GB2094043A

GB2094043A - A portable arrangement for providing navigation lights for runways and/or airports

Info

Publication number: GB2094043A
Application number: GB8205775A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Licentia Patent Verwaltungs GmbH; Licentia Oy
Current assignee: Licentia Patent Verwaltungs GmbH; Licentia Oy
Priority date: 1981-02-27
Filing date: 1982-02-26
Publication date: 1982-09-08
Also published as: DE3107377A1; DE3107377C2; BE892206A

Abstract

A portable arrangement for providing navigation lights for take-off and landing strips or airports using all of the equipment and components necessary for landing, given the visibility, said equipment and components forming an integral device and having transportation containers and supports for the purpose of transportation, in which the equipment and components are housed such that they can be removed and put together in a sensible sequence which cuts down the time needed for assembly of the device.

Description

SPECIFICATION A portable arrangement for providing navigation lights for runways and/or airports The invention relates to a transportable arrangement for providing navigation lights for runways and/or airports using all of the devices and components required for visibility during landing, in particular, identification beacons designating the runways for take-off, and touchdown, the thresholds of the runways and the end of the runway, angle of approach beacons and daylight markings marking the course of the runway, the runway threshold, the runway length, obstacles, changes in direction and taxiways as well as cables, supply devices and switching and control devices.

Portable airport navigation lights are known where fixed take off and landing assistance is faulty. These navigation lights fulfill the pre-conditions for nighttime flying and fortake-off and landing in poor weather conditions at airports which are usually only used during the day when there is adequate visibility. The essential features of these lights and devices which have been developed for these arrangements are that they are portable, they are compact and of light weight construction, they are robust and resistantto weathering and have.exchangeable components. These lights offer a series of advantages, they can be made ready for operation rapidly even if untrained staff carry out the setting up.The take-off and landing directions can easily be adapted to different wind conditions and directions and the lights are independent of the mains supply in situ since they have their own current generators.

The invention seeks to provide a system of navigation lights which is portable and which can be set up and brought into use in a relatively short period of time.

According to the invention, there is provided a portable arrangement for providing navigation lights for take-off and landing strips or airports using all the equipment and components necessary for landing in accordance with visibility and all of the equipment and components to form an integral device, wherein the device has transportation containers and support structures for the purpose of transportation, in which the equipment and components are housed such that they can be removed and made ready for assembly and operation of the device in a sensible sequence which cuts down the time needed to assemble the device.The arrangement may include more particularly take off beacons, landing beacons, threshold beacons, end of runway beacons, angle of approach beacons and daylight markings, marking the runway, the runway threshold, the runway length, obstacles, any changes in direction and taxiing areas ((?)) as well as connecting cables, supply devices and switching and control arrangements.

The said system, which is capable of transportation preferably consists of a continuous system of optical landing aids, said system of landing aids comprising all of those components necessary for landing in accordance with the visibility including all of the auxiliary means, equipment and tools. The system is self-sufficient but there is still the possibility of taking the necessary electrical energy from a public supply network. The system has the advantage that it is possible to adapt to any given situation in terms of the terrain available, the length of the runway and the prevailing visibility. A further advantage lies in the use of simple and easily surveyed designs which allow for rapid and easy maintenance, installation and exchange of individual components. Commercially available components which are preferably used as the components subjected to wear.

Preferred embodiments of the invention have a series of other advantages. For example if the loaded pallets are mounted independently of a carrier vehicle, they can be transported, if necessary in suitable civil aircraft. Furthermore the fact that the closure flaps of the transport containers are secured by pneumatic springs in their open state prevents the closure flaps from closing or opening inadvertently. By using identifiable plug connections on the lights the ends of the cables cannot be confused. The use of devices which control constant current makes it possible to manufacture all the required lengths without any special switching processes being necessary.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawing, the single figure of which shows one embodiment of the invention in operation, i.e.

assembled on a runway for takeoff and landing.

Three take off lights designated 2 are arranged on each of the two longitudinal edges of a take-off and landing runway 1 and these lights are provided with colour filter lamellae. The take-off lights 2 are aligned with the aid of a steel hawser or cable 3 or 4 respectively, the ends of the steel cable being fixed by means of pins 5 into the cement of the take-off and landing runway and running along the longitudinal edges of the runway 1, and are fixed in this aligned position. The take-off lights 2 which can radiate in two directions may be fixed by means of baseplates for example with the aid of pin insertion equipment by threaded bolts or pins to the ground. It is also possible for the lights to be fixed without using any tools so that they can be pushed on to these baseplates.Before assembling the arrange mentthe cables 5 were coiled on to drums not shown in the drawings which are arranged in a cable drum support which forms part of the portable arrangement. The cable drums may be equipped with mechanical brakes so that the cable can be stopped immediately at any desired point as the cable unwinds. Furthermore, the cables 5 may be provided with markings which are arranged on the length of the cables 5 in accordance with the spacings between take-off lights 2 arranged at a distance from each other.

As with the steel cables 5, the cables which connect the individual take-off lights 2 and connect them to current generating plant are arranged on drums of transport and coiling equipment which is not shown in the drawings, before the arrangement is assembled, and the cable transporta tion and uncoiling equipment is arranged in seperable supports and the devices can be assembled without any tools when they are to be used. It is possible to empty two drums at the same time using the cable transportation and uncoiling equipment.

Spring clips for fixing a first cable to a cable drum as well as for fixing cables on the cable drum to each other may also be provided. Devices for uncoiling and coiling on connecting lines may be used, the said connecting lines being independent of the cable transportation and uncoiling equipment which is rigidly connected mechanically to pallets.

Independent current supply to the take-off lights 2 may be provided by current supply equipment arranged in switching cabinets and containing constant current controllers (not shown in the drawings). One current supply device may be provided for each series of lights and, in the event of failure of one current generating device, the other current generating device which is ready for operation supplies both series of lights. Devices for automatically refilling the tanks with fuel from reserve containers may be considered as part of the current generating equipment. In addition a device may be provided for the purpose of giving out an alarm when the reserves of fuel fall below a minimum quantity in any of the tanks.

Other take-off lights 6 with baseplates, in addition to the take-off lights 2, signs for threshold markings 7, distance signs 8 and changes of direction 9 are shown in the drawings on both sides adjacent the take-off and landing runway 1. These components which are associated with the transportable arrangements may either be used instead of the take-off lights 2 or may be combined with the take-off lights 2. In addition an obstacle warning device 10 is provided and is fixed to the balustrade of a bridge so as to make pilots of aircraft aware of the obstacle.

In addition to the components 8 to 10, angle of approach lights may be used. These lights may have stands which allow them to be pivoted about predetermined axes of rotation and may be provided with alignment devices, for example an angle indicator for adjusting the angle of approach. It is also conceivable to use an adjusting device for the purpose of aligning the angle of approach lights with respect to each other and in relation to the take-off and landing runway 1. Angle of approach lights equipped with two parallel light channels are preferably used and each have a device for automatic switch over to the second light channel if the first light channel fails or vice versa. It is also possible to monitor the adjustment of the adjusted device.

Double flash beacons are also envisaged in the portable arrangement and they can be lit one after another in terms of time such that there is an apparent visual projection of the duration of the flash from the first flash beacon which is lit. The double flash beacons are able to generate their own flash energy and may be mounted on telescopic masts.

In addition, the portable arrangement may have take-off, landing and threshold lights incorporating lamp transformers, a device for rapid repair of damaged connecting lines and a mobile tower which may be mounted on a vehicle if necessary together with all of the devices required to operate the arrangement and the tower may be adjustable in height.

The equipment and components of the navigation lighting system which have just been listed and illustrated by way of the drawings are housed in transportation containers and support ready for transportation of the arrangement such that the equipment can be removed therefrom and constructed for the purpose of assembly and operation of the arrangement in a sensible sequence which cuts down the time necessary for the construction of the device. When not in use, the arrangement is preferably capable of packing ready for flight. Pallets may also be used, the equipment and components being loaded on to them.

Claims

1. A portable arrangement for providing navigation lights for take-off and landing strips or airports using all of the equipment and components necessary for landing in accordance with the visibility and all of the equipment and components to form an integral device, wherein the device has transportation containers and support structures for the purpose of transportation, in which the equipment and components are housed such that they can be removed and made ready for assembly and operation of the device in a sensible sequence which cuts down the time needed to assemble the device.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement includes more particularly take off beacons, landing beacons, threshold beacons, end of runway beacons, angle of approach beacons and daylight markings, marking the runway, the run-way threshold, the runway length, the obstacles, any changes in direction and taxiing areas((?)) as well as connecting cables, supply devices and switching and control arrangements.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 wherein that the device can be packed ready for flight when not in use.

4. An arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein pallets are provided, on which the equipment and components can be loaded.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the loaded pallets are mounted independently of the carrier aircraft.

6. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transportation containers have closure flaps which are secured by pneumatic springs when open.

7. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the support structures have separable cable transportation and uncoiling supports.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein cable transportation and uncoiling supports are provided which can be assembled without tools when in use.

9. An arrangement according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the cable transportation and uncoiling equipment has two drums which can be uncoiled simultaneously.

10. An arrangement according to claim 7,8 or 9 wherein spring clips are provided designed to fix a first cable to a cable drum of a cable transportation and uncoiling device and for fixing cables arranged on the cable drum to each other.

11. An arrangement according to claim 10 wherein the last end of a cable can be pulled tight on the cable drum by the spring clips using a tightening lever which prevents the cable from slackening automatically.

12. An arrnagement according to any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein devices are provided for coiling on or off connecting lines which are independent of the cable transportation and uncoiling equipment rigidly mechanically connected to the pallets.

13. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein take-off lights, landing lights and threshold lights are provided as devices and lamp transformers used are built into these lights.

14. An arrangement according to claim 12 wherein lights are provided which radiate in two directions.

15. An arrangement acording to claim 13 or 14, wherein the lights have two identifiable plug devices which cooperate with connecting lines which have identical plug connections.

16. An arrangement according to claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the lights can be fastened on to baseplates without using tools.

17. An arrangement according to claim 15 wherein the baseplates have devices for attachment of daylight visibility screens using any tools.

18. An arrangement according to claim 1 which is equipped with angle of approach beacons, wherein the angle of approach beacons have stands which can be pivoted about pre-determined axes of rotation.

19. An arrangement according to claim 18 wherein the angle of approach beacons are provided with adjusting devices for adjusting the angle of approach.

20. An arrangement according to claim 18 or 19 wherein the angle of approach lights have a control device for establishing any changes in the adjustments which have been made.

21. An arrangement according to claim 20 wherein by an adjustable clinometer is provided, fixed to a swivel joint.

22. An arrangement according to claim 19 wherein an angle indicator is provided as an alignment device.

23. An arrangement according to claim 18, 19 or 22, wherein an alignment device is provided for aligning the angle of approach lights with respect to each other and in relation to the take-off and landing strip.

24. An arrangement according to any one of claims 18 to 23 wherein angle of approach lights are provided equipped with two parallel light channels.

25. An arrangement according to claim 24 wherein a device is provided for the purpose of automatically switching to the second light channel if the first light channel fails or vice versa.

26. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein double flash beacons are provided in which the flash beacons can be lit one after another in terms of time such that it appears to the observer that there is a visual continuation of the duration of the flash of the first beacon lit.

27. An arrangement according to claim 26 wherein the double flash beacons produce their own flash energy.

28. An arrangement according to claim 26 or 27 wherein the double flash beacons are mounted on telescopic masts.

29. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 28 wherein daylight markings are provided and have hollow retro-reflecting coatings.

30. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 29 wherein current generating equipment is provided which is associated with the arrangement.

31. An arrangement according to claim 29, wherein the current generating equipment can be loaded from vehicles by means of roller slides.

32. An arrangement according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the current generating equipment includes devices for automatically refilling fuel tanks of the equipment with fuel from reserve containers.

33. An arrangement according to claim 30,31, or 32 wherein a device is provided for giving an alarm warning when the reserves of fuel fall below a minimum quantity in any tank.

34. An arrangement according to any one of claims 30 to 33 wherein current supply devices arranged in switching cabinets are provided for supply of current equipment and lights and these devices include constant current controllers.

35. An arrangement according to any one of claims 30 to 34 wherein a current generating machine is provided for each series of beacons.

36. An arrangement according to claim 35 wherein that when one current generating machine fails the other current generating machine which is ready for operation supplies both series of beacons.

37. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 36 wherein a device is provided or for rapid repair of damaged connecting lines.

38. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 37 wherein one cable is provided for each side of the take-off and landing strip and that this cable is used to align the equipment and components when setting up on the take-off and landing strip and to fix them in the aligned position.

39. An arrangement according to claim 38 wherein steel cables are used.

40. An arrangement according to claim 38 or 39 wherein the cables can be coiled on to cable drums which are arranged in a cable drum support.

41. An arrangement according to claim 40 wherein the cable drums are equipped with mechanical brakes.

42. An arrangement according to claim 38,39 or 40 wherein the cables are provided with markings in which the markings are distributed along their lengths in accordance with spacings between items of equipment arranged at a distance from each other.

43. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 42, wherein a mobile tower is provided having all of the equipment required to operate the device.

44. An arrangement according to claim 43 wherein the mobile tower is capable of being loaded on to a vehicle.

45. A portable arrangement for providing navigation lights for take-off and landing strips substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.