Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve locating an algae production facility in close proximity to a livestock production facility whereby the outputs of one or both facilities promotes productivity levels in the facility. In an illustrative example, the algae production facility includes a bioreactor in fluid communication with the atmosphere inside, for example, a poultry facility. In some examples, the atmosphere inside the poultry facility may be around a substantially controlled temperature suitable for poultry. The atmosphere may further contain substantial Nitrogen-content suitable to promote algae growth. Various embodiments may symbiotically consume waste products from each facility to promote production of, for example, protein for food and algae, which may be used for animal feed, for example, and/or processed into fuel. In some examples, the algae production facility may be conveniently packaged into a module. In some examples, the module may be stored and shipped in a conventional shipping container.

Abstract: A light source is provided with extended persistence and reduced flicker characteristics by using a light capacitive filter. In general, a light source can include an illumination source which converts electrical energy into emitted light. The illumination source, however, is generally powered by an AC waveform, and the periodic variations inherent in the AC waveform may cause flicker in the emitted light. To reduce the flicker, a light capacitive filter is included in the light source to filter the light emitted by the illumination source and produce a light output with reduced flicker. In some examples, the light capacitive filter includes a medium persistence phosphor having a decay constant (or half-life) of between 1 milliseconds and 2 seconds.

Abstract: Differential illumination systems and methods selectively provide light having different spectrums in an aviary system for housing animals located within an enclosure, and in the enclosure. A first light source produces light with a first spectrum, and illuminates an internal volume of the aviary system. A second light source produces light with a second spectrum different from the first spectrum, and illuminates the enclosure outside of the aviary system. The first spectrum can have a higher red component than the second spectrum to encourage chicken to lay eggs inside of the aviary system, and the second spectrum can have a higher blue component than the first spectrum to discourage chicken from laying eggs outside of the aviary system.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for producing light that may include one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs), an electronics package may be disposed about a first surface of one or more of the PCBs and a housing. A plurality of PCB's may be set apart and connected by pins to dissipate heat from one PCB to another, and/or to convey electrical connectivity. Pins may be configured to pass through or into one or both the PCBs including the cores to conduct heat generated by the electronics package away for dispersion. In some embodiments, the pins may pass into the backplane. The PCBs may include LEDs, lights, computer devices, memories, telecommunications devices, or combinations of these. The device may also include a housing to contain the plurality of PCBs such that air flow may enter the housing and pass by the pins for cooling of the PCBs and electronics thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the thermal management of one or more light emitting diode (LED) modules disposed within a channel sign are disclosed. The apparatus, in various aspects, detects the ambient temperature generally proximate the LED module and regulates the current flowed onto the LED's within the LED module based upon the ambient temperature. Methods for thermal management of the one or more LED modules disposed within a channel sign are disclosed herein.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for housing a light assembly apparatus includes a housing having a housing first end and a housing second end arranged along a central axis, the housing further includes a plurality of fins each having a fin first end and a fin second end, the plurality of fins forming a plurality of vents therebetween, each the plurality of fins has a curvature extending from the fin second end such that the plurality of fins converge towards the central axis proximate each fin first end, an endpiece proximate the housing first end and arranged proximate to the fin first end of each of the plurality of fins, the endpiece having a circular portion including a continuous circumference about the central axis, an electrical connector arranged proximate to the endpiece and arranged along the central axis, and a space arranged along the central axis proximate the housing second end and further configured with the plurality of fins and the plurality of vents arranged therearound, the space configured

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods reduce harmonic distortion of a excitation current by diverting the excitation current substantially away from a number of LEDs arranged in a series circuit until the current or its associated periodic excitation voltage reaches a predetermined threshold level, and ceasing the current diversion while the excitation current or voltage is substantially above the predetermined threshold level. In an illustrative embodiment, a rectifier may receive an AC (e.g., sinusoidal) voltage and deliver unidirectional current to a string of series-connected LEDs. An effective turn-on threshold voltage of the diode string may be reduced by diverting current around at least one of the diodes in the string while the AC voltage is below a predetermined level. In various examples, selective current diversion within the LED string may extend the input current conduction angle and thereby substantially reduce harmonic distortion for AC LED lighting systems.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention provides regulated pulsed current to an LED from a voltage source such as a rectified AC voltage. The present inventions provide methods for delivering regulated pulsed current to an LED from the voltage source.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods involve a light module adapted to mount to an open face of a conduit body. In an illustrative example, the light module may include an electrical interface for making operative electrical connection to conductors disposed within the conduit body. In some particular embodiments, the electrical interface may include an insulation displacement-style connector to facilitate installation and/or removal of the light module. In various examples, the conduit body may substantially conform to a form factor of a conduit body for a conventional conduit system.

Abstract: Various apparatus and associated methods involve a light source that provides light at wavelengths that substantially correlate to local maxima in the spectral sensitivity of a diurnal avian. In an illustrative example, the light source may output light primarily in wavelength bands that are not substantially absorbed by colored oil droplets and/or visual pigment in at least one type of cone in the eye of a diurnal avian. In some embodiments, the light source may include a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. Exemplary light sources may output spectral components to illuminate diurnal avians with local maxima of intensity at wavelengths that substantially correspond to local maxima in a spectral sensitivity visual response characteristic of the diurnal avians.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods involve operation of an LED light engine in which a relative intensities of selected wavelengths shift as a function of electrical excitation. In an illustrative example, current may be selectively and automatically diverted substantially away from at least one of a number of LEDs arranged in a series circuit until the current or its associated periodic excitation voltage reaches a predetermined threshold level. The diversion current may be smoothly reduced in transition as the excitation current or voltage rises substantially above the predetermined threshold level. A color temperature of the light output may be substantially changed as a predetermined function of the excitation voltage. For example, some embodiments may substantially increase or decrease a color temperature output by a solid state light engine in response to dimming the AC voltage excitation (e.g., by phase-cutting or amplitude modulation).

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that may include one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) and an electronics package may be disposed about the first surface of one or more of the PCBs. The PCBs may include a metal layer and a core, and, in some aspects, may include multiple cores interposed between multiple metal layers, and in some embodiments a backplane may be disposed along the core(s). A plurality of PCB's may be set apart and connected by pins to dissipate heat from one PCB to another, and/or to convey electrical connectivity. Pins may be configured to pass through or into one or both the PCBs including the cores to conduct heat generated by the electronics package away for dispersion. In some embodiments, the pins may pass into the backplane. The apparatus may include LEDs, lights, computer devices, memories, telecommunications devices, or combinations of these.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the thermal management of one or more light emitting diode (LED) modules disposed within a channel sign are disclosed. The apparatus, in various aspects, detects the ambient temperature generally proximate the LED module and regulates the current flowed onto the LED's within the LED module based upon the ambient temperature. Methods for thermal management of the one or more LED modules disposed within a channel sign are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods involve an assembly of multiple LED light engines in which a desired number of LED lamps are mounted to a plate that forms a wall of an enclosure. In an illustrative example, three LED light engines may be mounted to a plate that may be slidably installed as a wall of an extruded housing that contains electrical connections from an AC power inlet to each light engine. In various examples, the number and layout arrangement of the LED light engines may be custom selected for a particular application.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for housing a light assembly apparatus includes a housing having a housing first end and a housing second end arranged along a central axis, the housing further includes a plurality of fins each having a fin first end and a fin second end, the plurality of fins forming a plurality of vents therebetween, each the plurality of fins has a curvature extending from the fin second end such that the plurality of fins converge towards the central axis proximate each fin first end, an endpiece proximate the housing first end and arranged proximate to the fin first end of each of the plurality of fins, the endpiece having a circular portion including a continuous circumference about the central axis, an electrical connector arranged proximate to the endpiece and arranged along the central axis, and a space arranged along the central axis proximate the housing second end and further configured with the plurality of fins and the plurality of vents arranged therearound, the space configured

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that may include one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) and an electronics package may be disposed about the first surface of one or more of the PCBs. The PCBs may include a metal layer and a core, and, in some aspects, may include multiple cores interposed between multiple metal layers, and in some embodiments a backplane may be disposed along the core(s). A plurality of PCB's may be set apart and connected by pins to dissipate heat from one PCB to another, and/or to convey electrical connectivity. Pins may be configured to pass through or into one or both the PCBs including the cores to conduct heat generated by the electronics package away for dispersion. In some embodiments, the pins may pass into the backplane. The apparatus may include LEDs, lights, computer devices, memories, telecommunications devices, or combinations of these.