Underwater lighting system

• US 6,315,429 B1
• Filed: 10/15/1999
• Issued: 11/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aquatic Attractor, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aquatic Attractor, Inc.
• Inventors: Grandolfo, Lou
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, Y MY QUACH
• Application Number:
  US09/418,919
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 362/96, 362/101, 362/158, 362/267, 362/318, 362/263, 362/253, 43/175, 340/985, 340/986
• US Class Current: 362/158
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/06 Arrangements for heating or lighting in, or attached to, receptacles for live fish
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/032 the surface being a floor or like ground surface, e.g. pavement
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0824 Ground spikes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/00 Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements

Abstract

A high intensity light is mounted and sealed in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) receptacle and extension system. The receptacle is adapted to be anchored on the bottom of a channel or an underwater area adjacent to a structure which provides alternating current (AC) power from a shoreside mains. The high intensity lamp may be sealed within a transparent enclosure, but is preferably left exposed to minimize sealife growth on the lamp. The PVC receptacle is preferably weighted, such as for example with concrete, to help anchor the receptacle to the bottom. The receptacle further includes rebar extending from the receptacle to penetrate the hard pack below the silt on the bottom.

Claims

1. An underwater lighting system comprising:

a. a lamp;

b. a socket adapted to retain the lamp with a water-tight seal;

c. an electrical conductor to electrically couple the socket to an electrical outlet;

d. a non-conductive conduit retaining the socket and surrounding the electrical conductor; and

e. a receptacle around the socket and a portion of the non-conductive conduit, the receptacle adapted to be mounted on the bottom of a body of water such that the lamp remains stationary in the water.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a ballast filling a portion of the receptacle.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an anchor adapted to releasably secure the receptacle to the bottom of the body of water.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the non-conductive conduit forms an elbow within the receptacle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the lamp is adapted to operate immersed in contact with water.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the conductor extends from the socket to a shoreside source of electrical power.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a dedicated transformer electrically coupled to the shoreside source of electrical power to the conductor to provide the source of electrical power to the system.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a photosensor coupled to the transformer such that electrical power is provided to the lamp only during time of darkness.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a. a coupling reducer around the socket; and

b. a cap over the receptacle to retain the coupling reducer to the receptacle.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the lamp is a high intensity mercury vapor lamp.

11. A method of deploying an underwater lighting system, comprising the steps of:

a. securing a lamp to one end of a conduit with a coupling, the conduit having a current carrying conductor therein;

b. securing a deflatable bladder to the conduit;

c. floating the conduit on a body of water, the deflatable bladder providing buoyancy to the conduit and lamp;

d. locating the lamp at a predetermined position on the body of water; and

e. deflating the bladder, thereby sinking the conduit and lamp.