Efficient LED lamp for enhancing commercial and home plant growth

• US 20040230102A1
• Filed: 05/13/2003
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solaroasis, LLC, Solar Oasls Co.
• Original Assignee: Solar Oasls Co.
• Inventors: Anderson, William Grant Jr., Capen, Larry Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 6,921,182 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/231
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/045 with electric lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/14 Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/805 Horticultural

Abstract

A first set of orange LEDs with a peak wavelength emission of about 612 nanometers, a second set of red light emitting LEDs with a peak wavelength of about 660 nanometers, and blue light LEDs. Two beam spreads, 15° and 30°, were provided for both the 660 nm LEDs and 612 nm LEDs. When directed perpendicularly upon tops of the plant leaves, 10% light transmission occurred through the leaves for the 30° LEDs, and 80% light transmission for the 15° LEDs. Thus, fully 50% of the orange/red spectrum primarily used for photosynthesis was transmitted through the upper leaf canopy, making it available to support photosynthesis in leaves below. LED lamps are positioned at varying distances from the growing plants for controlling plant growth rates that vary with these distances, thereby to control plant inventory, because growth of plants can be greatly slowed to preserve them during periods of slow sales.

Claims

1. A lamp for facilitating plant growth comprising:

(a) a first set of orange light emitting diodes (LEDs) having a peak wavelength emission of about 612 nanometers (nm); and

(b) a second set of red light emitting LEDs having a peak wavelength of about 660 nm.

2. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the total light output of the first set of LEDs is about half the total light output of the second set of LEDs.

3. The lamp of claim 1 including a third set of LEDs emitting blue light.

4. The lamp of claim 2 including a third set of LEDs emitting blue light.

5. The lamp of claim 3 wherein the total light output of the third set of LEDs is about eight percent of the total light output of the LEDs of the first and second set of LEDs.

6. The lamp of claim 4 wherein the total light output of the third set of LEDs is about eight percent of the total light output of the LEDs of the first and second set of LEDs.

7. The lamp of claim 1 wherein about half of the LEDs of the first and second sets of LEDs have a beam spread angle of about thirty degrees and the remaining half of the LEDs of said first and second set of LEDs have a beam spread angle of about fifteen degrees.

8. The lamp of claim 2 wherein about half of the LEDs of the first and second sets of LEDs have a beam spread angle of about thirty degrees and the remaining half of the LEDs of said first and second set of LEDs have a beam spread angle of about fifteen degrees.

9. The lamp of claim 3 wherein about half of the LEDs of the first and second sets of LEDs have a beam spread angle of about thirty degrees and the remaining half of the LEDs of said first and second set of LEDs have a beam spread angle of about fifteen degrees.

10. The lamp of claim 4 wherein about half of the LEDs of the first and second sets of LEDs have a beam spread angle of about thirty degrees and the remaining half of the LEDs of said first and second set of LEDs have a beam spread angle of about fifteen degrees.

11. The lamp of claim 5 wherein about half of the LEDs of the first and second sets of LEDs have a beam spread angle of about thirty degrees and the remaining half of the LEDs of said first and second set of LEDs have a beam spread angle of about fifteen degrees.

12. The lamp of claim 6 wherein about half of the LEDs of the first and second sets of LEDs have a beam spread angle of about thirty degrees and the remaining half of the LEDs of said first and second set of LEDs have a beam spread angle of about fifteen degrees.

13. The lamp of claim 1 wherein about half of the LEDs of said lamp have a given beam angle spread and the remaining half of the LEDs have a second beam angle spread of about double the first beam angle spread.

14. The lamp of claim 2 wherein about half of the LEDs of said lamp have a given beam angle spread and the remaining half of the LEDs have a second beam angle spread of about double the first beam angle spread.

15. The lamp of claim 3 wherein about half of the LEDs of said lamp have a given beam angle spread and the remaining half of the LEDs have a second beam angle spread of about double the first beam angle spread.

16. The lamp of claim 4 wherein about half of the LEDs of said lamp have a given beam angle spread and the remaining half of the LEDs have a second beam angle spread of about double the first beam angle spread.

22. The lamp of claim 1 wherein said LEDs are arranged in serial strings of LEDs of mixed light emitting wavelengths.

23. The lamp of claim 2 wherein said LEDs are arranged in serial strings of LEDs of mixed light emitting wavelengths.

24. The lamp of claim 3 wherein said LEDs are arranged in serial strings of LEDs of mixed light emitting wavelengths.

17. A lamp for facilitating plant growth comprising:

(a) a group of light emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting wavelengths for enhancing plant growth including a first set of LEDs having a first average beam angle spread; and

(b) a second set of light emitting LEDs having a second average beam angle spread substantially greater than said first beam angle spread.

18. The lamp of claim 17 wherein said first average beam angle spread is about fifteen degrees and said second average beam angle spread is about thirty degrees.

19. The lamp of claim 17 wherein said first set of LEDs emits a peak wavelength of about 612 nm and said second set of LEDs emits a peak wavelength of about 660 nm.

20. The lamp of claim 18 wherein said first set of LEDs emits a peak wavelength of about 612 nm and said second set of LEDs emits a peak wavelength of about 660 nm.

21. The lamp of claim 17 wherein said LEDs are arranged in serial strings of LEDs of mixed light emitting wavelengths.

25. A method of adjusting plant growth rates comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an LED lamp emitting a substantial amount of blue light for enhancing plant growth; and

(b) during an extended time period, selectively positioning said LED lamp emitting a substantial amount of blue light at varying distances from a growing plant for controlling plant growth rates that vary with said distances.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said LED lamp emitting a substantial amount of blue light positioned in accordance with step (b) also emits orange light having a peak wavelength emission of about 612 nanometers, and red light having a peak wavelength of about 660 nanometers.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein said substantial amount of blue light has a peak wavelength of about 470 nanometers.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein said substantial amount of blue light has a peak wavelength of about 470 nanometers.