Abstract:
A horticultural light system integrating a grow lamp and lamp ballast within a single fixture. The grow lamp is enclosed by the lower exterior structure and benefits from cooling atmosphere that is forced through the lower exterior structure to regulate the grow lamp temperature. The lamp ballast is mounted to a ballast plate above the lower exterior structure. The ballast plate shields the lamp ballast from the heated atmosphere as it rises off the top of the lower exterior structure. Stand offs or other separation means keep the ballast plate at a distance from the top of the lower exterior structure to create an air gap that thermally isolates the lamp ballast from the heat generated by the grow lamp, thereby increasing the reliability and life of the lamp ballast.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   None 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   This invention is not the product of any Federally Sponsored Research or Development. 
   REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present device relates generally to horticultural and agricultural lighting systems used in developing and growing plants in controlled environments. 
   2. Discussion of Related Art 
   Indoor gardens, green houses, hydroponics systems, and isolated carbon dioxide growing chambers demand careful regulation of temperature, light, hydration, nutrients, and humidity. In these controlled environments the grower must provide adequate light intensity, which is usually accomplished using an HID grow lamp in cooperation with a remote HID lamp ballast that is located within a couple feet of the HID grow lamp. 
   The most common HID grow lamps are high pressure sodium and metal halide. Metal halide lamps work well to generate the “blue” spectrum, but also produce well in the “orange-red” spectrum. Metal halides are best suited as a primary light source (if little or no natural sunlight is available) and are excellent for plant growth. High pressure sodium lamps produce primarily in the “orange-red” spectrum. The high pressure sodiums are the best available lamps for secondary or supplemental lighting (used in conjunction with natural sunlight). The “orange-red” type of light promotes flowering/budding/fruiting in plants. High pressure sodium lamps are ideal for greenhouse or commercial growing applications. However, one significant drawback is the heat generated by these grow lamps. Without cooling, the lamps will prematurely fail. Due to the extreme heat, any electronics located in close proximity to the grow lamp will also prematurely fail. 
   Both the metal halide lamps and the high pressure sodium lamps require high voltage power to ignite the lamps and maintain lumen output. Commonly, the high voltage power supply is referred to as a lamp ballast. These lamp ballasts convert the standard 110 volt or 220 volt electrical service power to high voltage electrical power that meets the requirements of the metal halide and high pressure sodium lamps. The lamp ballasts are often housed a safe distance from the grow lamp in separate aluminum extruded cases, with a power cord connecting the grow lamp to the lamp ballast. 
   Lamp ballasts suffer from temperature sensitivity in that excessive temperatures cause premature failure of the electronic components, leading to decreased performance. Because of the heat generated by the grow lamp, the lamp ballast must be thermally isolated in order to prevent premature failure. Generally, the horticulture light fixture with the grow lamp is sold separately from the lamp ballast assembly and the end-user connects the two via a power cord. 
   Previously integrating the lamp ballast into the horticulture light fixture was not feasible due to the high temperatures generated by the grow lamp and the relatively low temperature failure rates of the ballast. If installed too close to the grow lamp, the lamp ballast will fail prematurely due to the heat produced by the lamp and absorbed by the ballast. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,662 to Wardenburg (2003) teaches a horticulture light fixture benefiting from a sealed forced air or passive cooling system. The passive or active cooling of the grow lamp prolongs the life of the lamp while isolating the growing environment from the excessive heat generated by the grow lamp. The Wardenburg horticulture light fixture requires a remote lamp ballast to ignite and power the grow lamp. 
   An ideal horticulture light system would be constructed and arranged having the lamp, lamp ballast, and reflector integrated as a single structure that, preferably, is thermally isolated from the growing environment. Prior attempts to integrate the lamp ballast into the horticulture light fixture have failed because excessive heat produced by the grow lamp was absorbed by the lamp ballast, causing premature failure of the lamp ballast. Lamp ballasts are sensitive to heat; and, as the operating temperature increases, performance and longevity decrease. 
   3. Objects and Advantages 
   There are several objects and advantages of the present device:
         a) to provide a horticulture light system that integrates the grow lamp and lamp ballast into a single easy-to-install fixture;   b) to provide an integrated horticulture light system wherein the lamp ballast does not suffer from premature failure due to absorption of heat generated by the grow lamp;   c) to provide an integrated horticulture light system wherein the lamp ballast is thermally isolated from the grow lamp enclosure by an air gap.
 
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from consideration of the following description and drawings.
       

   SUMMARY 
   In accordance with the present device, a horticulture light system constructed and arranged to integrate a lamp ballast into the same fixture as the grow lamp without the lamp ballast suffering from premature failure. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the horticulture light fixture having integrated lamp and ballast; 
       FIG. 2  is a first side view of the embodiment of the horticulture light fixture having integrated lamp and ballast as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a second side view of the embodiment of the horticulture light fixture having integrated lamp and ballast as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear side view of the embodiment of the horticulture light fixture having integrated lamp and ballast as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a front side view of the embodiment of the horticulture light fixture having integrated lamp and ballast as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a top side view of the embodiment of the horticulture light fixture having integrated lamp and ballast as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the embodiment of the horticulture light fixture having integrated lamp and ballast as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the horticulture light fixture with the ballast enclosure removed showing greater detail of the lamp ballast, ballast plate, and the air gap between the ballast plate and the mid top flat side; 
       FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the embodiment with a grow lamp installed in proper position for use; 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the embodiment having part of the ballast enclosure removed and showing the lamp ballast mounted to the ballast plate, stand-offs between the ballast plate and the mid top flat side, further demonstrating the air gap between the mid top flat side and the ballast plate of the horticulture light fixture having integrated lamp and ballast. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1-10 , a preferred embodiment of the present device is shown, illustrating the horticultural and agricultural lighting systems used in developing plants in controlled growing environments. The exemplary embodiments according to the present device are illustrated with those components necessary to demonstrate the inventive design. Many of the necessary electrical and mechanical elements for attaching, powering, and implementing are not present. For example, the electrical service connection of 110 volts or 220 volts is known by one of normal skill in the art but not specifically mentioned. The horticulture lamp types most commonly used are high pressure sodium and metal halide—both high intensity discharge and requiring specific power that is well known by one of ordinary skill in the art. Elements not present or described below may take on any known form consistent with forms readily realized by one of ordinary skill in the art, having knowledge of the mode of operation of a horticulture light system. 
   As used herein, “grow light” is the desired radiation having a wavelength within the spectrum of light that promotes photosynthesis in plants. A “grow lamp” can mean any presently available lamp or combination of lamps capable of generating radiation within the “grow light” spectrum. “Lamp ballast” is the electrical component that converts service power (i.e. 110 volt or 220 volt) to the requisite “grow lamp” power requirements (i.e. 1200 volt). The “growing environment” is the confined gas around the plants that may be as simple as air, or could be a complex combination of carbon dioxide and introduced moisture for a balanced humidity. “Plants” refers to growing, developing, and living plants maintained in potted soil, hydroponics, or other growing medium, generally parallel to the earth&#39;s surface. A “reflector hood” is an internal hood made of reflective material and constructed with folds and bends to reflect light towards the plants. A “transparent portion” is a transparent plate that can be made of any transparent substance that will be impervious to air but allow light to pass through. A “reflector chamber” is the space bounded by the “reflector hood” and “transparent portion.” A “cooling atmosphere” is gas moved into the “reflector chamber” to cool the lamp, surrounding area, and “reflector chamber.” A “heated atmosphere” is gas moved out of the “reflector chamber” and away from the surrounding area. “Gas” can be normal air, Co2-enhanced air, or some other gaseous combination effective at either cooling or advantageous to plant development. A “fixator” can be any device, apparatus, or adhesive capable of holding a “transparent portion” securely to the fixture. 
   Description  FIG. 1 : 
     FIG. 1  illustrates one preferred embodiment of the device and is not representative of all possible embodiments. The exterior structure  130  generally consists of the lower exterior structure  120  and the ballast enclosure  118 . The lower exterior structure  120  has a lower flat front side  110 ; a lower flat rear side  111 ; a first inclined lower side portion  112 ; a second inclined lower side portion  113 ; and a rectangular bottom side  128 . Said lower flat front side  110  having a cool atmosphere inlet  124  and said flat rear side  111  having a heated atmosphere exhaust  122 . The secure mounting tabs  138  for hanging the device are located generally along the center line of the flat top side  117 . 
   The ballast enclosure  118  consists of a front inclined upper side portion  115 ; a rear inclined upper side portion  116 ; a first inclined upper side portion  119 ; a second inclined upper side portion  114 ; and a flat top side  117 . Louvered vents  126  can be integrated into the front inclined upper side portion  115 ; the rear inclined upper side portion  116 ; the first inclined upper side portion  119 ; and the second inclined upper side portion  114 . Cut out of the front inclined upper side portion  115  there is a power inlet hole  134  having a power cord  140  extending out to connect to electrical service. 
   Fixators  121  fasten into the lower flat front side  110  for the purpose of holding a transparent portion  710  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   Description  FIG. 2 : 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a left side view of one preferred embodiment of the device. The lower exterior structure  120 , having a first inclined lower side portion  112  with a lower flat front side  110  and a lower flat rear side  111 . Said lower flat front side  110  having a cool atmosphere inlet  124  and said lower flat rear side  111  having a heated atmosphere exhaust  122 . The rectangular bottom side  128  is open towards the plants. 
   Fixators  121  fasten into the lower flat front side  110  for the purpose of holding a transparent portion  710  shown in  FIG. 7 . The fixators  121  may be placed anywhere along the bottom of the lower exterior structure  120 . 
   The ballast enclosure  118  consists of a first inclined upper side portion  119  having louvered vents  126 . A front inclined upper side portion  115  with integrated louvered vents  126 ; a rear inclined upper side portion  116  with louvered vents  126 ; and a flat top side  117 . The louvered vents  126  are cut in the sheet metal and open downwardly. The louvered vents  126  provide a pathway for either the exhausting of heated air from the ballast enclosure or a pathway for taking in cooling air from the growing environment. The flat top side  117  may also be vented, depending on the application, to facilitate further cooling of the ballast enclosure  118 . The louvered vents  126  may also be simple hole punched vents of any shape or size depending upon application, size of the grow lamp, and size of the ballast. 
   The cool atmosphere inlet  124  provides an opening for cooling air to be forced over the grow lamp and through the lower exterior structure  120  and out the heated atmosphere exhaust  122 . This forced cooling air lowers the temperature of the lower exterior structure  120  increasing the longevity of the grow lamp and the lamp ballast. 
   The flat top side  117  having secure mounting tabs  138  for hanging the device over the plants. 
   Description  FIG. 3 : 
     FIG. 3  illustrates right side view of one preferred embodiment of the device illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The lower exterior structure  120  has a second inclined lower side portion  113 ; with a lower flat front side  110  and a lower flat rear side  111 . Said lower flat front side  110  having a cool atmosphere inlet  124  and said lower flat rear side  111  having a heated atmosphere exhaust  122 . The rectangular bottom side  128  is open to the plants. Fixators  121  fasten into the lower flat front side  110  for the purpose of holding a transparent portion  710  shown in  FIG. 7 . The fixators  121  may be placed anywhere along the bottom of the lower exterior structure  120 . 
   The ballast enclosure  118  consists of a second inclined upper side portion  114  having louvered vents  126 . A front inclined upper side portion  115  with integrated louvered vents  126 ; a rear inclined upper side portion  116 ; and a flat top side  117 . The louvered vents  126  are cut in the sheet metal and open downwardly. The louvered vents  126  provide a pathway for either the exhausting of heated air from the ballast enclosure  118  or a pathway for taking in cool air from the growing environment. 
   The flat top side  117  having secure mounting tabs  138  for hanging the device over the plants. 
   Description  FIG. 4 : 
     FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of one preferred embodiment of the device. The open cool atmosphere inlet  124  provides a through view to the other side where the socket mount  132  attached to the j-box  136  provides the screw in location for the grow lamp. The cool atmosphere inlet  124  is approximately centered in the lower flat front side  110  of the lower exterior structure  120 . On either side of the lower flat front side  110  is the first inclined lower side portion  112  and the second inclined lower side portion  113 . The rectangular bottom side  128  is open to the plants. The cool atmosphere inlet  124  may be located anywhere on the lower flat front side  110 . Fixators  121  fasten into the lower flat front side  110  for the purpose of holding a transparent portion  710  shown in  FIG. 7 . The fixators  121  may be placed anywhere along the bottom of the lower exterior structure  120 . 
   The ballast enclosure  118  consists of a first inclined upper side portion  119  and a second inclined upper side portion  114 , both having louvered vents  126 ; and front inclined upper side portion  115 . The ballast enclosure  118  is capped by the flat top side  117 . A power inlet hole  134  is located on the front inclined upper side portion  115 , said power inlet hole  134  having a power cord  140  extending out for electrical service. The ballast enclosure  118  sits atop the lower exterior structure  120 . The flat top side  117  having a secure mounting tab  138  for hanging the device over the plants. 
   Description  FIG. 5 : 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a rear view of one preferred embodiment of the device. The open heated atmosphere exhaust  122  provides a view of the back of the j-box  136  wherein the grow lamp can screw into the other side. The heated atmosphere exhaust  122  is approximately centered in the lower flat rear side  111  of the lower exterior structure  120  but the location can be anywhere on the lower flat rear side  111 . On either side of the lower flat rear side  111  is the first inclined lower side portion  112  and the second inclined lower side portion  113 . The rectangular bottom side  128  is open downward towards the plants. 
   The ballast enclosure  118  consists of a rear inclined upper side portion  116 , a first inclined upper side portion  119 , and a second inclined upper side portion  114 , all having louvered vents  126 . The ballast enclosure  118  is capped by the flat top side  117 . The flat top side  117  having secure mounting tabs  138  for hanging the device over the plants. The louvered vents  126  may be punched out vents or any other vents depending on application, heat generated by the grow lamp, and specific ballast requirements. 
   Description  FIG. 6 : 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of one preferred embodiment of the device. The lower exterior structure  120  having a first inclined lower side portion  112 ; a second inclined lower side portion  113 ; a lower flat front side  110  and a lower flat rear side  111 . Said flat front side  110  having a cool atmosphere inlet  124  and said lower flat rear side  111  having a heated atmosphere exhaust  122 . The heated atmosphere exhaust  122  and cool atmosphere inlet  124  are interchangeable in that cooling atmosphere can be pushed through in either direction. The rectangular bottom side  128  is open to the plants. Fixators  121  fasten into the lower flat front side  110  for the purpose of holding a transparent portion  710  shown in  FIG. 7 . The fixators  121  may be placed anywhere along the bottom of the lower exterior structure  120 . 
   The ballast enclosure  118  consists of a front inclined upper side portion  115 ; a rear inclined upper side portion  116 ; a first inclined upper side portion  119 ; a second inclined upper side portion  114 ; and a flat top side  117 . The front inclined upper side portion  115  has a power inlet hole  134  for this embodiment, but the power can be brought in anywhere on the fixture. The power cord  140  extends out of the power inlet hole  134 . 
   The louvered vents  126  provide a pathway for either the exhausting of heated air from the ballast enclosure, or a pathway for taking in cooling air from the growing environment. If it is desirable that the entire device be sealed from the growing environment, no louvered vents  126  are cut. 
   Description  FIG. 7 : 
     FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom side view of one preferred embodiment of the device. The lower exterior structure  120  has a first inclined lower side portion  112 ; a second inclined lower side portion  113 ; a lower flat front side  110 ; and a lower flat rear side  111 . Said flat front side  110  having a cool atmosphere inlet  124  and said lower flat rear side  111  having a heated atmosphere exhaust  122 . 
   The rectangular bottom side  128  is sealed by the transparent portion  710 . The transparent portion  710  is held in place by fixators  121 . Looking through the transparent portion  710  the reflector hood  712  can be seen with a plurality of longitudinal fold lines. The reflector hood  712  may be in any configuration that effectively reflects light towards the plants. The socket mount  132  is placed on the inboard side of the flat rear side  111  being attached by the j-box  136 , centered in the heated atmosphere exhaust  122 . The reflector hood  712  has matching openings to the cool atmosphere inlet  124  and the heated atmosphere exhaust  122  allowing for forced cooling atmosphere to pass through freely. 
   Description  FIG. 8 : 
     FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view centering on the exposed lamp ballast  512  having the ballast enclosure  118  removed. The lower exterior structure  120  has a first inclined lower side portion  112 ; a second inclined lower side portion  113 ; a lower flat front side  110 ; and a lower flat rear side  111 . Said flat front side  110  having a cool atmosphere inlet  124  and said lower flat rear side  111  having a heated atmosphere exhaust  122 . 
   The mid top flat side  1060  is the mounting surface for the ballast plate  1050 . Said ballast plate  1050  provides the mounting surface for the lamp ballast  512 . The lamp ballast  512  and ballast plate  1050  are located above the lower exterior structure  120 . The ballast plate  1050  is distanced from the mid top flat side  1060  creating an air gap  1030  between the ballast plate  1050  and the mid top flat side  1060 . The air gap  1030  width is set by size of the stand offs  1040 . The preferred embodiment utilizes stand offs  1040 , but any spacing device can be used to keep the ballast plate  1050  and the mid top flat side  1060  separated. The ballast plate  1050  can be of a size and dimension larger than the bottom surface area of lamp ballast  512  and may be of different dimensions, depending upon application. The air gap  1030  provides a thermal barrier between the ballast plate  1050  and mid top flat side  1060 . The mid top flat side  1060  is exposed to a higher temperature due to the grow lamp  910  (shown installed in  FIG. 9 ). The heated gas in the air gap  1030  rises up and around the ballast plate  1050 , avoiding the lamp ballast  512 ; and, thus decreasing the gas temperatures directly surrounding the lamp ballast  512 . Mounting the lamp ballast  512  directly to the mid top flat side  1060  causes heat to soak into the lamp ballast  512 , causing premature failure even with cooling atmosphere moving between the cool atmosphere inlet  124  and the heated atmosphere exhaust  122 . The preferred embodiment demonstrates the ballast plate  1050  and the air gap  1030  working in concert when, in some applications, only the ballast plate  1050  or the air gap  1030  are alone required, depending on the size of the grow lamp  910  and heat sensitivity of the lamp ballast  512 . 
   The lamp ballast  512  connects to electrical service via the power cord  140 , converting to the requisite power for the selected grow lamp  910  (shown in  FIG. 9 ), and connecting to the grow lamp via the lamp cord  1020 . The lamp cord  1020  connects to the lamp ballast  512  at the ballast power connector  1010 . 
   Description  FIG. 9 : 
     FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom side view of one preferred embodiment of the device having a grow lamp  910  installed. The lower exterior structure  120  has a first inclined lower side portion  112 ; a second inclined lower side portion  113 ; a lower flat front side  110 ; and a lower flat rear side  111 . Said flat front side  110  having a cool atmosphere inlet  124  and said lower flat rear side  111  having a heated atmosphere exhaust  122 . The rectangular bottom side  128  is open towards the plants and the grow lamp  910  and the reflector hood  712  can be seen through the transparent portion  710 , said transparent portion  710  sealing off the growing environment from the heated atmosphere moving through the fixture. The socket mount  132  is placed on the inboard side of the flat rear side  111 , centered in the heated atmosphere exhaust  122 . The reflector hood  712  has matching openings to the cool atmosphere inlet  124  and the heated atmosphere exhaust  122 . 
   Description  FIG. 10 : 
     FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of one preferred embodiment of the device having the first inclined upper side portion  119 , second inclined upper side portion  114 , and the flat top side  117  removed to further demonstrate the relative configuration between the lamp ballast  512 , ballast plate  1050 , air gap  1030 , and the mid top flat side  1060 . 
   The lower exterior structure  120 , having a first inclined lower side portion  112  with a lower flat front side  110  and a lower flat rear side  111 . Said lower flat front side  110  having a cool atmosphere inlet  124  and said lower flat rear side  111  having a heated atmosphere exhaust  122 . The rectangular bottom side  128  is open towards the plants. 
   Fixators  121  fasten into the lower flat front side  110  for the purpose of holding a transparent portion  710  shown in  FIG. 7 . The fixators  121  may be placed anywhere along the bottom of the lower exterior structure  120 . 
   The ballast enclosure  118  consists of a first inclined upper side portion  119  and second inclined upper side portion  114  that have both been removed for this  FIG. 10 ; a front inclined upper side portion  115 ; a rear inclined upper side portion  116 ; and, a flat top side  117  that has also been removed for this  FIG. 10 . The cool atmosphere inlet  124  provides an opening for cooling air to be forced through the lower exterior structure  120 , over the grow lamp, and out the heated atmosphere exhaust  122 . This forced cooling air lowers the temperature of the exterior structure  120  and increases the longevity of the grow lamp  910  and the lamp ballast  512 . 
   The grow lamp  910  creates significant heat that is transferred to the mid top flat side  1060  creating a high surface temperature that would cause the lamp ballast  512  to prematurely fail if mounted directly to the mid top flat side  1060 . The high surface temperature of the mid top flat side  1060  heats the gas in the air gap  1030  between the mid top flat side  1060  and the ballast plate  1050 . The heated atmosphere rises up from the mid top flat side  1060  and is deflected by the ballast plate  1050  around and away from the lamp ballast  512 . The dimensions of the ballast plate  1050  can vary depending on the surface temperature of the mid top flat side  1060  and the desired operating environment of the selected lamp ballast  512 . When a larger grow lamp  910  is installed, a larger ballast plate  1050  may be required to adequately shield the lamp ballast  512  from the heated gas rising off the mid top flat side  1060 . The distance between the ballast plate  1050  and the mid top flat side  1060  may be increased to create a larger air gap  1030 , further thermally isolating the lamp ballast  512  from the heat generated from the grow lamp  910 . The size of the air gap  1030  can be set by using stand off  1040  spacers. 
   The ballast enclosure  118  may be used to cover the lamp ballast  512 , but is not necessary to the integration of the lamp ballast  512  and the grow lamp  910  into a single horticulture fixture. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               REFERENCE NUMBERS: 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               110 
               lower flat front side 
               124 
               cool atmosphere inlet 
             
             
               111 
               lower flat rear side 
               126 
               louvered vents 
             
             
               112 
               first inclined lower side portion 
               128 
               rectangular bottom 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               side 
             
             
               113 
               second inclined lower side portion 
               130 
               exterior structure 
             
             
               114 
               second inclined upper side portion 
               132 
               socket mount 
             
             
               115 
               front inclined upper side portion 
               134 
               power inlet hole 
             
             
               116 
               rear inclined upper side portion 
               136 
               j-box 
             
             
               117 
               flat top side 
               138 
               secure mounting tabs 
             
             
               118 
               ballast enclosure 
               140 
               power cord 
             
             
               119 
               first inclined upper side portion 
               512 
               lamp ballast 
             
             
               120 
               lower exterior structure 
               710 
               transparent portion 
             
             
               121 
               fixators 
               712 
               reflector hood 
             
             
               122 
               heated atmosphere exhaust 
               910 
               grow lamp 
             
             
               1010 
               ballast power connector 
               1020 
               lamp cord 
             
             
               1030 
               air gap 
               1040 
               stand off 
             
             
               1050 
               ballast plate 
               1060 
               mid top flat side