US 4,734,830 AGranted

Method and apparatus for artificially illuminating vegetation

AssigneeSun Circle, Inc.

InventorsMichael R. Cristian, Genaro R. Calabrese, Jaxon Hice

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Abstract

A rotating lamp fixture includes a plurality of lamps, attached to an arm which extends outwardly from a housing preferably mounted to the ceiling of a building. The arm is connected through a torque coupling and a gear train to the shaft of an electrical motor. The motor imparts a relatively slow circular or orbital motion to the lamps through the arm for serving as an artificial light source. The provision of a rotating light source reduces by at least one-third the number of fixed light sources needed for effectively controlling the growth of vegetation. The rotating lamp fixture increases the growth rate, improves the uniformity of growth, and/or precisely controls one or more other growth characteristics of the vegetation. Other features are also disclosed.

Claims14

Dependent claims

Apparatus for artificially illuminating vegetation, comprising:

a source of artificial light including a plurality of grow lamps, at least two of the plurality of grow lamps having different power requirements, the artificial light having a spectrum and intensity for controlling a preselected growth characteristic of the vegetation when the artificial light is impinged on the vegetation;
and
means for imparting low-frequency non-linear cyclic movement to the source of artificial light, said imparting means composed of:
a housing;
means for mounting the housing to a ceiling;
a motor mounted on the housing, the motor having a drive shaft;
an arm extending outwardly from the housing;
coupling means for coupling the drive shaft to the arm;
a plurality of means for suspending the plurality of grow lamps from the arm;
slip ring means associated with the coupling means;
brush means associated with the housing, the brush means having brushes in positions juxtaposed with the slip ring means;
first electrical conductor means for conducting electrical power to the brushes;
and
second electrical conductor means for conducting electrical power from the slip ring means to the plurality of grow lamps.

11 more elements

Apparatus for artificially illuminating, comprising:

a source of artificial light;
a housing, comprising:
(a) a cylindrical dielectric shell having at least one hole;
(b) a first end plate having a bore and a plurality of holes;
(c) a second end plate having a bore and a plurality of holes;
(d) a plurality of threaded bolts associated with the plurality of holes in the first and second end plates;
and
(e) a plurality of nuts fastened onto the bolts;
means for mounting the housing to a ceiling;
an electrically powered gear motor, the motor having a drive shaft;
an arm extending outwardly from the housing;
coupling means, comprising:
(a) a gear train having a worm gear connected to the drive shaft and having a rotary gear meshed with the worm gear;
(b) a first bearing mounted in the bore of the first end plate;
(c) a second bearing mounted in the bore of the second end plate;
(d) a tubular coupling rotatably mounted in the first and second bearings;
(e) a mild steel plug press-fitted into the tubular coupling, the plug having a bore;
(f) a threaded bolt disposed in the bore of the plug, the rotary gear being situated on the bolt;
(g) a Bellville washer disposed on an opposite side of the rotary gear from the plug;
and
(h) a jam nut rotated onto the bolt into contact with the Bellville washer;
means for suspending the source of artificial light from the arm;
slip ring means press-fitted circumferentially onto the tubular coupling;
brush means, comprising:
(a) brush holders mounted in holes in the dielectric shell;
and
(b) brushes in positions juxtaposed with the slip ring means;
first electrical conductor means for conducting electrical power to the brushes;
and
second electrical conductor means for conducting electrical power from the slip ring means to the source of artificial light;
whereby the uniformity of illumination over the area on which the artificial light is impinged is increased.

28 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/891,506Filed 28 Jul 1986 · continuation in part
Priority: 30 May 1984
Granted: 29 Mar 1988
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

F21V 21/15
Adjustable mountings: specially adapted for power operation, e.g. by remote control
A01G 7/045
Electric or magnetic or acoustic treatment of plants for promoting growth: with electric lighting
A01G 9/249
Devices or systems for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature , illuminating, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like:…
F21V 21/30
Adjustable mountings: pivoted housings or frames