System for optimized plant growth

Abstract

A system for enabling controlled plant growth of plants in containers includes linear tracks spaced apart from each other by intervening supporting plates. Each track includes an array of blue and red LEDs affixed to a heat sink which can slide along the track to be positioned in a desired arrangement to the container beneath it. A controller for the LEDs is positioned between every other pair of tracks to control adjacent arrays of LEDs. The controller controls the LEDs to provide light of desired intensity and wavelength to the plants in the containers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Apparatus for providing controlled wavelength and intensity of light for use in a process involving exposure of items to light, the apparatus comprising:
 a first plurality of linear tracks spaced apart, disposed in a parallel arrangement, and separated from each other by plates;   a first plurality of arrays of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), each array being positioned in one of the tracks; and   at least one controller coupled to each of the first plurality of arrays of LEDs;   wherein the controller controls the LEDs to provide controlled wavelength and intensity of light to the items.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein each of the tracks is of a same size and shape, and each of the plates is of a same size and shape to enable enlarging the apparatus by adding additional tracks and additional plates to provide a desired size. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the at least one controller comprises a second plurality of controllers, the second plurality being one half the first plurality. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein a controller is disposed on every other plate and coupled to an array of LEDs in tracks on each side of the controller. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising a light sensor positioned in proximity to the items and coupled to at least some of the controllers for controlling intensity and wavelength of the light from the LEDs. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as in  claim 5  wherein the items are labeled with identification tags and the apparatus further comprises a tag sensor to detect the identification tags and communicate that information to at least one of the controllers. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising an environmental sensor coupled to the controller to enable the controller to control an environmental variable. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein each array of LEDs includes LEDs which emit red light and LEDs which emit blue light. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus as in  claim 8  wherein each array of LEDs is mounted on a heat sink, and a temperature sensor is also mounted on the heat sink in communication with the at least one controller. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus as in  claim 2  wherein:
 each of the tracks comprises pair of L-shaped members having a first length facing in opposition to each other; 
 the LEDs are affixed to a heat sink having a second length less than the first length; and 
 the heat sink is positioned in the track and is movable along the track.