Underwater Floodlight Fixture

Abstract

An underwater electric light fixture which includes an elongated transparent tube sealed at each end and provided with an electric bulb positioned therein. Each end of the bulb is received in an adjustable socket located at opposed axial ends of the transparent tube. Widely spaced apart connectors attached to the outer ends of opposed bulb sockets allow replacement of the entire light fixture by a simple unplugging action without power shutoff and without arcing between the unplugged connectors. An external reflective member may be provided adjacent the transparent tube to enhance visibility.

Description

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to lighting devices and in particular to a high intensity underwater floodlight fixture. Because underwater visibility is ordinarily so poor such floodlights are widely used in underwater photography.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Previous underwater electric lights have generally required that the power thereto be shut off prior to disconnecting and installing a new light should this ever become necessary, such as in the event of a burnout, breakage, cleaning, etc. However, with the advent of the present invention, such time-consuming and dangerous procedures are obviated since the light of the present invention can be quickly and safely disconnected, and a new light positioned in place thereof while still under water and without power shutoff.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, a light fixture as contemplated by this invention comprises a light having a strong tubular transparent protective enclosure sealed at the ends. In order to provide high intensity illumination the light operates on 110--120 volts AC and is designed to be replaced under water without shutting off the power source by unplugging widely spaced electrical connectors located at opposite ends of the light. A light reflector is placed on the outside of the watertight enclosure providing a greater angle of light reflection and area of light coverage than is obtained by other commercial lights.

Accordingly an object of the invention is to provide a deep underwater light fixture that is adapted to be replaced without power shutoff.

Another object of the invention is to provide a deep underwater light fixture having the light enclosed by a sealed watertight transparent enclosure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a deep underwater light fixture having connectors positioned on the opposed ends thereof whereby the light fixture may be safely replaced without undesirable power arcing between disconnected electrical connectors.

A further object of the invention is to provide a deep underwater light fixture in which the light reflector is placed outside the watertight enclosure giving a better area of light coverage than was obtainable heretofore by prior art devices.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive, deep underwater light fixture having standard commercially available components therein.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially in section of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken along a line substantially corresponding to line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings in detail, there is shown in FIG. 1 a partial sectional view of the present light fixture indicated in its entirety by reference numeral 10. It includes an elongate transparent tube 12 having slightly flared or tapered ends 13 which is centrally positioned between two parallel end plates or bulkheads 14. A gasket type O-ring 16 is provided between the flared ends 13 of said tube 12 and the bulkheads 14 which have suitable grooves therein in order to receive the O-ring gasket 16 and thereby provide a sealing relationship therebetween.

A pair of spaced triangularly shaped flanges 18 are positioned around the opposed flared ends 13 of tube 12 in the manner shown in FIG. 1. They each have a large central opening which is tapered to substantially the same angle as the flared tube ends 13, and it is to be noted that the interior diameter 20 of each flange 18 is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the flared tube ends 13. This design permits easy assembly and also facilitates removal of the tube 12 from the flange 18 should this ever become necessary. A correspondingly tapered soft insert or gasket 28 may be placed between the flanges 18 and the flared tube ends 13 to cushion the tube 12 and permit a better contact.

The three parallel rods 22, 24 and 26 each being threaded at their opposed ends extend through the opposed flanges 18 and the opposed bulkheads 14 in the manner shown best in FIG. 1. The two rods 22 and 24 are positioned just above tube 12 in substantially the same plane whereas rod 26 is positioned immediately below tube 12. The nuts 30 threaded on each rod 22, 24 and 26 hold the flanges 18 in spaced apart position whereas the nuts 32 also threaded on the aforesaid rods 22, 24 and 26 hold the bulkheads 14 in proper position. It is to be noted that during submersion the watertight seal between the flared ends 13 of tube 12 and the bulkheads 14 with the O-ring gasket 16 therebetween is enhanced by the hydrostatic pressure against the bulkheads.

An electric bulb 34 having elongated opposed ends 36 and 38 respectively is axially positioned in the tube 12. Each end 36 and 38 is received in an adapter or socket 40 in at least one of which a spring assembly 42 is positioned. The aforesaid bulb 34 is a standard commercially available elongate photoflood lamp of about 1,000 watts capacity and having ceramic tips at each supporting a button which makes contact through said spring assembly to be later described. An example of the type of bulb utilized in this invention is the Sylvania Sun Gun, type DXN 3400.degree. K, 120 V. The bulb 34 normally operates on 110--120 volts AC.

In referring to FIG. 1, it will be seen that a male connecting assembly 44 is threaded substantially through the center of the opposed bulkheads 14. Each connecting assembly 44 has a tip portion 46 which extends beyond the external surface of the respective bulkheads 14 while a nonconductive plastic threaded portion 48 thereof extends slightly into the respective ends 13 of tube 12. An adapter or socket 40 is threaded onto portion 48 of each connecting assembly 44 and is designed to receive the ends 36 and 38 respectively of bulb 34.

The spring assembly 42 as state previously is positioned within at least one adapter 40. It involves a pair of spring seats 50 with a spring 52 positioned therebetween. A contact wire 54 extends longitudinally between the spring 52 and is attached to connecting assembly 44 at one end and soldered to the spring seat 50 at the internal end against which one end 36 of the bulb 34 is positioned in electrical contact relationship. The opposed adapter or socket 40 designed to receive the opposed end 38 of bulb 34 is either similarly constructed with a spring assembly 42 therein or is of a standard commercial type well known in the art. Thus, it is seen that to replace a bulb 34, one of the bulkheads 14 is removed from its fixed position on rods 22, 24 and 26 by unthreading nuts 32. Since each connector assembly 44 is positioned in a bulkhead 14 and is attached to an adapter 40, the removal of bulkhead 14 will also remove adapter 40 and free one end 36 of the bulb 34. The opposite end 38 of the aforesaid bulb 40 is then removed from the remaining adapter 40 and a new bulb 34 is then inserted. The adapter 40 with bulkhead 14 is replaced.

The connecting assemblies 44 positioned in the opposed bulkheads 14 are each adapted to fit in a female connector 56 leading to a power source not shown in the drawings. It will be noted that the electrical contact in the commercially obtainable female connector 56 is deeply recessed therein thereby forcing the male connecting assemblies 44 to be deeply inserted before electrical contact is accomplished. This arrangement prevents any arcing in spite of the presence of up to 120 volts AC current thereby permitting the light fixture 10 to be easily replaced while still under water by merely disconnecting the aforesaid connections 44 and 56 and inserting a new fixture. When the male connecting assembly 44 and female connector 56 are reapplied, the pointed male prongs 62 of connecting assembly 44 penetrate deeply into said connector 56 and reestablish electrical connection so that the entire disconnection or reconnection operation can be accomplished without any hazard of electrical shock.

A concave reflector 58 is mounted on each lateral side to the parallel rods 22 and 24 and is positioned adjacent and parallel with tube 12 but exterior thereto. It is to be noted that by placing the reflector outside the watertight tube 12, an improved angle of light reflection and area of light coverage is obtained. Another advantage of the external location of the reflector is that it does not interfere with the circulation of cooling water around the outside of the relatively even heated glass tube 12.

A pair of triangularly shaped bracket support units 60 shown best in FIG. 3 are positioned exteriorly and adjacent to opposed bulkheads 14 and are mounted on each rod 22 and 24 as they extend through the bulkheads where they are held in position by the nuts 32. A mounting bracket 68 placed over the reflector 58 is bent at right angles at each end and is suitably attached to the top of each bracket support 60 by any feasible means 64 such as a nut and bolt arrangement. There are numerous other arrangements and devices which can be employed to suit any type of mounting installation.

Thus, it can be seen the invention provides a means for replacing an underwater light fixture and at the same time provides for increased illumination.

In the overall assembly of the fixture 10, it has been found preferable to first insert the flared end 13 into the angled flange 18 and then apply the gasket 28. This is done at both ends of the device and thereafter nuts 30 are adjusted to spread flanges 18 apart and slightly compress gaskets 28 to hold them in place. The O-ring gaskets 16 are then added to seal the ends of tube 12. Thereafter the external nuts 32 are adjusted and tightened evenly in sequence at about one-quarter turn at a time keeping a close watch upon the O-ring gaskets 16 which when sufficiently compressed maintain the parts in hydraulic sealing relationship. In handling the lamp 34, a cleaning tissue or similar material should be utilized to prevent finger oil from contact with the quartz glass from which the bulb 34 is manufactured. The quartz becomes very hot when used and any contamination such as oil from the fingers might cause the bulb 34 to break. It should also be noted that whereever possible stainless steel fittings and aluminum alloy structures should be separated to prevent probable electrolytic deterioration thereof when subjected to salt water immersion. Thus, washers 66 should be placed between the stainless steel nuts 30 and the aluminum alloy flange 18, and zinc chromate paste or equivalent should be liberally applied on the threads of rods 22, 24 and 26.

It is emphasized that the novel invention described herein while supplying a desperate need in the art is still cheap to manufacture and is relatively small and light in weight as compared to prior art devices thus facilitating its use when submerged.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

We claim:

1. A light fixture intended for underwater use and designed to permit substitution or replacement thereof while submerged without deenergizing the power source conductors while at the same time protecting the individual making the substitution or replacement from the possibility of arcing or electrical shock while so engaged, said fixture comprising in combination:

a lamp of elongated configuration;

a generally tubular member enclosing said lamp, said tubular member having outwardly-flared ends and being composed of a material through which a substantial proportion of the light rays emitted by said lamp may pass;

pair of plates disposed in parallel spaced-apart relationship and respectively closing the flared ends of said tubular member in such a manner as to form a watertight seal, each plate of said pair having an opening therein aligned with the axis of said elongated lamp;

a pair of triangularly-shaped flanges each having a central opening therein, said flanges being positioned to respectively encircle the flared ends of said tubular member, and with the opening in each flange being internally configured to conform to the surface portion of said tubular member proximate thereto and with the minimum diameter of each flange opening being greater than the maximum outer diameter of the flared end of the tubular member with which it is associated;

a pair of compressible inserts respectively lying between said flanges and the surface portion of the tubular member proximate thereto;

a plurality of threaded rods interconnecting said plates and disposed parallel to one another and to the axis of said tubular member;

a plurality of nuts associated with said rods and respectively receivable thereon, whereby a tightening of said nuts acts to urge said plates toward their respective ends of said tubular member and enhance the watertight seal therebetween;

each of said rods also passing through aligned openings in said pair of flanges;

additional nuts associated with said rods and respectively receivable thereon adjacent said pair of flanges, whereby a tightening of said additional nuts compresses said inserts and urges said flanges toward their respective adjacent plates;

a light reflector of concave configuration located exterior to said tubular member and supported by at least one of said threaded rods so as to extend in a direction generally parallel to that of both said lamp and to the tubular member within which such lamp is enclosed;

a pair of electrical connecting assemblies each having a portion passing through one of the aligned openings in said pair of plates so as to project into said tubular member;

a pair of adapters within said tubular member and respectively carried on the inwardly-projecting ends of said connecting assemblies, each adapter of said pair having an axial opening into which one end of said elongated lamp is receivable so as to make electrical contract with its respective connecting assembly;

each connecting assembly of said pair being made up of a first electrical contact member projecting outwardly from the plate with which it is associated, and a second exteriorly-insulated contact member terminating one of said power source conductors and manually-separable from said first electrical contact member, said second contact member being deeply recessed within its exterior insulation when separated from said first contact member, and

thereby protecting an individual making a substitution or replacement of said fixture from the possibility of harm due to arcing or electrical shock occurring while so engaged.