Class-E Inductive Lighting for High-Moisture Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater lighting systems for swimming pools and similar environments face challenges such as electrical shock risks, labor-intensive maintenance, and inability to retrofit existing infrastructure due to proprietary power supplies and lack of power-cycling and iStar™ lighting-control protocols.
Innovation Solution
An inductive-coupling lighting system that wirelessly transfers power and control commands using a class-E power amplifier to generate a high-frequency sinusoidal AC waveform, allowing for safe replacement of light modules underwater and compatibility with existing infrastructure without modifying underground wiring, and enabling interpretation of various lighting-control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hardwired electrical connections are used for underwater lighting, then power can be reliably transmitted to light modules, but electrical shock risks increase and maintenance becomes labor-intensive requiring water drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical electrical contacts with electromagnetic inductive coupling. The receptacle contains a primary coil that wirelessly transmits power and control signals to the light module's secondary coil, eliminating exposed electrical contacts and waterproof connector requirements. This allows maintenance personnel to replace light modules underwater without draining the pool or worrying about electrical shock hazards.
2Power
If proprietary power supplies are used in existing lighting systems, then system performance can be optimized, but adaptability to different protocols and retrofitting capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple lighting control protocols including Lutron, iStar, and power-cycling systems. The primary coil can transmit both power and various types of control signals through the same inductive coupling interface, allowing a single receptacle design to support different bulb types, control methods, and protocol standards without requiring proprietary power supplies.
3Ease of operation
If wireless inductive coupling is implemented for power transfer, then electrical safety and maintenance ease are improved, but compatibility with existing underground wiring infrastructure may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges wireless inductive power transfer with existing hardwired infrastructure by integrating a primary coil into the conventional receptacle that receives standard electrical power through existing underground wiring. This hybrid approach maintains the benefits of wired power delivery while adding wireless transmission capability for both power and control signals, allowing retrofitting of existing lighting systems without replacing underground conduits or wiring.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces electrical shock risks, facilitates easy maintenance without draining water, and allows retrofitting of existing systems, supporting power-cycling and iStar™ protocols for advanced lighting control.
Implementation Method 1
The class-E power amplifier is switched according to a digital switching signal nominally corresponding to a high-speed duty signal. Thus, commands are modulated by using the switching device to, in response to the digital switching signal, convert direct current (DC) input power to the high-frequency sinusoidal AC waveform applied to a primary solenoid of the female inductive coupler that induces a voltage in—and carries power and command information to—the male inductive coupler of the light module.
Data Source
AI summary
An inductive-coupling lighting system for use in high-moisture operating environments provides electromagnetic inductive coupling for simultaneous wireless (contactless) transfer of power and lighting-control commands.