US3771120A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Airport runway approach and reference lighting system
Assignee: GTE Sylvania Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-27
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1991-12-27
Abstract
Abstract An airport beacon unit includes an omnidirectional or wide angle flashing lamp for aiding pilot location of an airport runway threshold, and a directional flashing lamp for guiding the final approach to the runway. Both lamps are triggered gas discharge devices connected in shunt and are supplied from a common storage capacitor charged from a power supply. An externally supplied trigger signal first initiates discharge of the directional lamp and an intensity control circuit then initiates discharge of the omnidirectional lamp after an interval predetermined by the desired intensity of the directional lamp, flashing of the directional lamp being terminated by flashing of the omnidirectional lamp.
Inventors
- 👤 R Bonazoli
- 👤 D Coggins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:30
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64F; B64F1/00; B64F1/18; B64F1/20; G; G08; G08G; G08G5/00; G08G5/20; G08G5/22; G08G5/50; G08G5/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A beacon lighting unit comprising: an electrical power storage supply, a first controlled light emitting discharge device and a second discharge device connected in shunt to the same said supply, said supply being the common power storage connected to and supplying both said devices, a start signal input coupled to the first device to initiate power discharge From the supply through the first device and light emission therefrom, an intensity control circuit connected between the signal input and the second device and responsive to a start signal to initiate discharge of the supply through the second device after a predetermined interval of discharge of the first device, thereby to terminate discharge through the first device and control the intensity thereof, said second device having substantially lower impedance than the first device, and the second device having comparably high light emission efficiency with respect to the first device, and an optical member for directing the light from one device in a scope different from that of the other device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A beacon lighting unit comprising: an electrical power storage supply, a first controlled light emitting discharge device and a second discharge device connected in shunt to the same said supply, said supply being the common power storage connected to and supplying both said devices, a start signal input coupled to the first device to initiate power discharge From the supply through the first device and light emission therefrom, an intensity control circuit connected between the signal input and the second device and responsive to a start signal to initiate discharge of the supply through the second device after a predetermined interval of discharge of the first device, thereby to terminate discharge through the first device and control the intensity thereof, said second device having substantially lower impedance than the first device, and the second device having comparably high light emission efficiency with respect to the first device, and an optical member for directing the light from one device in a scope different from that of the other device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A unit according to claim 1 wherein said optical member comprises a means for directing light from the second device omnidirectionally.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A unit according to claim 1 wherein said optical member comprises a shield blocking light from the second device in a predetermined direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A unit according to claim 1 wherein said optical member is a tinted light transmitter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A unit according to claim 1 wherein said second device comprises a gas discharge lamp filled with a highly light emissive gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A unit according to claim 5 wherein said lamp has a light emitting efficiency comparable to that of the first device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
A unit according to claim 5 wherein said gas is xenon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A unit according to claim 1 wherein the power storage supply comprises capacitative means discharging through both discharge devices successively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A unit according to claim 1 wherein the intensity control circuit variably controls the light intensity of both discharge devices.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
An airport lighting system comprising a unit according to claim 1 located at the threshold of a runway, light from the first device being directed in a relatively narrow beam from the runway on the line of approach thereto, and light from the second device being directed over a substantially greater scope.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An airport lighting system according to claim 10 wherein a pair of units are located one at each side of the threshold.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
An airport lighting system according to claim 10 wherein a plurality of units are spaced apart on a line aligned with the runway and approaching the threshold in combination with a timer for initiating discharge of the first devices in the units sequentially.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |