# US 11,076,536 B2 · Fluid-cooled LED-based lighting methods and apparatus for controlled environment agriculture with integrated cameras and/or sensors and wireless communications

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- Number: US 11,076,536 B2
- Document ID: US11076536B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/083,461
- Filed: 2020-10-29
- Published: 2021-03-04
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2018-11-13
- Assignees: Agnetix, Inc.
- Applicants: Agnetix, Inc.
- Inventors: Ihor Lys; Nicholas Maderas
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11076536B2

## CPC

- A01G 7/045: {with electric lighting}
- F21V 15/013: {the housing being an extrusion}
- A01G 9/24: Devices {or systems} for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature {, illuminating}, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like
- F21S 4/28: rigid, e.g. LED bars
- F21V 23/003: {the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array}
- F21V 23/0442: {activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors}
- F21V 23/045: {the sensor receiving a signal from a remote controller}
- F21V 29/56: using liquid coolants (F21V29/51 takes precedence)
- G01N 33/0098: {Plants or trees (wood G01N33/46)}
- G06T 5/50: using two or more images, e.g. averaging or subtraction
- H04N 23/51: Housings
- H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means
- H04N 23/74: by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means
- H04N 23/90: Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
- A01G 9/246: {Air-conditioning systems}
- A01G 9/249: {Lighting means (with special arrangements for promoting growth A01G7/045)}
- F21V 23/06: the elements being coupling devices {, e.g. connectors}
- F21W 2131/40: Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
- F21Y 2103/10: comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
- F21Y 2113/13: comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
- F21Y 2113/30: {of visible and non-visible spectrum}
- F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED]
- G06T 2207/10048: Infrared image
- G06T 2207/20221: Image fusion; Image merging
- H05B 45/20: Controlling the colour of the light
- Y02E 20/14: Combined heat and power generation [CHP]
- Y02P 60/14: Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)
- F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- F21W: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
- H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A fluid-cooled LED-based lighting fixture for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) to improve energy efficiency, recycle waste heat, and support the operation of environmental sensors in a controlled agricultural environment. In one example, a lighting fixture frame mechanically supports and houses respective components of the lighting fixture and includes a light spine to mechanically couple the lighting fixture to a support structure. One or more coolant pipes formed from copper and coupled to the lighting fixture frame conduct a fluid coolant through the lighting fixture to remove heat. The lighting fixture comprises one or more LED modules to emit light, one or more onboard sensors and/or cameras, wireless communication functionality, and multiple electrical power and communication ports to facilitate interconnection of the lighting fixture in a variety of controlled agricultural environments. In some examples, the lighting fixture includes a multispectral imaging system to acquire multispectral images of the environment.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fluid-cooled LED-based lighting fixture, comprising:
an extruded aluminum frame including at least a first channel formed therein, a second channel formed therein, and at least one enclosed cavity formed therein, the extruded aluminum frame further including a fin protruding from the frame and having a plurality of holes to facilitate mechanical coupling of the lighting fixture to at least one support structure;
at least one LED light source mechanically supported by the extruded aluminum frame;
a first copper pipe to carry a fluid coolant to extract heat generated by at least the at least one LED light source during operation of the lighting fixture, wherein the first copper pipe is press-fit into the first channel of the extruded aluminum frame so as to establish a first thermal connection between the first copper pipe and the extruded aluminum frame;
a second copper pipe to carry the fluid coolant, wherein the second copper pipe is press-fit into the second channel of the extruded aluminum frame so as to establish a second thermal connection between the second copper pipe and the extruded aluminum frame;
control circuity, disposed in the at least one enclosed cavity of the extruded aluminum frame, to receive AC power and to control the at least one LED light source;
at least one camera disposed in or on the extruded aluminum frame; and
a plurality of ports, electrically coupled to at least some of the control circuitry, to provide DC power to at least one auxiliary device coupled to at least one of the plurality of ports.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The lighting fixture of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one wireless communications device disposed in or on the extruded aluminum frame.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one camera comprises a first imaging or sensing device responsive to a first spectrum of radiation, the first spectrum of radiation including at least one of a visible band of radiation or a near infrared (NIR) band of radiation.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The lighting fixture of claim 3, wherein the at least one camera further comprises a second imaging or sensing device responsive to a second spectrum of radiation different than the first spectrum of radiation.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The lighting fixture of claim 4, wherein the at least one camera further comprises a third imaging or sensing device responsive to a third spectrum of radiation different than the first spectrum of radiation and the second spectrum of radiation.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The lighting fixture of claim 5, wherein:
the first spectrum of radiation includes at least a visible band of radiation;
the second spectrum of radiation includes a first infrared band of radiation; and
the third spectrum of radiation includes a second infrared band of radiation.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The lighting fixture of claim 4, wherein the at least one LED comprises:
a first plurality of LEDs to illuminate a plant with photosynthetically active radiation (PAR); and
a second plurality of LEDs to irradiate at least one object in an environment of the lighting fixture to facilitate sensing by the at least one camera or sensor, the second plurality of LEDs emitting radiation having at least:
a first wavelength or first wavelength band of radiation; and
a second wavelength or second wavelength band of radiation different from the first wavelength or first wavelength band of radiation.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The lighting fixture of claim 7, further comprising:
a multi spectral imaging module comprising:
a housing coupled to the extruded aluminum frame;
the second plurality of LEDs disposed in the housing; and
the at least one camera disposed in the housing.

### Claim 9

A fluid-cooled LED-based lighting fixture, comprising:
an extruded aluminum frame including at least a first channel formed therein, a second channel formed therein, and at least one enclosed cavity formed therein, the extruded aluminum frame further including a fin protruding from the frame and having a plurality of holes to facilitate mechanical coupling of the lighting fixture to at least one support structure;
at least one LED light source mechanically supported by the extruded aluminum frame, the at least one LED comprising:
a first plurality of LEDs to provide illumination in an environment of the lighting fixture during operation of the lighting fixture; and
a second plurality of LEDs to irradiate at least one object in the environment of the lighting fixture with at least:
a first wavelength or first wavelength band of radiation; and
a second wavelength or second wavelength band of radiation different from the first wavelength or first wavelength band of radiation;
a first copper pipe to carry a fluid coolant to extract heat generated by at least the at least one LED light source during operation of the lighting fixture, wherein the first copper pipe is press-fit into the first channel of the extruded aluminum frame so as to establish a first thermal connection between the first copper pipe and the extruded aluminum frame;
a second copper pipe to carry the fluid coolant, wherein the second copper pipe is press-fit into the second channel of the extruded aluminum frame so as to establish a second thermal connection between the second copper pipe and the extruded aluminum frame;
control circuity, disposed in the at least one enclosed cavity of the extruded aluminum frame, to receive AC power and to control the at least one LED light source;
at least one camera disposed in or on the extruded aluminum frame;
at least one wireless communications device disposed in or on the extruded aluminum frame; and
a plurality of ports, electrically coupled to at least some of the control circuitry, to provide DC power to at least one auxiliary device coupled to at least one of the plurality of ports,
wherein the second plurality of LEDs facilitates sensing, by the at least one camera, of reflected or emitted radiation reflected or emitted by the at least one object in the environment in response to irradiation by the second plurality of LEDs.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The lighting fixture of claim 9, wherein the second plurality of LEDs comprises:
a plurality of visible LEDs to irradiate the at least one object with multiple first wavelengths or first wavelength bands of radiation in a visible band of radiation; and
a plurality of infrared LEDs to irradiate the at least one object with multiple second wavelengths or second wavelength bands of radiation in an infrared band of radiation.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The lighting fixture of claim 9, wherein the second plurality of LEDs further comprises:
at least one ultraviolet LED to irradiate the at least one object with a third wavelength or third wavelength band of radiation in an ultraviolet band of radiation.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The lighting fixture of claim 9, wherein the at least one camera comprises:
a first imaging or sensing device responsive to a first spectrum of radiation, the first spectrum of radiation including at least a visible band of radiation;
a second imaging or sensing device responsive to a second spectrum of radiation different than the first spectrum of radiation, the second spectrum of radiation including a first infrared band of radiation; and
a third imaging or sensing device responsive to a third spectrum of radiation different than the first spectrum of radiation and the second spectrum of radiation, the third spectrum of radiation including a second infrared band of radiation.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The lighting fixture of claim 9, further comprising:
a multi spectral imaging module comprising:
a housing coupled to the extruded aluminum frame;
the second plurality of LEDs disposed in the housing; and
the at least one camera disposed in the housing,
wherein at least a portion of the housing is transparent to radiation in at least the first wavelength or first wavelength band of radiation and the second wavelength or second wavelength band of radiation.

### Claim 14

A lighting and imaging system, comprising:
a first housing;
a first LED light source, mechanically supported by the first housing, to illuminate a plant with photosynthetically active radiation (PAR);
a multi spectral imaging module comprising:
a second housing coupled to the first housing;
at least one of a camera or a sensor disposed in the second housing;
a second LED light source, disposed in the second housing, to irradiate at least one object in an environment of a lighting fixture to facilitate sensing, by the at least one camera or sensor, of reflected or emitted radiation reflected or emitted by the at least one object in response to irradiation by the second LED light source, the second LED light source comprising:
at least one first LED to emit first essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation; and
at least one second LED to emit second essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation different from the first essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation; and
at least one processor, coupled to the second LED light source and the at least one of the camera or the sensor, to sequentially control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED and monitor the at least one camera or sensor by:
A) controlling the at least one first LED to emit the first essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation to irradiate the at least one object;
B) during A), acquiring first information from the at least one of the camera or the sensor representing first reflected or emitted radiation from the at least one object based on the first essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation irradiating the at least one object;
C) controlling the at least one second LED to emit the second essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation; and
D) during C), acquiring second information from the at least one of the camera or the sensor representing second reflected or emitted radiation from the at least one object based on the second essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation irradiating the at least one object.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, further comprising:
a copper pipe, coupled to the first housing, to flow a fluid coolant that extracts heat generated by at least one of the first LED light source or the second LED light source during operation of the lighting and imaging system.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, further comprising:
an antenna, coupled to the first housing, to:
transmit at least one of the first information or the second information to a remote device; and/or
receive at least one signal from the remote device that is used by the at least one processor to:
adjust at least one of the PAR or the flow of the fluid coolant; and/or
control the second LED light source.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one camera or sensor comprises:
a first camera to acquire visible imagery of at least a portion of the at least one object;
a second camera to acquire infrared imagery of at least a portion of the at least one object; and
a single point sensor to measure a temperature based on infrared radiation from at least a portion of the at least one object,
wherein the first camera, the second camera, and the single point sensor are located proximate to each other so as to have substantially overlapping fields of view.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is configured to generate different finite spectra images based respectively on the first information representing the first reflected or emitted radiation and the second information representing the second reflected or emitted radiation.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to generate at least one multispectral image by aligning and superimposing the different finite spectra images, wherein respective pixels of the at least one multispectral image include spatial and spectral information.

### Claim 20 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein:
the at least one object includes the plant; and
the at least one processor is further configured to repeat A), B), C), and D) at least once and analyze the first information and the second information to detect physical changes in the plant over time.

### Claim 21 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one object includes the plant, and wherein the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED respectively emit the first essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation and the second essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation with a sufficient intensity to acquire the first information and the second information without causing chemical and/or morphological changes to the plant.

### Claim 22 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one object includes the plant, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
E) analyze the first information and the second information based at least in part on spectral absorptive properties of one or more types of chlorophyll compounds; and
F) detect and/or quantify one or more chemical compounds in the plant based at least in part on E).

### Claim 23 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to adjust the PAR provided by the first LED light source based at least in part on at least one of the first information or the second information.

### Claim 24

A method for controlling a lighting and imaging system to illuminate and acquire images of an agricultural environment, the lighting and imaging system comprising:
a fluid-cooled first LED light source to illuminate at least one plant with photosynthetically active radiation (PAR); and
a multi spectral imaging module coupled to the fluid-cooled first LED light source and comprising:
at least one of a camera or a sensor; and
a second LED light source comprising:
at least one first LED to emit first essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation; and
at least one second LED to emit second essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation different from the first essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation,
the method comprising:
A) controlling the at least one first LED to emit the first essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation to irradiate the at least one plant;
B) during A), acquiring first information from the at least one of the camera or the sensor representing first reflected or emitted radiation from the at least one plant based on the first essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation irradiating the at least one plant;
C) controlling the at least one second LED to emit the second essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation; and
D) during C), acquiring second information from the at least one of the camera or the sensor representing second reflected or emitted radiation from the at least one plant based on the second essentially monochromatic or relatively narrowband radiation irradiating the at least one plant.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising:
E) generating different finite spectra images based respectively on the first information representing the first reflected or emitted radiation and the second information representing the second reflected or emitted radiation.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, further comprising:
F) generating at least one multispectral image by aligning and superimposing the different finite spectra images in E), such that respective pixels of the at least one multispectral image include spatial and spectral information based at least in part on the first information and the second information.

### Claim 27 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising:
E) repeating A), B), C), and D) at least once; and
F) analyzing at least one of the first information or the second information to detect physical changes in the at least one plant over time.

### Claim 28 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising:
E) analyzing the first information and the second information based at least in part on spectral absorptive properties of one or more types of chlorophyll compounds; and
F) detecting and/or quantifying one or more chemical compounds in the plant based at least in part on E).

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The method of claim 28, wherein:
F) comprises detecting an amount of the one or more chemical compounds relative to a nominal baseline for the one or more types of chlorophyll compounds.

### Claim 30 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising:
adjusting the PAR provided by the fluid-cooled first LED light source based at least in part on at least one of the first information or the second information.