Deep water enclosures for lighting and imaging
Enclosures for deep ocean or other high exterior pressure environment including a dome window with an angular measurement of between 164 and 178 degrees, a structure housing, a dome support ring, and a compliance material positioned between the dome support ring and housing are disclosed.
1. A submersible optical enclosure for use in high pressure environments, comprising:
a housing having a hollow interior sized to accommodate an electronic device comprising one or more of an electronic light and an imaging device;
a transparent pressure bearing substantially dome shaped window mechanically coupled to the housing, having an angular measurement of between approximately 164 degrees and 178 degrees and sized correspondingly to the electronic device to allow light in to or out of the housing interior for lighting or imaging;
a dome support ring positioned between the housing and window having opposite annular faces that are substantially planar and parallel;
a compliance material layer positioned between the annular dome support ring and the transparent pressure bearing window;
a coupling element that secures the housing, dome support ring, and port window together; and
one or more water-tight seals to block water entry into the housing interior.
2. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a still camera or video camera.
3. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is an LED light.
4. The enclosure of claim 3 , wherein the electronic device further includes a still camera or a video camera.
5. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises titanium, the window comprises glass, and the dome support ring comprises stainless steel.
6. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the window comprises glass and the angular measurement is between 172 and 176 degrees.
7. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the window includes one or more chamfered edges adjacent to a seating surface.
8. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the dome support ring is an annular ring having textured locking features on a first of the two faces, wherein the first face is positioned adjacent to the compliance material.
9. The enclosure of claim 8 , wherein the textured features are etched or machined on the one face.
10. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the compliance material comprises a polymer material.
11. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the dome support ring is stepped.
12. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the dome support ring comprises a ceramic material.
13. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the dome support ring comprises stainless steel.
14. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the dome support ring includes two or more sections, wherein a first section has a radial thickness selected to match the radial stiffness of the dome window, and a second section has a different radial thickness.
15. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an inward sloped section to accommodate displacement of the dome and/or support ring under hydrostatic load.
16. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the dome window and dome support ring are shaped to provide substantial uniformity of pressure at the mating seat of the dome window and the dome support ring.
17. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the dome support ring has a larger inner diameter in a forward section near the dome shaped window and a smaller inside diameter in a rear section against the housing.
18. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the dome support ring comprises a material having a higher Young's modulus than the window.
19. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the window is mechanically polished for strengthening.
20. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the window is acid etched for strengthening.
21. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the window is flame polished for strengthening.
22. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the window is chemically strengthened.
23. The enclosure of claim 21 , wherein the chemical strengthening is ion exchange strengthening.
24. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the housing is shaped to withstand an external pressure of at least 1000 PSI.
25. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the coefficient of thermal expansion of the window and the support ring material are matched within 6 percent or less.
26. A submersible optical enclosure for use in high pressure environments, comprising:
a housing comprising a titanium material, the housing having a hollow interior sized to accommodate an electronic device comprising one or more of an electronic light and an imaging device;
a transparent pressure bearing substantially dome shaped glass window mechanically coupled to the housing and having an angular measurement of between 170 degrees and 176 degrees and sized correspondingly to the electronic device to allow light in to or out of the housing interior for lighting or imaging;
a stainless steel stepped dome support ring positioned between the housing and window having opposite annular faces that are substantially planar and parallel;
a compliance material layer of a polymer material positioned between the annular dome support ring and the transparent pressure bearing window;
a coupling element that secures the housing, dome support ring, and port window together; and
one or more water-tight seals to block water entry into the housing interior;
wherein a first of the opposite angular faces of the dome support ring that is positioned adjacent to the compliance material layer includes textured features to lock the compliance material to the dome support ring under load.