Airfield lighting system

• US 5,485,151 A
• Filed: 05/06/1993
• Issued: 01/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ADB Airfield Solutions LLC (ADB Safegate BVBA)
• Original Assignee: Adb-Alnaco Incorporated
• Inventors: Williams, Harold R., Runyon, Edwin K., Williams, Earl R., McCorkle, Todd E., Weihs, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent
• Application Number:
  US08/059,023
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 340/947, 340/953, 340/642, 340/931, 340/933, 315/130, 244/114 R
• US Class Current: 340/953
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/20 Arrangement of optical beacons
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/547 via DC power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/14 by determining electrical parameters of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A microprocessor-controlled airfield lighting control and monitoring system having bi-directional communication between the controlling microprocessor and the airfield lights and/or sensors. The system also includes a metal container for the remote control microprocessor and an improved attachment arrangement for the power transistor associated therewith. A DC power supply is connected to the remote controller microprocessor and has an integrated circuit adapted to sense a threshold voltage, which causes the power transistor to short around the associated power source.

Claims

1. An airfield lighting system, said system comprising:

(a) an electrical circuit, said circuit adapted to conduct a current and a control electrical signal, and comprising a plurality of transformers connected in series, each of said transformers adapted to energize at least one airfield light;

(b) a general control microprocessor;

(c) a master control module adapted to accept a respective control digital signal and a detection control digital signal from said general control microprocessor, to convert said respective control digital signal and detector control digital signal to a respective control electrical signal and detector control electrical signal, and to send said respective control electrical signal and detector control electrical signal through said circuit;

(d) remote controller means connected to each of said transformers, each of said remote controller means comprising;

1. means to accept said control electrical signal and to convert said control electrical signal to a converted control digital signal,

2. switching means to control said at least one airfield light, and

3. remote controller microprocessor means adapted to process said converted control digital signal and control said switching means in accordance with said converted control digital signal;

(e) a constant current regulator adapted to control the current flowing through said circuit;

(f) at least one additional transformer connected to said electrical circuit, for energizing an aircraft detection means coupled thereto, wherein said aircraft detection means has (1) a microwave receiver and (2) a microwave transmitter adapted to transmit a microwave frequency to said microwave receiver; and

wherein said electrical control means is adapted to disturb said microwave frequency to simulate the effect of an aircraft passing between said microwave receiver and said microwave transmitter;

(g) and detection remote controller means connected to each of said transformers, each of said detection remote controller means comprising;

(i) means to accept said detection control electrical signal and to convert said detection control electrical signal to a converted detection control digital signal,

(ii) electrical control means to control said at least one aircraft detection means,

(iii) detection remote controller microprocessor means adapted to (1) process said converted detection control digital signal and control said electrical control means in accordance with said converted detection control digital signal and (2) generate a detection return digital signal, and

(iv) means to convert said detection return digital signal to a detection return electrical signal and to send said detection return electrical signal through said circuit; and

wherein said master control module is adapted to accept said detection return electrical signal, to convert said detection return electrical signal to a converted detection return digital signal, and to send said converted detection return digital signal to said general control microprocessor.

2. An airfield lighting system, said system comprising:

(a) an electrical circuit, said circuit adapted to conduct a current and a control electrical signal, and comprising a plurality of transformers connected in series, each of said transformers adapted to energize at least one airfield light;

(b) a general control microprocessor;

(c) a master control module adapted to accept a control digital signal from said general control microprocessor, to convert said control digital signal to a control electrical signal, and to send said control electrical signal through said circuit;

(d) remote controller means connected to each of said transformers, each of said remote controller means comprising;

(i) means to accept said control electrical signal and to convert said control electrical signal to a converted control digital signal,

(ii) switching means to control said at least one airfield light, and

(iii) remote controller microprocessor means adapted to process said converted control digital signal and control said switching means in accordance with said converted control digital signal; and

(iv) a power transistor coupled to each respective electrical circuit transformer and said respective remote controller microprocessor means, so that said remote controller microprocessor means is energized by said electrical circuit, said power transistor being disposed in a metal container having an inner surface, said power transistor being attached to said inner surface by attachment means having (1) an aluminum member supported on said inner surface, and (2) a mica member supported on said aluminum member, said power transistor being supported on said mica member; and

(e) a constant current regulator adapted to control the current flowing through said circuit.

3. An airfield lighting system, said system comprising:

(a) an electrical circuit, said circuit adapted to conduct a current and a control electrical signal, and comprising a plurality of transformers connected in series, each of said transformers adapted to energize at least one airfield light;

(b) a general control microprocessor;

(c) a master control module adapted to accept a control digital signal from said general control microprocessor, to convert said control digital signal to a control electrical signal, and to send said control electrical signal through said circuit;

(d) remote controller means connected to each of said transformers, each of said remote controller means comprising;

(i) means to accept said control electrical signal and to convert said control electrical signal to a converted control digital signal,

(ii) switching means to control said at least one airfield light, and

(iii) remote controller microprocessor means adapted to process said converted control digital signal and control said switching means in accordance with said converted control digital signal;

(iv) a power transistor coupled to each respective electrical circuit transformer and said respective remote controller microprocessor means, so that said remote controller microprocessor means is energized by said electrical circuit, said power transistor being disposed in a metal container having an inner surface, said power transistor being attached to said inner surface by attachment means having (1) an aluminum member supported on said inner surface;

(2) a first mica member in contact with said aluminum member;

(3) a second mica member;

(4) a non-conductive clip attached to said first mica member urging said mica members toward one another; and

(5) a metal clip attached to said inner surface urging said second mica member toward said inner surface; and

said power transistor being disposed between said mica members; and

(e) a constant current regulator adapted to control the current flowing through said circuit.

4. An airfield lighting system, said system comprising:

(a) an electrical circuit, said circuit adapted to conduct a current and a control electrical signal, and comprising a plurality of transformers connected in series, each of said transformers adapted to energize at least one airfield light;

(b) a general control microprocessor;

(c) a master control module adapted to accept a control digital signal from said general control microprocessor, to convert said control digital signal to a control electrical signal, and to send said control electrical signal through said circuit;

(d) remote controller means connected to each of said transformers, each of said remote controller means comprising;

(i) means to accept said control electrical signal and to convert said control electrical signal to a converted control digital signal,

(ii) switching means to control said at least one airfield light, and

(iii) remote controller microprocessor means adapted to process said converted control digital signal and control said switching means in accordance with said converted control digital signal;

(e) a constant current regulator adapted to control the current flowing through said circuit; and

(f) a water-proof container for containing said remote controller means, said water-proof container having an inside and an outside, and said water-proof container having at least one air pressure valve adapted to allow air to be pressurized inside said water-proof container and to allow pressurized air to be released from inside said water-proof container.

9. An airfield lighting system according to any one of claims 4, 5, 6 and 7, wherein said remote controller microprocessor means is a adapted to generate a return digital signal, and wherein said remote controller means further comprises means to convert said return digital signal to a return electrical signal and to send said return electrical signal through said circuit;

and wherein said master control module is adapted to accept said return electrical signal, to convert said return electrical signal to a converted return digital signal, and to send said converted return digital signal to said general control microprocessor.

5. An airfield lighting system, said system comprising:

(a) an electrical circuit, said circuit adapted to conduct a current and a control electrical signal, and comprising a plurality of transformers connected in series, each of said transformers adapted to energize at least one airfield light;

(b) a general control microprocessor;

(c) a master control module adapted to accept a control digital signal from said general control microprocessor, to convert said control digital signal to a control electrical signal, and to send said control electrical signal through said circuit;

(d) remote controller means connected to each of said transformers, each of said remote controller means comprising;

(i) means to accept said control electrical signal and to convert said control electrical signal to a converted control digital signal,

(ii) switching means to control said at least one airfield light, and

(iii) remote controller microprocessor means adapted to process said converted control digital signal and control said switching means in accordance with said converted control digital signal;

(e) a constant current regulator adapted to control the current flowing through said circuit; and

(f) a DC power supply, coupled to each respective remote controller microprocessor means, said DC power supply having;

(i) a full wave rectifier;

(ii) a diode;

(iii) a capacitor;

(iv) an integrated circuit; and

(v) power transistor;

said full wave rectifier, said diode and said capacitor connected in a series; and

a voltage sensing point disposed between said diode and said capacitor, said voltage sensing point adapted to sense a threshold voltage and connected to an integrated circuit adapted to respond to said threshold voltage; and

said integrated circuit connected to said power transistor;

whereby, upon sensing said threshold voltage, said integrated circuit causes said power transistor to short around said remote controller microprocessor means.

6. An airfield lighting system, said system comprising:

(a) an electrical circuit, said circuit adapted to conduct a current and a control electrical signal, and comprising a plurality of transformers connected in series, each of said transformers adapted to energize at least one airfield light;

(b) a general control microprocessor;

(c) a master control module adapted to accept a control digital signal from said general control microprocessor, to convert said control digital signal to a control electrical signal, and to send said control electrical signal through said circuit;

(d) remote controller means connected to each of said transformers, each of said remote controller means comprising;

(i) means to accept said control electrical signal and to convert said control electrical signal to a converted control digital signal,

(ii) switching means to control said at least one airfield light, and

(iii) remote controller microprocessor means adapted to process said converted control digital signal and control said switching means in accordance with said converted control digital signal;

(e) a constant current regulator adapted to control the current flowing through said circuit; and

(f) a by-pass device disposed between said master control module and said constant current regulator, said by-pass device having a plurality of by-pass capacitors disposed across said electrical circuit.

7. An airfield lighting system, said system comprising:

(a) an electrical circuit, said circuit adapted to conduct a current and a control electrical signal, and comprising a plurality of transformers connected in series, each of said transformers adapted to energize at least one airfield light;

(b) a general control microprocessor;

(c) a master control module adapted to accept a control digital signal from said general control microprocessor, to convert said control digital signal to a control electrical signal, and to send said control electrical signal through said circuit;

(d) remote controller means connected to each of said transformers, each of said remote controller means comprising;

(i) means to accept said control electrical signal and to convert said control electrical signal to a converted control digital signal,

(ii) switching means to control said at least one airfield light, and

(iii) remote controller microprocessor means adapted to process said converted control digital signal and control said switching means in accordance with said converted control digital signal; and

(e) a constant current regulator adapted to control the current flowing through said circuit; and

(f) a by-pass device disposed between said master control module and said constant current regulator, said by-pass device having a plurality of parallel by-pass capacitors disposed across said electrical circuit.

8. An airfield lighting system, said system comprising:

(a) an electrical circuit, said circuit adapted to conduct a current and a control electrical signal, and comprising a plurality of transformers connected in series, each of said transformers adapted to energize at least one airfield light;

(b) a general control microprocessor;

(c) a master control module adapted to accept a control digital signal from said general control microprocessor, to convert said control digital signal to a control electrical signal, and to send said control electrical signal through said circuit;

(d) remote controller means connected to each of said transformers, each of said remote controller means comprising;

(i) means to accept said control electrical signal and to convert said control electrical signal to a converted control digital signal,

(ii) switching means to control said at least one airfield light, and

(iii) remote controller microprocessor means adapted to process said converted control digital signal and control said switching means in accordance with said converted control digital signal;

(e) a constant current regulator adapted to control the current flowing through said circuit;

(f) a capacitor coupled to said circuit and by-passing at least two transformers of said plurality of transformers which are coupled thereto; and

(g) a water-proof container, containing said capacitor, said water-proof container having an inside and an outside, and said water-proof container having at least one air pressure valve adapted to allow air to be pressurized inside said water-proof container and to allow pressurized air to be released from inside said water-proof container.