WATER COOLED HORTICULTURAL GROWING LIGHT

• US 20080049417A1
• Filed: 04/24/2007
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas E. Marek
• Original Assignee: Levi Shouse, William Reck
• Inventors: Reck, William, Shouse, Levi
• Granted Patent: US 7,441,915 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/101
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/24 Devices or systems for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature , illuminating, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/249 Lighting means with special arrangements for promoting growth A01G7/045
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/56 using liquid coolants F21V29/51 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/805 Horticultural

Abstract

The present invention relates, in general, to an water cooled horticultural growing light and a method of using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a water cooled horticultural growing light and method wherein water flows through outer glass tubes to cool the light source which sits inside an inner chamber of the invention. This invention allows for the light source to be placed in close proximity to the plants. This invention can be used in nurseries and other growing facilities to increase productivity by allowing plants to receive increased solar rays without the damaging effects of heat.

Claims

1. A water cooled growing light comprising:

two glass tubes including an interior and exterior tube both with the same length, the interior tube with a smaller circumference enabling it to be placed inside the exterior tube;

one or more light source;

two end plates containing

two channels on each of their interior surfaces enabling them to be fitted to the ends of the glass tubes,

hose connections on the exterior surface of each end plate with a hole passing all the way through the end plate,

one end plate configured to hold a electrical socket;

four or more square o-rings configured to fit in the channels of the end plates; and

two or more compressor rods configured to pass through both end plates and be secured by nuts on the outside of the end plates.

2. A water cooled growing light of claim 1, wherein the a standard hose can be connected to the hose connections.

3. A water cooled growing light of claim 1, wherein the end plates contain connector brackets containing holes for hooks.

4. A connector bracket of claim 3 which is configured to accept standard light hoods.

5. A water cooled growing light of claim 1, including a all system socket fed through the end plate.

6. A water cooled growing light of claim 1, including a reflector shield which fits inside the interior glass tube.

7. A water cooled growing light of claim 1, wherein the glass tube is made of Pyrex.

8. A method to cool a horticultural light source comprising the steps of:

passing water from an exterior water source between an interior and exterior glass tube, wherein a light source is contained within the interior tube;

transferring the heat from the light source to the water;

exuding the heated water into an exterior water source;

recirculation of the water from the water source back between the interior and exterior glass tubes once it is cooled.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the water source is a lake or pond.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the water source is a hose.

11. The method of claim 8, where in the water flows through the tubes at a rate of 3 to 30 gallons per minute.

12. A horticultural growing light comprising:

two or more glass tubes with at least one interior tube and at least one exterior tube, the interior tubes having a smaller circumference than the next exterior tube enabling them to be placed inside the exterior tubes;

one or more light source inside the inner most glass tube;

two end plates containing

channels on each of their interior surfaces enabling them to be fitted to the ends of the glass tubes,

water connections on the exterior surface of each end plate with a hole passing all the way through the end plate allowing the water to enter the space between the inner most glass tube and the exterior glass tubes, and

at least one end plate configured to hold a electrical socket.

13. A growing light of claim 12, wherein the a standard hose can be connected to the end plates.

14. A growing light of claim 12, wherein the end plates contain connector brackets containing holes for hooks.

15. A connector bracket of claim 12 which is configured to accept standard light hoods.

16. A growing light of claim 12, including a bracket for an all system socket fed through one end plate.

17. A water cooled growing light of claim 12, including a reflector shield which fits inside the inner most glass tube.