Remotely Distributed LED Power Network for Hazardous Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The maintenance of light fixtures with remotely located power supplies in hazardous or hard-to-reach environments is costly and risky due to the need for frequent replacements, which require multiple personnel and equipment, and pose risks of damaging other components and exposure to sparks.
Innovation Solution
A remotely distributed power network for LED lighting systems where power supplies are located on the ground level and are 'hot-swappable', allowing for easy replacement without opening the light fixture housing, reducing the need for specialized equipment and personnel, and minimizing heat exposure to extend the life span of both power supplies and LED light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power supply is located within the light fixture housing, then power delivery is efficient, but maintenance requires opening the housing which risks damaging components and exposing sparks in hazardous environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the lighting system into separate functional modules: the light fixture housing containing LED sources and the power supply unit. This segmentation allows the power supply to be replaced independently without opening the housing, eliminating the risk of damaging other components or exposing sparks in hazardous environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply unit is extracted from the light fixture housing and placed in a remote location. This extraction allows maintenance personnel to replace the power supply without accessing the interior of the light fixture housing, thereby preventing damage to other components and eliminating spark exposure risks in hazardous areas.
2Ease of repair
If power supply is located remotely, then maintenance is easier and safer, but voltage loss increases during power delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the electrical parameters by using constant current output from the power supply unit and appropriate wiring configurations to minimize voltage drop over the extended distance. This allows remote placement of the power supply while maintaining efficient power delivery to the LED light sources.
3Productivity
If power supply is accessed frequently for replacement, then maintenance can be performed, but the light fixture housing must be opened which risks damaging other components
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power supply into a separate replaceable module located remotely from the light fixture housing. This allows maintenance personnel to replace power supplies quickly without opening the housing, thereby maintaining high productivity while preserving the integrity of other components within the housing.
4Illumination intensity
If light fixture is in hazardous environment, then lighting function is provided, but maintenance personnel face exposure to sparks and ignition risks
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply unit, which is the component most likely to require replacement and the source of potential sparks, is extracted from the light fixture housing and placed in a remote safe location. This eliminates the risk of maintenance personnel being exposed to sparks and ignition hazards in hazardous environments while the lighting function remains intact.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a light emitting diode (LED) lighting system. In one embodiment, the LED lighting system includes an LED light source deployed in a first location and a power supply for powering the LED light source, wherein the power supply is remotely located from the LED light source in a second location and designed to power the LED light source to minimize a power loss along a length of an electrical connection coupled between the LED light source and the power supply.