LED LIGHTING DEVICE FOR GROWING PLANTS

• US 20110209400A1
• Filed: 08/15/2008
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lemnis Lighting Patent Holding B.V.
• Original Assignee: Lemnis Lighting Patent Holding B.V.
• Inventors: Rooymans, Johannes Otto
• Application Number:
  US12/673,522
• Publication Number:
  US 20110209400A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/17
• 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: F21V 29/60 characterised by the use of a forced flow of gas, e.g. air
• 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

Abstract

Disclosed is a lighting assembly for growing plants. The lighting assembly has a first light source emitting light in a first wavelength range of 600 to 750 nm; a second light source emitting light in a second wavelength range of 375 to 500 nm; and a controller for controlling the output of the first light source independent from the output of the second light source. Disclosed are also an enclosure for growing plants, and a method for growing plants.

Claims

1. A lighting assembly for growing plants comprising:

a) a first light source emitting light predominantly in a first wavelength range of 600 to 750 nm;

b) a second light source emitting light predominantly in a second wavelength range of 375 to 500 nm;

c) a controller for controlling the output of the first light source independent from the output of the second light source.

2. The lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein the first light source and the second light source each comprises at least one light emitting diode.

3. The lighting assembly of claim 1 further comprising a means for cooling at least one of the light sources.

4. The lighting assembly of claim 3 wherein the means for cooling comprises a tube, and a cooling fluid flowing through the tube.

5. The lighting assembly of claim 4, wherein the tube comprises a transparent housing in which at least one of the light sources is placed.

6. The lighting assembly of claim 4 wherein the tube has an external diameter of less than 5 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, more preferably less than 2 cm.

7. The lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein the first light source comprises an AlInGaP LED.

8. The lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein the first light source comprises a number of LEDs partially serial, partially parallel connected in a circuit.

18. An enclosure for growing aquatic plants, such as algae, comprising water and a plurality of light assemblies according to claim 1, said light assemblies being submerged in the water.

9. An enclosure for growing plants, said enclosure comprising:

a) a transparent panel for admitting daylight into the enclosure;

b) a first light source provided inside the enclosure for supplementing the daylight admitted into the enclosure, said light source emitting light predominantly in a wavelength range of from 600 nm to 750 nm;

c) a second light source inside the enclosure, said second light source emitting light predominantly in a second wavelength range of 375 to 500 nm; and

d) a controller for controlling the output of the second light source independent from the output of the first light source.

10. The enclosure of claim 9 further comprising a means for cooling at least the first light source.

11. The enclosure of claim 10 wherein the means for cooling comprises a tube, and a cooling fluid flowing through the tube.

12. The enclosure of claim 11 wherein the tube comprises a transparent housing in which at least one of the light sources is placed.

13. The enclosure of claim 11, wherein the tube has an external diameter of less than 5 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, more preferably less than 2 cm.

14. The enclosure of claim 9 wherein the first light source comprises an AlInGaP LED.

15. The enclosure of claim 9 wherein the first light source comprises a number of LEDs partially serial, partially parallel connected in a circuit.

16. The enclosure of claim 9 wherein a plurality of light assemblies is arranged in a two-dimensional grid.

17. The enclosure of claim 16 wherein the two-dimensional grid emits light having an energy density of from 15 to 40 W/m².

19. A method of growing plants, said method comprising:

exposing the plants to daylight, to light emitted by a first light source predominantly in a wavelength range from 600 to 750 nm, and to light from a second light source emitting light predominantly in a wavelength range from 375 to 500 nm;

controlling the output of the second light source independent from the output of the first light source.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the first light source and the second light source each comprises at least one light emitting diode.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising cooling at least one of the light sources.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the cooling comprises providing a tube, and a cooling fluid flowing through the tube.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the tube comprises a transparent housing in which at least one of the light sources is placed.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the tube has an external diameter of less than 5 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, more preferably less than 2 cm.

25. The method of claim 19 wherein the first light source comprises an AlInGaP LED.

26. The method of claim 19 wherein the first light source comprises a number of LEDs partially serial, partially parallel connected in a circuit.