hinges and one or more ducts along the vertical length
of the adjacent panels, and each panel is optionally connected at
its top to the track currently being used. Such hinged ducted
systems allow either the leading edge of a given hanging light
panel system 331 to be pulled towards its destination or the
trailing panel to be pushed so that the hanging light panel system
331 moves towards the desired destination. In other embodiments,
still other systems (such as those various ones used for vertical
Venetian blinds) are used.
[0107] FIG. 4A1 is an end view of a portion of a perforated
light-sheet 401 with air scoops 470 and large metal areas 479
(e.g., of a copper film or plating used as electrical conductor on
an insulating substrate 427 as shown in FIG. 4B1 and FIG. 4B2)
adjacent the LEDs 130 (LEDs on the opposite side of the substrate,
away from the convex side of the scoops 470), according to some
embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments,
non-electrically conductive gaps 478 (as shown in FIG. 4B1 and FIG.
4B2) separate adjacent ones of wide large metal areas 479, and a
row of parallel-wired LEDs 130 is mounted across each relatively
narrow non-electrically conductive gap 478, such that the plurality
of rows of parallel-wired LEDs 130 are wired in series between
external connector locations at the very top and very bottom ones
of the large metal areas 479. In some embodiments, such air scoops
470 allow better and more even air collection and/or air emission
from plenum-mounted light sheets. In some embodiments, for some
systems in which air is emitted from a supply-air plenum (such as
102A through 102G of FIGS. 1B1 through 1B7, respectively), the
scoops 470 extend inward from the outside face in a direction away
from the LEDs and the light emission from the outer surfaces, while
in some other embodiments of systems (not shown here), in which air
is collected into a return-air plenum, the scoops extend outward
from the same side as the LEDs and the side of light emission.
[0108] In some embodiments, the metal areas 479 form more than half
the area of perforated light-sheet 401, which provides a
low-resistance electrical conductor as well as a heat conductor for
spreading the heat from the LEDs 130 to avoid high-temperature hot
spots that can damage adjacent crop plants, thus allowing
perforated light-sheet 401 to be mounted closer to the crop plants,
which can increase the intensity of light onto the crop plants and
make for a more concentrated grow house (one with more plants per
unit volume) thus lowering the cost for facilities that enclose the
plants and gas-delivery lighting systems as described herein.
[0109] FIG. 4B1 is a plan view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet 401 with air scoops 470, according to some embodiments
of the present invention. In some embodiments, holes 426 occupy a
small portion of each space between each adjacent pair of series
conductors 425 and each adjacent pair of parallel conductors 435
(see FIG. 4B2 for an example indication of these conductors).
[0110] FIG. 4C1 is a side view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet 401 with air scoops 470 that are all of the same
height, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0111] FIG. 4A2 is an end view of a portion of a perforated
light-sheet 402 with air scoops 470 and relatively small metal
areas 479' adjacent the LEDs 430 (LEDs on the same side of the
substrate as the convex side of the scoops 470), according to some
embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments,
relatively large areas of non-electrically conductive substrate 427
connect gaps 478' that separate adjacent ones of narrow metal areas
479', and a row of parallel-wired LEDs 430 is mounted across each
non-electrically conductive gap 478', such that the plurality of
rows of parallel-wired LEDs 430 are wired in series between
external connector locations at the very top and very bottom ones
of the metal areas 479'.
[0112] FIG. 4B2 is a plan view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet 402, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0113] FIG. 4C2 is a side view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet 402, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0114] FIG. 4D is an end view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet 404 with air scoops 470, according to some embodiments
of the present invention. In some embodiments, such air scoops
allow better and more even air collection and/or air emission from
plenum-mounted light sheets. For systems in which air is emitted
from a supply-air plenum, the scoops extend outward from the side
away from the LEDs and the light emission, while in some
embodiments of systems in which air is collected into a return-air
plenum, the scoops extend outward from the same side as the LEDs
and the side of light emission.
[0115] FIG. 4E is a plan view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet 404, with air scoops 470, according to some embodiments
of the present invention.
[0116] FIG. 4F is a top view of a portion of perforated light-sheet
404, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0117] FIG. 4G is a cross-section top view of a portion of
perforated light-sheet assembly 407 made using two perforated
light-sheets 408 with varied-sized air scoops 471, 472, . . . -475,
according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some
embodiments, gas-delivery plenum 407 uses perforated light-sheets
409 with air scoops 471, 472, . . . -475 (e.g., in some
embodiments, 471, 472, 473, 474, and 475) that have a plurality of
different heights, according to some embodiments of the present
invention. In some embodiments, the different heights of air scoops
471, air scoops 472, air scoops 473, air scoops 474, and air scoops
475 allow better control of air flow from a plenum and thus more
even flow and velocity.
[0118] FIG. 4H is a perspective view of a portion of perforated
light-sheet assembly 409 with same-sized air scoops 470, according
to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0119] Some embodiments of the present invention include a stacked
perforated scooped light-sheet system (such as shown in FIG. 2B)
with a perforated light-sheet 409 with air scoops 470 and one or
more layers of perforated light-sheet 103A, 103B and/or 103C,
according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some
embodiments, the scooped layer 409 (with scoops formed inward (away
from the LEDs) or outward (towards the side with LEDs), as the case
may be) is stacked on one or more regular perforated light sheets
103A, 103B, 103C to form a stacked perforated scooped light-sheet
system. In some embodiments, different layers have different
spectra, different LED densities (quantities of LEDs per unit
area), and/or different PWM (pulse-width modulation) duty cycles or
current amounts in order to vary the intensity, proportion or
amount of light of each spectrum of the different layers.
[0120] FIG. 5 is a perspective partially cut-away view of a portion
of perforated gas-delivery light-sheet assembly 500, according to
some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments,
perforated gas-delivery light-sheet assembly 500 includes a central
support sheet 510 (e.g., in some embodiments, galvanized or
stainless steel) having a plurality of through-holes 512 that allow
gas to pass through the central support sheet 510 to exit through
perforations 150 in the LED light sheets 101 on the front side and
back side of perforated gas-delivery light-sheet assembly 500, and
a plurality of support stand-offs 511 that support a plurality of
LED light sheets 101, each spaced slightly apart from central
support sheet 510 (e.g., in some embodiments, at a horizontal
distance of between about 0.5 cm to about 2.5 cm; while in other
embodiments, the horizontal spacing is in a range between about 0.1
cm to about 10 cm or larger). In this FIG. 5, four backside LED
light sheets 101.B1-101.B4 are shown, indicated in dotted lines,
stacked edge-to-edge up the back side of central support sheet 510,
and a single frontside LED light sheet 101, with LEDs 130 and
perforations 150, is indicated in solid lines (three other
frontside LED light sheets 101 would normally also be attached
edge-to-edge vertically, relative to one another, above the single
frontside LED light sheet 101 shown here), and appropriate gas
supply lines and electrical power and control lines would be used,
such as shown in FIG. 1B8 described above. In some embodiments,
perforated gas-delivery light-sheet assembly 500 can be used for or
with gas-delivery plant-light assembly 102 of FIG. 1C or
gas-delivery plant-light assembly 107 of FIG. 1G.
[0121] In some embodiments, the low increase in temperature
relative to ambient temperature and the direct supply of ducted gas
eliminates need for undirected active fans or clunky metal heat
sinks, thus lowering the cost of electricity, maintenance and
replacement parts. Because of the low temperature rise, the LEDs
can be placed right next to the plants (rather than being spaced 18
or more inches away, as is required by high-current LEDs, HPC,
metal-halide, fluorescent or other conventional plant lights), thus
reducing the volume of space required to grow a given number of
plants.
[0122] In some embodiments, the low operating temperature relative
to other grow-light sources also minimizes fungus and mold
resulting from "hot" lighting systems operating indoors, which
improves yield and minimizes loss of plants. In some embodiments,
one or more UV-B LEDs are included to kill or control fungus such
as powdery mildew and the like (in some embodiments, UV-B LEDs on a
separately operable circuit such that the UV-B does not expose the
crop plants to too much UV-B spectrum light, as well as being able
to be turned off when humans are present as a health and safety
measure).
[0123] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a 12''
by 24'' 2-mil polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/1-oz. copper flex
circuit with 288 LEDs spaced uniformly at one-inch pitch in both
the X and Y directions and operating at a power density of 48
W/ft.sup.2 can have on the order of 60% (or more) of the substrate
removed leaving the circuit containing LEDs intact. Higher power
densities can be accommodated by increasing the copper thickness
and, if needed, replacing the PET substrate with
higher-temperature-capable substrates such as polyethylene
naphthalate (PEN) or polyimide.
[0124] In some embodiments, larger perforated light sheets (such as
4 feet by 8 feet, which is about 1.22 meters by 2.44 meters) are
formed using a plurality of smaller sheets (such as 12'' by 24'',
which is about 30 cm by 60 cm). In some embodiments, various
degrees of perforation can be achieved in each 12'' by 24'' circuit
(about 30 cm by about 60 cm circuit; e.g., in some embodiments,
containing quantity two-hundred eighty-eight (288) LEDs) as shown
in Table 3:
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Number Total open Shape Size of holes area
(in.sup.2) % Open area Circle 0.25'' Dia. Up to 230 11.3 3.9 Circle
0.5'' Dia. Up to 230 45.2 16 Rectangle 0.5625'' .times. 0.75'' Up
to 230 97 34
[0125] In some embodiments, for a circuit of quantity one-hundred
forty-four (144) LEDs, there are up to quantity one-hundred ten
(110) rectangular openings at 1.75''.times.0.5625'' and up to
quantity ten (10) rectangular openings at 0.75''.times.0.5625'' for
a total open area of 112.5 in.sup.2, or 39.1%.
[0126] In some embodiments, perforated GrowFilm.RTM.-brand flexible
plant-illumination sheets are used to facilitate air flow, control
temperature, and control CO.sub.2 and humidity levels. Small
perforations can be used with a plenum or perimeter dams (for gases
or vapors with a density greater than that of air) to uniformly
distribute gases of beneficial composition or water vapor for
humidity adjustment.
[0127] In some embodiments, the perforated flexible light sheets
are formed to have one or more scoop structures associated with
each perforation.
[0128] It is understood that these inventions can be produced in
various shapes and sizes and in a broad range of LED and power
densities.
[0129] In some embodiments, perforated GrowFilm.RTM.-brand flexible
plant-illumination sheets are used as tiled sheets, attached to
carrier materials (either flexible or rigid), and incorporated into
cartridges as described above (e.g., see FIG. 1B1 and FIG.
1B2).
[0130] Flexible Plant-Illumination-Sheet Cartridges
[0131] In some embodiments, perforated flexible LED
plant-illumination sheets (such as GrowFilm.RTM.-brand perforated
sheets) are incorporated into a plenum cartridge format for use in
both vertical and horizontal controlled-environment agriculture
(CEA) growing configurations (see FIG. 3). Cartridges can be tiled
and ducted together to provide gas delivery across a greater area,
either rigidly or hinged, to facilitate use. An example is a 4' by
8' horizontal assembly for use over a horizontal grow bed. Another
example is an 8' wide by 28' tall vertical plenum cartridge
assembly. Plenum cartridge assemblies can be mounted such that the
assembly can be moved across vertical grow walls to provide two
zones that can be exposed for equal periods of twelve hours or
fractions thereof, or three zones of eight hours each. In similar
fashion, plenum cartridge assemblies can be moved to adjacent
horizontal beds. In both cases, this reduces the number of
cartridges needed to one half to one-third of that which otherwise
would be needed.
[0132] In some embodiments, power and time are controlled to
provide the optimum Daily Light Integral (DLI) and light/dark ratio
for the plants being grown. In some embodiments, vertical heights
are controlled to allow vertical growth zones. The distance from
initial position can be changed to accommodate plant growth for
both horizontal bed and vertical wall growth configurations. See
also the novel track system of FIG. 3 described above.
[0133] In some embodiments, plenum cartridge systems 102A through
102G of FIGS. 1B1 through 1B7, respectively include (in addition to
gas ducting connections) modular power and control connections
between cartridges and cord management for power and control cords
for moveable plenum cartridge assemblies.
[0134] In some embodiments, plenum cartridge systems 102B through
102G of FIGS. 1B2 through 1B7, respectively are enclosed with a
transparent and cleanable front cover 137 to provide isolation from
high voltage for personnel safety, mechanical and environmental
protection of the GrowFilm.RTM. light sheet, and plenum cartridge
wash-down capability.
[0135] In some embodiments, used with a front surface transparent
cover or without, a GrowFilm.RTM. light sheet is optionally
protected against water, corrosion, and chemicals with a conformal
coating. Parylene, acrylic, polyurethane, and silicone are some of
the materials that are used, in some embodiments. In some
embodiments, spray, dip, and vacuum deposition are some of the
methods for applying the coating. In some embodiments, it is
important that the coating used does not adversely affect the
performance (color, light output, etc.) of the LEDs. In some
embodiments, without a surface in front of the LEDs, the plenum
cartridge optionally includes a circumferential and/or intermediate
lip on the cartridge. The lip helps protect the LEDs. Further, the
lip can be an advantage in a slide-in horizontal rack system so
that the rack features do not contact the LEDs.
[0136] Novel Track System for Vertical-Grow Gas-Delivery and Light
that Accommodates Both Multiple Growth Zones and Adjustable
Distance from Plants, to Compensate for Plant Growth.
[0137] See FIG. 3. In some embodiments, multiple tracks and
switches are provided. In some embodiments, light assemblies 331
(e.g., a plurality of gas-delivery skinny duct light fixtures 340
connected in series) are moved to any of several zones to provide
required DLI (Daily Light Integral) and light/dark ratio with fewer
light assemblies than would be used with total coverage and turning
lighting zones on and off.
[0138] In some embodiments, chained and piped/ducted light
assemblies 331 (optionally including hinged cartridges) are moved
between tracks 321, 322, . . . 329 to maintain optimum
plant-to-light distance as plants grow. In some embodiments,
light-assembly movement and switching is automated, using
electronically controlled motors and switches to move the chained
ducted light assemblies 331 to the track location at the desired
distance from a first set of plants, and then later move the
chained 1 ducted light assemblies 331 to the track location at the
desired distance from a second set of plants.
[0139] In some embodiments, tracks and switches are at the top of a
light assembly or, in other embodiments, at both the top and
bottom. If desired, top-only tracks are stabilized at the bottom
by, for example, ferromagnetic plates and magnets positioned on the
light assemblies and floor as desired. In some embodiments,
mechanical positioning features are also or alternatively employed.
Please see the discussion regarding FIG. 3.
[0140] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a unique
flexible printed circuit supporting a two-dimensional (2D) array of
LEDs on a perforated sheet that, in some embodiments, is curved to
allow growers to light their plants from above, from the side, and
from below, resulting in up to a 40% increase in yield. In some
embodiments, the flexible printed circuit supporting the 2D array
of LEDs forms part of a skinny gas-delivery light fixture that can
be used in enclosed high-density grow systems. In some embodiments,
the LED light spectrum of the present invention is engineered to
provide selected colors and intensities that optimize both yield
and quality of all plant varieties--"one light source for all
gardens, from tomatoes to cannabis." As a result, in some
embodiments, the home grower no longer needs three different
lighting systems (fluorescent, HPS, and Metal Halide) to
accommodate a varietal garden.
[0141] In some embodiments, commercial growers can grow high-value
crops, such as plants that are bioengineered to form desired
pharmaceutical extracts, in a highly controlled high-plant-density
indoor environment that is free from pesticides, artificial
fertilizers and other contaminates that could degrade the desired
pharmaceutical product. Such environments are also useful for other
conventional crops such as strawberries and herbs, that consumers
want grown organically without chemical pesticides. In some
embodiments, the LED sheets include separate sub-circuits for
different subpopulations of LEDs so that certain spectral
wavelengths can be switched on and off at a schedule that differs
from the schedule of other subpopulations of LEDs. For example, in
some embodiments, a separately activatable circuit is used for one
or more ultraviolet LEDs that emit UV-B wavelengths that are useful
for killing or controlling biological pests such as powdery mildew
and the like. Such biological pests could otherwise be a problem in
very confined high-density grow systems, but where if the UV-B LEDs
were left on continuously with the other LEDs, their UV-B light
could also be detrimental to the crop plants.
[0142] In some other embodiments, the LED light spectrum of the
present invention is custom engineered for each one of a plurality
of different plant varieties to optimize both yield and quality for
each selected plant variety, and to shorten crop turnaround time.
For example, different numbers of red LEDs, blue LEDs as well as
optional ultraviolet (UV) and/or infrared (IR) are selected based
on empirical tests as to how much of each color results in the
optimal growth curve. In some such embodiments, a plurality of such
sets of LEDs, each set producing light of a different spectrum, are
provided, along with circuitry that activates each set or a subset
of LEDs in each set based on which variety or type of plant is
being grown. In some such embodiments, the circuit is configured to
provide different spectra at different plant-growth phases (i.e.,
certain periods of time such as germination phase, growth phase,
flowering phase and the like). In some such embodiments, the
circuit is configured to provide light delivered from different
directions during different periods of time such that the plant
does not need to be rotated due to phototropism (where the plant
grows in a particular direction or orientation in response to the
direction of light).
[0143] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a
lighting apparatus that includes a flexible circuit substrate
having dimensions of at least 30 cm width and at least 30 cm
length, the flexible circuit substrate having a first face and an
opposite second face, and a first end and an opposite second end; a
first plurality of LEDs affixed to a first face of the flexible
circuit substrate, wherein each die of the first plurality of LEDs
emits blue light having a peak wavelength in a range of 400 nm and
500 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no
more than 50 nm; a second plurality of LEDs affixed to the first
face of the flexible circuit substrate, wherein each die of the
second plurality of LEDs emits red light having a peak wavelength
in a range of 600 nm and 700 nm, inclusive, and a full-width
half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 50 nm; a third plurality of
LEDs affixed to the first face of the flexible circuit substrate,
wherein each die of the third plurality of LEDs emits infrared
light having a peak wavelength in a range of 700 nm and 800 nm,
inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than
50 nm; a first end cap affixed to the first end of the flexible
circuit substrate; a second end cap affixed to the second end of
the flexible circuit substrate, wherein the first and second end
caps are configured to curve the first face of the flexible circuit
substrate into a concave shape; and at least a first pole bracket,
wherein the first pole bracket is connected to the first end cap,
and wherein the first pole bracket is configured to attach to a
first pole that supports the lighting apparatus. In some
embodiments, ultraviolet LEDs are also included.
[0144] In some embodiments, rather than a flexible circuit, a rigid
or semi-rigid light-sheet circuit substrate (e.g., in some
embodiments, a circuit that is formable by the temporary
application of heat to a temperature above the normal operating
temperature) is used, wherein the rigid or semi-rigid circuit also
provides a thin curved light source that has one or more end caps
that provide support and a functionality of attachment to a
vertical or horizontal (or other angle) pole.
[0145] In some embodiments, the present invention helps feed a
hungry planet by optimizing yields for indoor controlled
environmental agriculture. In some embodiments, the flexible,
low-heat lighting system of the present invention revolutionizes
current growing practices. In some conventional systems, yields are
limited due to the uneven distribution of vegetative flux. In some
embodiments of the present invention, the vegetative flux is
redistributed to the plant in a "surround light" distribution that
optimizes photosynthesis and resulting yields. In some embodiments,
the entire plant (top, middle, and bottom) is fed with a
uniform/measured dose of vegetative flux that optimizes yield and
quality.
[0146] In some embodiments, the present invention is thin and
efficient. In some embodiments, the present invention requires no
constantly running fan or bulky metal housing to dissipate heat of
the LEDs. In some embodiments, the present invention is both
minimalistic and functional. In some embodiments, the gas-flow unit
(pump, fan or the like) is intermittently activated such that gas
is not always flowing towards the crop plants (e.g., in some
embodiments, to save energy, a low gas flow or no gas flow is
supplied at some times, even at times that the LEDs are fully or
partially activated, while at other times a high gas flow is
applied (e.g., in some embodiments, in order to provide crop-plant
leaf agitation)).
[0147] In some conventional plant-growth systems, heat not only
stimulates mold and fungus growth, but also consumes non-essential
electricity due to additional cooling systems needed, contributing
to the high cost of controlled environment agriculture (CEA). In
some embodiments, in addition to higher yields, the low-heat
delivery system of the present invention contributes to healthier
growing environments. In some embodiments, the present invention
benefits the grower by significantly increasing yields while
reducing unwanted environmental bi-products that reduce plant
quality.
[0148] In some embodiments, the spectral distribution of the
present invention stimulates previously dormant photosynthetic
triggers and increases the nutrient values of all plants grown with
the present invention. In some embodiments, the present invention
includes digital lighting controls to further enhance its benefits.
In some embodiments, the present invention includes "tunable"
spectrum management and variable intensity control from a remote
"smart device" (phone/tablet). In some embodiments, the present
invention will allow indoor growers (from hobbyist to professional
greenhouse owners) to produce unprecedented yields and profits.
[0149] In general, home growers are not optimizing plant yields
when using conventional indoor lighting systems because all
conventional lighting (including sunlight) produces vegetative
light flux delivered exclusively or mostly from an above-the-plant
direction, or from only a particular angle from vertical, which
produces a "canopy" lighting effect. "Canopy" photosynthesis occurs
primarily due to absorption of much of the vegetative light flux at
the top (canopy) layer of the plant, resulting in insufficient
stimulation of the plant's receptors below the canopy and under the
leaf due to the shading and blocking of light by the top layer of
vegetation. Consequently, plant growth is less than optimum, and
the ensuing long crop-turnaround times negatively impact production
and profits of growers.
[0150] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a
flexible substrate having a plurality of LEDs affixed thereto, such
as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,471,274 to Aaron J. Golle, et al.,
which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the
color spectra emitted by a plurality of LEDs are selected to
optimize one or more aspects of plant growth. In some embodiments,
a large number of LEDs (e.g., in some embodiments, two sets of 144
LEDs per set) are provided, while in other embodiments, some other
suitable number of LEDs such as one or more sets, each set having a
quantity of 64, 100, 121, 144, 169, 196, 225 or some other suitable
number of LEDs, are used), wherein the LEDs are driven with a
relatively low amount of electrical current in order to minimize
excess heat.
[0151] Broad Spectrum of Light
[0152] Some embodiments provide a unique vegetative light flux
spectral distribution that acts to stimulate plants' photosynthetic
triggers to optimize nutrient values and yields.
[0153] Flexible Surround Light
[0154] Some embodiments provide thin, lightweight, flexible
GrowFilm.RTM. that can "surround" one or more plants, delivering
light and extra yield under the canopy of plants.
[0155] All-Inclusive Package
[0156] In some embodiments, all elements of the invention that are
needed are supplied in one box, with a How-to-Use manual that
allows for quick, easy set-up and operation of the lighting
system.
[0157] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a
lighting apparatus that includes a flexible circuit substrate
having dimensions of at least 30 cm width and at least 30 cm
length, the flexible circuit substrate having a first face and an
opposite second face, and a first end and an opposite second end; a
first plurality of LEDs affixed to a first face of the flexible
circuit substrate, wherein each die of the first plurality of LEDs
emits blue light having a peak wavelength in a range of 400 nm and
500 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no
more than 50 nm; a second plurality of LEDs affixed to the first
face of the flexible circuit substrate, wherein each die of the
second plurality of LEDs emits red light having a peak wavelength
in a range of 600 nm and 700 nm, inclusive, and a full-width
half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 50 nm; a third plurality of
LEDs affixed to the first face of the flexible circuit substrate,
wherein each die of the third plurality of LEDs emits infrared
light having a peak wavelength in a range of 700 nm and 800 nm,
inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than
50 nm; a first end cap affixed to the first end of the flexible
circuit substrate; a second end cap affixed to the second end of
the flexible circuit substrate, wherein the first and second end
caps are configured to curve the first face of the flexible circuit
substrate into a concave shape; and at least a first pole bracket,
wherein the first pole bracket is connected to the first end cap,
and wherein the first pole bracket is configured to attach to a
first pole that supports the lighting apparatus.
[0158] In some embodiments of the apparatus, each die of the first
plurality of LEDs emits the blue light with a peak wavelength in a
range of 420 nm and 480 nm, inclusive, and a full-width
half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 20 nm. In some embodiments,
each die of the second plurality of LEDs emits the red light with a
peak wavelength in a range of 610 nm and 690 nm, inclusive, and a
full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 20 nm. In some
embodiments, each die of the third plurality of LEDs emits the
infrared light with a peak wavelength in a range of 700 nm and 780
nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more
than 40 nm. In some embodiments, each die of the first plurality of
LEDs emits the blue light with a peak wavelength in a range of 420
nm and 480 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth
of no more than 20 nm; wherein each die of the second plurality of
LEDs emits the red light with a peak wavelength in a range of 610
nm and 690 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth
of no more than 20 nm; and wherein each die of the third plurality
of LEDs emits the infrared light with a peak wavelength in a range
of 700 nm and 780 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum
bandwidth of no more than 40 nm.
[0159] In some embodiments, each die of the first plurality of LEDs
emits the blue light at a first intensity, wherein each die of the
second plurality of LEDs emits the red light at a second intensity,
wherein each die of the third plurality of LEDs emits the infrared
light at a third intensity, and wherein the first intensity is
approximately 50 percent of the second intensity. In some
embodiments, each die of the first plurality of LEDs emits the blue
light at a first intensity, wherein each die of the second
plurality of LEDs emits the red light at a second intensity,
wherein each die of the third plurality of LEDs emits the infrared
light at a third intensity, wherein the first intensity is
approximately 50 percent of the second intensity, and wherein the
third intensity is approximately 20 percent of the second
intensity. In other embodiments, the third intensity is between
about 5 percent and about 15 percent of the second intensity in
order to grow crop plants that are shorter and/or more compact than
the same type and variety of plants when grown using a spectrum
third intensity is approximately 20 percent of the second
intensity.
[0160] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a fourth
plurality of LEDs affixed to the first face of the flexible circuit
substrate, wherein each die of the fourth plurality of LEDs emits
green light having a fourth intensity, a peak wavelength in a range
of 500 nm and 560 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum
bandwidth of no more than 60 nm, wherein the fourth intensity is no
more than approximately three percent of the second intensity (in
other embodiments, the fourth intensity is no more than
approximately five percent of the second intensity). In some
embodiments, the apparatus further includes a fifth plurality of
LEDs affixed to the first face of the flexible circuit substrate,
wherein each die of the fifth plurality of LEDs emits white light
having a fifth intensity, wherein the fifth intensity is no more
than approximately three percent of the second intensity (in other
embodiments, the fifth intensity is no more than approximately five
percent of the second intensity). In some embodiments, the
apparatus further includes a fourth plurality of LED dice affixed
to the first face of the flexible circuit substrate, wherein each
die of the fourth plurality of LED dice emits green light having a
fourth intensity, a peak wavelength in a range of 500 nm and 560
nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more
than 60 nm, wherein the fourth intensity is no more than
approximately three percent of the second intensity (in other
embodiments, the fourth intensity is no more than approximately
five percent of the second intensity); and a fifth plurality of LED
dice affixed to the first face of the flexible circuit substrate,
wherein each die of the fifth plurality of LED dice emits white
light having a fifth intensity, wherein the fifth intensity is no
more than approximately three percent of the second intensity (in
other embodiments, the fifth intensity is no more than
approximately five percent of the second intensity). In some
embodiments, the apparatus further includes a fourth plurality of
LED dice affixed to the first face of the flexible circuit
substrate, wherein each die of the fourth plurality of LED dice
emits green light having a fourth intensity, a peak wavelength in a
range of 500 nm and 560 nm, inclusive, and a full-width
half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 60 nm, wherein the fourth
intensity is no more than approximately three percent of the second
intensity (in other embodiments, the fourth intensity is no more
than approximately five percent of the second intensity); and a
sixth plurality of LED dice affixed to the first face of the
flexible circuit substrate, wherein each die of the fifth plurality
of LED dice emits yellow light having a sixth intensity, wherein
the sixth intensity is no more than approximately three percent of
the second intensity (in other embodiments, the sixth intensity is
no more than approximately five percent of the second
intensity).
[0161] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method
that includes providing a flexible circuit substrate having
dimensions of at least 30 cm width and at least 30 cm length, the
flexible circuit substrate having a first face on a first side and
an opposite second face on an opposite second side, and a first end
and an opposite second end; affixing a first plurality of LED dice
to a first face of the flexible circuit substrate; emitting from
each die of the first plurality of LED dice blue light having a
peak wavelength in a range of 400 nm and 500 nm, inclusive, and a
full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 50 nm; affixing a
second plurality of LED dice to the first face of the flexible
circuit substrate; emitting from each die of the second plurality
of LED dice red light having a peak wavelength in a range of 600 nm
and 700 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of
no more than 50 nm; affixing a third plurality of LED dice affixed
to the first face of the flexible circuit substrate; emitting from
each die of the third plurality of LED dice infrared light having a
peak wavelength in a range of 700 nm and 800 nm, inclusive, and a
full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 50 nm; attaching
a first end cap to the first end of the flexible circuit substrate;
attaching a second end cap to the second end of the flexible
circuit substrate, wherein the attaching of the first and second
end caps includes curving the first face of the flexible circuit
substrate into a concave shape; and supporting the lighting
apparatus, wherein the supporting includes connecting a first pole
to the first end cap.
[0162] In some embodiments, the method further includes mounting
the flexible circuit substrate in a vertical orientation. In some
embodiments, the method further includes mounting the flexible
circuit substrate in a horizontal orientation. In some embodiments,
the flexible circuit substrate is a first flexible circuit
substrate of a plurality of flexible circuit substrates, the method
further includes mounting each one of the plurality of flexible
circuit substrates in a desired orientation.
[0163] In some embodiments of the method, the emitting from each
die of the first plurality of LED dice includes emitting the blue
light with a peak wavelength in a range of 420 nm and 480 nm,
inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than
20 nm. In some embodiments, the emitting from each die of the
second plurality of LED dice includes emitting the red light with a
peak wavelength in a range of 610 nm and 690 nm, inclusive, and a
full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 20 nm. In some
embodiments, the emitting from each die of the third plurality of
LED dice includes emitting the infrared light with a peak
wavelength in a range of 700 nm and 780 nm, inclusive, and a
full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 40 nm. In some
embodiments, the emitting from each die of the first plurality of
LED dice includes emitting the blue light with a peak wavelength in
a range of 420 nm and 480 nm, inclusive, and a full-width
half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 20 nm; wherein the emitting
from each die of the second plurality of LED dice includes emitting
the red light with a peak wavelength in a range of 610 nm and 690
nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more
than 20 nm; and wherein the emitting from each die of the third
plurality of LED dice includes emitting the infrared light with a
peak wavelength in a range of 700 nm and 780 nm, inclusive, and a
full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 40 nm.
[0164] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method
that includes providing a flexible circuit substrate having
dimensions of at least 30 cm width and at least 30 cm length, the
flexible circuit substrate having a first face on a first side and
an opposite second face on an opposite second side, and a first end
and an opposite second end; affixing a first plurality of LED dice
to a first face of the flexible circuit substrate; emitting from
each die of the first plurality of LED dice blue light having a
peak wavelength in a range of 400 nm and 500 nm, inclusive, and a
full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 50 nm; affixing a
second plurality of LED dice to the first face of the flexible
circuit substrate; emitting from each die of the second plurality
of LED dice red light having a peak wavelength in a range of 600 nm
and 700 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of
no more than 50 nm; affixing a third plurality of LED dice affixed
to the first face of the flexible circuit substrate; emitting from
each die of the third plurality of LED dice infrared light having a
peak wavelength in a range of 700 nm and 800 nm, inclusive, and a
full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 50 nm. In some
embodiments of this method, the emitting from each die of the first
plurality of LED dice includes emitting the blue light with a peak
wavelength in a range of 440 nm and 460 nm, inclusive, and a
full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 30 nm; wherein
the emitting from each die of the second plurality of LED dice
includes emitting the cyan light with a peak wavelength in a range
of 490 nm and 510 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum
bandwidth of no more than 30 nm; wherein the emitting from each die
of the third plurality of LED dice includes emitting the red light
with a peak wavelength in a range of 610 nm and 650 nm, inclusive,
and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 30 nm;
wherein the emitting from each die of the fourth plurality of LED
dice includes emitting the infrared light with a peak wavelength in
a range of 700 nm and 780 nm, inclusive, and a full-width
half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 40 nm. In some embodiments,
the emitting from each die of a fifth plurality of LED dice
includes emitting the ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength in a
range of 370 nm and 390 nm, inclusive, and a full-width
half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 20 nm. In some embodiments,
the emitting from each die of a sixth plurality of LED dice
includes emitting the violet light with a peak wavelength in a
range of 410 nm and 420 nm, inclusive, and a full-width
half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 30 nm. In some embodiments,
the method further includes using one or more LED dice that emit
green light with a peak wavelength in a range of 530 nm and 570 nm,
inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than
30 nm. In some embodiments, the method further includes using one
or more LED dice that emit yellow light with a peak wavelength in a
range of 570 nm and 590 nm, inclusive, and a full-width
half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 30 nm.
[0165] In some embodiments of the method, the emitting from each
die of the first plurality of LED dice includes emitting the blue
light at a first intensity, wherein the emitting from each die of
the second plurality of LED dice includes emitting the red light at
a second intensity, wherein the emitting from each die of the third
plurality of LED dice includes emitting the infrared light at a
third intensity, and wherein the first intensity is approximately
50 percent of the second intensity. In some embodiments, the
emitting from each die of the first plurality of LED dice includes
emitting the blue light at a first intensity, wherein the emitting
from each die of the second plurality of LED dice includes emitting
the red light at a second intensity, wherein the emitting from each
die of the third plurality of LED dice includes emitting the
infrared light at a third intensity, wherein the first intensity is
approximately 50 percent of the second intensity, and wherein the
third intensity is approximately 20 percent of the second
intensity.
[0166] In some embodiments, the method further includes affixing a
fourth plurality of LED dice to the first face of the flexible
circuit substrate; and emitting from each die of the fourth
plurality of LED dice green light having a fourth intensity, a peak
wavelength in a range of 500 nm and 560 nm, inclusive, and a
full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 60 nm, wherein
the fourth intensity is no more than approximately three (3)
percent of the second intensity. In some embodiments, the method
further includes affixing a fifth plurality of LED dice affixed to
the first face of the flexible circuit substrate; and emitting from
each die of the fifth plurality of LED dice white light having a
fifth intensity, wherein the fifth intensity is no more than
approximately three (3) percent of the second intensity. In some
embodiments, the method further includes affixing a fourth
plurality of LED dice to the first face of the flexible circuit
substrate; emitting from each die of the fourth plurality of LED
dice green light having a fourth intensity, a peak wavelength in a
range of 500 nm and 560 nm, inclusive, and a full-width
half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 60 nm, wherein the fourth
intensity is no more than approximately three (3) percent of the
second intensity; affixing a fifth plurality of LED dice affixed to
the first face of the flexible circuit substrate; and emitting from
each die of the fifth plurality of LED dice white light having a
fifth intensity, wherein the fifth intensity is no more than
approximately three (3) percent of the second intensity.
[0167] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an
apparatus for mass production of plants, the apparatus including: a
plant-light system that includes a plurality of plant-lighting
sheets, wherein each plant-lighting sheet includes a plurality of
LED tiles, each LED tile including a plurality of LEDs arranged on
a grid, the plurality of LEDs including LEDs emitting light that
appears red, light that appears blue and light that appears white,
wherein each plant lighting sheet has a length and a width, wherein
the length of each plant lighting sheet is at least five times the
width, and wherein the plurality of lighting sheets is arranged
along a length of a room; a plant-sheet rotation and withdrawal
system arranged to rotate one or more of the plant lighting sheets
between a first orientation substantially parallel relative to the
length of the room and a second orientation substantially
perpendicular relative to the length of the room; and a plurality
of plant-holding shelves arranged along the length of the room
facing the plurality of plant lighting sheets.
[0168] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an
apparatus for mass production of plants, the apparatus including: a
plant-light system that includes a plurality of plant-lighting
sheets, wherein each plant-lighting sheet includes one or more LED
tiles, each LED tile including a plurality of LEDs arranged on a
grid; a plurality of parallel tracks for arranging the plurality of
plant-lighting sheets; a plant-sheet movement system arranged to
move one or more of the plant lighting sheets between a first
location substantially parallel relative to the length of the room
and a second location substantially parallel relative to the length
of the room; and a plurality of plant-holding shelves arranged
along the length of the room facing the plurality of plant lighting
sheets, wherein the plurality of parallel tracks allows the
plurality of plant-lighting sheets to be located at a plurality of
different distances from the plant-holding shelves.
[0169] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an
apparatus that includes: a first perforated plant-lighting sheet
having a plurality of LEDs mounted thereon in a grid wired in
parallel-series connected by a plurality of series conductors and a
plurality of parallel conductors, wherein the first plant-lighting
sheet has a plurality of holes therethrough, each of the plurality
of holes located between two adjacent ones of the plurality of
series conductors and between two adjacent ones of the plurality of
parallel conductors.
[0170] Some embodiments further include a second perforated
plant-lighting sheet having a plurality of LEDs mounted thereon in
a grid wired in parallel-series connected by a plurality of series
conductors and a plurality of parallel conductors, wherein the
second plant-lighting sheet has a plurality of holes therethrough,
each of the plurality of holes located between two adjacent ones of
the plurality of series conductors and between two adjacent ones of
the plurality of parallel conductors, and wherein the first
plant-lighting sheet and the second plant-lighting sheet are
stacked one on the other such that light from the LEDs on the
second plant-lighting sheet is emitted through the holes of the
first plant-lighting sheet.
[0171] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an
apparatus that includes: a plant-lighting plenum cartridge that
includes: a first front-side plant-lighting sheet system having a
plurality of LEDs mounted thereon in a grid wired in
parallel-series connected by a plurality of series conductors and a
plurality of parallel conductors; a raised lip surrounding the
first plant-lighting sheet such that the LEDs are recessed from the
outer edge of the raised lip; and a backside electronics enclosure
that contains power-supply electronics that are operatively coupled
to the plurality of LEDs.
[0172] In some embodiments, the plant-lighting sheet system further
includes a plurality of perforated plant-lighting sheets including
a first perforated plant-lighting sheet having a plurality of LEDs
mounted thereon in a grid wired in parallel-series connected by a
plurality of series conductors and a plurality of parallel
conductors, wherein the first plant-lighting sheet has a plurality
of holes therethrough, each of the plurality of holes located
between two adjacent ones of the plurality of series conductors and
between two adjacent ones of the plurality of parallel conductors,
and a second perforated plant-lighting sheet having a plurality of
LEDs mounted thereon in a grid wired in parallel-series connected
by a plurality of series conductors and a plurality of parallel
conductors, wherein the second plant-lighting sheet has a plurality
of holes therethrough, each of the plurality of holes located
between two adjacent ones of the plurality of series conductors and
between two adjacent ones of the plurality of parallel conductors,
and wherein the first plant-lighting sheet and the second
plant-lighting sheet are stacked one on the other such that light
from the LEDs on the second plant-lighting sheet is emitted through
the holes of the first plant-lighting sheet.
[0173] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a
gas-delivery lighting apparatus that includes a housing; a first
circuit substrate having a plurality of perforations, the substrate
connected to the housing, wherein the circuit substrate has a
plurality of conductors on a first face of the first circuit
substrate; a first plurality of LEDs affixed to the plurality of
conductors, wherein the plurality of conductors form a
parallel-series circuit with the LEDs; and a first gas conduit
operably coupled to the housing, wherein the housing is configured
so that gas delivered to the housing through the first gas conduit
is emitted through the plurality of perforations.
[0174] Some embodiments further include a perforated transparent
sheet disposed over the LEDs and operatively coupled to the circuit
substrate with a plurality of connectors that pass the gas through
openings in the plurality of connectors.
[0175] In some embodiments, the circuit substrate is a flexible
circuit substrate.
[0176] In some embodiments, each one of the first plurality of LEDs
emits the red light with a peak wavelength in a range of 610 nm and
690 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no
more than 20 nm, and wherein the gas-delivery lighting apparatus
further includes: a second plurality of LEDs affixed to the
conductors, wherein each one of the second plurality of LEDs emits
the infrared light with a peak wavelength in a range of 700 nm and
780 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no
more than 40 nm; and a third plurality of LEDs affixed to the
conductors, wherein each one of the third plurality of LEDs emits
the blue light with a peak wavelength in a range of 420 nm and 480
nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more
than 20 nm.
[0177] In some embodiments, each die of the first plurality of LED
dice emits the blue light at a first intensity, wherein each die of
the second plurality of LED dice emits the red light at a second
intensity, wherein each die of the third plurality of LED dice
emits the infrared light at a third intensity, and wherein the
first intensity is approximately 50 percent of the second
intensity.
[0178] In some embodiments, the first gas conduit includes a fan
housing with an electrically powered fan mounted therein.
[0179] In some embodiments, the first gas conduit is attached to an
electrically powered fan.
[0180] In some embodiments, the first gas conduit is attached to an
air pump that forces gas through the gas-delivery lighting
apparatus.
[0181] In some embodiments, the first gas conduit includes an audio
transducer that, at least periodically, applies an audio signal of
about 600 hertz into the first gas conduit. In some embodiments,
the audio signal assists crop-plant pollination.
[0182] Some embodiments further include a source of one or more
aromatic chemicals useful for aroma therapy; a
temperature-adjustment device operatively coupled to the first gas
conduit; and a controller operatively coupled to the source of one
or more aromatic chemicals, to the temperature-adjustment device,
and to the conductors coupled to the first plurality of LEDs and
configured to allow user control of the light, aroma therapy and
gas temperature.
[0183] In some embodiments, the circuit substrate includes a
plurality of layers of circuitry each on a separate one of a
plurality of perforated circuitry sheets, wherein each one of the
plurality of perforated circuitry sheets includes a plurality of
LEDs.
[0184] Some embodiments further include a source of one or more
photosensitizing chemicals useful for therapy; and a controller
operatively coupled to the source of one or more photosensitizing
chemicals configured to allow a health professional to control of
the light, and photosensitizing chemical delivery.
[0185] Some embodiments further include a source of one or more
plant fertilizer chemicals useful for plant growth; and a
controller operatively coupled to the source of one or more
photosensitizing chemicals configured to allow a worker to control
of the light, and plant fertilizer chemical delivery.
[0186] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method
that includes providing a housing connected to a perforated circuit
substrate having a plurality of electrical conductors on a first
face of the circuit substrate and a plurality of perforations
through the substrate and a first plurality of LEDs affixed to the
plurality of electrical conductors; delivering a gas to the housing
such that the gas is emitted out through the plurality of
perforations; and delivering electrical power to the first
plurality of LEDs such that light is emitted from each of the first
plurality of LEDs.
[0187] In some embodiments, the delivering of the gas to the
housing includes using a fan to blow air into the housing.
[0188] In some embodiments, the delivering of the gas to the
housing includes delivering carbon dioxide from a compressed source
of carbon dioxide.
[0189] In some embodiments, each one of the first plurality of LEDs
emits the red light with a peak wavelength in a range of 610 nm and
690 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no
more than 20 nm, and wherein the gas-delivery lighting apparatus
further includes: a second plurality of LEDs affixed to the
conductors, wherein each one of the second plurality of LEDs emits
the infrared light with a peak wavelength in a range of 700 nm and
780 nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no
more than 40 nm; and a third plurality of LEDs affixed to the
conductors, wherein each one of the third plurality of LEDs emits
the blue light with a peak wavelength in a range of 420 nm and 480
nm, inclusive, and a full-width half-maximum bandwidth of no more
than 20 nm. In some such embodiments, each die of the first
plurality of LED dice emits the blue light at a first intensity,
wherein each die of the second plurality of LED dice emits the red
light at a second intensity, wherein each die of the third
plurality of LED dice emits the infrared light at a third
intensity, and wherein the first intensity is approximately 50
percent of the second intensity.
[0190] In some embodiments, the gas is pushed with an electrically
powered fan mounted therein.
[0191] Some embodiments further include a source of one or more
aromatic chemicals useful for aroma therapy; temperature-adjusting
gas; and controlling the one or more aromatic chemicals, the
temperature-adjustment device, and the conductors coupled to the
first plurality of LEDs and configured to allow user control of the
light, aroma therapy and gas temperature.
[0192] Some embodiments include a lighting apparatus that includes
a flexible circuit substrate that has a front face and an opposite
back face, and a first end and an opposite second end; a first
plurality of LEDs on the flexible substrate, wherein each die of
the first plurality of LEDs emits blue light; a second plurality of
LEDs that emits red light; a third plurality of LEDs that emits
infrared, wherein the first, second and third plurality of LEDs
each emit a full-width-half-maximum bandwidth of no more than 50 nm
in each of their respective colors. Some embodiments provide
variable spacing to the apparatus and variable scheduled lighting
periods and accommodate various types of botanical plants.
[0193] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a
gas-delivery lighting apparatus for mass production of plants,
wherein the apparatus includes a plant-light system that includes a
plurality of ducted plant-lighting plenum sheets, wherein each
ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet includes a plurality of
perforated LED tiles, each LED tile including a plurality of LEDs
arranged on a grid, the plurality of LEDs including LEDs emitting
light that appears red, light that appears blue, light that appears
white, and light that is at least mostly infrared light, wherein
each plant lighting sheet has a length and a width, and wherein the
plurality of lighting sheets is arranged along a length of a room;
a plurality of plant-holding pockets arranged along the length of
the room generally parallel to the plurality of ducted
plant-lighting plenum sheets; and a plant-lighting plenum sheets
motion and withdrawal system arranged to move the plurality of
ducted plant-lighting plenum sheets to a plurality of different
locations relative to the plurality of plant-holding pockets for
different time periods. Some embodiments further include a
plurality of shelves, wherein the plurality of plant-holding
pockets includes a plurality of pots configured to hold soil or
soil substitute for growing plants, and wherein the pots of the
plurality of pots are supported by the plurality of shelves (for
example, see FIG. 3). Some other embodiments further include a
support sheet supported vertically, wherein the plurality of
plant-holding pockets are attached to or formed from the support
sheet and each of the plurality of plant-holding pockets is
configured to hold one or more crop plants during a growth period
of the crop plants (for example, see FIG. 1H1, FIG. 1H2, FIG. 1H3,
and/or FIG. 1H4).
[0194] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a
gas-delivery lighting apparatus that includes a plant-light system
that includes a plurality of ducted plant-lighting plenum sheets,
wherein each ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet includes a
plurality of LED tiles, each LED tile including a plurality of LEDs
arranged on a grid, the plurality of LEDs including LEDs emitting
light that appears red, light that appears blue and light that
appears white, wherein each plant lighting sheet has a length and a
width, wherein the length of each plant lighting sheet is at least
five times the width, and wherein the plurality of lighting sheets
is arranged along a length of a room; a plant-sheet rotation and
withdrawal system arranged to rotate one or more of the plant
lighting sheets between a first orientation substantially parallel
relative to the length of the room and a second orientation
substantially perpendicular relative to the length of the room; and
a plurality of plant-holding shelves arranged along the length of
the room facing the plurality of plant lighting sheets.
[0195] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a
gas-delivery lighting apparatus that includes a plant-light system
that includes a plurality of ducted plant-lighting plenum sheets,
wherein each ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet includes one or
more LED tiles, each LED tile including a plurality of LEDs
arranged on a grid; a plurality of parallel tracks for arranging
the plurality of ducted plant-lighting plenum sheets; a plant-sheet
movement system arranged to move one or more of the plant lighting
sheets between a first location substantially parallel relative to
the length of the room and a second location substantially parallel
relative to the length of the room; and a plurality of
plant-holding shelves arranged along the length of the room facing
the plurality of plant lighting sheets, wherein the plurality of
parallel tracks allows the plurality of ducted plant-lighting
plenum sheets to be located at a plurality of different distances
from the plant-holding shelves.
[0196] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a
gas-delivery lighting apparatus that includes a first perforated
ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet having a plurality of LEDs
mounted thereon in a grid wired in parallel-series connected by a
plurality of series conductors and a plurality of parallel
conductors, wherein the first ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet
has a plurality of holes therethrough, each of the plurality of
holes located between two adjacent ones of the plurality of series
conductors and between two adjacent ones of the plurality of
parallel conductors. Some embodiments further include a second
perforated ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet having a plurality of
LEDs mounted thereon in a grid wired in parallel-series connected
by a plurality of series conductors and a plurality of parallel
conductors, wherein the second ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet
has a plurality of holes therethrough, each of the plurality of
holes located between two adjacent ones of the plurality of series
conductors and between two adjacent ones of the plurality of
parallel conductors, and wherein the first ducted plant-lighting
plenum sheet and the second ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet are
stacked one on the other such that light from the LEDs on the
second ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet is emitted through the
holes of the first ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet.
[0197] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a
gas-delivery lighting apparatus that includes a ducted
plant-lighting plenum cartridge that includes: a first front-side
ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet system having a plurality of
LEDs mounted thereon in a grid wired in parallel-series connected
by a plurality of series conductors and a plurality of parallel
conductors; a raised lip surrounding the first ducted
plant-lighting plenum sheet such that the LEDs are recessed from
the outer edge of the raised lip; and a backside electronics
enclosure that contains power-supply electronics that are
operatively coupled to the plurality of LEDs. In some such
embodiments, the ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet system further
includes a plurality of perforated ducted plant-lighting plenum
sheets including a first perforated ducted plant-lighting plenum
sheet having a plurality of LEDs mounted thereon in a grid wired in
parallel-series connected by a plurality of series conductors and a
plurality of parallel conductors, wherein the first ducted
plant-lighting plenum sheet has a plurality of holes therethrough,
each of the plurality of holes located between two adjacent ones of
the plurality of series conductors and between two adjacent ones of
the plurality of parallel conductors, and a second perforated
ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet having a plurality of LEDs
mounted thereon in a grid wired in parallel-series connected by a
plurality of series conductors and a plurality of parallel
conductors, wherein the second ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet
has a plurality of holes therethrough, each of the plurality of
holes located between two adjacent ones of the plurality of series
conductors and between two adjacent ones of the plurality of
parallel conductors, and wherein the first ducted plant-lighting
plenum sheet and the second ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet are
stacked one on the other such that light from the LEDs on the
second ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet is emitted through the
holes of the first ducted plant-lighting plenum sheet.
[0198] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a
gas-delivery lighting apparatus that includes a plant-light system
that includes a plurality of rows of ducted plant-lighting plenum
sheets, wherein each one of the plurality of rows of ducted
plant-lighting plenum sheets includes plurality of ducted
plant-lighting plenum sheets, wherein each one of the plurality of
ducted plant-lighting plenum sheets of each of the plurality of
rows of ducted plant-lighting plenum sheets includes one or more
LED tiles, each LED tile including a plurality of LEDs arranged on
a grid, and wherein each of the plurality of ducted plant-lighting
plenum sheets of each of the plurality of rows of ducted
plant-lighting plenum sheets is rotatable around a vertical axis; a
plant-sheet rotation system arranged to rotate the plurality of
ducted plant-lighting plenum sheets of each of the plurality of
rows of ducted plant-lighting plenum sheets between a first
orientation substantially facing a first direction relative to a
length of the lighting row and a second direction substantially
opposite the first direction; and a plurality of plant-holding
shelves arranged between each pair of rows of the plurality of rows
of ducted plant-lighting plenum sheets along the lengths of the
rows, wherein the plant-sheet rotation system is configured to
rotate each pair of rows of the plurality of rows of ducted
plant-lighting plenum sheets to face towards a different one of the
plurality of plant-holding shelves for a first period of time, and
then to rotate each the plurality of rows of ducted plant-lighting
plenum sheets to face a different one of the plurality of
plant-holding shelves for a second period of time that alternates
with the first period. In some embodiments, for a first period of
twelve hours each day, all of the light sheets are in alternating
directions of a first configuration and face the even-numbered ones
of the plurality of plant-holding shelves, and at the end of that
first period, all of the light sheets of each row are rotated
around their respective vertical axes to face the opposite
direction for a next 12-hour period. In some embodiments, for a
first period of eight hours each day, all of the light sheets are
in alternating directions of a first configuration and face the
even-numbered ones of the plurality of plant-holding shelves, and
at the end of that first period, all of the light sheets of each
row are rotated around their respective vertical axes to face the
opposite direction for a next eight-hour period. In some
embodiments, for a first period of time, all of the light sheets
are in alternating directions of a first configuration and face the
even-numbered ones of the plurality of plant-holding shelves, and
at the end of that first period, all of the light sheets of each
row are rotated around their respective vertical axes to face the
opposite direction for a next period of time.
[0199] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although numerous
characteristics and advantages of various embodiments as described
herein have been set forth in the foregoing description, together
with details of the structure and function of various embodiments,
many other embodiments and changes to details will be apparent to
those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The
scope of the invention should be, therefore, determined with
reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of
equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended
claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the
plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and
"wherein," respectively. Moreover, the terms "first," "second," and
"third," etc., are used merely as labels, and are not intended to
impose numerical requirements on their objects.
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References