Abstract:
A hydroelectric generator is provided for driving electrical components. The generator includes a housing configured to be connected to a water supply and includes an inlet port and a discharge port arranged at opposite ends thereof. The housing includes a linear passageway extending along a straight path entirely through the housing that is configured to convey water from the inlet port to the discharge port. The hydroelectric generator also includes a power generator mounted in the passageway and configured to convert energy from water flowing through the passageway into electric power. The generator includes magnets and a coil centered within the passageway with at least one of the coil and magnets being adapted to be rotated relative to the housing in response to flowing water. The hydroelectric generator includes an electric output from the power generator delivering electrical power to an electrical component connected to the power generator.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    Certain embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a liquid driven generator for low power electrical components. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a water powered illuminescent device that converts flowing water into lighting.  
           [0002]    Liquid powered generators have been proposed in the past for various applications. One application is for swimming pools that include lighting devices located in the walls of the pools. Generally the lights are located beneath the surface of the water. The purpose of a pool lighting device is to illuminate the water and thus make the pool safer and extend the hours the pool may be used whether the pool is located outside or inside. The lights have been powered in one of two ways, namely by a remote source of electrical power or by the flow of water that is circulated between the pool and a water filtering system. The latter method has become increasingly popular because of the difficulty and expense of wiring pool lights to a remote electrical power source.  
           [0003]    Conventional liquid powered lighting devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,291 issued to Portyrata and U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,298 issued to Bolson, both of which include a housing, an impeller, a generator, and a light source. The impeller and generator are located within a passageway, while the light source is retained within the housing at the passageway outlet. The water flows from the passageway into the pool, causing the impeller to rotate. The impeller is connected to a shaft that drives the generator.  
           [0004]    The typical water powered light device suffers from several flaws. First, the device utilizes incandescent light bulbs which require a great deal of power and therefore demand a strong water flow and a large generator to convert the water flow into electrical power. At times, the water flow may not be strong enough for the generator to supply the requisite power to the light bulb. Additionally, the large size of the generator significantly obstructs and diverts the water flow within the passageway. Likewise, an incandescent light bulb is large and takes up a significant amount of space within the housing. The water thus must be directed along a curved path around the light bulb to escape the housing. Diverting the water flow around the large light bulb and generator causes turbulence in the water flow which reduces the flow rate of the water through the housing and which reduces the efficiency with which the water transfers power to the impeller. For example, turbulence may cause the impeller to cavitate, where water flows past the impeller without inducing a driving force onto the impeller blades. Hence, less power is generated when the water contacts the impeller.  
           [0005]    The housing of the typical water powered light device also restricts the flow of water. The interior passageway of the housing is generally shaped to direct the flowing water around the impeller, the generator, and the light source and out of the housing. In conventional designs, the passageway itself changes direction several times, and thus the water flow is diverted in several different directions, sometimes by as much as ninety degrees, before being discharged. Drastic changes in direction along the passageway length cause the water flow to slow down and therefore generate less power. Besides being non-linear along its length, the passageway may also not be uniform in diameter. In other words, as the water flows through the passageway, the passageway may decrease in diameter, thus restricting the water and reducing the velocity of the water flow and the amount of power created by the generator. Another problem associated with a meandering or curved passageway, or with a changing passageway diameter, is that small pieces of debris may easily be caught in, and clog up, the passageway thus reducing or even blocking the flow of water.  
           [0006]    Thus, a need exists for a liquid driven generator for low power electrical components.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Certain embodiments provide a hydroelectric generator that drives low powered electrical components. The hydroelectric generator includes a housing that is adapted to be connected to a water supply. The housing includes an inlet port and a discharge port that are located opposite each other across the length of the housing. The housing also includes a linear passageway that extends from the inlet port to the discharge port along a straight path and that delivers water from the inlet port to the discharge port. The hydroelectric generator also includes a power generator that is positioned in the passageway and that converts energy from the water flowing through the housing into electric power. The generator includes magnets and a coil centered about an axis of the linear passageway. Either the coil or the magnet is adapted to rotate relative to the housing about the axis in response to the water flowing through the housing. An electrical conduit conveys electrical power from the power generator to a low power electrical component that is connected to the power generator.  
           [0008]    Certain embodiments provide a self-powered light that includes a housing that may be connected to a liquid supply. The housing includes an inlet port and a discharge port arranged at opposite ends of the housing and includes a passageway interconnecting the inlet and discharge ports. The housing is aligned along a longitudinal axis. The self-powered light further includes a power generator that is located in the passageway in order to convert liquid flowing through the passageway into electrical power. A plurality of light emitting diodes are aligned in a ring concentrically about either the entry port or exit port.  
           [0009]    Certain embodiments include a liquid powered illuminescent device. The illuminescent device includes a housing that may be connected to a liquid supply. The housing has an inlet port, a discharge port, and a linear passageway. The inlet port and discharge port are arranged opposite each other across the length of the passageway. The passageway may deliver liquid from the inlet port to the discharge port. The illuminescent device also includes a power generator that is situated in the passageway and that may convert energy from liquid passing through the passageway into electric power. The illuminescent device further includes a light source that is located on the housing and powered by the power generator. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional isometric view of a liquid powered illuminescent device formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 illustrates the housing and light ring of FIG. 1 with the generator assembly removed.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 illustrates a cutaway side view of the illuminescent device of FIG. 1 taken along section  3 - 3  in FIG. 1.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 illustrates a cutaway side view of a generator assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 illustrates an end view of the generator assembly of FIG. 4.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 illustrates a cutaway end view of the generator assembly of FIG. 4.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded side view of a liquid powered illuminescent device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 illustrates an assembled side view of the illuminescent device of FIG. 7.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 illustrates an end view of the liquid powered illuminescent device of FIGS. 7 and 8. 
     
    
       [0019]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional isometric view of a liquid powered illuminescent device  10  formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The illuminescent device  10  includes a housing  15 , a nozzle  20 , a light ring  25 , and a generator assembly  30 . The nozzle  20  and housing  15  form a linear passageway  175  centered about a longitudinal axis  55  that maintains generally a constant diameter throughout an entire length of the passageway  175  to reduce obstruction and diversion. The generator assembly  30  includes a round impeller  45  mounted on a shaft  50 . The generator assembly  30  is located within the passageway  175 . The nozzle  20  is mounted partially between the light ring  25  and the housing  15 , and the light ring  25  is detachably screwed into the housing  15 . The illuminescent device  10  may be positioned within a fluid flow path, such as for example, a water pipe (not shown) leading into a swimming pool (not shown) by screwing or press fitting the housing  15  into the pipe with the nozzle  20  facing the direction in which the fluid is discharged.  
         [0021]    In operation, fluid flows in the direction of arrow A from the pipe into an entry port  67  of the housing  15  past the impeller  45  and the generator assembly  30  and out through the nozzle  20 . Alternatively, the fluid may flow in the opposite direction of arrow A from the nozzle  20  through the housing  15 . As the liquid passes the impeller  45 , the liquid forces the impeller  45  to rotate. As the impeller  45  rotates, the generator assembly  30  converts the motion of the rotating shaft  50  into electricity which is then conducted from the generator assembly  30  to the light ring  25 .  
         [0022]    Optionally, the illuminescent device  10  may be used in many applications, such as in fountains, shower nozzles, hot tubs or any other application that utilizes flowing liquid. Also, other electrical devices may be substituted for, or used in tandem with, the light source. For example, the generator assembly  30  may be used to power a timer for sprinklers, a flow meter for pools, or a soap dispenser for a carwash. Similarly, the generator assembly  30  may be used to power a flow measurement device with different lights being lit for different flow rates passing through the housing  15 . Optionally, the generator assembly  30  may be powered by different kinds of non-caustic, viscous fluids such as milk in a food processing plant, and the like.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 illustrates the housing  15  and light ring  25  of FIG. 1 with the generator assembly  30  removed. The housing  15  is cylindrically shaped and aligned along a longitudinal axis  55 . The housing  15  includes a cylindrical neck  60  and a ring shaped collar  65 . The neck  60  includes an inlet port  67 , a cylindrical outside wall  70  and a cylindrical inside wall  75 . The inside wall  75  defines a uniform inner diameter that extends throughout the housing  15  so that the fluid that passes through the housing  15  flows in the same unaltered linear direction from the inlet port  67  to the nozzle  20 . The outside wall  70  may be smooth so that the neck  60  may be press fit into a pipe. Alternatively, the outside wall  70  may include threads that are screwed into the pipe.  
         [0024]    The collar  65  includes a concentric portion  90  that extends radially outward from the passageway  175 . The concentric portion  90  includes an upper sloped surface  105  that slopes downward as it extends radially outward from the passageway  175 . The concentric portion  90  also includes a bottom surface  85  that joins a pipe or other structure to which the illuminescent device  10  is mounted. The collar  65  includes a circular nose cone  100  that is arranged concentrically around the longitudinal axis  55 . The nose cone  100  includes an interior wall  95  that curves radially outward and upward from the inside wall  75 . The nose cone  100  also includes a threaded outer wall  110 . The collar  65  includes a circular, concentric retention cavity  115  located inside of the sloped surface  105 . The threaded wall  110  extends along the retention cavity  115 . The collar  65  is formed integrally with the neck  60  and extends circumferentially outward from the neck  60  so that the neck  60  has a first outer diameter and the collar  65  has a larger second outer diameter. The collar  65  engages the mounted nozzle  20  and is fastened to the light ring  25  along the threaded wall  110 .  
         [0025]    The nozzle  20  is aligned along the longitudinal axis  55  and includes a barrel-shaped convex wall  130  and a ring-like flat top surface  135 . The convex wall  130  is integrally formed with, and extends downward away from, the top surface  135 . The convex wall  130  includes a bottom rim  140  located opposite the top surface  135 . The convex wall  130  also includes a maximum outer diameter generally midway between the bottom rim  140  and the top surface  135 . The nozzle  20  is mounted between the collar  65  and the light ring  25  so that an outer surface of a lower portion  160  slidably engages the interior wall  95  of the collar  65  and the light ring  25 , while an upper portion  155  and the top surface  135  extend beyond and away from the light ring  25 . Liquid flows into the nozzle  20  from the housing  15  and out of an opening  131  in the nozzle  20  in the direction of arrow A. The nozzle  20  may be pivotally and/or rotatably adjusted to direct the outflow of liquid in various directions.  
         [0026]    The cylindrical light ring  25  is centered about the longitudinal axis  55  and includes a top wall  180  joined with an exterior wall  185  and an interior wall  190 . The interior wall  190  is joined at one end with a curved, ring-shaped rim  195 . The exterior wall  185  and interior wall  190  are concentric with each other and are both formed integrally with, and extend perpendicularly downward from, the top wall  180 . The light ring  25  has an outer diameter measured around the exterior wall  185  that is generally equal to the outer diameter of the collar  65 . The interior wall  190  includes a threaded interior side  210  that joins the threaded wall  110  of the collar  65 . The exterior wall  185  includes a bottom side  220  that is sloped to correspond to the sloped surface  105 . The rim  195  includes a concave interior surface  230  that corresponds to the barrel-curved convex exterior surface of the nozzle  20 . The rim  195  and interior wall  95  cooperate to define a spherical chamber in which the nozzle  20  resides free to rotate and pivot. The exterior wall  185  includes stem-like grip scallops  240  that protrude out from the exterior wall  185  and extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis  55 . The grip scallops  240  enable a person to grip the light ring  25  when screwing or pushing the light ring  25  onto the housing  15  and when screwing or pushing the illuminescent device  10  into a pipe or other orifice structure.  
         [0027]    The light ring  25  is affixed to the collar  65  by positioning the nozzle  20  on top of the collar  65  with the lower portion  160  resting on the interior wall  95  of the collar  65 , and aligning the interior wall  190  of the light ring  25  within the retention cavity  115 . The light ring  25  is then rotated so that the threaded section  210  of the interior wall  190  rotationally engages the threaded wall  110  of the collar  65 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 illustrates a cutaway side view of the illuminescent device  10  taken along section  3 - 3  of FIG. 1. The light ring  25  includes tube-shaped light emitting diodes  245  and a ring-shaped printed circuit board  250  located concentric about the housing  15 . The light emitting diodes  245  are connected to the printed circuit board  250  by conductive stems  255  and are spaced evenly around the printed circuit board  250 . The light emitting diodes (LEDs)  245  demand very low power. The LEDs  245  and printed circuit board  250  are located around the perimeter of the nozzle  20  and passageway  175 . The printed circuit board  250  is held within a cavity  260  defined between interior wall  190  and exterior wall  185 . The printed circuit board  250 , conductive stems  255 , and light emitting diodes  245  are retained within the light ring  25  between the interior wall  190  and exterior wall  185 , such as by an epoxy that fills and hermetically seals cavity  260 . The top wall  180  includes apertures  267  (FIG. 2) aligned so as to correspond to, and accept therethrough, the light emitting diodes  245  that extend from the printed circuit board  250  and above the top wall  180 . The printed circuit board  250  and light emitting diodes  245 , are connected by a wire  263  to the generator assembly  30 .  
         [0029]    Optionally, electro luminescent films, and other low power light devices may be substituted for the light emitting diodes  245 . Also, the light emitting diodes  245  or other light devices may be arranged in any number of different positions and patterns. For example, the light emitting diodes  245  may be aligned circumferentially around the exterior wall  185  between or in place of the grip scallops  240 , or the light emitting diodes  245  may extend from the top wall  180  or exterior wall  185  of the light ring  25  at different angles. Optionally, the light “ring”  25  and/or the housing  15  may be square, triangular, octagonal, or any number of other shapes.  
         [0030]    The generator assembly  30  is aligned along the longitudinal axis  55  and positioned in the center of the passageway  175  so as to limit interruption of the liquid flow through the passageway  175 . The generator assembly  30  includes a bullet-shaped nose cone  275  that joins one end of a cylindrical wall  285  (better shown in FIG. 1). An opposite end of the cylindrical wall  285  joins a funnel-shaped bottom section  290 . The generator assembly  30  includes fins  280  that extend outward from the wall  285  at evenly spaced intervals about the perimeter of the generator assembly  30 . The fins  280  hold the generator assembly  30  within a hollow tubular sleeve  282 . The passageway  175  extends through the sleeve  282 . The fins  280 , wall  285 , and nose cone  275  are shaped and positioned to limit the interference with, and turbulence within, fluid flow through the passageway  175 . The sleeve  282  is secured within the inside wall  75  of the housing  15 . The nose cone  275 , fins  280 , and bottom section  290  are all integrally formed with the wall  285 . The nose cone  275  extends from the wall  285  toward the nozzle  20 . The bottom section  290  is sloped inward from the bottom edge of the wall  285  toward the shaft  50 , and is contoured to encircle the shaft  50 . The bottom section  290  encases the shaft  50  and directs fluid flowing through the passageway  175  along the generator assembly  30  as the diameter of the generator assembly  30  expands from a small diameter tail end  295  of the bottom section  290  to a large diameter about the wall  285  with minimal turbulence.  
         [0031]    The generator assembly  30  includes bearings  320  and  325 , a cap  330 , tabs  335 , magnets  340 , and a coil  345 . The bearings  320  and  325  rotatably support the shaft  50 . The bearing  320  is located between the shaft  50  and the inner surface of the tail end  295 . The bearing  320  seals the tail end  295  so that fluid cannot enter the generator assembly  30 . The bearing  325  is located between the shaft  50  and the bottom section  290  near the magnets  340 . The shaft  50  is aligned along the longitudinal axis  55  and has a first end that is fixed to the impeller  45  proximate to the inlet port  67  and a second end attached to the magnets  340 . The cylindrical cap  330  is located at the second end  355  of the shaft  50  and the coil  345  is wrapped around the cap  330 . The cap  330  and coil  345  do not rotate with the shaft  50  in the embodiment of FIG. 3. Alternatively, the coil  345  and cap  330  may be attached to the second end of the shaft  50  so that the coil  345  and cap  330  would rotate with the shaft  50 .  
         [0032]    As illustrated in FIG. 6, the magnets  340  may be pie or wedge shaped and combined to surround the shaft  50 . The magnets  340  may be aligned around the shaft  50  in groups of two, four, eight, or some other number.  
         [0033]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the tabs  335  may be L-shaped to include first and second legs  360  and  365 , and are connected to the cap  330 . The first legs  360  are located along the top of the coil  345 , while the second legs  365  extend upward perpendicular to the first legs  360 . Thus, the tabs  335  facilitate electromagnetic coupling of the coil  345  and magnets  340  so that the magnetic field created by the rotating magnets  340  is better focused about the coil  345 .  
         [0034]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the impeller  45  is centered about the longitudinal axis  55  and is connected to the end of the shaft  50  proximate the inlet port  67 . The impeller  45  includes a hub  375  securely connected to the end of the shaft  50  so that the hub  375  rotates with the shaft  50 . Blades  380  are formed integral with the hub  375  and extend outward from the hub  375  toward the inside wall  75 . The blades  380  are oriented at an acute angle to a reference plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  55 . The blades  380  are sloped so that as liquid flows into the housing  15  and engages the impeller  45 , the liquid forces the blades  380  to rotate the shaft  50 , and thus the magnets  340 . The magnets  340  rotate and create a magnetic field which in turn causes the coil  345  to conduct electricity. The electricity is conducted via the conductive wire  263  from the coil  345  to the light emitting diodes  245  on the printed circuit board  250 . Alternatively, the conductive wire  263  may extend from the nose cone  275  into the passageway  175  and through the housing  15  up into the epoxy filled cavity  260  to the printed circuit board  250 .  
         [0035]    The liquid powered illuminescent device  10  directs the liquid flow through a uniform diameter, linear cylindrical passageway  175  so that the liquid is not redirected or diverted so as to reduce the velocity or uniformity of the liquid. Also, the generator assembly  30  suspended within the passageway  175  is shaped so as to direct the flowing liquid around the generator assembly  30  with limited turbulence or diversion. Thus, the illuminescent device  10  limits the obstructions to the flow of the liquid so that the liquid flows faster and may be used to generate more power.  
         [0036]    The illuminescent device  10  utilizes light emitting diodes  245 , which require less electrical power than traditional lighting systems. Also, the light emitting diodes  245  are small and may be positioned around the nozzle  20  to avoid interference with the flowing liquid.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4 illustrates a cutaway side view of a generator assembly  400  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates an end view of the generator assembly  400 . The generator assembly  400  is partially enclosed within a cylindrical steel cage  410 . The cage  410  has a wall  420  including a series of prongs  425  separated by slits  430 . The cage wall  420  includes an outer diameter, and the cage  410  is aligned along a longitudinal axis  432  enclosing a coil  434 , magnets  436 , and portions of a conductive wire  438  and a shaft  440  within a cavity  442 . The cage  410  includes an open front end  445  that leads into the cavity  442  and a closed back end  450  located opposite to the front end  445 . The slits  430  extend longitudinally from the open front end  445  to the back end  450 .  
         [0038]    The cage  410 , the coil  434 , and the section of the conductive wire  438  located within the cage  410  are over molded together so that the coil  434  and the conductive wire  438  are encapsulated within the cage  410  in a plastic seal  455  and the slits  430  are covered in the plastic seal  455  so as to close the cage  410  up to the open front end  445 . The coil  434  and the magnets  436  are aligned end to end. The magnets  436  are arranged around the shaft  440  as shown in FIG. 6. The generator assembly  400  also includes a funnel-shaped cap  460  that retains the shaft  440 . The cap  460  includes a curved wall  465  joining a front end  470  having a small diameter and a back end  480  having a large diameter generally equal to the outer diameter of the cage  410 . The cap  460  is positioned on the shaft  440  with the back end  480  located proximate the open front end  445  of the cage  410 . The curved wall  465  directs fluid flowing in the direction of arrow G around the cage  410  as indicated by arrows J with limited turbulence and flow reduction. However, the cap  460  may not sealably cover the end of the cage  410 , in which case fluid enters the cavity  440  and surrounds the magnets  436 , but does not contact the plastically encased coil  434 .  
         [0039]    In operation, the generator assembly  410  is similar to the generator assembly  30  of FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the magnets  436  rotate in liquid.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIGS. 7 and 9 illustrate exploded side and end views, respectively, of a liquid powered illuminescent device  500  formed according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The illuminescent device  500  includes a shaft  525 , a plastic rear holding ring  530 , a plastic dipped winding ring  535 , an impeller  540 , a plastic front holding ring  545 , and a plastic nozzle ring  550  that are all aligned along a longitudinal axis  555 . The shaft  525  includes a first end  560  and a second end  565 . The cylindrical rear holding ring  530  includes a wall  570 , and the cylindrical front holding ring  545  includes a light ring  615  and a cylindrical wall  620 . The rear and front holding rings  530  and  545  include cross bars  650  and shaft apertures  655 . The shaft apertures  655  are concentric with the rear and front holding rings  530  and  545 . The rear and front holding rings  530  and  545  rotatably support the first and second ends  560  and  565 , respectively, of the shaft  525 , but do not rotate with the shaft  525 .  
         [0041]    The winding ring  535  includes a first rim  575 , a second rim  580 , a cylindrical wall  585 , and a coil  590  that wraps around the wall  585  along the rims  575  and  580 . The coil  590  is wrapped around the first and second rims  575  and  580  with the coil  590  running inside and outside the winding ring  535 . The winding ring  535  also includes a tubular interior passageway  595  with a uniform interior diameter. The winding ring  535  and the coil  590  have been over molded for protection from the liquid. The winding ring  535  does not rotate with the shaft  525 . The impeller  540  includes a cylindrical ring  605 , square magnets  610  connected to the ring  605 , and blades  660 . The blades  660  are angled to rotate the ring  605  around the shaft  525  when contacted by flowing liquid. The magnets  610  rotate with the impeller  540  around the shaft  525  to create a magnetic field.  
         [0042]    The light ring  615  includes concentrically aligned and bulb-shaped light emitting diodes  625 . The cylindrical nozzle ring  550  includes a wall  630 , a front surface  635 , and a nozzle  640 . The wall  630  includes a threaded interior surface (not shown) that corresponds to threads  520  of a pool pipe  510 . The front surface  635  includes light apertures (not shown) that correspond to the light emitting diodes  625 .  
         [0043]    Because the coil  590  is over molded along the wall  585  of the winding ring  535  and the magnets  610  are connected to the impeller  540 , the magnets  610  and coil  590  do not need to be protected within a casing that may take up space within the interior passageway  595 . Only the cross bars  650  of the holding rings  530  and  545 , the shaft  525 , the impeller  540 , and portions of the coil  590  are positioned within the interior passageway  595 , so the liquid flow is generally uninterrupted.  
         [0044]    When the illuminescent device  500  is fully assembled, the rear holding ring  530  covers the first rim  575  of the winding ring  535  and the impeller  540  is suspended inside the wall  585  of the winding ring  535  along the shaft  525 . The front holding ring  545  covers the second rim  580  of the winding ring  535 . The nozzle ring  550  encloses and is connected to the front holding ring  545  so that the light emitting diodes  625  protrude out the front surface  635  of the nozzle ring  550 . The rear holding ring  530 , winding ring  535 , impeller  540 , and the front holding ring  545  are all positioned within the pool pipe  510 . The nozzle ring  550  encloses, and threadably communicates with, the threads  520  of the pool pipe  510  to retain the illuminescent device  500  within the pool pipe  510 .  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 8 illustrates an assembled side view of the illuminescent device  500  of FIGS. 7 and 9. The illuminescent device  500  is fully assembled so that the illuminescent device  500  may be properly inserted into the pool pipe of FIG. 7. During operation, liquid flows in the direction of arrow K, through the rear holding ring  530  into the linear interior passageway  595  of the winding ring  535  and out the nozzle  640 . Because the interior passageway  595  is linear and has a uniform interior diameter, the liquid experiences little direction change or turbulence.  
         [0046]    Optionally, electro luminescent films, and other low power light emitting devices may be substituted for the light emitting diodes  245  within the light ring  25 . Also, the light emitting diodes  245  or other light emitting devices may be arranged on the light ring  25  in any number of different positions and patterns. For example, the light emitting diodes  245  may be aligned circumferentially around the exterior wall  185  between or in place of the grip scallops  240 , or the light emitting diodes  245  may extend from the top wall  180  or exterior wall  185  of the light ring  25  at different angles. Optionally, the light “ring”  25  and/or the housing  15  may be square, triangular, octagonal, or any number of other shapes.  
         [0047]    Optionally, the coil  345  may be located about the perimeter of the magnets  340  with the magnets  340  rotating with the coil  345 . Alternatively, the coil  345  may be located within the magnets  340 , and the coil  345  rotated within the magnets  340 .  
         [0048]    While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.