Abstract e&5K]W0{
The instant invention is a programmable, multi-colored, digital pool light system capable of operating multiple light sources and varying the power provided to each light bulb providing virtually unlimited amounts of light intensity, color blending and saturation. The light bulbs are mounted in a heat absorbing plate and light dispersing dichroic lenses are mounted above selected light bulbs. The program is operated by the ON/OFF switch. t5k&xV=~
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Inventors: Sullivan; Challen (4798 Valencia Dr., Delray Beach, FL 33445); Doyle; Kevin (4798 Valencia Dr., Delray Beach, FL 33445); Johnson; Bruce (6296 NW. 63rd Way, Parkland, FL 33067) _~kcr5
Appl. No.: 237938 fUXp)0O
Filed: September 9, 2002 US|vYd}u+
Current U.S. Class: 315/362; 315/312; 362/101 NIfc/%
Intern'l Class: H05B 037/00 #r:`bQ0;
Field of Search: 362/101,240,264,267,246,275 315/312,316,318,324,185.R,362,158 LTe7f8A
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References Cited [Referenced By] 6bGD8;
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U.S. Patent Documents 6!nb)auVi
6435691 Aug., 2002 Macey et al. 2z\F m/Z.
6616291 Sep., 2003 Love. @_Zx'mTI
6798154 Sep., 2004 Sullivan et al. ge[i&,.&z
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Primary Examiner: Lee; Wilson zEW:Xe)
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lukasik; Frank A. M\&~ Dmd
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Parent Case Text CnH
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RELATED APPLICATIONS 76b7-Nj"
This application is a Continuation of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/324,358, Filed Sep. 24, 2001, and patent application Ser. No. 10/091,899, Filed Mar. 6, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,798,154. S;'eoqN8
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Claims DBUwf1=qj
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1. A programmable, multi-colored, digital pool light system capable of operating multiple light sources, using alternating current and direct current, and varying the power provided to each light bulb and thereby providing an essentially infinite spectrum of light intensity, color blending and saturation, said light system comprising: a housing shaped to fit an existing niche in an underwater application, said housing having an upper end and a lower end, a light bulb mounting plate heat sink in direct contact to the walls of said housing allowing heat dissipation to surrounding water, said mounting plate having a plurality of light bulb retaining recesses for providing a soft start thermalshock protection, said mounting plate being mounted within said housing at said upper end, a plurality of high intensity incandescent halogen light bulbs mounted in said light bulb retaining recesses, a plurality of light dispersing dichroic tinted colored lenses mounted above selected incandescent halogen light bulbs, a printed circuit board having transistors, a programmable microprocessor means, high voltage compensation means and solid state relay system capable of controlling all the power to two or more combinations of said incandescent halogen light bulbs, a connector means for connecting said incandescent light bulbs to said microprocessor means, and a three wire power cord connected to an ON/OFF switch and said solid state relays, said line voltage regulators being directly in contact with housing walls to transfer heat through housing walls into surrounding water, and a sealing mechanism secured at said upper end of said housing, said sealing mechanism having a lenticular designed, domed glass lens, and a rubber seal, said glass lens and rubber seal being securely fastened to said housing with a sealing clamp. xgz87d/<:
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2. A programmable, multi-colored, digital pool light system of claim 1 wherein said programmable microprocessor means includes a process of: Xoy 1Gi?
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switching all the power to various incandescent halogen light bulbs, some of which are fitted with tinted primary colored lenses, C]fTV{
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blending the output of primary colors into a defined combination of color variation and output, {*<C!Qg
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for providing a defined number of different lighting scripts, including changing colors, varying colors, varying light output, sequencing uniformly, non-uniformly and randomly, and for pulsing the lights to the beat of music, $O'2oeM
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synchronizing with multiple light fixtures keeping all the colors the same for each light fixture, yk<jlVF$j
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resetting the lights to the brightest light color, white, upon start up, for safety and maximum light output, +{%(_<
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communicating with controllers outside of the fixture, C|\^uR0
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providing information to the end user including "white light on", "red light on" and, "bulb is out", eC?/l*gF3
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using the existing ON/OFF switch for selecting the programs, >iH).:j
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reprogramming remotely by either one of wire, IR, and radio link, and ^-GX&ODa
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providing high voltage line compensation and exact voltage control to each Halogen bulb. @>2rz
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3. A programmable, multi-colored, digital pool light system of claim 1 having a junction box for providing the power to each light bulb, said junction box comprising a cover, a transformer for converting (120-240) volts alternating current to (12-14) volts direct current, electronic circuits for controlling said programmable microprocessor, and a light sensor for automatically turning off the light during day light hours. df6Ν4L
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4. A programmable, multi-colored, digital pool light system of claim 1, having a safety motion sensor for detecting the presence of a swimmer in the pool. =t$mbI
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5. A programmable, multi-colored, digital pool light system of claim 1 having an underwater speaker system/transducer mounted inside the pool light for projecting sound and music into the pool. :ECK
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6. A programmable, multi-colored, digital pool light system of claim 1 having a number of light bulbs within the range of five to eight bulbs and said light bulbs consist of standard seventy five watt color corrected halogen bulbs. BhW]Oq&
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7. A programmable, multi colored, digital pool light system of claim 1 wherein said dichroic lenses color correct said light bulbs from burning at 3050 degrees Kelvin to 3500 degrees Kelvin with minimal lumen effect. &8+6!TN7
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8. A programmable, multi-colored, digital pool light system of claim 1 wherein said programmable microprocessor is programmed to communicate with an outside source via a line carrier system by sending information over a standard three wire system. d Zz^9:C+
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9. A programmable, multi-colored, digital pool light system of claim 1 wherein each of said lights are synchronized with multiple units of said lights utilizing an electrical wave pulse to insure that all lights run virtually the same. {]\uR-a(o
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10. A programmable, multi-colored, digital pool light system capable of operating multiple incandescent light sources, using 120 volt/12 volt alternating current some of said incandescent light sources being fitted with tinted colored lenses, and switching the power provided to two or more combinations of said incandescent light bulbs and corresponding tinted lenses, thereby providing varying amounts of light intensity and color combinations, said light system comprising: UD<^r]'x
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a housing shaped to fit an existing niche in an underwater application, said housing having an upper end and a lower end, 7e4tUAiuU
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a light bulb mounting plate sink in direct contact to walls of said housing thereby allowing heat dissipation to surrounding water, said mounting plate having a plurality of light bulb retaining recesses, said heat sink mounting plate being mounted within said housing at said upper end, V\K
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a number of high intensity incandescent Halogen light bulbs within the range of five to eight light bulbs mounted in said light bulb retaining recesses, Da8$Is;n
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a plurality of light dispersing tinted lenses mounted above selected incandescent light bulbs, said lenses color correcting said light bulbs to various color combinations including color correcting a white Halogen incandescent light bulb from the standard 3050 degrees Kelvin up to 3500 degrees Kelvin with minimal lumen effect, ,eeL5V
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a printed circuit board having transistors, a programmable microprocessor, said microprocessor being programmed to communicate with an outside source via a line carrier system by sending information over a standard three wire system, 'RV\}gqZ
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microprocessor based means with high voltage compensation means and solid state relay system capable of controlling power to multiple combinations of incandescent light bulbs, 9hR:y.
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a connector means for connecting said incandescent light bulbs to said microprocessor means and said solid state relays having line voltage regulators being directly in contact with a second heat sink mounted in said lower end of said housing said sink in direct contact with housing walls to transfer heat through housing walls into surrounding water, im\YL<
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a junction box providing power to each of said light bulbs, said junction box comprising a cover, a transformer for converting (120-240) volts alternating current to (12-14) volts alternating current, electronic circuits for controlling said programmable microprocessor, and a light sensor for automatically turning off the lights during daylight hours, :*P___S=
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a safety motion sensor for detecting the presence of a swimmer in a pool, y>7VxX0xi
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an underwater speaker system/transducer mounted inside the pool for projecting sound and music into the pool Gp ^ owr
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a sealing mechanism secured at said upper end of said housing, said sealing mechanism having a lenticular designed, glass lens and a rubber seal, said glass lens and rubber seal being securely fastened to said housing with a sealing clamp. iTugvb
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11. A programmable, multi-colored, digital pool light system of claim 10 wherein each of said lights are synchronized with multiple units of said lights utilizing an electrical wave pulse to insure that all lights run virtually the same. )1Ma~8Y%r
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ;ad9{":J#B
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1. Field of the Invention &Qtp"#{
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The invention relates generally to pool lights and more specifically to programmable, multi-colored underwater lights. MOp=9d+N~
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2. Background of the Invention !8
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A wide variety of lighting systems have been designed for use in controlling the color and intensity of lights in various applications. U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,071 to Murad discloses a computerized illumination system consisting mainly of two major subsystems, three colored lamps, and a solid state digital computer. The device was designed to have a switch arrangement to select one of a limited number of illumination "programs". The lamps are designed to illuminate the lamps in a fixed sequence, based on one of the lamps being a master to synchronize the other lamps. The rotational speed is either a fixed value or zero. This programming is done at the time of manufacture, after which it is either fixed or zero. The number of steps before a repeat of the pattern is limited to the number of light channels. The number of light channels is designed to be three, red, blue, and green. With these light colors operating in a "scattering medium", it claims to be able to produce the complete range of colors by raising or lowering the intensity of each channel. Although the reference claims mention that the blended color can be blended, this programming is done at the time of manufacture, after which it is fixed. |%:qhs,
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U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,767 to Droftei discloses a digital control for gas discharge tubes. The gas discharge tube is controlled in intensity and in the length along such tube that is illuminated by providing digital control signals to an analog drive circuit connected to the high-voltage energization device for the tube. 3Y1TQ;i,wQ
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U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,176 to Sugden discloses a computer controlled stage lighting system having a plurality of multiple parameter lamp units each comprising means for producing a light beam having a plurality of adjustable parameters relating to beam characteristics and beam position. 4uO
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U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,587 to Gray et al. discloses a programmable lighting control system for controlling illumination systems. EbBv}9g
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U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,343 to Recknagel et al. discloses a bowling center lighting system having a plurality of independently controlled light modules, each emitting light in response to an activation signal uniquely associated with the light module. aR="5{en{:
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The instant invention is able to mimic the prior art in all ways and in addition distinguishes itself by incorporating the features summarized below. Io,/ +#|
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION P;L)1 g
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The instant invention provides a programmable multi-colored underwater light comprised of a housing, multiple high intensity light bulb sources, a light dispersing lens, a water tight sealing mechanism, an electronic package including a programmable microprocessor and an electrical cord which can be wired into any 12 volt AC or higher power source. The size of the light is designed around the swimming pool industry standard underwater light niche and can be as large as 10 inches in diameter down to less than 3 inches in diameter. This light can be used in any underwater application including a swimming pool, SPA or fountain. Other sizes can also be produced depending on the application, but it should be noted that the swimming pool underwater light niche is currently installed in literally millions of existing installations. It is a key aspect of this light design that this product has the capability of retrofitting into most existing underwater light niches and can be UL approved to fully operate with any of the standard underwater light power sources including 12 volt DC and 120 volt AC. YoV^xl6g
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS LM"W)S
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FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in section, of a digital pool light in accordance with the invention. o7c%\v[
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FIG. 2 is a top schematic view of a standard eight bulb layout in accordance with the invention. ,yHzo
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FIG. 3 is a top schematic view of a standard seven light layout in accordance with the invention. Q
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FIG. 4 is a top schematic view of a standard five light layout in accordance with the invention. tf$PaA
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FIG. 5 is a top schematic view of a standard three light layout in accordance with the invention. jpYw#]Q
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FIG. 6 is a top schematic view of a standard three light layout in accordance with the invention r/N[7*i
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FIG. 7 is a top schematic view of a standard two light layout in accordance with the invention. <t?x 'r?@
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FIG. 8 illustrates the process planning of the PC board. E(aX4^]g
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FIG. 9 is a side view of a junction box. $I)Tk`=
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FIG. 10 is a side view, partially in section, of a pool installation. RMS.1: O
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT ?VMi!-POE
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Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, in FIG. 1 the digital pool light 10 is shown in a side view, partially in section. The digital pool light 10 of the invention comprises a housing 11, multiple, high intensity light bulb sources 12, color correct, light dispersing dichroic lenses 13, a water tight sealing mechanism consisting of glass lens 20, a sealing clamp 14 and a rubber seal 15 fastened to housing 11 at the top rim 26. S F&M
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The light dispersing dichroic lenses 13 "color corrects" a basic halogen light system from burning at 3050 degrees Kelvin to 3500 degrees Kelvin with minimal lumen effect. This is the first use of this type of system to "brighten" a pool without increasing the power requirement. The higher Kelvin temperature makes the light appear whiter with much less yellow in the output. In the pool it makes the light output appear significantly brighter, cleaner looking and the colors are much more saturated. The unique aspect of the invention is that it can incorporate this color enhancement either in the bulb reflector or with a separate lens. Currently there are no 75 watt color corrected halogen bulbs on the market and the unique arrangement of the invention allows a standard 75 watt halogen bulb to be used (keeping the cost of replacement low) and then adding a separate color correct lens to enhance the system. %gV)arwK
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A bulb mounting plate 25 (heat sink) is fastened to the housing 11. The bulb mounting plate 25 is shown in FIGS. 2-7 in the various configurations according to the number of light bulb sources 12 to be used in the application. The bulb mounting plate 25 is shown in the figures with two to eight lights. FIG. 2 shows two green, two blue, two white, and two magenta lights 12, for example. The lens 20 is a lenticular lens design, to focus and dispose-blend colors more effectively.
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A preferred embodiment of the digital pool and SPA light 10 would have five bulbs 12. The number of bulbs 12 used, provide a better spread of light throughout a pool. A single bulb or single color bulb of high intensity is difficult to "spread" throughout the pool through a standard pool light fixture. This is in part due to the high intensity and in part to the "domed lens" which makes the pool light fixture waterproof. The curvature of the lens 20 restricts the ability to properly spread a single light throughout the pool without a shadow. Having at least two high intensity bulbs 12 spread out from each other allows a better, more even spread of the light throughout the pool or SPA. The lens 20 combines a "blending" capability and a "diffusing" array. This is unique and very important as the invention uses multiple pool light sources. 4 o3)*
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The advantages of multiple color light bulbs (better dispersion) are discussed above but when you have colors and color combinations, it was desired to create a lens which would blend two different colors, i.e., red and blue to make a uniform purple, then disperse the light evenly in the pool. The instant invention accomplishes the blending and dispersion of light with the lens 20 design as well as bulb positioning. |uQn|"U4
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The digital light 10 operates on AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current) operated system. DC allows the electronics to run more efficiently, cooler in temperature and a lot more flexible in its options capability. DC has not been used in the pool industry for a power source other than for LED lights. The instant invention provides DC operation of high voltage bulbs-5 volts or higher. otWo^CE$
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PC board 22 is mounted with microprocessor 18, connected with a three wire power cord 68 to junction box 40. The PC board may be secured to the housing with potting material 24. 652u Z};e
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Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), used outside of the pool industry, has not been used to control an underwater pool light. PWM combined with microprocessor 18 permits microprocessor 18 to finitely control the voltage to each bulb 12. PWM allows for dimming, voltage regulation and changes in duty cycle. With PWM the bulbs 12 will be provided with a constant controlled voltage which greatly enhances the longevity of the light source and dramatically increases the consistency of the light under varying conditions. ppwd-^f3j
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Through the use of microprocessor 18, DC current conversion, and PWM, the instant invention virtually solves the problem of line voltage drop due to the length of the wire for 12 volt safety light systems. Wire lengths of 50 feet or more will cause a drop in voltage by as much as 30%. For most lights, this means that the output would be cut by more than double that amount or 60%. Using the unique circuitry design of the invention the problem is virtually eliminated while keeping the bulbs at a constant correct voltage and constant light output. This is a very important aspect to the light 10 of the invention. This concept may be the basis of a total low voltage conversion for the entire pool business. It provides great efficiency and safety. 17V\2=Io
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Also included in the housing 11 are a sunlight sensor 19, which may be located in the housing 11 or in the junction box 40. The "sun" sensor 19 will automatically turn off the light during day light hours. This will save bulb life and energy if the light is accidentally left on all night. A "safety" motion detector 23 is incorporated into the light 10 to detect if someone or something is in the pool, a potentially tremendous safety feature. In addition an underwater speaker system 24 and transducer 17 may be mounted inside the pool light fixture that can provide sound and music into the pool. T4V[RN
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A cover 32a is mounted over junction box 32. Junction box cover 32a houses a transformer 30 and the electronic circuits 31. Wire connector 28 is connected to the AC power supply through a GFCI circuit breaker. As shown in FIG. 10, wire connector 26 provides the power to digital pool light 10, of the invention, through rigid conduit 68 and the 4 foot of cable wrapped around light 10. No. 8 AWG ground connector bonding is located at the rear of the pool light 10 at niche 70. [b7it2`dl
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