Optical Stern Light Coupling for Marine Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detachable stern lights for boats face corrosion issues due to exposed copper electrical contacts in marine environments, leading to electrical failure.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves transmitting light instead of electrical current across the coupling of the base and light conduit, using a light conduit with a light source and a light driver device, and a mechanism to redirect light for emission, eliminating the need for electrical contacts and replacing the pole and bulb assembly with a single light conduit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical contacts are used to transmit power from base to pole, then electrical power transmission is achieved, but corrosion occurs leading to electrical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical contact system with an optical system. A light source in the base illuminates a light-sensitive material or transmits light through a fiber optic cable to activate the light at the pole end. This substitution eliminates copper electrical contacts entirely, removing the corrosion vulnerability while maintaining the functional capability of transmitting energy/signals from base to pole.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium to transfer energy or control signals between the base and pole. Instead of direct electrical contact, light serves as the mediator that carries the necessary information or power activation across the interface, preventing direct exposure of conductive materials to corrosive marine environments.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If weather covers are provided to protect electrical contacts, then corrosion protection is improved, but water intrusion still occurs leading to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for protective covers by replacing the electrical contact system with an optical system. Since light sources and light-sensitive materials can be hermetically sealed or inherently resistant to moisture, the system achieves reliability without requiring additional protective infrastructure that is prone to failure.
3Ease of operation
If detachable pole design is used, then storage convenience is improved, but electrical connection reliability deteriorates due to contact exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical connection mechanism with an optical connection mechanism in the detachable pole design. The light source or fiber optic interface can be designed with simple mechanical interfaces that are inherently more reliable and easier to connect/disconnect without exposing vulnerable electrical contacts to the environment.
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 design prevents corrosion and ensures reliable operation by efficiently conducting light through a conduit, providing a durable and effective stern light system for marine environments.
Implementation Method 1
efficiently conducting light through a conduit
Implementation Method 2
electrical power conditioning device (light driver device), a light source
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method that improves the usable life and reliability of detachable stern lights for boats. It replaces electrical energy coupling by light energy coupling, thereby eliminating electrical contact corrosion problems.