Grow lighting system

Abstract

Grow lighting system for promoting growth of crops, such as turf grass, on a ground surface, comprising a base frame configured to be placed on the ground surface; at least one grow lighting support extending from the base frame, and being configured to support one or more grow light luminaires above the ground surface; a power distribution grid configured to receive AC power from an external AC source, the power distribution grid comprising a rectifier, external to the one or more grow light luminaires, for converting the received AC power to DC power, and a DC distribution grid for providing DC power from the rectifier to the one or more grow light luminaires.

Description

[0001] GROW LIGHTING SYSTEM

[0002] FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a grow lighting system for promoting growth of crops, such as turf grass, on a ground surface.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Grow lighting systems are used in various applications wherein accelerated or promoted growth of crops is required. For instance, on sport pitches that employ turf grass, the grass experiences damage due to the sports played thereon (e.g., sliding, trampling, pressure). In order to keep the turf grass in good condition, promotion of the growth and thereby recovery of the grass is desirable. In such cases, grow light luminaires are generally supported on a beam or other type of support above the ground surface, in order to provide illumination to the crops on the ground surface without contact. The grow light luminaires provide the crops with supplemental illumination, thereby promoting growth. The supports are generally attached to a base frame which contacts the ground surface. Movable base frames are common, such that the grow lighting systems can be repositioned and stored efficiently. Accordingly, the base frames can be provided with wheels or the like.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] In order not to damage the ground surface and thereby the crops, the part of the base frame that contacts the ground surface should preferably have a small footprint and the system as a whole should be as light as possible. A limit to weight savings is that the grow light supports, that extend above the ground surface from the base frame, need to be strong enough to bridge a certain distance away from the base frame whilst simultaneously supporting multiple grow light luminaires. Accordingly, at a certain point the supports cannot be made any lighter as they will deform under their own weight and the weight of the grow light luminaires.

[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure, among others, to provide a grow lighting system wherein weight is decreased without the aforementioned drawbacks (e.g., failure of the supports, and / or increased contact surface between the ground surface and base frame).

[0009] Accordingly, a grow lighting system for promoting growth of crops, such as turf grass, on a ground surface is provided, the system comprising a base frame configured to be placed on the ground surface, at least one grow lighting support extending from the base frame, and being configured to support one or more grow light luminaires above the ground surface, a power distribution grid configured to receive AC power from an external AC source, the power distribution grid comprising a rectifier, external to the one or more grow light luminaires, for converting the received AC power to DC power, and a DC distribution grid for providing DC power from the rectifier to the one or more grow light luminaires.

[0010] In the state of the art, grow light luminaires tend to utilize AC power and may therefore require a power factor corrector (PFC) and / or a rectifier. By removing the rectification from the luminaires themselves and instead using a central power distribution grid with a central rectifier, the weight of each individual grow light luminaire is reduced. Consequently, the load on the grow lighting support is reduced, such that the supports can be downsized as a result thereof. This weight saving benefits the crops of the ground surface, which thereby experience less pressure from the system, as well as the stability of the system itself. As the supports generally extend away from the base frame (e.g., horizontally), their weight plays a big role in the general stability of the system. Accordingly, to the above, a grow lighting system is provided wherein weight can be decreased without the drawbacks normally associated therewith.

[0011] The grow light luminaires may be elongate lighting elements that run along the grow lighting supports, or individual lights, such as spotlights, that are distributed, preferably at regular intervals, along the grow lighting supports, or a combination thereof. The grow light luminaires may be integrated with the grow lighting supports, such that the supports are formed as a kind of light fixture.

[0012] A grow light luminaire is generally understood to be a lighting unit, which may comprise components such as a light source, a fitting for the light source, a reflector for the light source, and electronics and / or switches for powering and / or controlling the light source.

[0013] Optionally, in the grow lighting system, the rectifier is placed closer to the base frame than the grow light luminaire. In other words, the distance between the rectifier and the base frame is smaller than the distance between the grow light luminaire and the base frame. Preferably, the distance between the rectifier and the base frame is less than half the distance between the grow light luminaire and the base frame. By placing the rectifier closer to the base frame, less torque is exerted on the base frame due to the weight of the rectifier, thus benefitting the stability of the system. In addition, bending of the support itself due to the weight of the rectifier is decreased.

[0014] Optionally, in the grow lighting system, the rectifier is mounted on the base frame. As the rectifier is then not mounted on the support, the support does not need to be designed to support the additional weight of one or more rectifiers, thus leading to decreased weight of the support itself. In addition, the stability of the system is improved, as the weight of the rectifier would normally apply a torque on the base frame when the rectifier is placed on the support.

[0015] Optionally, in the grow lighting system, the at least one grow lighting support is an elongate grow lighting support. Accordingly, the support can extend over a larger distance, thus being able to provide illumination to a larger area on the ground surface by means of the grow light luminaires.

[0016] Optionally, in the grow lighting system, the grow lighting support extends in a direction having a component that is parallel to the ground surface. Accordingly, the support can extend over a larger distance away from the base frame, thus being able to provide illumination to a larger area of the ground surface away from the base frame by means of the grow light luminaires.

[0017] Optionally, in the grow lighting system, the grow lighting support extends substantially parallel to the ground surface. Accordingly, each grow light luminaire supported by the support is generally at the same distance from the ground surface, thus evenly illuminating the ground surface over the length of the support.

[0018] Optionally, the grow lighting system further comprises at least one pair of grow lighting supports, wherein each of the pair of grow lightings supports extends in opposite directions from the base frame. Accordingly, the torque exerted on the base frame by each support of the pair of supports are approximately cancelled out, thus improving the balance of the system.

[0019] Optionally, in the grow lighting system, the base frame comprises moving means for moving the grow lighting system on the ground surface. Preferably, the moving means comprise at least one of wheels, tracks, movable legs, and contact bearings. Accordingly, the grow lighting system can be repositioned and stored at a different location.

[0020] Optionally, the grow lighting system further comprises driving means for driving the moving means. Preferably, the driving means comprise electric motors that either receive AC power from the power distribution grid, or DC power from the power distribution grid through the rectifier. Accordingly, no manpower is required to move the system. In addition, the system can be provided with a control system that is remotely controllable, for instance by a remote, wherein the control system is able to control the driving means. Thus, the system can be moved remotely through a remote or the like. Optionally, in the grow lighting system, the at least one grow lighting support is pivotally coupled to the base frame, such that the grow lighting support is pivotable between a deployed position, wherein the grow lighting support extends away from the base frame and above the ground surface, and a stowed position. Preferably, in the stowed position, the grow lighting support extends substantially perpendicular to the ground surface, or the grow lighting support extends substantially parallel to the ground surface and abuts at least partially against the base frame. Accordingly, the footprint of the system can be reduced upon demand such that the system is more maneuverable and / or more easily stored.

[0021] Optionally, in the grow lighting system, the one or more grow light luminaires are LED grow light luminaires. LED lights generally consume less power than equivalent alternative light sources. Accordingly, power consumption is comparably low, in turn benefiting the environment.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Several aspects of the present disclosure are further elucidated through the following figures, wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a grow lighting system;

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a schematic front view of a grow lighting system; and FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a grow lighting system.

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In FIG. 1 a grow lighting system 1 is shown in a schematic side view, the system 1 being placed on a ground surface G. The system 1 is movable on the ground surface G by means of wheels 20 that are connected to the base frame 2 of the system 1. The base frame 2 supports one or more grow lighting supports 3, which in turn support a number of grow light luminaires L, particularly LED grow light luminaires L. The supports 3 hold each of the grow light luminaires L at approximately the same distance from the ground surface G, so as to evenly illuminate the ground surface G and the crops (e.g., turf grass; not shown) growing thereon. The system 1 may also comprise lateral supports (not shown here) that are substantially perpendicular to the shown supports 3 and base frame 2 (as shown in FIG. 1). The system 1 is provided with electrical power through an external alternating-current (AC) power source, AC, which feeds into a rectifier R on the base frame 2 of the system 1. The rectifier R rectifies the AC power to direct-current (DC) power, which is then distributed through a DC distribution grid, DC, that feeds the DC power to each of the grow light luminaires L. As detailed above, providing the rectifier R on the base frame 2 and not on the supports 3 means that the supports can be lighter, as they have to be less strong to support the weight of one or more rectifiers R that would normally be present in each of the grow light luminaires L according to the state of the art. Importantly, the rectifier R is external to the luminaires L.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a schematic front view of a grow lighting system 1. The system 1 comprises two lateral supports 3A, 3B which are supported by the base frame 2. The base frame 2 is placed on the ground surface G with its wheels 20. The lateral supports 3A, 3B are pivotally coupled to the base frame 2, and can be pivoted about pivot axes P. The left lateral support 3A is pivotable about its pivot axis P in a clockwise direction CW, and the right lateral support 3B is pivotable about its pivot axis P in a counterclockwise direction CCW. The lateral supports 3A, 3B are here shown in their deployed position. By rotating the left and right lateral supports 3A, 3B around their respective pivot axes P in the clockwise direction CW and the counter-clockwise direction CCW, respectively, the supports 3A, 3B can be brought into their stowed position wherein they extend roughly perpendicular to the ground surface G. Similar to the system 1 shown in FIG. 1 , the system 1 is provided with AC power from an external AC power source, AC, which is rectified at the rectifier R that is provided in the base frame 2, which in turn distributes DC power through the DC distribution grid, DC, to each of the grow light luminaires L. As the rectifier R is provided in the base frame 2 instead of the supports 3 A, 3B, the weight of the rectifier does not exert a torque on the base frame 2, thus effectively improving the stability of the system 1.

[0029] Accordingly, a grow lighting system 1 is provided wherein weight can be decreased without the drawbacks normally associated therewith, as detailed above.

[0030] In FIG. 3 a perspective view of a grow lighting system 1 is shown. The lights L can be attached to both the longitudinal support 3 and the lateral supports 3 A, 3B, as shown. An external power source AC provides AC power to the rectifier R of the system 1 , and the rectified DC power is then distributed to the lights L through the DC power grid, DC. The wheels 20 make it possible to reposition the system 1 on the ground surface G without significant damage to the crops (e.g., turf grass). It can be seen that having pairs of lateral supports 3A, 3B extending in opposite directions from the base frame 2, or the longitudinal support 3 as part of the base frame 2, the system 1 is sufficiently balanced. The external AC power source, AC, can be formed of any type of suitable power source and can be fed to the rectifier R in any suitable manner.

[0031] The figures and the description thereof presented herein are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, particularly the claims, to any extent, but merely as illustrative examples used to elucidate the present disclosure and invention(s) described therein. CLAUSES

[0032] 1. Grow lighting system for promoting growth of crops, such as turf grass, on a ground surface, comprising: a base frame configured to be placed on the ground surface; at least one grow lighting support extending from the base frame, and being configured to support one or more grow light luminaires above the ground surface; a power distribution grid configured to receive AC power from an external AC source, the power distribution grid comprising a rectifier, external to the one or more grow light luminaires, for converting the received AC power to DC power, and a DC distribution grid for providing DC power from the rectifier to the one or more grow light luminaires.

[0033] 2. Grow lighting system according to clause 1, wherein the rectifier is placed closer to the base frame than the grow light luminaire.

[0034] 3. Grow lighting system according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the rectifier is mounted on the base frame.

[0035] 4. Grow lighting system according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the at least one grow lighting support is an elongate grow lighting support.

[0036] 5. Grow lighting system according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the grow lighting support extends in a direction having a component that is parallel to the ground surface.

[0037] 6. Grow lighting system according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the grow lighting support extends substantially parallel to the ground surface.

[0038] 7. Grow lighting system according to any one of the preceding clauses, comprising at least one pair of grow lighting supports, wherein each of the pair of grow lightings supports extends in opposite directions from the base frame.

[0039] 8. Grow lighting system according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the base frame comprises moving means for moving the grow lighting system on the ground surface. Grow lighting system according to clause 8, wherein the moving means comprise at least one of wheels, tracks, movable legs, and contact bearings. Grow lighting system according to clause 8 or 9, further comprising driving means for driving the moving means. Grow lighting system according to clause 10, wherein the driving means comprise electric motors that either receive AC power from the power distribution grid, or DC power from the power distribution grid through the rectifier. Grow lighting system according to clause 10 or 11, further comprising a control system that is remotely controllable, for instance by a remote, wherein the control system is configured to control the driving means. Grow lighting system according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the at least one grow lighting support is pivotally coupled to the base frame, such that the grow lighting support is pivotable between a deployed position, wherein the grow lighting support extends away from the base frame and above the ground surface, and a stowed position. Grow lighting system according to clause 13, wherein, in the stowed position: the grow lighting support extends substantially perpendicular to the ground surface, or the grow lighting support extends substantially parallel to the ground surface and abuts at least partially against the base frame. Grow lighting system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the one or more grow light luminaires are LED grow light luminaires.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Grow lighting system (1) for promoting growth of crops, such as turf grass, on a ground surface (G), comprising: a base frame (2) configured to be placed on the ground surface (G); at least one grow lighting support (3, 3A, 3B) extending from the base frame (2), and being configured to support one or more grow light luminaires (L) above the ground surface (G); a power distribution grid configured to receive AC power from an external AC source (AC), the power distribution grid comprising a rectifier (R), external to the one or more grow light luminaires (L), for converting the received AC power to DC power, and a DC distribution grid (DC) for providing DC power from the rectifier (R) to the one or more grow light luminaires (L).

2. Grow lighting system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rectifier (R) is placed closer to the base frame (2) than the grow light luminaire (L).

3. Grow lighting system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rectifier (R) is mounted on the base frame (2).

4. Grow lighting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one grow lighting support (3, 3 A, 3B) is an elongate grow lighting support (3, 3A, 3B).

5. Grow lighting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grow lighting support (3, 3A, 3B) extends in a direction having a component that is parallel to the ground surface (G).

6. Grow lighting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grow lighting support (3, 3A, 3B) extends substantially parallel to the ground surface (G).

7. Grow lighting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one pair of grow lighting supports (3 A, 3B), wherein each of the pair of grow lightings supports (3A, 3B) extends in opposite directions from the base frame (2).

8. Grow lighting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base frame (2) comprises moving means (20) for moving the grow lighting system (1) on the ground surface (G).

9. Grow lighting system (1) according to claim 8, wherein the moving means comprise at least one of wheels (20), tracks, movable legs, and contact bearings.

10. Grow lighting system (1) according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising driving means for driving the moving means (20).

11. Grow lighting system (1) according to claim 10, wherein the driving means comprise electric motors that either receive AC power from the power distribution grid, or DC power from the power distribution grid through the rectifier (R).

12. Grow lighting system (1) according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a control system that is remotely controllable, for instance by a remote, wherein the control system is configured to control the driving means.

13. Grow lighting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one grow lighting support (3A, 3B) is pivotally coupled to the base frame (2), such that the grow lighting support (3A, 3B) is pivotable between a deployed position, wherein the grow lighting support (3A, 3B) extends away from the base frame (2) and above the ground surface (G), and a stowed position.

14. Grow lighting system (1) according to claim 13, wherein, in the stowed position: the grow lighting support (3A, 3B) extends substantially perpendicular to the ground surface (G), or the grow lighting support (3A, 3B) extends substantially parallel to the ground surface (G) and abuts at least partially against the base frame (2).

15. Grow lighting system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more grow light luminaires (L) are LED grow light luminaires (L).

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