PANEL FOR PHOTOBIOREACTOR AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME

Abstract

The invention relates to a panel (100, 200, 300, 400) for a photobioreactor comprising at least: two plates assembled together, at least one of which is transparent and between which a lighting device is inserted; at least two openings allowing the passage of a fluid from a first face to a second face of the panel (100, 200, 300, 400) and characterized in that said luminous device is a fabric (101, 201, 202, 301, 401) including at least one optical fiber (2) capable of diffusing the light through said at least one transparent plate.

Claims

1. A panel (100, 200, 300, 400) for photobioreactor comprising at least: two plates assembled to each other, at least one of which is transparent, and between which a lighting device (5) is inserted; at least two openings allowing the passage of a fluid from a first surface towards a second surface of the panel (100, 200, 300, 400) and characterized in that the lighting device is a textile (101, 201, 202, 301, 401) incorporating at least one optical fiber (2) able to diffuse light through at least one transparent plate.

2. The panel according to claim 1, characterized in that said textile is a single-layer fabric (101).

3. The panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the textile is a single-layer fabric (301) folded on itself within which all the optical fibers (2) are arranged on the opposite facing surfaces after folding.

4. The panel according to claim 1, characterized in that said textile is a complex of two identical, superimposed fabrics (201, 202).

5. The panel according to claim 4, characterized in that said two fabrics are separated from each other by a stiff spacing element (6) made of transparent polymer, which is advantageously chosen from the group comprising polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyurethane (PU), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl carbonate (PVC), polypropylene (PP) and cellulose acetate.

6. The panel according to claim 1, characterized in that said textile (101, 201, 202, 301, 401) diffuses light from each side of said panel.

7. The panel according to claim 6, characterized in that said textile (101, 201, 202, 301, 401) diffuses between 70 and 90% of the total light from one side of said panel, and between 10 and 30% from the other side of said panel.

8. The panel according to claim 7, characterized in that said textile (101, 201, 202, 301, 401) diffuses 50% of the total light from each side of said panel.

9. The panel according to claim 1 characterized in that said optical fibers (2) are grouped at one end thereof into at least one bundle of optical fibers (2) which emerge in one ring, where said bundle is lit by at least one light source (8).

10. The panel according to claim 1 characterized in that said plates are made of a material chosen among polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, and glass, advantageously polymethylmethacrylate.

11. The panel according to claim 1 characterized in that the plates are identical and have two openings each.

12. The panel according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a chassis (95) on which the two plates are secured and between which the lighting device is inserted.

13. The panel according to claim 12, characterized in that said chassis has two openings (9521, 9531).

14. The panel according to claim 12, characterized in that two openings are defined between respectively: the upper edge of the plates and the upper part of the chassis; the lower edge of the plates and the lower part of the chassis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0130] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely as an example, and made in connection with the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0131] FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view of a panel incorporating a single fabric according to a specific embodiment of the invention;

[0132] FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic view of a panel provided with a double fabric superimposed back-to-back according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0133] FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view of the panel provided with the fabric folded on itself according to FIG. 1;

[0134] FIG. 4 is an exploded schematic view of the panel arranged within a chassis according to a specific embodiment of the invention;

[0135] FIG. 5 is a schematic section of a monochrome panel provided with a fabric according to any one of FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4;

[0136] FIG. 6 is a schematic section of a polychrome panel provided with a fabric according to any one of FIG. 1, 2 or 3 and lighting according to a first mode of operation;

[0137] FIG. 7 is a schematic section of a polychrome panel provided with a fabric according to any one of FIG. 1, 2 or 3 and lighting according to another mode of operation;

[0138] FIG. 8 is a schematic section of a double connection panel.

METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0139] The invention therefore relates to a lighting panel for a photobioreactor where the configurations of the lighting device lead to many embodiments.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 1, the panel 100 comprises at least: [0141] two plates 41, 42 of which at least one is transparent: [0142] the first plate 41 comprises two openings 411, 412 and two spacers 50, 51 each having one opening, respectively 501 and 511; [0143] the second plate 42 comprises two openings 421, 422 and also two spacers 52, 53 each having one opening, respectively 521 and 531;

[0144] a fabric 101 inserted between the plates 41, 42; the lighting device 5 is a textile 100 incorporating at least one optical fiber 2 able to diffuse light through at least one transparent plate.

[0145] This fabric 101 has a satin weave made from warp yarns 12 and weft yarn 11 of Trevira CS polyester. These yarns 11, 12 advantageously have flame-retardant properties. The yarns 11, 12 can however also be made from polyamide, fiberglass, or other synthetic fiber yarns, even metallic yarns. In general, yarns 11, 12 can be made from yarns having a yarn size included between 20 and 500 decitex.

[0146] In this case, the optical fibers 2 woven in weft are held within the fabric 101 by binding yarns 3. The binding yarns are positioned on the optical fibers according to the selected weave. The yarns 3 correspond to the warp yarns 12 which, in addition to contributing to the formation of the weave, serve to hold these optical fibers 2 within the fabric. The fabric 101 has between 7 and 15 optical fibers 2 per centimeter depending on the diameter of the optical fiber.

[0147] The fabric 101 has a thickness which is included between 0.5 and 3 mm, and which is a function of the diameter of the optical fiber and the mode of diffusion of the light.

[0148] In fact and according to the embodiments, the fabric can be suited for emitting: [0149] from a single side of the fabric 100; or [0150] from both sides of the fabric 100.

[0151] The person skilled in the art will therefore know how to adapt the thickness of the fabric and also the weaving methods to give this fabric the desired properties for diffusion of the light depending on the applications.

[0152] The lighting fabric 101 can be protected with a system of plates 41, 42. In fact, the fabric 101 is sandwiched between two chemically identical plates 41, 42 preferably made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or glass.

[0153] In practice the plates 41, 42 are intended to be assembled to each other and sandwich the light fabric 101 to form the panel 100. The plate 41 is provided with a spacer 50 mounted horizontally on the upper part thereof. The orifice 501 of the spacer is facing the opening 411 of the plate 41. The plate 41 also has a spacer 51 mounted horizontally on the lower part thereof. There again, the orifice 511 of the spacer 51 is positioned facing the opening 412 of the plate 41.

[0154] Conversely, the plate 42 is provided with a spacer 52 mounted horizontally on the lower part thereof. The orifice 521 of that spacer 52 faces the opening 421 of the plate 42. The plate 42 also has a spacer 53 also mounted horizontally on the lower part thereof. The orifice 531 of this spacer 53 faces the opening 422 of the plate 42.

[0155] A transparent adhesive compatible with the optical fibers secures the plates 41, 42. The fabric 101 is partially confined and blocked between the two plates 41, 42 which thus provide protection therefor.

[0156] Unlike FIG. 1, the panel 200 shown in FIG. 2 relates to the embodiment of a lighting device comprising two fabrics 201, 202 superimposed back to back. In this case, the fabrics 201, 202 are identical.

[0157] Further, a transparent, stiff or semi-stiff spacing element 6 is positioned on the superimposition interface of the two fabrics 201, 202. The element 6 is advantageously made from a sheet of transparent PMMA polymer and gives the lighting device an increased stiffness.

[0158] A double-sided adhesive material 7 made of polyurethane can also adhere the fabrics 201, 202 at each of the surfaces of the spacing element 6.

[0159] The lighting device is sandwiched between a first plate 71 having two openings 711, 712 and a second plate 72 having two openings 721, 722. When the plates 71 and 72 are brought into contact, the openings 711 and 721 and the openings 712 and 722 are arranged directly opposite and continuously.

[0160] Here again according to the embodiments, the fabric can be suited for emitting: [0161] from a single side of the panel 200; or [0162] from both sides of the panel 200 in identical quantity.

[0163] However, the panel 200 has a specific interest when it is used as a lighting device for two-sided diffusion of the light. In other words, the panel 200 can be used within a photobioreactor for bringing light simultaneously to two sites for culturing microorganisms located respectively on each side of the panel 200.

[0164] Further, the optical properties of the spacing element 6 and the adhesive material 7 are decisive in the mode of diffusion of the final panel 200.

[0165] Again, the person skilled in the art will be able to determine the properties for the panel depending on the preferred mode of diffusion of the light.

[0166] As shown in FIG. 3, the panel 300 comprises a fabric 301 folded back on itself.

[0167] As already explained, this fabric 301 can incorporate in the area of the folding zone thereof a spacing element 6 such as previously described.

[0168] This embodiment of the panel 300 is able to operate according to the mode of two-sided diffusion of the light.

[0169] Further, the projections 60, 61, 62, 63 surround the thinnest central region, made by machining the thickness of the plates 31, 32. They contribute at least partially to the confinement of the fabric 301 and especially serve to isolate it from the outside environment. The projections 60 and 63 in the upper part of the plates 73 and 74 each have an opening 601 and 631 that is wider than the openings 611 and 621 of the projections 61 and 62 located respectively in the bottom part of the plates 73 and 74. Of course, the opposite configuration, not shown on the figures, is also conceivable.

[0170] In FIG. 4, the panel 400 comprises a single fabric 401 inserted between two protective plates 90, 91 of PMMA to form an assembly 99. The fabric 401 is adhered to each of the two plates 90, 91 and over its full periphery. This assembly 99 is adhered within a compartment 951 of the chassis 95 also made of PMMA. With adhesive, the seal between the assembly 99 and the chassis 95 in the area of the interfaces 97 is ensured. The chassis 95 has projections 952, 953 which define the height of the compartment 951 intended to receive the assembly 99. This height is identical to that of the assembly 99. Further, the width the compartment 951 is identical to that of the assembly 99. Thus the assembly 99 is perfectly housed within the compartment 951 with appropriate means present for sealing. Since the projections 952, 953 are also made of PMMA, the chassis 95 therefore has a monolithic structure. Further, each of the projections 952, 953 has an opening, respectively the opening 9521 and the opening 9531, allowing the passage of a fluid from one surface of the panel to the other surface.

[0171] Further, the chassis 95 is hollow and has a wall 954 on which the assembly 99 is placed and a hollow volume 98 located behind the wall 954.

[0172] When this panel 400 is used in a photobioreactor, the water flows into the projections 952, 953 along the openings 9521, 9531 and then continues its flow in the hollow space 98 of the chassis 95. This hollow space 98 corresponds in practice to the culturing zone for the microorganisms intended to be cultivated.

[0173] A panel was described in which the chassis has a monolithic structure, however the person skilled in the art is able to make a chassis with heterogeneous structure. For example, a variant not shown consists of a chassis comprising a compartment intended to receive the assembly and whose projections are formed by the addition of spacers made from a different material than that of the chassis.

[0174] Another variant not shown consists of a panel for which the openings are defined jointly by the protective plates and the projections from the chassis arranged facing.

[0175] FIG. 5 shows a panel 100, 200, 300, 400 according to the invention lit by a uniform red light source.

[0176] As already explained, the person skilled in the art will know how to determine the structural layout of the fabric depending on the targeted applications. Further, the person skilled in the art will also be able to choose the nature of the light source according to the applications.

[0177] In the following, the invention is illustrated without limitation by three variants that differ from each other by the mode of connection to the light sources.

[0178] As shown in FIG. 5, the optical fibers 2 are grouped in three distinct bundles 20, 30, 40. Each of these bundles 20, 30, 40 comprises between 18 and 154 optical fibers depending on the diameter of the fiber and the source. The panel 100, 200, 300, 400 diffuses red light. Of course, by a simple change in the nature of the light source 8, the panel 100, 200, 300, 400 could then diffuse a different color light.

[0179] As shown in FIG. 6, the optical fibers 2 are again grouped in three bundles 20, 30, 40. The difference lies in the alternation of the colors diffused by the panel 100, 200, 300, 400. In fact, bundles 20 and 40 diffuse white light whereas bundle 30 defuses a red light. Of course, the person skilled in the art will be capable of varying the colors emitted by the panel 100, 200, 300, 400.

[0180] As shown in FIG. 7, the optical fibers are connected in two distinct bundles, advantageously by grouping every other fiber into each bundle. The bundles are supplied respectively by a blue light source 81 and a red light source 82. Preferably, each bundle groups between 18 and 154 optical fibers.

[0181] Generally, each optical fiber 2 can be supplied at either one or both ends. When the optical fiber is lit at each of these ends, 100% of the light emitted by the light source is used.

[0182] As shown in FIG. 8, the panel 100, 200, 300, 400 has optical fibers 2 which are connected at each end thereof respectively to a light source 81, 82.

[0183] In general, the light source 8 is advantageously an LED which can emit over the full visible spectrum. Preferably, when an optical fiber 2 or bundle of optical fibers 2 is supplied by a single light source 8, this source 8 has a power included between 3 and 10 W, advantageously around 10 W. Inversely, when an optical fiber 2 or bundle of optical fibers 2 is lit at each of the ends by a light source 8, and this case the light source 8 has a power included between 1 and 3 W.

[0184] Generally, the distance separating the various light sources 8 would supply the optical fibers 2 or the bundles of optical fibers 2 is included between 1 and 10 cm, where the distance is determined depending on the diameter of the fiber and the source.