Fluid-Cooled LED Lighting Fixture for Controlled Environment Horticulture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Controlled Environment Horticulture (CEH) systems face challenges in adapting environmental conditions to suit different plant growth stages and species, and they often require substantial energy for cooling due to heat generated by artificial lighting systems.
Innovation Solution
A compact LED-based lighting fixture with an integrated fluid cooling system that supports higher light levels while minimizing heat dissipation to the environment, featuring a frame with coolant channels, LED modules, control circuitry, and a transparent tube enclosure for thermal insulation and adjustability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If higher light levels are used to illuminate plants at the flowering stage, then illumination intensity is improved, but heat generated by the lighting system increases causing environment temperature to rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat dissipation function from the lighting system by implementing a separate fluid cooling system. The cooling channels are integrated into the fixture housing, allowing heat to be removed from the LED modules through a dedicated thermal management pathway rather than being dissipated into the grow environment. This enables high light levels without proportionally increasing environment temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluid coolant as an intermediary between the heat-generating LED modules and the environment. The coolant circulates through channels in the fixture, absorbing heat from the LEDs and transporting it away from the grow space. This intermediary mechanism decouples the relationship between light output and environment temperature rise.
2Temperature
If air conditioners are added to regulate environment temperature, then temperature control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat waste from LED operation into a manageable thermal flow by capturing it through integrated cooling channels. The heat that would otherwise require active air conditioning to remove is instead managed through a more efficient direct-contact cooling system, reducing the energy burden on temperature regulation equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the lighting function and thermal management function into a single integrated fixture assembly. The cooling channels are built into the fixture housing structure, combining illumination and cooling operations rather than using separate systems. This integration optimizes energy efficiency by addressing both functions simultaneously.
3Productivity
If the distance between lighting systems and plants is reduced to increase grow density, then productivity is improved, but the effectiveness of air conditioners in regulating temperature decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts heat removal from the ambient air cooling process by implementing direct cooling of the LED modules through integrated fluid channels. This allows the lighting system to manage its own heat independently of the room air temperature, enabling close proximity placement without compromising overall temperature control effectiveness.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed lighting systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different plant growth stages and species decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow the lighting fixture to be dynamically repositioned and reoriented. The fixture can be adjusted to different heights, angles, and orientations to accommodate various plant growth stages and species requirements, transforming a static system into an adaptable one.
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 solution enables increased light levels for plants across various growth stages while reducing energy consumption and cooling loads, allowing for more flexible and efficient lighting in CEH systems.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant pipe at least partially disposed in and thermally coupled to the coolant channel of the frame to carry a fluid coolant that extracts heat generated by the at least one LED light source during operation of the lighting fixture
Implementation Method 2
a transparent tube enclosure for thermal insulation and adjustability
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting fixture includes a frame, one or more LED light sources to emit radiation, control circuitry to receive AC power and control the one or more LED light sources, and a coolant pipe to carry a fluid coolant. The lighting fixture further includes a tube and end caps that together form an enclosed cavity to contain the frame, the LED light sources, and the control circuitry. In example implementations, the tube does not physically contact the frame, the LED light sources, and the control circuitry. The cavity may further contain air, gas, or vacuum that forms a thermal barrier between the tube and the LED light sources to reduce heat dissipation from the LED light sources to the environment. The tube may further enable the lighting fixture to be rotatably and/or translationally adjustable relative to a support structure after installation in a close proximity grow system.