Abstract:
A shower lamp assembly is formed with a water driven electric generator to power an LED light source. The assembly includes a first channel directing water to drive the generator. The generator is supported on a movable portion of a bypass valve that opens on a high water flow condition to direct a portion of the water to a second channel way from the generator. The generator is otherwise tuned to provide sufficient electricity under low water flow conditions to properly power the lamp. The lamp generator is then protected by the bypass valve from damage during high water flow conditions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to electric lamps and particularly to electric lamps powered by a water source. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0004]    Bathroom showers are enclosed, and can be rather dim or even dark without electric lighting. Emerging electrical standards in response to the corrosive results of steam and damp are requiring shower lights to be more water tight, and may even exclude them from the immediate shower area. Additional light that is safe and efficient would in general be useful in a bathroom shower. Occasionally there are power failures, and an independent light source in a shower would be convenient. It is known that the water flow from a spigot or showerhead may be used to generate electricity and that electricity can be used to power a lamp. However, the available amount of water flow can be extremely variable. It is common that water pressure drops in a community in the early morning when there are a large number of residents using water at the same time, and water pressure available in a home with a well can be quite different from water pressure in a large city apartment building. There is then a need for a shower light that can operate with highly variable water flows. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A shower light may be constructed from a water conduit having an inlet coupler, a generator cavity and an outlet. An electric generator is located in the generator cavity having a rotor assembly including a rotor supporting a magnetic field source, the rotor being retained in a first channel and being turned by mechanical interception of water flowing through the first channel. The electric generator has a coil assembly having an electrically conductive coil positioned adjacent the rotor to generate electric current on interception of the rotating magnetic field. The lamp assembly includes a relief valve that opens in response to a water pressure condition. The relief valve on opening directs water away from the rotor assembly in the first channel and directs water to a second channel. An illumination assembly having an LED powered by electric current generated by the electric generator is supported on the assembly directing light in the region exterior to the lamp housing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a shower light. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a water conduit assembly. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of a preferred water conduit and generator housing assembly for a shower light. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows a side perspective view of a preferred generator housing for an embodiment of a shower light. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  shows a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a conduit assembly for a shower light. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a generator assembly for a shower light. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  shows a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a generator assembly for a shower light. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  shows an exploded view of a rotor assembly for a shower light. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a one half of a two-part, symmetric coil housing. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  shows a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a shower light. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a cross sectional view of a preferred shower lamp  10 .  FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of a preferred water conduit  12  and generator housing  50  assembly of a shower lamp  10 . A shower lamp  10  can be made with a water conduit  12 , for example having an inlet coupler  16 , an O-ring  59 , an outlet coupler  20 , and an outlet cover  48 . The water conduit  12  defines a water tight cavity through which input water may flow through to an outlet fixture (if any) such as a showerhead. A ball surface is formed on the exterior of the water conduit  12  on which an LED lamp housing  120  may pivot on. Formed in the central ball portion of the conduit is a cavity to retain an electric generator assembly. The generator assembly includes an impeller, a drive shaft, a rotor with an attached magnet, electric coils, and a valve for directing water through a first channel to an impeller for driving the generator to generate electricity, and for directing excess water to a second channel bypassing the electric generator. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2 . shows an exploded view of the preferred water conduit  12  assembly. The preferred water conduit  12  is formed from an inlet coupler  16  and an outlet coupler  20  that extend along a central axis  22 . The preferred inlet coupler  16  has a water inlet with the exterior form a cylindrical pipe  24  leading along the exterior surface to a hemispherical surface  26 .  FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of a preferred water conduit and generator housing assembly for a shower light. The inner wall  28  of the inlet coupler  16  is formed with a valve seat  30  forming a portion of a bypass valve  32 . The valve seat  30  encircles an interior end of the inlet pipe  24 . Downstream of the valve seat  30 , and radially displaced radially outward from the axis  22 , the inner wall of the inlet coupler  16  defines a generally cylindrical cavity, referred to as the conduit chamber  34 . Intermediate the inner wall  28  and the exterior wall of the inlet coupler  16 , that is the outer hemispherical surface  26 , are molded recesses  36 , for example  8  bolt holes, extending parallel to the axis  22  and equally spaced around the axis  22 . The recesses  36  are designed to receive threaded couplers  38 . The downstream end of the inlet coupler  16  is formed to include a support for a water seal, such an O-ring  18 . A stepped ring, flat seal or similar ring like sealing structure may be used. 
         [0018]    The preferred outlet coupler  20  is formed with a flange  44  that is sized and shaped to mate with the downstream coupling end of the inlet coupler  16 , for example by having a plurality of similarly spaced openings for the threaded couplings  38 . The flange  44  may then be mated to the inlet coupler  16  by threading the threaded couplings  38  through the flange  44  to the recesses  36 . The outlet coupler  20  also has an interior surface portion defining a similar, second section of the generally cylindrical conduit chamber  34 . The outlet coupler  20  interior wall extends downstream to a coupler, preferably in the form of a cylindrical outlet pipe  46 . In the preferred embodiment, the inlet coupler  16  and the outlet coupler  20  have similarly formed axially extending keying features, such as one or more axial grooves, axial ribs or flat faces that are aligned one with the other when the inlet coupler  16  and the outlet coupler  20  are properly mated to define the enclosed cylindrical conduit chamber  34 . The outlet pipe  46  may be coupled, (or not) to a device such as a shower head, for example by a threaded pipe end. 
         [0019]    The preferred outlet coupler  20  includes a section of a hemispherical shell that is sized and shaped to mate with the hemispherical surface  26  of the inlet coupler  16 , while enclosing the cylindrical portion of the outlet coupler  20 , and flange  44 . This section of a hemispherical shell may be provided by as a section of a cover  48  that at least partially encloses the outlet coupler  20 . The spheroidal section of outlet cover  48  is sized and shaped to form with the exterior spheroidal surface  26  of the inlet coupler  16  a sufficient portion a sphere or ball that an LED housing may be supported for pivotal engagement. The outlet cover  48  may be clipped, snap fitted, threaded, glued or similarly mounted to the inlet coupler  16 , or to the outlet coupler  20  to form a secure spheroidal surface portion on which the LED lamp housing may be pivoted. The outlet cover  48  may be sealed to the outlet coupler  20 , for example with an O-ring  49  to limit water or other materials from detrimentally entering the enclosed space. 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a side perspective view of a generator housing  50 . Located in the conduit chamber  34  is an electric generator assembly having a generator housing  50 . On the forward or upstream end of the generator housing  50  is a valve seat  52  forming with the first valve seat  30  a bypass valve  32 . The generator valve seat  52  is sized and positioned to close with the inlet coupler valve seat  30 . The generator housing  50  includes a generator inlet  56  encircled by the generator valve seat  52  that lets the water flow into the generator housing  50 . The inlet coupler  16  and first valve seat  30  then seal with the generator housing  50  and valve seat  52  directing water into an end opening inlet  56  in the generator housing  50  during at least low flow water conditions. The exterior of the generator housing  50  includes one or more axially aligned keying features such as an axial slot, rib or flat face(s)  58  to fit with the corresponding axial keying feature(s) rib, slot or flat face  60  formed on the interior wall of the conduit chamber  34 . The generator housing  50  may then axially slide with respect to the inlet coupler  16  and the outlet coupler  20  on the meshed keying elements  58  and  60 , but does not rotate around the axis  22 . The generator valve seat  52  may then be opened or opened or closed with respect to the inlet coupler  16  at valve seat  30 . When the two valve seats  30  and  52  are seated one to the other, as under low flow conditions, water is directed into the generator housing  50 , and a first water channel  62 . When the two valve seats  30 , and  52  are not closed one the other, as when there is a high water flow condition, water additionally flows along the exterior the sides of the generator housing  50  and the interior walls of the inlet coupler  16  and the outlet coupler  20  in a second channel  64 . A pressure spring  65  may be positioned to apply a closing force against the generator housing  50  directing the generator housing  50  valve seat  52  to seal the inlet coupler valve seat  30 . The pressure spring  65  may be mounted intermediate an outlet end wall of the conduit chamber  34  and the generator housing  50 . Other coupling points may be devised for mounting the pressure spring  65 , such as a pulling spring on the front end of the generator housing  50 , or a spring surrounding the generator housing  50 . It is only important that the pressure spring  65  urge the valve seats  30  and  52  to close with decreasing water pressure. In the preferred embodiment, the pressure spring  65  provides sufficient force to seal the generator housing  50  valve seat against the conduit valve seat  22  during a low water pressure condition (low flow condition). The pressure spring  65  is also not so strong but sufficiently weak that the generator housing  50  is unseated from the inlet coupler  16  valve seat  30  during a higher pressure condition, one that exceeds the low water pressure condition. The pressure spring  65  force is chosen to open when the flow rate in the first channel  62  exceeds the water flow needed to generate the maximum electricity needed for the lighting system. Thereafter, there is no further need for additional electric current, so the excess water flow is diverted through the outer conduit channel  64  between the generator housing  50  and the inner wall of the conduit that is of the inlet coupler  16  and outlet coupler  20 . Diverting water during high flow rates protects the generating assembly from being overdriven. The pressure spring  65  then permits water flow through the second channel  64  intermediate the generator housing  50  and the interior side of the inlet coupler  16  and outlet coupler  20 . 
         [0021]    In the preferred embodiment, the conduit chamber  34  is substantially cylindrical in its central section and the exterior of the generator housing  50  is similarly generally cylindrical, but each has axially extending ribs, slots or flat faces  58 . An O-ring  59  is mounted on the exterior of the generator housing  50  riding over the ribs or flat faces  58 , providing a locating guide between the inner wall  28  of the conduit chamber  34  and the outer wall of the generator housing  50 . The generator housing  50  can then slide in the conduit chamber  34  and water can flow in the second channel  64  between the slots or ribs or flat faces  58  and the O-ring  59  and the inner wall of the conduit chamber  34 . The exterior of the generator housing is then offset at least in part from the conduit chamber  34  wall  28  defining the second channel  64  for the overflow water channel intermediate conduit chamber  34  and the generator housing  50  extending from the generator valve seat  30  to the generator housing outlet guide  72 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a side perspective view of a preferred generator housing for an embodiment of a shower light.  FIG. 5  shows a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a conduit assembly for a shower light.  FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a generator assembly for a shower light.  FIG. 7  shows a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a generator assembly for a shower light. The generator housing  50  has an inner wall  60  defining an enclosed impeller cavity  68  that extends from an input impeller  70  to an outlet guide  72 . The preferred input impeller  70  includes one or more spiraling inward vanes  73 . The preferred input impeller is formed as a cap  74  spanning the inlet to the generator housing  50 , and is seated on an internal lip  76  formed in the upstream end of the generator housing  50 . The preferred cap  74  also includes an axial recess  78  to receive a ball bearing  80  and a forward end of the rotor shaft rotor shaft  82 . The cap  74  may be held in place against the generator housing interior wall by the lip  76  formed on the interior wall of the generator housing  50  by a sleeve  84 . The cap  74 , lip  76  or sleeve  84  are formed separately or in a combination with the others to create one or more water passages to pass water entering the generator inlet  56 . An outlet guide  72  is fitted to the down stream end of the generator housing  50  that preferably includes appropriately placed exit water passages spaced around a centrally placed holder  86  for a down stream end of the rotor shaft  82 . The holder  86  includes a similar shaft recess  88  and ball bearing  90  to axially support a second end of the rotor shaft  82 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 8  shows an exploded view of a rotor assembly for a shower light. Rotationally fixed on the rotor shaft  82  immediately down stream of the inlet impeller  70  is a driven impeller  92  having a series of radially spiraling vanes  94  partially enclosed by an impeller cap  96 . Water flowing though the generator housing  50  is spiraled inwards by the fixed inlet impeller  70  to then encounter and rotationally drive the driven impeller  92  that is fixed to the rotor shaft  82 . The rotor shaft  82  then turns in the axially aligned shaft recesses  78  and  88 . The water then flows through the remainder of the generator cavity around the coil housing  98  and out through generator outlet guide  72 . 
         [0024]    Downstream of the driven impeller  70 , and mounted on the rotor shaft  82  is a permanent magnet  100 . The magnet  100  is enclosed in a coil housing  98 . The preferred coil housing  98  comprises two molded plastic halves  106 ,  107  defining an interior cavity  108  for the magnet  100 .  FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a one half of a two-part, symmetric coil housing. The two plastic halves  106 ,  107  close on the rotating magnet  100 . The exterior of each the coil housing  98  halves  106  and  107  includes a coil reel bracket  108 . The preferred coil housing  98  then supports two coils  110 ,  112 , one on each half  106 ,  107 . Each electrical coil  110 ,  112  has a respective coil axis substantially perpendicular to the rotor shaft  82  and pointed toward the rotating magnet  100 . The electrical coil(s)  110 ,  112  is (are) sized, shaped and positioned with respect to the magnet  100  on the rotor shaft  82  so as generate a useful electric current, when the magnet  100  is rotated on the rotor shaft  82 . The leads  102 ,  104  from the coils  110 ,  112  are ducted through the coil housing  98  across the generator cavity through generator housing  50  across the conduit chamber  34  through the conduit wall (water tight) to the exterior of the water conduit  12 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 10  shows a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a shower light. A lamp housing  120  is supported from the ball portion (hemispherical surface) formed by the surfaces  26 ,  48  of the water conduit section. The preferred lamp housing  120  has a through passage with a passage surface  122  positioned on the water conduit ( 26 ,  48 ) for snug rotational engagement of the conduit housing  26 ,  48  with the lamp housing  120 . The lamp housing  120  further defines an enclosed cavity enclosing an electrical leads  102 ,  104  extending to the coil(s)  1   10 ,  112  as the case may be, and connecting to a power conditioning circuit (circuit board  124 ) coupled to an LED  126  mounted on the lamp housing  120 . The LED  126  produces light from the electricity generated by the magnet  100  and coil(s)  110 ,  112  assembly with the flow of water through the couplers  16 ,  20  and impeller  92 . The light from the LED  126  is directed to the exterior in the shower region to generally illuminate shower region, preferably through a light transmissive protective window  128 . 
         [0026]    In the preferred embodiment as water flows through the conduit the water encounters the fixed impeller  70  acquiring a rotational spin. If the water pressure is less than a set value, the generator housing  50  is thrust forward by the pressure spring  65 , sealing the valve seats  30  and  52 , forcing all the incoming water to pass through the drive impeller  72  to generate electricity. If the water flow exceeds the minimum water flow value to generate the maximum electricity needed, the generator housing  50  is pressed back against the pressure spring  65 , opening the valve seats  30  and  52 , and releasing water from the inlet to the side around the generator housing  50 . As long as the water pressured is held to a value above the minimum, the generator housing  50  is thrust backwards, opening the bypass valve. In the preferred embodiment, with progressive pressure increase above the minimum, the opening area of the bypass valve increases. With increasing pressure the bypass valve is progressively opened (up to a mechanical maximum) providing increasing relief. The reverse is equally true. As the pressure drops, the bypass valve (seats  30 ,  52 ) closes, thereby keeping the water flow through the generator housing approximately constant. 
         [0027]    The LED lamp housing includes electrical circuitry to condition the electric power received form the coils, and thereafter power one or more LEDs supported on the LED lamp housing. The LED lamp housing is formed with an internal surfaces sized and shaped to pivot or rotate on the surface of the spheroidal portion of the conduit. An on/off or other switching element may be included in the lamp housing. It is understood that while white light may be the most desirable light to supply, colored or combinations of colors or differing intensities of light, timers, and rechargeable batteries may provided for in the lamp housing and circuitry as is known in the art of LED lamp making. While there have been shown and described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.