Marine Vessel Directional Lighting to Prevent Glare Backscatter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine vessel lights require manual operation, are limited in illumination range and efficiency, and often reflect light back towards the operator, obstructing vision and increasing energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A light system positioned at the bow or stern of the marine vessel, equipped with directional lights and fins to emit light in specific directions based on operator input, controlled by a control system via an interface device, allowing selective illumination of desired areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional marine vessel lights are used, then illumination is provided, but light reflects back towards the operator obstructing vision
Solution Approach 1:
The light system is divided into multiple independent light sources positioned at different locations (bow and stern) with different orientations. Each light source illuminates a specific direction, preventing reflected light from returning to the operator's position while maintaining comprehensive coverage of the surrounding area.
Solution Approach 2:
Different light sources are positioned with specific orientation characteristics tailored to their location. The bow lights are oriented to illuminate forward and sideways areas, while stern lights illuminate rearward areas, ensuring that no light source directs illumination toward the operator's position.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional marine vessel lights are used, then illumination is provided, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
Each light source is positioned and oriented to illuminate only the specific area that requires visibility, eliminating wasted illumination in directions where the operator is positioned. This localized illumination approach reduces the total energy required to achieve the same effective visibility compared to omnidirectional lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system uses multiple targeted light sources instead of a single high-power omnidirectional source. By segmenting the illumination function across multiple lower-power sources that each cover specific zones, the system achieves comprehensive coverage with reduced total energy consumption.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional marine vessel lights are used, then illumination is provided, but illumination range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple light sources positioned at both the bow and stern of the vessel, with each source oriented to cover specific directional zones. This segmentation extends the total illumination range by distributing light coverage across multiple locations rather than relying on a single source, while the modular configuration keeps the system manageable.
4Ease of operation
If manual operation of lights is used, then simple control is provided, but operational efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The light system automatically activates and deactivates based on the vessel's operational state. When the vessel is in motion, the lights automatically turn on to provide necessary illumination; when stationary, they automatically turn off to conserve energy. This self-service operation eliminates the need for manual intervention while optimizing energy usage according to actual operational needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A marine vessel includes a bow, a stern, a port side, and a starboard side laterally spaced apart from the port side. A light system is coupled to the bow or the stern and operable to emit light in a starboard direction and in a port direction from the bow or the stern. An operator interface device configured to receive an input, and a control system is in communication with the operator interface device and configured to control the light system based on the input such that the light system selectively emits light in the starboard direction and/or the port direction.