Subsystem and method for detecting lamp failure
First Claim
1. A subsystem for detecting the failure of one or more lamps useful in conjunction with a lighting system having a plurality of said lamps which are interconnected by power lines, said power lines being connected to a source of electrical power and providing electrical power to said lamps, said subsystem comprising:
- a subsystem processor; and
a plurality of lamp transceivers equal to the number of lamps in said lighting system, each of said lamps being associated with a corresponding transceiver;
wherein said lamp transceiver relays information concerning the operability of its corresponding lamp over said power lines to the subsystem processor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dual mode high intensity aircraft approach lighting system includes a plurality of lights interconnected by means of power wiring. An improved subsystem for detecting lamp failures is disclosed which permits a positive identification of individual failed lamps at a remote location, such as the control tower of an airport, for instance. The subsystem hardware consists of an operational monitor processor, three lamp controllers, one for each of three lighting loops, one remote lamp transceiver module per lamp, and existing ac loop wiring. The operational monitor processor board initiates a reset of the lamp controller and remotely installed transceiver units by sending a SAMPLE ALL signal to each lamp controller. A comprehensive test of all lamps in each of the three lighting loops is performed. The first lamp controller board sequentially polls each lamp for operational status in the first loop. Upon completion of polling the first lighting loop, the second lamp controller automatically tests the second loop, and subsequently the third. During lamp controller reception of return status data from the remote lamp transponders, the functional status of each lamp is determined. Any instance of a failed lamp will generate a signal to the operational monitor processor.
67 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A subsystem for detecting the failure of one or more lamps useful in conjunction with a lighting system having a plurality of said lamps which are interconnected by power lines, said power lines being connected to a source of electrical power and providing electrical power to said lamps, said subsystem comprising:
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a subsystem processor; and a plurality of lamp transceivers equal to the number of lamps in said lighting system, each of said lamps being associated with a corresponding transceiver; wherein said lamp transceiver relays information concerning the operability of its corresponding lamp over said power lines to the subsystem processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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- 13. A lighting system having a plurality of lamps which are interconnected by power lines, said power lines being connected to a source of electrical power and providing electrical power to said lamps, said lighting system including a subsystem for detecting the failure of one or more of said lamps and providing specific information over said power lines regarding the failure of particular lamps to a system operator, wherein said subsystem is configured for substantially modular installation into said lighting system without the need to modify the function of any remaining system components.
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18. A method for detecting the failure of one or more lamps useful in conjunction with a lighting system having a plurality of said lamps which are interconnected by power lines, said power lines being connected to a source of electrical power, said method comprising:
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a) transmitting a synchronization pulse over said power lines to said plurality of lamps; b) resetting a binary counter at each of said lamps responsive to said synchronization pulse; c) incrementing each said binary counter through a count equal to the number of interconnected lamps; d) generating a tone at each of said lamps at a predetermined frequency when the corresponding binary counter to each said lamp reaches a count equal to a numerical identifier for that particular lamp, when said particular lamp is operative; e) transmitting each said tone over said power wires back to a processor; and f) processing each of the tones received from said lamps and activating a caution or failure alarm when a predetermined number of lamps are indicated as having failed. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification