Rotating Horticultural Light Array for Uniform Photon Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current horticultural lighting systems face challenges in efficiently delivering photons to plants, including uneven light distribution, heat management, and shading of ambient light sources, which can impact plant growth and yield. Additionally, existing systems often provide direct, intense light rather than the diffuse and varied light that plants benefit from for photosynthesis and photomorphogenesis.
Innovation Solution
A photon delivery device and method that utilizes rotating electromagnetic radiation emitters and housing members to distribute light evenly across an area of interest, incorporating air movement for heat dissipation and modular design for customizable light distribution, including the use of sensors to adjust light intensity and direction based on sensed parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct intense light is provided to plants, then photosynthesis efficiency is improved, but light distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into multiple independent light sources arranged in arrays, allowing the total light output to be segmented and distributed across multiple zones. This segmentation enables better control over light distribution patterns, creating more uniform illumination across the canopy while maintaining high total photon delivery for photosynthesis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs movable and adjustable light sources that can dynamically reposition themselves to optimize light distribution. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt light delivery patterns in real-time, ensuring uniform illumination across varying canopy configurations while maintaining high photosynthetic efficiency
2Productivity
If high intensity light sources are used, then photon delivery is improved, but heat generation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The high-power lighting system is segmented into multiple lower-power light sources distributed across the fixture array. This segmentation reduces the heat concentration at any single location, making heat management more effective while maintaining the same total photon delivery capacity through the combined output of all segments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates intermediate cooling structures and heat dissipation components between the light sources and the plants. These intermediary elements act as thermal buffers, transferring heat away from the immediate plant zone while allowing the light sources to operate at high intensities for maximum photon delivery
3Productivity
If lighting fixtures are positioned close to plants, then photon capture is improved, but shading of ambient light worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system transitions from a single overhead source to a multi-dimensional array of light sources positioned at various heights and angles. This dimensional expansion allows photons to reach plants from multiple directions simultaneously, improving capture efficiency without creating concentrated shading zones that would block ambient light
4Device complexity
If light is provided from single direction, then setup simplicity is improved, but light diffusion benefits are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent light sources positioned at different locations and angles. This segmentation naturally creates multi-directional light delivery without requiring complex mechanical positioning systems, maintaining relative simplicity while achieving the light diffusion benefits of photons arriving from multiple directions
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 enhances photon capture and heat management, providing even, diffuse light that mimics natural sunlight, improving plant growth and yield while minimizing light blocking and promoting healthy plant development through varied light direction and intensity.
Implementation Method 1
A photon delivery device and method utilizes rotating electromagnetic radiation emitters and housing members to distribute light evenly across an area of interest
Implementation Method 2
incorporating air movement for heat dissipation
Implementation Method 3
including the use of sensors to adjust light intensity and direction based on sensed parameters
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device, which may include a plurality of housing members, a plurality of light emitting elements arranged on each of the housing members, a motor coupled to the housing members to rotate them about a central axis, a sensor system for providing a signal in response to a condition of an area of interest, and control system for controlling the rotational speed of the motor, and selectively energizing the light emitting elements in response to the signal from the sensor, to provide the desired target area with a desired illumination output.