15 patents in this list

Updated:

LED lighting systems in outdoor and high-moisture environments face significant degradation risks, with moisture ingress leading to corrosion of electrical contacts, delamination of optical components, and accelerated lumen depreciation. Field data shows that traditional sealed designs can experience up to 30% light output reduction within 5000 hours of operation in high-humidity conditions.

The central challenge lies in maintaining optical and electrical performance while achieving long-term protection against moisture infiltration without compromising thermal management or serviceability.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including advanced silicone composite sealants with zinc silanolate, integrated drainage systems for water management, thermally-matched hermetic sealing techniques, and self-heating protective covers. These and other approaches provide practical pathways to extend LED system lifetime in demanding environmental conditions.

1. Light-Emitting Device with Silicone Composite Sealing Member Containing Zinc Silanolate

NICHIA CORPORATION, 2022

A light-emitting device that has improved resistance to discoloration and sulfurization, and thus increased lumen maintenance and lifetime. The device contains a light-emitting element, a conductive member containing silver, and a sealing member that covers the element. The sealing member is made of a silicone composite containing zinc silanolate. The zinc silanolate improves the sealing member's resistance to discoloration and gas permeation compared to conventional silicones.

2. Water-Tight LED Module with Integrated Lens Array and Compression Seal Mechanism

SCHREDER, 2021

A water-tight LED module design that eliminates the need for a separate gasket to seal the module against water ingress. The module uses a secondary lens array to cover the LEDs, and a lens holder that compresses the lens array against the module base plate to create a seal. The lens array has a peripheral lip that the holder's skirt compresses against the base plate surface. This provides a water tight seal around the LEDs and circuit board.

3. Hermetically Sealed LED Housing with Metal Cap and Thermal Expansion Matching

SCHOTT AG, 2021

A hermetically sealed LED light for use in medical instruments. The LED light has a housing that is at least liquid-tight. The housing includes a base with LEDs and a metal cap with windows. The cap is attached to the base to seal the LEDs inside. A coating is applied to the cap to enhance sealing. The cap is made of stainless steel with similar thermal expansion to the base material to prevent leaks.

US10890318B2-patent-drawing

4. Lamp Housing with Sealed Electronics Module and Integrated Drainage Channels

NGL GLOBAL LIMITED, Jensen-Tomy T K Lai, 2020

A lamp that can effectively discharge water or liquid that gets into the lamp housing and prevent sensitive electronic components from getting exposed to the outside when servicing the lamp. The lamp has a separate sealed lamp module that contains the electronics, which can be mounted and sealed into an outer case. The outer case has drainage channels to allow any moisture that gets inside to flow out. The separate module can be accessed by opening the rear cover of the outer case without exposing the electronics to the elements.

US10801715B2-patent-drawing

5. LED Module with Directional Light and Spectrum Matching for Plant Growth

Industrial Technology Research Institute, 2020

LED light source module for plant growth applications that provides directional light, improved spectrum matching for photosynthesis, and waterproofing. The module has an LED board with multiple LEDs facing up or down, an optical reflector to redirect the light, a waterproof cover, and a pole with a power supply.

US10634295B2-patent-drawing

6. Lamp with Drainage Channels and Sealed Lamp Module for Water Egress and Component Protection

JENSEN-TOMY TK LAI, NGL GLOBAL LIMITED, 2020

Drainable lamp that allows water to exit the lamp, and protects internal components from exposure during maintenance. The lamp has an outer case with an inner space, a lamp module at one end of the case, a rear cover at the other end, and drainage channels connecting the ends. The lamp module is sealed and contains the electronics. The rear cover can be opened for maintenance without exposing the electronics. This separates the sealed lamp module from the outer case, allowing water to drain out the channels rather than contact the electronics.

US20200109851A1-patent-drawing

7. LED Module with Integrated Lens Assembly for Water-Tight Sealing

SCHREDER, 2019

Water-tight LED module that uses a lens assembly to seal against water ingress without additional gaskets. The LED module has a base plate with an LED circuit board mounted on it. A secondary lens array is positioned over the LEDs. A lens holder mounts over the secondary lens array. The holder has apertures for the secondary lenses and compresses parts of the secondary lens array against the base plate to form seals. The secondary lens array has bosses that engage with the holder to create the seals. This provides water-tightness without needing separate gaskets.

US10480772B2-patent-drawing

8. Underwater Lamp Housing with Double Curvature Shell for High Pressure Resistance

Friedrich TROBOLOWITSCH, 2019

An underwater lamp with a specially designed housing that enables use in deep depths. The lamp has an electrical lighting device and connections enclosed in a translucent housing. The housing has a double curvature at each point which gives it strength to withstand high water pressure at great depths. The curved shell shape prevents the collapse of the housing when submerged deep underwater. The lamp can be used as a light bait for fishing.

9. Lighting Module with Heat Sink Plate and Sealing Frame for Enhanced Heat Dissipation and Water Ingress Prevention

LG Innotek Co., Ltd., 2019

Lighting module with improved heat dissipation and water ingress prevention for LED lighting apparatus like streetlights. The module has a heat sink plate, LED board, and lens cover with a waterproof frame between them. The frame has projections that seal against the plate and lens. It also has gaps and projections on the plate sides for cooling airflow. This allows efficient heat dissipation while preventing water entry.

US10429055B2-patent-drawing

10. LED Work Lamp with Electrically Heated Glass Cover and Integrated Temperature-Controlled Activation System

FoShan Brighter LED Lighting Co., Ltd., 2019

An LED work lamp that heats up and melts ice and snow off the lamp cover to maintain visibility in cold weather conditions. The lamp has an electric heating glass cover that surrounds the LED board and lens. Electrodes on the glass connect to a temperature controller and the lamp circuit board. The controller activates the heater when it detects freezing temperatures.

11. Reflector with Integrated Sealing and Light Directing Channels

The L.D. Kichler Co., 2018

A light source with a reflector that also seals the light source. The reflector has reflective internal surfaces that direct light towards a light modifier. It also has channels to hold and seal the light modifier. The reflector seals the light source to keep out moisture while maximizing light output.

US20180274757A1-patent-drawing

12. LED Module with Molded Plastic Cover Enclosing Circuit Board and Exposed LED

Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd., 2018

LED module for channel letters that protects the electronic components from the elements. A molded plastic cover encloses the circuit board and leaves only the LED exposed. The cover has an opening on the bottom to connect to the channel. The cover seals the board from humidity while still allowing modular replacement. The channel has protrusions that contact the bottom opening to provide a heat path.

US10074779B2-patent-drawing

13. Modular LED Lighting System with Twist-Lock Installation and Sealed Housing for Wet Locations

Energyficient Lighting Syst., 2018

A modular LED lighting system that can be retrofitted into existing fixtures and provides an easy, watertight twist-lock installation. The system includes a modular LED lamp that can be installed on an existing socket without tools. This lamp has a sealed housing with a drain to prevent water accumulation. The system also includes a twist-lock junction box and sub-assembly for wet locations. The modular components can be mixed and matched to upgrade lighting fixtures to use low-wattage LEDs in wet locations.

US20180209630A1-patent-drawing

14. Modular Interlocking Multi-Panel LED Display with Exposed Electronics and Passive Cooling

Ultravision Technologies, LLC, 2018

Modular multi-panel LED display without cabinets to provide a lower cost, lighter weight and more robust replacement for large outdoor LED displays. The modular panels are interconnected directly without cabinets or enclosures, exposing the electronics to the environment. Heat sinks and passive cooling dissipate the heat. The panels have recessed components, sealed with potting, to protect against moisture. The panels interlock for a seamless display. The main panel has extra components like power supplies while slave panels are simpler.

US20180151096A1-patent-drawing

15. Modular LED Lighting System with Sealed Housing and Twist-Lock Fixture for Wet Location Retrofitting

Energyficient Lighting Syst., 2018

Modular LED lighting system for retrofitting existing fixtures in wet locations like barns. The system includes an LED lamp that can attach to standard sockets, a junction box that replaces the socket, and a twist-lock fixture body. The lamp has a sealed housing with a fan to prevent water buildup, drains to remove any water, and a socket adapter to connect to existing sockets.

Request the PDF report with complete details of all 15 patents for offline reading.

Innovative solutions for moisture-resistant LED lighting are demonstrated by the patents included here. These solutions help to progress the technology of LED lighting, ranging from enhanced sealing materials and waterproof designs to innovative heat dissipation and moisture management.