GB2211925A

GB2211925A - Portable airfield lighting unit

Info

Publication number: GB2211925A
Application number: GB8725732A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Charles Welsh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-11-03
Filing date: 1987-11-03
Publication date: 1989-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 2007-11-03
Also published as: GB8725732D0; GB2211925B

Abstract

A portable airfield lighting unit comprises a tripod structure formed by the three legs (1, 2 and 3). Each leg incorporates a cylindrical battery housing (4, 5 and 6) of which the lower end has a conical cap (7, 8, or 9) incorporating a ground spike (10, 11 or 12). The legs engage a platform assembly (13) at the upper end and may be pivotally attached thereto for convenience of storage. Below this platform assembly is a radio receiver unit (14) and positioned above the platform (13) is a lamp assembly comprising a clear omnidirectional or unidirectional lamp housing (15) and an omnidirectional or unidirectional infra-red lamp housing (16). Positioned adjacent the lamp housing (15) is a radio receiving antenna (17) which is operatively connected to the receiver. In use, the lighting unit or a number of lighting units are positioned at the required location on the landing strip and they may be activated by remote control or operated manually from an incoming aircraft or a ground position. The radio receiver causes one or other or both of the lamp assemblies to be switched on and possibly also switched off after use. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE Portable Airfield Lihtin Unit This invention relates to an airfield lighting unit and is primarily concerned with a portable lighting unit for airstrips or helicopter landing sites.

According to this invention there is provided an airfield lighting unit comprising a tripod structure wherein one or more of the legs incorporate a power source, the tripod structure supporting a lamp unit and the arrangement including a remotely activated switch means by which the light unit may be energised.

In a preferred embodiment each leg of the tripod support structure incorporates a cylindrical or other shaped housing of which one end is adapted to stand or be pushed into the ground with the housing incorporating batteries. The top of the tripod structure m?y incorporate one or more omnidirectional or unidirectional light units which can possibly be selectively activated from a remote location.

The top of the tripod structure may also include a radio receiver unit with an antenna serving to activate the switch means energising the lamps.

With this arrangement an easily storable portable light unit is provided which can be laid out on an airstrip or landing site quickly and which may be activated from a remote location using radio or infra-red control either by an incoming aircraft or from the control tower.

In a preferred arrangement each tripod leg which incorporates a battery will be connected such that when one battery, preferably rechargeable, reaches the end of its useful life, another battery in one of the other legs will be brought into operation.

In a further preferred arrangement a plurality of bulbs are provided in the light assembly, each bulb incorporating sensing means where another bulb is switched into circuit when failure occurs or when a different lamp is required.

One embodiment according to the invention is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows in side view and generally diagrammatically a lighting unit according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a detail view of the lamp housing, and Figure 3 shows a detail of the battery casing.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a portable airfield lighting it comprises a tripod structure formed by the three legs 1, 2 and 3. Each lev incorporates a cylindrical battery housing 4, 5 and 6 of which the lower end has a conical cap 7, 8 or 5 incorporating a ground spike 10, 11 or 12. The legs engage a platform assembly 13 at the upper end and may be pivotally attached thereto for convenience of storage.

Below this platform assembly is a radio receiver unit 14 and positioned above the platform 13 is a lamp assembly comprising a clear omnidirectional or unidirectional lamp housing 15 and an omnidirectional or unidirectional infra-red lamp housing 16. Positioned adJacent the lamp housing 15 is a radio receiving antenna 17 which is operatively connected to the receiver 14.

Each of the cylindrical assernblies 4, 5 and 8 incorporates a power source such as a rechargeable battery and the batteries may be coupled in through an electronic circuitry whereby one battery is connecte with a second battery being automatically connected when the first reaches the end of its useful life or all the batteries may be connected simultaneously.

Additionally, the radio receiver 14 is coupled to suitable switch means serving to connect the batteries to the lamp source 15 or 16.

In use, the lighting unit or a number of lighting units are positioned at the required location on the landing strip and they may be activated by remote control or operated manually from an incoming aircraft or a ground position. The radio receiver causes one or other or both of the lamp assemblies to be switched on and possibly also switched off after use.

Figure 2 illustrates a lamp assembly 15 which incorporates three halogen lamps 18. The lamp assembly is designed to provide sufficient light output at up to 30 degrees below the horizontal and thus precise levelling of the lighting unit is by gimball bearings.

Figure 3 illustrates one construction of battery unit 4 which is positioned in the tripod leg 1. The assembly includes a casing 19 with a removable cap 20 enabling rechargeable batteries to be removed and replaced. A filter vent means 19a is incorporated into the casing to vent gases produced by the battery.

Claims

1. An airfield lighting unit comprising a tripod structure wherein one or more of the legs incorporate a power source, the tripod structure supporting a lamp unit and the arrangement including a remotely activated switch means by which the light unit may be energised.

2. An airfield lighting unit according to Claim 1, wherein each leg of the tripod support structure incorporates a cylindrical or other shaped housing of which one end is adapted to stand or be pushed into the ground with the housing incorporating batteries.

3. An airfield lighting unit according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the top of the tripod structure incorporates one or more omnidirectional or unidirectional light units which can be selectively activated from a remote location.

4. An airfield lighting unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the top of the tripod structure includes a radio receiver unit with an antenna serving to activate the switch means energising the lamps.

5. An airfield lighting unit according to any preceding claims, wherein each tripod leg incorporates a battery and is connected such that when one battery reaches the end of its useful life, another battery in one of the other legs is brought into operation.

6. An airfield lighting unit according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of bulbs are provided in the light assembly, each bulb incorporating sensing means whereby another bulb is switched into circuit when failure occurs or when a different lamp is required.

7. An airfield lighting unit constructed and arranged to function as described herein and exemplified with reference to the drawings.