Two piece view port and light housing with integrated ballast and high intensity disharge lamp

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 discharge (HID) light and ballast is completely installed into the above-described view port.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the two-piece view port and light housing in a fully-assembled configuration.

FIGS. 2 a and 2b are oblique views of the two-piece view port having a watertight end cap.

FIGS. 3 a and 3b are cross-sectional, front and back views respectively of the two-piece view port and light housing with a high intensity discharge lamp and integral ballast in a fully-assembled configuration.

FIG. 3 c is a cross-sectional view of the two-piece view port and light housing with a high intensity discharge lamp and integral ballast in a fully-assembled configuration.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the two-piece view port and light housing with a high intensity discharge lamp and integral ballast.

Claims

1. A thru-hull light comprising: a flanged housing having a main body and a water tight lens for attaching to the exterior of a vessela reflector housing located within the flanged housing,an electric ballast sized to fit inside the main body having a lamp socket affixed or integral thereto;a lamp mounted in the lamp socket;a cap removably attached to the distal end of the main body having a means for conducting power to the electric ballast; anda means for securing the housing to a vessel.

2. The thru-hull light of claim 1 further comprising a means of retrieving the electric ballast from inside the main body.

3. The thru-hull light of claim 2 further wherein the means of retrieving the electric ballast from inside the main body is a pull handle.

4. The thru-hull light of claim 1 wherein the means for securing the housing to a vessel is selected from bonding, welding or mechanical fastening.

5. The thru-hull light of claim 4 wherein the mechanical means for securing the housing to a vessel is a locking ring.

6. The thru-hull light of claim 5 wherein the locking ring is used with a compression ring.

7. The thru-hull light of claim 1 wherein the waterproof lens is secured to the external flange by bonding or mechanical fastening.

8. The thru-hull light of claim 7 wherein the mechanical fastening for securing the lens to the external flange is a lens retaining ring.

9. The thru-hull light of claim 1 wherein the means for providing a watertight seal is selected from sealants, O-rings, gaskets or mechanical seals.

10. The thru-hull light of claim 1 wherein the lamp is selected from halogen, xenon gas or metal halide lamps.

11. The thru-hull light of claim 1 further comprising a camera.

12. The thru-hull light of claim 1 wherein the flange and the housing are comprised of two different metals.

13. The thru-hull light of claim 12 wherein the flange is comprised of a highly corrosion resistant material.

14. The thru-hull light of claim 13 wherein the flange is selected from stainless steel, bronze or titanium.

15. The thru-hull light of claim 12 wherein the housing is comprised of a heat dissipating metal.

16. The thru-hull light of claim 15 wherein the housing is selected from aluminum, titanium or brass.

17. A thru-hull light comprising: an annular external flange that is removably attached to the main body and is comprised of a mushroom-head shaped portion to be placed flush against an exterior opening of a vessel and a narrower cylindrical portion with a threaded exterior surface;a cylindrical, hollow main body placed in the interior of a thru-hull that is comprised of a light housing and has an exterior threaded surface and an interior threaded surface for mating to the threaded portion of 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;a reflector housing sized to fit inside the main body comprising a reflector;an electric ballast sized to fit inside the main body having a lamp socket affixed or integral thereto;a lamp mounted in the lamp socket;a cap removably attached to the distal end of the main body having a means for conducting power to the electric ballast; anda means for securing the housing to a vessel.

18. The thru-hull light of claim 17 wherein a means of retrieving the electric ballast from inside the main body is a pull handle affixed to the reflector housing.

19. The thru-hull light of claim 17 wherein the means for securing the housing to a vessel is selected from bonding, welding or mechanical fastening.

20. The thru-hull light of claim 19 wherein the mechanical fastening means is a locking ring.

21. The thru-hull light of claim 20 wherein the locking ring is used with a compression ring.

22. The thru-hull light of claim 17 wherein the means for securing the lens to the external flange is selected from bonding or mechanical fastening.

23. The thru-hull light of claim 22 wherein the mechanical means for securing the lens to the external flange is a lens retaining ring.

24. The thru-hull light of claim 17 wherein the means for providing a watertight seal is selected from sealants, O-rings, gaskets or mechanical seals.

25. The thru-hull light of claim 17 wherein the lamp is selected from halogen, xenon gas or metal halide lamps.

26. The thru-hull light of claim 17 further comprising a camera.

27. The thru-hull light of claim 17 wherein the flange and the housing are comprised of two different metals.

28. The thru-hull light of claim 27 wherein the flange is comprised of a highly corrosion resistant material.

29. The thru-hull light of claim 28 wherein the flange is selected from stainless steel, bronze or titanium.

30. The thru-hull light of claim 27 wherein the housing is comprised of a heat dissipating metal.

31. The thru-hull light of claim 30 wherein the housing is selected from aluminum, titanium or brass.