Targeted Turf Grow Lighting for Shaded Sports Field Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to effectively address the challenges of growing grass and turf in heavily used and shaded areas, leading to slow recovery from damage and inadequate growth, particularly in sports applications, due to the lack of targeted and non-intrusive lighting solutions.

Innovation Solution

Development of permanent and mobile grow light systems that supplement existing lighting with targeted growth-enhanced lighting, optimized for grass and turf repair, which can be retrofitted or built-in, and operate using existing or battery power, delivering specific light spectra and nutrients to enhance growth in shaded and damaged areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If large truss grow light systems are used to promote grass growth, then grass growth is enhanced, but the systems block use of the grass/turf when in operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrass growth rateVSAvoidturf availability for use

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the lighting system into multiple small, movable LED light units that can be independently positioned over specific damaged areas rather than using a single large fixed system. This segmentation allows lighting to be applied only where needed without blocking entire fields

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system is made dynamic and movable rather than fixed. The portable LED units can be moved to different locations as needed, allowing the turf to be used in areas not currently being treated while maintaining growth enhancement in damaged spots

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If reseeding is used to repair damaged turf, then grass coverage is restored, but the process is too slow for sports applications during ongoing seasons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturf repair speedVSAvoiddowntime for turf repair

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies supplemental lighting and nutrients to stimulate rapid growth of existing grass in damaged areas, acting as a preliminary measure that accelerates natural recovery processes before full turf restoration is achieved

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the environmental parameters (light intensity, spectrum, and nutrient delivery) to create optimal conditions for accelerated grass growth, transforming the repair process from passive waiting to active stimulation of rapid regrowth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If supplemental lighting is provided to enhance grass growth in shaded areas, then growth is improved, but existing large lighting systems require extensive infrastructure and block turf use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight intensity for growthVSAvoidlighting system infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical lighting infrastructure with simple, portable LED units that can be easily positioned and moved. These lightweight units eliminate the need for extensive electrical infrastructure while providing targeted supplemental lighting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable LED units serve multiple functions: they provide supplemental lighting for growth enhancement, can be easily transported without infrastructure, and allow turf to remain accessible in untreated areas, making the system universally applicable to various turf repair scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances grass and turf growth in shaded and damaged areas, extending playable seasons and reducing downtime by providing targeted lighting and nutrient delivery, without obstructing use or requiring extensive power infrastructure.

Implementation Method 1

different plants grow better or worse under different lighting conditions... spectra having a high intensity in red versus blue wavelength... photons in a PAR range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotosynthesis: Photosynthesis

Data Source

PatentUS12478004B2Apparatus, method, and system for improved turf or grass growth

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 MUSCO CORP

AI summary

A method of growing grass or turf of varying types includes determining lighting needs of a sward, measuring or otherwise determining an existing DLI and spectrum of light delivered to the sward, and delivering supplemental lighting to at least a portion of the sward dependent, at least in part, on determining the lighting needs of the sward and measuring or otherwise determining the existing DLI and spectrum of light delivered to the sward.