Thru-hull light

• US 20060239013A1
• Filed: 10/28/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Deep Sea Power & Light Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Deep Sea Power & Light Incorporated
• Inventors: Merewether, Ray, Olsson, Mark S., Prsha, Jeffrey A., Simmons, Zachary B., Gray, Ronan T.
• Application Number:
  US11/262,236
• Publication Number:
  US 20060239013A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/362
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 45/02 the devices being intended to illuminate the way ahead or other areas of environments
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/48 Means for searching for underwater objects means for indicating the location of sunken objects B63C7/26; locating by use of the reflection or reradiation of radio or other waves G01S ; mountings of acoustic transducers in underwater equipment G10K11/006
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 25/04 breaking the electric circuit
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 25/10 coming into action when lighting device is overloaded, e.g. thermal switch
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/767 the planes containing the fins or blades having directions perpendicular to the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/00 Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/005 Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2107/20 for water vehicles

Abstract

A thru-hull fitting assembly is connected to the forward end of a hollow lamp housing for mounting to a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion. An HID or other lamp is mounted in the lamp housing and is surrounded by a reflector which may have an outer elliptical section and an inner parabolic section. A protective transparent window extends across the forward end of the lamp housing and is sealed thereto. The window may be made of sapphire to provide improved heat dissipation and to resist scratching during hull cleaning and breakage due to thermal shock and wave slap. A circuit may be connected to the lamp to provide over-heat protection, leak detection, as well as fault and power status indicators. Alternate embodiments utilize a solid light pipe or a hollow reflective tube to convey light from the lamp to the protective window.

Claims

1. A thru-hull light comprising:

a lamp housing having a hollow interior;

a thru-hull fitting assembly connected to a forward end of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the lamp housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion;

a lamp;

means for mounting the lamp in the interior of the lamp housing;

a sapphire window extending across the forward end of the lamp housing for permitting light from the lamp to be transmitted through the window; and

a water-tight seal between the sapphire window and the forward end of the lamp housing that prevents water from entering the interior of the lamp housing.

2. The thru-hull light of claim 1 and further comprising a reflector mounted in the interior of the lamp housing and surrounding the lamp.

3. The thru-hull light of claim 2 wherein the reflector has an outer elliptical section.

4. The thru-hull light of claim 2 wherein the reflector has an outer elliptical section and an inner parabolic section.

5. The thru-hull light of claim 1 and further comprising an end cap and means for securing the end cap to a rearward end of the lamp housing in a water-tight fashion.

6. The thru-hull light of claim 1 and further comprising an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of a predetermined excessive heat condition.

7. The thru-hull light of claim 1 and further comprising an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of leakage of water into the lamp housing.

8. The thru-hull light of claim 1 and further comprising an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including a ballast and means for shutting off a source of power to the ballast in the event of the detection of a fault in the lamp.

9. The thru-hull light of claim 8 wherein the electrical circuit further includes means for indicating power status and/or fault status.

10. The thru-hull light of claim 1 wherein the lamp has a color temperature of at least about five thousand K.

11. A thru-hull light comprising:

a lamp housing having a hollow interior;

a thru-hull fitting assembly connected to a forward end of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the lamp housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion;

a lamp;

means for mounting the lamp in the interior of the lamp housing;

a reflector mounted in the interior of the lamp housing and having an elliptical section surrounding the lamp;

a window extending across the forward end of the lamp housing for permitting light from the lamp to be transmitted through the window; and

a water-tight seal between the window and the forward end of the lamp housing that prevents water from entering the interior of the lamp housing.

12. The thru-hull light of claim 11 wherein the window is made of a material selected from the group consisting of sapphire, quartz and glass.

13. The thru-hull light of claim 11 wherein the means for mounting the lamp includes a socket.

14. The thru-hull light of claim 11 wherein the reflector also has an inner parabolic section surrounded by the elliptical section, the inner parabolic section having an outer diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the window.

15. The thru-hull light of claim 11 and further comprising an end cap and means for securing the end cap to a rearward end of the lamp housing in a water-tight fashion.

16. The thru-hull light of claim 11 and further comprising an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of a predetermined excessive heat condition.

17. The thru-hull light of claim 11 and further comprising an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of leakage of water into the lamp housing.

18. The thru-hull light of claim 11 and further comprising an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including a ballast and means for shutting off a source of power to the ballast in the event of the detection of a fault in the lamp.

19. The thru-hull light of claim 18 wherein the electrical circuit further includes means for indicating power status and/or fault status.

20. The thru-hull light of claim 11 wherein the lamp has a color temperature of at least about five thousand K.

21. A thru-hull light comprising:

a lamp housing having a hollow interior;

a thru-hull fitting assembly connected to a forward end of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the lamp housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion;

a lamp;

means for mounting the lamp in the interior of the lamp housing;

a window extending across the forward end of the lamp housing for permitting light from the lamp to be transmitted through the window;

a water-tight seal between the window and the forward end of the lamp housing that prevents water from entering the interior of the lamp housing; and

an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of a predetermined excessive heat condition.

22. The thru-hull light of claim 21 and further comprising a reflector mounted in the interior of the lamp housing and surrounding the lamp.

23. The thru-hull light of claim 22 wherein the reflector has an inner parabolic section.

24. The thru-hull light of claim 22 wherein the reflector has an outer elliptical section.

25. The thru-hull light of claim 21 and further comprising an end cap and means for securing the end cap to a rearward end of the lamp housing in a water-tight fashion.

26. The thru-hull light of claim 21 wherein the window is made of a material selected from the group consisting of sapphire, quartz and glass.

27. The thru-hull light of claim 21 wherein the electrical circuit connected to the lamp further includes means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of leakage of water into the lamp housing.

28. The thru-hull light of claim 21 wherein the electrical circuit connected to the lamp further includes a ballast and means for shutting off a source of power to the ballast in the event of the detection of a fault in the lamp.

29. The thru-hull light of claim 28 wherein the electrical circuit connected to the lamp further includes means for indicating power status and/or fault status.

30. The thru-hull light of claim 21 wherein the lamp has a color temperature of at least about five thousand K.

31. A thru-hull light comprising:

a lamp housing having a hollow interior;

a thru-hull fitting assembly connected to a forward end of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the lamp housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion;

a lamp;

means for mounting the lamp in the interior of the lamp housing;

a window extending across the forward end of the lamp housing for permitting light from the lamp to be transmitted through the window;

a water-tight seal between the window and the forward end of the lamp housing that prevents water from entering the interior of the lamp housing; and

an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of leakage of water into the lamp housing.

32. The thru-hull light of claim 31 and further comprising a reflector mounted in the interior of the lamp housing and surrounding the lamp.

33. The thru-hull light of claim 32 wherein the reflector has an outer elliptical section.

34. The thru-hull light of claim 32 wherein the reflector has an inner parabolic section.

35. The thru-hull light of claim 31 and further comprising an end cap and means for securing the end cap to a rearward end of the lamp housing in a water-tight fashion.

36. The thru-hull light of claim 31 wherein the window is made of a material selected from the group consisting of sapphire, quartz and glass.

37. The thru-hull light of claim 31 wherein the electrical circuit connected to the lamp further includes means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of a predetermined excessive heat condition.

38. The thru-hull light of claim 31 wherein the electrical circuit connected to the lamp further includes a ballast and means for shutting off a source of power to the ballast in the event of the detection of a fault in the lamp.

39. The thru-hull light of claim 38 wherein the electrical circuit connected to the lamp further includes means for indicating power status and/or fault status.

40. The thru-hull light of claim 31 wherein the lamp has a color temperature of at least about five thousand K.

41. A thru-hull light comprising:

a lamp housing having a hollow interior;

a thru-hull fitting assembly connected to a forward end of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the lamp housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion;

a lamp;

means for mounting the lamp in the interior of the lamp housing;

a window extending across the forward end of the lamp housing for permitting light from the lamp to be transmitted through the window;

a water-tight seal between the window and the forward end of the lamp housing that prevents water from entering the interior of the lamp housing; and

an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including a ballast and means for shutting off a source of power to the ballast in the event of the detection of a fault in the lamp.

42. The thru-hull light of claim 41 and further comprising a reflector mounted in the interior of the lamp housing and surrounding the lamp.

43. The thru-hull light of claim 42 wherein the reflector has an inner parabolic section.

44. The thru-hull light of claim 42 wherein the reflector has an outer elliptical section.

45. The thru-hull light of claim 41 and further comprising an end cap and means for securing the end cap to a rearward end of the lamp housing in a water-tight fashion.

46. The thru-hull light of claim 41 wherein the window is made of a material selected from the group consisting of sapphire, quartz and glass.

47. The thru-hull light of claim 41 wherein the electrical circuit connected to the lamp further includes means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of a predetermined excessive heat condition.

48. The thru-hull light of claim 41 wherein the electrical circuit connected to the lamp further includes means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of leakage of water into the lamp housing.

49. The thru-hull light of claim 41 wherein the electrical circuit connected to the lamp further includes means for indicating power status and/or fault status.

50. The thru-hull light of claim 41 wherein the lamp has a color temperature of at least about five thousand K.

51. A thru-hull light comprising:

a lamp housing having a hollow interior;

a thru-hull fitting assembly connected to a forward end of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the lamp housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion;

a lamp;

means for mounting the lamp in the interior of the lamp housing;

a window extending across the forward end of the lamp housing for permitting light from the lamp to be transmitted through the window;

a water-tight seal between the window and the forward end of the lamp housing that prevents water from entering the interior of the lamp housing; and

an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including a ballast and means for indicating power status and/or fault status.

52. The thru-hull light of claim 51 and further comprising a reflector mounted in the interior of the lamp housing and surrounding the lamp.

53. The thru-hull light of claim 52 wherein the reflector has an inner parabolic section.

54. The thru-hull light of claim 52 wherein the reflector has an outer elliptical section.

55. The thru-hull light of claim 51 and further comprising an end cap and means for securing the end cap to a rearward end of the lamp housing in a water-tight fashion.

56. The thru-hull light of claim 51 wherein the window is made of a material selected from the group consisting of sapphire, quartz and glass.

57. The thru-hull light of claim 51 wherein the electrical circuit connected to the lamp further includes means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of a predetermined excessive heat condition.

58. The thru-hull light of claim 51 wherein the electrical circuit connected to the lamp further includes means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of leakage of water into the lamp housing.

59. The thru-hull light of claim 51 wherein the electrical circuit connected to the lamp further includes means for shutting off a source of power to the ballast in the event of the detection of a fault in the lamp.

60. The thru-hull light of claim 51 wherein the lamp has a color temperature of at least about five thousand K.

61. A thru-hull light comprising:

a lamp housing having a hollow interior;

a thru-hull fitting assembly connected to the forward end of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the lamp housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion;

a lamp having a color temperature of at least about five thousand K;

means for mounting the lamp in the interior of the lamp housing;

a window extending across the forward end of the lamp housing for permitting light from the lamp to be transmitted through the window; and

a water-tight seal between the window and the forward end of the lamp housing that prevents water from entering the interior of the lamp housing.

62. The thru-hull light of claim 61 and further comprising a reflector mounted in the interior of the lamp housing and surrounding the lamp.

63. The thru-hull light of claim 62 wherein the reflector has an inner parabolic section.

64. The thru-hull light of claim 62 wherein the reflector has an outer elliptical section.

65. The thru-hull light of claim 61 and further comprising an end cap and means for securing the end cap to a rearward end of the lamp housing in a water-tight fashion.

66. The thru-hull light of claim 61 and further comprising an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including means for impeding a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of a predetermined excessive heat condition.

67. The thru-hull light of claim 61 and further comprising an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of leakage of water into the lamp housing.

68. The thru-hull light of claim 61 and further comprising an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including a ballast and means for shutting off a source of power to the ballast in the event of the detection of a fault in the lamp.

69. The thru-hull light of claim 68 wherein the electrical circuit further includes means for indicating power status and/or fault status.

70. The thru-hull light of claim 61 wherein the window is made of a material selected from the group consisting of sapphire, quartz and glass.

71. A thru-hull light comprising:

a lamp housing having a hollow interior;

a thru-hull fitting assembly connected to a forward end of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the lamp housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion;

a lamp;

a reflector mounted in the interior of the lamp housing and surrounding the lamp;

means for mounting the lamp in the interior of the lamp housing;

a sapphire window extending across the forward end of the lamp housing for permitting light from the lamp to be transmitted through the window;

a water-tight seal between the sapphire window and the forward end of the lamp housing that prevents water from entering the interior of the lamp housing; and

an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of a predetermined excessive heat condition or upon the detection of leakage of water into the lamp housing.

72. A thru-hull light comprising:

a lamp housing having a hollow interior;

a lamp;

means for mounting the lamp in the interior of a first portion of the lamp housing;

a light pipe for conveying light from the lamp;

a second portion of the lamp housing supporting the light pipe; and

a thru-hull fitting assembly connected to a forward end of the second portion of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the second portion of the lamp housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion.

73. The thru-hull light of claim 72 and further comprising a reflector mounted in the interior of the first portion of the lamp housing and surrounding the lamp.

74. The thru-hull light of claim 72 and further comprising a hot mirror positioned over a rear end of the light pipe that faces the lamp.

75. The thru-hull light of claim 72 and further comprising a window made of a scratch resistant material positioned over a forward end of the light pipe that faces the water when the thru-hull light is installed in a vessel below the water line.

76. A thru-hull light comprising:

a lamp housing having a hollow interior;

a thru-hull fitting assembly connected to a forward end of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the lamp housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion;

a lamp;

a reflector mounted in the interior of the lamp housing and surrounding the lamp and having a hybrid inner parabolic section and an outer elliptical section;

means for mounting the lamp in the interior of the lamp housing;

a window extending across the forward end of the lamp housing for permitting light from the lamp to be transmitted through the window; and

a water-tight seal between the window and the forward end of the lamp housing that prevents water from entering the interior of the lamp housing.

77. A thru-hull light comprising:

a lamp housing having a hollow interior;

a thru-hull fitting assembly connected to a forward end of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the lamp housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion;

a lamp;

means for mounting the lamp in the interior of the lamp housing;

a window extending across the forward end of the lamp housing for permitting light from the lamp to be transmitted through the window;

at least one thermal insulating sleeve surrounding the forward end of the lamp housing; and

a water-tight seal between the window and the forward end of the lamp housing that prevents water from entering the interior of the lamp housing.

78. A thru-hull light comprising:

a lamp housing having a hollow interior;

a lamp;

means for mounting the lamp in the interior of a first portion of the lamp housing;

a hollow reflective tube for conveying light from the lamp;

a window extending across the forward end of the hollow tube for permitting light from the lamp to be transmitted through the window;

a second portion of the lamp housing supporting the reflective tube; and

a thru-hull fitting assembly connected to a forward end of the second portion of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the second portion of the lamp housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion.

79. The thru-hull light of claim 78 and further comprising a glass reflector surrounding the lamp.

80. The thru-hull light of claim 78 wherein the lamp is a hybrid Xenon/HID lamp.

81. A thru-hull light comprising:

a hollow lamp housing having a hollow interior and a forward end configured for mating with a hole in the hull of a vessel;

a lamp;

a socket supporting the lamp in the interior of the lamp housing; and

a window made of a scratch resistant transparent material extending across and sealing the forward end of the lamp housing for permitting light from the lamp to be transmitted through the window.

82. The thru-hull light of claim 81 and further comprising means for providing a water-tight seal between the window and the forward end of the lamp housing to prevent water from entering the interior of the lamp housing.

83. The thru-hull light of claim 81 and further comprising a reflector mounted in the interior of the lamp housing and surrounding the lamp, the reflector having an outer elliptical section and an inner parabolic section.

84. The thru-hull light of claim 81 and further comprising a thru-hull fitting assembly connected to a forward end of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the lamp housing in the hole in the hull of the vessel in a water-tight fashion.

85. The thru-hull light of claim 81 and further comprising an end cap and means for securing the end cap to a rearward end of the lamp housing in a water-tight fashion.

86. The thru-hull light of claim 81 and further comprising an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of a predetermined excessive heat condition.

87. The thru-hull light of claim 81 and further comprising an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including means for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of leakage of water into the lamp housing.

88. The thru-hull light of claim 81 and further comprising an electrical circuit connected to the lamp and including a ballast and means for shutting off a source of power to the ballast in the event of the detection of a fault in the lamp.

89. The thru-hull light of claim 81 wherein the electrical circuit further includes means for indicating power status and/or fault status.

90. The thru-hull light of claim 81 wherein the lamp has a color temperature of at least about five thousand K.

91. A thru-hull light comprising:

a housing having a hollow interior;

a thru-hull fitting assembly that mounts a forward end of the housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion;

a source of illumination mounted in the interior of the housing;

a sapphire window extending across the forward end of the housing for permitting light from the source of illumination to be transmitted through the window; and

a water-tight seal between the sapphire window and the forward end of the housing that prevents water from entering the interior of the housing.

92. A thru-hull light comprising:

a housing having a hollow interior;

a thru-hull fitting assembly that mounts a forward end of the housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion;

a source of illumination mounted in the interior of the housing;

a window extending across the forward end of the housing for permitting light from the source of illumination to be transmitted through the window;

a water-tight seal between the window and the forward end of the housing that prevents water from entering the interior of the housing; and

an electrical circuit connected to the source of illumination that shuts off a source of power to the source of illumination upon detection of a predetermined excessive heat condition.

93. A thru-hull light comprising:

a housing having a hollow interior;

a source of illumination mounted in the interior of a first portion of the housing;

a light pipe for conveying light from the source of illumination, the light pipe being located in a second portion of the housing; and

a thru-hull fitting assembly that mounts the second portion of the housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion.

94. A thru-hull light comprising:

a lamp housing having a hollow interior;

a thru-hull fitting assembly connected to a forward end of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the lamp housing over a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion;

a lamp mounted in the interior of the lamp housing;

a window extending across the forward end of the lamp housing for permitting light from the lamp to be transmitted through the window;

a first water-tight seal between the window and the forward end of the lamp housing that prevents water from entering the interior of the lamp housing;

an end cap extending across a rearward end of the lamp housing; and

a second water-tight seal between the end cap and the rearward end of the lamp housing.