U.S. patent application number 11/517081 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-21 for two piece view port and light housing.
Invention is credited to Ian M. MacDonald, Randal Rash.
Application Number | 20070137544 11/517081 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38171947 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070137544 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MacDonald; Ian M. ; et
al. |
June 21, 2007 |
Two piece view port and light housing
Abstract
The present invention is a view port suitable for installation
under the water line of a vessel wherein the view port comprises a
flange made from a corrosion resistant material and a body made
from a heat resistant material. An alternative embodiment of the
invention is an underwater light in which a high intensity light
and ballast is completely installed into the above mentioned view
port.
Inventors: |
MacDonald; Ian M.; (Fort
Lauderdale, FL) ; Rash; Randal; (Fort Lauderdale,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOTT & FRIEDLAND, P.A.
ONE EAST BROWARD BLVD.
SUITE 1609
FORT LAUDERDALE
FL
33301
US
|
Family ID: |
38171947 |
Appl. No.: |
11/517081 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60715625 |
Sep 9, 2005 |
|
|
|
60781678 |
Mar 13, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
114/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21W 2107/20 20180101;
F21V 23/02 20130101; F21V 31/00 20130101; F21V 15/01 20130101; F21V
33/0052 20130101; B63C 11/49 20130101; B63B 45/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/173 |
International
Class: |
B63B 19/00 20060101
B63B019/00 |
Claims
1. A thru-hull housing comprising: an annular external flange
having an annular opening, a cylindrical, hollow main body
removably attached to the external flange; a lens sized to fit the
annular opening of the external flange, a means for securing the
lens to the external flange, a means for providing a watertight
seal on both sides of said lens; and a means for securing the
housing to a vessel.
2. The thru-hull assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for securing
the housing is selected from bonding, welding or mechanical
fastening.
3. The thru-hull assembly of claim 2 wherein the mechanical
fastening means is a locking ring.
4. The thru-hull assembly of claim 3 wherein the locking ring is
used with a compression ring.
5. The thru-hull assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for securing
the lens to the external flange is selected from bonding or
mechanical fastening.
6. The thru-hull assembly of claim 5 wherein the mechanical means
for securing the lens to the external flange is a glass retaining
ring.
7. The thru-hull assembly of claim 1 where the means for providing
a water tight seal is selected from sealants, o-rings, gaskets or
mechanical seals.
8. The thru-hull assembly of claim 7 where the means for providing
a water tight seal is a gasket.
9. The thru-hull assembly of claim 1 further comprising a cap
threaded onto the distal end.
10. The thru-hull assembly of claim 9 further comprising a source
of light.
11. The thru-hull assembly of claim 10 wherein the light is
selected from halogen and metal halide.
12. The thru-hull assembly of claim 9 further comprising a
camera.
13. The thru-hull assembly of claim 1 wherein the flange and the
housing are comprised of two different metals.
14. The thru-hull assembly of claim 13 wherein the flange is
selected of a highly corrosion resistant material.
15. The thru-hull assembly of claim 13 wherein the housing is
comprised of a heat dissipating metal.
16. A thru-hull light comprising: an annular external flange having
an annular opening, a cylindrical, hollow main body removably
attached to the external flange; a light housing removably attached
to the main body, a lens sized to fit the annular opening of the
external flange, a means for securing the lens to the external
flange, a means for providing a watertight seal on both sides of
said lens disc; and a means for securing the housing to a
vessel.
17. The thru-hull light of claim 16 wherein the means for securing
the housing is selected from bonding, welding or mechanical
fastening.
18. The thru-hull light of claim 17 wherein the mechanical
fastening means is a locking ring.
19. The thru-hull light of claim 18 wherein the locking ring is
used with a compression ring.
20. The thru-hull light of claim 16 wherein the means for securing
the lens to the external flange is selected from bonding or
mechanical fastening.
21. The thru-hull light of claim 20 wherein the mechanical means
for securing the lens to the external flange is a glass retaining
ring.
22. The thru-hull light of claim 16 where the means for providing a
water tight seal is selected from sealants, o-rings, gaskets or
mechanical seals.
23. The thru-hull light of claim 22 where the means for providing a
water tight seal is a gasket.
24. The thru-hull light of claim 16 wherein the lamp is selected
from halogen or metal halide.
25. The thru-hull light of claim 16 further comprising a
camera.
26. The thru-hull light of claim 16 wherein the flange and the
housing are comprised of two different metals.
27. The thru-hull light of claim 26 wherein the flange is selected
of a highly corrosion resistant material.
28. The thru-hull light of claim 26 wherein the flange is selected
from stainless steel, bronze or titanium.
29. The thru-hull light of claim 26 wherein the housing is
comprised of a heat dissipating metal.
30. The thru-hull light of claim 26 wherein the housing is
comprised of aluminum, titanium or brass.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional patent
application No. 60/715,625 filed on Sep. 9, 2005 and to provisional
patent application No. 60/781,678 filed on Mar. 13, 2006, the
contents of which are incorporated by reference in their
entirety
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Underwater view ports have been used on ships, boats or
other watercraft for decorative and safety purposes as well as to
aid exploration of the surrounding water. Similarly lighting has
been applied to these same watercraft to improve visibility during
the dark hours or during periods of overcast or cloudy conditions.
Lights have been applied so as to illuminate the sides of the
watercraft in order to better visualize the watercraft from a
distance, to further enhance the appearance of the watercraft, and
to illuminate the surrounding water area. Lights have been mounted
in various locations on the deck or hull of the watercraft to
accomplish this purpose.
[0003] Conventional view ports use a frame to mount a substantially
transparent window to the hull. Smaller view ports have used a
single piece through hull having a mechanically or chemically
fastened window inside the thru-hull fitting.
[0004] Thru-hull mounted lights are often in the form of light
strips composed of a string of high intensity light bulbs contained
within a housing or a plurality of individual lights within a
housing applied externally along the perimeter of the hull and
oriented to shine downwards along the hull. Various applications of
the housings and light shields are used to redirect the light rays
from the light source downward along the surface of the hull
(including the ability to adjust the housings in order to project
beams along a desired path). Although such configurations provide
substantial illumination of the hull sides, they are not waterproof
or watertight and therefore are placed substantially higher than
the waterline. Therefore, little to no illumination of the
surrounding water area is provided as the light intensity fades
considerably from the light source as it reaches the waterline.
Furthermore, because the light rays are directed downward along the
surface of the hull, illumination is restricted primarily to the
line of the watercraft and therefore does not deviate outward into
the surrounding water and may be easily obstructed by other
accessories attached to the hull of the watercraft that are closer
to the waterline. Also, lights mounted on the exterior of the boat
often require replacement and repair from outside the boat rather
than from the inside of the boat which usually is fairly
cumbersome.
[0005] In order to better project the light onto the surface of the
water from a light source placed above the waterline, the lights
have been extended outward such that they are spaced away from the
hull surface. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,149 discloses a
utility light apparatus that is mounted on a gunwale of a boat by
applying the light to the distal end of a conventional fishing rod
holder such that the light extends out over the side of the boat in
an arm-like fashion. Therefore, the extended light pathway
illuminates more of the water's surface and is less likely to be
obstructed by other appurtenances placed on the side of the boat.
However, unless the height of the boat is relatively shallow, the
depth to which the light penetrates the water is still very limited
by the light intensity as the light source is placed well above the
waterline at the gunwale of the boat. Thus, the conventional hull
or deck mounted lights do not provide sufficient lighting for
visualizing harmful objects within the path of the watercraft or
exploring the water around and below the watercraft. Furthermore,
lights extending outward from the surface of the boat are easily
damaged in comparison to lights which are integrated into the
surface area of the boat such that they are only slightly
protruding or not protruding at all.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,623 discloses a similar light to the
present invention but does not utilize the two piece design and
requires the use of expensive sapphire glass for adequate
dispersion of heat. Additionally, the device in U.S. Pat. No.
7,044,623 requires the use of a thermostatic shutoff switch to
prevent overheating.
[0007] More recently, lights have been integrated into the hull
surface area of a watercraft by placing them into the thru-hull
fittings of the hull thereby providing a watertight lighting
apparatus which may be positioned below the waterline in order to
provide a significantly improved visualization of the surrounding
water area and to enhance the aesthetics of the boat. Also, by
placing the light assembly inside a thru-hull, replacement or
repair can be done from the inside of the boat where access is
normally much simpler than outside the boat. Typically, a light
bulb or lamp supporting means is placed inside the thru-hull from
inside the boat and a secured lens is placed between the lamp and
the exterior opening of the thru-hull such that the light passes
through the lens and into the water. The light bulb supporting
means is surrounded by a housing that is either cylindrical for
secure fit against the sides of the thru-hull or is a conical,
tapered piece which narrows towards the interior of the boat. A
flange placed flush against the outside surface of the thru-hull
and one or a series of O-rings or watertight sealants or adhesives
are used to provide a watertight seal between the lens and the
exterior opening of the thru-hull. The exterior flange is usually
cast as one piece with a housing which penetrates the hull. The
single casting then requires considerable machining to allow for
placement of lenses and accessories which make use of the view
port. Alternative constructs include manufacture of the housing and
flange in two pieces which are then welded together. Welded
configurations have the drawback in that if identical materials are
not used, welding is difficult and the integrity of the weld may be
suspect when used in an underwater environment where failure could
be catastrophic. Furthermore, the use of discrete components in
assembling the view port allows for replacement of individual parts
in the event of a defect instead of replacement of an entire welded
assembly.
[0008] The flange may be formed with the light housing as one piece
or may be separate from the housing such that it is removably
attached to the side of the hull by screws that are screwed into
holes bored into the hull surface or snapped.
[0009] Also, it is desirable to form the light housing and flange
of two different types of metals in order to obtain the highest
heat dissipating light housing on the interior of the hull and the
most anti-corrosive flange on the exterior of the hull where the
assembly comes into contact with the water. A one-piece
configuration limits the entire assembly to one type of metal. Even
where the flange and light housing are welded together, there are
many metals which cannot be welded tightly to one another. Where
the flange must be attached to the hull by screws, several
screw-holes must be bored into the hull thereby damaging the hull
surface and providing additional inlets where water moisture may
create damage. Where the flange is snapped into place, it is
difficult to obtain a substantially watertight seal between the
flange, lens and the exterior opening of the thru-hull.
[0010] It is an object of this invention to provide a two-piece
thru-hull light in which the flange and light housing are two
separate pieces such that numerous combinations of metals may be
used for their construction in order to provide a highly efficient
assembly. Furthermore, the flange has a threaded surface which is
screwed into the exterior surface of a cylindrical light housing
thereby not damaging the hull surface and providing a substantially
watertight seal.
[0011] It is also an object of this invention to secure the
lighting apparatus to the hull in such a way that the hull is not
damaged. The flange is comprised of a flanged mushroom-head shaped
portion that is placed flush against the exterior surface of the
hull opening. On the interior side of the hull opening, a
compression ring surrounding the exterior surface of the light
housing is compressed against the hull's interior surface by a
threaded locking ring thereby securing the hull between the flange
and compression ring. The locking ring compresses the compression
ring against the hull by way of several screws whose ends abut the
surface of the compression ring. It is also an object of this
invention that the cylindrical light housing may be adjustable so
as to adapt to slight angle variations of the thru-hull sides with
respect to the actual thru-hull opening on the exterior surface of
the hull. Many thru-hull configurations use a ball and socket type
of joint in order to allow the light housing angle to be adjusted.
In the present invention, the screws which are threaded through the
locking ring that serve to secure the compression ring against the
interior surface of the hull may be threaded individually at
different heights thereby tilting the compression ring at various
angles in order to accommodate the thru-hull shape.
[0012] It is also an object of this invention that the assembly may
be alternatively used to house a camera rather than a light. Many
thru-hull light configurations use a concave lens to diverge the
light rays for greater light dispersion through the water. However,
such a lens would distort a camera view and therefore a flat lens
is utilized in the present invention.
[0013] It is also an object of this invention that the assembly may
alternatively house an integral ballast assembly such that a high
intensity discharge (HID) lamp may be used as the light source
without compromising the necessary ballast assembly to moisture
outside the watertight assembly. The use of an HID lamp is
preferable over incandescent or fluorescent lamps as HID lamps are
more energy efficient, longer lasting, and provide a greater area
of illumination despite its smaller size.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a view port housing
having a lamp.
[0015] FIG. 2a and 2b are oblique views of a view port showing an
internal water tight end cap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention is a two-piece thru-hull view port
assembly constructed to have a watertight fit in the hull or deck
of a vessel. Uses for the view port assembly include, but are not
limited to, viewing using the eye, as a housing for lights or as a
camera housing for still or video cameras. The view port assembly
can be used to provide a viewing window. Referring to FIG. 1, a
flange 2 having an inner and outer face is used as the exterior
mounting to the vessel. A substantially transparent lens 10 having
a top and a bottom surface is removably mounted on the inner
surface of the flange 2 and provides the window for viewing.
[0017] Lens 10 is in the shape of a disc with ground edges and is
preferably composed of heat and pressure resistant borosilicate. As
will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, any substantially
transparent material that is resistant to high temperature and high
pressure and is resistant to erosion and chemicals can be used.
Suitable materials include chemically hardened or tempered and
impact resistant materials such as quartz glass, tempered (Pyrex),
borosilicate, or sapphire crystal may also be used. The glass disc
is retained in place by glass retaining ring 3 and front flange 2
which is connected to the circumference of the glass retaining ring
via cap screws 20. The interior surface of ring 3 is tapered such
that the proximal end is of narrower diameter than the distal end.
The hollow interior of the mushroom-head shaped portion of the
front flange is tapered inward such that the proximal end is of
wider diameter than the distal end and the distal end is of
narrower diameter than the threaded portion of the front flange.
The diameter of the distal end of the mushroom-head shaped portion
of the front flange is equal to the diameter of the proximal end of
the glass retaining ring thereby forming a retaining groove for
capturing the glass disc between the mushroom-head shaped portion
of the front flange and the glass retaining ring. Glass gaskets 11
are placed on both sides of the glass disc for a watertight seal
between the disc and the front flange and the disc and glass
retaining ring. Gaskets 11 are preferably 1/16'' thick and composed
of compressed Aramid/Buna-N sheet gasket material. The inner
surface of flange 2 contains a plurality of threaded screw holes 35
to which a glass retaining ring 3 having a circumferential body
defining a lens opening 30 is affixed using bolts 20 threaded into
screw holes 35. Glass gaskets 11 are used on either side of the
lens to provide a watertight seal. Main body 1 of the assembly is a
hollow cylinder with a proximal end having internal threads 26 and
a distal end having external threads 27 which is attached to the
external threads 28 of the flange 2 by means of the internal
threads 26. A polymer o-ring 15 or other suitable sealing means
such as silicone, polyether, polyurethane or other sealants
acceptable for use below the waterline are used for forming a
watertight seal between the flange 2 and main body 1.
[0018] The assembly is secured to the inside of the vessel hull
using a locking ring 7 having internal threads 36 which are sized
to screw down on the external threads 27 of the main body 1.
Locking ring 7 pulls flange 2 into position against the outside of
the vessel hull. Optionally, in order to adapt the entire lighting
assembly to slight angular variations in hull shapes, a compression
ring 6 in combination with locking ring 7 is provided along the
exterior mid-portion of main body 1. Although the mushroom-head
shaped portion of front flange 2 must stay flush against the side
of the boat at the hull opening, the compression ring and locking
ring may be adjusted such that the main body of the assembly may
tilt slightly in order to accommodate angle variations in the hull.
The compression ring is preferably composed of aluminum and has a
smooth interior and exterior surface. The compression ring
surrounds the exterior of the mid-portion of the main body and acts
as a washer separating the main body from the walls of the hull.
The corners of the compression ring are beveled so as to provide
smooth contact with the walls of the hull. At the distal side of
the compression ring, locking ring 7 is screwed onto the
mid-portion of the main body via its threaded interior surface. The
locking ring is also preferably composed of aluminum. Along the
circumference of the locking ring are six cap screws 21 whose
bodies extend past the locking ring and abut the distal side of the
compression ring. Thus, in order to vary the angle at which the
compression ring aligns the assembly with the walls of the hull,
each of screws 21 may be individually threaded in the bores of the
locking ring at different heights so as to change the angle of the
abutting compression ring.
[0019] The advantage of using a two piece thru hull to define a
view port is that the individual components can be manufactured
from the most preferred materials for the environment and/or
application. Certain material choices for the present invention
require the use of metals having sufficient structural strength and
corrosion resistance to maintain a water tight seal below the
waterline. Materials used inside the hull must have sufficient
mechanical strength for secure fastening to the flange and should
have appropriate heat transfer properties to minimize heat buildup
in the view port. Table 1 is a list of the galvanic potential of
various common metals starting with magnesium which is the most
reactive and ending with platinum which is the least reactive.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Galvanic Properties Most Reactive Least
Reactive MAGNESIUM COPPER (CA102) MAGNESIUM ALLOYS MANGANESE BRONZE
(CA 675), ZINC TIN BRONZE (CA903, 905) ALUMINUM 5052, 3004, SILICON
BRONZE 3003, 1100, 6053 NICKEL SILVER CADMIUM COPPER - NICKEL ALLOY
ALUMINUM 2117, 2017, 90-10 2024 COPPER - NICKEL ALLOY MILD STEEL
(1018), 80-20 WROUGHT IRON 430 STAINLESS STEEL CAST IRON, LOW ALLOY
NICKEL, ALUMINUM, HIGH STRENGTH STEEL BRONZE (CA 630, 632) CHROME
IRON (ACTIVE) MONEL 400, K500 STAINLESS STEEL, 430 SILVER SOLDER
SERIES (ACTIVE) NICKEL (PASSIVE) 302, 303, 304, 321, 60NI--15CR
(PASSIVE) 347, 410, 416, INCONEL 600 (PASSIVE) STAINLESS STEEL
80NI--20CR (PASSIVE) (ACTIVE) CHROME IRON (PASSIVE) NI - RESIST
302, 303, 304, 321, 347, 316, 317, STAINLESS STAINLESS STEEL
(PASSIVE) STEEL (ACTIVE) 316, 317, STAINLESS STEEL CARPENTER 20
CB-3 (PASSIVE) STAINLESS (ACTIVE) CARPENTER 20 CB-3 ALUMINUM BRONZE
STAINLESS (PASSIVE), (CA 687) INCOLOY 825 HASTELLOY C (ACTIVE)
NICKEL - MOLYBDEUM - INCONEL 625 (ACTIVE) CHROMIUM - IRON ALLOY
TITANIUM (ACTIVE) (PASSIVE) LEAD - TIN SOLDERS SILVER LEAD TITANIUM
(PASS.) TIN HASTELLOY C & C276 INCONEL 600 (ACTIVE) (PASSIVE),
INCONEL NICKEL (ACTIVE) 625(PASS.) 60NI--15CR (ACTIVE) GRAPHITE
80NI--20CR (ACTIVE) ZIRCONIUM HASTELLOY B (ACTIVE) GOLD BRASSES
PLATINUM
[0020] It is preferred to use materials from the least reactive
materials in Table 1 that have the appropriate mechanical
properties for the application. Standard marine fittings are
generally made of bronze or 316 or 317 stainless steel for both
their strength and corrosion resistance when used below the
waterline. While these materials offer excellent corrosion
resistance, they do not dissipate heat well. As such, they are less
preferred for use in applications where heat may be generated such
as in a light or camera housing. When the assembly will hold a heat
emitting device, it is preferred that the body of the assembly be
made from materials capable of rapidly dispersing the heat such as
aluminum or copper. Most grades of aluminum however create a
galvanic cell and corrode rapidly when immersed in an aqueous
environment in the presence of any other metals. In the marine
environment other metals are always present in the form of standard
bronze through hull plumbing fittings, bronze and stainless
propellers, rudder hardware, etc. Furthermore, saltwater is an
excellent electrolyte and fosters the creation of galvanic
currents. As such, aluminum is a poor choice for any external use
on any vessel hull and in no instance should aluminum be directly
welded or affixed to steel hull vessels. While plastics do not
corrode and have been used in through hull devices, they lack
sufficient strength and durability for use in below the waterline
applications. They are also cosmetically unappealing in comparison
to highly polished metals.
[0021] The present invention allows for the use of corrosion
resistant materials on the wet outside of the vessel hull and the
use of heat dissipating materials on the dry inside of the vessel
hull. For example, the flange can be made of a corrosion resistant
metal such as bronze, stainless steel, or titanium. The body is
preferably made of a strong heat dissipating metal such as
aluminum, titanium or brass or alloys thereof.
[0022] In one embodiment of the view port, the flange 2 can be
directly welded to the vessel hull. When welded, there is no need
to bed the flange to the hull to reduce leaks and the internal
locking and compression rings are eliminated.
[0023] When used with a light or camera, a reflector housing 4 is
slip fit or optionally threaded into the inside of the main body.
While primary water resistance is provided by the flange 2 and the
o-ring 15, secondary water resistance can be provided by use of a
threaded cap which is screwed onto the distal end of the main body.
This cap may be a single piece or preferably two pieces comprising
a threaded connecting ring 8 and a lid 9. The cap may be made out
of any suitable metal or polymer material although marine grades of
aluminum are most preferred due to their corrosion resistance and
strength when used inside the vessel and their ability to rapidly
dissipate heat compared to other materials having suitable
mechanical properties. Connecting ring o-rings or gaskets 12 and
lid o-rings or gaskets 14 are used to maintain a water tight seal
between the connecting ring and the main body and the lid and the
connecting ring. When used it is most preferred that the lid 9 is
secured to the distal end of the connector ring 8 via a plurality
of screws 24 in combination with locknuts 25 placed around the
lid's circumference as shown in FIG. 2b. The external surface of
the cap or connector ring may be shaped for use with tools or
contain ridges or other means to improve a hand grip when screwing
or unscrewing the connector ring or cap from the main body. The
connector ring and cap can also assume any design which does not
interfere with its mechanical function. Such designs include
aesthetically pleasing designs and designs to improve the heat
dissipation of the cap or connector ring. Heat dissipation may be
improved by the inclusion of a plurality of cooling fins, ridges or
other means to increase the surface area for heat dissipation or to
facilitate additional air flow around or through portions of the
cap, connector ring or lid.
[0024] When used with a wired device such as a lamp or camera, the
lid contains a cable strain relief structure 19 for coupling to a
cable that originates from inside the boat and provides power to
and/or a signal from the device mounted inside the view port
assembly. Signals transmitted include still or video images,
infrared or other sensors capable of receiving data through a view
port. Porcelain terminal blocks 18 serve to electrically and
mechanically connect the lamp socket 16, camera or sensor structure
to the lid via cap screws 22. The lamp socket may be elongated as
necessary to place the lamp in the optimal location within the
reflector housing for light and heat dissipation or alternatively
the socket can be position using spacers between the socket and the
lid. Also, non conducting standoff bodies may be placed between the
terminal block and projector lid so as to change the placement of
the terminal block with respect to the projector lid when needed.
The lamp socket contains a lamp 17 which may be of one of several
types including halide, halogen or xenon gas.
[0025] For lamp or camera replacement, the connector ring 8 is
accessed from inside the hull and is unscrewed such that the
connector ring and lid assembly, which is connected to the lamp or
camera, may be removed in the distal direction. The remaining
components of the lighting assembly remain in the thru-hull thereby
leaving a sealed viewing hole in place during repair.
[0026] When used as a lamp, a reflector tube 4 is mounted inside
and adjacent to the hollow interior of the main body and adjacent
to the interior surface of the main body. The reflector tube 4
houses lamp 17 and supports a reflector 5 at its proximal end. The
reflector tube is preferably composed of a heat dissipating
material such as aluminum and is shaped such that the distal end of
the reflector tube is affixed between the distal end of the main
body and the connector ring and the proximal end is secured between
the proximal end of the reflector tube and a glass retaining ring
3. While any suitable mechanical means is acceptable, the use of a
lip on the proximal and distal end of the reflector housing is most
preferred.
[0027] A watertight connection within the reflector housing is
maintained by gasket 12 between the lip of the reflector tube and
connecting ring. Any heat and water resistant gasket material such
as Aramid/Buna-N sheet gasket material can be used for the gasket.
A resilient polymer o-ring 13, preferably composed of nitrile
rubber, lies between the distal ends of the reflector tube and main
body so as to ensure a watertight seal between the reflector tube
and adjacent components. Reflector 5 has a parabolic curved surface
which protrudes rearward into the hollow interior of the assembly
towards the distal end. Lamp 17 extends through the circular
aperture at the center of the parabolic surface such that the
reflector serves to provide maximum light projection and brightness
from lamp 17.
[0028] A 12v, 50 watt metal halide light having an integrated
ballast was installed in a light housing having a reflector and
body made from aluminum and a bronze head. The light assembly was
installed in a test tank and run to simulate average night usage.
The initial test tank temperature was 21 degrees C., room
temperature was 20 degrees C., relative humidity was 40%. The
results are shown in Table 2. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Time Reflector
T Ballast T Body T 11:46 am 28 27 24 1:35 pm 52 60 45 2:10 pm 57 72
51 3:10 pm 58 72 53 4:15 pm 60 72 54 5:05 pm 62 72 56
[0029] The test of Table 2 was conducted with similar lights
without an integrated ballast to show the effects of housing
material on heat accummulation. Table 3 below was conducted under
substantially the same conditions as the test in Table 2. The same
type of high intensity discharge bulb was used. TABLE-US-00003
TABLE 3 Aluminum Bronze Stainless Steel Time Body Cap Body Cap Body
Cap 12:15 pm 24c 23c 24c 23c 24c 23c 1:10 pm 49c 50c 39c 67c 59c
100c 2:15 pm 52c 53c 41c 73c 64c 110c 3:05 pm 53c 53c 40c 74c 65c
110c 4:30 pm 49c 47c 40c 62c 60c 96c
[0030] Table 3 shows that stainless steel is an unacceptable
housing material for a device having an integrated light and
ballast as it would allow the ballast to reach in excess of 80
degrees C., the maximum heat rating for the ballast, at the cap.
Similarly, bronze is only marginally acceptable because it reaches
temperatures close to the maximum heat rating for the ballast and
may in warmer water or temperatures lead to overheating of the
ballast.
[0031] As is apparent to one of skill in the art that various
details of the present invention can be modified without deviating
from the spirit of the invention. The use of alternative materials
such as metals, sealants, polymers and transparent glasses and
polymers is both contemplated and expected as improvements are made
in the relevant art.
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