Lighting unit and method of controlling

• US 9,839,206 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2012
• Issued: 12/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecotech Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ecotech Marine, LLC
• Inventors: Lawyer, Justin, Clasen, Patrick, Marks, Timothy, Lindenmoyer, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Hiltunen, Thomas J
• Application Number:
  US13/530,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20120326610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,999 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/06 Arrangements for heating or lighting in, or attached to, receptacles for live fish
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/67 characterised by the arrangement of fans
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/308 for aquaria
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• 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 45/56 involving measures to prevent abnormal temperature of the LEDs

Abstract

A lighting unit for illuminating a habitat is provided. The lighting unit includes a housing and a light emitter. The operating parameters of the lighting unit may be adjusted to mimic different natural conditions.

Claims

1. A lighting unit comprising:

a housing;

an emitter assembly at least partially received in the housing, the emitter assembly comprising a light emitter having different light colors;

a heat sink at least partially received in the housing and disposed vertically over the emitter assembly;

a fan assembly at least partially received in the housing and disposed laterally in the same plane as the emitter assembly, the fan assembly comprising a fan blade for generating an airflow, and a curved baffle situated over the fan blade for maintaining laminar airflow through the fan assembly, the curved baffle configured to direct airflow in the direction of the heat sink; and

a microprocessor electrically connected to the emitter assembly and the fan assembly;

wherein the microprocessor drives the color output of the light emitter.

2. The lighting unit of claim 1, wherein the light emitter comprises a first light emitter having a first color and the emitter assembly further comprises a second light emitter having a second color, the first light emitter being controlled on a first channel and the second light emitter being controlled on a second channel.

3. The lighting unit of claim 1, further comprising a communication unit operably connected to the microprocessor.

4. The lighting unit of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a bottom cover having a grate through which the airflow is drawn by the fan blade.

5. A habitat comprising:

a marine aquarium; and

the lighting unit of claim 1 above the marine aquarium.

6. The lighting unit of claim 1, further comprising a temperature measuring device.

7. A method of controlling environmental conditions in a marine habitat comprising:

selecting an operating mode having associated data related to light intensity, and light color;

transmitting the associated data to a first lighting unit comprising a light emitter assembly, a heat sink and a fan assembly;

storing the associated data in the first lighting unit;

adjusting the operating parameters of the first lighting unit to correspond to the associated data;

wirelessly transmitting the associated data from the first lighting unit to a second lighting unit and a pump to adjust the operating parameters of the second lighting unit and the pump in concert with the first lighting unit; and

controlling the environmental conditions inside the habitat to accommodate growth or sustain marine life living inside the habitat.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said selecting is done through one of the group consisting of a user interface on a lighting unit and a computer.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said selecting an operating mode is accomplished by a user gesturing in contact with the user interface.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said adjusting the operating parameters includes lowering the intensity of light and reducing the amount of light to the minimal amount of light to support photosynthesis in a habitat.