Underwater Light Having a Sealed Polymer Housing and Method of Manufacture Therefor

• US 20130182442A1
• Filed: 03/06/2013
• Published: 07/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Potucek, Kevin L., Carter, James, Murdock, James, Diorio, Joe, Mitchell, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 10,718,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/294
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/00 Lighting devices intended for fixed installation F21S9/00, F21S10/00 take precedence; using a string or strip of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/507 of means for protecting lighting devices from damage, e.g. housings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/59 with forced flow of the coolant
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/87 Organic material, e.g. filled polymer composites; Thermo-conductive additives or coatings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/005 Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/401 for swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

An underwater light having a sealed polymer housing includes a rear housing component formed at least in part from a thermally conductive and electrically insulative material, an electronic assembly having at least one light-emitting element mounted thereto, the electronic assembly in thermal communication with the rear housing component, and a lens mounted to the rear housing component and forming a watertight seal therebetween, the lens and the rear housing component enclosing the electronic assembly. At least a portion of the rear housing component conducts heat away from the electronic assembly to cool the electronic assembly.

Claims

1. An underwater light, comprising:

a watertight housing including a lens and a rear housing component;

at least one light-emitting element positioned within the housing; and

a plurality of polymeric, heat-dissipating structures formed integrally with an exterior surface of the watertight housing.

2. The underwater light of claim 1, wherein the plurality of heat-dissipating structures extend vertically along the exterior surface of the housing.

3. The underwater light of claim 2, wherein water flows upwardly past the plurality of heat-dissipating structures to cool the underwater light.

4. The underwater light of claim 1, wherein the plurality of heat-dissipating structures comprise a fin.

5. The underwater light of claim 1, wherein the plurality of heat-dissipating structures comprise a rod.

6. The underwater light of claim 1, wherein the plurality of heat-radiating structures are positioned on the exterior surface at locations corresponding to components of the light which generate heat.

7. The underwater light of claim 1, further comprising a latch for releasably securing the light in a niche or a recess of a pool or a spa.

8. The underwater light of claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board to which the at least one light-emitting element is attached, the printed circuit board attached to an inner surface of the housing

9. The underwater light of claim 1, wherein the plurality of heat-dissipating structures are positioned radially on the exterior surface of the housing.

10. The underwater light of claim 1, wherein the plurality of heat-dissipating structures are annular in shape and extend along a circumference of the light.

11. An underwater light, comprising:

a watertight housing including a lens and a rear housing component;

at least one light-emitting element positioned within the housing; and

a plurality of polymeric, heat-dissipating structures attached to an exterior surface of the watertight housing.

12. The underwater light of claim 11, wherein the plurality of heat-dissipating structures extend vertically along the exterior surface of the housing.

13. The underwater light of claim 12, wherein water flows upwardly past the plurality of heat-dissipating structures to cool the underwater light.

14. The underwater light of claim 11, wherein the plurality of heat-dissipating structures comprise a fin.

15. The underwater light of claim 11, wherein the plurality of heat-dissipating structures comprise a rod.

16. The underwater light of claim 11, wherein the plurality of heat-radiating structures are positioned on the exterior surface at locations corresponding to components of the light which generate heat.

17. The underwater light of claim 11, further comprising a latch for releasably securing the light in a niche or a recess of a pool or a spa.

18. The underwater light of claim 11, further comprising a printed circuit board to which the at least one light-emitting element is attached, the printed circuit board attached to an inner surface of the housing

19. The underwater light of claim 11, wherein the plurality of heat-dissipating structures are positioned radially on the exterior surface of the housing.

20. The underwater light of claim 11, wherein the plurality of heat-dissipating structures are annular in shape and extend along a circumference of the light.