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EP0301528A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Monitoring and warning system for series fed runway visual aids

Assignee: IN.EL. INGEGNERIA ELETTRONICA S.R.L.
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Filing: 1988-07-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-07-28
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Abstract

Abstract System for failure detection of series fed lighting circuits which monitors the status of series fed lamps, providing for feed through short circuit and protection of the isolating transformer and suppression of overvoltage which appears at the failed lamp terminals. Current monitoring systems become obsolete with the introduction of this invention, which is known as RLW (Runway Lighting Warning). The RLW System, which consists basically of a control unit equipped with detector probes, utilizes the same series fed lamp supply line, without any need for supplementary lines, and displays the failed lamp identification number accurately. The system has its preferred application in series fed airport lighting systems, but may also find application within any series fed lighting system such as that of harbours, road networks and so an.

Inventors

  • 👤 Luigi Cappellini
  • 👤 Daniele Cappellini
  • 👤 Cesarino Moretti

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 09:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/44; H; H05; H05B; H05B47/00; H05B47/20; H05B47/23; H05B47/235; A; A61; A61K; A61K38/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 175 words
Failure detection system for series fed lighting circuits, particularly suitable for airports, which is made up of a control unit (Figure 8), by one or more detector probes (Fig. 9), where the first (Fig. 8) is essentially formed by: . constant current generator (dashed) 22; . pick-up 23; . coupling circuits 24; . amplifiers 25, 26; . comparators 27, 30, 32; . active integrator 28; . tuned circuit 29; . integrator 31; . AND circuits 33, 40, 41, 43; . pulse detector 34; . scalers 35, 36, 37, 38; . programmable selectros 39; . reset detector 42; . memory circuit 44; . decoupling current 45; and the second, detector probes (Fig. 9) which include: . coupling circuit 46; . pulse detector 47; . scalers 48, 49, 50, 51; . programmable selectors 52; . AND circuits 53, 55, 59; . transmitter 54; . quartz oscillator 56; . reset detector 57; . memory circuits 58; . overvoltage detector 61; . power supply 60; . first snubber 62; . a second snubber and by pass short circuit 63.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 175 words
Failure detection system for series fed lighting circuits, particularly suitable for airports, which is made up of a control unit (Figure 8), by one or more detector probes (Fig. 9), where the first (Fig. 8) is essentially formed by: . constant current generator (dashed) 22; . pick-up 23; . coupling circuits 24; . amplifiers 25, 26; . comparators 27, 30, 32; . active integrator 28; . tuned circuit 29; . integrator 31; . AND circuits 33, 40, 41, 43; . pulse detector 34; . scalers 35, 36, 37, 38; . programmable selectros 39; . reset detector 42; . memory circuit 44; . decoupling current 45; and the second, detector probes (Fig. 9) which include: . coupling circuit 46; . pulse detector 47; . scalers 48, 49, 50, 51; . programmable selectors 52; . AND circuits 53, 55, 59; . transmitter 54; . quartz oscillator 56; . reset detector 57; . memory circuits 58; . overvoltage detector 61; . power supply 60; . first snubber 62; . a second snubber and by pass short circuit 63.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 33 words
System for fault detection of series fed lighting circuits as per previous claim, where the detector probe, overvoltage suppressor, the by-pass short circuit device, the connector, may be housed in the same container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 49 words
System to detect failures in series fed illumination circuits, as per claim 2, where the detector probe container may preferably be made of policarbonate isolating material and/or similar, hermetically scaled and ribbed to provide for cooling, with a connector which is integral part of the same mould (Fig. 1).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 57 words
System for the detection of failures on series fed lighting circuits, as per claims above, where probes 1, 2, 3 etc and control unit RLWS are interconnected by the same series fed lighting circuit, consisting of a constant current generator (6), of isolating transformers TI...TN, of a series distribution system 7 and of pick-up 8 (Figure 2).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 30 words
System to detect faults on series fed lighting circuits as per previous claims, where the pick-up is coupled to the high voltage supply lines without any direct contact (Figure 5).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 31 words
System to detect failures on a series fed lighting circuit as per previous claims, where the control unit RLW may manage one (Fig. 6) or more constant current generators (Fig. 7).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 32 words
System for the detection of failures on series fed lighting circuits, as per previous claims, where the RLW may find application as well within airport facilities, also in harbour, road, railway networks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 36 words
System for fault detection of series fed lighting circuits, as per previous claims, where the system can carry out its supervising task by means of the lamp supply lines themselves, without any accessory line (Figure 2).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 38 words
System for the detection of failures in series fed lighting circuits, as per previous claims, where the RLW system can update the lamp test by an inhibiting circuit INH (Fig. 2) which suppresses one or more supply cycles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 36 words
System for failure detection of series fed lighting circuits where the detector probes are connected directly to the terminals of the isolating transformer, without accessory lines to transmit data (lamp surveceability signal) (Figure 2, 3, 4).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 36 words
System for failure detection of series fed lighting circuits where the detector probes are connected directly to the terminals of the isolating transformer, without accessory lines to transmit data (lamp surveceability signal) (Figure 2, 3, 4).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 70 words
System for failure detection of series fed lighting circuits, as per previous claims, where the RLW detector probes send signals only with serviceable lamp so that the control unit, only if the signal is missing, may provide failure indication, which may depend on: - the lamp itself; - on its isolating transformer; - on its cables; - on its lamp holder; - on detector probe failure; - on other causes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 45 words
Failure detector system for series fed lighting circuits, as per previous claims, where the detector probes of the RLW system deliver a signal only for serviceable lamp, applying a short circuit to the lamp terminals, at a frequency above that of the constant current generator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 27 words
Failure detector for series fed lighting circuits, as illustrated in the description above and in the drawings attached, as also any part thereof either detached or combined.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 27 words
Failure detector for series fed lighting circuits, as illustrated in the description above and in the drawings attached, as also any part thereof either detached or combined.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4019128A Cited
DE3012726A1 Cited
GB2074328A Cited
DE3102267A1 Cited

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