Self De-icing LED Signals OPPORTUNITY PROBLEM Existing LED - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Self De-icing LED Signals

www.kuctc.ku.edu

OPPORTUNITY

• PROBLEM

– Existing LED traffic light lenses are unheated- snow and ice accumulation on the lenses – Incandescent lamps melt ice but not energy inefficient

• SOLUTION

– KU technology maintains LED traffic light lenses at above- freezing temperatures by mounting the LED lights “backwards” to harvest the heat generated by the LED to heat the lens – Technology solves a notable safety hazard

• PRODUCT

Self de-icing, energy efficient LED Traffic lights without additional heat generator and control sensors

www.kuctc.ku.edu

MARKET

• This invention targets the market for LED traffic lights in snowy

climates

– 39 states, 70% of the US population and all of Canada are located in snowy regions – There are around 300,000 U.S. intersections using traffic signals, in addition to thousands of railroad LED signals. – Most traffic signals in the US are LEDs – Replacing existing cool LED lights will save $ 28.1 dollars /signal light annually (payback in 4.51 years) – Potential savings would be in millions annually

(New York, with its 12,460 signals, could save $8.4 million every year)

www.kuctc.ku.edu

TECHNOLOGY

• Existing LED traffic lights are cool in the front on the lens
• The LEDs generate heat (70-80% of the input energy) that is wasted
• KU invention harnesses this heat using a passive heat exchanger
• This heat is used to heat the lens to maintain an above-freezing lens

temperature

• Light is re-directed from the LED to the front lens via

fiber cables and diffusers Patent Pending

www.kuctc.ku.edu

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

FEATURES

• Use and placement of a heat sink to

harness the heat

• Reversed LED + light collector + fiber
• ptic cables

BENEFITS

• Illumination and heating
• No external heat generators or sensors
• Retrofitting is possible/ no extra

installations

• No accumulation of snow and ice on the

lens

• Increases safety and visibility

VALUE PROPOSITION

• A self de-icing LED signal light that

can be retrofitted into conventional LED signal lights for melting and deicing without any additional heat generators or sensors

• Useful for signaling, illumination, and

heating

www.kuctc.ku.edu

NEXT STEPS

• Build prototypes of the self de-icing LED signals and test them in the

field

• Looking for both funding and development partners