Automated lamp monitoring system for comparing light intensities with a preselected valve
First Claim
1. A flash tube intensity monitoring system, said system comprising:
- a. a human eye spectral response photodiode for producing analog signals, each of said analog signals being directly proportional to the intensity of each flash from said flash tube;
b. means for converting each of said analog signals to a digital time function proportional to said intensity of the corresponding one of said flash; and
c. means for monitoring each of said digital time functions, for flagging those of said time functions which are below a preselected minimum and for sending a fault signal when a preselected number of consecutive time functions are below said pre-selected minimum.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Flash tube and lamp monitoring systems. The flash tube intensity monitoring system includes: a human eye spectral response photodiode for producing analog signals, each of which is directly proportional to the intensity of each flash from the flash tube; electronics for converting each of the analog signals to a digital time function proportional to the intensity of the corresponding flash; and electronics, including a microprocessor, for monitoring each of the digital time functions, for flagging those time functions which are below a preselected minimum, and for sending a fault signal when a preselected number of consecutive time functions are below the pre-selected minimum. The monitoring system and flash tube are, preferably, incorporated into single unit for easy installation in the fuselage of an aircraft. The lamp monitoring system includes: a light pickup; a photodiode for producing an analog signal which is directly proportional to the intensity of the lamp being monitored; a line transceiver; an A/D converter; and a microcontroller. The microcontroller, which has a unique identification code, sends a command to the A/D converter only upon receipt of the matching poll command.
34 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A flash tube intensity monitoring system, said system comprising:
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a. a human eye spectral response photodiode for producing analog signals, each of said analog signals being directly proportional to the intensity of each flash from said flash tube; b. means for converting each of said analog signals to a digital time function proportional to said intensity of the corresponding one of said flash; and c. means for monitoring each of said digital time functions, for flagging those of said time functions which are below a preselected minimum and for sending a fault signal when a preselected number of consecutive time functions are below said pre-selected minimum. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An automated anticollision light monitoring unit for aircraft, said unit comprising:
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a. a housing; b. a flash tube supported by said housing; c. a human eye spectral response photodiode disposed relative to said housing, said diode producing an electronic signal, said signal being proportional to the intensity of the corresponding flash from said flash tube; d. means for converting said electronic signal to a digital time function proportional to said intensity of said corresponding flash; and e. means for monitoring said digital function and for generating a fault signal when said digital function is below a preselected value for a preselected period of time, said converting means interconnecting said monitoring means and said photodiode. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A monitoring system for a lamp such as used in an airport approach array, said lamp having a power line, said system comprising:
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a. a light pickup positionable relative to said lamp to pick up a portion of the light emitted by said lamp; b. a human eye spectral response photodiode for producing an electronic signal which is proportional to the intensity of visible light emitted by said lamp; c. a line transceiver for sending and receiving digital data and instructions over said lamp power line; d. means for converting said electronic signal to a digital function proportional to the intensity of said lamp, said converting means connected to said photodiode and said line transceiver; and e. a microcontroller connected to said line transceiver and said converting means, said microcontroller including a unique identification code and adapted to receive a poll command over said power line, whereby when said microcontroller receives a poll command which matches said unique identification code, said microcontroller sends a command to said converting means and said converting means converts said electronic signal to said digital function. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification