Flexible Diffuse-Reflective Chamber for Uniform UV-C Plant Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating plants with UV light to control pests and pathogens are inefficient, as they fail to uniformly penetrate the plant canopy, leading to inadequate dosing of lower areas and potential radiation damage from non-uniform exposure.
Innovation Solution
A flexible diffuse-reflective smart chamber (FDRSC) device with UV-C light sources and diffuse-reflective materials that intensify and uniformly distribute UV-C light within the chamber, allowing for effective treatment of plant canopies without additional light sources or lateral placement, integrated with a dosing control system for precise dosing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV light sources are placed on the ground or laterally to cover the plant canopy, then adequate UV dosing is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple UV light sources into a single integrated array frame structure that can be positioned overhead, eliminating the need for separate lateral or ground-level light sources. This merging of light sources into one unified system reduces device complexity while maintaining effective canopy coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal/lateral light source placement to vertical overhead placement by utilizing the space dimension above the plants. This dimensional change allows the UV array to be positioned in the air space above the canopy, simplifying the overall system arrangement while achieving comprehensive coverage.
2Illumination intensity
If specular reflectors are used to intensify UV emission, then UV intensity is increased, but uniformity of dosing deteriorates causing radiation damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface properties to different parts of the chamber - the inner surfaces are coated with diffuse reflective material that scatters UV light uniformly, while the array frame provides structural support. This localized differentiation of surface qualities ensures uniform dosing across the entire canopy without the hotspots caused by specular reflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses diffuse reflective material on all inner surfaces of the chamber to create homogeneous light distribution. This diffuse reflection ensures that UV light is scattered uniformly across the entire plant canopy, eliminating the non-uniform dosing and radiation damage associated with specular reflectors.
3Device complexity
If current UV dosing methods are used, then simple light sources are used, but penetration of plant canopy deteriorates leading to inadequate dosing of lower areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces diffuse reflective inner surfaces as intermediaries between the UV light sources and the plant canopy. These reflective surfaces scatter the UV light multiple times, creating a more penetrating and uniform light distribution that reaches lower areas of the canopy that would otherwise be shaded.
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning the UV array overhead and using vertical light emission combined with diffuse reflection from chamber walls, the patent creates multi-directional light paths that penetrate deeper into the canopy structure, improving illumination of lower areas without adding complex lateral light source arrangements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The FDRSC device provides uniform and efficient UV-C treatment, reducing or preventing pest and pathogen infestations by ensuring all plant parts receive adequate UV-C exposure, reducing the need for chemical treatments and minimizing damage to plants.
Implementation Method 1
the inner surfaces of which comprise a diffuse-reflective material. Thus, when plants are received within or in close proximity to the irradiance chamber, the UV-C light emitted from the light sources is diffusely reflected and deflected off of the inner surfaces of the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Flexible diffuse-reflective smart camber (FDRSC) devices are disclosed herein. The devices include UV-C lights sources and an irradiance chamber. The irradiance chamber is open on at least one end through which the plants to be treated are exposed to the UV-C irradiance. Further, the inner surfaces of the irradiance chamber are covered by or consist of a diffuse reflective material that passively intensifies and uniformly distributes the UV-C irradiance to penetrate plant canopies. Also described herein are autonomous vehicles for moving the FDRSC devices across fields of crops and other plants. which is controlled in real time by a dosing control system. Also described herein are methods of in-situ UV-C treatment of plants using the FDRSC devices.