In an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an airfield lighting system that employs an IR emitter. The IR emitter can be located within an airfield lighting fixture or external to the lighting fixture. Activating the IR emitter can enable an Enhanced Flight Vision System ("EFVS") to determine the location of lighting fixtures which may be undetectable by the EFVS, such as Light Emitting Diode ("LED") fixtures.
Constant current regulator (10) for supplying and controlling an AC series circuit (9) current of an airfield lighting system, comprising an input port (11) arranged for being coupled to an AC power supply, an output port (12) arranged for outputting the series circuit current at an output voltage, an interface port (13) arranged for receiving a command signal representative of a set value of the series circuit current, and a transformer (15) coupled between the input port and the output port, for providing galvanic insulation between the input and output ports. A control unit (171, 172) is arranged for determining a root mean square voltage level value required to generate the set value of the series circuit current, and for determining an output voltage signal comprising a fundamental component of sinusoidal shape and of a fundamental frequency, and a third harmonic component of the fundamental component having a frequency three times the fundamental frequency, wherein the third harmonic component has a peak value of at least 1% of a peak value of the fundamental component, wherein the output voltage signal has a root mean square value equal to the root mean square voltage level value. Electric circuitry (14, 16) is arranged for generating the output voltage signal and for applying it to the output port as the output voltage.
H02M 1/42 - Circuits or arrangements for compensating for or adjusting power factor in converters or inverters
H02M 3/158 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load
Inset light container (10) for in-pavement mounting comprises a base pot (11) and a top ring (12). The base pot has a bottom (110), an upright wall (111), and cable entry provisions (112) at a plurality of angular positions. The top ring (12) has an upper part (121) with a support flange(123) for supporting an inset light fixture and an under part (122) arranged for abutment against an upper part (115) of the base pot. The top ring can be secured to the base pot in a plurality of angular orientations relative to the base pot through corresponding fastening holes (114, 127) regularly distributed over a plurality of angular positions along their perimeters for accepting threaded fasteners. A co-operating abutting combination of a flangeless sleeve (122) and a seat (115) is provided between top ring (12) and base pot (11), such that securing the top ring in the plurality of angular orientations relative to the base pot can be effected without changing the height of the container, and such that the sleeve (122) can be machined to reduce its height, preserving the ability of securing the top ring (12) on the base pot (11).
F21S 8/02 - Lighting devices intended for fixed installation of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters
F16B 37/12 - Nuts or like thread-engaging members with thread-engaging surfaces formed by inserted coil-springs, discs, or the likeIndependent pieces of wound wire used as nutsThreaded inserts for holes
Constant current regulator (10) for supplying a series circuit (9) of a lighting installation with an output electrical power corresponding to a predetermined output power, comprising a plurality of modules (13) electrically connectable for simultaneous operation to jointly provide the output power, the modules being each configured for providing a module output power contributing to the output power of the regulator. Each module comprises its proper transformer (135) for providing galvanic insulation as required by local standards, and a microcontroller (231) for controlling operation of the module. The constant current regulator comprises a data communication network (17) configured to be connected to the microcontrollers (231) of the modules (13), wherein the microcontrollers (231) are operable to exchange data over the data communication network (17) so as to make the constant current regulator (10) modular, meaning that one or more of such modules (13) can be added to or removed from the constant current regulator.
H05B 39/00 - Circuit arrangements or apparatus for operating incandescent light sources
H02M 5/40 - Conversion of AC power input into AC power output, e.g. for change of voltage, for change of frequency, for change of number of phases with intermediate conversion into DC
H02M 7/81 - Conversion of AC power input into DC power outputConversion of DC power input into AC power output with possibility of reversal by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal arranged for operation in parallel
5.
AIRFIELD LUMINAIRE HAVING REMOVABLE OPTICAL PORTION
Described in an example embodiment is an airfield light where the optical system can be easily removed, e.g., no tools. This allows maintenance of the optical system to be performed elsewhere, reducing the amount of time that airfield maintenance crews have to be spend on the field.
F21S 8/00 - Lighting devices intended for fixed installation
F21V 17/20 - Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening by toggle-action levers
F21W 111/06 - Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in groups for aircraft runways or the like
Elevated airfield lighting device (10), comprising a main body (11) securable to a support (14) enabling the main body (11) to be fixed at an elevated position from ground (15), and at least one light unit (12, 13) comprising at least one LED (17), wherein the main body (11) encloses an electronic circuit for powering and driving the LED and comprises a first heat sink (110) thermally coupled to the electronic circuit and wherein the light unit comprises a second heat sink (120, 130) for dissipating heat generated by the LED. The lighting device (10) is characterised in that the light unit (12, 13) is formed as a separate body from the main body (11) and comprises a front (12, 132) for transmitting light emitted from the LED and a back comprising a rear surface at which the second heat sink is provided. The light unit is removably attachable to the main body, wherein when attached, the rear surface (120, 130) is interposed between the front and the main body and a fluid passage is formed between the main body (11) and the light unit (12, 13) where ambient air can pass so that the second heat sink can dissipate heat to the ambient air by natural convection.
The invention relates to a lighting unit for lighting airfields on an airport, in particular for delivering signals to an airplane. It comprises a light source, which has at least one light-emitting diode (4) for generating light to be emitted, electrical components (5) for supplying and actuating the light source, optical components (7) for influencing the light generated by the light source, and an outer housing (11, 12) for receiving the light source and the electrical and optical components, which has a light exit opening (14) through which light influenced by the optical components exits. According to the invention, the light source is arranged with the electrical and optical components (5, 7) in a cassette module (1) closed in a gas-tight manner. Said module is integrated in the outer housing, wherein the outer housing is likewise closed in a gas-tight manner, so that the components disposed in the cassette module have double sealing protection.
The invention relates to an illuminated sign (10) for displaying a command and/or notice for taxiing aircraft traffic at an airport, comprising a housing (20) having a translucent display panel (21) for depicting command and/or notice symbols (Z) and a light source arranged in the housing (20) and having at least one light emitting diode (32) for illuminating the display panel (21). A diffusion panel (22) is designed to scatter and/or backscatter incident light, wherein the light source is arranged between the display panel and the diffusion panel. The at least one light emitting diode (32) is oriented on the diffusion panel (22) in such a way that the display panel (21) is illuminated by the at least one light emitting diode not directly but rather indirectly by means of backscattering of the emitted light of the at least one light emitting diode by the diffusion panel (22).
The invention relates to an apparatus for lighting the airfield of an airport, comprising at least one lighting unit (10C, 10S) for emitting an optical signal to a pilot of an aircraft (A), and a monitoring device for verify whether the at least one lighting unit (10C, 10S) functions properly. In order to be able to monitor how much light the lighting unit (10C, 10S) actually emits and thus whether the optical signal emitted to an aircraft pilot is bright enough, the monitoring device comprises at least one video camera (20) for capturing a digital video image (Fi) of the at least one lighting unit (10C, 10S).
The invention relates to an apparatus for guiding an aircraft (A) during the approach of an airport runway (R). Said apparatus comprises a device for outputting orientation data to a pilot of the aircraft (A) on whether the aircraft is laterally staying on course during the approach. In order to lower operating costs, keep maintenance low, and increase security against acts of vandalism, the device comprises one or more lighting units (1S, 2S, 1B, 2B) which are designed to output the orientation data in the form of a light signal (S), thus making said apparatus particularly suitable for non-precision approaches and for airports rated for category I landings.
The invention relates to a device (10) for detecting a vehicle, especially an aircraft (A), on an airport runway (R), especially a take-off or landing strip, a taxi strip or in the ramp region, said device comprising at least one radar sensor (11) which is arranged in the region of the runway (R) and used to scan a spatial detection region (E) by means of a radar beam. The fact that the detection region (E) comprises two lobe-shaped partial regions (E1, E2) extending horizontally over the runway (R) and transversally to the direction of travel (V) of the vehicle (A), and the radar sensor (11) is designed to scan the detection region (E) by means of microwaves, enables vehicles moving on runways to be detected with higher measuring precision, higher sensor reliability and using a robust measuring principle.
The invention relates to a lighting device (1) for lighting the airfield of an airport, comprising a plurality of lighting units (2) for emitting light signals for an approaching, departing, or rolling aircraft, a power supply system which is used for supplying electric power to the lighting units (2) and is equipped with at least one control unit (4) for adjusting a constant current or a constant voltage in a circuit (3) encompassing at least one of the lighting units (2), and configuration data (k) for configuring the at least one control unit (4) in the circuit (3). In order to allow a control unit (4) that has to be replaced to be quickly and safely replaced, the lighting device (1) comprises a memory unit (5) for storing configuration data (k) and a communication unit (6) for transmitting data between the at least one control unit (4) and the memory unit (5). The communication unit (6) is designed to automatically retrieve configuration data (k) stored in the memory unit (5) and feed said configuration data (k) to the at least one control unit (4) when the at least one control unit (4) is started.
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