Method of illuminating a horticultural intracanopy space

• Main Author: Schmidt, Jonathan Becker
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 25.05.2021
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; BLASTING; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPSOR SEAWEED; FISHING; FORESTRY; FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMSTHEREOF; HEATING; HORTICULTURE; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHERARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TRAPPING; WATERING; WEAPONS

Systems and methods for an intracanopy horticultural lighting fixture. In aspects, a horticultural luminaire has an edgelit lightguide or optical conduit extending from a housing with its major dimension extending along longitudinal axis L, and one or more endcaps coupled to respective lateral edges, endcaps being convex curved about one or more axes transverse the longitudinal axis to prevent catch points. The endcap can be coupled to the housing to hinder separation of the lightguide. In another aspect a horticultural luminaire has an edgelit lightguide generating an output having downwardly directed peaks at about +/−30 degrees from vertical. Light output is preferably batwing shaped and symmetric. Another aspect provides a method for intracanopy lighting having an entirely planar optical conduit, a major extent of the optical conduit disposed along its longitudinal axis (L), and supporting the optical conduit, preferably its entirety, below an upper plant canopy.