TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a light tube adapter for adapting a length of a light tube to fit a light tube fixture, a lighting assembly, an emergency lighting system, and a marine vessel.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Marine vessels, such as container ships, may comprise wireless communication devices. However, it may be difficult to communicate between wireless communication devices within a marine vessel due to the metallic construction of the marine vessel.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light tube adapter for adapting a length of a light tube to fit a light tube fixture, the light tube adapter comprising: a housing; and a mounting arrangement on an inner surface of the housing, the mounting arrangement configured to retain an electronic device within the housing.

[0004] It may be desirable to provide electronic devices in a variety of locations. However, this may require additional infrastructure (e.g. cabling) which may greatly increase complexity, and it may be difficult to retrofit such additional infrastructure into existing locations (e.g. without requiring significant structural changes). The first aspect of the present invention provides a light tube adapter within which an electronic device can be retained. As such, the electronic device may be incorporated into an existing light tube arrangement, without the need for significant structural modification of the location in which the light tube is located. The mounting arrangement may ensure that the electronic device remains fixed in place relative to the housing when located in the housing.

[0005] Optionally, the mounting arrangement comprises a rail extending along the inner surface of the housing. The rail may allow the electronic device to be easily located in the correct position within the housing, for example by sliding the electronic device along the rail. The rail may extend along the inner surface of the housing in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing (i.e. in a direction parallel to a longest side of the housing). The mounting arrangement may comprise a plurality of rails configured to restrict movement of the electronic device within the housing and to hold the electronic device in place relative to the housing.

[0006] Optionally, the mounting arrangement comprises a pair of parallel rails extending along the inner surface of the housing. The pair of parallel rails may be configured to receive a part of the electronic device between the parallel rails to restrict movement of the part of the electronic device relative to the housing in at least one direction. This may reduce the likelihood of the electronic device moving once located within the housing, which may reduce the likelihood of damage occurring to the electronic device. The mounting arrangement may comprise four parallel rails which extend along the inner surface of the housing in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0007] Optionally, the mounting arrangement comprises two pairs of parallel rails extending along opposing sides of the inner surface of the housing. The electronic device may be received between each respective pair of rails to hold the electronic device in place relative to the housing. When the electronic device comprises a PCB, each rail within the pair may be spaced from the other rail of the pair by an amount approximately equal to, or slightly larger than, the thickness of the PCB. When the electronic device is inserted into the housing such that opposing edges of the PCB are between the pairs of rails, this may help to restrict movement of the electronic device relative to the housing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing. Optionally, the mounting rail arrangement also comprises rail stops at either ends of each rail. This may help to limit movement of the electronic device in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the housing once the electronic device is located in the housing. Optionally, the rails are configured to extend along substantially an entire length of the electronic device when the electronic device is within the housing. This may provide increased rigidity compared to the rail extending along only a portion of the length of the electronic device.

[0008] Optionally, the housing comprises a material that is substantially transparent to RF signals. When the electronic device is configured to transmit and/or receive RF signals, this may reduce the likelihood of the signals being attenuated. Optionally, the housing comprises a material that is substantially transparent to visible light. This may allow light emitted by the light tube to pass through the light tube adapter.

[0009] Optionally, the housing comprises a sleeve portion comprising an opening at an end of the housing and an electrical contact located within the sleeve portion, wherein the electrical contact is configured to engage with a corresponding electrical contact of a light tube when the light tube is received in the sleeve portion through the opening.

[0010] The electrical contacts may allow electrical connection between the light tube adapter and the light tube. The sleeve portion may also provide increased rigidity between the light tube adapter and the light tube by restricting movement of the light tube relative to the light tube adapter in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the light tube adapter.

[0011] Optionally, when the sleeve portion receives the light tube, the sleeve portion is configured to overlap less than 15 percent of a length of the light tube, such as 13 percent of the length of the light tube. Optionally, the sleeve portion is configured to overlap less than 10 percent, less than 8 percent, or less than 6 percent of the length of the light tube. Optionally, the sleeve portion is configured to overlap the light tube by between around 4cm to 8 cm, such as 6cm. The sleeve portion may only cover a part of the light tube that does not emit light. As such, the sleeve portion does not block or reduce the amount of light emitted by the light tube.

[0012] Optionally, the electrical contact within the sleeve portion is a first electrical contact. Optionally, the light tube adapter comprises a second electrical contact at an end of the light tube adapter opposite the opening. Optionally, the second electrical contact comprises a male connector and the first electrical contact comprises a female connector. Optionally, the male connector of the light tube adapter is the same as a corresponding male connector of the light tube. The male connector of the light tube adapter may allow the light tube adapter to be electrically connected to a light tube fixture. Optionally, the second electrical contact comprises a pair of protruding electrical contacts. Optionally, the second electrical contact is electrically connected to the first electrical contact. As such, an electrical current received at the second electrical contact may be transmitted, at least in part, to the first electrical contact. Optionally, the first electrical contact comprises a pair of recesses configured to receive a corresponding pair of protruding electrical contacts of the light tube.

[0013] Optionally, the light tube adapter has a length from the first electrical contact to the second electrical contact of between around 10cm to 20cm, such as around 15cm, and a diameter of between around 23mm and 30mm, such as around 27mm. This may allow the light tube adapter to fit within a standard light tube fixture when engaged with a light tube. [0014] Optionally, the light tube adapter comprises the electronic device located within the housing and retained by the mounting arrangement.

[0015] Optionally, the electronic device comprises a camera or a sensor. The sensor may be a light sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor or a presence sensor. Optionally, the sensor is configured to determine information indicative of a property of the light tube adapter, the light tube or an environment around the light tube adapter. This information may be used to control and/or operation of the light tube or the electronic device. For example, when the sensor is a light sensor, if a value determined by the light sensor falls below a threshold value, this may be used to determine that the light tube needs replacing.

[0016] Optionally, the electronic device comprises a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may allow the electronic device to communicate wirelessly with other devices. By providing the wireless communication device in the light tube adapter, this may allow the wireless communication device to be incorporated into existing light tube fixtures, without the need for significant structural modification to the location in which the light tube fixture is located. Optionally, the wireless communication device comprises a wireless access point or a wireless repeater. Optionally, the wireless communication device comprises a WiFi access point. Optionally, the wireless communication device is configured to transmit and receive radiofrequency (RF) signals. Optionally, the wireless communication device is configured to communicate with an external device. Optionally, the external device is a mobile phone, a tablet or a computer. The wireless communication device may allow the external device to connect to a local network or the internet, via the wireless communication device.

[0017] The electronic device may comprise a combination of the features described herein. For example, the electronic device may comprise a wireless access point and a presence sensor. The wireless access point may be configured to switch from a low power state to a higher power state when the presence sensor detects a person in proximity to the electronic device. In the lower power state, it may not be possible to connect to the wireless access point, whereas in the higher power state it may be possible to connect to the wireless access point. By switching to the higher power state when a person is detected, this may help to save energy by reducing the power consumed by the electronic device when nobody is in proximity of, and therefore may not need to connect to, the electronic device. [0018] Optionally, the electronic device has a length of between about 100mm and 140mm, such as 120mm; a width of between about 14mm and 19mm, such as 16.5mm; and a height of between about 8mm and 11mm, such as 10.5mm.

[0019] Optionally, the electronic device comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) and an antenna is secured to the PCB. The antenna may allow the electronic device to communicate wirelessly with another electronic device. Optionally, the electronic device comprises a plurality of antennas. Providing a plurality of antennas may increase the signal strength from the electronic device and/or may also allow a wider range of frequencies to be used to communicate with the electronic device. Providing a plurality of antenna may also provide redundancy in the event that one of the antennas stops working.

[0020] Optionally, the electronic device comprises a double-sided printed circuit board (PCB), and a first antenna is located on a first side of the double-sided PCB and a second antenna is located on an opposing second side of the double-sided PCB. By providing the first and second antennas on opposing sides of the double-sided PCB, this may help to reduce the overall size of the PCB compared to a single-sided PCB with the same two antennas. As such, the housing may be smaller while still accommodating the electronic device.

[0021] Optionally, the antennas are configured to operate at a frequency of between 100 MHz and 60 GHz, such as between 0.5 GHz and 5 GHz, between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, or between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz. Optionally, the antennas are configured to operate at a frequency complying with the Bluetooth standard.

[0022] Optionally, the first antenna is configured to operate at a different frequency to the second antenna. This may allow devices operating on different frequencies to wirelessly communicate with the electronic device. Optionally, the first antenna operates at a frequency of around 2.4 GHz and the second antenna operates at a frequency of around 5 GHz.

[0023] Optionally, the electronic device is powered by a remote power source (i.e. a power source that is not located within the housing). The electronic device may be configured to convert power received from the remote power source into power which is useable by components of the electronic device. For example, the remote power source may provide an alternating current (AC) and the electronic device may comprise a rectifier to convert the alternating current to a direct current (DC). Optionally, the electronic device comprises a power converter to convert a received voltage from the remote power source from a first voltage level to a second voltage level different to the first voltage level. When the first voltage level is higher than the second voltage level, the power converter may be a step-down converter (such as a buck converter). When the first voltage level is lower than the second voltage level, the power converter may be a step-up converter (such as a boost converter). The power converter may comprise a transformer to convert the received voltage from the remote power source from the first voltage level to the second voltage level different to the first voltage level. The power converter may allow the electronic device to operate at a different voltage to the received voltage. The received voltage may be 240V and the power converter may be used to convert this voltage to around 5V to be used by the electronic device. The received voltage may differ depending on the type of power source or the geographical location of the power source. For example, the power source may be mains electricity, the voltage of which may differ between countries.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting assembly comprising: the light tube adapter according to the first aspect of the present invention; and a light tube engaged with the light tube adapter.

[0025] Optionally, the lighting assembly comprises a fixture configured to hold the light tube and light tube adapter, wherein the fixture comprises a first support configured to engage with the light tube adapter and a second support configured to engage with the light tube, and the light tube and the light tube adapter are configured to be powered via at least one of the first support and the second support.

[0026] This may allow the light tube adapter and the light tube to be powered by the same power source, without the need for an additional power source to power the light tube adapter. This may help to reduce the complexity of the assembly and may allow the assembly to be retrofitted into existing fixtures. The first and second supports may be electrically connected to the power source. When the light tube adapter and the light tube are engaged with each other and are engaged with the first and second supports, an electrical connection between electrical contacts of the light tube adapter and the light tube may mean that electrical power is transmitted from the first and/or second support to the light tube and light tube adapter. Optionally, the first and second supports comprise first and second tombstone sockets. [0027] Optionally, the fixture is configured to hold a plurality, such as two, light tubes. This may help to increase the luminance of light being emitted from the lighting assembly, which may improve visibility in the area in which the assembly is located.

[0028] Optionally, first support is spaced from the second support by between about 0.5m and 1.5m, such as by 0.6m or by 1.2m. This may allow light tubes complying with IEC 62776:2014 requirements to be used in the fixture.

[0029] Optionally, the light tube comprises an incandescent light tube. Optionally, the light tube comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs may be more energy efficient that incandescent light tubes, which may help to reduce the environmental impact of powering the fixture. Optionally, the light tube has an output of between about 800lm and 2200lm, such as 900lm or 2000lm.

[0030] Optionally, the light tube has a length between around 0.4 m and 1 .3 m, such as between 0.45 m and 1.2 m, or between 0.6 m and 1.05 m. Optionally, the total length of the light tube and the light tube adapter is between 0.4 m and 1.3 m, for example 0.45 m, 0.6m, 0.9m, 1.05m, or 1 ,2m. This may allow the light tube and the light tube adapter to fit within conventional sized light tube fixtures.

[0031] Optionally, the electronic device does not control operation of the light tube. This may allow the light tube to operate even if the electronic device is not powered/not in operation. Moreover, the type or configuration of electronic device may be changed without affecting operation of the light tube.

[0032] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an emergency lighting system comprising the light tube adapter according to the first aspect of the present invention or the lighting assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the emergency lighting system is continuously powered.

[0033] This may allow that light tube adapter, and therefore the electronic device, to be continuously powered, which may enable the device to be continuously operable. The emergency lighting system may be powered even when a main power source is disconnected. As such, the light tube extender may continue to be powered even when the main power supply is interrupted. This may also reduce the chance of the accidental disconnection of power from the light tube extender (for example, caused by turning off a light switch).

[0034] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a marine vessel comprising a lighting system, the lighting system comprising the light tube adapter according to the first aspect of the present invention, the lighting assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention, or the emergency lighting system according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0035] The lighting assembly may allow a device to be conveniently located within the marine vessel, without the need for structure modification to the marine vessel.

[0036] Optionally, the lighting system comprises a plurality of lighting assemblies of the second aspect of the present invention. The devices of the plural lighting assemblies may be configured to communicate with each other. This may allow the devices to form a network within the marine vessel, which may be used to communicate between different areas of the vessel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a marine vessel;

[0039] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light assembly;

[0040] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a tombstone socket of the light assembly;

[0041] Figure 4 shows a schematic view of a light tube of the light assembly;

[0042] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light tube adapter of the light assembly; and

[0043] Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional end view of the light tube adapter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a marine vessel in the form of a container ship 1. A plurality of shipping containers 2 are stacked above a deck of the container ship 1 . A bridge 3 is located on the container ship 1 from which operation of the container ship 1 may be controlled.

[0045] An emergency lighting system 4 is provided onboard the container ship 1 . The emergency lighting system 4 is configured to be continuously powered to allow areas of the ship 1 to be continuously illuminated if required (e.g. even if disconnected from a mains power supply). Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a light assembly 10 of the emergency lighting system 4. The light assembly 10 comprises a light tube 14, a light tube adapter 16, and a fixture 12 which is electrically connected to an external power source 13.

[0046] The fixture 12 comprises two tombstone sockets 18 (shown in more detail Figure 3) which are spaced apart from each other by around 60cm. Each tombstone socket 18 comprises an opening 21 and a pair of electrical connectors 19.

[0047] The light tube 14 (shown in Figure 4) is substantially cylindrical in shape and has a length of approximately 45cm from a first end 22 of the light tube 14 to a second, opposite, end 26 of the light tube 14. The light tube 14 complies with the IEC 62776:2014 standard. A first pair of male electrical connectors 20 protrude from the first end 22 of the light tube 14, and a second pair of male electrical connectors 24 protrude from the second end 26 of the light tube 14.

[0048] Between the first end 22 and the second end 26, the light tube 14 comprises a first section 30 and a second section 31. The first section 30 is located between the first end 22 and the second section 31 , and the second section 31 is located between the first section 30 and the second end 26. The first section 30 is optically opaque (i.e. opaque to visible light) and contains electrical circuitry 28 to control operation of the light tube 14. The second section 31 is optically transparent (i.e. transparent to visible light) and contains a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 29 which are electrically connected to the electrical circuitry 28. The LEDs 29 are configured to emit light with a combined intensity of 900lm.

[0049] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the light tube adapter 16. The light tube adapter 16 comprises a housing 32 which is substantially cylindrical in shape, is substantially transparent to visible light and is substantially transparent to radio frequency (RF) signals. An electronic device 42 (the details of which will be described in more detail later) comprising a PCB 44 is located within the housing 42. The housing 32 comprises a sleeve portion 36 with an opening 34 at a first end 33 of the housing 32. The opening 34 has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape and has an internal diameter of around 27mm, which is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the light tube 14. The sleeve portion 36 further comprises a pair of female electrical connectors 38 which are located within the sleeve portion 36 and are around 6cm from the opening 34. The pair of female electrical connectors 38 each comprise a substantially cylindrical recess 39 corresponding to the first and/or second pairs of male electrical connectors 20, 24 of the light tube 14.

[0050] A pair of male electrical connectors 40 protrude from a second end 35 of the light tube adapter 16, which is opposite the opening 34. The pair of male electrical connectors 40 of the light tube adapter 16 have the same dimensions as the first and second pairs of male electrical connectors 20, 24 of the light tube 14, and are electrically connected to the pair of female electrical connectors 38. The light tube adapter 16 has a length of around 15cm between the second end 26 and the pair of female electrical connectors 38. As such, the overall length of the light tube adapter 16 (i.e. from the opening 34 to the second end 35) is around 21cm.

[0051] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional end view of the light tube adapter 16. The housing 32 comprises an inner surface 54 and a mounting arrangement is located on the inner surface 54. The mounting arrangement comprises four parallel rails 56 which are arranged in two pairs of two rails 56 on opposing sides of the inner surface 54. The rails 56 extend along the entire length of the electronic device 42 between the second end 35 of the light tube adapter 16 and the pair of female electrical connectors 38 in a direction (as shown by arrow X in Figure 5) which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the light tube adapter 16. A rail stop 57 is located at each end of each pair of rails 56, such that there are a total of four rail stops 57. The rails 56 of each respective pair are spaced from each other by around 1.57mm (which is substantially equal to a thickness of the PCB 44 of the electronic device 42). The rails 56 are substantially smooth (i.e. free of sharp edges) to allow the electronic device 42 to freely slide along the rails 56.

[0052] The electronic device 42 is located within the housing 32 and is electrically connected between the pair of male electrical connectors 40 of the light tube adapter 16 and the pair of female electrical connectors 38. The electronic device 42 is approximately 120mm in length, 16.5mm in width and 10.5mm in height. The electronic device 42 comprises the PCB 44 with an antenna 46 located on the PCB 44. The electronic device 42 also comprises a power converter (comprising a transformer 48 and a rectifier 50), a controller 52, and a presence sensor 53, all of which are located on the PCB. In some examples, the PCB 44 is a double-sided PCB and a further antenna is provided on the double-sided PCB, the further antenna being configured to operate at a different frequency to the antenna 46. In some examples, the electronic device 42 also comprises a buck converter or a boost converter to convert the DC power from the rectifier 50.

[0053] The electronic device 42 is a WiFi access point and the antenna 46 is configured to emit and receive RF signals with a frequency of around 2.4 GHz. As the light tube adapter 16 comprises a material which is substantially transparent to RF signals, the light tube adapter 16 does not attenuate signals emitted and received by the electronic device 42.

[0054] As shown in Figure 6, in use the electronic device 42 is located in the housing 32 by sliding the electronic device 42 along the rails 56 such that the PCB 44 of the electronic device 42 is located between the rails 56 of each respective pair of rails 56. Once slid along the rails 56, the PCB 44 abuts against the rail stops 57 to hold the PCB 44 in place relative to the light tube adapter 44.

[0055] In use, the light tube 14 is inserted into the sleeve portion 26 of the light tube adapter 16 to removably attach the light tube 14 to the light tube adapter 16. The first pair of male electrical connectors 20 of the light tube 14 are received by the recesses 39 of the pair of female electrical connectors 38 of the light tube adapter 16, which causes the first pair of male electrical connectors 20 of the light tube 14 to be electrically connected to the pair of female connectors 38. When the light tube 14 is received by the sleeve portion 26, the sleeve portion 26 overlaps the first portion 30 of the light tube 14 and does not overlap any part of the second portion 30 of the light tube 14. As the pair of female electrical connectors 38 are located around 6cm from the opening 34 of the light tube adapter 16, when the light tube 14 is received by the light tube adapter 16, the sleeve portion 26 overlaps the light tube 14 by around 6cm (i.e. overlaps around 13% of the length of the light tube 14).

[0056] When combined, the light tube 14 and the light tube adapter 16 have a total combined length of around 60cm. The combination of the light tube 14 and the light tube adapter 16 are positioned within the fixture 12 between the two tombstone sockets 18. The second pair of male electrical connectors 24 of the light tube 14 pass through the opening 21 of one of the tombstone connectors 18 and engage with the electrical connectors 19. The pair of male electrical connectors 40 of the light tube adapter 16 pass through the opening 21 of the other tombstone socket 18 and engage with the electrical connectors 19. The tombstone sockets 18 hold the light tube 14 and light tube adapter 16 in place relative to the fixture 12.

[0057] The external power source 13 continuously supplies electrical power to the fixture 12 to power the LEDs 29 of the light tube 14. This electrical power passes to the light tube 14 and the light tube adapter 16 via the tombstone sockets 18. As shown in Figure 5, the electronic device 42 is connected in parallel with the light tube 14. As such, power provided via the tombstone sockets 18 passes to the light tube 14 without having to pass through the electronic device 42 first, and the electronic device 42 does not control operation of the light tube 14.

[0058] Electrical power from the external power source 13 is received at the power converter of the electronic device 42 as an alternating current (AC) signal. The power converter steps-down the voltage of the power at the transformer 48, and then converts the AC signal to a direct current (DC) signal at the rectifier. When powered, the controller 52 controls operation of the electronic device 42 to allow external devices within proximity of the electronic device 42 to connect to a local network.

[0059] The controller 52 is connected to the presence sensor 53 and controls operation of the electronic device 42 based on an output from the presence sensor 53. When the presence sensor 53 has not detected the presence of a user (e.g. a crew member of the ship 2) for a predetermined period of time, the presence sensor 53 outputs a first signal to the controller 52. On receipt of the first signal, the controller 52 controls the electronic device 42 to operate in a low-power state, whereby external devices are prevented from connecting to the local network. When the presence sensor 53 detects the presence of the user, the presence sensor 53 outputs a second signal to the controller 52. On receipt of the second signal, the controller 52 controls the electronic device 42 to operate in a higher power state, whereby external devices are allowed to connect to the local network.

[0060] By providing the electronic device 42 within the light tube adapter 16, the electronic device 42 may be conveniently incorporated into an existing light assembly 10, without the need for significant structural modification of the location in which the light tube is located. This may allow wireless access points (e.g. WiFi access points), to be located in a number of areas of the ship 2 without needing to make any structural modifications to the ship 2 to accommodate the wireless access points. [0061] Although the electronic device 42 described herein comprises a presence sensor 53, in some examples the electronic device 42 comprises another sensor or device in addition to, or instead of, the presence sensor 53. In some examples, the electronic device comprises a light sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or a camera. In some examples, the sensor is omitted. Moreover, in some examples the electronic device 42 is a wireless communication device other than a WiFi access point. In some examples, the electronic device 42 is a Bluetooth device and the antenna 46 is configured to operate within the Bluetooth standard. In some examples, the electronic device 42 is a device other than a wireless communication device, such as a camera for use in a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system.

[0062] Example embodiments of the present invention have been discussed, with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.