Light Conduit Nautical Navigation Light Corrosion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nautical navigation lights suffer from corrosion of electrical contacts due to moisture exposure in marine environments, leading to electrical failure.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves transmitting light instead of electrical current through a light conduit, eliminating the need for electrical contacts at the base and bulb socket, and incorporating a redundant light source or driver for increased reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical contacts are used to transmit power from base to light bulb, then electrical power can be delivered to the light source, but corrosion occurs due to moisture exposure leading to electrical failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidmoisture corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical contact system with an optical transmission system. A light conduit (optical fiber or light pipe) transmits light from an LED source in the base to the distal end light bulb, eliminating copper electrical contacts that corrode in marine environments. This substitution of electrical transmission with optical transmission resolves the corrosion problem while maintaining power delivery functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a light conduit as an intermediary medium to transmit energy from the base to the distal end light bulb. The light conduit acts as a mediator that carries optical energy without requiring direct electrical contact between the base and the light bulb, thereby preventing corrosion of electrical contacts while enabling power transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If detachable pole design is used, then lights can be stored out of the way during daytime activities, but electrical contacts at the base increase corrosion risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage flexibilityVSAvoidelectrical contact durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical contact interface required for detachable pole designs with an optical coupling system. The light conduit can be mechanically detached and stored while using optical coupling (not electrical contacts) to transmit power, thereby maintaining storage flexibility while eliminating the corrosion-prone electrical contact interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Use of energy by moving object

If electrical contacts are used in bulb socket, then power can be delivered to the light bulb, but corrosion leads to eventual electrical failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower deliveryVSAvoidelectrical contact lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical contacts in the bulb socket with an optical coupling system. The light conduit transmits optical energy directly to the distal end light bulb without requiring electrical contacts at the bulb socket interface, thereby eliminating the corrosion problem while maintaining power delivery functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach significantly increases the reliability of nautical navigation lights by preventing corrosion and ensuring continuous operation through redundant systems.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting light instead of electrical current in the structure external to the base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

The light conduit may be a light pipe or fiber optic cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8721138B2Light conduit nautical navigation light

Publication Date: 2014.05.13 BURKE JOHN

AI summary

A light conduit nautical navigation light with improved usable life and reliability. It replaces electrical energy coupling by light energy coupling, thereby eliminating electrical contact corrosion problems. It further offers a more robust light emitting structure due to its solid structure.