Horticultural Light Module Assembly

Abstract

Techniques and architecture are disclosed for horticultural lighting systems and devices, such as a light module assembly. The assembly includes a housing with a first and second light module attached thereto. The first and second light modules include a mounting block to be received in the housing. The mounting block includes a plurality of light sources to generate light to stimulate growth of a plant. The first light module includes a first removable lens to focus light from the light sources to a first portion of the plant and in a first direction relative to the plant. The second light module includes an optical conduit attached thereto. The conduit is to focus light from the light sources to a second portion of the plant and in a second direction different from the first direction. The assembly transmits light to an upper portion and a lower portion of the plant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of providing intra-canopy lighting, comprising:
 providing a light module assembly comprising one or more light sources and an optical conduit having a vertical axis;   guiding light generated by the one or more light sources downward along the vertical axis of the optical conduit towards an intra-canopy space of one or more plants; and   outputting the light from the optical conduit into the intra-canopy space, wherein the light is outputted in a direction that is transverse to the vertical axis.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light is outputted in a direction that is also at least partially oblique to the vertical axis. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light is outputted from more than one side of the optical conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optical conduit includes at least one reflector located therein. 
     
     
         5 . The method, of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adjusting, by a controller operatively coupled to one or more light sources, at least one of an intensity or wavelength of the light transmitted from the one or more light sources.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optical conduit is at least partially transparent such that the light is outputted from the transparent sections of the optical conduit. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optical conduit is rectangular. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optical conduit is made from an optical plastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the one or more plants grow in a generally vertical direction;   the one or more plants comprise upper leaves that form a canopy;   the intra-canopy space is located below the canopy; and   the outputted light illuminates leaves located in the intra-canopy space.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optical conduit outputs light through a plurality of light output structures. 
     
     
         11 . A lighting device, comprising:
 a light module assembly comprising one or more light sources and an optical conduit having a vertical axis;   wherein the optical conduit is configured to:
 guide light generated by the one or more light sources downward along the vertical axis of the optical conduit towards an intra-canopy space of one or more plants; and 
 output the light into the intra-canopy space, wherein the light is outputted in a direction that is transverse to the vertical axis. 
   
     
     
         12 . The lighting device of  claim 11 , wherein the light is outputted in a direction that is also at least partially oblique to the vertical axis. 
     
     
         13 . The lighting device of  claim 11 , wherein the light is outputted from more than one side of the optical conduit. 
     
     
         14 . The lighting device of  claim 11 , wherein the optical conduit includes at least one reflector located therein. 
     
     
         15 . The lighting device of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a controller operatively coupled to one or more light sources and configured to adjust at least one of an intensity or wavelength of the light transmitted from the one or more light sources.   
     
     
         16 . The lighting device of  claim 11 , wherein the optical conduit is at least partially transparent such that the light is outputted from the transparent sections of the optical conduit. 
     
     
         17 . The lighting device of  claim 11 , wherein the optical conduit is rectangular. 
     
     
         18 . The lighting device of  claim 11 , wherein the optical conduit is made from an optical plastic material. 
     
     
         19 . The lighting device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the one or more plants grow in a generally vertical direction;   the one or more plants comprise upper leaves that form a canopy;   the intra-canopy space is located below the canopy; and   the outputted light illuminates leaves located in the intra-canopy space.   
     
     
         20 . The lighting device of  claim 11 , wherein the optical conduit outputs light through a plurality of light output structures. 
     
     
         21 . A lighting device, comprising:
 a light module assembly comprising one or more light sources and an optical guide having two planar surfaces connected to each other at a first end and a second end and a horizontal axis extending from the first end to second end;   wherein the optical guide is configured to:
 guide light generated by the one or more light sources in a downward direction towards an intra-canopy space of one or more plants; and 
 output the light into the intra-canopy space, wherein the light is outputted from the two planar surfaces in a direction that is transverse to the horizontal axis.