Underwater Light Thermal Management via Water Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional underwater lights face inefficiencies due to incandescent bulbs, metal hydride systems, and high-intensity LEDs that overheat without effective heat dissipation, limiting light diameter and energy efficiency, and lack multi-color illumination capabilities.

Innovation Solution

An underwater light with a thermally conductive housing and internal water cooling system, where LEDs are mounted at an angle, and a transparent cover allows water to absorb and dissipate heat, enabling brighter, larger-diameter light emission with multiple colors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If high intensity LEDs are used to increase light intensity, then illumination intensity is improved, but temperature increases causing overheating and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight intensityVSAvoidLED temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful heat generated by high-intensity LEDs into a beneficial cooling mechanism by allowing water to flow through the housing. The heat that would otherwise damage the LEDs is instead used to warm the surrounding water, creating a symbiotic relationship where the waste heat becomes a useful function for the aquatic environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a hydraulic cooling system where water flows through the housing to dissipate heat from the LEDs. This hydraulic approach replaces traditional air-based or solid heat sinks with a liquid cooling mechanism that is more effective in the underwater environment and eliminates overheating issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Illumination intensity

If conventional light sources (incandescent, metal hydride, CFL) are used, then light emission is achieved, but energy efficiency deteriorates and hazardous high voltage A/C current is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight emissionVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adopts LEDs which, while having longer life expectancy than traditional bulbs, represent a shift toward more efficient, longer-lasting light sources that reduce energy consumption and eliminate the need for hazardous high voltage systems. The system embraces modern LED technology to replace outdated incandescent, metal hydride, and CFL sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Illumination intensity

If light beams upward in shallow water, then light emission is concentrated, but diameter of illuminated area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight concentrationVSAvoiddiameter of light

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a single-direction (upward) light beam to a multi-directional illumination pattern by positioning LEDs to emit light in various directions including sideways and downward. This dimensional expansion of light distribution creates a larger illuminated area while maintaining sufficient intensity through the water column.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 provides a stable and efficient cooling system for LEDs, enhancing light intensity and diameter, attracting marine life while maintaining LED safety, and offering aesthetic multi-color illumination.

Implementation Method 1

a thermally conductive housing and internal water cooling system, where LEDs are mounted at an angle, and a transparent cover allows water to absorb and dissipate heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

without a way of dissipating the heat from a concentrated point of each LED, the high intensity LED will overheat and become damaged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Heat Sink

Implementation Method 3

a transparent cover allows water to absorb and dissipate heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20230366532A1Adjustable Depth Anchoring System for an Underwater Light

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 MILLER STEVEN

AI summary

An underwater light having light emitting units positioned around the central axis of a cylindrical structure. The light emitting units project light in multiple directions around the central axis of the cylindrical structure. A transparent cover is located over the light emittign units and a power cord is attached to the underwater light. The power cord adapted to be connected to a power source out of the water to provide power to the underwater light when the underwater light is in the water.