Abstract: An artificial grow environment system includes a luminaire, a constant current LED driver, a first light sensor, a hemispherical incident and translucent light housing, a second light sensor isolated from all light and a circuit configured to supply 0 to 10 VDC to the dimming input of the constant current LED driver such that the LED light is linearly dimmed, from full-on to full-off, in inverse proportion to an amount of ambient light received by the first light sensor as temperature-compensated in accordance with data collected by the second light sensor. The luminaire includes a light shield housing at least one LED light. The first light sensor, surrounded by a hemispherical incident, translucent light housing, is coupled to the light shield and separated from the LED light so as to be isolated from the LED light and receive ambient light in the artificial grow environment.

Abstract: A triangular extrusion is disclosed which reflects a significant portion of the light into the plant canopy. By the geometry of a triangular extrusion with reflective sides, only a small portion of the light is absorbed and most of the light is reflected into the canopy. An example shade and shadow minimizing extrusion luminaire for a plant canopy includes a reflector and a housing. The housing has two triangular shape ends The triangular shape is defined by angles selected to redirect light impinging on a face of the triangular shape ends of the housing, in both a downward and horizontal direction into the plant canopy without blocking or sacrificing the light.

Abstract: An example adaptive Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) sensor and controller system includes a hemispherical incident, translucent light housing that accepts light from above or from the sides in an artificial grow environment. A linear light sensor is positioned to receive light for the artificial grow environment, and an identical light sensor that is isolated from all light for the artificial grow environment. The identical light sensor functions as a temperature compensation device for the active photosensitive cell, A circuit supplies 0 to 10 VDC to a dimming input of a constant current LED driver to linearly dim an LED light according to at least measured intensity of light, from full-on to full-off as a direct inverse of the amount of sunlight received by linear light sensor, so that more sunlight causes more dimming of the LED light until at a predetermined threshold, the LED light is shut completely off.

Abstract: A triangular extrusion is disclosed which reflects a significant portion of the light into the plant canopy. By the geometry of a triangular extrusion with reflective sides, only a small portion of the light is absorbed and most of the light is reflected into the canopy. An example shade and shadow minimizing extrusion luminaire for a plant canopy includes a reflector and a housing. The housing has two triangular shape ends The triangular shape is defined by angles selected to redirect light impinging on a face of the triangular shape ends of the housing, in both a downward and horizontal direction into the plant canopy without blocking or sacrificing the light.

Abstract: A networkable power controller includes a mode selector for selectively conducting one of a plurality of input signals to an output of the networkable power controller, where the input signals and the output signals satisfy the same signaling protocol. The networkable power controller may be networked with other networkable power controllers, lighting ballasts and other building automation control devices, and user-controlled voltage selectors to provide a lighting control network. A power controller may include a mode selector that may be used in combination with other control devices or components, including a rotary dimmer control, a digital slide dimmer control, a demand load shedder component, a photometer component, and a communications interface. The communications interface allows digital control of the networkable power controller.

Abstract: A networkable power controller includes a mode selector for selectively conducting of a plurality of input signals to an output of the networkable power controller, where the input signals and the output signals satisfy the same signaling protocol. The networkable power controller may be networked with other networkable power controllers, lighting ballasts and other building automation control devices, and user-controlled voltage selectors to provide a lighting control network. A power controller may include a mode selector that may be used in combination with other control devices or components, including a rotary dimmer control, a digital slide dimmer control, a demand load shedder component, a photometer component, and a communications interface. The communications interface allows digital control of the networkable power controller.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the illumination intensity of a gas discharge lamp to provide only necessary illumination and thus conserve power consumption. The control system has a daylight harvester which produces a control signal related to the available light within a given area. The control signal is conducted to a voltage controlled oscillator which, in turn conducts an oscillating signal to a frequency controlled ballast transformer that effectively drives the gas discharge lamp controlling the illumination intensity and energy consumption. The control system alternatively comprises a remote signal receiver for use alone or in addition to the daylight harvester. The control system with a remote signal receiver is controllable using a remote signal generator such as laser pointer. The remote signal receiver allows the user to control the illumination intensity of a gas discharge lamp from the area being illuminated.

Abstract: A frequency dependent controller utilizes a loosely coupled transformer, which controller is adapted to change the operating characteristics of the transformer by varying its operating frequency in accordance with the requirements of a load to be supplied with power. If the transformer is operated at a single frequency, the maximum current that can be delivered is limited by the reactance of the transformer. If the transformer is operated over a frequency range by the controller, the maximum current and other operating characteristics of the transformer are a function of both the magnetic shunt and its then current operating frequency. Frequency control of a loosely coupled transformer permits precision electronic regulation of the transformer's operating characteristics and is suitable for control of a variety of devices, such as gas discharge lamps, DC to DC converters, AC to DC power and high voltage supplies, motor control and variable heaters.

Abstract: A gentle start electronic ballast operates one or more gas discharge lamps in a dimming or non-dimming mode. The ballast has a power supply section and a frequency-dependent control section. A power supply section includes a rectifier circuit, a power boosting circuit, a power factor compensation chip for the ballast, a control circuit to insure startup of the power factor compensation chip on the first haversine produced by the rectifier circuit and an in-rush current limiter that is removed from the operational circuit path of the ballast by the control circuit once the power factor compensation chip is rendered self-sustaining by the power boosting circuit.

Abstract: A frequency dependent controller that utilizes a loosely coupled transformer having a magnetic shunt with an air gap, which controller is adjusted to change the operating characteristics of the transformer by varying its operating frequency in accordance with the operating requirements of a load to be supplied with power. If the transformer is operated at a single frequency, the maximum current that can be delivered is a function of the magnetic shunt, air gap and that signal frequency. If the transformer is operated over a frequency range by the controller, the maximum current and other operating characteristics of the transformer are a function of both the magnetic shunt and its then current operating frequency.