Light control module for aviation obstruction marking

• US 6,900,742 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2003
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steven Kent Hughes
• Original Assignee: Little Circuits, Inc.
• Inventors: Chesney, Charles B. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie B.
• Application Number:
  US10/351,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20030156048A1
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 340/945, 340/947, 340/948, 340/981, 340/983, 340/644
• US Class Current: 340/983
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/20 Arrangement of optical beacons
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0026 located on the ground

Abstract

The present invention involves a lighting control module for at least one aviation obstruction light including a microcontroller, and switching means for selectively coupling the aviation obstruction light to a power source, the microcontroller coupled to the switching means and selectively activating the aviation obstruction light. The microcontroller has programming for sensing a master light controller such that if a master light controller is sensed, then the microcontroller coordinates activation of the aviation obstruction light with the master light controller, and if a master light controller is not sensed, then the microcontroller sends activation signals as a master light controller.

Claims

1. A lighting control module for at least one aviation obstruction light, comprising:

a microcontroller having programming for sensing a master light controller such that if a master light controller is sensed, then said microcontroller coordinates activation of the aviation obstruction light with the master light controller, and if a master light controller is not sensed, then said microcontroller sends activation signals as a master light controller; and

switching means for selectively coupling the aviation obstruction light to a power source, said microcontroller coupled to said switching means and selectively activating the aviation obstruction light.

2. The lighting control module of claim 1, wherein said switching means includes a triac.

3. The lighting control module of claim 1 further comprising protection means disposed intermediate of said microcontroller and said switching means, said protection means structured and adapted to prevent electrical damage to said microcontroller and said switching means.

4. The lighting control module of claim 3, wherein said protection means includes an optocoupler.

5. A light control module for at least one aviation obstruction light, comprising:

a microcontroller having programming for determining whether the aviation obstruction light is cold; and

a triac coupled to said microcontroller and selectively coupling a power source and the aviation obstruction light;

said microcontroller also having programming for selectively activating said triac for only predetermined portions of the current from the power source when the aviation obstruction light is determined to be cold.

6. The light control module of claim 5 further comprising protection means disposed intermediate of said microcontroller and said triac, said protection means structured and adapted to prevent electrical damage to said microcontroller and said triac.

7. The light control module of claim 6, wherein said protection means includes an optocoupler.

8. A method of controlling at least one aviation obstruction light, comprising:

providing a programmable microcontroller;

sensing by the microcontroller that a master light controller is present;

coordinating activation of the aviation obstruction light with the master light controller;

sensing by the microcontroller that a master light controller is not present;

sending activation signals as a master light controller.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising, after sensing that a master light controller is present:

sensing by the microcontroller that other controllers are present;

addressing the microcontroller as the next controller numerically;

sensing by the microcontroller that there is only a master light controller;

addressing the microcontroller as the second controller.

10. A method of controlling at least one aviation obstruction light, comprising:

providing a programmable microcontroller;

providing a triac coupled between a power source and the aviation obstruction light;

determining by the microcontroller whether the aviation obstruction light is cold; and

activating the triac for predetermined portions of the current from the power source when the aviation obstruction light is determined to be cold.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

providing a user input means and a status indicator;

transmitting the status of the aviation obstruction light;

receiving user directed input signals; and

transmitting those input signals to the aviation obstruction light.

12. A lighting control module for at least one aviation obstruction light, comprising:

a microcontroller;

status indicators in communication with said microcontroller, each of said status indicators including a light emitting diode and associated with one of a power, a mode and a calibration switch;

switching means for selectively coupling the aviation obstruction light to a power source, said microcontroller coupled to said switching means and selectively activating the obstruction light;

said microcontroller having programming for receiving and transmitting signals between a user and the aviation obstruction light such that the status of the light is communicated to the user through light emitting diode and the performance characteristics of the light are changed due to user directed input.

13. The lighting control module of claim 12 further comprising user input means coupled to said microcontroller, said user input means transmitting user directed input to said microcontroller.

14. The lighting control module of claim 13, wherein said user input means further comprises user notification means receiving status information from the aviation obstruction light.

15. The lighting control module of claim 12 further comprising user notification means coupled to said microcontroller and receiving status information from the aviation obstruction light.

16. A lighting control module for at least one aviation obstruction light, said module comprising:

an enclosure;

a microcontroller disposed within said enclosure;

switching means for turning the light on and off, said switching means coupled with said microcontroller and adapted to be coupled to an electrical power source; and

user-operated input switches mounted on said enclosure and adapted to receive user entered input signals and communicate said signals to said microcontroller, said input switches including a power, a mode and a calibrated switch.

17. The lighting control module of claim 16, wherein an optocoupler is disposed electrically intermediate of said microcontroller and said switching means.

18. The lighting control module of claim 16, wherein each said input switch is associated with at least one visual status indicator.

19. The lighting control module of claim 18 wherein said visual status indicator includes a bicolor light emitting diode.

20. The lighting control module of claim 16 wherein said switching means includes a triac.