Light rod for accelerating algae growth
First Claim
1. A photobioreactor for growing algae, comprising:
- a tank to contain algae and growth medium for the algae;
at least one light pipe to provide light in the tank for accelerating algae growth in the tank, the light pipe comprising a light source located outside of the tank for generating and emitting light and a light rod having a distal longitudinal end disposed inside the tank and a proximal longitudinal end disposed to receive light emitted from the light source to be delivered from the light rod into the tank to provide light for accelerating algae growth in the tank;
the light rod having alternating frosted and unfrosted portions located in the tank and spaced along a longitudinal length of the light rod between the proximal end and the distal end, the unfrosted portions having a transverse cross-section that permits total internal reflection of light in the unfrosted portions wherein light in the light rod from the light source is transmitted along the unfrosted portions by total internal reflection and in the frosted sections a portion of the light from the light source is emitted from the light rod in the tank.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A light pipe for use in aqueous environments comprising an optical rod capable of total internal reflection, and disposed in the optical path of a light source such as a light emitting diode or other source. The optical rod has frosted and unfrosted portions, such that the light is propagated distally along the rod at the unfrosted portions, but a portion of the light is coupled out of the rod into the aqueous environment at each of the frosted portions. The relative sizes of the frosted portions are arranged so that substantially the same light power is coupled out of the rod at each frosted section, thus facilitating rapid and uniform growth of algae in the aqueous environment.
43 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A photobioreactor for growing algae, comprising:
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a tank to contain algae and growth medium for the algae; at least one light pipe to provide light in the tank for accelerating algae growth in the tank, the light pipe comprising a light source located outside of the tank for generating and emitting light and a light rod having a distal longitudinal end disposed inside the tank and a proximal longitudinal end disposed to receive light emitted from the light source to be delivered from the light rod into the tank to provide light for accelerating algae growth in the tank; the light rod having alternating frosted and unfrosted portions located in the tank and spaced along a longitudinal length of the light rod between the proximal end and the distal end, the unfrosted portions having a transverse cross-section that permits total internal reflection of light in the unfrosted portions wherein light in the light rod from the light source is transmitted along the unfrosted portions by total internal reflection and in the frosted sections a portion of the light from the light source is emitted from the light rod in the tank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification