Optical Communication Systems and Methods
First Claim
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1. A system for reducing fouling of a surface subjected to an aquatic environment, the system comprising:
- a surface designed to be subjected to an aquatic environment;
a light source for emitting UV radiation toward the surface in a first pattern;
a pressure vessel;
an end cap adapted to provide at least one of a mechanical connection and an electrical connection to an object; and
control circuitry for driving the light source;
wherein the light source is disposed within the pressure vessel, and the pressure vessel is capable of passing the UV radiation emitted from the light source to the surface to reduce fouling.
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Abstract
A system and method to reduce fouling of a surface subjected to an aquatic environment with a light source. According to one aspect, an antifouling system including an LED for emitting UV radiation, one or more mounts for directing emitted UV radiation toward the surface, and control circuitry for driving the LED disposed in a watertight housing. According to another aspect, an antifouling system which employs a fluorescent lamp disposed within a pressure vessel including a UV-transmissive material to allow UV light to pass through the pressure vessel and reduce bio-fouling of any surface.
68 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for reducing fouling of a surface subjected to an aquatic environment, the system comprising:
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a surface designed to be subjected to an aquatic environment; a light source for emitting UV radiation toward the surface in a first pattern; a pressure vessel; an end cap adapted to provide at least one of a mechanical connection and an electrical connection to an object; and control circuitry for driving the light source; wherein the light source is disposed within the pressure vessel, and the pressure vessel is capable of passing the UV radiation emitted from the light source to the surface to reduce fouling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for reducing the fouling of a UV-transmissive surface subjected to an aquatic environment, the system comprising:
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a surface designed to be subjected to an aquatic environment; a watertight housing; a plurality of mounts disposed within the housing and proximate to the surface, each mount comprising an LED for emitting UV radiation; and control circuitry for driving the LED and maintaining a duty cycle; wherein the UV radiation is transmitted from within the housing to the surface to reduce the fouling of said surface, and the UV radiation is within the wavelength range of about 265 nm and about 295 nm, and the control circuitry maintains a duty cycle of at least 10%. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for reducing fouling of a surface subjected to an aquatic environment, the method comprising the steps of:
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selecting a surface designed to be subjected to an aquatic environment; providing a system comprising a light source for emitting UV radiation disposed within a pressure vessel; driving the light source to emit radiation; directing emitted UV radiation toward the surface; and maintaining a duty cycle of at least about 10%. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification