US 9,955,632 B1 · Method and apparatus for horticultural lighting to better simulate the sun

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a horticultural light for use in an indoor horticultural facility that produces broad spectrum white light with variable correlated color temperature (CCT) so as to better simulate various aspects of the sun, such as the multiple phases of the sun, aspects of the sun in all four seasons and latitude of the sun. One or more rows of fixed-color LEDs is used to obtain even wider ranges of CCT values, such as the use of red and/or blue LEDs. Even broader spectrums are achieved by utilizing LEDs that emit differing wavelengths within a particular color spectrum, such as a channel of red LEDs that emit two different wavelengths within the red spectrum and/or a channel of blue LEDs that emit two different wavelengths within the blue spectrum. Sensors with feedback control maintains the light within constraints defined by a light prescription database.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A horticultural system, comprising:

a light having a plurality of arrays of LEDs wherein each of the plurality of arrays of LEDs are configured in rows, the plurality of rows of LEDs including,
a first row of broad-spectrum white LEDs exhibiting a first color temperature;
a second row of broad-spectrum white LEDs exhibiting a second color temperature;
and
one or more rows of fixed-color LEDs;
a controller coupled to each row of the plurality of rows of LEDs, wherein each row of LEDs is controlled by the controller to produce a light spectrum exhibiting a third color temperature tunable between the first and second color temperatures;
a light prescription database coupled to the controller;
and
a sensor coupled to the controller and configured to provide measurements indicative of the third color temperature, wherein the controller is configured to control an intensity of the plurality of rows of LEDs to maintain the third color temperature within constraints defined by the light prescription database.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for horticultural lighting to better simulate the sun

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for horticultural lighting to better simulate the sun

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20