Horticulture grow lights

A grow light includes a plurality of cool white LEDs, a plurality of warm white LEDs, and a driver electrically coupled to the cool white LEDs and the warm white LEDs. An intensity level and spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by the grow light may be tuned or configured by varying a ratio of the quantity of cool white LEDs to the quantity of warm white LEDs, by varying a spatial arrangement among the cool white LEDs and the warm white LEDs, or by varying a level of current provided to some or all of the cool white LEDs and the warm white LEDs.

BACKGROUND

Many challenges arise when attempting to grow plants and other photoautotrophs indoors. Among them, the greatest is the task of providing such organisms the radiant energy they need to optimize photosynthesis. Previously existing grow lights, such as high-pressure sodium lamp grow lights, metal halide lamp grow lights, and grow lights featuring blue and red LEDs, have addressed the challenge by employing a shotgun-approach. Namely, they provide a large, fixed volume of light having a fixed spectral composition with the hope that the target crop will receive the type and amount of radiant energy it requires for optimal growth. Such grow lights waste considerable amounts of energy by producing light with spectral compositions that are not optimal for photosynthesis. Moreover, they fail to take advantage of the fact that the effectiveness with which photoautotrophs absorb and respond to different intensities and spectral compositions often varies depending on species, season, growth cycle, and other factors. Additionally, in many cases, previously existing grow lights emit large volumes of light in hues that are unnatural, uncomfortable, and possibly even harmful for horticulturalists tasked with tending to crop under such lights (e.g., visible purple or pink hues produced by simultaneously using blue LEDs and red LEDs).

SUMMARY

In one or more embodiments, a horticulture grow light includes a plurality of cool white LEDs, a plurality of warm white LEDs, and a driver electrically coupled to the cool white LEDs and the warm white LEDs. The horticulture grow light is configured to emit a radiant energy having a spectral composition having a first-highest peak wavelength of from 400 nm to 510 nm or from 560 nm to 780 nm and, with respect to the first-highest peak wavelength, a second-highest peak wavelength of from 400 nm to 510 nm or from 560 nm to 780 nm.

In one or more embodiments, a horticulture grow light includes a plurality of cool white LEDs, a plurality of warm white LEDs, a first driver electrically coupled to the cool white LEDs, and a second driver electrically coupled to the warm white LEDs. The horticulture grow light is configured to emit a radiant energy having a spectral composition having a first-highest peak wavelength of from 400 nm to 510 nm or from 560 nm to 780 nm and, with respect to the first-highest peak wavelength, a second-highest peak wavelength of from 400 nm to 510 nm or from 560 nm to 780 nm.

In one or more embodiments, a horticulture grow light includes a plurality of light engines. Each of the light engines includes a plurality of cool white LEDs and a plurality of warm white LEDs. The grow light includes a driver electrically coupled to at least one of the light engines. The horticulture grow light is configured to emit a radiant energy having a spectral composition having a first-highest peak wavelength of from 400 nm to 510 nm or from 560 nm to 780 nm and, with respect to the first-highest peak wavelength, a second-highest peak wavelength of from 400 nm to 510 nm or from 560 nm to 780 nm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described and illustrated by way of one or more exemplary embodiments, novel horticulture grow lights are provided (e.g., white LED grow lights). As those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate, the one or more embodiments described and/or illustrated in this application are provided for explanatory purposes only and are neither exhaustive nor otherwise limited to the precise forms described and/or illustrated. On the contrary, as those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize and appreciate in view of the teachings in this application, additional embodiments and variations are possible in light of, and contemplated by, such teachings. For purposes of this application, the term “exemplary” means one of many possible non-limiting examples provided for explanatory purposes. As used in this application, the term “exemplary” does not mean preferable, optimal, or ideal, and does not mean that the presence of any elements, components, or steps present in any subject matter referenced as “exemplary” are necessary or required in other possible embodiments or variations of the referenced subject matter. For purposes of this application, the articles “a” and “an” mean one or more unless otherwise stated (e.g., when followed by the term “plurality”). For purposes of this application, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including” all mean including but not limited to the items, elements, components, or steps listed.

As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, a light-emitting diode (LED) is a two-lead semiconductor light source. When a forward current flows through a semiconductor diode junction, electrons and holes in the semiconductor material recombine to release energy in the form of photons. The use of semiconductor materials that release photons having wavelengths that are perceived by the human eye as blue (e.g., gallium-nitride) may be combined with one or more phosphors layered on the inside of an LED lens (e.g., a single phosphor or a phosphor blend). In such cases, the human eye perceives the blue photons only after having passed through the phosphor, the effect of which casts a light that the human eye perceives as white.

Not all white light produced by LEDs is identical. Depending on the semiconductor materials and the types and amounts of phosphors used, white light may correspond to one of many different color temperatures expressed in kelvins (K). For purposes of this application, the term “color temperature” means the temperature of an ideal black-body radiator that radiates light of comparable hue to that of the light source being referenced. The color temperatures comprise a spectrum that includes cool white light, neutral white light, and warm white light. For purposes of this application, the term “warm” means having a color temperature that is less than or equal to 3500 K, while the term “cool” means having a color temperature that is equal to or greater than 5000 K. For purposes of this application, the term “neutral” means having a color temperature that is between 3501 K and 4999 K.

In one or more embodiments, a grow light includes a plurality of cool white LEDs and a plurality of warm white LEDs. The grow light may include a driver electrically coupled to the cool white LEDs and the warm white LEDs. Alternatively, the plurality of cool white LEDs and the plurality of warm white LEDs may be electrically connected to separate drivers. In one or more embodiments, a desired intensity level and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by the grow light may be tuned or configured. The intensity and/or spectral composition may be tuned or configured by varying a ratio of the quantity of cool white LEDs to the quantity of warm white LEDs, by varying a spatial arrangement among the cool white LEDs and the warm white LEDs, and/or by varying a level of current provided to some or all of the cool white LEDs and/or warm white LEDs.

The grow lights described in this application provide numerous technological advancements and benefits over previously existing horticulture grow lights. In one or more embodiments, such advancements and benefits include the ability to achieve significantly increased yields by tuning or configuring the intensity level and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by the grow light. The ability to tune or configure the intensity level and/or spectral composition gives horticulturalists the ability to provide a target crop with radiant energy having spectral peaks that are commensurate with the crop's actual photosynthetic needs during a particular season or grow cycle (e.g., photosynthetically active radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and/or infrared radiation). In addition to enabling increased crop yields, the ability to focus radiant energy in select spectrums that a target crop can actually absorb and use during photosynthesis (e.g., through the formation of predetermined spectral peaks within the spectral composition) results in grow lights that are far more energy efficient than previously existing grow lights (e.g., reducing relative energy consumption by up to 50% in one or more embodiments). Given these advancements, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that a horticulturalist's use of one or more embodiments of the grow lights described in this application is, in contrast to the shotgun approach employed by previously existing horticultural grow lights, akin to a performing surgery with a scalpel rather than a machete.

Moreover, in one or more embodiments the grow lights described in this application include wireless (e.g., cloud-based) and/or autonomous control modules that include or are compatible with native and/or remote control software. As a result, in one or more embodiments the grow lights may be programmed to retune, reconfigure, or otherwise dynamically change the intensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy provided to a target plant or other photoautotroph. The retuning or reconfiguration may occur automatically in response to a predetermined trigger or event, or it may occur in real-time as requested by a user (e.g., “on-demand” or “on-the-fly”). The ability to repeatedly retune, reconfigure, or otherwise dynamically change the intensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy the lights emit permits horticulturalists to employ a “cradle-to-crave” approach in which a crop may remain in the same location under the same light throughout all stages of its growth cycle (e.g., beginning with seed germination or with a seedling, cutting, or clone and proceeding through the vegetative, budding, flowering, and ripening stages).

Additionally, in one or more embodiments the dominant visible light (or the only perceptible visible light) emitted by the grow lights described in this application is white light (e.g., through the use of predominantly or only white LEDs). As a result, the grow lights emit a radiant energy that the human body may perceive as significantly more natural than the pink or purple hues emitted by previously existing horticultural grow lights. Thus, horticulturalists who tend to crops under one or more embodiments of the grow lights described in this application may experience less discomfort and health risks and be able to do so without wearing special eye protection.

The many technological advancements and benefits provided by one or more embodiments of the grow lights described in this application may be employed in any number of horticultural and/or agricultural applications, including the production of plants, algae, cyanobacteria, other photoautotrophs, and other applications that those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate in view of the teachings in this application.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of an exemplary grow light in accordance with one or more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, a grow light10includes a plurality of cool white LEDs15, a plurality of warm white LEDs20, and a driver25electrically coupled to cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs20. In one or more embodiments, cool white LEDs15may have a color temperature ranging from 5000 K to 8000K. In one or more embodiments, for example, cool white LEDs15may be Samsung LM561B 5000 K or “50K” LEDs. In one or more embodiments, for example, warm white LEDs20may have a color temperature ranging from 2000 K to 3000 K. In one or more embodiments, warm white LEDs20may be Samsung LM561B K or “30K” LEDs. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, although white LEDs having certain color temperatures are described in this application for exemplary purposes, combinations of white LEDs having other temperatures (e.g., ranging from 2200 K to 12000 K) are made possible in view of, and contemplated by, these teachings. Moreover, although one or more embodiments are provided in the context of LEDs, one or more embodiments of grow light10may include other types of diode-based light sources (e.g., organic light-emitting diode (OLED) lights).

AlthoughFIG. 1illustrates a single driver25, in one or more embodiments grow light10may include a plurality of drivers. Grow light10may, for instance, include a first driver electrically coupled to cool white LEDs15and a second driver electrically coupled to warm white LEDs20. Cool white LEDs15may be electrically coupled to one another and/or to driver25within a first circuit, while warm white LEDs20may be electrically coupled to one another and/or to driver25within a second circuit. In one or more embodiments, cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs20may be electrically coupled to one another and/or to driver25within a single combined circuit.

As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, driver25has a power rating commensurate with the quantity of, and level of current provided to, each of cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs15. Driver25may, for example, have a 400 W power rating, a 120 W power rating, a 25 W power rating, or another power rating recognized as suitable by those of ordinary skill in the art. Driver25may be manually switched through a fixture-mounted rocker, or driver25may be automatically switched by a wireless controller and timer. Tuning or configuring the light intensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by grow light10may include tuning or configuring driver25to provide a predetermined level of current to some or all of cool white LEDs15and/or warm white LEDs20(e.g., 80 to 90 milliamps, as discussed later in further detail).

Although the block diagram ofFIG. 1depicts certain components and connections for illustrative purposes, those of ordinary skill in the art should readily understand and appreciate that other possible components and connections are possible in light of, and contemplated by, the teachings in this application. Similarly, although the block diagram ofFIG. 1depicts a single grow light10, those of ordinary skill in the art should, in view of these teachings, understand and appreciate that a plurality of grow lights10may be employed in an electrically coupled, communicatively coupled (e.g., networked through a wireless communications network), or otherwise coupled fashion in which grow lights10communicate directly with one another or through a central computerized control system.

In one or more embodiments, a desired intensity level and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by grow light10may be tuned or configured by varying a ratio of the quantity of cool white LEDs15to the quantity of warm white LEDs20, by varying a spatial arrangement among cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs20, and/or by varying a level of current provided to some or all of cool white LEDs15and/or warm white LEDs20. In one or more embodiments, the spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by grow light10may be fixed once initially tuned or configured (e.g., as might be performed by a manufacturer). In one or more embodiments, the intensity and/or spectral composition may be retunable or reconfigurable in real-time either manually (e.g., “on-demand” or “on-the-fly” as requested by a user) or automatically in response to a predetermined trigger or event established by the user (e.g., a manufacturer or an end-user).

In one or more embodiments, a sum of the quantity of cool white LEDs15and the quantity of warm white LEDs20may range from 64 to 2880 LEDs. As illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, for example, the sum of the quantity of cool white LEDs15and the quantity of warm white LEDs20is 64, 64, 420, 1680, and 2100, respectively. Although this application describes a variety of LED quantities within the context of one or more exemplary embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should recognize and appreciate that, in view of the teachings in this application, any number of other LED quantities are possible in light of, and contemplated by, such teachings. The quantity of LEDs employed in any given application may depend on crop size, facilities size, available energy and other resources, and other considerations.

In one or more embodiments, for example as illustrated inFIG. 1, the quantity of cool white LEDs15may be equal to the quantity of warm white LEDs20. Thus, a ratio of the quantity of cool white LEDs15to the quantity of warm white LEDs20may be 1:1. In one or more embodiments, the quantity of cool white LEDs15may be greater than the quantity of warm white LEDs20. For instance, a ratio of the quantity of cool white LEDs15to the quantity of warm white LEDs may be from 1.1:1 to 5:1, such as 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, or 5:1. In one or more embodiments, the quantity of cool white LEDs15may be greater than the quantity of warm white LEDs20.

The block diagram ofFIG. 1illustrates an exemplary LED arrangement of grow light10in accordance with one or more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, for example as illustrated inFIG. 1, cool white LEDs15are arranged or configured in one or more strips (e.g., rows or columns). The plurality of cool white LEDs15within each strip may be electrically coupled in series and, in one or more embodiments in which a plurality of strips are used, the plurality of strips may be electrically coupled to driver25in parallel. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, there are many other possible ways in which cool white LEDs15may be electrically coupled to each other and/or to driver25(e.g., through wiring or printed circuit board traces); the electrical coupling configuration illustrated inFIG. 1is but one example. In one or more embodiments, a spacing40among cool white LEDs15within each strip is uniform. In one or more embodiments, spacing40may be non-uniform.

In one or more embodiments, for example as illustrated inFIG. 1, warm white LEDs20are arranged or configured in one or more strips (e.g., rows or columns). The plurality of warm white LEDs20within each strip may be electrically coupled in series and, in one or more embodiments in which a plurality of strips are used, the plurality of strips may be electrically coupled to driver25in parallel. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, there are many other possible ways in which warm white LEDs20may be electrically coupled to each other and/or to driver25(e.g., through wiring or printed circuit board traces); the electrical coupling configuration illustrated inFIG. 1is but one example. In one or more embodiments, a spacing45among warm white LEDs20within each strip is uniform. In one or more embodiments, spacing45may be non-uniform.

In one or more embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 1for example, cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs20are arranged or configured in a plurality of alternating strips (e.g., rows or columns) so as to form an array. In one or more embodiments, a spacing50among the alternating strips of cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs20is uniform. In one or more embodiments, spacing50may be non-uniform. In one or more embodiments, for example as illustrated inFIG. 1, the plurality of strips alternate with a1:1frequency (i.e., one strip of cool white LEDs15, one strip of warm white LEDs20, one strip of cool white LEDs15, one strip of warm white LEDs20, and so forth). In one or more embodiments, the strips may alternate at other suitable frequencies (e.g., one strip of warm white LEDs20, a plurality of strips of cool white LEDs15, one strip of warm white LEDs20, a plurality of cool white LEDs20, and so forth).

FIG. 2is a block diagram of an exemplary grow light in accordance with one or more embodiments.FIG. 2illustrates, in accordance with one or more embodiments, another exemplary LED arrangement of a grow light10. In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of cool white LEDs15and at least a portion of warm white LEDs20are, as illustrated inFIG. 2, arranged or configured such that each cool white LED15is adjacent to or neighbors at least two warm white LEDs20. In other words, cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs20may be spatially intermixed or arranged or configured in an alternating pattern with respect to one another (e.g., in a row direction and/or in a column direction). In one or more embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 2for example, a spacing55between each cool white LED15and each adjacent or neighboring warm white LED20is uniform throughout the array of cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs20. In one or more embodiments, spacing55may be non-uniform. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, there are many other possible ways in which each of cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs20may be electrically coupled to each other and/or to drivers30and35(e.g., through wiring or printed circuit board traces); the electrical coupling configuration illustrated inFIG. 2is but one example.

FIG. 3is a plan view of a light engine60of an exemplary grow light in accordance with one or more embodiments. For purposes of this application, the term “light engine” means at least a plurality of LED chips electrically coupled to a circuit board. As illustrated inFIG. 3, in one or more embodiments grow light10includes at least one light engine60. Light engine60includes cool white LEDs15, warm white LEDs20, and a circuit board65(e.g., a printed circuit board) to which cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs20are mounted or otherwise electrically coupled. Light engine60includes a power connector67through which cool white LEDs15and/or warm white LEDs20may be electrically coupled to driver25as shown inFIG. 1or to a plurality of drivers, such as drivers30and35as shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4is a perspective elevation view of an exemplary grow light in accordance with one or more embodiments. As illustrated inFIG. 4, in one or more embodiments grow light10includes a plurality of light engines60. Light engines60may each be independently tuned or configured to emit radiant energy having a different intensity and/or spectral composition with respect to one another (e.g., where different plants or plants of different growth cycles may be positioned under each light engine60, or where the different light intensities and/or different spectral compositions of the radiant energies emitted by each light engines60are summed, integrated, or otherwise combined to collectively achieve a desired overall intensity and/or spectral composition emitted by grow light10). Alternatively, some or all of light engines60may be tuned or configured to emit radiant energy having the same intensity and/or spectral composition with respect to one another. Each of light engines60may be of any physical dimensions and may include any overall quantity of cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs20. Those of ordinary skill in the art should, in view of these teachings, appreciate that the light engines depicted inFIG. 4and elsewhere in this application (e.g.,FIGS. 5 and 6) are exemplary and that other possible configurations, including light engines having a variety of geometric layouts, are contemplated by such teachings.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, grow light10includes a housing70. Housing70houses a plurality of electrical components, including one or more drivers that provide current to light engines60(e.g., driver25as shown inFIG. 1or drivers30and35as shown inFIG. 2). Housing70may further include other components, examples of which are illustrated inFIG. 5. Housing70further includes a power cord through which grow light10may receive electrical power (e.g., 110-120 VAC/60 Hz as commonly provided by wall outlets in the United States). Housing70may be formed of aluminum (e.g., unpainted aluminum) or other materials recognize as suitable by those of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 5is a perspective elevation view of an exemplary grow light in accordance with one or more embodiments. As illustrated inFIG. 5, grow light10may also include one or more supplemental radiation engines80in addition to housing70and light engines60shown inFIG. 4. Housing70may include one or more user control interfaces85. User control interfaces85may include, for example, one or more power switches by which a user may power on or off one or more circuits of grow light10(e.g., a first power switch that may power on and off a first circuit that includes cool white LEDs15of each light engine60, a second power switch that may power on and off a second circuit that includes warm white LEDs20of each light engine60, and a third power switch that may power on and off a third circuit that includes a plurality of supplemental radiation emitters87of radiation engines80). User control interfaces85may further include one or more knobs, dials, buttons, sliders, pressure sensors, touch screens, or other control interfaces by which a user may retune or reconfigure the intensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by grow light10in real-time (e.g., “on-demand” or “on-the-fly”). In one or more embodiments, user control interfaces85may include a potentiometer (e.g., a 50 KΩ potentiometer) electrically coupled to each circuit of grow light10(e.g., a first circuit that includes cool white LEDs15of each light engine60, a second circuit that includes warm white LEDs20of each light engine60, and a third circuit that includes supplemental radiation emitters87of supplemental radiation engines80). The potentiometer may, for example, be electrically coupled in series with each driver of grow light10.

In one or more embodiments, grow light10may include an integrated PAR meter or spectrometer that measures an intensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by grow light10in real-time and display a spectral graph to the user (e.g., the spectral graph illustrated inFIGS. 7-9). As a result, the user may retune or reconfigure the intensity and/or spectral composition in real-time as desired based on the data provided in the spectral graph (e.g., by adjusting the current levels provided by the drivers).

Each of supplemental radiation engines80may be of any physical dimensions and may include any overall quantity of supplemental radiation emitters87. Those of ordinary skill in the art should, in view of these teachings, appreciate that the supplemental radiation engines depicted inFIGS. 5 and 6are exemplary and that other possible configurations, including light engines having a variety of geometric layouts, are contemplated by such teachings.

FIG. 6is a perspective elevation view of an interior of housing the exemplary grow light shown inFIG. 5in accordance with one or more embodiments. As illustrated inFIG. 6, housing70of grow light10houses first and second drivers30and35(as likewise illustrated in block-diagram form inFIG. 2) and a third driver90. First driver30is electrically coupled to each light engine60and provides current to cool white LEDs15of each light engine60(as illustrated for example inFIG. 2). Second driver35is electrically coupled to each light engine60and provides current to warm white LEDs20of each light engine60(also illustrated inFIG. 2). Third driver90is electrically coupled to each supplemental radiation engine80and provides current to one or more supplemental radiation emitters87of each supplemental radiation engine80(e.g., ultraviolet radiation emitters, infrared radiation emitters, or supplemental white light emitters tuned or configured so as to emit supplemental radiant energies having an intensity and/or spectral composition that compliments or supplements the radiant energies emitted by light engines60). In one or more embodiments, each supplemental radiation engine80may produce 5000 milliwatts of ultraviolet radiation.

Grow light10further includes (e.g., within housing70as depicted inFIG. 6), one or more control modules (e.g., control modules95,100, and105). Control modules95,100, and105may each be an autonomous control module (and may include a graphical user interface, such as a digital graphical user interface, or other user control interface), a wireless control module, or another control module recognized as suitable by those of ordinary skill in the art. Control module95is electrically coupled to driver30and permits the user to control the current supplied by driver30to cool white LEDs15of each light engine60. Control module100is electrically coupled to driver35and permits the user to control the current supplied by driver35to warm white LEDs20of each light engine60. Control module105is electrically coupled to driver90and permits the user to control the current supplied by driver90to each supplemental radiation emitter87of each supplemental radiation engine80. By varying the current supplied to cool white LEDs15and/or warm white LEDs20of each light engine60, the user may tune or configure the intensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by each light engine60. By varying the current supplied to supplemental radiation emitters87of each supplemental radiation engine80, the user may further tune or configure the manner in which supplemental radiation engines80compliment or supplement light engines60to achieve a desired overall intensity and/or overall spectral composition of the collective radiant energy emitted by grow light10. AlthoughFIG. 6illustrates grow light10as including three drivers (i.e., driver30, driver35, and driver90), in one or more embodiments grow light10may alternatively include only a single driver (e.g., driver25as illustrated inFIG. 1, which may be a multi-channel driver to reduce cost, lower weight specifications, and streamline the assembly process) or more or less than three drivers depending on the quantity, power, and control requirements of light engines60and/or supplemental radiation engines80.

In one or more embodiments in which control modules95,100, and/or105are wireless control modules, control modules95,100, and/or105may communicate with one more remote computing devices (e.g., one or more web servers, application servers, and/or cloud servers, any or all of which may in turn communicate with each other and/or a mobile application or other software application presenting a graphical user interface through which a user may send tuning, configuration, and/or other control signals to control modules95,100, and/or105.

AlthoughFIG. 6depicts a single grow light10, those of ordinary skill in the art should, in view of the teachings in this application, understand and appreciate that a plurality of such grow lights10may be employed in an electrically coupled, communicatively coupled (e.g., networked through a wireless communications network), or otherwise coupled fashion in which grow lights10communicate directly with one another or through a central computerized control system. The plurality of networked grow lights10(e.g., one or more banks of networked grow lights10) may be controlled through a distributed or enterprise-level wireless control system or, in scenarios in which access to the Internet or other wide area network is limited or unavailable, through a local area network (e.g., featuring a master/slave control configuration). In one or more embodiments, networked grow lights10may each include user control interfaces85as a manual backup to such distributed or enterprise-level wireless control system. In one or more embodiments in which control modules95,100, and/or105are wireless control modules, control modules95,100, and/or105may be configured or programmed to automatically retune or reconfigure the intensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted from one or more light engines60and/or supplemental radiation engines80based on calendar scheduling, circadian cycles, sunrise/sunset times, and/or other considerations dictated by plant species, growth cycle, season, and other factors affecting plant growth.

Although in one or more embodiments driver30, driver35, driver90, control module95, control module100, and control module105may be housed within housing70of grow light10, driver30, driver35, driver90, control module95, control module100, and/or control module105may alternatively be disposed outside of housing70and/or in a location remote from housing70(e.g., in a separate housing, in a separate region of a room, or in a separate room or building) while still remaining electrically and/or communicatively coupled to light engines60, supplemental radiation engines80, and other components of grow light10. Those of ordinary skill in the art should, in view of these teachings, recognize and appreciate that there are many possible ways in which the various components of grow light10may be spatially disposed and electrically and/or communicatively coupled so as to function together as grow light10(e.g., as a distributed system). AlthoughFIG. 6illustrates grow light10as including three control modules (i.e., control modules95,100, and105), in one or more embodiments grow light10may alternatively include more or less than three control modules, such as a single control module (e.g., a multi-channel control module) that governs all drivers depending on the quantity, power, and control requirements of light engines60and/or supplemental radiation engines80.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, housing70of grow light10includes a power entry module110configured to distribute power from an external power source (e.g., a 110-120 VAC/60 Hz power supply as commonly provided by standard wall outlets in the United States) to the various electrical components of grow light10. AlthoughFIG. 6depicts certain components and connections for illustrative purposes, those of ordinary skill in the art should readily understand and appreciate that other possible components and connections are possible in light of, and contemplated by, these teachings.

FIG. 7is a graph115illustrating a tuned or configured spectral composition of an exemplary grow light having a plurality of cool white LEDs15and a plurality of warm white LEDs20as illustrated, for example, inFIGS. 1-4. As discussed above, in one or more embodiments a desired intensity level and spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by grow light10may be tuned or configured by varying a ratio of the quantity of cool white LEDs15to the quantity of warm white LEDs20, by varying a spatial arrangement among cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs20, and/or by varying a level of current provided to some or all of cool white LEDs15, warm white LEDs20, and supplemental radiation emitters87.

Tuning or configuring the intensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by grow light10may include tuning or configuring one or more drivers (e.g., driver25as illustrated inFIG. 1). In one or more embodiments, driver25may be configured to provide to an equal current level to each of cool white LEDs15and each of warm white LEDs20. In one or more embodiments, driver25may alternatively be configured to provide a first current level to each of the cool white LEDs15and a second, different current level to each of the warm white LEDs20. In one or more embodiments, a third current level may be provided to each of supplemental radiation emitters87. In one or more embodiments, driver25may be configured to provide to each of cool white LEDs15and/or each of warm white LEDs20a current level of from 0.1 milliamps (mA) to 1000 mA. The ranges described in this application are not intended to be limited to the precise range referenced, but rather are intended to also incorporate margins of error and other variations to be expected and understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. In one or more embodiments, driver25may be configured to provide to each of cool white LEDs15and/or each of warm white LEDs20a current level of from 1 mA to 100 mA. In one or more embodiments, driver25may be configured to provide to each of the cool white LEDs15and/or each of the warm white LEDs20a current level of from 50 mA to 100 mA. In one or more embodiments, driver25may be configured to provide to each of the cool white LEDs15and/or each of the warm white LEDs20a current level of from 70 mA to 90 mA (e.g., 80 mA or 90 mA). In one or more embodiments, driver90illustrated inFIG. 6, may be configured to provide to each of supplemental radiation emitters87a current level of from 0.1 mA to 1000 mA. In one or more embodiments, for example, driver90may be configured to deliver a current level of from 1 mA to 300 mA, from 50 mA to 250 mA, or from 100 mA to 200 mA.

In one or more embodiments in which control modules95,100, and/or105are configured or programmed to automatically retune or reconfigure the intensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted from one or more light engines60and/or supplemental radiation engines80based on calendar scheduling, circadian cycles, sunrise/sunset times, and/or other considerations dictated by plant species, growth cycle, season, and other factors affecting plant growth, drivers30may be configured to provide cool white LEDs15a current level of from 0.1 mA to 20 mA during a first predetermined time frame (e.g., a sunrise timeframe at which the intensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by grow light10is designed to emulate one or more qualities of natural sunlight occurring at sunrise). In one or more embodiments, drivers30may be configured to provide cool white LEDs15a current level of from 0.1 mA to 10 mA, from 5 mA to 15 mA, or from 5 mA to 10 mA during the first predetermined time frame. The level of current provided to cool white LEDs15may be manually or automatically varied as a function of time as the first predetermined time frame progresses and/or transitions to additional timeframes (e.g., a second predetermine timeframe).

Driver35may be configured to provide warm white LEDs20a current level of from 0.1 mA to 20 mA, from 0.1 mA to 10 mA, from 5 mA to 15 mA, or from 5 mA to 10 mA during the first predetermined time frame. The level of current provided to cool white LEDs15may be automatically varied as a function of time as the first predetermined time frame progresses and/or transitions to additional timeframes (e.g., a second predetermine timeframe).

Driver90may be configured to provide supplemental radiation emitters87a current level of from 1 mA to 35 mA, from 5 mA to 30 mA, from 10 mA to 25 mA, or from 15 mA to 20 mA during the first predetermined time frame. The level of current provided to supplemental radiation emitters87may be automatically varied as a function of time as the first predetermined time frame progresses and/or transitions to additional timeframes (e.g., a second predetermine timeframe).

Driver30may be configured to provide cool white LEDs20a current level of from 0.1 mA to 1000 mA, from 1 mA to 100 mA, from 50 mA to 100 mA, or from 70 mA to 90 mA (e.g., 80 mA or 90 mA) during a second predetermined time frame (e.g., a noon-day timeframe at which the intensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by grow light10is designed to at least emulate one or more qualities of natural sunlight occurring at noon).

Driver35may be configured to provide warm white LEDs20a current level of from 0.1 mA to 1000 mA, from 1 mA to 100 mA, from 50 mA to 100 mA, or from 70 mA to 90 mA (e.g., 80 mA or 90 mA) during the second predetermined time frame.

Driver90may be configured to provide supplemental radiation emitters87a current level of from 1 mA to 150 mA, from 25 mA to 125 mA, from 50 mA to 100 mA, or from 80 mA to 100 mA during the second predetermined time frame.

In one or more embodiments, drivers30and35may be independently configured such that the level of current provided by driver30may be manually or automatically varied at a different level or rate than that of driver35. In one or more embodiments, drivers30and35may be synchronized or otherwise configured to vary their respective current levels at the same time and/or rate.

In one or more embodiments, driver90may be independently configured such that the level of current provided by driver90may be manually or automatically varied at a different level or rate than that of driver30and/or driver35. In one or more embodiments, drivers30,35, and90may be synchronized or otherwise configured to vary their respective current levels at the same time and/or rate.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, in one or more embodiments, an overall spectral composition of the radiant energy collectively emitted by cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs20of grow light10has a first-highest peak wavelength120of from 430 nm to 470 nm to promote root growth and photosynthesis. For purposes of this application, the term “peak wavelength” standing alone and the term “first-highest peak wavelength” each mean the wavelength at which the radiant power (i.e., the radiance or the radiant intensity) of a source of electromagnetic radiation is at a maximum relative to the source's radiant power at all other wavelengths. In one or more embodiments, first-highest peak wavelength120may be from 400 nm to 510 nm, from 430 nm to 510 nm, from 430 nm to 495 nm, from 430 nm to 460 nm, from 440 nm to 490 nm, from 445 nm to 455 nm, or from 449 nm to 451 nm (e.g., 450 nm).

In one or more embodiments, the overall spectral composition of the radiant energy collectively emitted by cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs20of grow light10has, with respect to the first-highest peak120, a second-highest peak wavelength125of from 560 nm to 640 nm to stimulate stem growth, flowering, and chlorophyll production. For purposes of this application, the term “second-highest peak wavelength” means the wavelength at which the source's radiant power is lower than at the first-highest peak wavelength but greater than at all wavelengths other than the first-highest peak wavelength. In one or more embodiments, second-highest peak wavelength125may be from 560 nm to 780 nm, from 580 nm to 620 nm, from 590 nm to 610 nm, or from 595 nm to 605 nm (e.g.,595).

In one or more embodiments, the spectral composition of the radiant energy contributed by cool white LEDs15to the overall spectral composition illustrated inFIG. 7has a first-highest peak wavelength of from 400 nm to 510 nm, from 400 nm to 510 nm, from 430 nm to 495 nm, from 430 nm to 470 nm, from 440 nm to 460 nm, from 445 nm to 455 nm, or from 449 nm to 451 nm (e.g., 450 nm). In one or more embodiments, the spectral composition of the radiant energy contributed by cool white LEDs15to the overall spectral composition illustrated inFIG. 7has, with respect to the first-highest peak, a second-highest peak wavelength of from 560 nm to 640 nm, from 580 nm to 620 nm, from 590 nm to 610 nm, or from 595 nm to 605 nm (e.g., 595 nm).

In one or more embodiments, the spectral composition of the radiant energy contributed to the overall spectral composition illustrated inFIG. 7by warm white LEDs20has a first-highest peak wavelength of from 600 nm to 660 nm, from 620 nm to 640 nm, or from 625 nm to 635 nm. In one or more embodiments, the spectral composition of the radiant energy contributed by warm white LEDs20to the collective spectral composition illustrated inFIG. 7has, with respect to the first-highest peak, a second-highest peak wavelength of from 400 nm to 510 nm, from 430 nm to 495 nm, from 420 nm to 460 nm, from 430 nm to 450 nm, or from 435 nm to 445 nm.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, in one or more embodiments, the overall spectral composition of the radiant energy collectively emitted by cool white LEDs15and warm white LEDs20includes wavelengths ranging from at least 400 nm to 800 nm, which not only encompasses the photosynthetically active radiation or “PAR” range of most plants (i.e., 440 nm to 700 nm), but also includes radiant energy at other wavelengths that promote plant growth. Unlike previously existing grow lights, in one or more embodiments the spectral composition of grow light10includes radiant energy at wavelengths located between the blue wavelength spectrum (e.g., 455 nm to 492 nm) and the red wavelength spectrum (620 nm to 780 nm). As illustrated inFIG. 7, for example, the spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by grow light10not only includes peaks in or near the blue and red spectrums (e.g., peaks120and125, respectively), but it also includes wavelengths130between the blue and red wavelength spectrums at relative spectral powers that are high enough to be of photosynthetic benefit to plants or other target organisms (e.g., at or above a predetermined threshold level of relative spectral power, such as 0.2 or greater, 0.3 or greater, or 0.4 or greater, depending on the wavelength).

FIG. 8is a graph135illustrating a tuned or configured spectral composition of an exemplary grow light having one or more light engines60and a supplemental radiation engine80tuned or configured to supplement or boost the spectral composition of grow light10in the red spectrum (i.e., 620 nm to 780 nm). As discussed with respect toFIGS. 5 and 6, grow light10may include a supplemental radiation emitters87electrically coupled to one or more drivers (e.g., driver90as illustrated inFIG. 6). In one or more embodiments, supplemental radiation emitters87may be configured to emit visible light. In one or more embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 8for example, the supplemental radiation emitters may be configured to emit visible light having a spectral composition that includes wavelengths ranging from 620 to 780 nm (i.e., in what those of ordinary skill in the art should recognize as the red spectrum), from 630 to 750 nm, or from 640 to 680 nm. As a result, the overall spectral composition of the collective radiant energy emitted by grow light10not only includes a first-highest peak wavelength140in the red spectrum (e.g., 620 to 780 nm), the spectral composition also includes a second-highest peak wavelength145in the blue spectrum (e.g., 455 nm to 492 nm), and a plurality of wavelengths150between first-highest peak wavelength140and second-highest peak wavelength145at relative spectral powers that are high enough to be of photosynthetic benefit to plants or other target organisms (e.g., at or above a predetermined threshold of relative spectral power, such as 0.2 or greater, 0.3 or greater, or 0.4 or greater, depending on the wavelength).

AlthoughFIG. 8illustrates an exemplary effect of supplemental radiation emitters87tuned or configured to boost the spectral composition of grow light10in the red spectrum, those of ordinary skill in the art should recognize and appreciate that supplemental radiation emitters87may be tuned or configured to compliment, supplemental, boost, or otherwise influence the spectral composition of grow light10at other wavelengths. In one more embodiments, for example, the spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by supplemental radiation emitters87(and thus contributed by supplemental radiation emitters87to the overall spectral composition of the collective radiant energy emitted by grow light10) may include, for example, wavelengths ranging from 455 nm to 492 nm (i.e., in what those of ordinary skill in the art should recognize as the blue spectrum), from 465 to 480 nm, or from 470 to 475 nm. In one or more embodiments, the spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by supplemental radiation emitters87may include wavelengths in the green wavelength spectrum to provide photosynthetic benefits to certain species of red algae. In one or more embodiments, the supplemental radiation emitters may be configured to contribute ultraviolet and/or infrared radiation to the collective radiant energy emitted by grow light10.

FIG. 9is a graph155illustrating a tuned or configured spectral composition of an exemplary grow light having one or more light engines60and a supplemental radiation engine80tuned or configured to supplement or boost the spectral composition of grow light10in the ultraviolet spectrum. The spectral composition of the emitted ultraviolet radiation may include, for example, wavelengths ranging from 10 nm to 420 nm, from 300 nm to 420 nm, or from 350 nm to 420 nm. The spectral composition of the emitted ultraviolet radiation may include a first-highest peak wavelength of from 375 nm to 395 nm (e.g., 385 nm), from 385 nm to 405 nm (e.g., 395 nm), from 410 nm to 430 nm (e.g., 420 nm), or other wavelengths. In one or more embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 9for example, the ultraviolet radiation contributed by the supplemental radiation emitters87to the overall spectral composition of the collective radiant energy emitted by grow light10may result in a third-highest peak wavelength175with respect to a first-highest peak wavelength165and a second-highest peak wavelength170. For purposes of this application, the term “third-highest peak wavelength” means the wavelength at which the source's radiant power is lower than at the first-highest peak wavelength and the second-highest peak wavelength, but greater than at all wavelengths other than the first-highest peak wavelength and the second-highest peak wavelength. As illustrated inFIG. 9, third-highest peak wavelength175may be at a wavelength of from 385 nm to 390 nm. In one or more embodiments, third-highest peak wavelength175may be at a wavelength of from 300 to 400 nm, from 375 nm to 395 nm, from 385 nm to 405 nm, from 410 nm to 430 nm, or other ranges within the ultraviolet wavelength spectrum. The overall spectral composition of the collective radiant energy emitted by grow light10may further include a plurality of wavelengths180between first-highest peak wavelength165and second-highest peak wavelength170at relative spectral powers that are high enough to be of photosynthetic benefit to plants or other target organisms (e.g., at or above a predetermined threshold of relative spectral powers, such as 0.2 or greater, 0.3 or greater, or 0.4 or greater, depending on the wavelength). In one or more embodiments, supplemental light emitters87may be configured to emit infrared radiation with a spectral composition that includes wavelengths ranging from 700 nm to 1 mm.

As those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate based on the foregoing description and accompanying illustrations, in one or more embodiments a method of manufacturing a grow light includes electrically coupling a plurality of cool white LEDs (e.g., cool white LEDs15illustrated inFIGS. 1-3) and a plurality of warm white LEDs (e.g., warm white LEDs20illustrated inFIGS. 1-3) to a circuit board (e.g., circuit board65illustrated inFIG. 3). The method may include selecting an initial color temperature of each of the cool white LEDs and/or each of the warm white LEDs by using an integrating sphere.

The method further includes electrically coupling the cool white LEDs and the warm white LEDs to one or more drivers (e.g., either to a single or multi-channel driver, such as driver25illustrated inFIG. 1, or to independent drivers, such as drivers30and35illustrated inFIG. 2). In one or more embodiments, the method may include electrically coupling the one or more drivers to a control module (e.g., control module95illustrated inFIG. 6), which may be an autonomous control module, a wireless control module, or other type of control module recognized as suitable by those of ordinary skill in the art. The method may further include electrically coupling one or more user control interfaces to the one or more drivers to permit a user (e.g., a manufacturer or horticulturalist end-user) to repeatedly retune or reconfigure a level of current provided from the one or more drivers to the cool white LEDs and/or warm white LEDs.

In one or more embodiments, the method may include electrically coupling one or more supplemental radiation emitters to the circuit board or to an independent, second circuit board of the grow light. The method may include electrically coupling the supplemental radiation emitters to the one or more drivers (either to the same one or more drivers as the cool white LEDs and/or warm white LEDs or to an independent driver) and the one or more user control interfaces to permit the user (e.g., a manufacturer or horticulturalist end-user) to repeatedly retune or reconfigure a level of current provided from the one or more drivers to the supplemental radiation emitters.

The method may include automatically retuning or reconfiguring the level of current based on a predetermined trigger, event, time schedule (e.g., a continuously updated sunrise/sunset calendar), or other parameter. The automatic retuning or configuring may occur through the receipt of control signals provided by a computerized control system (e.g., a server-based or cloud-based application that includes, for instance, a mobile application).

The method may include arranging the cool white LEDs, the warm white LEDs, and/or the supplemental radiation emitters such that a spacing among some or all of the cool white LEDs, the warm white LEDs and/or the supplemental radiation emitters is uniform. The method may include arranging the cool white LEDs and the warm white LEDs in an alternating manner (e.g., in alternating strips, rows, or columns of LEDs, or such that the LEDs alternate on the level of individual LEDs).

The method may include confirming that an overall intensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by the grow light includes a predetermined or target first-highest peak wavelength, a predetermined or target second-highest peak wavelength, a predetermined or target third-highest peak wavelength, or additional predetermined or target peak wavelengths (e.g., by using a PAR meter or spectrometer, which in one or more embodiments may be integrated within the grow light).

The predetermined or target first-highest peak wavelength and second-highest peak wavelength may each be a wavelength of from 455 nm to 492 nm (i.e., in the blue spectrum) or from 620 nm to 780 nm (i.e., in the red spectrum) to promote root growth, stem growth, flowering, and/or chlorophyll production, among other possible reasons. The predetermined or target third-highest peak wavelength may be a wavelength of from 300 nm to 400 nm (i.e., within the ultraviolet radiation spectrum) or from 700 nm to 1 mm (i.e., within the infrared radiation spectrum) to further promote photosynthesis and/or to promote certain compounds that increase crop yield, among other possible reasons. The method may include confirming that the spectral composition includes a plurality of wavelengths between the first-highest peak wavelength and the second-highest peak wavelength at a relative spectral power that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold relative spectral power (e.g., at least 0.1, at least 0.2, at least 0.3, or at least 0.4 relative spectral power).

The foregoing description is presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the subject matter to the precise forms disclosed. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize and appreciate that modifications and variations are possible in light of, and contemplated by, the present teachings. The described embodiments were chosen in order to best explain the principles of the subject matter, its practical application, and to enable others skilled in the art to make use of the same in various embodiments and with various modifications as best suited for the particular application being contemplated.