U.S. patent application number 17/152972 was filed with the patent office on 2021-12-16 for harvesting, transmission, spectral modification and delivery of sunlight to shaded areas of plants.
The applicant listed for this patent is Opti-Harvest, Inc.. Invention is credited to Nicholas BOOTH, Daniel L. FARKAS, Nadav RAVID.
Application Number | 20210388959 17/152972 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005799070 |
Filed Date | 2021-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210388959 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FARKAS; Daniel L. ; et
al. |
December 16, 2021 |
HARVESTING, TRANSMISSION, SPECTRAL MODIFICATION AND DELIVERY OF
SUNLIGHT TO SHADED AREAS OF PLANTS
Abstract
A light harvester or collector collects solar radiation from an
unshaded location adjacent a growing plant. The light harvester can
be either imaging (e.g., parabolic reflectors) or non-imaging
(e.g., compound parabolic concentrator). The concentrated solar
radiation is projected into a light transmitter that conducts the
light through the plant's outer canopy and into the inner canopy to
a diffuser which disperses and reradiates the light into the inner
canopy. The diffused light transforms a non-productive, potentially
leafless zone of the plant into a productive zone so that more
fruit can be produced per volume of land surface. The system can
prevent transmission of infrared into the inner canopy so that the
inner canopy zone is not heated and the amount of water lost to
transpiration is reduced. The system can also modify other spectral
components to affect plant development and to control pests and
diseases.
Inventors: |
FARKAS; Daniel L.; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; BOOTH; Nicholas; (Covina, CA) ;
RAVID; Nadav; (Visalia, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Opti-Harvest, Inc. |
Los Angeles |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005799070 |
Appl. No.: |
17/152972 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16116435 |
Aug 29, 2018 |
10955098 |
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17152972 |
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15109218 |
Jun 30, 2016 |
10132457 |
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PCT/US2014/072837 |
Dec 30, 2014 |
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16116435 |
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61922317 |
Dec 31, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02A 40/25 20180101;
G02B 5/0284 20130101; G02B 19/0042 20130101; F21V 33/00 20130101;
A01G 7/04 20130101; G02B 5/208 20130101; F21W 2131/109 20130101;
G02B 6/0096 20130101; Y02P 60/12 20151101; F21S 11/002 20130101;
F21V 13/08 20130101; A01G 9/243 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F21S 11/00 20060101
F21S011/00; G02B 19/00 20060101 G02B019/00; A01G 7/04 20060101
A01G007/04; F21V 13/08 20060101 F21V013/08; F21V 33/00 20060101
F21V033/00; G02B 5/02 20060101 G02B005/02; G02B 5/20 20060101
G02B005/20; F21V 8/00 20060101 F21V008/00 |
Claims
1.-26. (canceled)
27. A method for delivering diffused light to an inner canopy of a
plant and thereby modifying growth and development of the plant,
the method comprising the steps of: a. collecting and concentrating
light source energy from a light source above and outside of an
inner canopy of the plant; b. conducting said light source energy
through an outer canopy of the plant to the inner canopy of the
plant; and c. diffusing and dispersing said light source energy
into a portion of the plant's inner canopy, thereby stimulating and
modifying the growth and development of the plant.
28. The method of claim 27, further comprising spectrally modifying
said light source energy.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein spectrally modifying said light
source energy comprises adjusting a relative quantity of one or
more of ultraviolet (UV), blue, yellow, red, and far-red light.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein spectrally modifying said light
source energy comprises results in diffusing, dispersing and
re-radiating said light source energy with an adjusted relative
quantity of light having one or more wavelengths from about 400 nm
to about 700 nm.
31. The method of claim 28, wherein spectrally modifying said light
source energy comprises rejecting light having one or more
wavelengths.
32. The method of claim 27, wherein the light source energy
comprises solar light.
33. The method of claim 27, further comprising enhancing an amount
and spectrum of light being diffused, dispersed and re-radiated to
the plant by providing a supplemental light source.
34. The method of claim 27, further comprising positioning a
diffuser within the inner canopy of the plant for diffusing,
dispersing re-radiating said light source energy.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein said diffusing, dispersing, and
re-radiating said light source energy comprises directing said
light source energy upward into an underside of the inner
canopy.
36. The method of claim 27, further comprising providing: a. a
light collector at least partially positioned adjacent to or above
the plant, for said collecting and concentrating said light source
energy, and b. a light transmitter for conducting said light source
energy from said light collector to the inner plant canopy.
37. The method of claim 36, further configuring the light collector
with a large light source collection angle, wherein the light
source energy comprises solar light, such that a collection
efficiency of the light collector is not sensitive to a change in
position of the sun.
38. The method of claim 36, further comprising attaching the light
transmitter to the plant, an infrastructure supporting the plant,
or both.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the infrastructure supporting
the plant comprises a trellis.
40. A method for improving growth and productivity of a plant
comprising the steps of: a. providing a device comprising: i. a
light harvester which collects and concentrates solar light energy;
ii. a light transmitter; and iii. a light diffuser; b. placing the
light diffuser in proximity to the plant; c. disposing the light
harvester so as to receive and collect light energy; d. conducting
the collected light energy to the light transmitter; e.
transmitting the collected light energy by means of the light
transmitter to the light diffuser; and f. diffusing the transmitted
light energy by means of the light diffuser so as to illuminate a
portion of a plant to thereby modify growth and development of the
plant.
41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the light harvester
collects light over the full course of the day without the need for
solar tracking or adaptive systems.
42. The method according to claim 40, wherein the light diffuser is
positioned within an inner canopy of the plant.
43. The method according to claim 40, further comprising a step of
adjusting a quality of the collected light energy.
44. The method according to claim 43, wherein the step of adjusting
the quality of the collected light energy comprises altering one or
more of ultraviolet (UV), blue, yellow, red, and far-red
wavelengths.
45. The method of claim 43, wherein the step of adjusting the
quality of the collected light energy results in diffusing,
dispersing and re-radiating said light source with a wavelength
from about 400 nm to about 700 nm.
46. A device for delivering light to an inner canopy of a plant and
thereby modifying growth and development of the plant, the device
comprising: a. a light harvester for collecting and concentrating
photosynthetically and photomorphogenetically effective solar light
energy from a light source above and outside of an inner canopy of
the plant; b. an internally reflective light transmitter in optical
communication with the light harvester for conducting the light
source energy from the light harvester to the plant's inner canopy;
c. a filter disposed with the light harvester, the light
transmitter, or a combination thereof; and d. one or more
supplementary light sources directed towards the light harvester,
coupled to the light transmitter, or a combination thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/116,435, filed on Aug. 29, 2018, which is a continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 15/109,218, filed on Jun. 30, 2016, now
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,132,457 on Nov. 20, 2018, which is the
National Stage Entry of International Application No.
PCT/US2014/072837, filed on Dec. 30, 2014, which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/922,317, filed on Dec. 31,
2013, entitled "HARVESTING, TRANSMISSION, SPECTRAL MODIFICATION AND
DELIVERY OF SUNLIGHT TO SHADED AREAS OF PLANTS," the contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0002] All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned
in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the
same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent
application was specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to a device for improving the growth
and productivity of plants by harvesting, tunneling, modifying and
delivering light into the shaded areas of plants.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND
[0004] It is well known that plant development including growth,
flowering and fruit production is dependent upon and is regulated
by light energy. Solar radiation provides the energy for
photosynthesis, the process by which atmospheric carbon is "fixed"
into sugar molecules thereby providing the basic chemical building
blocks for green plants as well as essentially all life on Earth.
In addition, light is involved in the natural regulation of how and
where the photosynthetic products are used within the plant and in
the regulation of all photomorphogenetic and photoperiodic related
processes. Plants can sense the quality (i.e., color), quantity and
direction of light and use such information as signals to optimize
their growth and development. This includes various "blue light"
responses which may depend on UVA and UVB ultraviolet wavelengths
as well as traditional "blue" wavelengths. These regulatory
processes involve the combined action of several photoreceptor
systems, which are responsible for the detection of specific parts
of the sunlight spectrum, including far-red (FR) and red (R) light,
blue light, and ultra violet (UV) light. The activated
photoreceptors initiate signal transduction pathways, which
culminate in morphologic and developmental processes (Warrington
and Mitchell, 41; Briggs and Lin, 12; Kasperbauer, 23). The
photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) ranges between 400-700
nm, because chlorophyll-protein complexes within the chloroplasts
absorb the blue as well as the red part of the light spectrum.
However, chlorophyll absorbs little of the green part of the
spectrum which, of course, is why photosynthetic plants generally
appear green in color.
[0005] Generally, low-to-medium light intensities are sufficient to
drive photomorphogenetic and photoperiodic processes, while for
photosynthesis the total amount of sunlight energy is a major
factor dictating plant productivity. Light is often the limiting
factor for agricultural production even in sunny climates. The more
light intercepted by leaves of agricultural crops, the higher the
productivity of those crops. In other words, the photosynthetic
capacity of plants is often not saturated by available solar
energy. Generally, the plant's chloroplasts adjust to the amount of
available solar energy. Photosynthesis of chloroplasts in leaves
exposed to maximum levels of light will saturate only at high light
fluxes. However, all of the leaves of a plant cannot all be exposed
to maximum solar radiation because the leaves are arranged to form
a "canopy" in which there will be minimal mutual shading by the
outer leaves. Some of the light, mostly the scattered part, passes
between the outer leaves to be absorbed by the inner leaves. These
leaves generally receive lower levels of solar radiation and will
saturate at light fluxes insufficient to saturate the outer leaves
because their chloroplasts adapt to low light conditions so as to
saturate at lower light fluxes.
[0006] Similarly, where plants are growing close together and shade
each other, the shaded leaves will become adapted to saturate at a
lower light fluence. Thus, there is excess photosynthetic capacity
in the plants, and if added light can be supplied to the shaded
leaves, overall productivity will increase. The spacing between
individual plants significantly controls the amount of effective
light reaching different parts of the plant. If the individual
plants are far apart, there will be more effective irradiation of
plant tissue. This may result in improved growth and productivity,
but if the individual plants are too far apart, there will be no
gain on a unit area basis because significant amounts of solar
radiation will not be intercepted by plants. Similarly, improving
irradiation of plant tissue by pruning may not have the overall
benefits expected because the amount of photosynthetically active
plant tissue has been decreased.
[0007] Because of the efficient light absorption by chlorophyll,
the light that passes through the foliage of the outer canopy
arrives at the inner canopy both too low in intensity and with the
wrong spectral composition. Because blue and red are preferentially
absorbed by the outer canopy, mostly green light is transmitted
into the inner canopy. However, green light is of little use in
driving photosynthesis and as a result, fruit production, which
requires a significant input of photosynthate is restricted to the
external canopy. Because leaves deep within the inner parts of the
canopy are unable to maintain effective levels of photosynthesis,
these leaves senesce, the inner part of the canopy loses foliage
and becomes non-productive. In citrus trees, for example, the
productive leaf layer is estimated to be only about 100 cm deep
(33). All the rest of the tree's crown is a non-productive volume
that keeps increasing as the tree grows larger.
[0008] It is also known that scattered (diffused) natural light
often has advantages over direct solar radiation because it
partially penetrates between the leaves of the outer canopy,
thereby arriving at the inner canopy essentially spectrally
unmodified. In sunny climates, the outer, sun-exposed plant canopy
might suffer from excessive solar radiation, which can damage
(photodamage) the plant tissues and can be inhibitory
(photoinhibition). That is one of the reasons for the use of
horticultural "shade" cloth in such climates.
[0009] Plant pests (largely insects and arachnids) as well as
fungal and bacterial diseases are also known to respond to the
intensity, spectral quality and direction of sunlight. They mostly
respond to the ultraviolet (UVA and UVB), blue and yellow spectral
regions (2, 9). Thus, pest and disease control might be achieved by
light quality and quantity manipulations.
[0010] Many horticultural and agricultural practices that have been
developed through the ages have a significant effect on light
interception by agricultural crops, even though in some cases this
effect was not originally recognized or understood. Many of these
practices are relatively inefficient and expensive due to their
high labor requirements. Such practices include pruning, training
and plant spacing. It is generally thought that pruning is
effective because it redirects the plants growth energy and
eliminates weak and/or poorly placed branches. However, in many
cases (e.g., hedging, topping and removing major branches) the
pruning involves the removal of vital parts of the tree. This is
particularly true with "summer or green pruning" practices which
remove shading foliage. These practices are both energy-wasteful
(because the plant and the grower had invested a lot of energy,
water and other inputs into the growth of the removed parts), and
labor costly processes. One is essentially forced to sacrifice
vital parts of the tree to achieve improved production by the
remaining vital parts
[0011] Plant and tree growth is largely controlled by the plant's
search for light. Numerous pruning practices were developed to
enable maximal light interception. Pruning methods include
mechanical topping and hedging for height and shape control, as
well as manual selective removal of dead wood, weak branches, and
often also vital branches. Pruning remains one of the main tools,
at present, to bring light to both the internal and external parts
of the canopy. Particularly in fruit trees pruning controls the
position of fruit buds and prevents them from moving farther and
farther from the main trunk. Pruning has a major effect on the
penetration of solar energy. By removing weak and crossing branches
pruning opens up the structure of the plant and allows effective
PAR light to reach closer to the main stem. Similarly, training
(such as the process of espaliering a tree or vine) positions the
branches so that the leaves of one branch do not shade the leaves
of another branch.
[0012] Flowering is induced by photomorphogenetic processes, and is
thus light-dependent. The light regime in the inner-most-shaded
canopy is often of too low fluence, and/or inadequate spectral
composition for inducing flowering (flowering and other
developmental processes respond to the ratio of red to far-red
(near infrared) wavelengths. Physiological processes, such as
pollination, fertilization, fruit-set and fruit development, all
utterly depend on obtaining adequate carbohydrates from adjacent
leaves. The carbohydrates required for fruit development cannot be
adequately translocated from remote leaves. Thus, even if some
flowering does occur in the inner canopy, the limited
photosynthetic activity of the shaded foliage does not suffice for
proper fruit development.
[0013] In some crops (e.g., peaches, table and wine grapes) green
pruning of part of the foliage is practiced by growers a few weeks
prior harvest for increasing light penetration, thereby
significantly increasing fruit color and aromatic compounds--i.e.,
fruit quality. It is known that shading has particularly negative
effects on fruit coloration. Fruit color development is controlled
by light via several different routes. Light is the trigger for the
metabolic pathways of pigment biosynthesis. Light also provides
(via photosynthesis in the leaves adjacent to the fruit) the sugars
that bind and stabilize the anthocyanin pigments in the colored
tissue. Because, the three dimensional structure of fruit creates
self-shading. The shaded side of the fruit does not develop optimum
color. The biosynthesis of aromatic compounds in the fruit skin is
similarly dependent on the exposure to sunlight. Both fruit
coloration and aroma/flavor accumulation require light of
relatively intense fluence.
[0014] There have been a number of modern cultural practices that
seek to redistribute the amount of solar radiation without
eliminating plant tissue. Covering the crop by light-scattering
materials (glass, plastic film, photoselective translucent nets,
reflective particle films, etc.; see, Glenn (14) and Glenn et al.
(15)) is one way of ensuring that photosynthetically effective
light reaches more of the plant body. Covering the soil with
reflective films may reflect light into the interior portions of a
plant's canopy. Supplemental artificial illumination (e.g.,
inter-crop LED illumination) is expensive both in energy to provide
the illumination and capital to purchase the illuminating devices
but may result in improvements in growth and yield. Genetic
manipulation is another way to approach more efficient irradiation
of the plant body. Breeding for more compact plants can have much
the same effect as altering the spacing of plants, but a compact
plant can be superior because it may pack a given leaf area into a
smaller volume. Of course, excessively compact plants may
exacerbate problems with self-shading. Plant volume and spacing of
leaves can also be affected by grafting onto growth-regulating
rootstocks and by application of growth-regulating agricultural
chemicals.
[0015] The interception/collection of sunlight for useful purposes
(mainly energy-related) is becoming a vibrant, mature field. Solar
energy is collected to directly (e.g., photovoltaics) or indirectly
(e.g., solar boilers) produce electricity. Solar energy is also
collected to provide heat energy (e.g., solar water heaters).
Strong competition in these areas has yielded advances in solar
collector design and efficiency (including both cost-efficiency and
overall functional efficiency). The current invention seeks to
exploit these technologies and use collected light energy in new
ways.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure
will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the
following detailed description, wherein only exemplary embodiments
of the present disclosure are shown and described, simply by way of
illustration of the several modes or best mode contemplated for
carrying out the present disclosure. As will be realized, the
present disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments,
and its several details are capable of modifications in various
obvious respects, all without departing from the disclosure.
Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as
illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
[0017] Solar radiation is both ubiquitous and is the only
agriculture resource that is free of charge. Improving the
utilization of this resource for agricultural production is the
goal of the present invention. To achieve enhanced plant growth
modern solar collectors are used to collect, concentrate and
redirect solar energy. The collected sunlight is then delivered to
a (lower) sub-canopy/internal location in the chosen plant (i.e.,
tree, grape vine, etc.), thereby stimulating plant growth and
development. Illuminating the inner, most shaded volume of
plants/trees improves the physiological activity and the
productivity of the otherwise non- or less-productive parts of the
plant. The inner canopy portion of the plant receives insufficient
solar energy; so that eventually the leaves there senesce and the
inner volume becomes a leafless zone. When light is delivered to
this zone before the leaves senesce, the zone retains healthy
functional leaves and becomes productive. The entire volume of the
plant body becomes productive, thus significantly increasing the
yield from a given acreage.
[0018] The present invention provides a light harvester or
collector to collect solar radiation from an unshaded location
adjacent a growing plant. The light harvester is preferably placed
alongside or above the growing plant. It will be appreciated that
the light harvester can be placed in any convenient location.
Furthermore, the number or light harvesters per plant depends on
the growing conditions and size of the plant (several plants per
system or one, two, three or more systems per plant). The light
harvester can be either imaging (e.g., parabolic reflectors) or
non-imaging (e.g., compound parabolic concentrator). The
non-imaging system is preferred for its simplicity, low cost and
ease of construction. The concentrated solar radiation is projected
into a light transmitter (either an internally reflective light
pipe, an optical arrangement much like a periscope, or a bundle of
optical fibers) that conducts the light through the plant's outer
canopy and into the inner canopy. The conducted light enters a
diffuser, which disperses and reradiates the light into the inner
canopy. The diffused light provides light to drive photosynthesis
as well as light to influence multiple photomorphogenetic systems.
The result is that a non-productive, potentially leafless zone of
the plant is transformed into a productive zone. Thus, more fruit
can be produced per volume of land surface and more carbon dioxide
can be sequestered in plant material (improved carbon footprint).
Also, by providing light to developing fruit the quality of the
fruit can be altered and improved.
[0019] It will further be appreciated that supplemental light at
the proper location on a plant results in increased productivity
with enhanced induction and initiation of buds resulting in
increased vegetative as well as floral (fruit) growth. The enhanced
production of photosynthate results in reduced bud/fruit drop and
improved flower/fruit quality including better color, improved
flavor (sugar/acid ratio as well as aroma/taste), improved storage
characteristics and improved nutritional value. The added light
(particularly if spectral modification is employed) results in
growth regulation (shape of plant, etc.) without application of
growth regulating chemicals. In addition, controlling the quantity
and quality of light can result in reduction of plant diseases and
pests without an increase in pesticide chemical application.
[0020] Because the optical systems employed can be used to prevent
the transmission of infrared and near infrared radiation into the
inner canopy, the inner canopy zone is not heated and the amount of
water lost to transpiration is less than would be anticipated
considering the increased growth in the inner canopy zone. However,
when the invention is used early in the growing season, it is
simple to alter the optical system to allow infrared transmission
and provide growth-promoting warmth to the inner canopy. Similar
optical systems can be used to change the relative amount of light
at different wavelengths, thereby having a photomorphogenic effect
on plant growth and development. Rather than rejecting certain
wavelengths, LEDs or similar efficient light sources can be used to
supplement certain wavelengths, thus attaining photomorphogenic
effects.
[0021] The inventive system can be used in any plant-growing
situation. While the examples provided are primarily directed
towards vineyards and orchards, the system is also applicable to
nurseries, all types of field crops, landscaping, home gardens as
well as greenhouses of all types, lath houses, shade houses and any
other plant growing structure. In a closed building (e.g., an urban
garden), the light collectors can be placed on the roof and light
is "piped" into the growing area. In that case, the system provides
essentially all of the light. In any of the applications some or
all of the light can be supplied by artificial illumination (such
as LEDs). The advantage of using the system with artificial light
sources is that the sources (LEDs or metal halide lamps, for
example) can be located where they will be unaffected by the water,
etc. inherent in agriculture which water is likely to cause
electrical failures.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0022] All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned
in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the
same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent
application was specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The novel features of the invention are set forth with
particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the
features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained
by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth
illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention
are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:
[0024] The novel features of the invention are set forth with
particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the
features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained
by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth
illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention
are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic overview of one embodiment of
the invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of a simple
design that is a predecessor to the current CPC design;
[0027] FIG. 3 shows the coordinate system used in equations
describing CPC design;
[0028] FIG. 4 shows the angle .PHI. used in parametric equations
describing the CPC;
[0029] FIG. 5 shows the common descriptive terms used for the
parabolic CPC;
[0030] FIG. 6 shows several CPC designs with varying angles of
collection;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a diagram of the CPC showing heat rejection
[0032] FIG. 8 shows an alternate rectangular embodiment of
non-imaging light collectors;
[0033] FIG. 9 shows a diagram of an imaging light harvester based
on parabolic mirrors;
[0034] FIG. 10 shows a transmitter/conveyer;
[0035] FIG. 11a is convex-concave mirror combination used as a
diffuser for citrus and similar tree applications;
[0036] FIG. 11b shows a ray diagram of the device of FIG. 10a;
[0037] FIG. 12 shows a "hammock linear diffuser made from flexible
reflective material;
[0038] FIG. 13 shows a trough diffuser constructed from rigid
reflective materials;
[0039] The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure
will become apparent from the following description and appended
claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments
in accordance with the disclosure and are therefore, not to be
considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described
with additional specificity and detail through use of the
accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] The following description is provided to enable any person
skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the
best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his
invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles
of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to
provide a system to collect solar energy and deliver it to
strategic locations within the canopy of a growing plant.
[0041] FIG. 1 shows a general overview of the components used in
one embodiment of the present invention. The diagrammatic arrow 50
represents the daily movement of the sun 50 relative to the
harvester/collector component, a compound parabolic concentrator
(CPC) reflective element 56. The lines 54 represent the acceptance
limits of the CPC, and these limits define the acceptance angle 52.
The CPC 56 transmits light through a light pipe 58 which penetrates
the canopy 60 and projects the light onto a disperser 64 which
radiates the dispersed light 62 into the inner part of the canopy.
A supplemental light source 97 (e.g. LED) is also illustrated.
These components will now be described in more detail.
[0042] The system harvests the natural sunlight from above/beside
the plant/tree/vine/bush, and transmits it through the outer,
productive canopy of plant/tree, thereby delivering and scattering
it throughout the inner/lower, most shaded, non-productive portions
of the foliage. A direct, reflective design for this is preferred
(e.g., light beams directed by mirrors, prisms, etc.). The device
is composed of three principal parts. The first component is a
light harvester/collector/concentrator (generally a wide
angle/compound parabolic collector, with or without a condenser
system) and designed to be disposed above, or adjacent to the
plants/trees.
[0043] The light harvester can comprise a number of forms, each of
which could be applicable depending upon the end users agriculture
needs and general environment. A preferred embodiment of the
harvester design employs a reflective element known as a CPC
(compound parabolic concentrator). This design has many advantages
including reducing manufacturing cost, minimizing heat buildup
within the system and easing installation due to its tolerance for
misalignment with the sun.
[0044] The light collection and dispersal systems described herein
are all based on the principle of non-imaging optics. The CPC
design is an evolution of a primitive form of non-imaging
concentrator, the light cone or cone concentrator, has been used
for many years (see, e.g., Holter et al., 21; Senthilkumar and
Yasodha, 36). FIG. 2 shows the principle. If the cone has
semi-angle .gamma. and if .theta.i is the extreme input angle, then
the ray indicated will just pass after one reflection if
2.gamma.=(.pi./2)-.theta.i. It is easy to arrive at an expression
for the length of the cone for a given entry aperture diameter.
Also, it is easy to see that some other rays incident at angle
.theta.i such as the one indicated by the double arrow, will be
turned back by the cone. If we use a longer cone with a larger
number of reflections, we still find some rays at angle .theta.i
being turned back. Clearly, the cone is far from being an ideal
concentrator. Williamson (42) and Witte (49) attempted some
analysis of the cone concentrator but both restricted this
treatment to meridian rays.
[0045] Descriptions of this type of optical device appeared in the
literature in the mid-1960s in widely different contexts. Baranov
and Melnikov (6) described the same principle in three-dimensional
geometry, and Baranov (4) suggested three dimensional CPCs for
solar energy collection. Baranov (3; 5) obtained Soviet patents on
several CPC configurations. Axially symmetric CPCs were described
by Ploke (30), with generalizations to designs incorporating
refracting elements in addition to the light-guiding reflecting
wall. Ploke (31) obtained a German patent for various photometric
applications. The CPC structure was described as a collector for
light from Cerenkov counters by Hinterberger and Winston (19,
20).
[0046] In other applications to light collection for applications
in high-energy physics, Hinterberger and Winston (19, 20) noted the
limitation to 1/sin 2.theta. of the attainable concentration, but
it was not until sometime later that the theory was given
explicitly (Winston, 43). In the latter publication the author
derived the generalized etendue and showed how the CPC approaches
closely to the theoretical maximum concentration.
[0047] The CPC in two-dimensional geometry was described by Winston
(44). Further elaborations may be found in Winston and Hinterberger
(48) and Rabl and Winston (32). Applications of the CPC in 3D form
to infrared collection (Harper et al., 16) and to retinal structure
(Baylor and Fettiplace, 8) have also been described. The general
principles of CPC design in 2D geometry are given in a number of
U.S. patents (Winston, 45, 46, 47).
[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates the r-z coordinate system used in
mathematical description of the CPC. Whereas FIG. 4 shows the
definition of angle .PHI. used in CPC parametric equations, and
FIG. 5 illustrates the descriptive terms used with the parabolic
CPC to relate the various angles to the focal point of the
parabola. FIG. 6 shows diagrams of four different CPC devices with
angles of acceptance ranging from 10 degrees to 25 degrees (top to
bottom). The diagrams are all to the same scale and all have the
same size exit apertures and illustrate how the dimension change
according to angle of acceptance.
[0049] The CPC light collecting design is a highly efficient way of
collecting light and is utilized in nature in many optical systems
including the cones of the human retina. Utilizing a CPC for the
collection of sunlight delivers a number of advantages to the
system.
[0050] The first advantage of the CPC collector geometry is that it
possesses a large acceptance angle or numerical aperture meaning
that a fixed unit can effectively collect sunlight over a wide
range of angles of incidence as the sun processes overhead during
the course of the day. A typical CPC with a 45 degree acceptance
angle will be able to effectively collect sunlight for 6-8 hours;
hence an active tracking subsystem is not required, reducing system
complexity and cost. It is also possible to use two or more CPC
units with different orientations to further extend the period of
maximum light collection. The straightforward design and ability to
use low cost materials allow for easy industrial mass production
meaning that the system could be used at the density of at least
one unit per tree. The large acceptance angle also allows device
setup and use by non-experts, as alignment with the sun is not
critical, and means once installed the collection efficiency is not
sensitive to the change in position of the sun as the seasons
change.
[0051] The second advantage is that the CPC design has over an
imaging optical system that must track the sun to collect
sufficient light is that there is much less heat generated within
the device. Imaging system designs generally require fiber optics
to allow for the movement of the tracking head unit. For fiber
optics to efficiently transmit the light, the collected light must
be concentrated into a very small area thereby causing immense heat
stress on device component parts. Such systems generally require
high-cost exotic materials to prevent equipment failure.
[0052] The third advantage is the ability to vastly reduce the
amount of heat entering the system and thus reduce heat stress on
plants and, as a consequence, reduce plant water consumption. To
enable the delivery of `cool` light to the inner canopy the system
will employ filters, such as those used in energy efficient low-E
glass, at the entrance aperture of the collector as shown FIG. 7
where incoming sunlight 70 strikes a filter (dichroic) 74 covering
the entry to the CPC 78. The infrared radiation 72 is rejected
whereas the PAR 76 is transmitted into the CPC 78. A bonus of the
overall modularity of the system is that these filters can be
designed to be easily detachable. Hence, at temperate latitudes
these filters could be removed in the early growing season when
overall temperatures are low and the additional warmth from the
collected light would be a benefit to the plants and replaced in
the summer months to reduce heat stress. The fourth advantage is
that imaging systems work only for clear, unobstructed sunlight, in
contrast, the CPC design collects diffuse light as well as direct
sunlight so that even on cloudy days extra light will be
transferred to the inner canopy.
[0053] It will be appreciated that the light harvester should be
located so as not to significantly shade the outer parts of the
plant. Depending on the spacing of the plants, the light harvester
can be placed between the rows or between the individual plants
(e.g., trees) in the row, and, via the shape of the diffuser
element, able to deliver light to multiple (e.g. four) trees
simultaneously. To avoid shading the outer parts of the plant, the
light harvester can be placed either lower than the canopy or
significantly above it. If the harvester is placed significantly
above the canopy, light diffraction and seasonal-diurnal movement
of the harvester's shadow will avoid any significant shading of the
plants. If the light harvester is placed in a low position, it will
be unable to significantly shade the plants; however, the plants
may significantly shade the harvester unless they are widely
spaced. This militates in favor of a high location for the
harvester. Because of the diffraction-movement effect mentioned
above, the harvester can also be located at a distance more or less
directly above the plant. The harvester will utilize the light
transfer pipe as a base structural element to hold it in position.
This support can be integrated with the plant itself or already
existing supports (e.g., grape vine trellises).
[0054] Other embodiments of a non-imaging light harvester include
geometries such as the rectangular version of FIG. 8. Harvesters
with such four-fold symmetry and flat reflective surfaces offer
less optical efficiency than the round CPC design. However
potential advantages in modularity and the ability to flat pack
(i.e., collapsibility) for transportation allow for reduced
production costs. Other implementations of flat-plane designs will
be obvious to those skilled in the art.
[0055] The non-imaging inventive devices described above are
generally passive and operate without an additional energy source.
It will be appreciated that with the exception of equatorial
regions, the position of the sun in the sky changes seasonally.
Therefore, for maximum efficiency solar collectors must be
constantly adjusted to track the sun's position. Tracking the sun
on a diurnal/continuous basis is complex and expensive due to the
high cost of the technology needed. However, the seasonal changes
in solar position are relatively slow; therefore, adjustment on a
weekly/monthly basis by changing the collector's angle in a small
number of fixed increments yields most of the advantages of daily
tracking at a very low cost. A simple manual adjustment interface
is provided to keep the collectors aimed in spite of seasonal
change in solar position.
[0056] FIG. 9 shows an alternate embodiment on the light harvester
system is based around an imaging optical system consisting of a
pair of a wide angle/parabolic mirrors arranged to condense
collected light into a narrow bodies transfer device such as a
bundle of fibers. In this embodiment the larger diameter lower
parabola 100 collects light rays 96 and reflects it onto a smaller
diameter secondary parabola 102 which creates a collimated beam.
This beam is directed through an aperture 104 located at the center
of the larger parabola into the transfer tube (not shown). The dual
parabola harvester design has optimal collection while aligned
directly with the sun and efficiency falls sharply as the sun
progresses across the sky throughout the day. Therefore such a
system will need a mechanism to automatically move the dish to
track the sun. Solar tracking technology is very mature and control
mechanisms to enable its use are readily available. The additional
complexity and cost of these elements can be mitigated by
delivering light to a given threshold number of trees per base
station. The smaller mirror 102 can advantageously by a "cold
mirror" which has filter capabilities. As shown in the diagram some
light (near infrared) passes through the mirror 102 and so is not
concentrated and transmitted into the canopy.
[0057] In addition to providing additional light for
photosynthesis, the invention also allows ready adjustment of light
quality. Light collected and transmitted to the lower/inner part of
a plant can be modified before delivery to within/underneath to the
canopy, by altering its wavelength (using optical filtration),
diffusivity (by appropriately chosen diffusers), intensity (by
partial obturation, if and when appropriate) all of which have been
found to positively modify crop yield or quality. Adjustment of the
light quality can be achieved with filters (both band-pass and
dichroic) and by adding light from a supplemental source such as
LEDs 97, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11a.
[0058] Spectral optimization of light before re-delivery provides a
number of advantages. Solar radiation provides heat energy as well
as photosynthetic energy so that boosting the total solar
irradiance to enhance photosynthesis can also result in thermal
damage. It is possible to remove selected thermal components (NIR
and IR) of the solar spectrum, thus avoiding over-heating the
illuminated area beyond the naturally occurring microclimate. In
addition, the delivered light can be wavelength-filtered to match
the best known spectral signatures for productivity (Rajapakse and
Shahak, 35; Shahak et al., 38, 39; Shahak, 37; Longstaff, 26), pest
and disease regulation (Karpinski et al., 22; Ben-Yakir et al., 9;
Antignus, 2), etc.
[0059] The second component of the invention is a
transmitter/conveyer that attaches to the light harvester so as to
convey or transmit the concentrated solar radiation. Although the
drawings generally show a single light harvester per transmitter,
there is no reason that a plurality of light harvesters cannot be
operatively coupled to a single transmitter. Such a transmitter can
be a purely reflective system constituting as an "inverse"
periscope constructed from mirrors and/or prisms. Typically the
transmitter is a rigid pipe with a reflective inner surface able to
penetrate through the outer plant canopy or the cover of a glass or
plastic greenhouse or net-house. FIG. 10 shows such device 98. The
pipe is designed such that multiple sections 99 can easily be
slotted together to customize the length depending on the
application scenario. The transmitter will act as the support and
main anchoring point for the system as a whole, attaching either to
the plant directly or to infrastructure already present such as
trellis systems. This component will have cross sectional symmetry
to match that of the harvester unit to allow for most efficient
light transfer.
[0060] For transmission purposes an open, internally reflective
pipe is generally preferable. These can be made from plastics or
aluminized cardboards that are readily recyclable and can even be
selected to be biodegradable. The presently preferred plastic
construction of the whole device will be entirely from UL 746C (f1)
certified plastics able to withstand prolonged exposure to UV,
water and high temperatures. One of the beneficial features of the
present invention is that by stimulating photosynthesis, the
invention actually reduces atmospheric greenhouse gases (carbon
dioxide). Using recyclable materials can lead to an even smaller
carbon footprint for the entire system.
[0061] Another embodiment of the transmitter subsystem is a dense
bundle of flexible optical fibers in a flexible protective sheath
that can be threaded through the outer plant canopy or the cover of
a glass or plastic greenhouse or net-house. Optical fibers have
previously been used to monitor penetration of light through plant
canopy layers (Bauerle and Bowden, 7) but not to actively deliver
light into plant canopies. For communication (i.e., data
transmission) purposes optical fibers are generally formed from
high purity glass so that signals can be transmitted for great
distances without significant attenuation. For the present
invention it is often more economical and ecological to use optical
fibers made of plastic. Although plastic optical fibers (POF) show
greater attenuation than glass fibers, plastic is readily
recyclable and can even be selected to be biodegradable. The
presently preferred plastic fibers are made from
polyperfluorobutenylvinyl ether; these fibers have larger diameters
than glass ones, high numerical apertures, and good properties such
as high mechanical flexibility, low cost, low weight, etc.
Importantly, progress has been made on the attenuation, which now
can be easily brought down to less than 1 dB/meter which represents
an insignificant loss considering that the fibers in the present
invention will be typically no more than a couple of meters in
length. One of the beneficial features of the present invention is
that by stimulating photosynthesis, the invention actually reduces
atmospheric greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide). Using recyclable
plastic materials can lead to an even smaller carbon footprint for
the system.
[0062] The third component of the system is a diffuser that is
attached to the end of or positioned slightly below
transmitter/conveyor opposite the light harvester. The job of the
diffuser is essentially the reverse of the light harvester. Whereas
the light harvester collects solar radiation from a relatively
large area (the surface area of the harvester) and concentrates it
into the smaller area of the transmitter (e.g., the hollow tube or
fiber-optic bundle), the diffuser reverses this process and
scatters the light around the inner canopy of the plant. The
horticultural advantages of diffused light are well known (Sinclair
et al. 40; Hemming et al., 18; Nissim-Levi et al., 28; Hemming, 17;
Dueck et al., 13).
[0063] There are a number of designs for the diffuser to allow for
customization of the system to various agricultural applications
and plant geometries. For non-imaging systems the diffuser can
consist of a combination of shaped diffusively reflecting surfaces.
As shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b a combination of a large concave
mirror 90 and a smaller convex mirror 92 can spread the light rays
96 exiting the aperture 94 of a transfer tube 98. This spread beam
is ideal for use in a tree inner canopy such as with a citrus tree.
For plants in rows such as grape vines these surfaces can include
shapes such as elongated hammock style reflectors of flexible
reflective material such as aluminized Mylar are shown in FIG. 12.
The flexible reflective Mylar (or similar material) 106 is
supported by a wire frame 108. Straps (not shown) can be attached
to the peripheral parts 110 of the wire frame to suspend the
reflector/diffuser. Linear "troughs" made of rigid reflective
materials as shown in FIG. 13. The trough has reflective
surfaces--inner or outer depending on the mounting configuration.
The unit can be suspended by wires to hang beneath plants or simply
rested on the ground. Many other possible geometries will be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0064] For imaging systems where light transfer is via a fiber
optic system terminating the transmitter within a diffusing sphere
such as an internally coated Mylar balloon or a translucent ball
provides an effective diffuser. Depending on the shape of the plant
the diffuser can be designed to diffuse light into a number of
different three dimensional shapes. For example a conventional
citrus tree having a rounded canopy would use a diffuser that
projects a sphere or partial sphere of light. A single optical
fiber transmitter can terminate in several diffusers arranged
within the plant for the best coverage.
[0065] There are a number of additions or modifications to the
three basic components. As already mentioned the light harvester
can be equipped with various mechanical interfaces to allow it to
be adjusted to follow the seasonal and/or diurnal changes in solar
position. Modification of the spectrum of the transmitted light has
also been mentioned above. For this purpose filter materials
(either absorptive or interference/reflective) can be applied to
the light harvester and/or diffuser. It is also possible to add
filtering substances to the optical fibers themselves. For
wavelengths (e.g., infrared) that are generally rejected, an
optical device such as a prism, dichroic or grating can be used to
reject these wavelengths so as not to heat any of the components.
In some cases it could be beneficial to add supplementary light
sources 97 (e.g. LEDs) to the system to supply light in excess of
that available from the sun and/or to augment certain wavelengths
of light. This would be used where the economic benefits of the
added light outweigh the energy costs. The additional light sources
can be aimed into the Light Harvester, directly coupled to the
Transmitter or disposed within the Diffuser.
[0066] The benefits for the users include increased plant
productivity and fruit yield resulting from enhanced
photosynthesis, and/or enhanced photo-morphogenetic activities such
as flowering induction and bud initiation in the otherwise shaded,
inactive parts of the canopy. Also, the supplementary irradiation
provided by the invention can result in improved fruit quality:
size, color, postharvest quality/storability/shelf life/nutritional
value. Because the system makes the plant healthier, one sees
improved pest and disease control--possibly achieved through
spectral manipulation deterring pests and diseases, and/or
enhancing plant resistance to biotic stresses (Karpinski et al.,
22; Ben-Yakir et al., 10, 2014; Kong et al., 24). This results in
reduced need for applications of agrochemicals such as pesticides,
fungicides and plant growth regulators. Because the system is
capable of providing PAR without thermal (near infrared (NIR) and
infrared) radiation, there is less heating of the plant tissue
resulting in a reduction of water use (improved
water-use-efficiency). There can also be saving occasioned by
lowered use of such traditional practices as pruning, training and
use of light-scattering materials. The problem of determining
optimum plant spacing is also reduced because the inventive system
can be moved and rearranged to accommodate changes caused by plant
growth. Finally, the amount and direction of a plant's growth can
be controlled by the additional light supplied, and its spectrum,
e.g. by reducing tree height for easier harvesting (without
sacrificing per tree yield), or by achieving a certain shape--e.g.,
for decorative purposes (Warrington and Mitchell, 41; Mortensen and
Moe, 27; Rajapakse et al., 34; Oren-Shamir et al., 29; Rajapakse
and Shahak, 35; Aiga et al., 1).
[0067] The system is ideal for perennial crops although it can be
used with almost any plant. It can advantageously be applied on
individual trees in orchards. It can be used in small fruit
"vineyards" (table grapes, wine grapes, kiwi fruit and berries)
where horizontal light dispersion can be particularly valuable. It
is also useful for protected cultivation of vegetables, ornamental
crops, berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries,
strawberries) and nurseries in greenhouses, net-houses, screen
houses, plastic tunnels ("hoop" greenhouses), and "plant factories"
(Kozai, 25). In these cases the invented devices will cross the
construction roof. The number of units per house area can be
readily adjusted according to the cultivated crop.
[0068] Use of prototype units provides some idea of how much light
the system can readily harvest and deliver to a given location on
the plant. PAR reading (.mu.mol photons/m.sup.2/s) were made at
mid-day in a citrus grove using a PAR meter (Apogee Instruments,
Logan, Utah) with the sensor face held sun-oriented (i.e.,
perpendicular to the sun's rays). Peak readings in a region without
citrus trees were 2040-2060; peak readings between the rows of
trees were 1920-1945; while peak readings within the inner canopy
of the trees were only 8-15. The experimental light harvester was
located at the outer canopy layer so it was partly shaded by
adjacent trees. Nevertheless, the peak readings at the exit of the
harvester were 1800-2500. Measurements within the canopy at a
distance of approximately 150 cm from the exit of the light
transmitter were 800-1000. (When the light harvester was placed in
full, unobstructed sun light it delivered 8500-9500
photons/m.sup.2/s; the upper reading of the meter is 3000 so these
figures were obtained by using a neutral density filter on the
meter.)
[0069] Similarly, in a pistachio orchard, the reading between the
rows was 1800-1900, while the reading underneath the trees ranged
from 40-350. This is because the canopy of a pistachio tree is less
dense than that of a citrus tree. The shade regions receiving the
output of the light harvester gave a reading of 2000-3000 as
measured on the ground. In a table-grape vineyard the reading away
from the vines was about 2000, while the reading beneath the
trellis-grown vines was only 13-25. The exit from the light
collector/transmitter gave a reading in excess of 3000. Using Mylar
diffusers similar to those of FIG. 12 with the meter sensor located
adjacent to the illuminated fruit clusters (with the sensor plane
making an approximately 45 degree angle with the ground plane) gave
a reading of 800-1045, which should be sufficient to significantly
affect fruit maturation.
[0070] Of course, the devices can also be used in other forms for
husbandry where light can have a beneficial effect even though
photosynthesis may not be involved. Animal husbandry, particularly
poultry cultivation, can be benefited by increased light.
Aquiculture is also a natural use for the inventive devices.
[0071] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those
skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of
example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will
now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the
invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the
embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in
practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims
define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures
within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered
thereby.
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