Light sources adapted to spectral sensitivity of diurnal avians and humans

• US 10,617,099 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2016
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify North America Corporation (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Signify North America Corporation (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: Grajcar, Zdenko
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US15/337,022
• Publication Number:
  US 20170105391A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 362 2
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/00 Housing animals; Equipment therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/00 Other apparatus for animal husbandry
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 31/00 Housing birds
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 31/22 Poultry runs ; Poultry houses, including auxiliary features, e.g. feeding, watering, demanuring air-conditioning of poultry runs or houses A01K1/0047
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 45/00 Other aviculture appliances, e.g. devices for determining whether a bird is about to lay
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/006 Solar simulators, e.g. for testing photovoltaic panels
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/40 Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/402 for working places
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

Various apparatus and associated methods involve a light source that provides light at wavelengths that substantially correlate to local maxima in the spectral sensitivity of a diurnal avian. In an illustrative example, the light source may output light primarily in wavelength bands that are not substantially absorbed by colored oil droplets and/or visual pigment in at least one type of cone in the eye of a diurnal avian. In some embodiments, the light source may include a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. Exemplary light sources may output spectral components to illuminate diurnal avians with local maxima of intensity at wavelengths that substantially correspond to local maxima in a spectral sensitivity visual response characteristic of the diurnal avians.

Claims

1. A method of illuminating diurnal avians in a substantially enclosed habitat with artificial light sources, the method comprising:

supplying a first light having a first spectral content between 380 nm (nanometers) and 780 nm, the first light having a first local maximum in relative intensity at a first wavelength between 450 nm and 520 nm corresponding to a first local maximum of visual spectral sensitivity of the diurnal avian;

supplying a second light having a second spectral content between 380 nm and 780 nm, the second light and having at least one local maximum in relative intensity at a second wavelength between 530 nm and 590 nm corresponding to a second local maximum of visual spectral sensitivity of the diurnal avian; and

supplying a third light having a third spectral content below 400 nm corresponding to a third local maximum of spectral sensitivity of the diurnal avian.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

converting the first light to the second light.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

supplying a fourth light having a fourth spectral content between 380 nm and 780 nm, the fourth light having a fourth local maximum in relative intensity at a fourth wavelength within 30 nm of a fourth local maximum of visual spectral sensitivity of the diurnal avian.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one local maximum in relative intensity of the fourth spectral content is between 590 nm and 620 nm.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one local maximum in relative intensity of the fourth spectral content is between 630 nm and 680 nm.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first light is gradually dimmed leaving only the second light and the third light.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first light and the second light are gradually dimmed leaving only the third light.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first light, the second light, and the third light are sequentially provided to the diurnal avians.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first light and the second light are supplied by a composite source.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first light and the second light are supplied by a single LED.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the third light is supplied by the single LED.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first light, the second light, and the third light are supplied by a composite source.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the composite source includes a network of white LEDs, ultraviolet LEDs, and green LEDs.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the composite source includes a network of green LEDs, ultraviolet LEDs, and blue LEDs.