Wireless configuration and diagnostics of airfield lighting fixtures

• US 9,357,622 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2015
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Gumaer, Traver
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond, Crystal L
• Application Number:
  US14/684,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20150296600A1
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/235 with communication between the lamps and a central unit

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system and method for wirelessly configuring and diagnosing an airfield lighting system. In particular, the system can include a constant current regulator that comprises a wireless communication interface. The system can also include a plurality of light fixtures where one or more of the light fixtures includes a wireless communication interface. The constant current regulator and the light fixture can communicate via the wireless communication interfaces with a handheld wireless device. Alternatively, the constant current regulator and the light fixture can communicate via the wireless communication interfaces with wireless display devices. The wireless communication interfaces can communicate configuration and diagnostic information.

Claims

1. A wireless capable airfield lighting system, comprising:

a wireless capable constant current regulator (CCR) configured to provide constant current to a plurality of wireless capable light fixtures and comprising a processor, a first wireless communication interface, and a sensor configured to measure at least one of an input power and current output from the wireless capable CCR;

the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures electrically coupled to each other and with the wireless capable CCR such that the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures are powered by the wireless capable CCR, each of the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures comprising a second wireless communication interface; and

a wireless device that is communicatively coupled to the wireless capable CCR and the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures to receive information from and transmit commands to the wireless capable CCR and the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures over one or more wireless communication paths,

wherein the first wireless communication interface transmits data regarding at least one condition of the wireless capable CCR to the wireless device, and

wherein the second wireless communication interface transmits data regarding at least one condition of one or more of the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures to the wireless device.

2. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 1, wherein the first wireless communication interface is configured to receive a command signal from the wireless device, the command signal configuring one or more aspects of the wireless capable CCR.

3. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 1, wherein the second wireless communication interface is configured to receive a command signal from the wireless device, the command signal configuring one or more aspects of the one or more of the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures.

4. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one condition of the wireless capable CCR comprises a current the CCR supplies to the wireless capable airfield lighting system.

5. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one condition of one or more of the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures comprises a voltage, a current, a temperature, and a blink rate.

6. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures further comprise a power supply, a light source, a sensor, and a processor.

7. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 1;

wherein the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures comprise a first light fixture providing a first measurement of current received at the first light fixture to the wireless device and the wireless capable CCR providing a second measurement of current supplied by the wireless capable CCR to the wireless device, and

wherein the wireless device determines whether a current leakage condition exists by comparing the first measurement of current received at the first light fixture and the second measurement of current supplied by the wireless capable CCR.

8. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures are mounted in an airfield.

9. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is a detachable display.

10. A wireless capable airfield lighting system, comprising:

a first wireless display;

a second wireless display;

a wireless capable constant current regulator (CCR) configured to provide constant current to a plurality of wireless capable light fixtures and comprising a processor, a first wireless communication interface, and a sensor configured to measure at least one of an input power and current output from the wireless capable CCR, the first wireless communication interface in communication with the first wireless display; and

the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures electrically coupled to each other and with the wireless capable CCR such that the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures are powered by the wireless capable CCR, each of the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures comprising a second wireless communication interface, the second wireless communication interface in communication with the second wireless display;

wherein the first wireless communication interface transmits data regarding at least one condition of the wireless capable CCR to the first wireless display, and

wherein the second wireless communication interface transmits data regarding at least one condition of one or more of the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures to the second wireless display.

11. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 10, wherein the first wireless display is mounted proximate to the wireless capable CCR.

12. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 10, wherein the first wireless display is detachably mounted to the wireless capable CCR.

13. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 10, wherein the second wireless display is mounted proximate to the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures.

14. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 10, wherein the second wireless display receives data regarding at least one condition of one or more of the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures.

15. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 14, wherein the second wireless display displays a comparison of the data regarding at least one condition of the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures.

16. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 10, wherein the at least one condition of the wireless capable CCR comprises a current the CCR supplies to the wireless capable airfield lighting system.

17. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 10, wherein the at least one condition of one or more of the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures comprises a voltage, a current, a temperature, and a blink rate.

18. The wireless capable airfield lighting system of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of wireless capable light fixtures further comprise a power supply, a light source, a sensor, and a processor.