CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Pat. App. No.

62/182,201 , filed June 19, 2015 and U.S. Pat. App. No. 62/196,747, filed July 24, 2015, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent not inconsistent herewith.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] The invention is generally in the field of buildings and growrooms having well- controlled light and temperature characteristics, including by use of natural light with on- demand supplemental lighting. Specially configured and placed hydronic fan coil units provide reliable temperature control in a cost and energy effective as well as reliable manner.

[0003] Previous attempts to provide a controlled environment for horticultural installations have had, at best, limited success for the relatively narrow application for which the install was developed. A comprehensive controlled environment horticultural installation and method in which all or most of the environmental factors required for proper plant husbandry are controlled is not available. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an installation and related methods of making such controlled environments. Furthermore, the systems and processes provided herein have applications that extend beyond agricultural applications, particularly in view of the substantial energy efficiencies with respect to lighting and temperature control.

[0004] Current horticultural spaces are either exclusively indoor or greenhouse applications. Indoor horticultural operations lack the ability to use naturally available sunlight as an energy source for plant growth. Typical greenhouse structures lack adequate structural security to safeguard high-value crop production, and efficient means to control growing space environmental conditions.

[0005] Current state of the art greenhouse fixtures for supplemental lighting are almost exclusively High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamps that must be installed and mounted within the greenhouse space. An acceptable location must be selected for the ballast, lamp, and/or reflector in accordance with safety regulations. Conventional HPS lighting illuminates the cultivation space and dissipates additional heat from that lamp and ballast that must be accounted for environmentally. HPS lights also require a "startup" period before desired spectral output is achieved. This startup period is virtually eliminated with solid state lighting. Furthermore, there is a need for structurally integrated supplemental lighting of the present invention to provide improved lighting characteristics from both artificial and natural light compared to conventional

greenhouse lighting, including in terms of shading, heat load, control and efficiency.

[0006] Furthermore, efficiency standards continue to drive design requirements for new horticultural buildings. Technology that facilitates recycled and regenerative processes are implemented in the various systems and methods herein wherever possible, including for example, process cooling, direct and indirect evaporative cooling, heat recycling and solar compensation.

[0007] The reduction of energy consumption is an increasing focus for many businesses throughout the United States, for both economic and environmental reasons. The US Department of Energy estimates that for a typical commercial building, cooling represents 28% and lighting represents 22% of total energy usage. For agricultural building, such as greenhouses, these percentages can be substantially higher.

[0008] Traditional office spaces typically use fluorescent tubes as a lighting source and central air as a cooling source. Fluorescent tubes, while more efficient than incandescent bulbs, are inferior to emerging light emitting diode (LED) technology.

Fluorescent tubes generally provide approximately 60 lumens per watt of energy supplied compared with LEDs which have been shown to provide in excess of 300 lumens per watt. Further, fluorescent tubes emit light in all directions due to their cylindrical shape, further reducing the amount of light that reaches the desired area, even with reflectors installed above the tube. The cylindrical shape has a secondary effect in that heat generated by the tube inherently is distributed within the room because the light must be suspended wholly within the room itself. Thus, heat generated by fluorescent tubes must be removed to avoid undesirable heat build-up, including during hot periods where active cooling may be ongoing to maintain a desired room temperature in view of the high outdoor temperature. Air conditioning requires large amounts of energy and is utilized at times when energy costs are at their highest. Heat associated with light generation can further exacerbate the cooling load.

[0009] Greenhouses generally use high pressure sodium lamps which generate approximately 90-125 lumens per watt making them more efficient than fluorescent tubes, but less efficient than LEDs. LEDs, however, are not generally used in greenhouses because of the higher light demands and requirements for maximum plant growth. The light requirements of greenhouses are much higher than those of an office space. Although the high pressure sodium lamps are more efficient, they also generate more heat. This further compounds a heating problem because inherently greenhouses are hot, with a typical greenhouse tending to be 10-25 ^Q C warmer than outside

temperature even without running of supplemental lighting. Greenhouses, therefore, tend to require cooling, such as evaporative cooling, to maintain temperatures

conducive for plant growth. Additionally, the introduction of hanging high pressure sodium lamps create shade during periods of natural light, and reduce the efficiency of the greenhouse during that time. The net effect is that greenhouses require a great deal of energy to operate, especially if they seek the benefit of added artificial light, and that added artificial light can create adverse growth challenges related to unwanted shading. Those problems are specifically addressed herein. [0010] Greenhouses are cost prohibitive for plants which grow in dryer climates. One side effect of the evaporative cooling used in most greenhouses is that relative humidity typically increases to greater than 90%. This can present challenges for plant growth, particularly for plants that grow better in a dry environment, such as about 40-60% humidity range. Thus, a greenhouse for plant growth having a suitable 40-60% relative humidity range requires a large cooling system to maintain desired humidity and temperature levels. Large cooling systems of this magnitude are typically cost

prohibitive. Instead, growers that grow plants in dryer climates tend to use indoor warehouses or growhouses, which rely exclusively on artificial lighting without natural light. Such growhouses, therefore, have tremendous energy consumption to power the artificial lights, and still require substantial cooling to dissipate heat generated by the artificial light sources.

[0011] Furthermore, current state of the art fixtures for supplemental lighting are almost exclusively High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamps that must be installed and mounted within the greenhouse space. An acceptable location must be selected for the ballast, lamp, and/or reflector in accordance with safety regulations. Conventional HPS lighting illuminates the cultivation space, and dissipation of additional heat from that lamp and ballast must be addressed, with corresponding adverse environmental impacts. HPS lights also require a "startup" period before typical spectral output is achieved. [0012] It will be appreciated from the foregoing that there is a need in the art for high efficiency lighting systems which reduce overall lighting and cooling costs as well as attendant efficient temperature regulation. In particular, lighting systems which minimize shading in greenhouse areas, reduce the amount of heat generated within climate controlled areas, and provide heating and/or cooling in an energy-efficient and consistently reliable manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The systems, methods and related buildings described herein achieve reliable, cost and energy-efficient physical parameter control optimized to the application of interest. For agricultural grow applications, light and temperature are optimized for plant growth. For other applications, such as office or warehouse space, light and temperature are similarly optimized for acceptable light and temperature levels in a low- cost and efficient manner. This is achieved herein by the special configuration and assembly of various components serving different functions, but that interact in such a manner as to achieve various important functional benefits described herein. For example, both natural and artificial light provide good illumination characteristics in any of a variety of outside light conditions. The specially configured artificial light systems reduce unwanted thermal load in a room of interest and, optionally, can harness and direct the unwanted heat in a manner that can be utilized for efficient temperature regulation. The special temperature control means, such as in the form of a hydronic fan coil unit, provides good thermal control of a room or building in a low cost and energy efficient manner. All these aspects in various combinations provide an important and fundamentally elegant solution to the problems identified herein.

[0014] The systems and methods described herein utilize available sunlight for horticultural applications while still maintaining the production quality attained by conventional indoor methods. For example, buildings have an optical design of roof structure for optimal solar gain/rejection and PAR transmission. This bascially

corresponds to a transmissive roof structure above a sealed horticulture environment with an optically transparent ceiling. Evaporative cooling may be utilized in a secondary environmental control space, such as adjacent to growing space. This control space serves to provide greater environmental control than conventional greenhouse technology.

[0015] The systems and methods described herein provide a number of important functional benefits. For example, adverse weather conditions affect growth in greenhouses and hybrid agricultural buildings, resulting in lower production, necessitating supplemental light and attendant power usage at an attendent cost of added heat and less usable agricultural space. The specifically configured and implemented integrated light systems described in the buildings herein effectively addresses those associated costs and ensures maximum or optimal plant growth is maintained.

[0016] Greenhouse applications for commercial production utilize free energy from the sun, however unpredictable weather patterns require the use of supplemental lighting to maintain plant growth schedules. Security of greenhouse structures is also a significant concern, particularly for high-value crops. Greenhouse installations become less efficient when implemented in climates with large swings in temperature, humidity and available sunlight. Regional need for crop-specific greenhouses require a high level of environmental control over inter alia, temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide, and supplemental light. The buildings, rooms and processes described herein

incorporates highly efficient environmental control technology while maintaining modularity for region-specific implementation. Main aspects of various inventions described herein include: (1 ) optical design of the roof structure, also referred herein as the "outer roof"; (2) optical design of growing section ceiling, also referred herein as an "inner ceiling" or "grow ceiling"; (3) secondary environmental control space; (4) secondary heat generating space; (5) structurally integrated supplemental lighting, including any of the light systems described in U.S. Provisional App. No. 62/182,158 (Atty ref. 569197: 44-15P US) filed June 19, 2015 and titled "STRUCTURALLY

INTEGRATED AND PASSIVELY COOLED LIGHT SYSTEMS", and specifically LED rail light systems. [0017] In one aspect, the invention is a building, such as a building containing an agricultural growroom, comprising a hydronic fan coil unit for heating and/or cooling. The growroom may further comprise an integrateable light system, including any of the light systems described in counterpart provisional application no. 62/182,158 (Atty ref. 569197: 44-15P US) filed June 19, 2015 and titled "STRUCTURALLY INTEGRATED AND PASSIVELY COOLED LIGHT SYSTEMS." For example, the building may have a growroom comprising a grow ceiling having a top surface facing away from the growroom and a bottom surface facing toward the growroom. A hydronic fan coil unit is thermally connected to the growroom for cooling and/or heating the growroom. A light system may be structurally integrated with the grow ceiling, the light system comprising: a structural member having a top surface and a bottom surface, the structural member positioned between a first ceiling panel and a second ceiling panel of the grow ceiling and structurally connecting the first ceiling panel to the second ceiling panel. As further described, the structural member may connect, in turn, to a hanger or other fastener, such as a support bracket, for support from an outer ceiling, such as the top-most ceiling that separates the building from the outside natural environment. Similarly, any of a variety of grid work, struts, or support members may be used to further reliably position and integrate the light systems. In this manner, the grow ceiling with light systems integrated therein may be sufficiently strong to support one or more persons walking on the top surface and servicing the growroom, such as by swapping out light systems, removing panels, and accessing the growroom via the grow ceiling, rather than the growroom floor.

[0018] With respect to any of the light systems herein, a heat sink may be connected to the structural member top surface and be in thermal contact with the structural member bottom surface, wherein the heat sink is positioned in a region above the grow ceiling top surface. At least one optical light source is connected to the structural member bottom surface, the at least one optical light source positioned to emit light in a direction away from the grow ceiling bottom surface and into the growroom. In this manner, during use the heat sink convects heat generated from the optical light source away from the growroom and into the region above the grow ceiling top surface. This aspect of passive heat convention to a desired location refers to the passive nature of the cooling of the growroom, or other room the light system illuminates. Further cooling may be more active in nature, such as forcing a fluid through the environmental space in which the heat sink is positioned, including air or cooled water flow that is in thermal contact directly with the heat sink or indirectly such as with the environment in which the heat sink is positioned. Any of the light systems may support a ceiling panel by any of a variety of structural connections. For example, a ceiling panel may rest on an outer lip of the structural member and optionally, be fastened thereto. Alternatively, the ceiling panel may slide in a tight fit connection into a receiving slot, such as a slot that is flat or angled relative to horizontal, for receiving an outer edge of the ceiling panel that is correspondingly flat or angled relative to horizontal.

[0019] A high security shell having an optically transparent roof feature in optical alignment with the growroom may surround any of the buildings or growrooms described herein. In this manner, security, restricted access, and privacy may be provided for any high-value crops. Optical alignment" is used broadly herein to refer to natural light from the sun that is capable of illuminating a room. In contrast, two portions are not in optical alignment if light that transits through the roof feature does not illuminate the growroom. Accordingly, the grow ceiling may be part of a conventional building shell having an optically transparent roof feature in optical alignment with the growroom.

[0020] As desired, the optically transparent roof feature comprises one or more optical coatings. For example, at least one of the one or more optical coatings may at least partially reflect electromagnetic radiation in an infra-red or ultra-violet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum without substantially reflecting a photosynthetically active region of the electromagnetic spectrum, the one or more optical coatings comprising a metal, a dielectric, or a metal oxide. This can further reduce thermal load in the growroom. Similarly, for non-agricultural applications, such as warehouse, office space or residential, this configuration facilitates natural illumination to minimize energy for artificial light, while minimizing thermal load that is otherwise addressed by room cooling.

[0021] With respect to the temperature-regulating aspects, any of the buildings may further comprise a secondary heat-generating space and one or more conduits that thermally connect the secondary heat-generating space to the growroom for

temperature control of the growroom. For example, a liquid-cooled artificial light source may be positioned to provide artificial light to the secondary heat-generating space; and a liquid conduit that receives warm water from the liquid-cooled artificial light source and transports the warm water to the hydronic fan coil unit, either directly or indirectly, (such as via a water tank that stores heated water) for on-demand heating of the growroom. Examples of such liquid-cooled artificial light sources include the optical reflectors provided in PCT Pub. No. WO2015/168559 (Atty ref. 568628: 62-14 WO) titled "Modular Stepped Reflector", which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference. Further thermal control may be achieved by using water tanks that serve as a store of thermal energy, including hot water tank(s) for warm water and cold water tank(s) for cold water. In this manner, a water tank is fluidically connected to the liquid conduit for storing the warm water from the liquid conduit. As desired, flow controllers, valves and switches are used to provide desired connection to the source of cold or hot water.

[0022] The agricultural building may further comprise: a filter, a sterilizer, or a filter and a sterilizer; wherein the filter and or sterilizer is positioned in the one or more conduits for filtering and/or sterilizing of airflow to and/or from the growroom. [0023] Any of the buildings described herein may further comprise an environmental control space above a ceiling top surface, such as a grow ceiling top surface. In this manner, the heat sink is positioned in the environmental control space. The

environmental control space may be configured to permit a person to stand and walk, or at least crawl and croach, to access all locations of the grow ceiling top surface.

[0024] Any of the buildings may be an agricultural building that is a greenhouse or a warehouse.

[0025] The grow ceiling may comprise a plurality of ceiling panels, wherein adjacent ceiling panels are connected to each other by the integrateable light system that supports adjacent panels on opposed outer edges of the light source structural member. Each ceiling panel may have a surface area greater than or equal to 1 ft ² and less than or equal to 500 ft ² .

[0026] The ceiling panels may be arranged in a substantially planar configuration. In this aspect, "substantially planar" refers to the overall shape of the resultant ceiling, such that there is minimal or no average slope of the ceiling as whole, such as an average slope that is less than 1 %. Substantially planar may also refer to the functional ability of a user to walk without assist over the ceiling, so that localized abrupt changes in elevation are avoided. A ceiling is still considered substantially planer even if there are localized changes, such as from grid-like struts supporting panel edges or local corrugations in the ceiling panels.

[0027] The ceiling panels may be optically transparent, particularly with respect to any desirable wavelength ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum. The desirable wavelength range may correspond to the visible spectrum, such as about 400 nm to 800 nm, or a PAR useful for maximizing plant growth. [0028] The growroom may have a growroom volume that is greater than or equal to 10 m ³ and less than or equal to 2,000 m ³ ; or a growroom area available for plant growth that is greater than or equal to 2 m ² and less than or equal to 2,000 m ² .

[0029] The agricultural building may have an outer ceiling separated from the grow ceiling top surface to form an environmental control space between the grow ceiling top surface and the outer ceiling. The outer ceiling may be separated from the grow ceiling top surface by an average separation distance that is greater than or equal to 1 cm and less than or equal to 10 m. The separation distance may be selected to facilitate a person's movement through or access to the environmental control space, such as walking or crawling.

[0030] The heat sink may be positioned in the environmental control space and the grow ceiling configured to thermally insulate the environmental control space from the growroom. Thermally insulates simply refers to the ability of a surface to maintain a temperature difference over a defined period of time. In this case, a time sufficient for dissipation of any unwanted heat build-up in the environmental control space to a non- growroom area or the outside environment. For example, the thermal dissipation aspect may be harvested in the form of heated water for later on-demand heating, such as at night when heating requirements may be higher.

[0031] The grow ceiling top surface and outer ceiling may comprise an optically- transparent material in optical alignment with the growroom.

[0032] The agricultural building may further comprise an inlet for introducing air to the environmental control space; an outlet for removing air from the environmental control space; and an air mover for forcing air over the heat sink and to remove heat from the environmental control space via the outlet. In this manner, heat build-up associated with artificial light generation is minimized or avoided. Any of a wide range of air movers may be employed, including fans, blowers, or the like.

[0033] A secondary heat-generating space and one or more conduits that thermally connect the secondary heat-generating space to the growroom, either directly or indirectly, may be used to provide on-demand heating to the grow space.

[0034] The agricultural building may further comprise an inlet fluidically connected to an inlet conduit that introduces air from the growroom or from an external environment to the environmental control space; and an outlet fluidically connected to an outlet conduit that removes air from the environmental control space, such as to the outside environment, the growroom or the secondary space. The outlet conduit may comprise an outlet end positioned to provide a flow of air to the growroom. The building may comprise a plurality of outlet ends distributed throughout the growroom to provide a substantially uniform inlet airflow throughout the growroom. In this aspect, "substantially uniform" refers to ensuring good airflow characteristics throughout the room such that there are not regions of stale, stagnant or dead airflow where there is no convective turn-over or replacement of air. [0035] To further provide controllable airflow and relatively simple installation and manufacture, the environmental control space may have a first end and a second end, with the structural member positioned therebetween, and the inlet and outlet comprise air vents positioned at or adjacent to the first end and the second end, respectively. Fluid conduits may be used to position one or more inlets and one or more outlets at a desired position within the growroom.

[0036] For good control, any of the buildings provided herein may further comprise a controller operably connected to a thermostat and the air mover for varying airflow through the environmental control space for temperature regulation in the growroom. The controller may be an electronic controller with corresponding electronic circuits, microprocessors and the like for sensing environmental conditions and, in a feedback- type manner, provide environmental control. For example, temperature in the room may be monitored and upon variation from a desired set-point, fluid flow provided to the hydronic fan coil unit, such as from a source of warm fluid for heating or a source of cold fluid for cooling. Fluid flow control is accomplished by any means known in the art, including valves, flow regulators, and pumps in electronic contact and controlled by the controller.

[0037] Any of the airflow inputs and/or outputs may further comprise a filter, a sterilizer, or both a filter and a sterilizer including positioned at the inlet, the outlet, or at the inlet and at the outlet, or adjacent thereto.

[0038] The hydronic fan coil unit may be thermally connected to a liquid chiller system, including any of the liquid chiller systems described in U.S. Pub. No.

2015/0233626, published August 20, 2015 and titled "Air Conditioning Condenser Attachment for High Efficiency Liquid Chillers", which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference; and/or a warm fluid source for cooling and/or heating of the growroom.

[0039] As desired, a cold liquid source and/or a warm liquid source may be fluidically connected to the hydronic fan coil unit, with the unit comprising: a heat exchanger containing cold liquid or warm liquid; and a fan or other air mover that blows or otherwise forces air over the heat exchanger to provide a source of cool air or warm air to the growroom. This is an efficient and cost effective means to provide thermal control to the growroom. Accordingly, the building may further comprise a liquid chiller, such as a liquid chiller connected to a conventional HVAC system, wherein cooling is achieved via a cooled liquid introduced to the building. [0040] A plurality of hydronic fan coil units may be spaced throughout the growroom to provide cooling and/or heating for temperature control throughout the growroom. A microcontroller may be operably connected to the hydronic fan coil units for automated control of temperature in the growroom, wherein temperature sensing and measuring therewith control fluid flow and type (e.g., cold or warm).

[0041] Any of the light systems or structural members may correspond to any of the systems described in U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 62/182,158, filed June 19, 2015 and titled "Structurally integrated and passively cooled light systems", which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference (Atty Ref. 569197: 44-15P US). [0042] The structural member may have a form factor that provides a maximum light system distance from the grow ceiling bottom surface that is less than 10 cm, thereby minimizing shading from natural light that illuminates the growroom. The light system may connect adjacent optically transparent panels of the grow ceiling to provide supplemental lighting to the growroom. [0043] The grow ceiling may comprise a plurality of longitudinally-extending light systems arranged in rows, wherein each row comprises two or more light systems operably connected to provide a continuous lineal illumination system over a longitudinal distance that is greater than or equal to 1 m and less than or equal to 100 m. Adjacent rows of longitudinally-extending light systems may be separated by a light row

separation distance that is greater than or equal to 50 cm and less than or equal to 5 m.

[0044] The rooms described herein are compatible with any number of point optical light sources, depending on the application of interest with attendant light requirements. For example, the optical light sources may correspond to a plurality of spaced LED optical light sources with a lineal LED density that is greater than or equal to 0.2

LEDs/cm and less than or equal to 10 LEDs/cm. In general, the larger the separation distance between the adjacent light rows, the higher the optical light source lineal density in order to achieve equivalent illumination density.

[0045] The growroom may have a growroom footprint selected from a range that is greater than or equal to 10 m ² and less than or equal to 2,000 m ² ; during use, natural light transmitted to the growroom footprint has a light system shading footprint attributed to the light systems that is less than or equal to 10% of total light transmitted through the grow ceiling. This is in contrast to conventional systems, where the grid roof structure plus lights hanging into the growroom result in substantially higher shading footprints, in certain circumstances greater than 10%, greater than 15% or greater than 20% shading. This hinders uniform and maximum plant growth.

[0046] One or more controllers may be used to control one or more of growroom grow parameters selected from the group consisting of: temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide, light intensity, and light time course.

[0047] The optical light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), including individual modules comprising a plurality of LEDs, with one or more modules per structural light member. [0048] A climate controller may be operably connected to the hydronic fan coil unit and the secondary heat-generating space to provide on-demand cooling and/or heating to the growroom. Airflow over the hydronic fan coil unit and from the secondary heat- generating space may be independently controllable for independent heating or cooling of air within the growing section. [0049] A plurality of air vents may be used that are capable of: flowing ambient air into the growroom; flowing growroom air out of the growroom; flowing ambient air into an environmental control region above the ceiling top surface; flowing environmental control region above the ceiling top surface air out into a surrounding environment;

flowing air in between the growing section and environmental control region above the ceiling top surface; or any combination thereof.

[0050] A climate controller may be used to control humidity, concentration of carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof within the growroom.

[0051] In addition to the various buildings and growrooms, also provided herein are methods of providing energy efficient supplemental lighting to a greenhouse, such as by: supplementing a growroom with artificial light from a structurally integrated light system positioned in a ceiling of the greenhouse; directing heat generated from the structurally integrated light system during illumination to a heat sink positioned in an environmental control space above the greenhouse ceiling; and forcing a flow of air over the heat sink to dissipate heat from the environmental control space and the integrated light system, thereby providing energy efficient supplemental lighting in a greenhouse. [0052] The method may further comprise the step of enclosing the growroom in a high security shell or building.

[0053] The method may further comprise the step of controlling temperature in the grow-room. One example of controlling the temperature step is: flowing air over a hydronic coil to generate cool air or warm air; and introducing the cool air or the warm air into the growroom. For example, by introducing warm air from a secondary heat generating space into the growroom the growroom may be user-controllably heated.

[0054] For cooling, the method may further comprise the step of: introducing cooled air into the growroom by flowing air over a hydronic coil containing chilled liquid to decrease temperature in the growroom; and/or introducing warmed air into the growroom from a secondary heat generating space to increase temperature in the growroom. Both can occur simultaneously for multiply independent controllable hydronic fan coil units, each having controlled on-demand access to a source of chilled and a source of warm water. Accordingly, for large rooms where there are localized temperature variations, localized heating/cooling is possible.

[0055] Also provided are methods for constructing a greenhouse by providing a structural frame for a growing section, wherein the structural frame comprises a plurality of structurally integrateable light systems, each structurally integrateable light system comprising a first and second support surface for supporting a first ceiling section and a second ceiling section and at least one heat sink; and positioning a first optically- transparent ceiling section on the first support surface; positioning a second optically- transparent ceiling section on the second support surface; and repeating the positioning steps with additional structurally integrateable light systems to obtain a growroom comprising a ceiling comprised of a plurality of optically-transparent ceiling sections, with adjacent ceiling sections separated by a structurally integrated light system having a plurality of optical light sources positioned to illuminate the growroom and a plurality of heat sinks positioned outside the growroom.

[0056] The method may further comprise a step of providing an environmental control space above the ceiling, wherein the heat sinks provide heat to the

environmental control space, thereby cooling the growroom. The method may further comprise the step of flowing air through the environmental control space to cool the heat sink. The plurality of structurally integrateable light systems and plurality of optically- transparent ceiling sections may be provided to form a ceiling surface having sufficient strength to support a weight of an individual walking on the surface.

[0057] Also provided are buildings or greenhouses comprising: a growroom; a ceiling positioned over the growroom; a cooling system in thermal contact with the growroom, wherein the cooling system comprises one or more hydronic fan coil units for providing a source of cooled air to the growroom. A secondary heat generating space may provide a source of warm air to the growroom and/or a source of warm water to the hydronic fan coil units.

[0058] The greenhouse may further comprise an LED rail structurally integrated into the ceiling, such as a LED rail comprising: a structural member having a top surface and a bottom surface, the structural member positioned between a first ceiling panel and a second ceiling panel of the grow ceiling and structurally connecting the first ceiling panel to the second ceiling panel; a heat sink connected to the structural member top surface and in thermal contact with the structural member bottom surface, wherein the heat sink is positioned in a region above the grow ceiling top surface; at least one optical light source connected to the structural member bottom surface, the at least one optical light source positioned to emit light in a direction from the grow ceiling bottom surface and into the growroom; and wherein during use the heat sink convects heat generated from the optical light source away from the growroom and into the region above the grow ceiling top surface.

[0059] Any of the rooms, systems and methods may further comprise a deprivation curtain, such as a curtain connected to a bottom surface of the grow ceiling. In this manner, on demand darkness is efficiently achieved, even when natural light is abundant. [0060] In an aspect, any of the buildings provided herein may comprise a shell that is a security shell for restricting access to and safeguarding the growroom. The shell can have any of a number of opaque portions and optically transparent portions. For example, the shell may comprise opaque side walls and an optically transparent roof.

[0061] Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, there may be discussion herein of beliefs or understandings of underlying principles relating to the devices and methods disclosed herein. It is recognized that regardless of the ultimate correctness of any mechanistic explanation or hypothesis, an embodiment of the invention can nonetheless be operative and useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] FIG. 1 A and FIG. 1 B. Schematic of a green building, illustrating use of optical coatings to provide desired natural light illumination. FIG. 1A illustrates both natural light and a structurally integrated light system providing artificial light toward the growroom and thermal dissipation away from the growroom. FIG. 1 B illustrates use of an optical coating for light transmission in a wavelength range suitable for plant growth (PAR or photosynthetically active region) and reflection of unwanted light in the infrared (IR) region that would otherwise undesirably heat a growroom.

[0063] FIG. 2. Schematic cross-section of a grow building.

[0064] FIG. 3. Side view of a grow-building illustrating opaque and transparent roof portions, with hydronic fan coil units thermally connected to a grow space for

temperature control of the grow space. A secondary heat-generating space may be used to supply fluid at different temperatures to the fan coil units for on-demand and controllable heating and/or cooling, as desired, including via heated/cooled air or liquid.

[0065] FIG. 4. Perspective view of a hybrid or green building embodiment, illustrating transparent outer and inner roof in optical alignment with a growroom. As desired, other non-grow regions within the building may have optically opaque roof portions and outer walls and roof functioning as a security shell to protect the growroom.

[0066] FIG. 5. Ceiling view of a green building, illustrating optically transparent and opaque portions.

[0067] FIG. 6. Cross-sectional view of a light structural member along longitudinal axis. [0068] FIG. 7. Perspective view of a light system, specifically structural member with power supplies, fans and support brackets.

[0069] FIG. 8. Bottom view of two lighting system structural members and a surface or ceiling panel.

[0070] FIG. 9. Illustration of a plurality of grow bays in an agricultural building. [0071] FIG. 10. Illustration of a single grow bay, with structurally integrateable light systems supporting ceiling panels formed of polycarbonate. Depending on desired light characteristics, the polycarbonate may be of a selected color, such as yellow or gray.

[0072] FIG. 11. Top panel is a side view illustrating a light system suspended from an outer ceiling via support brackets. A deprivation curtain may be connected to provide on demand darkness. The bottom panel is a top view of a grow ceiling with light systems and braces orthogonal thereto. In this manner, the grow ceiling may support the weight of persons walking on the grow ceiling top surface.

[0073] FIG. 12. Illustration of grow ceiling comprising ceiling panels formed of a translucent material, in this example polycarbonate panels. The inset illustrates connection of the ceiling panels to integrateable light systems.

[0074] FIG. 13. Illustration of integrateable light system end connections, as well as suspension from the outer ceiling.

[0075] FIG. 14. Support bracket for integrateable light system suspension from purlins and plate frame connections of an overhead ceiling.

[0076] FIG. 15. Connection and support of ceiling panels and deprivation curtain.

[0077] FIG. 16. Connection and support of grow ceiling and deprivation curtain to building wall support structure.

[0078] FIG. 17. Deprivation curtain assembly and grow ceiling with integrated light systems suspended from an outer ceiling.

[0079] FIG. 18. Side view of a light system, with the heat sink/thermal fins not shown, connected to a ceiling panel and cross-brace or strut. The ceiling panel may connect to the structural member via an angled receiving slot, as illustrated. The cross- brace may connect to a flat outer edge region of the light system structural member. A support bracket may mount as indicated to the structural member, for support from an outer ceiling.

[0080] FIG. 19. Cross-section view of an integrateable light system structural member for use with any of the building, growrooms, or room portions thereof as described herein, with an angled ceiling panel receiving slot. [0081] FIG. 20. Schematic illustration of a hydronic fan coil unit for heating or cooling.

[0082] FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of a chiller system incorporating liquid in a reservoir for on-demand cooling, independent of having to engage an upstream AC unit. [0083] FIG. 22 is a schematic illustration of a split-system air conditioning unit and chiller enclosure with exemplary connections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0084] In general, the terms and phrases used herein have their art-recognized meaning, which can be found by reference to standard texts, journal references and contexts known to those skilled in the art. The following definitions are provided to clarify their specific use in the context of the invention.

[0085] "Hydronic fan coil unit" refers to a system having a heat exchanger

component and a fan. Within the heat exchanger is a fluid that has a different temperature than the surrounding environment, particularly the air surrounding the heat exchanger. To further enhance heat exchange, air may be forced over the heat exchanger surface, thereby providing an air stream having a different temperature than the surrounding environment. If heating is desired, the liquid within the heat exchanger is of a higher temperature than the surrounding environment. If cooling is desired, the liquid within the heat exchanger is of a lower temperature than the surrounding environment. Continuous liquid flow through the heat exchanger ensures continuous heating or cooling, as desired. FIGs. 20-22 schematically illustrates such a unit and related components for heating or cooling.

[0086] The term "photosynthetically active radiation" or "PAR" is the spectral range of radiation from 400 to 700 nanometers that photosynthetic organisms are able to use during photosynthesis. It can be measured and quantified as μιηοΙ photons/m ² /s, which is a measure of the "photosynthetic photon flux density," or "PPFD." PPFD is a measure of the number of photons in the 400 nm to 700 nm range of the visible light spectrum.

[0087] "Optical coatings" refers to layers or thin films of materials that provide selective reflectance and transmission of electromagnetic radiation. The layer may be a thin film having a thickness less than about 1 mm, or a plurality of stacked thin film layers. [0088] "At least partially reflects" refers to a substantial reflection of electromagnetic radiation over a desired wavelength. In an aspect, the substantial reflection may be greater than 50%, greater than 70% or greater than 90% of incident electromagnetic radiation on a surface coated with the optical coating(s). In an aspect, the reflection corresponds to a wavelength that generates heat, such as an infra-red portion of the spectrum. In an aspect, the optical coatings do not substantially reflect desired light, such as light in the PAR region beneficial for plant growth.

[0089] "Secondary heat-generating space" refers to any region of the building where plants are grown under artificial light, without natural light and that can provide a useable source of thermal heating. For eample, the secondary heat-generating space may be a vegetative space for plant growth in a first stage of plant growth where, after a certain amount of plant growth amount or time, the plants are placed into a growroom or flowering room for further growth, harvesting and processing. The heat-generating aspect refers to use of heat generated in the space from various components, such as the artificial lights and pumps that can be used in the building. For example, the artificial lights may be liquid cooled, including by any of the liquid-cooled reflectors of PCT Pub. No. WO2015/168559 filed May 1 , 2015 (Atty Ref. 568628: 62-14 WO), by a water- cooled LED rail, or any of the light systems described herein, but that are located in a secondary heat-generating space. In this matter, cool water is used to cool the artificial lights, with the subsequently warmed water used in a hydronic coil unit thermally connected to the growroom to provide controlled heating of the growroom, as needed. In warm locations, where heating of rooms is not an issue, the secondary heat- generating space may be superfluous and not employed. Similarly, for applications that are space-constrained, the secondary heat-generating space may not be used. [0090] "Environmental control space" refers to a region above the growroom, including the region between an outer ceiling and a drop ceiling, equivalent to an attic space. This space provides access to various climate control components and systems in a manner that does not adversely impact or affect plant growth. For example, the environmental control space may be configured to permit access by an individual or individuals, such as to swap out artificial lights. Furthermore, the environmental control space provides a thermal space, separated from the growroom by a ceiling, wherein excess heat may be confined and subsequently dissipated, in a convenient, efficient and well-controlled manner that does not impact or affect plant growth. [0091] "Substantially uniform inlet airflow" refers to air that is introduced to a growroom at a plurality of locations so as to achieve good airflow over at least 70%, at least 80% or at least 90% of the room. Good airflow can be quantified in terms of regions of stagnant air, where there is no to little convective airflow. Such stagnant airflow regions tend to result in less than ideal plant growth, with less than ideal local CO2 levels and other nutrient exchange, and susceptibility to disease including molds and fungus.

[0092] "Structural member" refers to a component of the lighting system that is capable of providing some structural benefit. For example, in a ceiling application the structural member is configured to support a ceiling panel. In this manner, the system can be broadly characterized as providing functionality around illumination and structural support. In an aspect, the ceiling panel is solely supported by the structural members provided herein, including individual ceiling panels that are supported by at least two distinct structural members of the present invention, such as two (corresponding to opposed ceiling panel edges) or four (corresponding to the entire outer perimeter of a four-edged ceiling panel). Similarly, "structurally integrateable" refers to the capability of the system to be conveniently, reliably, and cost-effectively integrated into a surface, such as a ceiling surface without adversely impacting ceiling performance. For example, the systems are configured to be low impact with a very small profile that extends out past a bottom surface of a ceiling. Similarly, the structural element is of relatively low-width so as to minimize any optical impact for transparent ceilings or visual detraction for opaque ceilings, while still achieving the desired structural support characteristics.

[0093] "Optical light module" refers to a plurality of electrical components that in combination provide controllable light output. The module may include transformers, adaptors, controllers, optical detectors, optical sources, timers, clocks, integrated circuits, wireless transmitters/receivers, or any of a number of other components, depending on the desired end functionality. In an aspect, any of the modules herein may comprise one or more LEDs, including LEDs having light emission characteristics tailored for plant growth.

[0094] "Heat sink" refers to a component that is capable of storing and/or dissipating a relatively large amount of heat energy. Accordingly, it may provide thermal transfer to a second component that itself is relatively large, but positioned in a region that does not adversely impact a room that is desirably being cooled. Similarly, the heat sink may also refer to a heat exchanger that may be used to transfer thermal energy from the instant structural member to a surrounding environment, such as the outside or air flowing over the heat sink that may be vented or otherwise subsequently cooled. The present invention is compatible with a wide range of heat sinks and heat exchanger geometries, with corresponding air movers, so long as satisfactory thermal transfer is achieved and the heat sink can be efficiently positioned, connected, or formed from the structural member.

[0095] "Thermally connected" refers to heat being able to transit or transfer between components, without impacting the desired function of the components. In an aspect, the thermal connection provides good heat transfer between components, so that there is a measureable and substantial impact on temperature that would otherwise occur but for the thermal connection. For example, in the instant technology, the thermal contact between the heat sink and structural component, provides decreased temperature in the room region adjacent to the structural component bottom surface, particularly during use with energization of the light source and with airflow passing over the heat sink. In an aspect, the temperature decrease is quantified, such as greater than 1 °C, greater than 2 °C, greater than 5 °C, or between about 1 °C and 10 °C compared to a corresponding system without the heat sink or relative to a conventional lighting system, where the temperature differences may be even greater due to light sources that run "hot." [0096] "Operably connected" refers to a configuration of elements, wherein an action or reaction of one element affects another element, but in a manner that preserves each element's functionality. For example, an optical module operably connected to the structural member refers to flow of heat to the heat sink to provide desired thermal transfer without affecting the ability to power the light source and illuminate a desired region beneath the structural member bottom surface. Similarly, fluidically connected refers to a configuration of elements, wherein fluid flow in one element affects fluid flow in a second element, but in a manner the preserves each element's functionality.

[0097] "User-controlled illumination output" may refer to any number of desirable illumination parameters, such as intensity, duration, cycle, wavelength, that may be manually or automatically controlled by a user.

[0098] "Drop ceiling" refers to a secondary ceiling that is hung below the main structural ceiling. Typically, drop ceilings may be used for aesthetic reasons, such as to hide ductwork, electrical wiring, piping, and various lighting components, wherein the outer ceiling may correspond to a roof of the building that protects the building interior from the outside environmental elements.

[0099] Provided are structurally integrateable and minimally invasive lighting systems for use with any of the buildings and associated ceiling structure described herein. A lighting element is incorporated into a structural member of a building or surface in such a way that heat generated by the lighting element is conducted through the structural member into a secondary area or room and away from the room in which the light is supplied. In this manner, the lighting is both unobtrusive, corresponding in size and shape to conventional structural support elements commonly found between adjacent drop ceiling tiles, and energy efficient, including in terms of the power required to illuminate and/or for room cooling to dissipate heat generated by the lights.

[0100] In some embodiments, additional convective cooling, such as fans or blowers, or active cooling, such as air conditioning may be provided in the secondary area in which heat is transferred, including for example, by any of the multi-stage systems described in U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0233626, published August 20, 2015 . The secondary area may be outside of the structure in question so that excess heat is removed from the building. Alternatively, the secondary area may be inside the building or structure. In either case, cooling costs are potentially reduced by reducing the amount of volume required to be climate controlled, or by removing excess heat from the secondary area via more efficient methods than those employed in the primary area receiving the light.

[0101] Optionally, the light sources provided are high-intensity LED modules. These modules consist of an LED chip, LED driver, light sensor, and printed circuit board in some cases mounted directly on to the structural member. The system additionally may employ intelligent light sensors for dimming the LED light sensors, turning the LEDs off during periods of inactivity, or otherwise further reducing power consumption.

[0102] FIG. 1 A and FIG. 1 B provide a highly schematic illustration of a hybrid or green building, with the arrows illustrating natural electromagnetic radiation 100 from the sun entering through the outer ceiling 101 , passing the grow ceiling 102 and entering the growroom 102. The ceilings may have optically transparent portions that are in optical alignment with the growroom. Also illustrated in FIG. 1 A is a light system 104 that is integrated with, including structurally integrated with, the grow ceiling 103. The arrows pointed toward the floor of the growroom indicate the optical direction of artificial light 105, also referred herein as supplemental light 105, from an optical light source 106, such as LEDs, including LEDs within a module. The arrows from the light system in the direction toward the outer ceiling indicate heat flow 108 away from the heat sink 107 and into the region above the grow ceiling top surface 109, also referred herein as an environmental control space 110. The grow ceiling has a bottom surface 111 that faces the growroom 102 and a top surface 109 that faces the environmental control space 110.

[0103] FIG. 1 B illustrates use of optical coatings 112 on the grow ceiling 103, such as the grow ceiling top surface 109, bottom surface 111 , or both the top and bottom surfaces to reflect at least a portion of certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. For example, the optical coatings provide transmission of light in a wavelength beneficial for plant growth, such as PAR 113. Reflected light 114 may include at least a portion of the ultra-violet (UV) and/or infrared (IR) spectrum. IR reflection may be particularly useful to avoid unwanted heat load and temperature increase in the growroom.

[0104] A side view of an agricultural building is illustrated in FIG. 2. Surrounding the growroom 102 may be a conventional or high security shell 200, so as to protect the building interior, including for high value crops and related equipment. A secondary heat-generating space 201 may be incorporated into the building, such as near or adjacent to the growroom 102. The heat produced by electrical equipment that is regularly in daily use, such as lights and/or pumps, may be diverted to spaces in the building in need of heat. Reliable control and dispersal means may be utilized, such as via heat storage in the form of warmed water. In this manner, water may be flowed in a conduit that is in thermal contact with the heat produced, including through a heat exchanger, thereby warming the water. The warmed water may be introduced directly to a hydronic fan coil unit or stored for on-demand use. Also illustrated is the structurally integrated lighting system 202 that is integrated with the ceiling, with the heat sink 107 positioned to release heat (upward arrows) to the environmental control space and the optical light sources 106, such as LEDs, positioned to emit light (downward arrows) to the growroom. Various controllers 208 and related components, such as monitors or sensors, thermostats, detectors and the like provide control of temperature, CO ₂ , relative humidity and incident light. Hydronic fan coil units 203 are positioned to provide good temperature control of the growroom, as well as airflow to the growroom. Various vents, including inlets 204 and outlets 205 are positioned such as to provide airflow through the environmental control space 110, thereby controlling temperature in the environmental control space. Accordingly, any of the systems and processes provided herein may further comprise controlling airflow through the environmental control space to achieve a desired temperature in the environmental control space. This, in turn, can assist in controlling temperature in the growroom, such as to achieve a desired growroom temperature, including in concert with the hydronic fan coil units. [0105] From FIG. 2, it is further appreciated that a benefit of the instant systems and methods is that user access can be provided to the environmental control space 110, with an individual capable of walking throughout the control space without concern regarding accessing and disturbing to the growroom 102. In this manner, lighting and ceiling panels are readily removed, handled and/or replaced. FIG. 2 additionally illustrates that the building may be configured with an optically transparent roof 206 or optically transparent ceiling 207.

[0106] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating that the grow ceiling 103 may contain optically transparent 207 and optically opaque 308 regions. The optically transparent region 207 is optically aligned to the growroom 102, so that natural light may be transmitted through the ceiling 103 to the growroom. The optically opaque regions 308 may correspond to building regions where natural light is not required or not desired. For example, there may be rooms where plant growth is entirely by artificial light 105, referred herein in certain embodiments as a secondary heat-generating space 201. Those spaces may themselves provide a useful temperature control means. For example, heat generated by lights in the space used to grow plants may be utilized to provide, in turn, heating of the growroom 102. As described in WO2015/168559 (Atty Ref 568628: 62-14WO), the heat may come from a fluid-cooled light source and optical reflector that, in turn, heats the fluid, such as water. Accordingly, an inlet conduit 309 and outlet conduit 310 may be provided that fluidically connect the source of heated fluid to the hydronic fan coil units 203 to provide heating of the growroom 102. The hydronic fan coil units 203 may each comprise a heat exchanger 311 that contains fluid at a different temperature than the growroom and a fan 312, such that blowing of air from the fan over the heat exchanger causes a change in air temperature, with attendant change in temperature in the growroom for a fan that is directed to the growroom interior. Such a configuration is a cost and energy-efficient means of temperature control. For example, as desired the conduits may be connected instead to a source of cooled fluid 313, thereby providing cooling in an equivalent manner. To achieve both cooling and heating capability, a valve or other flow switch may be employed so that on-demand, cooling or heating is achieved. The heating or cooling may similarly be from water tanks holding a volume of heated or cooled water. The cooling may be from any of the water-chilled systems described in U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0233626, published August 20, 2015 and titled "Air Conditioning Condenser Attachment for High Efficiency Liquid Chillers" (Atty ref.

565823: 20-14 US), which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference for the chilling processes. For example, the cooling application illustrated in FIGs. 1023.

Accordingly, any of the buildings and processes described herein may further comprise a source of chilled liquid such as water by a two-stage chiller, where an attachment to a standard air conditioning condenser transforms a traditional a/c compressor and condenser unit into a high efficiency liquid chiller for use in cooling and temperature control of growroom .

[0107] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an agricultural building further illustrating the different roof portions, with corresponding outer 101 and grow (inner) ceilings 103 and the environmental control space 110 disposed therebetween. Secondary heat generating space 201 may be connected thereto. Alternatively, that space may be non- agricultural in nature, instead having other environmental controls, such as tanks for temperature control, offices or other rooms. Various vents and access points to the building and various regions thereof are illustrated by arrows.

[0108] FIG. 5 is a top view architectural drawings of various building elevations, corresponding to the grow ceiling. FIG. 5 illustrates various structural elements of the grow ceiling that holds adjacent optically transparent panels 600 in place. For example, a first ceiling panel 605 and a second ceiling panel 606 are structurally connected via a structural member 601. The structural elements may be structurally integrateable light system structural members, including any of those described herein and in a U.S.

Provisional Pat. App. No. 62/182,201 , filed June 19, 2015 and titled "Structurally integrated and passively cooled light systems" (Atty ref. 5699197: 44-15P US), which is specifically incorporated by reference herein. In an aspect, the grow ceiling is substantially flat or flat and the outer ceiling has a conventional ceiling shape, such as to ensure water flow off the roof by a roof pitch or slant. A first end 602 and second end 603 of the grow ceiling are illustrated. [0109] Provided herein are agricultural buildings that may have supplemental artificial lighting, including greenhouses and growhouses. In this example, heat generated by the optical light module is transferred into a space separate from the grow or cultivation room. The placement of the supplemental light within the support structure provides minimal shadow footprint 604. "Minimal shadow footprint" may be quantifiably defined as the amount by which a non-optically transparent element of the lighting system extends past a bottom ceiling surface. The instant invention is specially designed and configured to have a low footprint, such as less than about 10 cm, less than 5 cm, less than 1 cm, or less than about 0.5 cm. In contrast, while conventional greenhouses with supplemental lighting to provide light during night or overcast conditions, those lighting methods create shade and block sunlight that would otherwise be used by the plants such as by having lights suspended and dropping down from the ceiling. This invention thus reduces the effect of shading caused by supplemental lighthouses providing increased efficiency during periods of natural light. [0110] Greenhouses are also much hotter than outdoor temperatures, typically 10- 25 ^Q C, and often require significant climate control in order to achieve temperatures ideal for growth of plants. Cooling costs represent a significant expense to greenhouse operators. By transferring heat created by supplemental light sources, either outside or to a secondary space outside of the cultivation room, the systems provided herein can further reduce energy costs associated with cooling and climate control. Furthermore, heat generated in a secondary heat-generating space may be efficiently employed to provide heating to a growroom, including via one or more hydronic fan coil units.

[0111] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a structural member of a structurally integrateable light system. A light source, such as an optical light module or portion thereof is positioned on the bottom surface 1101 of the structural member, while the heat sink 311 transfers heat away from the structural member. The light source is positioned to direct light in a direction away from the bottom surface 1101. With respect to the bottom 1101 and top 1102 surfaces, a longitudinal axis

correspondingly runs in a direction that is in and out of the page. The heat sink 107 comprises a plurality of heat dissipating elements 1103 and 106, in this example heat dissipating fins. Optionally, some heat dissipating elements may be of different lengths, with fin 1104 illustrated as having a shorter length than fin 1103. The heat sink is specially configured for heat convection in a direction away from the bottom surface toward the top surface, to the fins and thereby to an environment surrounding the fins. In this manner, heat can be convected from a room adjacent to the bottom surface to a region above the room, such as with respect to a surface that forms part of a drop ceiling. The structural member has a surface support 1105 configured to connect to a surface, for example a ceiling or glass panel. The surface support 1105 may be positioned at an outer edge 21 of the top surface 1102, such as two support surfaces 1105 positioned at two outer edges 21 , with the heat sink 107 and outer members 1106 disposed thereinbetween. The outer edge 21 defines in part a surface area available for contact with a ceiling panel, with the other dimension orthogonal to dimension 21. In this manner, the member is configured to be structurally integrateable with a surface, with the bottom surface 1101 positioned on one side of a support surface and the top surface 1102 positioned on the opposite surface of the support surface. In an aspect, the surface area of surface support 1105 is defined by the dimension 21 by the length of the structural member. For example, dimension 21 may be selected from a range of between about 0.5 cm and 5 cm, and the length of structural member from a range of between about 0.5 m and 4 m, for a surface area of between 25 cm ² and 2000 cm ² .

The surface area in contact with a ceiling panel is correspondingly defined by a length of the ceiling panel by the dimension 21 that may be between about 0.5 cm and 5 cm. Typical ceiling panels may be between about 2 ft x 2 ft and 6 ft x 20 ft, between about 4 ft x 4 ft and 4 ft x 18 ft, or about 4 ft x 18 ft, or any sub-combinations thereof, with surface area of support surface in contact with a ceiling panel calculated therefrom. In an aspect, a single system of the instant invention is configured to support multiple ceiling panels along the length of the structural member. Optionally, a cable conduit 1107, formed between an outer cable conduit member 1108 and an inner cable conduit member 1109, can receive wiring or a conduit through the structural member.

Additionally, certain embodiments may include a mounting slot 1110 capable of receiving a fastener to position additional devices or structures above the structural member, such as a fan, power supply, mounting brackets, and the like. A cover fastener 1111 connected to bottom surface 1101 may be configured to attach a cover, lens or diffuser to the structural member, thereby covering and protecting a light source. [0112] FIG. 7 is a perspective view to illustrate the longitudinal axis along structural member 601 that may be part of light system 104. The heat sink 107 is open and exposed to the environment above the structural member 601. Optional power supply 1201 and support bracket 1202 are also shown, in this case adjacent to each other to provide additional support to compensate for weight of the power supply. Optional structural member fans 1203 are included along the length of the structural member 601 to provide convective cooling to the heat sink 107.

[0113] For a drop-ceiling application, or any other application requiring additional support, various support brackets and fasteners may be utilized to reliably secure the structural member to a more permanent building element, such as a ceiling member that separates the outside environment from the inside. For example, FIG. 7 shows a support bracket 1202 fastened directly to the outer lateral surfaces of the structural member 601.

[0114] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of two structural members 601 containing a plurality of optical light sources 106 along the bottom surface 1101 with a ceiling panel 1204 ready for support between the two structural members 601.

[0115] Additional embodiments of the agricultural building, and various components thereof, are provided in FIGs 9-22. FIG. 9 illustrates various structural elements of the outer ceiling 101 , the grow ceiling 103, and various struts 1401 , to form a plurality of bays 1400 for plant growth via both natural and artificial light. The bays may be described as braced bays 1402 or large bays 1403 FIG. 10 is a close-up view of one of the bays of FIG. 9, more clearly illustrating various structural aspects of the grow ceiling 103 and the outer ceiling 101 or roof, including metal building braces 1502 and hangers 1501 for supporting the light systems 104. The integrated light systems run a

longitudinal direction between ceiling panels 600, with transverse strut members providing structural support and oriented orthogonal thereto. A light deprivation curtain 1500 may extend from a bottom surface 111 of the grow ceiling for efficient deployment and storage. FIG. 11 is a side view (top panel) and top view of the grow ceiling (bottom panel) illustrating integrateable light systems 104, hangers 1501 supporitng the light systems to the outer ceiling (such as about 72 hangers per bay), deployed deprivation curratin 1500 that can be attached along main frame line at ridge and edges, along with strut braces 1401 in grow byas and additional purlins 1400.

[0116] FIG. 12 illustrates a ceiling panel 1204 supported by a pair of integrateable light systems 202 on opposing ends of the ceiling panel, with a transverse strut 1401 providing further structural support. FIG. 13 provides detailed views of the grow ceiling capable of use with any of the with integrated light systems provided herein, and support brackets 1202, ceiling panels 1204, and transverse struts 1401. The ceiling panels may comprise corrugated polycarbonate, with "corrugation" or "corrugate" referring to a localized stepped type shape of the ceiling panel. FIG. 14 further illustrates the light system support bracket 1202 for connection to outer ceiling structural elements, such as purlins 1900 and plate frame 1901 connections. The support bracket 1202 may comprise an adjuster 1902 for adjusting support bracket length to match distance to the outer ceiling, so as to maintain level. FIGs. 15-17 illustrates various structural components and aspects related to ceiling panel attachment point 1540, carry beams 1550, braces, deprivation curtain mounts 1560, struts 1401 for bracing ceiling panels such as polycarbonate panels, metal bracing structure 1502 and deprivation mounting curtain mounting system 1560 .

[0117] FIGs. 18-19 provide additional details of the connection between a ceiling panel and structural member of the integrateable light system. For simplicity in the top panel of FIG. 18, the heat sink is not illustrated. The edge of a polycarbonate ceiling panel 1204 with corrugations fits into a slanted receiving slot 2300. As desired, additional structural support is provided by struts 1401 connected to an outer edge of the structural member 601. This is further illustrated in the bottom panel. FIG. 19 is a cross-section of the structural member 601 of the light system, with the heat sink 107 illustrated.

[0118] FIG. 20 illustrates a hydronic fan coil unit 203 for heating or cooling a grow room 102 by hot water loop and cold water loop (201 , 2500). An inlet conduit 309 and outlet conduit 310 may be provided that fluidically connect a source of heated or cooled fluid to the hydronic fan coil units 203, which in turn provides heating or cooling of the growroom 102. For example, when warm air 2502 from the growroom 102 or warm fluid from a liquid-cooled artificial light source enters the hydronic fan coil unit 203, the warmed fluid may be used for a heating purpose or sent to a chiller or cooling tower 2500, such as the chiller illustrated in FIG. 21 , via an outlet conduit 310. Once the fluid is cooled, it may be sent back to the hydronic fan coil unit 203 via an inlet conduit 309 where the hydronic fan coil unit will then release cool air 2503 into the grow room.

Alternatively, a source of warm fluid, such as from a heat generating space 201 may be connected to the hydronic fan coil unit 203 via an inlet conduit 309 to produce warm air 2502 to the grow room. Microcontroller 208, including for control of temperature humidity, and/or CO ₂ , may be operably connected to the hydronic fan coil unit to provide desired control of those parameters.

[0001] FIG. 21 illustrates a high efficiency liquid chiller system that may be used to provide chilled fluid to the hydronic fan coil unit as described in FIG. 20. The chiller 2500 are fluidically and/or thermally connected to a reservoir 2600 via liquid lines. For example, the reservoir may have inlet conduits 309 to provide chilled liquid to a desired location remote from the reservoir, such as a hydronic fan coil unit or an indoor grow room having high intensity lights that generate a large amount of heat that must be dissipated. Any number of liquid-based air cooling devices may be used, to avoid unwanted heat build-up. The warmed liquid is then returned to the reservoir, such as by outlet conduit 310 in a closed-loop configuration. The liquid outlet line 2601 is fluidically connected to pump 2602 and, thereby, to liquid outlet line 2601 in the chiller to provide a desired liquid flow-rate through the chiller heat exchanger 2500 and back to the reservoir 2600 via a liquid inlet line 2603 to control the temperature of the reservoir. The high efficiency liquid chiller 2500 may be conveniently positioned outside a building, with the reservoir 2600 positioned inside the building for on-demand cooling,

independent of the status of chiller 2500. In this manner, cooling is provided with the efficiency of the cooled liquid and related plumbing from and to the reservoir, without any need for bulky and intrusive ductwork.

[0002] FIG. 22 illustrates a liquid chiller system that may be connected to the hydronic fan coil unit. In this system, the liquid chiller 2500 is connected to a split-system air conditioning unit 2700. A condenser unit 2701 located within the air conditioning unit has a condenser outlet 2702 which is fludically connected to an inlet refrigeration line 2703 which in turn is fludicially connected to the refrigeration inlet 2704. Additionally, the refrigeration outlet 2705 is fluidically connected to the condenser inlet 2706 by the outlet refrigeration line 2707. Refrigerant may then flow through the enclosed liquid chiller via the refrigeration conduit 2708 and the heat exchanger 2709 in a closed loop

configuration, exiting the refrigeration outlet and returning to the condenser unit where it may be cooled. In some embodiments, an electrical system control 2710 is electrically connected to the electrical system of the air conditioning unit by one or more electrical wires 2711. The liquid enters the chiller in the liquid inlet 2712 via liquid line 2713, flows through the liquid conduit 2714 and heat exchanger 2709, then exits the chiller at a lower temperature from the liquid outlet 2715 to the liquid outlet line 2716 for use in a downstream cooling application, indicated schematically as 2717. As desired, cooling application 2717 may correspond to a fluid reservoir (see, e.g., FIG. 26), having an outlet corresponding to liquid line 2713 so that the warmed liquid can then be cooled via a repeat of the process. The enclosure that is adjacent to the AC unit may be defined in terms of a separation distance 2718.

[0119] Any of the components or methods described herein may be used to control the lighting and/or temperature of a solar greenhouse.

STATEMENTS REGARDING INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

AND VARIATIONS

[0120] All references throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents; patent application publications; and non-patent literature documents or other source material; are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in this application (for example, a reference that is partially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for the partially inconsistent portion of the reference).

[0121] The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments, exemplary embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims. The specific embodiments provided herein are examples of useful embodiments of the present invention and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be carried out using a large number of variations of the devices, device components, methods, and steps set forth in the present description. As will be obvious to one of skill in the art, methods and devices useful for the present methods can include a large number of optional composition and processing elements and steps.

[0122] When a group of substituents is disclosed herein, it is understood that all individual members of that group and all subgroups, are disclosed separately. When a Markush group or other grouping is used herein, all individual members of the group and all combinations and subcombinations possible of the group are intended to be individually included in the disclosure.

[0123] Every formulation or combination of components described or exemplified herein can be used to practice the invention, unless otherwise stated.

[0124] Whenever a range is given in the specification, for example, a temperature range, an angle range, a light intensity range, a time range, or a composition or concentration range, all intermediate ranges and subranges, as well as all individual values included in the ranges given are intended to be included in the disclosure. It will be understood that any subranges or individual values in a range or subrange that are included in the description herein can be excluded from the claims herein.

[0125] All patents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. References cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety to indicate the state of the art as of their publication or filing date and it is intended that this information can be employed herein, if needed, to exclude specific embodiments that are in the prior art. For example, when composition of matter are claimed, it should be understood that compounds known and available in the art prior to Applicant's invention, including compounds for which an enabling disclosure is provided in the references cited herein, are not intended to be included in the composition of matter claims herein.

[0126] As used herein, "comprising" is synonymous with "including," "containing," or "characterized by," and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. As used herein, "consisting of" excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim element. As used herein,

"consisting essentially of" does not exclude materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim. In each instance herein any of the terms "comprising", "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of" may be replaced with either of the other two terms. The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations which is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0127] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that starting materials, biological materials, reagents, synthetic methods, purification methods, analytical methods, assay methods, and biological methods other than those specifically exemplified can be employed in the practice of the invention without resort to undue experimentation. All art-known functional equivalents, of any such materials and methods are intended to be included in this invention. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred

embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.