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Thru-hull lightThru-hull light description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060239013, Thru-hull light. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to illuminating devices, and more particularly, to lights that are designed to be mounted in a hole formed in the hull of a vessel for projecting a beam of light into the surrounding water. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] There are many night time situations in which it is desirable to illuminate the water around a ship, boat or other surface vessel from the vessel itself. This is often done with powerful search lights mounted on the bridge, cabin, deck or other structure of the vessel that illuminate the upper surface of the water. However, in many cases a greater degree of illumination beneath the water surface is desired which can only be achieved if the light source is underwater. For example, divers can more safely enter the water from a vessel and climb out of the water into a vessel during the night if the area beneath the hull of the vessel near the jump point, swim step or ladder is illuminated. Night time search and rescue operations can also be facilitated by illuminating the water beneath its surface. Logs and other obstacles floating near the surface can be more easily identified and avoided during evening cruises with an underwater beam of light projecting from the bow of a vessel. Night time underwater photography is facilitated by illuminating the water beneath the surface adjacent the vessel hull. Fish and other sea life can also be attracted at night using underwater illumination. Aesthetically pleasing lighting effects can also be generated by projecting one or more beams of light laterally from the hull of a surface vessel beneath the water line so that they are readily visible to passengers and crew. [0003] It is not practical to permanently attach underwater lights to the exterior of the hull due to the excessive drag that would be created, not to mention the severe mechanical strains on such appendages at high velocities of vessel travel. It is also tedious and cumbersome to lower lights on lines and cables from the deck of the vessel. Accordingly, thru-hull lights have been developed and used which essentially comprise a cylindrical lamp housing having a forward end with a protective, transparent, window that is mounted in water-tight fashion in a hole in the vessel hull with a conventional through hull fitting. The lamp is mounted in the housing behind the transparent window and is powered with shore power at the dock or the vessel's onboard power system when away from the dock. Numerous problems have been encountered with prior art thru-hull lights that have heretofore been commercialized for use with surface vessels. Their high heat output can damage the portion of a fiberglass hull immediately adjacent to the cylindrical lamp housing. Their beam patterns have not been optimized. The windows of the prior art thru-hull lights are subject to scratching from hull cleaning and breakage due to thermal shock and wave slap. The electrical circuits of the prior art thru-hull lights have not had any protection against water leakage, any protection against galvanic action that can lead to rapid and excessive corrosion of their metal parts, nor any power status or fault indicators. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a thru-hull light that will not overheat and damage the portion of a hull immediately adjacent to its cylindrical lamp housing. [0005] It is another object of the present invention to provide a thru-hull light with an improved beam pattern that will provide both a long narrow beam and close up diffuse illumination adjacent the hull. [0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a thru-hull light with a protective transparent widow that is less subject to scratching from hull cleaning and breakage due to thermal shock and wave slap. [0007] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a thru-hull light with an electrical circuit that can detect water leakage. [0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a thru-hull light with an electrical circuit that can protect against galvanic action that can lead to rapid and excessive corrosion of their metal parts. [0009] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a thru-hull light with an electrical circuit that can indicate power status and the existence of a fault. [0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a thru-hull light that will produce a more aesthetically appealing beam pattern and color. [0011] The thru-hull light of the present invention includes a lamp housing having a hollow interior that communicates with a forward end of the lamp housing. A thru-hull fitting assembly is connected to the forward end of the lamp housing for mounting the forward end of the lamp housing in a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion. A lamp is mounted in the interior of the lamp housing. A window extends across the forward end of the lamp housing for permitting light from the lamp to be transmitted through the window. A water-tight seal is provided between the window and the forward end of the lamp housing to prevent water from entering the interior of the lamp housing. [0012] In accordance with one aspect of our invention, the window is made of sapphire, which is extremely hard and therefore resists scratching, and also resists breakage due to thermal shock and wave slap. Sapphire is highly transparent to infrared radiation, has a high degree of thermal conductivity, and allows the use of a thinner window that increases heat transfer and facilitates a more efficient beam. Greater infrared transparency also allows more thermal energy to be directly radiated from the lamp and not trapped in the housing where it would produce a greenhouse effect. The sapphire window allows the lamp housing to remain cooler and provides scratch resistance. [0013] In accordance with another aspect of our invention, a reflector surrounds the lamp, which, in its preferred form, has an outer elliptical section and an inner parabolic section. [0014] In accordance with another aspect of our invention an electrical circuit is connected to the lamp for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of a predetermined excessive heat condition, thereby protecting adjacent regions of the hull from heat damage. [0015] In accordance with another aspect of our invention an electrical circuit is connected to the lamp for shutting off a source of power to the lamp upon the detection of leakage of water into the lamp housing. [0016] In accordance with another aspect of our invention an electrical circuit is connected to the lamp for shutting off a source of power to a ballast in the event of the detection of a fault in the lamp. [0017] In accordance with another aspect of our invention an electrical circuit is connected to the lamp for indicating power status and/or fault status. [0018] In accordance with another aspect of our invention the lamp has a color temperature of at least about five thousand K to produce a more aesthetically pleasing underwater illumination effect and provide greater range and penetration of light into the water. [0019] In accordance with another aspect of our invention a light pipe is used to convey light from a lamp into the water surrounding the vessel. [0020] In accordance with another aspect of our invention a reflective tube is used as a light pipe to convey illumination from the lamp into the water surrounding the vessel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Continue reading about Thru-hull light... Full patent description for Thru-hull light Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Thru-hull light patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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