Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Ventilated Lighting System
by
Dan Kuzub
5 Field
The present invention relates to greenhouse ventilation systems. More particularly, it relates to systems
for removing from greenhouses the heat generated by growing lights.
R~rkground
10 In creating an artificial growing enclosure for plants, one must balance the various environmental
factors that affect plant growth. For example, one must provide sufficient lighting but without
generating too much heat. It has been found that many plants thrive at a te",~e,~ e between 74~F and
80~F and a light intensity of approximately 1000 lumens per square foot. Unfollullately, conventional
greenhouse lighting generates sufficient heat to drive the growing enclosure interior temperature well
15 above 80~F.
Two known solutions are to reduce the light intensity and to ventilate the enclosure. Reducing light
intensity is clearly more a co",pro",ise than a solution. Ventilation is more promising; however it is
also problematic because ventilation not specifically directed to the localized heat sources, the lighting
20 fixtures, results in either extra ventil~ting capacity being wastefully employed or else undesirable
tellll)el~l lre differentials throughout the growing enclosure. Alternatively, ventilation localized at the
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lip;hting fixtures has been considered challenging to implement because the lighting fixtures in a
greenhouse are generally not stationary. Typically, the lighting fixtures move over the plants to
provide more even liFhtin~
5 What is needed is a system that integrates lighting and heat removal. The present invention is directed
to such a device.
Summary
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a system for ventil~ting a lighting fixture
10 within an enclosure, the enclosure having a roof, comprising: a tubular stack piercing the enclosure,
the stack having a first end and a second end, the first end lying outside of the enclosure and the second
end extending within the enclosure, an in-line fan having an input port and an output port, the output
port being connected to the second end of the stack, a tubular extension having a first end and a second
end, the first end of the extension being connected to the input port of the fan, and means for
15 connecting the second end of the tubular extension to the li~;hting fixture so as to conduct heat from
around the lighting fixture through the tubular extension, through the in-line fan, through the stack and
out of the enclosure.
The connecting means might include a section of accordian-style compressible duct having a first end
20 and a second end, the first end of the duct being connected to the second end of the extension and the
second end of the duct being connected to the li~hting fixture and might include a spool of flexible
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elongated material, the spool being adapted to engage the first end of the duct and the material being
adapted to engage the second end of the duct and to draw the second end of the duct toward the first
end of the duct. The spool might lie transversely to the duct.
5 The system might further include means for supporting the stack, means for supporting the fan, or
means for supporting the extension. The supporting means might be an anchor or a pole. Where the
fan is supported, the fan might support the roof of the enclosure. Where the extension is supported, the
system might further include a spindle depending from the fan such that the extension is rotateable
about the spindle and about the supporting means. The supporting means might also support a
10 low-friction centre on which the extension rotates. The low friction centre might be a bearing, a
bushing, or a jewel.
Where the connecting means includes a section of accordian-style compressible duct having a first end
and a second end, the first end of the duct being connected to the second end of the extension and the
15 second end of the duct to the li~hting fixture, the system might further include: an elongated track
having a first end and a second end and extending substantially horizontally within the enclosure, a
traction drive adapted to engage the track and to travel continuously thereon between the first end and
the second end, and a suspension cable ext~ntling between the traction drive and the lighting fixture and
thereby supporting the lighting fixture.
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The extension might define an annular vent about its periphery, and further include means for
suspending and rotating the lighting fixture, the suspending and rotating means depending from the
extension. The connecting means might include a ventilation conduit having a first end and a second
end, the first end being attached to the li~?hting fixture and the second end being adjacent the annular
5 vent for rotation thereabout. The connecting means might further include an adapter sleeve adapted to
circumscribe the second end of the ventilation conduit for slideable engagement thereon whereby the
adapter sleeve can be slid closer to or farther from the annular vent.
The connecting means might include: an adapter sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first
10 end piercing and fixedly eng~ginp; the extension, a rigid duct having a first end and a second end, the
first end of the rigid duct inscribing the second end of the adapter sleeve for slideable engagement
therewith, and a section of accordian-style compressible duct having a first end and a second end, the
first end of the duct being connected to the second end of the rigid duct and the second end of the duct
being connected to the lighting fixture. The system might further include a drive for oscillating the
lS extension through an angle of 90 degrees about the spindle. The drive might comprise: a motor fixed
with respect to either the extension or the support means, an idler pulley rotateable with respect to the
support means, a fixed pulley fixed with respect to the extension and having an axis parallel to the idler
pulley, a belt circumscribing the idler pulley and the fixed pulley, and a cam circumscribed by the belt
and driven by the motor whereby the cam alternately stresses each side of the belt.
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The stack and the fan might have a unitary housing. The fan and the extension might have a unitary
housmg.
The extension might define a plurality of radial holes forming an annulus about its perimeter. The
5 system might further include an annular band defining a plurality of holes and adapted to circumscribe
the annulus of the extension for rotatable engagement thereabout whereby the extension holes and the
band holes may be variably aligned or mi~ligned.
The system might further include exhaust pipe having a first end and a second end, the first end of the
10 exhaust pipe being connected to the first end of the stack and the second end of the exhaust pipe
extending away from the enclosure. The exhaust pipe might be formed from heat conductive material
and might be a heat exchanger. The system might further include a valved diverter section having an
input, a first output and a second output wherein the input is connected to the second end of the exhaust
pipe, the first output extends to the region outside of the growing enclosure and the second output
15 pierces the enclosure and extends back inside the enclosure. The system might further include: an air
conditioner in-line with the exhaust pipe, a source of ultraviolet light inside the exhaust pipe, or a
source of ozone inside the exhaust pipe. The system might further include within the exhaust pipe a
plurality of counter-rotating blades substantially normal to the axis of the exhaust pipe.
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Brief D~ ,lion of the Dr,~
These and other fe~ es, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better
understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accolllpa~lyhlg drawings
where:
~ Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a growing enclosure having a ventilated li~htin~ system
embodying a first aspect of the invention,
Figure 2 is a detailed sectional side view of the ventilated lighting system of Figure 1,
Figure 3 is a detailed sectional side view of the ventilated lighting system of Figure 2,
Figure 4 is a sectional side view of a ventilated lighting system embodying a second aspect of the
invention,
Figure 5 is a sectional side view of a ventil~te~l lighting system embodying a third aspect of the
invention,
Figure 6 is a detailed sectional side view of the ventil:~ted lighting system of Figure 5,
Figure 7 is a detailed sectional side view of the ventilated lighting system of Figure 6,
~5 Figure 8 is a sectional side view of a ventilated lightin~ system embodying a fourth aspect of the
invention, and
Figure 9 Is a sectional side view of a ventil~tecl lighting system embodying a fifth aspect of the
mventlon.
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D~ ,lion
With reference now to Figures 1, 2 and 3 a first embodiment of the invention will now be described. A
growing enclosure is generally illustrated at 50 which includes a roof 52 and a number of sides 54. The
enclosure 50 is preferably made from a flexible sheet material such as vinyl or acrylic because of its
5 light weight, strength, weather resistance, and flexibility; however, other m~tçri~l~ with similar
characteristics would work as well, and in fact the invention is also readily adaptable to work with a
rigid enclosure 50 made from glass, hard plastic, wood, masonry or other such building materials.
Each side 54 may include vents 56 through which to draw fresh air into the enclosure 50 as will be
10 further described below. The roof 52 defines a reinforced aperture 58, preferably at its apex and
centred within its perimeter for better ventilation as will be discussed fu~ther below. In the ~ r~ d
embodiment of the vinyl enclosure 50, the reinforcement may be provided through extra stitching, extra
m:~t~ri~l, a grommet or gasket, or by any other well known means.
15 A ventil~te-l lighting system embodying a first aspect ofthe invention is generally illustrated at 100.
The lighting system 100 is illustrated as suspended from an anchor 102 having a top end outside the
enclosure 50 and a bottom end inside the enclosure 50. The top end of the anchor 102 might engage an
adjacent structure such as a roofing truss (not shown) or a support arm (not shown). Alternatively, the
bottom end of the anchor 102 might be supported from below by a column or pole (not shown).
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The anchor 102 pierces a tubular stack 104 which in turn pierces the roof 52 of the enclosure 50 at the
reinforced aperture 58. The stack 104 therefore has one end outside of the enclosure 50 and another
end inside the enclosure 50. The inside end of the tubular stack 104 sealably engages the output port of
an in-line fan 106. The stack 104 and the fan 106 may be separate objects or may form an integrated
5 whole. The input port of the fan 106 sealably engages a stationary tubular spindle 108. The spindle
108 and the fan 106 may be separate objects or may form an integrated whole. A cup-shaped rotor 110
circumscribes the spindle 108 and rotateably engages the anchor 102, while resting on a low-friction
centre 112 such as a bearing, bushing or jewel. A plurality of tubular adapters 111 pierce and extend
from the sides of the rotor 110. One end of a rigid duct 113 inscribes and slideably engages each
10 tubular adapter 111. An accordian-style compressible duct 114 depends from the free end of each rigid
duct 113 and termin~tes at a lighting fixture 116, completing a conduit both to supply power cables (not
shown) and to remove heated gas. It should be noted that the stack 104 and fan 106 when properly
anchored 102 can support the roof 52 at the reinforced aperture 58 and thus support the enclosure 50
depending from the roof 52.
Outside of the enclosure 50, the outside end of the stack 104 connects to an exhaust pipe 118. The
exhaust pipe 118 may be fashioned as a heat exchanger according to methods well known in the art and
including the use of conductive pipe m~tçri~l~ and the insertion of transverse internal pipes. The
exhaust pipe 118 extends to a venting valve 120 for controlling the venting of exhaust gases into the
20 atmosphere through an exhaust port 123 and a recirculating valve 122 for controlling the recirculating
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of exhaust gases back into the enclosure 50 through a recirculation line 124 and the enclosure 50 vents
56.
The exhaust pipe 118 may further house an in-line ozone generation device 126 and an in-line
5 ultraviolet radiation device 128 for treating exhaust gases. Conventionally, such treatment requires an
inconveniently long section of exhaust pipe 118 to provide for gas mixin~;; however, according to one
aspect of the invention, a series of counter-rotating in-line fan blades 130 are inserted within the
exhaust pipe 118 to add turbulence to the exhaust gases and thereby facilitate mixing. An in-line air
conditioner 131 or other device for reducing humidity in gases may also be inserted into the exhaust
10 pipe.
Back inside the enclosure 50, the compressible ducting 114 can be shortened to accommodate the
increasing height of growing plants. A spool 132 engages the upper end of the compressible duct 114
and supplies a length of string or cable 134 which engages a coupler 136 adapted to engage the lower
15 end of the compressible ducting 114 such that the length of string or cable 134 will limit the length of
the compressible ducting 114.
An annular ribbon 138 circumscribes a portion of the perimeter of the rotor 110. The ribbon defines a
series of regularly sized and spaced apart holes 139. The inscribed portion of the rotor 110 is similarly
20 pierced with a series of holes (not shown) of approximately the same size and spacing as the holes 139
piercing the annular ribbon 138. The ribbon 138 rotateably engages the rotor 110 such that the holes
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139 in the ribbon 138 can be aligned or not aligned with the holes (not shown) in the rotor 110
periphery.
In operation, the user slides the rigid duct 113 in or out with respect to the tubular adapter 111 in order
5 to balance the rotor 110 on the low-friction centre 112. The user can then rotate the rotor 110 to
position the lightinp fixtures 116 as desired within the enclosure 50; however, because power cables
are housed within the ductwork 111, 113, 114 to supply the lighting fixtures 116, rotation should not
exceed a reasonable angle so as to avoid twisting the cables.
10 The lighting fixtures 116 are then turned on to the desired intensity and the fan 106 is turned on to a
degree sufficient to m~int~in a reasonable growing temperature within the enclosure 50. Heated gas
from around the light fixtures 116 is drawn by the fan 106 up through the ducts 114, 113, 111 into the
rotor 110, the spindle 108 and then out through the stack 102 and the exhaust pipe 118. Fresh outside
air is drawn into the enclosure 50 through the vents 56 to replace the exhausted hot gas. It should be
15 appreciated that even if the fan 106 were to fail, established convection currents would continue to
remove heat from the enclosure 50.
Because an environment for growing plants may also encourage the growth of microbes, the exhaust
gas is passed through the ozone generator 126, the ultraviolet radiation source 128 and the
20 counter-rotating fan blades 130 to kill such microbes and to purify the gas for reintroduction into the
outside environment through the exhaust port 123 or for recirculation into the enclosure 50 through the
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recirculation line 124 and the vents 56. The valves 120, 122 allow the user to control the direction and
amount of reintroduction.
The user can also control the location within the enclosure 50 from which the gas is removed by the fan
5 106. This control is exercised by adjusting the annular ribbon 138. With the ribbon 138 holes 139
aligned to seal the rotor 110, the fan 106 will draw gas from only the ducts 111, 113, 114, leading to
the lighting fixtures 116. With the ribbon 138 holes 139 aligned to unseal the rotor 110, the fan will
also draw gas from the area around the rotor 110. If the rotor 110 is positioned toward the peak of the
roof 52, there may be moist hot gas in the region that would best be exhausted to discourage the growth
10 of mould or microbes.
With reference now to Figure 4 a second embodiment of the invention will now be described. A
growing enclosure is generally illustrated at 50 which includes a roof 52 and a number of sides (not
shown). Each side (not shown) may include vents (not shown) through which to draw fresh air into the
15 enclosure 50 as will be further described below. The roof 52 defines a reinforced aperture 58,
preferably at its apex and centred within its perimeter for better ventilation as will be discussed further
below.
A ventilated li~hting system embodying a second aspect of the invention is generally illustrated at 200.
20 The li~htinf~ system 200 is illustrated as suspended from an anchor 202 having a top end outside the
enclosure 50 and a bottom end inside the enclosure 50. The top end of the anchor 202 might engage an
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adjacent structure such as a roofing truss (not shown) or a support arm (not shown). Alternatively, the
bottom end of the anchor 202 might be supported from below by a column or pole (not shown).
The anchor 202 pierces a tubular stack 204 which in turn pierces the roof 52 of the enclosure 50 at the
S reinforced aperture 58. The stack 204 therefore has one portion outside of the enclosure 50 and another
portion inside the enclosure 50. The inside portion of the tubular stack 204 sealably engages the output
port of an in-line fan 206. The stack 204 and the fan 206 may be separate objects or may form an
integrated whole. The input port of the fan 206 sealably engages a stationary tubular flange 208. The
flange 208 and the fan 206 may be separate objects or may form an integrated whole. A tubular
10 extension 210 circumscribes the flange 208 and engages the bottom end of the anchor 202. An
accordian-style compressible duct 214 depends from the free end of the tubular extension 210 and
termin~tes at a lighting fixture 216, completing a conduit both to supply power cables (not shown) and
to remove heated gas. It should be noted that the stack 204 and fan 206, when properly anchored 202,
support the roof 52 at the reinforced aperture 58 and thus support the enclosure 50 depending from the
15 roof 52.
Outside of the enclosure 50, the outside portion of the stack 204 connects to an exhaust pipe 218. As
illustrated, the stack 204 takes the form of a T-shaped connection so that a plurality of such stacks 204
might be connected together in series. The exhaust pipe 218 may be fashioned as a heat exchanger
20 according to methods well known in the art and including the use of conductive pipe materials and the
insertion of transverse internal pipes. The exhaust pipe 218 may further house an in-line ozone
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generation device 226 for treating exhaust gases. Conventionally, such treatment requires an
inconveniently long section of exhaust pipe 218 to provide for gas mixing; however, according to one
aspect of the invention, a series of counter-rotating in-line fan blades 230 are inserted within the
exhaust pipe 218 to add turbulence to the exhaust gases and thereby facilitate mixin~.
Back inside the enclosure 50, the conlpressible ducting 214 can be shortened to accommodate the
increasing height of growing plants. A spool 232 indirectly engages the upper end of the compressible
duct 214 by eng~ging the adjacent tubular extension and supplies a length of string or cable 234 which
engages a coupler 236 adapted to engage the lower end of the colllp~essible ducting 214 such that the
10 length of string or cable 234 will limit the length of the compressible ducting 214.
An annular ribbon 238 circumscribes a portion of the perimeter of the tubular extension 210. The
ribbon defines a series of regularly sized and spaced apart holes 239. The inscribed portion of the
tubular extension 210 is similarly pierced with a series of holes (not shown) of approximately the same
15 size and spacing as the holes 239 piercing the annular ribbon 238. The ribbon 238 rotateably engages
the tubular extension 210 such that the holes 239 in the ribbon 238 can be aligned or not aligned with
the holes (not shown) in the rotor 210 periphery.
In operation, the lighting fixture 216 is turned on to the desired intensity and the fan 206 is turned on to
20 a degree sufficient to m~int~in a reasonable growing t~;lllp~ld~u~e within the enclosure 50. Heated gas
from around the light fixture 216 is drawn by the fan 206 up through the duct 214, into the tubular
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extension 210, the flange 208 and then out through the stack 202 and the exhaust pipe 218. Fresh
outside air is drawn into the enclosure 50 through the vents (not shown) to replace the exhausted hot
gas. It should be appreciated that even if the fan 206 were to fail, established convection ~ e
would continue to remove heat from the enclosure 50.
Because an environment for growing plants may also encourage the growth of microbes, the exhaust
gas is passed through the ozone generator 226 and the counter-rotating in-line fan blades 230 to kill
such microbes and to purify the gas for reintroduction into the outside environment or into the
enclosure 50.
The user can control the location within the enclosure 50 from which the gas is removed by the fan
206. This control is exercised by adjusting the annular ribbon 238. With the ribbon 238 holes 239
aligned to seal the tubular extension 210, the fan 206 will draw gas from only the duct 214 leading to
the li~hting fixtures 216. With the ribbon 238 holes 239 aligned to unseal the tubular extension 210,
15 the fan will also draw gas from the area around the tubular extension 210. If the tubular extension 210
is positioned toward the peak of the roof 52, there may be moist hot gas in the region that would best be
exhausted to discourage the growth of mould or microbes.
With reference now to Figures 5, 6 and 7 a third embodiment of the invention will now be described.
20 A growing enclosure is generally illustrated at 50 which includes a roof 52 and a number of sides (not
shown). Each side (not shown) may include vents (not shown) through which to draw fresh air into the
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enclosure 50 as will be further described below. The roof 52 defines a reinforced ap~lLule 58,
preferably at its apex and centred within its perimeter for better ventilation as will be discussed further
below.
5 A ventil~ted li~hting system embodying a third aspect of the invention is generally illustrated at 300.
The lighting system 300 is illustrated as suspended from an anchor 302 having a top end outside the
enclosure 50 and a bottom end inside the enclosure 50. The top end of the anchor 302 might engage an
adjacent structure such as a roofing truss (not shown) or a support arm (not shown). Alternatively, the
bottom end of the anchor 302 might be supported from below by a column or pole (not shown).
The anchor 302 pierces a tubular stack 304 which in turn pierces the roof 52 of the enclosure 50 at the
reinforced aperture 58. The stack 304 therefore has one portion outside of the enclosure 50 and another
portion inside the enclosure 50. The inside portion of the tubular stack 304 sealably engages the output
port of an in-line fan 306. The stack 304 and the fan 306 may be separate objects or may form an
15 integrated whole. The input port of the fan 306 sealably engages a stationary tubular spindle 308. The
spindle 308 and the fan 306 may be separate objects or may form an integrated whole. A cup-shaped
rotor 310 circumscribes the spindle 308 and rotateably engages the anchor 302, while resting on a
low-friction centre 312 such as a bearing, bushing or jewel. A plurality of tubular adapters 311 pierce
and extend from the sides of the rotor 310. One end of a rigid duct 313 inscribes and slideably engages
20 each tubular adapter 311. An accordian-style compressible duct 314 depends from the free end of each
rigid duct 313 and tçrmin~tes at a li~hting fixture 316, completing a conduit both to supply power
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cables (not shown) and to remove heated gas. It should be noted that the stack 304 and fan 306 when
properly anchored 302 can support the roof 52 at the reinforced aperture 58 and thus support the
enclosure 50 depending from the roof 52.
5 Outside of the enclosure 50, the outside portion of the stack 304 connects to an exhaust pipe 318. As
illustrated, the stack 304 takes the form of a T-shaped connection so that a plurality of such stacks 304
might be connected together in series. The exhaust pipe 318 may be fashioned as a heat exchanger
according to methods well known in the art and including the use of conductive pipe materials and the
insertion of transverse internal pipes.
The exhaust pipe 318 may further house an in-line ozone generation device 326 for treating exhaust
gases. Conventionally, such tre~tment requires an inconveniently long section of exhaust pipe 318 to
provide for gas mixing; however, according to one aspect of the invention, a series of counter-rotating
in-line fan blades 330 are inserted within the exhaust pipe 318 to add turbulence to the exhaust gases
15 and thereby facilitate mixing.
Back inside the enclosure 50, the colllples~ible ducting 314 can be shortened to accommodate the
increasing height of growing plants. A spool 332 engages the upper end of the compressible duct 314
and supplies a length of string or cable 334 which engages a coupler 336 adapted to engage the lower
20 end of the complessible ducting 314 such that the length of string or cable 334 will limit the length of
the compressible ducting 314.
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An annular ribbon 338 circumscribes a portion of the perimeter of the rotor 310. The ribbon defines a
series of regularly sized and spaced apart holes 339. The inscribed portion of the rotor 310 is similarly
pierced with a series of holes (not shown) of approximately the same size and spacing as the holes 339
5 piercing the annular ribbon 338. The ribbon 338 rotateably engages the rotor 310 such that the holes
339 in the ribbon 338 can be aligned or not aligned with the holes (not shown) in the rotor 310
periphery.
As best seen with reference to Figures 6 and 7, a drive unit 340 is fixed to the bottom surface of the
10 rotor 310. The drive 340 is preferably electric but other mech~ni~m~, such as a clockwork mech~ni~m,
would also work. The drive 340 supports a fixed pulley 342 which extends into the interior portion of
the rotor 310 through an aperture (not shown) and is aligned with the axis of the anchor 302. The drive
also supports a rotary cam 344 which also extends into the interior portion of the rotor 310 through an
aperture (not shown) and is aligned with the axis of the anchor 302. The anchor 302 supports an idler
15 pulley 346 between the bottom of the spindle 308 and the low-friction centre 312 such that it is a
approximately the same elevation as the fixed pulley 342. An o-ring type belt 348 runs between the
fixed pulley 342 and the idler pulley 346 so as to enclose the rotary cam 344.
In operation, the user slides the rigid duct 313 in or out with respect to the tubular adapter 311 in order
20 to balance the rotor 310 on the low-friction centre 312. The li,~h~ing fixtures 316 are then turned on to
the desired intensity and the fan 306 is turned on to a degree sufficient to m~int:~in a reasonable
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growing te~ ule within the enclosure 50. Heated gas from around the light fixtures 316 is drawn
by the fan 306 up through the ducts 314, 313, 311 into the rotor 310, the spindle 308 and then out
through the stack 302 and the exhaust pipe 318. Fresh outside air is drawn into the enclosure 50
through the vents (not shown) to replace the exhausted hot gas. It should be appreciated that even if
5 the fan 306 were to fail, established convection ~ would continue to remove heat from the
enclosure 50.
The user can then rotate the rotor 310 through an angle of approximately 90 degrees by eng~ging the
drive 340. When the drive is engaged, the cam 344 revolves and alternately stretches either half of the
10 belt 348. Because the system is carefully balanced on the low-friction centre 312, this small force on
the belt will cause the rotor 310 to rotate in a direction to equalize the forces on the two halves of the
belt 348. In this manner, the rotor 310 can be encouraged to oscillate through an angle of 90 degrees,
being 45 degrees off centre in either direction. Through leverage, this small rotor 310 motion causes
the li~hting fixtures 316 to sweep over a much larger area. This oscillatory motion does not
15 significantly twist the power cables housed within the ductwork to supply the li~hting fixtures 316.
Because an environment for growing plants may also encourage the growth of microbes, the exhaust
gas is passed through the ozone generator 326, the ultraviolet radiation source 128 and the
counter-rotating in-line fan blades 330 to kill such microbes and to purify the gas for reintroduction
20 into the outside environment through the exhaust port 323 or for reintroduction into the enclosure 50
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through the duct 324 and the vents 56. The valves 320, 322 allow the user to control the direction and
amount of reintroduction.
The user can also control the location within the enclosure 50 from which the gas is removed by the fan
5 306. This control is exercised by adjusting the annular ribbon 338. With the ribbon 338 holes 339
aligned to seal the rotor 310, the fan 306 will draw gas from only the ducts 311, 313, 314, leading to
the lighting fixtures 316. With the ribbon 338 holes 339 aligned to unseal the rotor 310, the fan will
also draw gas from the area around the rotor 310. If the rotor 310 is positioned toward the peak of the
roof 52, there may be moist hot gas in the region that would best be exhausted to discourage the growth
10 of mould or microbes.
With reference now to Figure 8 a fourth embodiment of the invention will now be described. A
growing enclosure is generally illustrated at 50 which includes a roof 52 and a number of sides (not
shown). Each side (not shown) may include vents (not shown) through which to draw fresh air into the
15 enclosure 50 as will be further described below. The roof 52 defines a reinforced aperture 58,
preferably at its apex and centred within its perimeter for better ventilation as will be discussed further
below.
A ventilated lighting system embodying a fourth aspect of the invention is generally illustrated at 400.
20 The lightin~ system 400 is illustrated as suspended from an anchor 402 having a top end outside the
enclosure 50 and a bottom end inside the enclosure 50. The top end of the anchor 402 might engage an
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adjacent structure such as a roofing truss (not shown) or a support arm (not shown). Alternatively, the
bottom end of the anchor 402 might be supported from below by a column or pole (not shown).
The anchor 402 pierces a tubular stack 404 which in turn pierces the roof 52 of the enclosure 50 at the
5 reinforced aperture 58. The stack 404 therefore has one portion outside of the enclosure 50 and another
portion inside the enclosure 50. The inside portion of the tubular stack 404 sealably engages the output
port of an in-line fan 406. The stack 404 and the fan 406 may be separate objects or may form an
integrated whole. The input port of the fan 406 sealably engages a tubular flange 408. The flange 408
and the fan 406 may be separate objects or may form an integrated whole. A cup-shaped tubular
10 extension 410 circumscribes the flange 408 and engages the anchor 402. The tubular extension is
characterized by a series of similarly sized apertures 409 spaced evenly about its perimeter to form in
essence an annular vent. A plurality of tubular adapters 411 extend from the sides ofthe tubular
extension 410 adjacent the apertures 409 but do not actually touch either the tubular extension 410 or
its apt;~ s 409. One end of a rigid duct 413 inscribes and slideably engages each tubular adapter 411
15 opposite the tubular extension 410. An accordian-style compressible duct 414 depends from the free
end of each rigid duct 413 and termin~tes at a lighting fixture 416, completing a conduit to remove
heated gas but not to house power cables which will be described further below. It should be noted that
the stack 404 and the fan 406, when properly anchored 402, can support the roof 52 at the reinforced
aperture 58 and thus support the enclosure 50 depending from the roof 52.
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Outside of the enclosure 50, the outside portion of the stack 404 connects to an exhaust pipe 418. As
illustrated, the stack 404 takes the form of a T-shaped connection so that a plurality of such stacks 404
might be connected together in series. The exhaust pipe 418 may be fashioned as a heat exchanger
according to methods well known in the art and including the use of conductive pipe m~ieri~l~ and the
5 insertion of transverse internal pipes.
The exhaust pipe 418 may further house an in-line ozone generation device 426 for treating exhaust
gases. Conventionally, such treatment requires an inconveniently long section of exhaust pipe 418 to
provide for gas mixing; however, according to one aspect of the invention, a series of counter-rotating
10 in-line fan blades 430 are inserted within the exhaust pipe 418 to add turbulence to the exhaust gases
and thereby facilitate mixing.
Back inside the enclosure 50, the compressible ducting 414 can be shortened to accommodate the
increasing height of growing plants. A spool 432 engages the upper end of the colllples~ible duct 414
15 and supplies a length of string or cable 434 which engages a coupler 436 adapted to engage the lower
end of the compressible ducting 414 such that the length of string or cable 434 will limit the length of
the compressible ducting 414.
An annular ribbon 438 circumscribes a portion ofthe perimeter of the tubular extension 410. The
20 ribbon defines a series of regularly sized and spaced apart holes 439. The inscribed portion of the
tubular extension 410 is similarly pierced with a series of holes (not shown) of approximately the same
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size and spacing as the holes 439 piercing the annular ribbon 438. The ribbon 438 rotateably engages
the tubular extension 410 such that the holes 439 in the ribbon 438 can be aligned or not aligned with
the holes (not shown) in the tubular extension 410 periphery.
5 A special electric motor 450 generally known as a SUN CIRCLETM is fixedly mounted to the bottom of
the tubular extension 410. The SUN CIRCLETM is produced by Sun Circle Corporation of California,
United States of America which can be reached by telephone at 1-800-548-6543. The motor 450 drives
a rotor 452 from which extend a plurality of arms 454 to support the rigid ducts 413 and thereby the
lighting fixtures 416. The special aspect of the motor 450 is that a plurality of input lines 456 are
10 connected to the fixed portion of the motor 450 so as to delivered uninterrupted power to a plurality of
output lines 458 connected to and rotating with the rotor 452 via a commutation mechanism (not
shown). This commutation mech~ni~m permits the rotor 452 to continuously rotate in one direction
without twisting the output lines 458 which are fixedly connected to supply the li~hting fixtures 416.
15 In operation, the user slides the tubular adapters 411 in or out with respect to the rigid ducts 413 in
order to balance the lighting fixtures 416 and to occupy a position close to the tubular extension 410
apertures 409 to create suction in the tubular adapter 411. The lighting fixtures 416 are then turned on
to the desired intensity and the fan 406 is turned on to a degree sufficient to m~int~in a reasonable
growing temperature within the enclosure 50. Heated gas from around the light fixtures 416 is drawn
20 by the fan 406 up through the ducts 414, 413, 411 into the tubular extension 410, the flange 408 and
then out through the stack 402 and the exhaust pipe 418. Fresh outside air is drawn into the enclosure
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50 through the vents (not shown) to replace the exhausted hot gas. It should be appreciated that even if
the fan 406 were to fail, established convection ~ would continue to remove heat from the
enclosure 50.
5 The user can then rotate the ligh1in~; fixtures 416 continuously in one direction by eng~gin~ the motor
450. When the motor 450 is engaged, the lighting fixtures 416 rotate continuously without twisting the
output lines 458 and suction through the tubular extensions 411 is m:~int~ined through the circular
symmetry of the spacing ofthe ~ s 409 about the periphery ofthe tubular extension 410.
10 Because an environment for growing plants may also encourage the growth of microbes, the exhaust
gas is passed through the ozone generator 426, the ultraviolet radiation source 128 and the
counter-rotating in-line fan blades 430 to kill such microbes and to purify the gas for reintroduction
into the outside environment through the exhaust port 423 or for reintroduction into the enclosure 50
through the duct 424 and the vents 56. The valves 420, 422 allow the user to control the direction and
15 amount of reintroduction.
The user can also control the location within the enclosure 50 from which the gas is removed by the fan
406. This control is exercised by adjusting the annular ribbon 438. With the ribbon 438 holes 439
aligned to seal the tubular extension 410, the fan 406 will draw gas from only the ducts 41 1, 413, 414,
20 leading to the lighting fixtures 416. With the ribbon 438 holes 439 aligned to unseal the tubular
extension 410, the fan will also draw gas from the area around the tubular extension 410. If the
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21865~1
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tubular extension 410 is positioned toward the peak of the roof 52, there may be moist hot gas in the
region that would best be exhAllcted to discourage the growth of mould or microbes.
With reference now to Figure 9 a fifth embodiment of the invention will now be described. A growing
5 enclosure is generally illustrated at 50 which includes a roof 52 and a number of sides (not shown).
Each side (not shown) may include vents (not shown) through which to draw fresh air into the
enclosure 50 as will be further described below. The roof 52 defines a reinforced aperture 58,
preferably at its apex and centred within its perimeter for better ventilation as will be discussed further
below.
A ventilated lighting system embodying a fifth aspect of the invention is generally illustrated at 500.
The li~hting system 500 is illustrated as suspended from an anchor 502 having a top end outside the
enclosure 50 and a bottom end inside the enclosure 50. The top end of the anchor 502 might engage an
adjacent structure such as a roofing truss (not shown) or a support arm (not shown). Alternatively, the
15 bottom end of the anchor 502 might be supported from below by a column or pole (not shown).
The anchor 502 pierces a tubular stack 504 which in turn pierces the roof 52 of the enclosure 50 at the
reinforced aperture 58. The stack 504 therefore has one portion outside of the enclosure 50 and another
portion inside the enclosure 50. The inside portion of the tubular stack 504 sealably engages the output
20 port of an in-line fan 506. The stack 504 and the fan 506 may be separate objects or may form an
integrated whole. The input port of the fan 506 sealably engages a stationary tubular spindle 508. The
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spindle 508 and the fan 506 may be separate objects or may form an integrated whole. A cup-shaped
rotor 510 circumscribes the spindle 508 and rotateably engages the anchor 502, while resting on a
low-friction centre 512 such as a bearing, bushing or jewel. A plurality of tubular adapters 511 pierce
and extend from the bottom of the rotor 510. An accordian-style compressible duct 514 depends from
5 the free end of each tubular adapter 511 and termin~tes at a lighting fixture 516, completing a conduit
both to supply power cables (not shown) and to remove heated gas. It should be noted that the stack
504 and fan 506 when properly anchored 502 can support the roof 52 at the reinforced aperture 58 and
thus support the enclosure 50 depending from the roof 52.
10 Outside of the enclosure 50, the outside portion of the stack 504 connects to an exhaust pipe 518. As
illustrated, the stack 504 takes the form of a T-shaped connection so that a plurality of such stacks 504
might be connected together in series. The exhaust pipe 518 may be fashioned as a heat exchanger
according to methods well known in the art and including the use of conductive pipe m~tçri~l~ and the
insertion of transverse internal pipes.
The exhaust pipe 518 may further house an in-line ozone generation device 526 for treating exhaust
gases. Conventionally, such treatment requires an inconveniently long section of exhaust pipe 518 to
provide for gas mixing; however, according to one aspect of the invention, a series of counter-rotating
in-line fan blades 530 are inserted within the exhaust pipe 518 to add turbulence to the exhaust gases
20 and thereby facilitate mixing
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Back inside the enclosure 50, an annular ribbon 538 circumscribes a portion of the perimeter of the
rotor 510. The ribbon defines a series of regularly sized and spaced apart holes 539. The inscribed
portion of the rotor 510 is similarly pierced with a series of holes (not shown) of approximately the
same size and spacing as the holes 539 piercing the annular ribbon 538. The ribbon 538 rotateably
S engages the rotor 510 such that the holes 539 in the ribbon 538 can be aligned or not aligned with the
holes (not shown) in the rotor 510 periphery.
A plurality of tracks 560 extend substantially horizontally inside the enclosure 50. A traction drive 562
engages each track 560 for slideable movement therewith. A length of cable 564 extends between each
10 traction drive 562 and a depending li~hting fixture 516.
In operation, the lighting fixtures 516 are turned on to the desired intensity and the fan 506 is turned on
to a degree sufficient to m~int~in a reasonable growing temperature within the enclosure 50. Heated
gas from around the light fixtures 516 is drawn by the fan 506 up through the ducts 514, 513, 511 into
15 the rotor 510, the spindle 508 and then out through the stack 502 and the exhaust pipe 518. Fresh
outside air is drawn into the enclosure 50 through the vents (not shown) to replace the exhausted hot
gas. It should be appreciated that even if the fan 506 were to fail, established convection ~;~lllClll:
would continue to remove heat from the enclosure 50.
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2 1 8654 1
The user can engage the traction drives 562 to carry the li~;hting fixtures 516 along the paths set by the
tracks 560. As the drives 562 move along the tracks 560, the compressible ducts 514 follow easily
along behind, twisting the rotor 510 as needed.
5 Because an environment for growing plants may also encourage the growth of microbes, the exhaust
gas is passed through the ozone generator 526, the ultraviolet radiation source 128 and the
counter-rotating in-line fan blades 530 to kill such microbes and to purify the gas for reintroduction
into the outside environment through the exhaust port 523 or for reintroduction into the enclosure 50
through the duct 524 and the vents 56. The valves 520, 522 allow the user to control the direction and
10 amount of reintroduction.
The user can also control the location within the enclosure 50 from which the gas is removed by the fan
506. This control is exercised by adjusting the annular ribbon 538. With the ribbon 538 holes 539
aligned to seal the rotor 510, the fan 506 will draw gas from only the ducts 511, 513, 514, leading to
15 the lighting fixtures 516. With the ribbon 538 holes 539 aligned to unseal the rotor 510, the fan will
also draw gas from the area around the rotor 510. If the rotor 510 is positioned toward the peak ofthe
roof 52, there may be moist hot gas in the region that would best be exhausted to discourage the growth
of mould or microbes.
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Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, the
present invention is not limited to the features of these embodiment, but includes all variations and
modifications within the scope of the claims.
Page28 of 34
