Agnetix, Inc.

Nicholas Maderas

Ihor A Lys

A multispectral imaging apparatus includes an irradiation source having multiple narrowband irradiators in a first range of wavelengths from the ultraviolet (UV) regime to the short wavelength infrared (SWIR) regime. A first camera acquires UV-SWIR imagery in a first field of view and in the first range of wavelengths. A second camera acquires LWIR imagery in the first field of view and in the long wavelength infrared (LWIR) regime. The second camera continually acquires the LWIR imagery while the first camera and the irradiation source are periodically activated to acquire the UV-SWIR imagery.

Multisensory imaging methods and apparatus for controlled environment horticulture using irradiators and cameras and/or sensors

A lighting fixture includes a frame, one or more LED light sources to emit radiation, control circuitry to receive AC power and control the one or more LED light sources, and a coolant pipe to carry a fluid coolant. The lighting fixture further includes a tube and end caps that together form an enclosed cavity to contain the frame, the LED light sources, and the control circuitry. In example implementations, the tube does not physically contact the frame, the LED light sources, and the control circuitry. The cavity may further contain air, gas, or vacuum that forms a thermal barrier between the tube and the LED light sources to reduce heat dissipation from the LED light sources to the environment. The tube may further enable the lighting fixture to be rotatably and/or translationally adjustable relative to a support structure after installation in a close proximity grow system.

Fluid-cooled LED-based lighting methods and apparatus in close proximity grow systems for Controlled Environment Horticulture

A lighting fixture has an extruded aluminum housing, at least one light source mechanically supported by the extruded aluminum housing, and at least one copper pipe thermally coupled to the extruded aluminum housing to carry a fluid coolant. During operation of the lighting fixture, the fluid coolant flowing through the at least one copper pipe extracts heat generated by the lighting fixture, and the fluid coolant does not contact the extruded aluminum housing. In one example, a copper fluid coolant circuit is thermally coupled to the housing to contain the fluid coolant, and the lighting fixture does not contain any internal seals or internal O-rings for the fluid coolant.

Fluid-cooled LED-based lighting methods and apparatus for controlled agricultural environments

A lighting system includes two or more lighting fixtures, each comprising a housing, at least one light source mechanically supported by the housing, at least one pipe thermally coupled to the housing to carry a fluid coolant, an AC power port, and at least one network communications port. The AC power ports of respective lighting fixtures are coupled together with a plurality of industrial power cables without using one or more conduits for the plurality of industrial power cables. The network communications ports of the respective lighting fixtures are coupled together with a plurality of waterproof network communications cables. In one example, a lighting system kit comprises two or more lighting fixtures having an AC power port comprising an industrial type connector. The kit further comprises multiple industrial power cables and one or more industrial drop tee cables.

Lighting system and sensor platform for controlled agricultural environments

A fluid-cooled LED-based lighting fixture for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) to improve energy efficiency, recycle waste heat, and support the operation of environmental sensors in a controlled agricultural environment. In one example, a lighting fixture frame mechanically supports and houses respective components of the lighting fixture and includes a light spine to mechanically couple the lighting fixture to a support structure. One or more coolant pipes formed from copper and coupled to the lighting fixture frame conduct a fluid coolant through the lighting fixture to remove heat. The lighting fixture comprises one or more LED modules to emit light, one or more onboard sensors and/or cameras, wireless communication functionality, and multiple electrical power and communication ports to facilitate interconnection of the lighting fixture in a variety of controlled agricultural environments. In some examples, the lighting fixture includes a multispectral imaging system to acquire multispectral images of the environment.

Lighting, sensing and imaging methods and apparatus for controlled environment agriculture

An integrated sensor assembly provides multiple sensing modalities to monitor an agricultural environment, and may be employed in or used with controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems to control and maintain improved growth conditions for various plants. In one exemplary implementation, an integrated sensor assembly includes sensors to monitor parameters important to plant growth, such as a natural light sensor, an air temperature sensor, a relative humidity sensor, an air flow sensor, a carbon dioxide (CO2) sensor, and a remote infrared (IR) temperature sensor. The sensors are mounted onto a single circuit board, which is then placed inside a housing for protection from the ambient environment. The housing can include one or more openings and apertures to facilitate sensing with protective covers where appropriate. A USB port can be included to supply electrical power and transfer of data to and from the integrated sensor assembly (e.g., to provide plug-and-play functionality).

Integrated sensor assembly for LED-based controlled environment agriculture (CEA) lighting, and methods and apparatus employing same

A distributed sensor grid may be used to monitor the growth conditions of plants in an agricultural environment. In one example, a distributed sensor grid may include sensors that are arranged as a grid defined by a vertical axis and a first horizontal axis. The sensors may each be coupled to a cable and/or a port that provides operating power and/or network communications access. In some implementations, a plurality of lighting fixtures disposed in the agricultural environment may be configured to provide the power and network communications access to one or more sensors, thus alleviating use of excess cabling for connectivity and simplifying installation. The sensors may be correspondingly disposed within the vicinity of respective lighting fixtures to monitor growth conditions for a portion of the agricultural environment. The sensors used may also be packaged as an integrated sensor assembly, further simplifying installation and deployment.

Methods, apparatus, and systems for lighting and distributed sensing in controlled agricultural environments

Fluid-cooled LED-based lighting methods and apparatus for controlled environment agriculture with integrated cameras and/or sensors and wireless communications

A controlled agricultural environment includes a vertically-stacked multiple-level growing area and a fluid-cooled LED-based lighting system including multiple fluid-cooled LED-based lighting fixtures disposed in the vertically-stacked multiple-level growing area. The environment also includes a hydronics system having a coolant circuit fluidically coupled to the fluid-cooled LED-based lighting system and multiple secondary heating loops to separately heat each level of the vertically-stacked multiple-level growing area. Each lighting fixture comprises a frame having one or more channels, one or more LED modules thermally coupled to the frame, control circuitry coupled to the frame and electrically coupled to the LED module(s) to receive AC power and to supply regulated electrical power to the LED module(s), and one or more pipes thermally coupled to the channel(s) and fluidically coupled to the coolant circuit to carry a fluid coolant that extracts heat generated by the LED module(s).

Fluid-cooled LED-based lighting methods and apparatus for controlled agricultural environments having a vertically-stacked multiple-level growing area

Fluid-cooled lighting systems and kits for controlled agricultural environments, and methods for installing same

A fluid-cooled LED-based lighting fixture for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) to improve energy efficiency, recycle waste heat, and support the operation of environmental sensors in a controlled agricultural environment. In one example, a lighting fixture frame mechanically supports and houses respective components of the lighting fixture and includes a light spine to mechanically couple the lighting fixture to a support structure. One or more coolant pipes formed from copper and coupled to the lighting fixture frame conduct a fluid coolant through the lighting fixture to remove heat. The lighting fixture comprises one or more LED modules to emit light, and a multiple electrical power and communication ports to facilitate interconnection of the lighting fixture in a variety of controlled agricultural environments.

Growing community of inventors

Richmond, CA, United States of America

Nicholas Maderas