Light ray radiating device

• US 4,771,371 A
• Filed: 07/07/1987
• Issued: 09/13/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kei Mori
• Original Assignee: Kei Mori
• Inventors: Mori, Kei
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelli, Raymond A.
• Application Number:
  US07/070,483
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 362/293, 362/1, 362/805, 362/32, 362/34, 362/2, 362/31, 362/19, 362/293, 362/222, 362/257, 362/268, 354/227.1, 350/335, 350/336, 47/17, 358/168
• US Class Current: 362/293
• 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: G02F 1/1313 specially adapted for a particular application
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/14 Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 47/06 Plant growth regulation by control of light thereon

Abstract

A light ray radiating device for effectively dispersing light ray energy emitted from an optical conductor cable into a direct-light ray component and into an indirect-light ray component in order to cultivate plants more effectively. The device comprises an upper plate having a hole through which the light-emitting end of an optical conductor cable is inserted at the approximate central portion of the upper plate, a lower plate composed of a light diffusing and reflecting liquid-crystal plate is disposed so as to be opposed to the light-emitting end of the optical conductor cable, a frame body for unitarily mounting thereon the upper plate and the lower plate, and an intermediate plate having a light ray passing portion at the central part thereof and mounted on the frame body between the upper plate and the lower plate. The light ray energy passing through the lower plate composed of the liquid-crystal plate is controlled by changing the voltage applied thereto.

Claims

1. A light ray radiating device for radiating light on a desired location comprising an optical conductor for conducting light rays, a first plate having means defining an opening, said optical conductor having a light-emitting end portion disposed in said opening, a frame means on which said first plate is supported, a second plate supported on said frame member at a position spaced from said first plate, said second plate comprising a liquid-crystal means selectiveably operable to transmit light rays therethrough and to reflect light rays therefrom, voltage control means for applying a voltage to said liquid-crystal means to selectively control the extent to which the light is transmitted through or reflected by said second plate, an intermediate plate adjustably mounted on said frame means for movement between said first and second plates, said intermediate plate having a central portion through which light rays are passable such that the adjusted position of said intermediate plate relative to said first and second plats determines the extent of direct light rays transmitted from said optical conductor to said second plate, whereby the light rays emitted from said light emitting end portion of said optical conductor are utilized for radiating said desired location and the extent of said light radiated as direct and indirect light is controlled by said voltage control means and by the adjusted position of said intermediate plate relative to said first and second plates.

2. A light ray radiating device according to claim 1, wherein said first plate has an upper side and a lower side, said lower side facing said intermediate plate, said lower side having a mirror surface for reflecting light rays.

3. A light ray radiating device according to claim 2, wherein said intermediate plate has a lower side and an upper side, said upper side of said intermediate plate facing said lower side of said first plate, said upper side of said intermediate plate having a mirror surface for reflecting light rays back to said lower side of said first plate.

4. A light ray radiating device according to claim 1, wherein said central portion of said intermediate plate comprises means defining a central opening through which light passes upon being transmitted from said light-emitting end portion of said optical conductor to said second plate.

5. A light ray radiating device according to claim 1, wherein said central portion of said intermediate plate comprises transparent means through which light passes upon being transmitted from said light-emitting end portion of said optical conductor to said second plate.

6. A light ray radiating device according to claim 1, wherein said first, second and intermediate plates are generally circular, said first, second and intermediate plates being generally axially aligned, said opening in said first plate being in the center of said first plate.

7. A light ray radiating device according to claim 6, wherein said first and second plates are mounted at fixed positions on said frame means, said intermediate plate being movable axially between said first and second plates.

8. A light ray radiating device according to claim 7, wherein said frame means comprises structural members made of a semi-transparent material.

9. A light ray radiating device according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate plate comprises a liquid-crystal means selectively operable to transmit light rays therethrough and to reflect light rays therefrom, and second voltage control means for applying a voltage to the last said liquid-crystal means to selectively control the extent to which the light is transmitted through or reflected by said intermediate plate.

10. A light ray radiating device according to claim 1 further comprising light-sensing means on said second plate for sensing the intensity of the light passing through said second plate, said light-sensing means being connected to said voltage control means such that the voltage control means controls said liquid-crystal means in response to said light-sensing means.

11. A light ray radiating device according to claim 10, wherein said second plate has an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface facing said intermediate plate, said light-sensing means being disposed on said lower surface of said second plate.

12. A light ray radiating device according to claim 1, wherein said liquid-crystal means comprises an upper transparent electrode plate, a lower transparent electrode plate, and diffusing and reflecting liquid crystal hermetically sealed between said upper and lower transparent electrode plates.

13. A light ray radiating device according to claim 12, wherein said voltage control means comprises a variable adjustable means for variably adjusting and controlling the amount of light transmitted through said second plate and the amount of light reflected by said second plate.

14. A light ray radiating device according to claim 2, wherein said intermediate plate has an annular portion disposed about said central portion, at least some of said indirect light rays passing from said optical conductor onto said annular portion and then reflected from said annular portion to said first plate and then again reflected from said first plate onto said desired location.

15. A light ray radiating device according to claim 14, wherein the light ray radiating device is juxtaposed to a light-useable means disposed at said desired location, said light ray radiating device being operable to transmit direct light rays and indirect light rays to said light-useable means, said direct light rays passing from said optical conductor through said central portion of said intermediate plate and through said second plate onto said light-useable means, at least some of said of said indirect light rays passing from said optical conductor through said central portion of said intermediate plate to said second plate and then reflected from said second plate to said intermediate plate and then again reflected from said intermediate plate onto said light-useable means.

16. A light ray radiating device for radiating light on a desired area comprising an optical conductor for conducting light rays, a first plate having means defining an opening, said optical conductor having a light-emitting end portion disposed in said opening, a frame means on which said first plate is supported, a second plate supported on said frame means at a position spaced from said first plate, said second plate comprising a liquid-crystal means selectiveably operable to transmit light rays therethrough and to reflect light rays therefrom, voltage control means for applying a voltage to said liquid-crystal means to selectively control the extent to which the light is transmitted through or reflected by said second plate, an intermediate plate adjustably mounted on said frame means for movement between said first and second plates, said intermediate plate having a central portion through which light rays are passable such that the adjusted position of said intermediate plate relative to said first and second plates determines the extent of direct light rays transmitted from said optical conductor to said second plate, said first plate having a mirror surface facing said intermediate plate, said intermediate plate having an annular portion disposed about said central portion, said annular portion having a first side facing said first plate and a second side facing said second plate, said first and second sides of said annular portion having reflecting surfaces, aid light ray radiating device being operable to transmit direct light rays and indirect light rays to said desired location, said direct light rays passing from said optical conductor through said central portion of said intermediate plate and through said second plate onto said desired area, at least some of said indirect light rays passing from said optical conductor through said central portion of said intermediate plate to said second plate and then reflected from said second plate to said second side of said intermediate plate and then again reflected from said second side of said intermediate plate to said desired area, at least some of said indirect light rays passing from said optical conductor onto said first side of said intermediate plate and then reflected from said first side of said intermediate plate to said mirror surface of said first plate and then reflected from said mirror surface of said first plate to said desired area, whereby the light rays emitted from said light-emitting end portion of said optical conductor are utilized for radiating said desired area and the extent of said light radiated as direct and indirect light is controlled by said voltage control means and by the adjusted position of said intermediate plate relative to said first and second plates.