Light sources adapted to spectral sensitivity of diurnal avians and humans

• US 8,876,313 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2013
• Issued: 11/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify North America Corporation (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Once Innovations Inc. (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: Grajcar, Zdenko
• Primary Examiner(s): Guharay, Karabi
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, NATHANIEL J.
• Application Number:
  US14/033,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20140159615A1
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: 362/84, 362/94, 313498-512, 119416-537
• US Class Current: 362/84
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/00 Housing animals; Equipment therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/00 Other apparatus for animal husbandry
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 31/22 Poultry runs ; Poultry houses, including auxiliary features, e.g. feeding, watering, demanuring air-conditioning of poultry runs or houses A01K1/0047
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 45/00 Other aviculture appliances, e.g. devices for determining whether a bird is about to lay
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/006 Solar simulators, e.g. for testing photovoltaic panels
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source

Abstract

A method of illuminating livestock with artificial light sources. The method includes generating a first light having a first light output that provides white light at typical lumen levels for workers. Then by using a dimming device the light source can be dimmed to provide a blue light at under 3 lumen in order to provide artificial light to the diurnal avians representative of moonlight to cause the occurrence of a predetermined characteristic visual spectral response of the diurnal avian substantially enclosed habitat for diurnal avians.

Claims

1. A method of illuminating livestock with artificial light sources, the method comprising:

generating a first light having a first light output of greater than 3 lumens;

converting the first light to a second light comprising a spectral content having a wavelength between 395 nm (nanometers) and 495 nm and light output of less than 3 lumens at which a predetermined characteristic visual spectral response of the livestock occurs;

maintaining the second light for a predetermined period of time of at least one hour and,

supplying the second light to a habitat for the livestock.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first light is white light.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first light output is at least 200 lumens.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first light output is at least 400 lumens.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first light comprises a spectral content having a wavelength between 450 nm and 510 nm.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first light comprises a spectral content having a wavelength between 590 nm and 620 nm.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined characteristic visual spectral response of the livestock correspond to increasing melatonin produced by the livestock during the predetermined period of time.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined characteristic visual spectral response of the livestock correspond to an increase in adrenaline during the predetermined period of time.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined period of time is at least one week.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined period of time is at least one month.

11. A spectrally adapted illumination apparatus for illuminating livestock, the apparatus comprising:

a light source to generate a first light output of greater than 3 lumens;

a converter to convert the first light to a second light comprising a spectral content having a wavelength between 395 nm (nanometers) and 495 nm and light output of less than 3 lumens for a predetermined period of time that is at least one hour at which a predetermined characteristic visual spectral response of the livestock occurs.