Abstract:
A method for forming a protective jacket over a connection region includes connecting the leads of an electronic device to conductors such that the connections are in a connection region, placing the connection region in a mold, injecting molten protective material into the mold to cover the connection region, allowing the molten material to cool and harden and removing the connection area from the mold.

Description:
This application is a divisional of, and claims the benefit of, utility application Ser. No. 11/117,910 to Sloan et al. filed on Apr. 29, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,396,143, which claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/567,366 to Sloan et al. filed on Apr. 29, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the lighting of pools, spas, and the like, and more particularly to lighting using light emitting diodes (LEDs). 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Reservoirs of water such as pools and spas are commonly constructed with one or more underwater light sources for illuminating the water within the reservoir. The light sources are visually appealing and the illumination of the water allows for safe use of the pool or spa at night. Conventional lighting units are commonly mounted on the wall of the pool or spa, and comprise a watertight housing that contains an incandescent light source. 
     A number of variations to the conventional pool or spa light have been developed. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,615 to Eychaner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,936 to Guthrie, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,051,875 to Johnson. One disadvantage of the lights disclosed in these patents is that each uses an incandescent, fluorescent or quartz light source. The life of these light sources is relatively short which results in periodic maintenance to replace the failed light sources. The cost of additional light sources and the periodic maintenance can add additional costs and the maintenance can be difficult to accomplish because the lights are usually below the water surface. 
     Fiber optic lighting systems have been developed for spas by, among others, Coast Spas located in British Columbia, Canada. The system includes a remote light source and numerous optical fibers directed toward a number of holes in the spa wall. Each hole has a cap to hold one of the optical fibers so that the light emitting from the end of the fiber is directed through the cap and into the water within the spa. Each cap has a transparent lens that disperses or focuses the light from the fiber. 
     One disadvantage of these systems is that the remote light source is prone to failure and can require regular maintenance. The light source generally comprises an incandescent bulb and a color wheel that is turned by a mechanical mechanism. The wheel has sections of different colors and the light from the bulb is directed through the wheel where it is changed to the particular color of the wheel section it passes through. The light then enters the optical fibers and is transmitted to the interior of the spa. As the wheel turns, the different sections having different colors pass in front of the light source, changing the color passing into the optical fibers. The incandescent bulb has a relatively short life and the mechanical components of the wheel can fail or require maintenance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment provides a method for forming a protective jacket over a connection region. The leads of an electronic device are connected to conductors such that the connections are in a connection region. The connection region is placed in a mold. Molten protective material is injected into the mold to cover the connection region, and the molten material is allowed to cool and harden. The connection area is removed from the mold. 
     These and further features will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of one embodiment of a hub and spoke lighting system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of one embodiment of an RGB LED lighting subsystem according to the present invention that can be used in the lighting system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of one embodiment of a printed circuit board (PCB) that can be used in an RGB LED lighting subsystem in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a detailed plan view of a connection arrangement between the PCB of  FIG. 3  and one of the RGB LED units. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic of the components and interconnections in one embodiment of an RGB LED lighting subsystems according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic of the components and interconnections in another embodiment of an RGB LED lighting subsystems according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic of the components and interconnections in still another embodiment of an RGB LED lighting subsystems according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of one embodiment of a two RGB LED unit lighting subsystem according to the present invention that can be used in the lighting system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of one embodiment of a printed circuit board (PCB) that can be used in the lighting subsystem in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of another embodiment of a four RGB LED lighting subsystem according to the present invention that can be used in the lighting system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of another embodiment of a two RGB LED lighting subsystem according to the present invention that can be used in the lighting system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of one embodiment of a single RGB LED lighting subsystem according to the present invention that can be used in the lighting system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of one embodiment of a serially connected lighting system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of one embodiment of a four RGB LED lighting subsystem according to the present invention that can be used in the lighting system of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view of one embodiment of a two RGB LED lighting subsystem according to the present invention that can be used in the lighting system of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of one embodiment of a four RGB LED subsystem according to the present invention that can be used in the lighting system of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a spa using one embodiment of an RGB LED lighting system according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved lighting system for illuminating the water within a pool, spa or other water reservoir, all of which will be referred to collectively as a “spa”. The present invention is described below in relation to spa lighting. It should be understood, however, that the invention can be used in many different lighting applications beyond spa lighting. 
     The lighting system comprises RGB LED units, each of which has a red, green and blue LED. To keep the size and diameter of the RGB LED units relatively small, each has only four leads, one for power, and one lead for each of the red, green and blue LEDs. Instead of each RGB LED unit being controlled by its own set of control lines, multiple units can be controlled by a single set of control lines. The control signals are conducted to a node, such as a printed circuit board, and then branch off to each of a plurality of RGB LED units. The plurality of RGB LED units are divided into groups of two or more units that are serially coupled together and are controlled by a single set of control lines. 
     Conventional spas utilize fiber optic lighting systems that can be expensive, fragile and comprise in light source and a mechanical color wheel that are prone to failure. By using LEDs as the light source and electronic components to control the color of illumination, the life and reliability of the lighting systems is improved over conventional lighting systems. The branching arrangement reduces the number of control lines that are necessary to control the RGB LED units. If control lines were provided between the control system and each of the RGB LED units, the cost and complexity of the lighting system would be prohibitive. The space needed for the lighting system and the resulting weight of the spa could also be excessive. Also, if all the RGB LED units were connected in parallel from the PCB, a prohibitive amount of current would be needed to drive the LEDs. By arranging the RGB LED units in serially connected groups, the necessary current is greatly reduced. 
     It will be understood that when an element or component is referred to as being “on”, “connected to”, “coupled to” or “in contact with” another element or component, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to, or in contact with the other element or component or intervening elements or components may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to”, “directly coupled to” or “directly in contact with” another element or component, there are no intervening elements or components present. 
       FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a red, green and blue LED type lighting system  10  according to the present invention in a “hub and spoke” arrangement. The system  10  comprises a central controller  12  having electronic components and software to generate lighting control signals. The system  10  also comprises lighting subsystems  14 , each of which is coupled to the central controller  12  by a respective cable  16 , providing the hub and spoke type arrangement. Each of the cables  16  accepts control signals from the central controller  12  and conducts them through its subsystem as further described below. The system  10  is shown with four subsystems, but it is understood that the system  10  can also comprise fewer or more lighting subsystems  14  and can be interconnected in different ways. Each of the subsystems  14  comprises four red, green and blue (RGB) light emitting diode (LED) units  18   a - d , although it is understood that each of the subsystems  14  can have more or fewer RGB LED units  18   a - d . Each of the units  18   a - d  is capable of emitting red, green or blue light, or combinations thereof, under control of the central controller  12 . 
     The central controller  12  is typically powered by the power from the spa&#39;s electrical system, which in one embodiment may be 12 volts alternating current (AC). The controller can contain the circuitry to accept 12v AC and rectify it to 12v direct current (DC) to drive the RGB LED units  18   a - d.    
     The system  10  also comprises a LED lamp  20  that has a number of combined RGB LED units  19  held together such that the light  20  emits the combined luminous flux of the units  19 . The light  20  is coupled to the central controller  12  by a cable  16  and the light emits under control of the central controller. When the system  10  is installed in a spa, the units  18   a - d  and light  20  illuminate the interior of that spa either by shining though a lens of a flood light or point light, or through one of the spa components such as a jet, waterfall, drains, skimmers, etc. 
       FIGS. 2-4  show one embodiment of an RGB LED lighting subsystem  14  according to the present invention comprising four RGB LED units  18   a - d . Each of the RGB LED units  18   a - d  comprises red, green and blue LEDs, and each has four control lines; one to carry power and three to carry signals to control the emission of red, green or blue either separately or simultaneously. When more than one color is emitted simultaneously, the respective unit emits a combination of the emitted colors. At the end opposite the lighting units  18   a - d , the subsystem  10  comprises a controller connector  22  coupled to the cable  16  and arranged to connect to the central controller to accept control signals. 
     The cable  16  comprises five control lines  24   a - e  (best shown in  FIG. 3 ) each of which comprises an electrical conductor capable of carrying an electrical signal from the central controller  12 . Different types of electrical conductors can be used, with a suitable electrical conductor for each of the control lines  24   a - e  being 24 AWG wire. The control lines  24   a - e  can be arranged in many different ways, with a preferred arrangement having the control lines  24   a - e  conducting a voltage high (Vdd—12 volts DC), a voltage low (Vss Gnd), red LED control, green LED control, and blue LED control. 
     Control lines  24   a - e  are coupled to a PCB  26  (best shown in  FIG. 3 ), which contains electronic devices  28   a - c  to generate control signals that allow the RGB LED units  18   a - d  to be coupled in series pairs according to the present invention, although it is understood that more than two units can be connected in series and controlled by signals from the electronic devices  28   a - c  in combination with the control signals from the central controller. Whichever of the two RGB LED units  18   a - d  are coupled in series, the other two of the RGB LED units  18   a - d  can also be coupled in a separate series arrangement. As more fully described below in reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , the electronic devices  28   a - c  can comprise different devices in different embodiments such as in one embodiment invert, switching, and discrete elements such as resistors. The PCB  26  comprises conductive traces to interconnect the electronic devices  28   a - c.    
     Control signals are conducted from the PCB  26  to the RGB LED units  18   a - d  by four LED unit control line cables  30   a - d , each of which is arranged to carry the same control signals although in other embodiments they can carry different signals. Each of the LED control line cables  30   a - d  contains four LED conductors  32   a - d  (best shown in  FIG. 3 ) and different types of conductors can be used, with suitable conductors being arranged as four conductor modular cable wire, with 26 AWG wires. 
     As more fully described below in reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , three of the four LED conductors  32   a - d  in each of control line cables  30   a - d  conducts signals that control the illumination of the red, green and blue LEDs in its respective one of the RGB LED units  18   a - d . The fourth one of the conductors  32   a - d  in each of the LED control line cables  30   a - d  has a different function depending on whether its respective one of the RGB LED units  18   a - d  is first or second in its series connection with its other unit. If it is first in the series, then the fourth conductor carries a voltage high (Vdd 12VDC). If it is second in the series, it carries a signal from the first of the RGB LED units  18   a - d , to the second. 
     The four conductors  32   a - d  of each of the LED control line cables  30   a - d  is coupled to a respective one of the RGB LED units  18   a - d  through a respective one of the connector boards  34  (best shown in  FIG. 4 ). Each of the connector boards  34  includes conductive traces, with the conductors  32   a - d  in its respective one of the control line cables  30   a - d  coupled to one end of the traces and the four leads of its respective one of the RGB LED units  18   a - d  coupled to the other end. Each of the connector boards  34  can then be conformal coated to protect its connection points and traces. Many different conformal coats can be used, with a suitable conformal coat being Humiseal 1878 or an equivalent. After conformal coating, each of the boards  34   a - d  and its connected conductors is covered by shrink wrap tubing using conventional methods. When the units  18   a - d  are finally fabricated, each should be capable of being inserted in a hole in the range of 0.190 to 0.210 inches in diameter or less, to allow the system  10  to replace most fiber optic lighting systems. 
     The branching arrangement of the control line sets  30   a - d  from the PCB  18  eliminates much of the redundancy in a conventional system that would include control lines from the control system to each of the RGB LED units. This reduces the cost and complexity of the system and also reduces the space needed for the system and the resulting weight of the spa. The system also reduces the amount of current needed to drive the RGB LED units. 
       FIG. 5  shows the components and interconnections for one embodiment of a lighting subsystem  14  according to the present invention. The subsystem  14  has four RGB LED units  18   a - d , with the first two RGB LED units  18   a ,  18   b  connected in series, and the other two units  18   c ,  18   d  separately connected in series. Each of the RGB LED units  18   a - d  comprises a red emitting LED  36 , a green emitting LED  38 , and a blue emitting LED  40 , the illumination of which is controlled by central controller  12  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Red, green and blue control lines  42 ,  44 ,  46  carry signals from the control system that control the illumination of the red, green and blue LEDs  36 ,  38 ,  40 . The control signals  42 ,  44 ,  46  are active low, i.e. a low signal on one of the control lines  42 ,  44 ,  46  causes its respective color of LED to emit light. For example, a low on the green control line  44  causes the green LEDs  38  in the RGB LED units  18   a - d  to emit light. 
     Each of the red, green and blue control lines  42 ,  44 ,  46  are coupled to its respective one of the red, green and blue inverters  48 ,  50 ,  52 , typically residing on the PCB  26  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The output of the red, green and blue inverters  48 ,  50 ,  52 , controls the opening of a respective one of first red, green and blue switches  54 ,  56 ,  58 , which are arranged between RGB LED unit  18   a  and unit  18   b  and can also typically be found on the PCB  26 . For example, the output of the green inverter  50  controls the green switch  56 ; a high from the inverter  50  closes the switch  56  and low opens the switch  56 . 
     Each of the red, green and blue control lines  42 ,  44 ,  46  are also coupled to its respective one of a first red, green and blue resistor  64 ,  66 ,  68 , with the other lead of the resistors  64 ,  66 ,  68  coupled to its respective red, green and blue LED  36 ,  38 ,  40  in RGB LED unit  18   b.    
     The outputs of the red, green and blue inverters  48 ,  50 ,  52  similarly control the opening of second red, green and blue switches  70 ,  72 ,  74  between RGB LED units  18   c  and unit  18   d . Each of the red, green and blue control lines  42 ,  44 ,  46  are also similarly coupled to respective second red green and blue resistors  76 ,  78 ,  80 , with the other leads of the resistors coupled to its respective red, green and blue LED  36 ,  38 ,  40  in RGB LED unit  18   d.    
     In operation, the central controller  12  provides a low signal (or a series of low signals) to the red, green and/or blue control lines  42 ,  44 ,  46  corresponding to the red, green and/or blue LED  36 ,  38 ,  40  that is to emit light. For example, to emit green light at the RGB LED units  18   a - d , the signal (from the central controller) at control line  44  is low, and the signal at control lines  42  and  46  is high. Referring now to the operation of RGB LED units  18   a  and  18   b , the low at control line  44  is converted to a high at inverter  50 , and the highs at control lines  42  and  46  are converted to lows at inverters  48  and  52 , respectively. The high from inverter  50  causes the first green switch  56  to close, and the lows from inverters  48  and  52  cause the first red and blue switches  54 ,  58  to open. The low at control line  44  is also coupled to the first green resistor  66  and the highs from control lines  42  and  46  are coupled to first red and blue resistors  64 ,  68 , respectively. 
     The low at the first green resistor  66  completes the circuit from Vdd, through the green LED  38  in RGB LED unit  18   a , through the closed first green switch  56 , through the green LED  38  in RGB LED unit  18   b  and through the low at first green resistor  66 . This causes current to flow through the circuit and causes the green LEDs  38  in RGB LED units  18   a  and  18   b  to emit light. Because of the open first red and blue switches  56 ,  58  and the high at first red and blue resistors  64 ,  68 , no current flows through the red and blue LED  36 ,  40  and they do not emit light. 
     The RGB LED unit  18   c  and unit  18   d  operate similarly to illuminate their green LEDs  38 . A low at the red or blue control lines  42  and  46  would similarly cause the red and blue LEDs  36 ,  40  in the RGB LED units  18   a - d  to emit light. 
     By connecting the four RGB LED units  32   a - d  in two sets of serially connected units, the current necessary to drive the LEDs is reduced. This reduces the current needed to drive the overall lighting subsystem  14 , and in turn to drive lighting system  10 . The number of control lines is also reduced. 
       FIG. 6  shows the components and interconnections for another embodiment of a lighting subsystem  14  according to the present invention having four RGB LED units  92   a - d . Like the lighting system in  FIG. 5 , RGB LED units  92   a  and  92   b  are connected in series and RGB LED units  92   c  and  92   d  are connected in series. Each of the RGB LED units  92   a - d  have red, green and blue illuminating LEDs  94 ,  96 ,  98 . Red, green and blue control lines  100 ,  102 ,  104  carry signals from the control system that control the illumination of the red, green and blue LEDs  94 ,  96 ,  98 . High and ground control lines  106 ,  108  carry a voltage high (Vdd 12VDC) and ground, respectively. The system accepts a total of five control lines including the red, green and blue control lines, and the high and ground  106 ,  108 . The ground  108  is primarily necessary for grounding the integrated circuits described below. 
     The system  90  also comprises red, green and blue inverters  110 ,  112  and  114 , and first and second switching integrated circuits (IC or ICs)  116 ,  118 . Similar to the system  30  in  FIG. 4 , the system  90  is an active low system, i.e. a low at one of the red, green and blue control lines  94 ,  96 ,  98 , causes the corresponding LEDs in the RGB LED units  92   a - d  to emit light. Many different circuits or devices can be used for inverters  110 ,  112 ,  114 , with the preferred circuit as shown being a comparator circuit that inverts the signal provided by its respective one of the control lines  100 ,  102 ,  104 . Comparator circuits are well known in the art and will not be described in further detail herein. 
     The first switching IC  116  provides a switch for each of the red, green and blue LEDs  94 ,  96 ,  98  in RGB LED  92   a , with each of the LEDs  94 ,  96 ,  98 , coupled between its respective switch and Vdd. The second switching IC  118  similarly provides a switch for each of the red, green and blue LEDs  94 ,  96 ,  98  in RGB LED  92   c  with each LED  94 ,  96 ,  98  also coupled between its respective switch and Vdd. The switches in switching ICs  116 ,  118  can be provided by many different discrete or integrated circuits, with the preferred switches being provided on a CD4066B CMOS Quad Bilateral Switch, provided by Texas Instruments. 
     The output of each inverter  110 ,  112 ,  114 , controls a respective switch on first IC  116  and respective switch on second IC  118 . For example, the first switch on IC  116  has control pin  1 C, input pin  1 A, and output pin  1 B. The output of the red inverter  110  is coupled to the control pin  1 C and the output of the red LED  94  on RGB LED unit  92   a  is coupled between the input pin  1 A and Vdd. When the red control line  100  carries a low to the red inverter  110 , a high is coupled to the control pin  1 C, which closes the first switch. By closing the first switch, the input pin  1 A is coupled to the output pin  1 B. The first IC has second and third switches that work the same way with the green and blue inverters  112 ,  114 , respectively. The second IC  118  functions in the same way with the inverters  110 ,  112 ,  114  and the red, green and blue LEDs on RGB LED unit  92   c.    
     The red, green and blue control lines  100 ,  102 ,  104  are also coupled to the red, green and blue resistors  120 ,  122 ,  124 . The other leads of the resistors are coupled to the red green and blue LEDs  94 ,  96 ,  98  in RGB LED units  92   b  and  92   d.    
     The operation of subsystem in  FIG. 6  is similar to the operation of subsystem in  FIG. 5 . For example, a low at the red control line  100  closes the first switch in the first and second ICs  116 ,  118  and results in a low at the red resistor. This completes a circuit in the serially connected RGB LED units  92   a  and  92   b , and in the serially connected RGB LED units  92   c  and  922 . For RGB LED units  92   a  and  92   b , the circuit is completed from Vdd, through the red LED  94  in RGB LED unit  92   a , through the closed first switch on first IC  116 , through the red LED  100  in RGB LED unit  92   b  and through the low at first red resistor  120 . This causes current to flow through the circuit and causes the red LEDs  94  in RGB LED units  92   a  and  92   b  to emit light. RGB LED units  92   c  and  92   d  operate the same way and the green and blue LEDs  96 ,  98  can be similarly illuminated. 
     Many of the components and interconnects in system  90  are shown in the subsystem  14  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The inverters  110 ,  112 ,  114  and ICs  116 ,  118  are shown as electronic devices  28   a - c  on PCB  20  in subsystem  14 . Control lines  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100 ,  102  are shown as control lines  24   a - e  between the connector  22  and the PCB  26  in subsystem  14 . The four conductors  32   a - d  in LED control line cable  30   a  can correspond to Vdd and three lines between the red, green and blue LEDs  94 ,  96 ,  98 , on RGB LED unit  92   a  and the first switching IC  116 . The four conductors  32   a - d  in LED control line cable  30   b  can correspond to the line that carries the output of the switches on first IC  116 , to the red green and blue LEDs  94 ,  96 ,  98  on RGB LED unit  92   b  and the lines between the red, green and blue LEDs  94 ,  96 ,  98  and the red, green and blue resistors  120 ,  122 ,  124 , respectively. The conductors  32   a - d  in LED control line cables  30   c  and  30   d  correspond to similar lines in RGB LED units  92   c  and  92   d  and second IC  118 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the components and interconnections for still another embodiment of a lighting subsystem  14  according to the present invention having four RGB LED units RGB LED units  142   a - d . Like the lighting systems in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , RGB LED units  142   a  and  142   b  are connected in series and RGB LED units  142   c  and  142   d  are connected in series. Each of the RGB LED units  142   a - d  have red, green and blue illuminating LEDs  144 ,  146 ,  148 . Red, green and blue control lines  150 ,  152 ,  154  carry signals from the central controller that control the illumination of the red, green and blue LEDs  144 ,  146 ,  148 . 
     Instead of using inverters and ICs as are used in the subsystem  14 , the subsystem of  FIG. 7  utilizes first red, green and blue field effect transistors (FETs)  166 ,  168  and  170  for lighting units  142   a  and  142   b , and second red, green and blue FETs  172 ,  174 ,  176 . The subsystem  14  in  FIG. 7  is an active low system, i.e. a low at one of the red, green and blue control lines  150 ,  152 ,  154 , causes the corresponding LEDs in the RGB LED units  142   a - d  to emit light. 
     The first red, green and blue FETs  166 ,  168 ,  170  are connected to the red, green and blue LEDs  144 ,  146 ,  148 , respectively, in RGB LED unit  142   a , with each of the LEDs  144 ,  146 ,  148 , coupled between its respective FET and 12VDC. The second red, green and blue FETs  172 ,  174 ,  176  are similarly connected to its one of red, green and blue LEDs  144 ,  146 ,  148  in RGB LED  142   c  with each LED  144 ,  146 ,  148  coupled between its respective FETs and 12 VDC. Many different FETs can be used in system  150 , with a suitable FET being a commercially available BSS84/BSS110 P-Channel Mode FET provided by Fairchild Semiconductor. 
     Each of the control lines  150 ,  152 , and  154  controls a respective one of the first red, green and blue FETs  166 ,  168 ,  170 . For example, red control line  160  carries a low (active) to the gate of the red FET, current flows from the source to the drain. The red LED  144  in unit  142   b  is connected between the first node  178  and the low at the red control  160 . This completes the circuit with from 12VDC, through the red LED  144  in unit  142   a , the red LED  144  in unit  142   b  and back to the low and red control  160 . This allows the red LEDs  144  in units  142   a  and  142   b  to illuminate. The green and blue control lines  162 ,  164  can similarly carry a low to cause the green or blue LEDs  146  and  148  in units  142   a ,  142   b  to illuminate. The red, green and blue control lines  150 ,  152 ,  154  are also coupled to second red, green and blue FETs  172 ,  174 ,  176  to similarly control the illumination of the red, green and blue LEDs  144 ,  146 ,  148  in units  142   c  and  142   d.    
     In contrast to the subsystem  14  shown in  FIG. 6 , the subsystem  14  in  FIG. 7  utilizes only four control signals from the central controller; red, green and blue control  150 ,  152 ,  153  and 12 VDC. The ground control line is not necessary primarily because the subsystem in  FIG. 7  does not rely on integrated circuits. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show another embodiment of a lighting system  190  according to the present invention, which is similar to the subsystem  14  described above, but comprises two serially connected RGB LED units  192   a ,  192   b , instead of four. It comprises a similar control system connector  194  and a cable  195  having five control system control lines  196   a - e , three for the red, green and blue colors, one for voltage high, and one for ground. Accordingly, the subsystem  190  is particularly adapted for use with electronic components and interconnects as shown in  FIG. 6  and require a ground control line. It is understood the subsystem  190  can equally be used with other components and interconnects and the corresponding control lines. 
     The subsystem  190  comprises a similar PCB  198  having electronic components  200   a - c  for the inverters and switching circuitry. The system comprises two LED control line sets  202   a ,  202   b  instead of four, each of which comprises four conductors  204   a - d . The subsystem  190  functions the same as the first series connected RGB LED units  18   a ,  18   b  in  FIG. 5 ,  92   a ,  92   b  in  FIG. 6 , and  142   a ,  142   b  in  FIG. 7 . The primary difference with subsystem  190  is that because it comprises only two serially connected RGB LED units  192   a ,  192   b , only one set (or one half) of electronic components shown in  FIGS. 5-7  is needed on the PCB and only two LED control line cables are needed. 
       FIG. 10  shows another embodiment of a lighting subsystem  210  according to the present invention that is similar to the lighting subsystem  14  shown in  FIG. 2 , and also has four RGB LED units  212   a - d  that can be interconnected as shown in  FIG. 5-7 .  FIG. 11  shows a lighting subsystem  220  that is similar to the lighting subsystem  190  and has two RGB LED units  222   a ,  222   b . Subsystems  210  and  220  can be used in the hub and spoke lighting system described above and shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 12  shows another embodiment of a lighting subsystem  230  according to the present invention having a single RGB LED unit  232  that can also be used in a hub and spoke lighting system. The subsystem  230  has a controller connector  234 , cable  236 , PCB  238  and LED unit control lines  240 . Because Subsystem  230  only has one RGB LED unit, it does not need the electronic circuitry discussed above in  FIGS. 5-7 . Instead, the control signal from the central controller can be sent directly to the RGB LED unit  232 . The PCB  238  contains traces, and electronic devices such as fuses and/or resisters necessary for connecting the control lines  236  to the LED unit control lines  240 . The single RGB LED unit subsystem  230  provides flexibility in arranging the hub and spoke lighting system to match the particular application. 
     Each of the connection points in subsystems  210 ,  220  and  230  between the leads  250  of the RGB LED units and the LED unit conductors  252  and LED unit control lines are covered by heat shrink tubes. In the subsystem  14  described above in  FIGS. 2-4 , the entire connection area is then covered by another larger shrink wrap tube. To provide a more robust and reliable connection between the leads  250  and conductors  252 , the connection area is covered by an over mold  242  that can be made of many different materials, but is preferably made of a plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
     The connection area can be covered by PVC using many different methods, with a preferred method being injection molding. After each of the four connection points are covered with a heat shrink tube as described above, the connection area  258  is then placed in an injection mold fixture. Molten PVC is then injected into the mold fixture to cover the connection area  258  to form the over mold  242 . The molten PCV should be at a temperature low enough so that is does not cause damage to the connection area or heat shrink tubes, with a suitable temperature being approximately 150 degrees F. The over mold  242  is then allowed to cool and the connection area is removed from the mold. The over mold can have many different diameters, with a preferred over mold having substantially the same or smaller diameter as the RGB LED unit. This over mold arrangement covers the connection area with a rugged plastic jacket and also makes the connection area waterproof and helps keep the connection area less susceptible to damage during installation in a spa. The over mold  242  also allows for better control over the diameter of the connection area. 
     Each of the RGB LED units also has a cap  260  that is arranged to be held on the LED control cable ( 240  in  FIG. 12 ) at its narrow end  262  so that the cap can slide up and down the cable  264 . The cap also has a wider end  266  that is arranged to fit closely over the RGB LED unit insertion point in the spa. When the cap is fit over the insertion point, the RGB LED unit is held in place. 
       FIG. 13  shows another embodiment of a red, green and blue LED type lighting system  300  according to the present invention also having a central controller  302  comprising electronic components and software to generate lighting control signals. However, instead of being arranged as a hub and spoke system, it is arranged as a serial system. That is, the system  300  contains lighting subsystems  304  that are serially connected in a daisy chain, with the first of the subsystems connected to the central controller and the following subsystems connected in series. The system  300  can also have one or more RGB lights  306  similar to light  20  shown in  FIG. 1  and described above, connected with the subsystems  304  in the daisy chain. 
       FIGS. 14-16  shown different embodiments of subsystems  310 ,  320 ,  330 , respectively, each of which is particularly adapted for use in a daisy-chain lighting system  300 . Subsystem  310  is arranged with four RGB LED units  312 , subsystem  320  is arranged with two RGB LED units  312 , and subsystem  330  is arranged with a single RGB LED unit  312 . The subsystem  310  is arranged in much the same way as subsystem  210  in  FIG. 10  and has a PCB  313  that accepts central controller signals and generates signals carried on LED unit control cables  314  for the RGB LED units  312 . The subsystem  310  can comprise different components and interconnections to generate the desired control signals to the RGB LED units  312 , with preferred subsystems having the components and interconnects as described above and shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . 
     Instead of having only a control line cable from the central controller to the PCB  313 , the subsystem  310  comprises a first control line cable  316   a  that carries control signals from either the central controller  302  or the previous subsystem  310  in the daisy chain. The subsystem also has second control line cable  316   b  for carrying control signals to the next subsystem  312  in the daisy chain. If it is the last subsystem in the daisy chain, the second cable  316   b  can be left unconnected. The subsystem  312  also utilizes male and female connectors  318 ,  319  with one of the male and female connectors being on the first cable  316   a  and the other being on the second cable  316   b . By utilizing male and female connectors, the subsystems can more easily be correctly connected in a daisy-chain. 
     Subsystem  320  in  FIG. 15  comprises two RGB LED units and the primary difference with subsystem  210  is that because the subsystem  320  comprises only two serially connected RGB LED units  312  only one set of electronic components is needed on the PCB  313  and only two LED control line sets  314  are needed. The subsystem  320 , however, can have similar first and second control line cables  316   a ,  316   b  and similar male and female connectors  318 ,  319  to allow the subsystem to be arranged in a daisy chain. 
     Subsystem  330  in  FIG. 16  comprises a single RGB LED unit  312  that is arranged much the same way as subsystem  230  in  FIG. 12 . The subsystem  330 , however, is arranged with first and second control line cables  316   a ,  316   b  and similar male and female connectors  318 ,  319  to allow the subsystem to be arranged in a daisy chain. 
     The subsystems shown in  FIGS. 10-13  and  14 - 16  each operate of four control lines from the central controller; red, green, blue and power. Accordingly, the subsystems are particularly adapted for use with electronic components and interconnects as shown in  FIG. 7 . It is understood, however, that the subsystems can equally be used with other components and interconnects and the corresponding control lines. 
     It should be understood that different embodiments of lighting systems according to the present invention can serially connect more than two RGB LED units and can have more than two groups of serially connected RGB LED units. It should also be understood that the LEDs in the RGB LED units can be illuminated at different intensities according to the present invention and different LED units can have LEDs that emit different colors of light other than red, green and blue. The lighting systems according to the present invention can have lighting units that emit the same color of light or can have units emitting different colors of light. 
     The number of RGB LED units that can be driven by the central controller is primarily related to the voltage and current driving the units from the central controller. In one embodiment, the signal from the central controller is 12v DC at 1 amp, which allows the central controller to drive  32  RGB LED units and a LED light ( 20  in  FIG. 1 ), or other similar combinations of RGB LED units and lights. 
     The lighting systems according to the present invention can be used in many different applications, can include many different LEDs that emit different colors of light and the LEDs can be controlled to emit different lighting effects. For example, the systems can include ultra violet (UV) emitting LEDs, with a suitable UV LED having a peak emission wavelength of 395 nanometers (nm). A UV die can be included in the spa components and when these components are used in conjunction with a UV emitting LEDs, a glowing effect is created from the spa components. UV LEDs can also be used with RGB LEDs to create other interesting lighting effects. The signals on control lines to each of the systems according to the present invention can also be controlled to cause a rapid flashing of the LEDs or can be controlled to vary the luminous flux of the LEDs. Many other effects can be created by manipulating the signals on the control lines. 
       FIG. 17  shows one embodiment of a spa  350  that can utilize one or more lighting systems  352  according to the present invention, with the lighting systems either being a hub and spoke or serial connected type. The spa comprises a central controller  354  that controls the illumination of the red, green and blue LEDs in each RGB LED unit  356  in each of the lighting systems  352 . Each of the lighting systems  352  is connected to the central controller  354  and control lines  358  carry signals from the central controller  354  to each PCB  360 . Each PCB  360  contains the invert and switching circuitry, or FETs, along with the interconnections as described above. LED control line cable  362  carry signals from each PCB  360  to its respective RGB LED units  356  to illuminate the desired red, green and/or blue LED. RGB LED units  356  can be used to illuminate the interior of the spa  350  through different spa components including spa flood lights  364 , point lights  366 , jets  368 , drains  370 , skimmers, etc. Each of the RGB LED units  356  can be held in place at its spa component by many different methods such as an adhesive, epoxy, clip, or cap  260  (shown in  FIG. 10 ). 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred configurations, other versions are possible. The invention can be used in spas, pools, tubs and the like. Different spa, pool or tub components can use the invention for water illumination. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the preferred versions described above.