Importance

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Abstract

An underwater lighting system for the illumination of decorative water displays and the like is disclosed. Each light in a typical lighting system is disposed below the surface of the water, with the light source having a flat lens to avoid the spreading of the rays due to the index of refraction of the water. Disposed over the light source with the upper surface thereof above the water surface and the lower surface thereof below the water surface is a light guide for allowing the passage of light therethrough substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces, though at the same time substantially inhibiting light from passing therethrough which is not substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the light guide, at least with respect to one transverse axis thereof. In this manner, the normal diffusing of underwater lighting encountered in water display caused by ripples in the pool are avoided because of the upper surface of the light guide being above the water level. The net result is that light passing directly from the light source to the eyes of the display observer is held to a minimum, as is the intermixing of light from multiple light sources, thereby making the light sources substantially invisible to the observer and allowing illumination of the water display with multiple lights of different colors in a pleasing and effective manner. Various embodiments are disclosed.

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First Claim