Inductive Lighting System Using Porous Graphite Foam
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting systems at airports face challenges in achieving efficient electrical usage while ensuring visibility for pilots and on-board cameras, as existing LED solutions are expensive, have short lifetimes, and do not generate sufficient heat to melt ice and snow, and carbon foams for light emission have limitations.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system utilizing an inductive power supply with a sealed enclosure containing a porous graphite foam conductor, an oscillating circuit, and a drive circuit, which generates an electromagnetic field to induce an electric current and produce light, capable of emitting in the visual and infrared spectra, with a MOSFET-based drive circuit for controlling light output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If LEDs are used for lighting, then light emission in visual and infrared spectra is achieved, but cost increases, lifetime decreases, and heat generation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces LED-based electrical light emission with induction heating-based thermal radiation. The porous graphite foam conductor, when subjected to AC induction heating, generates thermal radiation in both visual and infrared spectra, eliminating LED reliability and cost issues while providing sufficient heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using porous graphite foam with specific porosity (70-90%) and electrical resistivity (0.1-10 micro-ohm-cm) to optimize both light emission efficiency and heat generation capability, achieving dual functionality that LEDs cannot provide.
2Illumination intensity
If porous graphite foam is used instead of solid graphite, then light emission efficiency increases, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous graphite foam with controlled porosity (70-90%) to dramatically increase light emission efficiency compared to solid graphite. The porous structure provides larger surface area for electromagnetic field interaction and more emission sites, while the foam structure can be manufactured through established carbonization processes from polymeric precursors.
3Temperature
If AC induction heating is used to heat the porous graphite foam, then sufficient heat is generated to melt ice and snow, but control precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback control mechanisms where the AC power source frequency and amplitude are adjusted based on monitoring of the porous graphite foam's temperature, light output, or electrical characteristics. This closed-loop control maintains precision while enabling sufficient heat generation for de-icing applications.
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 provides efficient light emission with higher lumens than solid graphite, addressing the need for visible and infrared light, and is designed to withstand environmental conditions, including ice and snow, with controlled power delivery to extend lifespan and reduce costs.
Implementation Method 1
The oscillating circuit is configured to generate an electromagnetic field. The porous graphite foam conductor when exposed to the electromagnetic field conducts an induced electric current.
Implementation Method 2
The induced electric current heats the porous graphite foam conductor to produce light.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for producing light is provided. The system comprises a sealed enclosure surrounding a porous graphite foam conductor which is exposed to an electromagnetic field generated by an oscillating circuit. When exposed, the foam conductor conducts induced electric current which heats the same to product light. The amount of light is controllable by changing the output of a drive circuit. The oscillating circuit comprises a first inductor and a first capacitor. The first inductor has a first terminal and a second terminal. The output of the drive circuit is controlled by turning a MOSFET OFF and ON. The MOSFET is turned ON when an integrated signal representative of a difference between a voltage proportional to the first terminal and a voltage proportional to the second terminal is between a first voltage threshold and a second voltage threshold and based on a timing signal.