Quantum dot-based lighting devices for animal husbandry and aquariums

• US 10,655,815 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2017
• Issued: 05/19/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nanoco Technologies Limited (Nanoco Group Plc)
• Inventors: Pickett, Nigel, Gresty, Nathalie
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Y M.
• Application Number:
  US15/411,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20170211779A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 45/00 Other aviculture appliances, e.g. devices for determining whether a bird is about to lay
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/06 Arrangements for heating or lighting in, or attached to, receptacles for live fish
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/275 Details of bases or housings, i.e. the parts between the light-generating element and the end caps; Arrangement of components within bases or housings F21K9/278 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/002 with provision for interchangeability, i.e. component parts being especially adapted to be replaced by another part with the same or a different function F21V17/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/005 Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/02 for simulating daylight F21V9/04, F21V9/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/08 for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/30 Elements containing photoluminescent material distinct from or spaced from the light source shades F21V1/17; globes, bowls or cover glasses F21V3/08, F21V3/12; refractors F21V5/10; reflectors F21V7/26, F21V7/30; elements with provision for controlling the spectral properties or intensity F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/308 for aquaria
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A lighting fixture for promoting the development of animals comprises a backlight, such as an LED or an array of LEDs, and a series of one or more retractable, rotatable or interchangeable lenses comprising quantum dots, such that the color and/or color temperature of the light emitted by the lighting fixture can be altered and optimized during animal development. A lighting fixture adapted for use on an aquarium may be in the form factor of a standard fluorescent tube and comprise one or more LEDs and a quantum dot-containing film for down-converting at least a portion of the light emitted by the LEDs so as to provide optimum wavelengths for photosynthesis by aquarium plants while simultaneously providing attractive display lighting for the aquarium fish.

Claims

1. A lighting fixture for illuminating a space having animals therein comprising:

a backlight;

a first lens comprising red light-emitting quantum dots; and

a second lens comprising green light-emitting quantum dots,

wherein each of the first and second lenses is movable relative to the backlight for entry into and withdrawal from optical communication with the backlight, and

wherein the first and second lenses are optically communicable with the backlight at the same time.

2. The lighting fixture recited in claim 1 wherein entry of the lenses into and withdrawal of the lenses from optical communication with the backlight comprises rotation of a fixture holding the lenses.

3. The lighting fixture recited in claim 1 wherein entry of the lenses into and withdrawal of the lenses from optical communication with the backlight comprises inserting the lenses into or retracting the lenses from a lens holder attached to the backlight.

4. The lighting fixture recited in claim 1 wherein entry of the lenses into and withdrawal of the lenses from optical communication with the backlight comprises interchanging at least one of the lenses with another lens.

5. The lighting fixture recited in claim 1 wherein the backlight comprises one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

6. The lighting fixture recited in claim 5 wherein the LEDs are blue-emitting LEDs.

7. The lighting fixture recited in claim 5 wherein the LEDs are UV-emitting LEDs.

8. The lighting fixture recited in claim 5 wherein the LEDs are white-light-emitting LEDs.

9. The lighting fixture recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the lenses further comprise at least one phosphor.

10. The lighting fixture recited in claim 1 wherein the backlight comprises at least one phosphor.

11. The lighting fixture recited in claim 1 wherein the red-emitting and green-emitting quantum dots are selected such that the light from the lighting fixture has a greater intensity of red light than that of either blue light or green light.

12. The lighting fixture recited in claim 1 wherein the backlight and the lenses are oriented relative to each other such that the light from the fixture is white light having an enhanced red light component as compared to sunlight.

13. The lighting fixture recited in claim 1 wherein the backlight and the lenses are oriented relative to each other such that the light from the fixture is blue-green light having an enhanced red light component as compared to sunlight.

14. A method of raising animals comprising:

illuminating a space having animals therein using a lighting fixture according to claim 1.

15. The method recited in claim 14 wherein the animals are poultry.

16. The lighting fixture recited in claim 1, further comprising a third lens comprising blue light-emitting quantum dots, wherein

each of the first, second and third lenses is movable relative to the backlight for entry into and withdrawal from optical communication with the backlight, and

the first, second and third lenses are optically communicable with the backlight at the same time.

17. The lighting fixture recited in claim 16, wherein the first, second and third lenses are in optical communication with the backlight at the same time.

18. The lighting fixture recited in claim 16, wherein the first, second and third lenses are positioned relative to the backlight in order of increasing quantum dot wavelength emission.

19. The lighting fixture recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second lenses are positioned relative to the backlight in order of increasing quantum dot wavelength emission.