Inline LED Marine Lighting for T-Top and Handrail Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine lighting devices, particularly those using incandescent and gas discharge lamps, face issues with energy inefficiency, short operating life, vulnerability to vibration and water infiltration, and aesthetically unpleasing installations, which compromise their reliability and safety on marine vessels.
Innovation Solution
A marine lighting device utilizing a linear array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted in-line with tubular marine vessel structures, such as T-tops and handrails, providing energy efficiency, enhanced reliability, and aesthetic integration through axial alignment and robust mechanical design, with independent control of LED colors and locations for improved illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If incandescent lamps are used for marine lighting, then the lighting device can be mounted removably in sockets for easy replacement, but energy efficiency is poor and operating life is short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical socket-based incandescent lamp system with an integrated LED module that has no removable sockets. The LED light source is permanently mounted within the housing, eliminating the need for mechanical replacement mechanisms while achieving superior energy efficiency and longer operating life.
2Ease of repair
If incandescent lamps with removable sockets are used, then lamp replacement is easy, but the sockets and gaskets are susceptible to water infiltration and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the vulnerable socket and gasket components entirely from the design. By integrating the LED module directly into the housing with no removable electrical connections, the design eliminates the primary pathways for water infiltration and corrosion that plagued previous designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, contains the LED light source, provides weather sealing, and eliminates the need for separate socket and gasket components. This multi-functional design removes the vulnerability points associated with separate components.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If gas discharge lamps are used, then lamp life is extended, but the devices remain bulky and require electrical ballasts making installation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex gas discharge lamp systems with simple LED modules. The LED technology eliminates the need for ballasts, transformers, and complex electrical infrastructure, while providing even longer operating life and simpler installation through direct integration with the housing.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional marine lighting devices are mounted projecting outward from the structure, then installation is straightforward, but they occupy free space and present obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the LED light source nested within the housing structure itself, which is then integrated into the marine vessel architecture. This nesting approach eliminates protruding elements while maintaining installation simplicity through the modular housing design that can be mounted in various locations without occupying additional space.
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 LED-based marine lighting system offers high energy efficiency, extended operating life, immunity to shock and vibration, and an aesthetically pleasing installation that maintains structural integrity and safety, addressing the limitations of conventional lighting devices.
Implementation Method 1
Modern LEDs are available in many colors and offer extremely long life
Implementation Method 2
use of light emitting diodes as a light source
Data Source
AI summary
A marine lighting device mounts in-line with a tubular member of a marine vessel structure such as a T-top, tower or hand rail. An LED light bar having an array of LEDs supportably mounted to a circuit board is sealably enclosed in a tubular lens which, in turn is disposed within a tubular housing, a central portion of which is provided with an opening through which illumination from the LEDs is emitted after passing through the lens. A sleeve coupling is used to mount at least one end of the housing to a free end of the tubular member. In lieu of using a sleeve coupling at both ends one end of the housing may be flared to receive one of the free ends of the tubular member. A lighted T-top incorporating at least one such marine lighting device and a lighted marine handrail are also disclosed.