Inductive Power Transfer and LED Encapsulation for Hazardous Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power transfer systems fail to provide a safe and efficient means of electrical power transfer in hazardous environments, lack quick and easy load connection/disconnection, and do not mitigate LED degradation or control light emission directionality.
Innovation Solution
A power transfer system utilizing two current transformers and an induction loop connector for safe power transfer, with magnetic energy transfer and an addressable shorting bypass for easy load connection/disconnection, and encapsulated LEDs with oxidant access for improved longevity and unidirectional emission control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional power transfer systems are used in hazardous environments, then electrical power can be transferred, but electrical sparks and current flow create potentially hazardous situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical power transfer with magnetic field-based inductive coupling. The primary current transformer generates a magnetic field that induces current in the secondary current transformer without direct electrical contact, eliminating sparks and hazardous current flow while maintaining power transfer capability in hazardous environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an induction loop connector as an intermediary between the primary and secondary current transformers. This connector transfers magnetic energy without allowing direct electrical contact, serving as a safe mediator that prevents harmful electrical sparks while enabling power transfer
2Ease of operation
If conventional power systems are used, then power can be transferred, but quick and easy connection and disconnection of loads is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power transfer system into modular components (primary current transformer, induction loop connector, secondary current transformer) that can be independently connected and disconnected. This segmentation allows loads to be quickly connected or disconnected without affecting the entire system, while the induction loop maintains power transfer continuity
3Reliability
If LEDs are encapsulated to protect them and provide desired photonic effects, then protection and photonic performance are improved, but LED quality and service life degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different encapsulation qualities to different regions of the LED. The encapsulant is designed with specific local properties that provide protection and desired photonic effects in certain areas while maintaining LED quality and service life in other areas, rather than uniform encapsulation that degrades the entire LED
4Reliability
If encapsulated LED designs are used, then protection is provided, but emission directionality and beam spread control are not accomplished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements encapsulants with spatially varying optical properties. Different regions of the encapsulant have different refractive indices or optical characteristics that simultaneously provide protection and control light emission directionality, creating specific beam spreads while maintaining LED protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses asymmetric encapsulant designs where the encapsulant geometry or optical properties vary in different directions. This asymmetry enables control over light emission directionality and beam spread while maintaining protective encapsulation, rather than symmetric designs that emit light uniformly in all directions
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
Ensures safe power transfer, facilitates quick load connections, prevents LED degradation, and controls light emission directionality, enhancing system reliability and performance in hazardous environments.
Implementation Method 1
Magnetic energy generated in the primary current transformer is transferred to the secondary current transformer via the induction loop connector so that the secondary current transformer generates electrical current
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to a power transfer system having two or more current transformers and induction loop connectors. The two or more current transformers include a primary current transformer, a secondary current transformer, or more current transformers. Power from the primary current transformer is transferred to the secondary current transformer. Further induction loops and current transformers can be added as needed. The secondary current transformer then supplies electric current to a load, or to other current transformers to provide electric current to a load(s). An addressable shorting bypass modulates power transfer to the load(s). The load can be a light source load or LED. The light source load or LED can be encapsulated with a pocket(s) having an agent to improve service life of the load or LED. Some embodiments of the LED can be structured as a unidirectional module configured to limited or prevent bleeding of light in other directions.