阅读说明：本技术 用于并联混合园艺系统的系统和方法 (System and method for parallel hybrid horticulture system ) 是由 D.杨 R.约翰逊 于 2018-02-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开的示例涉及用于并联的混合园艺系统的系统和方法。更特别地,实施例公开了利用被配置为以恒定电压模式和恒定电流模式这两者来进行操作的恒定电力(CP)电源,其中可以对最大电流状态和最大电压状态进行编程。(Examples of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for parallel hybrid horticulture systems. More particularly, embodiments disclose utilizing a Constant Power (CP) power supply configured to operate in both a constant voltage mode and a constant current mode, wherein a maximum current state and a maximum voltage state may be programmed.)

1. A hybrid gardening system comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diode strings positioned in parallel with one another, wherein the plurality of light emitting diode strings comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes;

a constant power supply configured to operate in a constant voltage mode or a constant current mode for a given period of time, wherein the constant power supply is configured to supply power to the plurality of light emitting diode strings.

2. The hybrid horticulture system of claim 1, wherein the constant power source has a predetermined set maximum voltage, the predetermined set maximum voltage.

3. The hybrid horticulture system of claim 2, wherein constant power source is configured to switch from a constant current mode to a constant voltage mode in response to a supply voltage from said constant power source being greater than a predetermined LED string voltage.

4. The hybrid horticulture system of claim 3, wherein the constant power source is preprogrammed with a constant current set point, wherein a first current level associated with said constant current set point is less than a second current level associated with a maximum current set point.

5. The hybrid horticulture system of claim 4, wherein a maximum current set point is associated with a predetermined set maximum voltage.

6. The hybrid horticulture system of claim 4, wherein the constant power source supplies current at a constant current set point in a constant current mode.

7. The hybrid horticulture system of claim 1, further comprising:

a pulse width modulator positioned between the constant power source and the plurality of light bar strings.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the pulse width modulator is configured to control and create a square wave of a given frequency and duration that alternates between a high signal and a low signal, wherein the frequency is faster than 2 milliseconds.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes within the plurality of light emitting diode strings appear to dim based on a ratio between an amount of time between a high signal and a low signal.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the constant power supply is initially set to a constant current mode.

11. A method for a hybrid horticulture system, comprising:

positioning a plurality of light emitting diode strings in parallel with each other, wherein the plurality of light emitting diode strings comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes;

supplying power to the plurality of light emitting diode strings via a constant power supply; the constant power supply is configured to operate in either a constant voltage mode or a constant current mode for a given period of time.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

when a constant power supply operates in a constant current mode, a predetermined set maximum voltage is set for the constant power supply, the predetermined set maximum voltage being associated with an overvoltage condition of a plurality of light emitting diode strings.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

switching a constant power supply from a constant current mode to a constant voltage mode in response to a supply voltage from the constant power supply being greater than a predetermined set maximum voltage.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

the constant power source is pre-programmed to have a constant current set point, wherein a first current level associated with the constant current set point is less than a second current level associated with a maximum current set point.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the maximum current set point is associated with a predetermined set maximum voltage.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the constant power supply supplies current in a constant current mode at a constant current set point.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

positioning a pulse width modulator between a constant power source and a plurality of light bar strings, wherein the pulse width modulator is configured to operate when the constant power source operates in a constant voltage mode.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

generating a square wave having a given frequency and duration via the pulse width modulator, the square wave alternating between a high signal and a low signal, wherein the frequency is faster than 2 milliseconds.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

dimming a plurality of light emitting diodes within a plurality of light emitting diode strings based on a ratio between an amount of time between a high signal and a low signal.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

the constant power supply is initially set to a constant current mode.

Technical Field

Examples of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for parallel hybrid horticulture systems. More particularly, embodiments disclose utilizing a Constant Power (CP) power supply configured to operate in a constant voltage or constant current mode, wherein a maximum current state and a maximum voltage state may be programmed based on characteristics of the LED strip.

Background

Conventional LEDs emit light by converting electrons into photons. As the electron velocity (current) increases, the number of emitted photons (radiant flux) increases proportionally. Since LEDs (electron to photon conversion) are not 100% efficient, the heat increases proportionally with the increase in current. At extreme currents, the quantum wells associated with the LEDs may reach saturation, and thus higher currents result in less light output. The IV curve of the LED allows a direct correlation between the voltage and the current through the LED. Based on the IV curve, the LED is sensitive to overvoltage conditions. In an over-voltage condition, the voltage in the circuit is raised above its design upper limit.

Because voltage is a function of current, voltage rises above design limits and thus pushes the current through the LED above design limits. Overvoltage conditions created by voltage surges that exceed the voltage rating of the electrical equipment can cause considerable damage to the electrical equipment. For example, when an over-voltage/over-current occurs, the LED may stop operating due to breakage in the circuit (bond wire breakage, trace burn-out) and overheating (material properties change with changes in heat).

Conventionally, a luminaire includes a plurality of LED strings coupled in parallel with a Constant Current (CC) power supply. With CC power, current is evenly distributed to each of the LED strings based on the forward voltage of the LED strings. Since the forward voltages of the LED strings are uniform, the current applied to each LED string is uniform.

However, if the number of LED strings coupled to the CC power supply falls below a given threshold, such as to a single LED string, all current from the CC power supply flows through the single LED string. This can cause the individual LED strings to be overdriven, overheat, and fail prematurely.

Accordingly, there is a need for more efficient and effective systems and methods for parallel hybrid horticulture systems that utilize constant current and/or constant power sources.

Disclosure of Invention

Examples of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for parallel hybrid horticulture systems. More particularly, embodiments disclose utilizing a Constant Power (CP) power supply configured to operate in both a constant voltage mode or a constant current mode, wherein a maximum current state and a maximum voltage state may be programmed based on a forward voltage of the LED string. In an embodiment, the constant current set point and the constant voltage set point may be determined accordingly based on the forward voltage and the forward current across each LED string.

The first embodiment may include a constant voltage power supply coupled to a plurality of LED circuits positioned in parallel. The LED circuit may include a plurality of LEDs and a Constant Current (CC) driver connected in series. In response to an increase or decrease in the number of LED circuits positioned in parallel, the constant current driver may maintain a constant current applied to the corresponding LED circuit.

The second embodiment may include a constant voltage power supply coupled to a plurality of LED circuits positioned in parallel. The LED circuit may include a resistor and a LED string positioned in series, wherein a plurality of LED circuits are positioned in parallel with each other. The resistors within the LED circuits may be configured to limit the current applied to the corresponding LED circuit. In an embodiment, the size of the resistor controls the current flowing through the plurality of LED circuits in series. In an embodiment, each resistor in the LED circuit may have the same and/or similar size.

The third embodiment may include a constant power supply coupled to the plurality of LED strings. The constant power supply may be configured to first operate in a Constant Current (CC) mode and switch to a Constant Voltage (CV) mode when in overvoltage protection. In this embodiment, the forward voltage of the LED string may be configured to be lower than the maximum design output forward voltage, and the constant power supply may initially operate in a constant current mode. In response to a decrease in the number of LED strings, current may flow through the LED strings until an overvoltage condition is reached based on the output forward voltage of the LED strings. When the overvoltage condition is satisfied, the power supply may not allow additional current to flow through the LED string, and the power supply may switch to a constant voltage mode. Because the IV curves of the LED strings are consistent, the over-current limits of the LED strings can be customized based on the characteristics of the LED strings.

Drawings

Non-limiting and non-exclusive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

Fig. 1 depicts a parallel hybrid power horticulture system, according to an embodiment;

fig. 2 depicts a gardening system according to an embodiment;

fig. 3 depicts a gardening system according to an embodiment;

fig. 4 depicts a horticulture system wherein the number of LED circuits is reduced below a threshold number, according to an embodiment;

fig. 5 depicts a gardening system according to an embodiment;

fig. 6 depicts a gardening system according to an embodiment;

fig. 7 depicts a horticulture system wherein the number of LED circuits is reduced below a threshold number, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 depicts a graph plotting a maximum current set point based on a maximum voltage associated with a representative LED in accordance with an embodiment;

fig. 9 illustrates a method for minimizing an overdrive state using a constant power supply configured to operate in a constant current or constant power mode according to an embodiment.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Embodiments may be configured to simplify the construction of LED strips by having fewer components, higher reliability due to a lower number of components and connections between fewer components that may fail. Additionally, costs associated with labor, development, materials, and quality control may be reduced.

These and other aspects of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. While the following description indicates various embodiments of the present invention and numerous specific details thereof, the following description is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements.