Deep submersible light with pressure compensation
A deep submersible light includes a body defining a hollow interior and a solid state light source such as a plurality of high brightness LEDs mounted in the interior of the body. A transparent window is mounted over the LEDs. The space between the transparent window and the LEDs is filled with an optically transparent fluid, gel, or grease, which allows light to pass through and ambient water pressure to pass in, thus pressure compensating the LEDs by allowing them to see ambient water pressure. The transparent window is mounted in the body for reciprocation in both a forward direction and a rearward direction to accommodate volumetric changes in the compensating fluid, gel, or grease caused by changes in temperature and water pressure as the manned or remotely piloted submarine travels from the sea surface to deep ocean depths.
1. A deep submersible light, comprising:
a generally cylindrical body defining a hollow interior;
a plurality of LEDs mounted in the interior of the body;
a generally cylindrical transparent window mounted in the body for reciprocation in both a forward direction and a rearward direction to accommodate changes in temperature and changes in ambient water pressure;
a quantity of a material selected from the group consisting of dielectric fluid, grease and gel in the interior of the body and surrounding the LEDs;
a watertight seal positioned between an outer periphery of the transparent window and an inner surface of the cylindrical body;
means for centering the window in the cylindrical body;
a back shell secured to the body;
an LED driver in a volume inside the back shell;
a high pressure puck mounted in a bore in the body; and
a plurality of electrical contacts that pass through the puck and provide electrical connections between the LED driver and the plurality of LEDs.
2. The light of claim 1 and further comprising a first elastomeric centering ring surrounding a forward end of the transparent window and a second elastomeric centering ring surrounding a rear end of the transparent window.
3. The light of claim 2 wherein at least one of the forward and rearward ends of the transparent window has a beveled edge that contacts the corresponding centering ring.
4. The light of claim 1 wherein the transparent window has a threaded bore formed therein which is sealed by a fill screw.
5. The light of claim 1 wherein the LEDs are mounted in a plurality of corresponding isoradiant reflectors.
6. The light of claim 1 wherein the transparent window is made of plastic.
7. The light of claim 1 wherein at least one spring is mounted between a rearward end of the transparent window and the body.
8. The light of claim 1 wherein LEDs are mounted on a metal core printed circuit board (MCPCB).
9. The light of claim 8 wherein the body is made of Aluminum with an anodized layer on an interior surface thereof to provide electrical isolation between the metal core board and the aluminum body.
10. The light of claim 8 wherein the MCPCB is restrained in the body by a wave spring.
11. The light of claim 1 wherein an elastomeric seal is positioned between a perimeter of the window and an inner surface of the body.
12. The light of claim 1 and further comprising a bulkhead connector secured to the back shell for establishing an electrical connection with the LED driver.
13. The light of claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of isoradiant reflectors each surrounding a corresponding one of the LEDs.