Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ANTI-BIOFOULING OF SUBMERGED LIGHTING FIXTURES
The present invention relates generally to lighting fixtures constructed for
installation
where the lighting fixtures will be submerged and thereby exposed to
biological organisms
that can become attached in such manner as to interfere with the transmission
of visible light
from the lighting fixtures, and pertains, more specifically, to anti-
biofouling constructions
and methods for maintaining submerged lighting fixtures substantially free of
such
attachment of undesirable biological organisms.
With the advent of more effective, more efficient lighting apparatus, there
has arisen
a greater demand for lighting fixtures that can serve in submerged
installations where these
fixtures will be exposed to biological organisms that can become attached in a
manner that
will defeat the ability to serve the purpose of the installation. Thus, for
example, lighting
fixtures installed in marine environments, such as for the illumination of
piers, pilings,
seawalls and the like, as well as providing fighting for a variety of marine
vessels, for
illumination that is meant to serve either or both functional and decorative
purposes, when
placed at locations where the lighting fixtures will be submerged and thereby
exposed to the
attachment of biological organisms, such as barnacles, algae and the like,
will soon lose
effectiveness due to biofouling which will defeat the ability to transmit the
desired
illumination.
While it has been suggested that ultraviolet radiation (UV) can be effective
in
combating biofouling of optical surfaces of various equipment immersed for
service in
marine environments, the present invention provides specific constructions and
methods for
rendering lighting fixtures practical and effective in serving to illuminate a
wide variety of
installations where the lighting fixtures will be submerged and thereby
exposed to the
presence of biological organisms that can defeat the ability of the lighting
fixtures to provide
effective illumination for either functional or decorative purposes.
Accordingly, the present invention attains several objects and advantages,
some of
which are summarized as follows: Provides constructions and methods for
effectively
combating biofouling of lighting fixtures installed to furnish lighting for
either or both
functional and decorative lighting purposes in environments where the lighting
fixtures are
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submerged and thus exposed to biological organisms that can interfere with the
proper
transmission of light from the lighting fixtures; enables more widespread use
of lighting
fixtures for both functional and decorative lighting purposes where such
lighting fixtures are
submerged and exposed to the detrimental adherence of biological organisms and
the
concomitant impedance of the transmission of usable light as a result of
biofouling; renders
more economical the use of lighting fixtures in submerged environments,
thereby opening
the employment of submerged lighting fixtures over a wider and more diverse
range of uses;
simplifies the provision of practical anti-biofouling measures in lighting
fixtures utilized in
installations wherein the lighting fixtures are submerged and exposed to
unwanted biological
organisms; allows increased flexibility in the choice of design and
construction of lighting
fixtures to be submerged in environments where the lighting fixtures are
exposed to
potential biofouling; simplifies the installation of submerged anti-biofouling
lighting
fixtures in connection with a wide variety of marine structures, as well as
marine vessels,
without disturbing the integrity of such structures and vessels; exhibits a
high degree of
operating efficiency and effectiveness for more economical performance over an
extended
service life.
The above objects and advantages are attained by the present invention, which
may
be described briefly as a lighting fixture for providing illumination at a
marine installation
location, the lighting fixture being constructed for resisting bio-fouling
when submerged in
a surrounding marine environment and thereby exposed to visible light-impeding
bio-
fouling marine biological organisms within that environment, the lighting
fixture comprising:
a chamber sealed against the surrounding marine environment;
a source of visible light
within the chamber for providing illumination at the marine installation
location; avvirclow
member located for transmitting illumination from the source of visible light
into the
surrounding marine environment, the window member having an outer surface
through
which outer surface the illumination is to pass upon placement of the outer
surface in
position to be exposed to the surrounding marine environment; and a source of
ultraviolet
radiation within the lighting fixture arranged to direct ultraviolet radiation
for transmission
to the outer surface of the window member, such that the ultraviolet radiation
at the outer
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surface of the window member is of an intensity which is effective in
rendering the outer
surface of the window member immune to adherence of visible light-impeding bio-
fouling
marine biological organisms to which the outer surface of the window member
will be
exposed when submerged within the surrounding marine environment; the window
member
being constructed of a material capable of transmitting the ultraviolet
radiation from the
source of ultraviolet radiation within the lighting fixture, through the
material of the window
members to the outer surface of the window member such that upon submersion of
the
lighting fixture within the surrounding marine environment, visible light-
impeding bio-
fouling marine biological organisms will be inhibited from adhering to the
outer surface of
the window member by ultraviolet radiation emanating from the source of
ultraviolet
radiation within the lighting fixture and transmitted through the material of
the window
member to the outer surface of the window member.
In addition, the present invention provides a method for resisting bio-fouling
of a
lighting fixture constructed to provide illumination at a marine installation
location where
the lighting fixture is submerged in a surrounding marine environment and
thereby exposed
to visible light-impeding bio-fouling marine biological organisms within that
environment,
the method comprising: providing the lighting fixture with a chamber sealed
against the
surrounding marine environment; placing a source of visible light within the
chamber for
providing illumination at the marine installation location; including a window
member for
transmitting illumination from the source of visible light into the
surrounding marine
environment, the window member having an outer surface through which outer
surface the
illumination will pass upon placement of the outer surface in position to be
exposed to the
surrounding marine environment; and combating adherence to the outer surface
of the
window member visible light-impeding bio-fouling marine biological organisms
to which
the outer surface of the window member will be exposed when submerged within
the
surrounding marine environment,, by constructing the window member of a
material capable
of transmitting ultraviolet radiation, placing a source of ultraviolet
radiation within the
lighting fixture and directing, from the source of ultraviolet radiation
within the lighting
fixture for transmission through the material of the window member to the
outer surface of
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the window member, ultraviolet radiation of an intensity which is effective in
rendering the
outer surface of the window member immune to adherence of such visible light-
impeding
bio-fouling marine biological organisms; whereby, upon submersion of the
lighting fixture
within the surrounding marine environment, visible light-impeding bio-fouling
of the outer
surface by adherence of light-impeding bio-fouling marine biological organisms
will be
inhibited by ultraviolet radiation emanating from the source of ultraviolet
radiation within
the lighting fixture and passing through the material of the window member to
the outer
surface of the window member.
The invention will be understood more ftdly, while still further objects and
advantages will become apparent, in the following detailed description of
preferred
embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a partially diagrammatic, longitudinal cross-sectional view ofa
submersible
lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a component part of the lighting fixture of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partially diagrammatic, longitudinal cross-sectional view of
another
submersible lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a component part of the lighting fixture of FIG.
3;
FIG. 5 is a partially diagrammatic, longitudinal cross-sectional view of still
another
submersible lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of component parts of the lighting fixture of FIG.
5;
FIG_ 7 is a top plan view of a component part of the lighting fixture of FIG.
5;
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of yet another submersible lighting fixture
constructed in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a partially diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9
of FIG.
8;
FIG. 10 is a partially diagrammatic cross-sectioned pictorial view of another
submersible lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 11 is a partially diagrammatic cross-sectioned pictorial view of another
submersible lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
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FIG. 12 is a partially diagrammatic cross-sectioned pictorial view of another
submersible lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 13 is a partially diagrammatic cross-sectioned pictorial view of another
submersible lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 14 is a partially diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a submersible
lighting
fixture constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown
installed on a marine
vessel;
FIG. 15 is a partially diagrammatic, longitudinal cross-sectional view of
another
submersible lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of a component part of the lighting fixture of
FIG. 15;
and
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16.
Referring now to the drawing, and especially to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, a
submersible
lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present invention is
shown, partially
diagrammatically, at 20 and is seen to include a housing 22 having a base 24
and a flange 26.
Base 24 is shown mounted upon an underwater post 30 by means of a threaded
connection
at 32. A window member 40 includes a peripheral rim 42 having a plurality of
holes 44
spaced apart circumferentially around the rim 42, and the window member 40 is
secured to
base 24 by a retaining ring 46 through which a plurality of threaded bolts 48
extend within
holes 44 to be threaded into complementary threaded sockets 50 in flange 26 of
housing 22.
A first seal 52 is interposed between retaining ring 46 and rim 42 and a
second seal 54 is
interposed between rim 42 and flange 26, the first and second seals 52 and 54
sewing to
close and seal a chamber 56 within housing 22.
A circuit board 60 is placed within chamber 56, mounted upon base 24, and
sealed
against the environment outside lighting fixture 20 by virtue of placement
within the sealed
chamber 56. A source of illumination is provided by a plurality of light
sources shown in
the form of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 62 carried by circuit board 60 and
operated by
electronic circuitry 64 powered by an external power supply (not shown). LEDs
62 provide
illumination which is directed through window member 40 to light the
environment outside
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lighting fixture 20. In the illustrated embodiment, post 30 is mounted upon an
underwater
structure (not shown) and lighting fixture 20 is submerged, exposing lighting
fixture 20, and
especially window member 40, to biological organisms in the water within which
lighting
fixture 20 is submerged. These biological organisms, such as barnacles, algae
and the like,
will tend to adhere to window member 40 and obscure visible light being
directed to the
window member 40 by the LEDs 62 for transmission through the window member 40.
This
phenomenon is known as "biofouling" and will defeat the ability of a submerged
lighting
fixture to furnish the visible light desired at the installation.
It has been well established that ultra violet radiation is effective in
countering the
adherence of biological organisms to surfaces where it is desired to maintain
these surfaces
free of such biological organisms. In particular, ultraviolet radiation
identified as "UVC"
radiation has been found effective in combating those biological organisms
encountered in
aquatic environments, and especially in marine environments. Accordingly, in
order to
maintain window member 40 immune to and substantially clear of any
accumulation of
biological organisms that could impede the transmission of illumination
through window
member 40, a source of UVC radiation is located within chamber 56, here shown
in the form
of a UVC LED 80 placed upon circuit board 60 and located so that UVC radiation
is
directed to window member 40. Window member 40 is constructed of a material,
such as
quartz, that is capable of transmitting UVC radiation, so that UVC radiation
emanating from
LED 80 will be transmitted through window member 40 to inhibit adhering of
biological
organisms upon the exterior surface 82 of window member 40 and thereby combat
biofouling
of window member 40. Energy is conserved by limiting the intensity of the
transmitted UVC
radiation at the external surface 82 to essentially that which is effective in
rendering the
external surface 82 immune to adherence of biological organisms. In the
illustrated
embodiment, window member 40 advantageously is constructed with exterior
surface 82
having a domed configuration, and LED 80 is placed at a focal point of the
domed
configuration so that the intensity of UVC radiation is substantially uniform
over the exterior
surface 82. LED 80 is controlled by electronic circuitry 64 and, in the
preferred arrangement,
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LED 80 need not be activated continuously, and is activated periodically, in
timed,
intermittent sessions, so as to conserve energy.
Housing 22 preferably is constructed, or at least coated, with a material that
will resist
biofouling, as well as corrosion, for long-term service. In addition, sealed
chamber 56
preferably is evacuated, or is filled with an inert gas, such as nitrogen, to
promote reliability
and longevity of LEDs 62 and 80, as well as electronic circuitry 64.
The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown in the form of a
submersible
lighting fixture 120 and is constructed similar to submersible lighting
fixture 20 described
in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, corresponding component parts
are labeled
with the same reference characters and operate in the same manner as described
above in
connection with lighting fixture 20. However, in lighting fixture 120, window
member 140
has a flat configuration, with a flat exterior surface 182, as opposed to the
domed
configuration of window member 40, the flat configuration providing both
functional and
decorative differences better suited to particular installations.
Turning now to FIGS. 5 through 7, another embodiment of the present invention
is
illustrated in the form of submersible lighting fixture 220 and is seen to
have a housing 222
with a base 224, a flange 226 and a recess 228. Base 224 is shown mounted upon
an
underwater post 230 by means of a threaded connection at 232. A window member
240
includes a peripheral section 242, and is secured to base 224 by a retaining
frame 246
juxtaposed with peripheral section 242 through which frame 246 a plurality of
threaded bolts
248 extend within holes 244 to be threaded into complementary threaded sockets
250 in
flange 226 of base 224. A first seal 252 is interposed between retaining frame
246 and
peripheral section 242, and a second seal 254 is interposed between peripheral
section 242
and base 224, the seals 252 and 254 serving to close and seal a chamber 256
within housing
222.
A circuit board 260 is placed within chamber 256, mounted upon base 224, and
sealed against the environment outside lighting fixture 220 by virtue of
placement within the
sealed chamber 256. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 262 are
carried by circuit
board 260 and are operated by electronic circuitry 264 powered by an external
power supply
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(not shown). LEDs 262 provide illumination which is directed through window
member 240
to light the environment outside lighting fixture 220.
Window member 240 has a predetermined thickness T, and a perimetric edge 270
that follows a largely rectangular path. A flat portion 272 is located along
the perimetric
edge 270 of window member 240, the flat portion 272 being adjacent flange 226
and spaced
laterally a short distance from flange 226 to provide clearance for a source
of UVC radiation,
shown in the form of a UVC LED 280 coupled with window member 240 at the flat
portion
272 along the perimetric edge 270 of window member 240_ A lead 282 connects
LED 280
to electronic circuitry 264 for operating LED 280. In the preferred
construction, semi-
rectangular portion 284 of perimetric edge 270 is coated with a UVC reflective
material 286
such that upon activation of LED 280, UVC radiation is directed into window
member 240
and, by virtue of internal reflection, normally is not dissipated out of
window member 240
until such time as a biological organism comes into sufficient attachment to
the outer surface
290 of window member 240, at which time UVC radiation within the window member
240
will be transmitted, by virtue of such attachment, to the interfering
biological organism,
resulting in the offending biological organism being neutralized so as to
maintain the outer
surface 290 sufficiently clear. In this manner, window member 240 functions
similar to a
waveguide, assisted by thickness T, providing UVC radiation only where, when
and in an
intensity limited essentially to that needed to maintain the outer surface 290
sufficiently clear
of bio fouling, thereby conserving energy.
With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, another submersible lighting fixture
constructed in
accordance with the present invention is shown, partially diagrammatically, at
320 and is
seen to include a housing 322 having a base 324 and a flange 326. Base 324
carries a
threaded post 330. A window member 340 includes a peripheral rim 342 having a
plurality
of holes 344 spaced apart circumferentially around the rim 342, and the window
member 340
is secured to base 324 by a retaining ring 346 through which a plurality of
threaded bolts 348
extend within holes 344 to be threaded into complementary threaded sockets 350
in flange
326 of base 324. A first seal 352 is interposed between retaining ring 346 and
rim 342 and
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a second seal 354 is interposed between rim 342 and flange 326, the first and
second seals
352 and 354 serving to close and seal a chamber 356 within housing 322.
A circuit board 360 is placed within chamber 356, mounted upon base 324, and
sealed against the environment outside lighting fixture 320 by virtue of
placement within the
sealed chamber 356. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 362 are
carried by circuit
board 360 and are operated by electronic circuitry 364 powered by an external
power supply
(not shown). LEDs 362 provide illumination which is directed through window
member 340
to light the environment outside lighting fixture 320. En the illustrated
embodiment, lighting
fixture 320 is mounted upon an underwater structure, shown in the form of a
hula 370 of a
marine vessel, and is submerged, exposing lighting fixture 320, and especially
window
member 340, to biological organisms in the water within which lighting fixture
320 is
submerged. Lighting fixture 320 is secured in place by advancing a threaded
nut 372 along
threaded post 330 until lighting fixture 320 is secured upon hull 370. A
sealing member 374
is interposed between base 324 and hull 370, and a further sealing member 376
is interposed
between threaded nut 372 and hull 370 to seal the hull 370. As described
hereinbefore,
biological organisms, such as barnacles, algae and the like, will tend to
adhere to window
member 340 and obscure visible light being directed to the window member 340
by the
LEDs 362 for transmission through the window member 340. This phenomenon,
known as
"biofouling," will defeat the ability of a submerged lighting fixture to
ftunish the visible light
desired at the installation_
Accordingly, in order to maintain window member 340 immune to and
substantially
clear of any accumulation of biological organisms that could impede the
transmission of
illumination through window member 340, a source of UVC radiation is located
within
chamber 356, here shown in the form of a UVC LED 380 placed upon circuit board
360 and
located so that UVC radiation is directed to window member 340. Window member
340 is
constructed of a material, such as quartz, that is capable of transmitting UVC
radiation, so
that UVC radiation emanating from LED 380 will be transmitted through window
member
340 in an intensity limited essentially to that which is effective to inhibit
adhering of
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biological organisms upon the exterior surface 382 of window member 340 and
thereby
combat biofouling of window member 340.
The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 10 is in the form of a
submersible strip lighting fixture 420 having a housing 422 of a selected
extended length,
with a base 424 and a flange 426. Base 424 carries a number of threaded posts
430 along the
length of the base 424 for mounting lighting fixture 420 upon a length of
underwater
structure. A window member 440 includes laterally opposite edges 441 The
window
member 440 is secured to base 424 by retaining members 446 through which a
plurality of
threaded bolts 448 extend to be threaded into flange 426 of base 424. A first
seal 452 is
interposed between each retaining member 446 and window member 440, and second
seals
454 are interposed between window member 440 and base 424. The seals 452 and
454,
together with opposite end caps, one of which end caps is shown at 458, serve
to close and
seal a chamber 456 within housing 422.
A circuit board 460 is placed within chamber 456, mounted upon base 424, and
sealed against the environment outside lighting fixture 420 by virtue of
placement within the
sealed chamber 456. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 462 are
carried by circuit
board 460 and are operated by electronic circuitry 464 powered by an external
power supply
(not shown). LEDs 462 provide illumination which is directed through window
member 440
to light the environment outside lighting fixture 420.
In order to maintain window member 440 immune to and substantially clear of
any
accumulation of biological organisms that could impede the transmission of
illumination
through window member 440, sources of UVC radiation are located within chamber
456,
here shown in the form of LEDs 480 placed within corresponding waveguides 482
carried
by circuit board 460 and located so that UVC radiation of an effective limited
intensity is
directed to window member 440, distributed throughout the extended length of
lighting
fixture 420. Waveguides 482 and window member 440 are constructed of a
material, such
as quartz, that is capable of transmitting UVC radiation, so that UVC
radiation emanating
from LEDs 480 will be distributed to and pass through window member 440 to
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adverse accumulation of biological organisms upon the longitudinally extended
exterior
surface 484 of window member 440 and thereby combat biofouling of window
member 440.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, visible light emanates from both faces 500
of
a submersible lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present
invention. Here
again, a lighting fixture is in the form of strip lighting fixture 520 of
selected, extended
longitudinal length, having a housing 522 with a base 524. However, here base
524 includes
opposite flanges 526. A window member 540 extends longitudinally along each
face 500,
and each window member 540 includes laterally opposite edges 542. Each window
member
540 is secured to base 524 by retaining members 546 through which a plurality
of threaded
bolts 548 extend to be threaded into a corresponding flange 526 of base 524.
Seals 552 and
554 are provided, as before, together with opposite end caps, one of which end
caps is shown
at 558, to close and seal chambers 556 within housing 522.
A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 562 are placed within each chamber
556,
sealed against the environment outside lighting fixture 520 by virtue of
placement within a
corresponding sealed chamber 556, and are operated by corresponding electronic
circuitry
powered by an external power supply (not shown). LEDs 562 provide illumination
which
is directed through window members 540 to light the environment outside
lighting fixture
520.
In order to maintain window members 540 immune to and substantially clear of
any
accumulation of biological organisms that could impede the transmission of
illumination
through window members 540, sources of UVC radiation are located within each
chamber
556, here shown in the form of LEDs 580 placed within corresponding waveguides
582
located along the extended length of lighting fixture 520 so that UVC
radiation is directed
to window members 540, distributed throughout the extended length. Waveguides
582 and
window members 540 are constructed of a material, such as quartz, that is
capable of
transmitting UVC radiation, so that UVC radiation emanating from LEDs 580 will
be
distributed to and pass through window members 540 to inhibit adverse
accumulation of
biological organisms upon the exterior surfaces 584 of window members 540 and
thereby
combat biofouling of window members 540.
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Turning now to FIG. 12, another submersible lighting fixture constructed in
accordance with the present invention is shown in the form of an elongate
Lighting fixture
620 of selected, extended longitudinal length, having a housing 622 with a
base 624 and a
flange 626. A window member 640 includes laterally opposite edges 642 and is
secured to
base 624 by retaining members 646 which, together with end caps (not shown),
establish a
sealed chamber 656 in a manner similar to that described above.
A circuit board 660 is placed within chamber 656, mounted upon a bracket 658
affixed to housing 622, and sealed against the environment outside lighting
fixture 620 by
virtue of placement within the sealed chamber 656. A plurality of light
emitting diodes
(LEDs) 662 are carried by circuit board 660 and are operated by electronic
circuitry 664
placed within sealed chamber 656 and powered by an external power supply (not
shown).
LEDs 662 provide illumination which is directed through window member 640 to
light the
environment outside lighting fixture 620.
In order to maintain window member 640 immune to and substantially clear of
any
accumulation of biological organisms that could impede the transmission of
illumination
through window member 640, sources of UVC radiation are located within chamber
656,
here shown in the form of LEDs 680 placed within a waveguide 682 carried by
circuit board
660 and located so that UVC radiation is directed to window member 640,
distributed
throughout the extended length of lighting fixture 620. Waveguide 682 and
window member
640 are constructed of a material, such as quartz, that is capable of
transmitting UVC
radiation, so that UVC radiation emanating from LEDs 680 will be distributed
to and pass
through window member 640 to inhibit adverse accumulation of biological
organisms upon
the exterior surface 684 of window member MO and thereby combat biofouling of
window
member 640.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 13, another submersible
lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown
in the form of
an elongate lighting fixture 720 of selected, extended longitudinal length,
having a housing
member 722 extending longitudinally along the selected length. Housing member
722 has
a semi-tubular configuration including a C-shaped cross-sectional contour. A
window
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member 740 is in the form of a tubular structure 742 having a circular cross-
sectional
configuration essentially complementary to the cross-sectional configuration
of housing
member 722 so that window member 740 is received and retained within housing
member
722, along the length of lighting fixture 720, while providing a window 744.
End caps (not
shown) are secured to housing member 722 to establish a sealed chamber 756 in
a manner
similar to that described above.
A circuit board 760 is placed within chamber 756, mounted upon a bracket 758
secured within window member740, and is sealed against the environment outside
lighting
fixture 720 by virtue of placement within the sealed chamber 756. A plurality
of light
emitting diodes (LEDs) 762 are carried by circuit board 760, along the
extended length of
lighting fixture 720, and are operated by electronic circuitry 764 placed
within sealed
chamber 756 and powered by an external power supply (not shown). LEDs 762
provide
illumination which is directed through window 744 to light the environment
outside lighting
fixture 720.
In order to maintain window 744 immune to and substantially clear of any
accumulation of biological organisms that could impede the transmission of
illumination
through window 744, sources of UVC radiation are located within chamber 756,
here shown
in the form of LEDs 780 placed within a waveguide 782 carried by circuit board
760 and
located along the extended longitudinal length of lighting fixture 720 so that
UVC radiation
is directed to window 744, distributed along the extended longitudinal length.
Wave,guide
782 and window member 740 are constructed of a material, such as quartz, that
is capable
of transmitting UVC radiation, so that UVC radiation emanating from LEDs 780
will be
distributed to and pass through window 744 to inhibit adverse accumulation of
biological
organisms upon the exterior surface 784 of window 744 and thereby combat
biofouling of
window 744.
With reference to FIG. 14, another submersible lighting fixture constructed in
accordance with the present invention is shown, partially diagrammatically, at
820 and is
seen to include a housing 822 having a base 824 and a flange 826. Lighting
fixture 820 is
shown mounted upon the hull 830 of a marine vessel 832 having a wall 834
constructed of
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a material now in common use in marine vessels, namely, a fiberglass
reinforced synthetic
polymeric material. The construction of lighting fixture 820 enables the
lighting fixture 820
to be mounted upon hull 830 without compromising the integrity of wall 834. To
that end,
housing 822 is placed against outer face 836 of wall 834, in registration with
an internal
housing 838 placed against inner face 840 of wall 834, as shown. Housing 822
carries self-
aligning rare earth magnets 842 affixed within housing 822 and which align
with self-
aligning rare earth magnets 844 carried by and affixed within internal housing
838. In this
manner, corresponding magnets 842 and 844 are attracted to one another to
secure in place
housing 822, without the necessity for creating an unwanted opening or other
compromising
structural element in wall 834. Preferably, a resilient pad 846 is interposed
between housing
822 and wall 834 to inhibit further any tendency toward unwanted movement of
lighting
fixture 820 along hull 830.
A window member 850 includes a peripheral rim 852 and is secured to base 824
by
a retaining ring 856 through which a plurality of threaded bolts 858 extend to
be threaded
into flange 826 of base 824. First and second seals 862 and 864 close and seal
a chamber
866 within housing 822.
A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 872 are placed within chamber 866,
sealed against the environment outside lighting fixture 820 by virtue of
placement within the
sealed chamber 866 and are operated by electronic circuitry 874 powered by an
external
power supply 880. In order further to assure that wall 834 is maintained
uncompromiseit
power supply 880 is coupled to a power induction transmitter 882 placed within
internal
housing 838, located within hull 830, and a power induction receiver 884 is
placed within
housing 822, in proximity to power induction transmitter 882. Power is
transmitted to
induction receiver 884 which is connected to an LED controller 886 which, in
turn, is
connected to electronic circuitry 874, all within housing 822. An RF
transmitter/controller
888 within the vessel 832 communicates with LED controller 886 for enabling
control of the
LEDs 872, through electronic circuitry 874. In this manner, controlled power
is furnished
to LEDs 872 so as to provide desired illumination directed through window
member 850 to
light the environment outside lighting fixture 820. As described herein above,
biological
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organisms, such as barnacles, algae and the like, will tend to adhere to
window member 850
and obscure visible light being directed to the window member 850 by the LEDs
872 for
transmission through the window member 850. This phenomenon, known as
"biofouling,"
will defeat the ability of a submerged lighting fixture to furnish the visible
light desired at
the installation.
Accordingly, in order to maintain window member 850 immune to and
substantially
clear of any accumulation of biological organisms that could impede the
transmission of
illumination through window member 850, a source of UVC radiation is located
within
chamber 866, here shown in the form of a UVC LED 890 placed upon circuit board
870 and
located so that UVC radiation is directed to window member 850. Window member
850 is
constructed of a material, such as quartz, that is capable of transmitting UVC
radiation, so
that UVC radiation emanating from LED 890 will be transmitted through window
member
850 to inhibit adverse accumulation of biological organisms upon the exterior
surface 892
of window member 850 and thereby combat biofouling of window member 850.
Turning now to FIGS. 15 through 17, another embodiment of the present
invention
is illustrated in the form of submersible lighting fixture 920 and is seen to
have a housing
922 with a base 924, a flange 926 and a recess 928. A threaded post 930
extends from base
924 for mounting lighting fixture 920 in. place at a selected installation
site. A window
member 940 includes a peripheral border 942, and is attached to base 924 by
being securely
fitted within flange 926 of base 924 to close and seal a chamber 956 within
housing 922.
A circuit board 960 is placed within chamber 956, mounted upon base 924, and
sealed against the environment outside lighting fixture 920 by virtue of
placement within the
sealed chamber 956. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 962 are
carried by circuit
board 960 and are powered by an external power supply (not shown). LEDs 962
provide
illumination which is directed through window member 940 to light the
environment outside
lighting fixture 920.
Window member 940 has a predetermined thickness T, and a perimetric edge 970
that preferably follows a largely circular path. A cavity 972 is located
within window
member 940, the cavity 972 preferably being adjacent perimetric edge 970 and
spaced
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laterally a short distance from perimetric edge 970, cavity 972 being
dimensioned and
configured to accommodate a source of UVC radiation, shown in the form of a
UVC LED
980 inserted within window member 940 adjacent the perimetric edge 970 of
window
member 940. LED 980 is coupled with circuit board 960 for operating LED 980.
In the
preferred construction, window member 940 is constructed of a material, such
as quartz, that
is capable of transmitting UVC radiation, so that UVC radiation emanating from
LED 980
will be transmitted through window member 940. Perimetric edge 970 is provided
with a
coating 986 of UVC reflective material along the perimetric edge 970 such that
upon
activation of LED 980, UVC radiation is directed into window member 940 and,
by virtue
of internal reflection, normally is not dissipated out of window member 940
until such time
as a biological organism comes into sufficient attachment to the outer surface
990 of window
member 940, at which time UVC radiation within the window member 940 will be
transmitted, by virtue of such attachment, to the interfering biological
organism, resulting in
the offending biological organism being neutralized and detached so as to
maintain the outer
surface 990 sufficiently clear. In this manner, window member 940 functions
similar to a
waveguide, assisted by thickness T, providing UVC radiation only where and
when needed,
essentially in an intensity limited to that which is effective to maintain the
outer surface 990
sufficiently clear of biofouling, thereby conserving energy.
It will be seen that the present invention attains all of the objects and
advantages
summarized above, namely: Provides constructions and methods for effectively
combating
biofouling of lighting fixtures installed to furnish lighting for either or
both functional and
decorative lighting purposes in environments where the lighting fixtures are
submerged and
thus exposed to biological organisms that can interfere with the proper
transmission of light
from the lighting fixtures; enables more widespread use of lighting fixtures
for both
functional and decorative lighting purposes where such lighting fixtures are
submerged and
exposed to the detrimental adherence of biological organisms and the
concomitant
impedance of the transmission of usable light as a result of biofouling;
renders more
economical the use of lighting fixtures in submerged environments, thereby
opening the
employment of submerged lighting fixtures over a wider and more diverse range
of uses;
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simplifies the provision of practical anti-biofouling measures in lighting
fixtures utilized in
installations wherein the lighting fixtures are submerged and exposed to
unwanted biological
organisms; allows increased flexibility in the choice of design and
construction of lighting
fixtures to be submerged in environments where the lighting fixtures are
exposed to
potential biofouling; simplifies the installation of submerged anti-biofouling
lighting
fixtures in connection with a wide variety of marine structures, as well as
marine vessels,
without disturbing the integrity of such structures and vessels; exhibits a
high degree of
operating efficiency and effectiveness for more economical performance over an
extended
service life.
It is to be understood that the above detailed description of preferred
embodiments
of the invention is provided by way of example only. Various details ofdesign,
construction
and procedure may be modified without departing from the true spirit and scope
of the
invention, as set forth in the appended claims.
'
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