Spherical LED Light Fixture With Serviceable Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
LED light fixtures for deep water environments face challenges with heat dissipation and maintenance, as high brightness LEDs generate significant heat, leading to thermal runaway and require configurations that manage pressure and contamination, while existing solutions lack user-serviceability and efficient heat management.
Innovation Solution
The development of LED light fixtures with a substantially or partially spherical housing made of metal, featuring a transparent window, internal water barrier, and sealed servicing volume, which includes a user-serviceable connector and thermally conductive materials to manage heat and withstand deep ocean pressures, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high brightness LEDs are used to deliver high levels of lighting, then illumination intensity is improved, but heat generation increases causing thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat management function by implementing a dedicated heat sink structure that is thermally coupled to the LED substrate. This separate heat dissipation pathway removes heat from the LED junction, preventing thermal runaway while maintaining high brightness output.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, acts as a heat sink for thermal management, and offers pressure protection for deep water environments. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to address both illumination and heat dissipation requirements.
2Reliability
If pressure-protected housing is used to isolate LEDs from ambient pressure, then reliability under deep ocean pressure is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure protection function with the housing structure itself. The housing is designed to withstand deep ocean pressures while also serving as a mounting structure for LEDs and a heat sink, thereby providing pressure resistance without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Temperature
If fluid-filled environment is used for thermal management, then heat dissipation is improved, but light beam control deteriorates and phosphor coating contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thermal management function from the optical path by implementing a separate heat sink structure thermally coupled to the LED substrate. This allows heat dissipation without introducing fluid into the light beam path, thereby maintaining light beam control and preventing phosphor coating contamination.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional LED fixtures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but user serviceability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the LED fixture into modular components: a replaceable LED module, a heat sink, and a housing. This segmentation allows users to easily replace individual LED modules without replacing the entire fixture, thereby improving user serviceability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.
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 solution effectively manages heat dissipation and maintains the LED light fixtures' performance under high pressure, reducing the risk of thermal runaway and enabling user-serviceable maintenance, thus extending the lifespan and reliability of the fixtures.
Implementation Method 1
a housing for withstanding deep ocean pressure
Implementation Method 2
thermally conductive materials to manage heat
Implementation Method 3
A seal may be positioned between a periphery of the window and the housing for providing resistance to the entry of water into the cavity and the hollow interior of the housing
Implementation Method 4
A transparent window may extend across the first aperture
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment a deep submersible light includes a substantially spherical exterior housing made of metal, the housing having a hollow interior and a first aperture extending through a front side of the housing. The first aperture may communicate with the hollow interior of the housing and an LED may be mounted inside the first aperture adjacent to the hollow interior of the housing. A transparent window may extend across the first aperture, and a seal may be situated between a periphery of the window and the housing adjacent the first aperture for providing resistance to the entry of water into the hollow interior of the housing. An electrical connector may be disposed on an aft section of the housing and may be configured to be readily field serviceable. The light may further include an internal water barrier between a connector wiring area and an inner driver element of the lighting element.