FR2797940A1 - Improved lighting system lamp units used on airport taxi-ways, takeoff and landing runways - Google Patents

Abstract

The lamp unit (1) has a transparent part (16) in which a lamp, designed to be connected to an electrical source (7), is located. The lamp produces a characteristic beam. The lamp includes a supply module (7). designed to be fed from a current source, and an electrical circuit, designed to be fed from the supply module (7), which includes a number of electro-luminescent diodes (21). These LED's are positioned according to a chosen configuration, inside the transparent part of the lamp unit (1) and are designed to a sub beam, wavelength between 450 to 480 nanometers, preferably 470 to 475 nanometers,, of chosen characteristics which is part of the transmitted beam..

Description

<U> Improved lighting device <U> for a beacon, particularly </ U> <U> of airport maneuvering area </ U> The invention relates to the marking of areas , in particular airport maneuvering area. Here "maneuvering area" is understood to mean both take-off and landing strips and taxiways. Such marking is carried out using light sources located in the transparent parts of "lights" or beacons. These light sources are generally connected to power sources that allow them to deliver a set of selected characteristics. These fires can be either high, especially in the case of taxiway edges, or recessed, especially in the case of traffic lane axis marking. In the application at airports, which is in no way limiting, beam characteristics (in azimuth and site angles, chromaticity and intensity) are imposed very precisely by the Avia Organization. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), for obvious reasons of standardization. For example, the beam must be blue and have a luminous intensity of about 2 candelas for an angular coverage of 360 in azimuth and 6 in site, and a luminous intensity of about 0.2 candelas for angles in site greater than 6. To meet the required characteristics, the current lights use incandescent lamps, halogen type. For safety reasons, these lamps must be replaced by qualified personnel as soon as they fail. However, these lamps have lifetimes of between 1000 and 1500 hours, which require relatively frequent and expensive maintenance interventions. The present invention aims to significantly improve this situation. The invention proposes for this purpose a lighting device for a beacon in which the lighting means comprise a supply module supplied with current by the power source, and an electric circuit supplied with current by the power module. power supply and having a multiplicity of light emitting diodes (LEDs) installed according to a configuration (or scheme) chosen within the transparent part of the beacon and capable of delivering sub-light beams, of selected characteristics, which form by their respective contributions the beam of light. The expression "electrical circuit" must be taken in a broad sense, insofar as it designates a set of electrical and electronic components (conductive tracks, diodes, resistors, power cords, etc.) that cooperate electrically together. , as well as the support on which is located at least partially said set. Thanks to the invention, it is possible to produce light sources whose lifetimes are of the order of 100,000 hours. Such sources can be substituted, along with their own power supply module, for incandescent lamps, in the current lights (or beacons). Of course, alternatively, the light source can equip a one-piece beacon, so that in case of failure, simply replace the faulty tag with a beacon that works. Preferably, the device comprises a protection module placed between the power supply module and the electrical circuit, so that only a current of selected characteristics can supply the light-emitting diodes of the circuit.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the electrical circuit comprises conductive tracks printed on a flexible material (or film), and to which the light-emitting diodes are connected. The material (or film) is then shaped into a cylinder of revolution so that the diodes are implanted in the configuration to deliver the beam of selected features. To facilitate the shaping of the cylinder, and to increase its rigidity, the flexible material can be secured to two substantially cylindrical portions of revolution (or cylindrical rings) made of insulating plastic, in particular thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin. The invention also relates to beacons equipped with the aforementioned lighting device, and in particular those which are intended to equip an airport maneuvering area. The invention also relates to markup installations, for the signaling of maneuvering areas of an airport, which comprise a power supply network, for example a constant current regulator, supplying a multiplicity of beacons equipped with the lighting device. supra. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon examination of the following detailed description, and the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating, in a partially cutaway view, a beacon (or fire) according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cylindrical ring making it possible to ensure the cohesion of the cylinder of LEDs; FIG. 3 very schematically illustrates the external face of a printed circuit film, equipped with its components (LEDs and resistors), and before it is shaped; FIG. 4 very schematically illustrates the internal face of a printed circuit film, equipped with its components (LEDs and resistors), and before it is shaped; FIGS. 5A and 5B detail the cylinder of LEDs of FIG. 1 respectively in a perspective view and a view from above; FIG. 6 illustrates an LED cylinder mounted on a support cup; and - Figure 7 is a diagram of a variant of the power supply module of Figure 1, called "auxiliary cord". The appended drawings contain elements of a certain character which it is difficult to define completely by the text. Accordingly, they may contribute to the definition of the invention. In the following description, we will describe an application of the invention, not limiting, to the beacons (or lights) raised on the banks of taxiways (or taxiway) airports. As illustrated in FIG. 1, such beacons 1 comprise, first of all, a recessed upper portion 2 intended to receive a light source, to which reference will be made later, and a lower part 3 intended to support said upper part 2, so that the light source is raised. The lower part 3 is conventionally constituted by a hollow cylindrical foot whose base 4 is either directly fixed at a chosen location of the track edge or, as illustrated in FIG. 1, secured to a base 5 intended to be fixed to said trackside. Because of the dimensions of the traffic lanes, it is necessary to use, for each lane, a multiplicity of beacons 1.

Preferably, each beacon is part of a beacon installation of the airport. Such an installation generally comprises at least one power supply network, powered, generally, by a constant current regulator ("Constant Current Regulator" or "CCR"). Such a CCR comprises thyristors intended to deliver a chopped signal whose shape varies according to the load of the installation. Such a regulator can allow the supply of several tens of beacons, or even several hundred.

To connect the light source 6 to the airport power supply network, a power supply module 7 is provided. In the example illustrated, this power supply module 7 is housed inside the beacon 1, more preferably still in a first compartment 8 provided for this purpose in its upper part 2. Of course, the power module could be integrated in a portion of the support foot, or out of the beacon, for example in the case of a built-in beacon. This power supply module 7 is connected by a first cord with two conductors 9 to a connector 11, preferably FAA type (style 1) for its standard connection to the isolation transformer of the network placed under the beacon, at the edge of the channel . This first cord 9 is housed inside the foot 3, which communicates, therefore, with the first compartment 8 of the upper part 2 of the beacon 1. In a conventional manner, each isolation transformer of the power supply network of the installation has a 1: 1 transformation ratio, and a nominal current of 6.6 amperes. In a variant illustrated in FIG. 7, the power supply module 7 is connected to the isolation transformer of the network via an auxiliary cord 10 with two conductors. In this case, it is the auxiliary cord 10 which comprises, at one of its two ends, a connector 11 of FAA type (style 1). The other end of this auxiliary cord preferably comprises two female lugs 12 FASTON type, one for each driver. In this variant embodiment, the first cord 9 of the power supply module 7 therefore comprises two male lugs 13 of the FASTON 13 type intended to cooperate with the female FASTON lugs 12 of the auxiliary cord 10. The supply of the light source 6 is effected by means of a second two-conductor bead 14 terminated, preferably by lugs 15 of the FASTON type, a male (DIN 46248) and a female (DIN 46247) (see FIG. 7). Preferably, the supply module is in the form of an electronic housing embedded in the resin. As indicated above, the upper part 2 of the beacon 1 comprises above the first compartment 8, a second compartment 16, delimited by a transparent wall, and in which is housed the light source. The wall of this second compartment 16 is dome-shaped, preferably made of glass. Such a transparent dome is preferably made in a glass resistant to shocks, weather and fire; it is also called fire verrine. In the illustrated example, this dome is removably mounted on the first compartment 8 of the beacon 1, so that the light source 6, which will be described hereinafter, and / or its power module, can be easily replaced during a maintenance operation.

Of course, in the case of a one-piece beacon, it is clear that the transparent dome does not need to be removable. Referring now more particularly to Figures 2 to 5 to describe a preferred embodiment of the light source according to the invention. The Applicant has found that it is possible to design a radically different light source, by design, the light sources of the prior art, while having the same light characteristics, in terms of chromaticity, coverage angular, and intensity, and that for very much longer lives. The light source (or lighting means) according to the invention comprises an electric circuit comprising a multiplicity of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 21 intended to be implanted inside the second transparent compartment 16 of the beacon 1 in a chosen configuration. In this nonlimiting example, the electrical circuit is supplied with current by the power supply module 7 which is housed in the first compartment 8. It therefore comprises two conductors 17 connected to its conductive tracks 19 and terminated respectively, in the first and second compartments. illustrated by FASTON male and female lugs 18 intended to cooperate with the FASTON lugs 15 of the second two-conductor electrical cord 14, of the power supply module 7. Preferably, the conductive tracks 19 of the electrical circuit are printed. on the inner face of a film 20 made, in the example illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, in a flexible material, conformable. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 21 are initially connected to the conductive tracks 19 of the printed circuit in a "pre-configuration" of matrix type (see FIG. 3). The conductive tracks 19 of the printed circuit being formed on the inner face of the flexible conformable film 20 and the light-emitting diodes 21 to be on the side of the outer face of the same film 20, it is therefore expected in this film a multiplicity of holes of in order to allow - firstly -1 - crossing of the two pins of each LED 21, then their attachment to the conductive tracks 19, by welding. As indicated previously, the pre-configuration of the LEDs 21, of the example illustrated in FIG. 3, is of matrix type, before conformation of the film 20. The LEDs are thus initially arranged in columns and rows parallel to each other; these rows will form levels once the light source is implanted in beacon 1. As best illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the Applicant has found that it is particularly advantageous for providing 360-degree azimuth beacons. and in situ about 6, that the film 20 is shaped as a cylinder of revolution.

To do this, the film 20, illustrated in Figure 3 and equipped with all its components (LED 21 and resistors 22, which will be discussed later), is wound around two cylindrical rings 23, of circular section and adapted diameter. to the final configuration of the LED cylinder. An example of a cylindrical ring 23 is illustrated in FIG. 2. In this final configuration, the LED columns 21 are parallel to the axis xx of the cylinder. Preferably, one of the rings 23 (or cylinder portions) is placed in the upper part of the conformable film 20, while the other ring 23 is placed in the lower part of this film. The rings 23 are advantageously hollow in their central part, so that the electrical cords 17 of the printed circuit 19 can be connected to the supply module 7. Preferably, the conformable film 20 is stuck on the cylindrical rings 23. But any other means of solidarity can be envisaged. Furthermore, the cylindrical rings 23 are preferably made of an insulating plastic material, and more preferably still, in a thermosetting resin, for example an epoxy resin or a phenolic resin. Of course, this embodiment of the LED cylinder is not limiting. One could use a single ring, preferably placed in an intermediate position, centra the, or do not use a ring, insofar as the ring or rings are circular reinforcements for fixing the diameter of the cylindrical configuration. Once the LED cylinder has been made, the multiplicity of LEDs 21 is in its final configuration, chosen so as to deliver a beam of the desired characteristics. In the markup application for the edges of airport traffic lanes, these features are as follows: an azimuth angle coverage of 360; - a luminous intensity of 2 candelas for angles between 0 and 6 and 0.2 candela for angles in elevations greater than 6. Moreover, the LEDs 21 are chosen so as to emit wavelength light of between 450 and 480 nanometers, and more preferably between 470 and 475 nanometers, which corresponds to a blue light. The configuration of the light-emitting diodes 21, which is illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, is a good compromise in terms of cost and industrial production in series. This configuration requires fourteen parallel columns of four LEDs 21 (or four parallel rows of fourteen LEDs), or fifty-six LEDs positioned on four levels parallel to each other, each level having a "star" structure (see Figure 5B).

 -To obtain a --faisc-e-au-markings -presentant- the aforementioned characteristics, one can use electroluminescent diodes 21, here identical, with a diameter of 5mm and angles of emission in azimuth and in a site of about 30, centered on a wavelength of between about 470 and 475 nanometers, and capable of emitting a "sub-beam" of a maximum light intensity of about 1,000 millicanelas. For example, it is possible to use the diodes of the HUEY JANN company marketed under the reference HB5- 438AB / P. The summation of the contributions of each electroluminescent diode 21 (i.e. the sum of all their sub-light beams) forms the desired beam. To ensure the characteristics mentioned above, each light-emitting diode 21 must be powered by a nominal electric current of about 20 milliamps. To do this, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, the electro-luminescent diodes of each column are connected in series and the various columns are supplied bypass.

Moreover, in order to limit the current which supplies the light-emitting diodes 21, resistors 22 are preferably provided. These resistors are advantageously connected in series with the light-emitting diodes 21 of each column. The cylinder of LEDs 21 can be placed directly inside the second compartment 16 of the upper part 2 of the beacon 1. However, it is preferable that said cylinder is secured to a support 27 which is secured to a partition 24 of the beacon, for example by means of a threaded rod 25 and a bolt 26. The support 27 may have various shapes according to the conformation of the second compartment 16 of the beacon 1. It may, in particular, be realized in the form of an elevation cup, ensuring the placement of the LED cylinder at an optimum height. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the support 27 houses a protection module (not shown in the figures) to prevent the electrical circuit from being damaged, for example in the event of a failure of the power supply module 7. Such a module comprises for example, a polarity inversion diode, possibly accompanied by a fuse. In this case, the protection module is placed between the complete electrical circuit (track, film and components) and the power supply module 7. It is therefore connected, on the one hand, to the terminals FASTON 18 (in this example) of the electrical circuit and, on the other hand, to the FASTON lugs 15 of the power supply module 7.

Of course, the protection module could be provided in another place, especially in the absence of support 27.

 It is obvious that the power supply module 7 is designed to supply the electric circuit with LEDs according to the invention.

 As part of the configuration example of light emitting diodes described above (matrix cylindrical), the power supply module provides an output voltage of about 20 volts continuously, and a nominal current of about 300 milliamps ( for a maximum current of 500 million fathers). Furthermore, the power supply module 7 has first 9 and second 14 electric conductors with two conductors, flexible and resistant to chemical agents, ultra violet, and having a temperature operating range between about - 30 C and + 85 C.

 Such a power supply module makes it possible to "smooth out" the electrical and electromagnetic variations that are generated by the constant-current regulator of the supply network of the equipment: for example, in the frame of the network. signal chopped and that it must supply DC power to the DC power supply, the power supply module 7 acts as a power converter. To do this, it performs a hash of the input signal. In addition, it must not have a large input impedance variation, since several hundred such modules can be connected to the same constant current regulator.

 The LED electrical circuit, according to the invention, and its specific power supply module can be substituted for the incandescent lighting sources that currently equip the beacons of the airport taxiways, without it being necessary to bring changes to said tags.

 The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but it extends to all variants that the skilled in the art can develop in the context of claims ci-après.

 Thus, the final configuration of the diodes is not limited to a cylindrical shape, matrix type. It could be a non-matrix cylindrical shape. Likewise, other shapes than cylindrical can be envisaged. For example, configurations of the conical or frustoconical type can be designed. It is clear that in these configurations it may be necessary to use diodes which do not all have the same characteristics.

 Thus, the light-emitting diodes of the widest portions may have emission angles whose opening is smaller than that of light-emitting diodes placed in narrower portions. The same goes for the luminous intensities.

 However, it is also possible to envisage LED light sources intended to provide angular coverage in azimuth of less than 360, for example between 180 and 360, even less; --- and / or --- an --- angu-lary --- coverage - less than or greater than 6. This can be the case when the beacon (or fire) is intended to be embedded in a maneuvering area, such as a taxiway axis. Similarly, intensities may vary according to need.

 Furthermore, there is described an electrical circuit whose conductive tracks are printed on a conformable film. But, it is clear that the conductive tracks could be directly printed on a rigid structure.

 Finally, an application has been described to raised beacons, but, as indicated above, the invention also relates to the built-in beacons.

Claims (20)

<U> Claims </ U> 1. Lighting device for a beacon (1) having a transpare_nte __ (16) -logeant lighting means for connection to a power source (7) to deliver a beam of selected features characterized in that said illumination means comprise a power supply module (7) adapted to be supplied with current by said power source, and an electric circuit capable of being powered by said power supply module ( 7) and comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes (21) positioned in a configuration selected within the transparent portion (16) of said beacon (1) and adapted to deliver sub-light beams of selected characteristics, intended to jointly form said beam. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each light-emitting diode (21) is arranged to deliver a light sub-beam of wavelength com between about 450 nanometers and about 480 nanometers, in particular between 470 nanometers and 475 nanometers. 3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, charac terized in that said light emitting diodes (21) and said configuration are chosen so that said beam provides a luminous intensity of about 2 candelas for an angular coverage in azimuth included from about 180 to about 360 and an angle coverage in the range of 0 to about 6, and a luminous intensity of about 0.2 candela for an azimuth angle coverage of about 180 to about 360 and elevation angles. greater than 6. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, charac terized in that it comprises a protection module electrically connected on the one hand to the power supply module (7) and on the other hand to the electrical circuit so as to allow the supply of said circuit only under a stream of selected characteristics. 5: - Device, according to claim 4, characterized in that said protection module comprises a protection diode polarity reversal. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, charac terized in that said electrical circuit comprises conductive tracks (19) printed on a flexible material (20) for forming a cylinder of revolution, on an outer face of which implanted said light emitting diodes (21) in said configuration. 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said flexible material (20) is secured to two portions of substantially aligned cylinder of revolution, made of insulating plastic, in particular thermosetting resin. 8. Device according to one of claims 6 and 7, charac terized in that said light emitting diodes (21) are aligned in columns which extend substantially parallel to the axis (XX) of the cylinder and substantially equidistant any of the other. 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said electrical circuit is arranged to supply fourteen columns of four light-emitting diodes (21) substantially identical, with a current of about 20 milliamps for each light-emitting diode, and in that each light-emitting diode (21) is selected so that it provides a sub-beam having azimuth and elevation angle angles of about 30 and a maximum light intensity of about 1000 millicandelas. 10. Device according to one of claims 8 and 9, charac terized in that each column has the same number of light emitting diodes (21) placed at substantially identical levels. 11. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the light-emitting diodes (21) of each column are connected in series in said electric circuit. 12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, charac terized in that said electrical circuit comprises means (22) adapted to limit the supply current of said light emitting diodes (21). 13. Device according to the combination of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that said current limiting means are resistors (22) respectively connected in series with the light emitting diodes (21) of each column. 14. Device according to one of claims 6 to 13, charac terized in that said cylinder is fixed on a support (27) adapted to be immobilized within said beacon (1). 15. Device according to one of claims 4 and 5 in combination with claim 14, characterized in that said support (27) is arranged to receive said protection module. 16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supply module (7) is housed in said beacon (1). 17. Beacon for equipping an airport maneuvering area, characterized in that it comprises a lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 16. 18. Beacon according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises a foot (3) for raising said transparent portion (16). 19. Beacon according to claim 17, characterized in that it is embedded in said maneuvering area. 20. - An installation for the base station of an airport, including an external network, characterized in that it comprises a multiplicity of beacons (FIG. 1) according to claim 17, adapted to be powered by said external network.