Temperature controlled light fixture for environmental chamber

A light fixture, comprising:

• a plurality of fluorescent bulbs;
• a temperature sensor position proximate the plurality of fluorescent bulbs;
• at least one fan for cooling the plurality of fluorescent bulbs;
• an electrical circuit connected to the temperature sensor and the at least one fan, wherein the electrical circuit is adapted to maximize light intensity of the fluorescent bulbs within a predetermined range of ambient temperatures by controlling the at least one fan to control temperature of the fluorescent bulbs and to thereby increase temperature of the plurality of fluorescent bulbs if the temperate of the fluorescent bulbs is below the predetermined range and to decrease the temperature of the fluorescent bulbs if the temperature is above the predetermined range.

An improvement to an environmental chamber having an insulated cabinet, a refrigeration system adapted for controlling the temperature within the insulated cabinet, a control system, the improvement comprising:

• one or more light fixtures disposed within the insulated cabinet;
• wherein each of the one or more the light fixture comprises (a) a plurality of fluorescent bulbs;
• (b) a sensor;
• and (c) a thermal management control system electrically connected to the sensor and adapted to provide for heating and cooling of the plurality of fluorescent bulbs to maintain optimum light intensity of the fluorescent bulbs.

A method of maintaining light intensity of fluorescent bulbs in an environmental chamber, comprising:

• providing an environmental chamber, comprising an insulated cabinet, a refrigeration system adapted for controlling the temperature within the insulated cabinet, a control system, one or more light fixtures disposed within the insulated cabinet, and wherein each light fixture comprises (a) a plurality of fluorescent bulbs;
• (b) a sensor;
• and (c) a thermal management control system electrically connected to the sensor and adapted to provide for heating and cooling of the plurality of fluorescent bulbs to maintain optimum light intensity of the fluorescent bulbs;
• monitoring a physical parameter associated with the light intensity of the fluorescent bulbs using the sensor;
• adjusting temperature of the fluorescent bulbs in the environmental chamber based on the physical parameter to maintain an optimum light intensity of the fluorescent bulbs in the environmental chamber.