LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR GROWING PLANTS

• US 20100020536A1
• Filed: 07/24/2009
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LumiGrow, Inc., Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: LumiGrow, Inc.
• Inventors: Bafetti, Vincent H., Wells, Kevin T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,297,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/045 with electric lighting
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/249 Lighting means with special arrangements for promoting growth A01G7/045
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/00 Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/003 the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0435 activated by remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0457 the sensor sensing the operating status of the lighting device, e.g. to detect failure of a light source or to provide feedback to the device
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/502 characterised by the adaptation for cooling of specific components
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/677 the fans being used for discharging
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/00 Elements for modifying spectral properties, polarisation or intensity of the light emitted, e.g. filters coloured shades F21V1/00; elements characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/502
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/40 Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/12 characterised by the geometrical disposition of the light-generating elements, e.g. arranging light-generating elements in differing patterns or densities
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3725 : Switched mode power supply [SMPS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 : Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/14 : Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses

Abstract

A lighting system includes a first LED array which includes a plurality of LED sub-arrays, and a plurality of inputs operatively coupled to a corresponding LED sub-array through a controller. The intensity of light emitted by the LED sub-arrays is adjustable in response to adjusting input signals provide by the inputs. In this way, the intensity of light emitted by the LED sub-arrays is adjustable, in response to adjusting the input signals, to drive a wavelength spectrum of the first LED array to match the action spectrum of a physiological activity of a plant.

Claims

1. A lighting system, comprising:

a first light emitting diode which emits a first color of light;

a second light emitting diode which emits a second color of light; and

a third light emitting diode which emits a third color of light;

wherein the intensities of the first and second colors of light are adjustable relative to each other.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first color of light consists essentially of red light.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second color of light consists essentially of blue light.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third colors of light are different from each other.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first color of light consists essentially of light having a wavelength between about 620 nanometers to about 670 nanometers.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second color of light consists essentially of light having a wavelength between about 400 nanometers to about 500 nanometers.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the intensity of the first color of light is about ten to about fifteen times greater than the intensity of the second color of light.

8. A lighting system, comprising:

a first light emitting diode which emits red light; and

a second light emitting diode which emits blue light;

wherein the intensities of the red and blue light are adjustable relative to each other.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the red color of light consists essentially of light having a wavelength between about 620 nanometers to about 670 nanometers.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the blue color of light consists essentially of light having a wavelength between about 400 nanometers to about 500 nanometers.

11. The system of claim 8, further including a third light emitting diode which emits light having a wavelength different from the light emitted by the first and second light emitting diodes.

12. The system of claim 8, further including a third light emitting diode which emits light consisting essentially of light having a wavelength between about 40 nanometers to about 380 nanometers.

13. The system of claim 8, further including a third light emitting diode which emits light consisting essentially of light having a wavelength between about 750 nanometers to about 2500 nanometers.

14. The system of claim 8, further including a third light emitting diode which emits light consisting essentially of light having a wavelength between about 660 nanometers to about 700 nanometers.

15. A lighting system, comprising:

a first LED array which includes a plurality of LED sub-arrays;

a plurality of inputs operatively coupled to a corresponding LED sub-array through a controller;

wherein the intensity of light emitted by the LED sub-arrays is adjustable in response to adjusting input signals provide by the inputs.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the intensity of light emitted by the LED sub-arrays is adjustable relative to each other in response to adjusting the input signals.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the intensity of light emitted by the LED sub-arrays is adjustable, in response to adjusting the input signals, to drive a wavelength spectrum of the first LED array to match the action spectrum of the physiological activity of a plant.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the intensity of light emitted by the LED sub-arrays is adjustable, in response to adjusting the input signals, to drive a wavelength spectrum of the first LED array to match the action spectrum of the physiological activity of a plant pigment.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the intensity of light emitted by the LED sub-arrays is adjustable, in response to adjusting the input signals, to drive a wavelength spectrum of the first LED array to match the wavelength spectrum of sunlight.

20. The system of claim 15, further including a programmable logic circuit operatively coupled to the inputs, and a timer operatively coupled to the programmable logic circuit.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the programmable logic circuit adjusts the input signals in response to receiving a timing signal from the timer.