Aquarium with adjustable lighting
RE049345 · 2022-12-27
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
F21V23/0464
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Y02A40/81
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
A01K63/042
HUMAN NECESSITIES
F21V23/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21W2131/308
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
A01K63/06
HUMAN NECESSITIES
F21Y2115/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
A01K63/04
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A01K63/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
F21V23/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
An aquarium having an adjustable lighting system for enhancing the display of fluorescent objects, such as fluorescent fish, contained within the aquarium under various external lighting conditions, such as a dark room or a brightly lit room. The aquarium comprises a tank and a plurality of light sources. Each light source emits light at a different wavelength spectrum which is selected to enhance the display of the fluorescent object under each type of external lighting condition. An electronic control is provided to control the operation of the plurality of light sources such that each light source may be selectively turned on/off based on the external lighting condition, or chronological criteria, to provide the best viewing experience.
Claims
1. An aquarium for displaying a fluorescent fish under an external lighting condition, the term “fluorescent” as used herein means the emission of light at an emission wavelength resulting from the absorption of an excitation light at an excitation wavelength lower than the emission wavelength, the aquarium comprising: an aquatic tank; a first light source configured to emit light at a first wavelength spectrum having a first maximum peak emission wavelength which enhances the display of a fluorescent fish within said tank under a dark external lighting condition; .[.a.]. second light source configured to emit light at a second wavelength spectrum having a second maximum peak emission wavelength different from said first maximum peak emission wavelength which enhances the display of the fluorescent fish within said tank under a .[.bright.]. .Iadd.moderate .Iaddend.external lighting condition; and at least one electronic control for controlling the operation of said first and second light sources such that the first and second light sources may be selectively turned on/off.
2. The aquarium of claim 1, wherein said electronic control is configured to automatically control said first and second light sources based on said external lighting condition.
3. The aquarium of claim 1, wherein said electronic control further comprises a light sensor for detecting said external lighting condition and said electronic control automatically controls said first and second light sources based at least in part on a reading from said light sensor.
4. The aquarium of claim 1, further comprising a third light source configured to emit light at a third wavelength spectrum having a maximum peak emission wavelength different from said first and second maximum peak emission wavelengths which enhances the display of the fluorescent fish within said tank under a .[.moderate.]. .Iadd.bright .Iaddend.external lighting condition, said third light source operably coupled to said electronic control.
5. The aquarium of claim 1, wherein said first and second light sources are each an array of LEDs.
6. The aquarium of claim 1, wherein said electronic control is configured for selectively turning on/off said first and second light sources independently of the other.
7. The aquarium of claim 1, wherein said electronic control is set based on pre-determined chronological parameters, including both absolute time and relative time.
8. The aquarium of claim 1, further comprising a fluorescent ornamental fish.
9. The aquarium of claim 1, further comprising one or more of gravel, water conditioner, plants, filter, aeration system, food, curios, rocks, or ornamental features.
10. An aquarium for displaying a fluorescent fish under an external lighting condition, the term “fluorescent” as used herein means the emission of light at an emission wavelength resulting from the absorption of an excitation light at an excitation wavelength lower than the emission wavelength, the aquarium comprising: an aquatic tank; a plurality of light sources of different wavelengths, said light sources configured to allow for certain of said plurality of light sources to be activated for selection of a lighting combination which creates a viewing ratio of at least 75% of a maximum viewing ratio of a living, fluorescent fish under at least two ambient lighting conditions, including a bright external lighting condition.[.and.]..Iadd., a moderate external lighting condition, and/or .Iaddend.a dark external lighting condition; and at least one electronic control for controlling the operation of said light sources such that an optimal lighting combination may be selected.
11. The aquarium of claim 10, wherein said electronic control is configured to automatically control said plurality of light sources based on said external lighting condition.
12. The aquarium of claim 10, wherein said electronic control further comprises a light sensor for detecting said external lighting condition and said electronic control automatically controls said plurality of light sources based at least in part on a reading from said light sensor.
13. The aquarium of claim 10, wherein each light source of said plurality of light sources comprises an array of LEDs.
14. The aquarium of claim 10, wherein said electronic control is configured for selectively turning on/off each light source of said plurality of light sources independently of the other light sources.
15. The aquarium of claim 10, further comprising a transgenic, fluorescent ornamental fish.
16. The aquarium of claim 10, further comprising one or more of gravel, water conditioner, plants, filter, aeration system, or food.
17. The aquarium of claim 10, wherein said electronic control is set based on pre-determined chronological parameters, including both absolute time and relative time.
18. An aquarium kit adapted to be assembled for displaying a fluorescent fish under an external lighting condition, the term “fluorescent” as used herein means the emission of light at an emission wavelength resulting from the absorption of an excitation light at an excitation wavelength lower than the emission wavelength, the aquarium kit comprising: an aquatic tank; a plurality of light sources of different wavelengths, said light sources configured to allow for certain of said plurality of light sources to be activated for selection of a lighting combination which creates a viewing ratio of at least 75% of a maximum viewing ratio of a living, fluorescent fish under at least two ambient lighting conditions, including a bright external lighting condition.[.and.]..Iadd., a moderate external lighting condition, and/or .Iaddend.a dark external lighting condition; and at least one electronic control for controlling the operation of said light sources such that an optimal lighting combination may be selected.
19. The aquarium kit of claim 18, wherein said electronic control is configured to automatically control said plurality of light sources based on said external lighting condition.
20. The aquarium kit of claim 18, wherein said electronic control further comprises a light sensor for detecting said external lighting condition and said electronic control automatically controls said plurality of light sources based at least in part on a reading from said light sensor.
21. The aquarium kit of claim 18, wherein said plurality of light sources are each an array of LEDs.
22. The aquarium kit of claim 18, wherein said electronic control is configured for selectively turning on/off said plurality of light sources independently of the other.
23. The aquarium kit of claim 18, wherein said fluorescent object is a transgenic, fluorescent ornamental fish, and said aquarium kit further comprises a transgenic, fluorescent ornamental fish.
24. The aquarium kit of claim 18, further comprising one or more of gravel, water conditioner, plants, aeration system, filter, food, curios, rocks, or ornamental features.
25. The aquarium of claim 18, wherein said electronic controller is set based on pre-determined chronological parameters, including both absolute time and relative time.
.Iadd.26. A lighting apparatus configured for use with a tank, the lighting apparatus comprising: a mount configured to attach the lighting apparatus; a lighting module comprising, a first light source and a second light source, wherein the first light source is configured to emit light at a first wavelength spectrum having a first maximum wavelength and wherein the second light source is configured to emit light at a second wavelength spectrum having a second maximum wavelength different from said first maximum wavelength, wherein the first and second light sources are configured to allow for the light sources to be activated for selection of a lighting combination which creates a viewing ratio of at least 25% of a maximum viewing ratio of an fluorescent object under at least two ambient lighting conditions, including a moderate external lighting condition and a dark external lighting condition and at least one electronic control for controlling the operation of the first light source and the second light source such that the first and second light sources may be turned on/off..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The lighting apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first and second light sources each comprise a plurality of light sources..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The lighting apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first and second plurality of light sources are an array of multiple LEDs..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The lighting apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a third light source, the third light source configured to emit light at a third wavelength spectrum having a third maximum wavelength different from the first maximum wavelength and second maximum wavelength..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The lighting apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first, second, and third light sources each comprise a plurality of light sources..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The lighting apparatus of claim 30, wherein said first, second, and third light sources are an array of multiple LEDs..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The lighting apparatus of claim 26, wherein the mount is configured to attach to the walls of a tank, or the inside of the tank, or the top edge of the tank..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The lighting apparatus of claim 26, wherein the lighting module is capable of being positioned above the top planar surface of a tank..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. A tank kit comprising: a tank; a lighting apparatus comprising a lighting module having a first light source and a second light source wherein the first and second light sources are configured to allow for the light sources to be activated for selection of a lighting combination which creates a viewing ratio of at least 25% of a maximum viewing ratio of a fluorescent object under at least two ambient lighting conditions, including a bright external lighting condition and a dark external lighting condition; and at least one electronic control for controlling the operation of the first light source and the second light source such that the first and second light sources may be turned on/off..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The kit of claim 34, wherein the first and second light sources each comprise a plurality of light sources..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The kit of claim 35, wherein the first and second plurality of light sources are an array of multiple LEDs..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. The kit of claim 34, wherein the first light source is configured to emit light at a first wavelength spectrum having a first maximum wavelength configured to enhance the object and wherein the second light source is configured to emit light at a second wavelength spectrum having a second maximum wavelength different from said first maximum wavelength..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. The kit of claim 34, further comprising a third light source, the third light source configured to emit light at a maximum wavelength different from said first maximum wavelength and second maximum wavelength..Iaddend.
.Iadd.39. The kit of claim 38, wherein the first, second, and third light sources each comprise a plurality of light sources..Iaddend.
.Iadd.40. The kit of claim 39, wherein said first, second, and third light sources are an array of multiple LEDs..Iaddend.
.Iadd.41. The kit of claim 34, further comprising a mount configured to attach the lighting apparatus to a tank..Iaddend.
.Iadd.42. The kit of claim 34, further comprising ornamental features selected from a group comprising gravel, plants, curios and combinations thereof..Iaddend.
.Iadd.43. The kit of claim 34, wherein the lighting module is capable of being positioned above a tank cover..Iaddend.
.Iadd.44. The kit of claim 34, wherein the lighting module is capable of being positioned above the top planar surface of a tank..Iaddend.
.Iadd.45. The kit of claim 34, wherein the mount is configured to attach to the walls of a tank, or the inside of the tank, or the top edge of the tank..Iaddend.
.Iadd.46. The kit of claim 34, wherein the object is a fluorescent object..Iaddend.
.Iadd.47. The kit of claim 46, wherein the fluorescent object is selected from a group comprising plants, fish, frogs, gravel, curios and combination thereof..Iaddend.
.Iadd.48. The kit of claim 46, wherein the curios are selected from a group comprising treasure chests, marbles, artificial coral, artificial rocks, artificial sticks, coral, rocks, sticks and combinations thereof..Iaddend.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1)
(2)
(3)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(4) Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the inventions herein described.
(5) Referring to
(6) The aquarium 10 comprises a tank 12, a water conditioning system 14, a cover 16 and a base 27. The water conditioning system 14 comprises an aeration pump 21 which is connected to a filter/diffuser 25 by an air line tube 23. The aquarium 10 is assembled by placing the filter/diffuser into the tank and affixing it to the side of the tank. The cover 16 is then placed onto the top of the tank 12 with the air line tube 23 extending through a slot 31 in the cover 16. The base 27 has a storage drawer 39 for storing fish food and other supplies, such as water conditioner.
(7) The cover 16 has appropriately sized opening which allows the light to directly hit the water without being reflected by the cover. A lighting module 19 is attached to the aquarium 10 using a bracket 35 which attaches to the aquarium base 27. The housing 33 may be designed to cover all or just a portion of the open top of the tank 12. Although the lighting module 19 in the embodiment of
(8) The lighting module 19 comprises three light sources, namely a first light source 32, a second light source 34, and a third light source 36. It is to be understood that any number of multiple light sources may be utilized, including four, five, six or more light sources. Each light source 32, 34, 36 comprises a circular array of eight LED lights, with each array located at a different radius of the lighting module 19. The first light source 32 is located at the outer radius, the second light source 34 is in the middle, and the third light source 36 is in the inner radius. Each light source 32, 34, 36 is operably connected to an electronic control 38. The electronic control 38 comprises three switches 41 for controlling each of the three light sources 32, 34, 36.
(9) The electronic control 38 may be as simple as an on/off toggle switch for each light source as shown in
(10) In another feature of the present invention, the electronic control 38 may comprise a light sensor (not shown). The light sensor is configured to detect the intensity of the external lighting conditions, for example, a dark external lighting condition, a moderate external lighting condition or a bright external lighting condition. The electronic control 38 may then comprise an electronic circuit and components, as would be understood by one of skill in the art, to automatically, selectively control the light sources 32, 34, 36 based on the external lighting condition detected by the light sensor to enhance the display of fluorescent objects within the aquarium 10, as described in further detail below. For example, the electronic control 38 may comprise a processor or other logic control, which receives an input signal from the light sensor, such as a voltage or current. The voltage or current can be related to the light intensity sensed by the light sensor. Based on this input, the control 38 selectively controls the light sources 32, 34, 36.
(11) In another feature of the present invention, the electronic control 38 may comprise a timer that allows for the light source(s) to be turned on and off based on pre-determined chronological settings. For example, without limitation, a black light may stay on for exactly four hours, at which time the white light may come on, or a black light may stay on from 8 pm until 6 am (setting based on relative time), at which point a white light might come on. It should be understood that a timing device may control any light source(s) in a similar fashion.
(12) The first, second and third light sources 32, 24, 36 are specifically configured to emit light at wavelength spectra selected to enhance the display of fluorescent objects within the aquarium 10 under various external lighting conditions. Fluorescent materials fluoresce upon exposure to excitation light over a range (spectrum) of excitation wavelengths and similarly emit light over a spectrum of wavelengths. The excitation spectra and emission spectra for various fluorescent proteins are shown in
(13) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Maximum Excitation and Emission Wavelengths for Fluorescent Proteins (“FP”) Excitation Emission FP max (nm) max (nm) AmCyan1 458 489 ZsGreen1 493 505 ZsYellow1 529 539 DsRed2 563 582 DsRed-Express 557 579 AsRed2 576 592 HcRed1 588 618 mPlum 590 649 mCherry 587 610 tdTomato 554 581 mStrawberry 574 596 J-Red 584 610 DsRed-monomer 556 586 mOrange 548 562 mKO 548 559 MCitrine 516 529 Venus 515 528 Ypet 517 530 EYFP 514 527 Emerald 487 509 EGFP 488 507 CyPet 435 477 mCFPm 433 475 Cerulean 433 475 T-Sapphire 399 511
(14) Referring to Table 1 and
(15) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Chart of Colors of Visible Light Colors of Visible Light WAVELENGTH (nm) PERCEIVED COLOR ~410 Violet ~440 Blue ~500 Green ~580 Yellow ~650 Red
(16) External light conditions can be quantified in terms of the light level or “illuminance” surrounding the aquarium. Illumenance is typically measured in foot candles (ftcd, fc) or lux in the metric SI system. A foot candle is actually one lumen of light density per square foot, one lux is one lumen per square meter. Some common, approximate, light levels for various indoor and outdoor conditions are listed in Table 3 below:
(17) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Common Light Levels - Indoors and Outdoors Condition Illumination (lux) Full Daylight 10,000 Overcast Day 1000 Lighted Home >150 Lighted Office 500 Dark Indoor Room <50 Moderately Lit Room 100-150
(18) With these concepts in mind, each of the lights sources 32, 34, 36 may be configured to emit light at a desired wavelength spectra selected to enhance the display of fluorescent objects within the aquarium 10 under various external lighting conditions. For example, the three light sources may be configured to enhance the display under the following three external lighting conditions: (a) a dark external lighting condition (defined herein to mean less than 50 lux); (b) a moderate external lighting condition (defined herein to mean 50-200 lux); or (c) a bright external lighting condition (defined herein to mean greater than 200 lux). This may entail configuring each light source 32, 34, 36 to individually be lighted for a particular lighting condition, or a combination of two or more of the light sources 32, 34, 36 for a particular lighting condition. An example of dark external lighting condition would be a dimly lit or dark room, such as at night. An example of a moderate external lighting condition would include a room having enough functional light to read or watch TV, but less than daylight, and an example of a bright external lighting condition would be a room brightly lit from daylight or other light sources.
(19) For instance, the lighting module 19 may be configured to use only the first light source 32 under dark external lighting conditions, only the second light source 34 under moderate external lighting conditions, and only the third light source 36 under bright external lighting conditions. In this example then, the first light source 32 is configured to emit light at a first wavelength spectrum (with a maximum peak emission wavelength different from the maximum peak emission wavelengths of both the second and third wavelength spectra) which causes the fluorescent object within the aquarium 10 to fluoresce brightly, but which otherwise creates minimal visible ambient light within the tank 12. A light which emits an excitation wavelength of the fluorescent material, but that is mostly out of the visible spectrum ultraviolet light is a proper choice. The first light source 32 may be a black light which emits mostly ultra-violet light which is mostly outside the visible spectrum, but which also will cause many fluorescent materials to fluoresce. For purposes of this application, the ultra-violet range is defined as light having a wavelength shorter than 410 nm. In the terms of the viewing ratio as defined above, the first light source 32 is configured to emit light at a first wavelength spectrum which obtains a viewing ratio under a dark external lighting condition of at least 75%, or at least 50%, or at least 40%, or at least 25%, of the maximum viewing ratio.
(20) Continuing with this example, with a moderate external lighting condition in mind, the second light source 34 is configured to emit light at a second wavelength spectrum (with a maximum peak emission wavelength different from the maximum peak emission wavelengths of both the first and third wavelength spectra) which causes the fluorescent object within the aquarium 10 to fluoresce brightly, and it is less important whether it otherwise creates visible ambient light within the tank 12. Thus, the second light source 34 may have a higher intensity near an excitation wavelength peak for the fluorescent object, even if that peak is in the visible range. An appropriate choice for the second light source 34 may be a light which emits mostly blue light, a higher intensity light in the excitation wavelength range of many fluorescent materials. As used herein, the blue light range is considered to be light having a wavelength of about 460 nm-480 nm. In the terms of the viewing ratio, the second light source 34 is configured to emit light at a second wavelength spectrum which obtains a viewing ratio under a moderate external lighting condition of at least 75%, or at least 50%, or at least 40%, or at least 25%, of the maximum viewing ratio.
(21) Finally, with a bright external lighting condition in mind, the third light source 36 is configured to emit light at a third wavelength spectrum (with a maximum peak emission wavelength different from the maximum peak emission wavelength of both the first and second wavelength spectra) which causes the fluorescent object within the aquarium 10 to fluoresce brightly, and it is even less important whether it otherwise creates visible ambient light within the tank 12. The third light source 34 must have a high intensity at or near an excitation wavelength peak for the fluorescent object, even if that peak is in the visible range. Because it is mostly unimportant whether the third light source 36 emits visible light (because there is already bright ambient light), a light with a very high intensity at or near an excitation wavelength peak is required. An appropriate choice for the third light source 36 may be a light which emits mostly white light. In terms of the viewing ratio, the third light source 34 is configured to emit light at a third wavelength spectrum which obtains a viewing ratio under a bright external lighting condition of at least 75%, or at least 50%, or at least 40%, or at least 25%, of the maximum viewing ratio.
(22) The operation of the light sources 32, 34, 36 is controlled by the electronic control 38, as described above. In this specific example, the control 38 is configured with three individual toggle switches 44 to turn on/off each individual light source 32, 34 or 36, while the other light sources are left off. If a light sensor and automatic electronic control 38 are utilized, the control 38 turns on one of the three light sources 32, 34, or 36 depending on the external lighting condition detected by the light sensor.
(23) The appropriate configuration of the light sources 32, 34, 36 may be chosen by knowing the excitation and emission spectrum of the particular fluorescent object(s) to be displayed in the aquarium 10, the particular external lighting condition, and by making reference to the visible light spectrum.
(24) The light sources 32, 34, 36 may be any suitable type of light source, including without limitation, LED, incandescent light, fluorescent light, laser, xenon lamps, or a combination thereof. The lights may include filters in order to modify the wavelength spectra of the light source. Moreover, the light sources 32, 34 36, may be an array of individual lights, such as the arrays as shown in
(25) In order to enhance the appearance of the transgenic fluorescent fish, the aquarium 10 may further comprise light filters in or on the tank to block light outside the wavelength of the emission spectra of the particular fluorescent proteins in the transgenic fluorescent fish. The appearance of the fluorescent fish could also be enhanced using mirrors, one-way films, wavelength specific or polarizing films, specially angled walls of the tank or the use of special materials within the tank such as reflective mica rocks or such.
(26) The tank 12 may have physical separators to maintain certain fish in different areas of the tank 12 that are lit by the different light sources 26.
(27) Turning to
(28) The aquarium kit 50 may also include the transgenic fluorescent ornamental fish 40 as shown in
(29) A stable transgenic ornamental fish line may be obtained by producing an ornamental transgenic fish comprising one or more chimeric fluorescence genes positioned under the control of a promoter such that the fish expresses one or more fluorescent proteins encoded by the fluorescence genes at a level sufficient that the fish fluoresces upon exposure to an excitation light source. The transgenic fish is then bred with a second fish to obtain offspring. Finally, a stable transgenic fish line that expresses the fluorescent proteins is selected from the offspring. The stable transgenic fish line may then be used to breed large numbers of ornamental fluorescent transgenic fish.