Horticulture Grow System for Horticulture

In some implementations, an indoor grow system for plants includes at least a plant substrate system; a luminaire positioned adjacent to the plant substrate system, the luminaire includes a plurality of grow light panels, a lighting frame, and at least one luminaire connector, the lighting frame includes a plurality of frame members, the at least one luminaire connector is coupled between one frame member and another frame member adjacent to the one frame member, the luminaire connector adjusts the spatial position of the plurality of frame members that define the lighting frame and shape of the luminaire; and a plant canopy zone, defined between the plant substrate system and the luminaire rendered in a curvilinear configuration, and whereby the plant canopy zone defines a curvilinear space for illuminating the plants.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Implementations described herein relate to a horticultural grow system that includes at least a plant substrate system and a luminaire. In particular, some implementations relate to a grow system that includes at least that includes at least a plant substrate system and a luminaire that is configured to be powered with direct current.

BACKGROUND

Recently there has been an increase in indoor growing of plants for markets. Among the plants grown in grow rooms indoors are lettuce, some salad greens, strawberries, mint, basil, andcannabis. Some of these plants require large amounts of light. Providing this large amount of light is often performed using various lighting systems deployed above a plant canopy in the grow rooms.

SUMMARY

The following summary introduces at a high level a limited number of topics described in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features and should not be used for that purpose. In addition, this summary is not intended to be used as a guide to the scope of the claims. Instead, this Summary is provided as an introduction for the reader.

In an exemplary first implementation, a horticulture grow system for plants includes at least a plant substrate system.

The horticulture grow system for plants of the first exemplary implementation further includes at a luminaire positioned adjacent to the plant substrate system, the luminaire includes a plurality of grow light panels, a lighting frame, and at least one luminaire connector, the lighting frame includes a plurality of frame members, the at least one luminaire connector is coupled between one frame member and another frame member adjacent to the one frame member, the luminaire connector adjusts the spatial position of the plurality of frame members that define the lighting frame and shape of the luminaire.

The horticulture grow system for plants of the first exemplary implementation further includes at a plant canopy zone, defined between the plant substrate system and the light canopy rendered in a curvilinear configuration, and whereby the plant canopy zone defines a curvilinear space for illuminating the plants.

In a second exemplary implementation, a horticulture grow system for plants includes at least a plant substrate system.

The horticulture grow system of the second exemplary implementation further including at least a light canopy positioned adjacent to the plant substrate system, the light canopy includes a plurality of grow light panels, a lighting frame, and at least one canopy connector, the canopy connector adjusts the spatial position of frame members that define the lighting frame and curvilinear shape of the light canopy.

In a third exemplary implementation, a method of illumination includes a plurality of steps, including at least disposing plants hydroponically on a plant substrate system.

The method of illumination of the third exemplary implementation further includes at least positioning a light canopy adjacent to the plant substrate system to define a plant canopy zone, the light canopy includes a plurality of grow light panels, a lighting frame having a plurality of frame members, and at least one canopy connector;

The method of illumination of the third exemplary implementation further includes at least adjusting the spatial positions of frame members of the plurality of frame members to render the light canopy in a curvilinear shape; and

The method of illumination of the third exemplary implementation further includes at least supplying light to the plants within the plant canopy zone with the light canopy rendered in a curvilinear shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some implementations are now described with reference to the above-described drawings. All implementations discussed in this detailed description and in the drawings are merely examples and not meant as limitations on the scope of the description or the claims. The drawings are simplified drawings. Some details are omitted to avoid unnecessary clutter that could obscure the principles described herein. In addition, the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

At various places in this description, there is reference to “some implementations.” These multiple references to “some implementations” are not necessarily describing the same implementations and some implementations may be alternatives to one another. Similarly, multiple references to “one embodiment” or “one exemplary embodiment” are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. In addition, no attempt is made to exhaustively describe all possible implementations. Instead, based on the following description those of ordinary skill in the art will be appraised of certain concepts and principles which will then enable them to imagine additional or alternative implementations to those described herein.

The indoor horticulture described in this disclosure includes use of a variety of different mediums. Some example grow systems use at least one of aeroponics or hydroponics. Aeroponics is a process of growing plants with their roots in air rather than in soil or other medium. Aeroponics is a subset of hydroponics in that in aeroponics nutrients are carried via water. Examples of other plant substrates used in a plant substrate system are soil, coco, or peat moss.

Some implementations described herein include a plant substrate system that supports plants in a pyramid-shaped configuration in which they occupy less horizontal space in a grow chamber. In some implementations the plant substrate system includes grow decks for supporting plants, the grow decks arranged in the pyramid-shaped configuration. The plants supported on the grow decks extend roots below the grow decks into a grow chamber defined under the pyramid configuration of grow decks. In some implementations the roots can then be irrigated with a nozzle system disposed in the grow chamber. Some plant substrate systems may not include one or more of the above features.

Some implementations include a luminaire that is positioned to provide light through a plant canopy zone onto plants disposed on a plant substrate system. The luminaire is both light weight and flexible so it can be deployed over plant substrate systems of different configurations—including the pyramid-shaped configuration discussed above. In some implementations, a plurality of grow light panels is arranged on a lighting frame of the luminaire. And the flexibility is due at least in part to luminaire connectors that connect frame members of the lighting frame. These luminaire connectors allow the lighting frame to be arranged in different configurations as needed. Thus, the luminaire, and its grow light panels, can be arranged in shapes dependent on the shape of the plant substrate system that the luminaire is disposed over. Possible luminaire shapes include at least curvilinear, flat, concave, irregular, and other shapes. In some implementations the panels can be wired to each other without the need for luminaire connectors.

In some implementations, the luminaire includes a plurality of grow light panels powered by direct current with the direct current being distributed among the plurality of grow light panels in series. The use of direct current distributed in series allows for reduced wiring which requires less weight and less space. Thus, the installed cost of the luminaire is reduced compared to other light structures. Further, powering light panels with direct current allows the power equipment to be located in its own room far from the grow chamber, which reduces the amount of HVAC needed to maintain a grow chamber environment.

In some implementations, the luminaire connectors discussed above are configured with a passage for a direct current power line, such as discussed above. The different frame members are associated with different ones of the plurality of grow light frames. And the power line may pass through the interior of the frame members and then pass from frame member to frame member via passages in the luminaire connectors. Thus, the luminaire connectors enable a low weight direct current power line to be threaded from frame member to frame member to service the grow light panels associated with the different frame members. When panels in a luminaire are wired in series, a failure of LED or one string of LEDs does not affect the other LEDs in the luminaire to the same extent as if the panels were wired in parallel.

First System Implementation

Specifically,FIG. 1illustrates a horticulture grow system1for plant303horticulture. The horticulture grow system1includes a plant substrate system80, a luminaire20positioned adjacent to the plant substrate system80, and a plant canopy zone118defined between the plant substrate system80and the luminaire20rendered in a curvilinear configuration. As shown inFIG. 1. the plant canopy zone118defines a curvilinear space for illuminating the plants303. In various embodiments a plant substrate system uses at least one of soil, coco, peat moss, hydroponics or aeroponics methods.

In one exemplary embodiment, the luminaire comprises either a light emitting diode (LED) light; a curved light; an LED light; a curved LED grow light; or a curved LED lighting frame.

Referring toFIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 7, the luminaire20includes a plurality of grow light panels21, a lighting frame23, and at least one luminaire connector29. The lighting frame23includes a plurality of frame members28. In one exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 7, the at least one luminaire connector29is coupled is coupled between one frame member and another frame member adjacent to the one frame member. Accordingly, in operation, the luminaire connector29adjusts the plurality of adjacent frame members28that defines the lighting frame23and shape of the luminaire20. Possible luminaire shapes include at least one of a curvilinear shape, a flat shape, a concave shape, a shape with jigs and jags, an irregular shape or other shape.

FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate light units22disposed on each grow light panel21. In one embodiment the light units22comprise an array of LED lights. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize the light units22may be configured to optimize illumination of the plants303from each grow light panel21. In this description and appended claims the term “grow light panel” is defined to include among others at least one lighting panel.

Opposing,FIGS. 4-6show reverse side of the luminaire20without the light units22. As shown, the grow light panel21includes at least one anchor unit24. In operation, the at least one anchor unit24receives an positioning element (not shown) to place the luminaire20adjacent to the plant substrate system80thereby establishing a plant canopy zone118there between. In some embodiments there are no anchor units because these are optional.

InFIGS. 1, 2, and 7, the horticulture grow system1includes a supply line10and a control system111coupled to the supply line10. In one embodiment, the supply line10includes a power line12. In operation, a power source101, such as among others a direct current, DC, source, is coupled to the power line12to supply electric power through the power line12to the luminaire20and to the plant substrate system80.FIG. 7shows the power line12passing through the one frame member and another frame member adjacent to the one frame member. In one embodiment, the power line12passes through the plurality of frame members28in series. Moreover, as shown, the power line12passes through the at least one luminaire connector29.

Referring back toFIGS. 4-6, in one exemplary embodiment, the supply line10is coupled to a line interface11provided by the luminaire20. In operation, this single line interface facilitates greater ease of use and limits the overall weight of the luminaire20by reducing the need for further wiring. Furthermore, for making the lighting frame30light weight, each frame member of the plurality of frame members comprise tubing having a corresponding frame wall31shown inFIG. 7.

Shown inFIGS. 1 and 7, in one embodiment, the supply line10further includes a network line112. The network line112is coupled to a control system111. As shown, the control system111is coupled to the power source101and the luminaire20. In operation, the control system111and the luminaire20send and receive data signals to one another that includes among others control signals for adjusting the light units21, the electric current through the power line12, and the spatial positioning of the luminaire20to the at least one luminaire connector29as discussed below. In one embodiment, the data signals comprise Internet protocol signals for remote control of the luminaire via an online software. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the supply line10provides control signals to the luminaire20.

Further referring toFIG. 1, in one embodiment the plant substrate system20includes a nozzle system90that is coupled to the control system111via the supply line10. Illustratively, the control system10, via control signals, controls the rate and duration of water and nutrients ejected from the nozzle system to the roots of the plants303as shown. In one embodiment, the control system10controls the rate the nozzle system90rotates about the central axis of the nozzle system90. The supply line10provides control signals to the nozzle system90.

InFIG. 1the plant substrate system80is formed of plant substrate walls89. The plant substrate walls89define a grow chamber81. As shown, the grow chamber81is an interior portion of the plant substrate system that houses the nozzle system90. The plant substrate walls89define at least one grow deck88on the exterior portion of the plant substrate system80. In operation, the grow decks orient the plants303to receive light within the plant canopy zone118from the adjacent, curvilinear luminaire. As shown, each of the plants303extend from the grow deck88outward through a plant holder83defined by the plant substrate walls89into the grow chamber81. Accordingly, the roots of each plant303extend from the plant holder83so that the nozzle system90ejects water and nutrients directly to the roots of each plant303.

Referring now toFIGS. 7-9, the luminaire connector29adjusts the spatial position of the plurality of frame members28that define the lighting frame and the shape of the luminaire20. In the embodiment ofFIG. 7, the luminaire connector29is defined by two halve portions41. Each halve portion41includes an anchor portion43and an adjustment portion45extending from each halve portion41. Each halve portion41is joined together at each corresponding adjustment portion45by a fastener47at a fastener receptacle44to define the connector29. As shown, each anchor portion43is fitted and secured to a corresponding frame member28. Specifically, the anchor portion43is secured to the inner frame wall31of the frame member28. Moreover, shown inFIG. 8, the frame wall31defines a flange for receiving a grow light panel21thereon that is secured by a panel mount121.

Shown inFIG. 7, a power line12passes through each luminaire connector29. In one exemplary embodiment, the network line112passes through each luminaire connector29as shown.

In one embodiment, each adjustment portion45is rounded having a corresponding centerline. In operation, the fastener47joins the two halve portions41defining the luminaire connector29at the centerline. According, in one exemplary embodiment, the fastener47further provides a pivot point for independent rotations of the two halve portions41relative to one another. In this description and appended claims the term “luminaire connector” is defined to include among others hinges; and adjustable hinges.

In one embodiment, shown inFIG. 9, the luminaire connector29further includes a connector adjustment49. In operation, the connector adjustment49incrementally restricts rotational movement of the two halve portions41about the pivot point. The luminaire connector is configured to rotationally adjust the spatial position of each adjacent frame member. Illustratively, the connector adjustment49comprises a series of cams at predetermined angular distances on the mating edge of the adjustment portions45defining the luminaire connector29. Accordingly, in operation, the connector adjustment49renders the luminaire connector29in predefined spatial arrangements.

In one embodiment, the luminaire connector29further includes an actuator880, such as a worm gear or pneumatic actuator. As such, the luminaire connector29includes a first half portion and a second half portion. The actuator880is positioned between the first half portion and the second half portion and coupled to the supply line10. The actuator880receives control signals from the supply line10to render the first and second half portions from a first spatial position to a second spatial position.

Second System Implementation

In some implementations a horticulture grow system for plants includes at least a plant substrate system. For example, referencingFIG. 1ahorticulture grow system (e.g. a grow system, pyramid semi-circle horticulture system, etc.) includes plant substrate system80. Plant substrate system80includes at least one or more plant substrate walls89that define at least one grow deck88, one or more saddlebags84at the base of the plant substrate system80, and a grow chamber81. In some hydroponic or aeroponic implementations, plants303supported on the at least one grow deck88send roots into the grow chamber81beneath the at least one grow deck88. These roots may then be sprayed with water by a nozzle system90disposed within grow chamber81. In other implementations, plants303send their roots into soil or other medium such as coco or peat moss.

The horticulture grow system further includes at least a luminaire positioned adjacent to the plant substrate system, the luminaire includes a plurality of grow light panels, a lighting frame, and at least one luminaire connector, the luminaire connector adjusts the spatial position of frame members that define the lighting frame and shape of the luminaire. And wherein the lighting frame includes a plurality of frame members, and wherein the at least one luminaire connector is coupled between one frame member and another frame member adjacent to the one frame member.

In some implementations a luminaire may include a variety of structures, such as a grow light or an led luminaire. In some implementations a luminaire connector includes a variety of structures, such as hinges or adjustable hinges. And in some implementations, a grow light panel may include a variety of structures, such as lighting panel. And in some implementations, a lighting frame may include a variety of structures, such as a curved led lighting frame.

For example, referencingFIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, horticulture grow system1includes at least luminaire20which includes at least s plurality of grow light panels21, a lighting frame23, and at least one luminaire connector29. The at least one luminaire connector29is configured to adjust the spatial position of frame members28that define the lighting frame20and thereby adjust the shape of the luminaire20. In the above, it is noted that the lighting frame20includes a plurality of frame members28and the at least one luminaire connector29is coupled between one frame member28and another frame member28adjacent to the one frame member (See, e.g.FIG. 2).

In some further implementations a horticulture grow system further includes at least a power line, the power line coupled to the luminaire, the power line passing through at least one luminaire connector. For example, referencingFIGS. 6 and 7, a power line12passes through at least one luminaire connector29. More specifically referencingFIG. 7, power line12is depicted passing within frame member28and then passing through two halve portions41of luminaire connector29.

In some further implementations the power line passes in series through the luminaire. For example, inFIG. 6, power line12is depicted passing from within frame members28, through a luminaire connector29to within another frame member28. Thus, in some implementations a single power line12passes in series from frame member28to frame member28of the lighting frame23. This configures power line12to provide power to the plurality of grow light panels21coupled with and between the frame members28. Also, as shown inFIG. 6, power line12is powered by a supply line11, which may be the same wire as power line12, or a different wire electrically coupled with power line12.

In some further implementations the power line provides direct current, DC. For example referencingFIG. 11, an electrical schematic, power line12provides direct current, DC. This direct current is distributed among the different grow light panels21and the associated light units22. The voltage of the direct current delivered in series to the different light panels21is computed by dividing the voltage at the power supply10by the number of grow light panels21to yield the voltage of direct current provided in series to the individual grow light panels21. For example, in the example shown inFIG. 11, the supply line10has 250 volts of direct current as input power, and there are 5 grow light panels21. The direct current voltage delivered in series to the grow light panels21is therefore 50 volts each.

Thus, in some implementations, a horticulture grow system1for plants303includes at least a plant substrate system80, a luminaire20positioned adjacent to the plant substrate system80, the luminaire20includes a plurality of grow light panels21, a lighting frame23, and at least one luminaire connector29, the luminaire connector29adjusts the spatial position of frame members28that define the lighting frame23and shape of the luminaire20and a power line12, the power line12coupled to the luminaire20, the power line12configured for direct current and passing at least one luminaire connector29in series through the luminaire to power one or more grow light panels.

Exemplary Method

An exemplary method is now described. Preliminarily it is noted that the method includes a plurality of “steps” which are described in a ordered fashion. The order of the steps is merely exemplary and are not intended to limit either this disclosure or the claims. In various implementations, the steps may be performed in different orders and sequences that are different from that described below. Additionally, in the description below, certain elements from the drawings are called out as examples of structure that could, in some implementations, be used to perform the method steps. These called out elements from the drawings are not intended to be limiting.

ReferencingFIG. 12, in some implementations, an exemplary method1200for illumination includes at least the steps described below.

The exemplary method1200includes at least disposing plants on a plant substrate system (e.g. plant substrate system80ofFIG. 1). (Process block1202) In some implementations the plants are disposed by disposing the plants, for example, in the plant holders83of grow decks89of plant substrate system80such that the roots of the plants descend into grow chamber81to be sprayed by nozzle system90. In other implementations the plants are disposed by disposing the plants in another manner such that the roots are subject to spraying or irrigation without water having to pass through soil or other medium. In other implementations the plants are disposed in soil.

In some implementations the exemplary method1200further includes at least positioning a luminaire (e.g. luminaire20) adjacent to the plant substrate system (e.g. plant substrate system80) to define a plant canopy zone (e.g. plant canopy zone118ofFIG. 1). (Process block1204) As used herein adjacent includes close enough to provide a sufficient amount of beneficial light on plants disposed in plant holders83of grow decks88, but far enough to allow for a plant canopy zone118and to be able to direct light at grow decks88of the plant substrate system80.

In some implementations, positioning a luminaire per Process block1204includes at least positioning a luminaire (e.g. luminaire20) that includes a plurality of grow light panels (e.g. grow light panels21), a lighting frame (e.g. lighting frame23) having a plurality of frame members (e.g. frame members28) and at least one luminaire connector (e.g. luminaire connector29).

In some implementations the exemplary method1200further includes adjusting the spatial positions of frame members (e.g. frame members28) of the plurality of frame members to render the luminaire (e.g. luminaire20) in a shape (See, e.g. shape of luminaire20in Drawing5aofFIG. 5). (Process block1206) For example, spatial positions of frame members (e.g. frame members28) starting as shown if Drawing5bofFIG. 5(e.g. straight or irregular) may be adjusted to be as shown in Drawing5a. The adjustment may be performed at least in part by using the luminaire connectors (e.g. luminaire connectors29) to adjust the spatial positions of the frame members (e.g. frame members28) to achieve the shape of, for example, Drawing5a(e.g. curvilinear).

And in some implementations, the exemplary method1200further includes supplying light to the plants within the plant canopy zone (e.g. plant canopy zone118ofFIG. 1) with the luminaire (e.g. luminaire20) rendered in a shape (See, e.g. shape of luminaire20in Drawing5aofFIG. 5). (Process block1208).

In some implementations, supplying light to the plants per process block1208includes at least passing a power line (e.g. power line12) in series through the lighting fame (e.g. lighting frame23) to illuminate the plurality of grow light panels (e.g. grow light panels21). In some further implementations, as shown inFIG. 7, a power line (e.g. power line12) passes from within one frame member (e.g. frame member28) to another frame member via a passage in a luminaire connector (e.g. luminaire connector29). In some implementations the power line12passes direct current DC.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the terminology used in this specification and in the claims is “open” in the sense that the terminology is open to additional elements not enumerated. For example, the words “includes” should be interpreted to mean “including at least” and so on. In addition, articles such as “a” or “the” should be interpreted as not referring to a specific number, such as one, unless explicitly indicated. At times a convention of “at least one of A, B, or C” is used, the intent is that this language includes any of A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B, B and C, A and C, or all of A, B, and C. The same is indicated by the conventions “one of more of A, B, or C.” Similarly, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” is intended to include any of A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B, B and C, A and C, or all of A, B, and C. With parentheticals such as (e.g. A, B, C). It is intended that this refer to any or all of A alone, B alone, or C alone and to any combination thereof that is applicable in the particular context.

And as previously indicated elements, components, or operations should not be regarded as essential unless they are so explicitly described. The teachings contained herein may be adapted to a variety of implementations arranged and composed in a wide variety of ways.

The above description of various implementations is intended to be illustrative not exhaustive and is not intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or uses. Those skilled in the art will be able to imagine implementations not described but that are consistent with the principles and teachings described herein. Therefore, the above description of exemplary implementations is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, which should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and equivalents thereof.