Abstract: An integrated radio tower light controller and alarm reporting device is described that is made up of solid-state current sensing modules that monitor the AC current distributed to the various lights/beacons and report various alarm modes. In addition, a solid-state flasher module is used to flash the radio tower beacons at the FAA/FCC specified rate along with reporting various alarm modes. Two mechanical relays are also included for reporting failures with the flasher module and AC power failure. Connecting terminals and testing switches are included to connect to various power leads, alarm leads, and to test the various functions of the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for composing an illumination pattern includes a user interface (102) capable of receiving input commands (106), wherein the input commands (106) are directed to the selection of at least one illumination region (148, 150, 152 and 154). The method and apparatus further includes a processor (104) coupled to the user interface (102) to receive the user input (106) and thereupon generate input signals (108), which provided to the processor (104). The processor (104), in response to the input signals (108) thereupon generates an illumination pattern, wherein illumination pattern includes a plurality of illumination commands for a selected region (240), a selected color (244) for the selected region (240), and a timing (246) for the illumination of the selected region (240) at the selected color (244).

Abstract: A light monitoring system provides a sensing unit coupled to a luminaire. The sensing unit monitors both the input and the output of the luminaire for both current and voltage. In this manner, a variety of problems with the luminaire can be detected by the sensor and this information can be passed to monitoring equipment that is either hard-wired or remotely coupled to the sensing unit.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a system for monitoring failure of a signal having lighting configured to indicate a predetermined alarm condition. The system includes a detector/transmitter responsive to lighting parameters at least during the predetermined alarm condition to generate a signal indicative of the lighting parameters; an attachment member configured to attach the detector/transmitter to a lamp socket of the lighting in an orientation in which the detector/transmitter assembly is responsive to light rays from a lamp mounted in the lamp socket when the lamp is on; and a receiver/concentrator responsive to the signal indicative of the lighting parameters to generate a signal indicative of predetermined fault conditions of the lighting.

Abstract: To reduce or eliminate difficulties inherent in manual reporting of signal light failures, especially at remote railroad grade crossings, there is provided, in one embodiment of the present invention, a system for monitoring failure of a lighted signal that includes lighting configured to flash during a predetermined alarm condition. The system includes a power supply configured to power the lighting during the predetermined alarm condition and to provide a timing signal indicative of power being applied to the lighting; a detector/transmitter responsive to the timing signal to detect lighting parameters when the lighting is flashed on to generate a signal indicative of the lighting parameters and to generate a signal indicative of the lighting parameters; and a receiver/concentrator responsive to the signal indicative of the lighting parameters to generate a signal indicative of predetermined fault conditions of the lighting.

Abstract: A dual mode high intensity aircraft approach lighting system includes a plurality of lights interconnected by means of power wiring. An improved subsystem for detecting lamp failures is disclosed which permits a positive identification of individual failed lamps at a remote location, such as the control tower of an airport, for instance. The subsystem hardware consists of an operational monitor processor, three lamp controllers, one for each of three lighting loops, one remote lamp transceiver module per lamp, and existing ac loop wiring. The operational monitor processor board initiates a reset of the lamp controller and remotely installed transceiver units by sending a SAMPLE ALL signal to each lamp controller. A comprehensive test of all lamps in each of the three lighting loops is performed. The first lamp controller board sequentially polls each lamp for operational status in the first loop.

Abstract: An emergency lighting system comprising a central monitoring and control unit, a plurality of single point lighting units and a communication system linking all of these units and being configured with a loop topology. Addressing of single point units around the loop is achieved via a protocol whereby a first address is issued by the central unit to the first unit in the loop. This first unit then stores this address as its own and increments the address number before passing it on to the next unit in the loop and so on. When the last unit in the loop finally passes its own incremented address number back to the central unit this provides the central unit with the necessary information to determine the number of single point units in the system.

Abstract: Warning lights at a railroad grade crossing are energized at a predetermined flash rate when a train is approaching through the use of an essentially fail-safe solid state crossing controller employing circuitry that is active in creating an off condition of the warning lamps. A controller unit operates a pair of warning lamps alternately in synchronism with a warning rate (flash rate) signal having a predetermined repetition rate, such as 55 pulses per minute. When the crossing is safe, an RC circuit in the lamp driver responds to a 500 Hz safe status signal by providing continuous control excitation to a normally conductive lamp switching circuit to maintain the lamps deenergized. In a failure mode, the normal condition of the switching circuit maintains one lamp of each pair continuously energized.

Abstract: A filament bypass circuit for use with a string of lamps in series capable of continuing current flow when a lamp in the string fails. Each lamp is provided with a shunt circuit consisting of a series circuit of a diode and a silicon bilateral voltage triggered switch. The switch becomes conductive upon the application of a substantial increase in voltage from the A.C. source and remains conductive until there is an interruption of current flow or current flow drops below its required holding value. The diode insures that during continued operation after a failure there will not be an excessive voltage applied to the remaining lamps, and also serves as an indicator of a failed lamp.

Abstract: The top, flashing lights and steady-burning side lights placed on an elevated obstruction to warn aircraft are monitored by a failure-detecting circuit. The circuit includes circuit components which detect and indicate the failure of either or both top lights, the latter case possibly indicating the alternative of continuous operation thereof, and for detecting and indicating one or more failures of the side lights. Provision is made for remotely actuating an internal latching relay which so changes internal connections that all detecting and indicating components should response.

Abstract: A recorder of the states of a traffic control system which stores and visually displays the current operational state of the system. The current states of the command signals produced by the traffic controller of the system and the current states of energization of each traffic signal light, after a predetermined delay, are stored in a bistable device. The occurrence of an error, conflicting or improper timing of the energization of the traffic lights of the system or of the command signals controlling the energization of such lights are sensed by a conflict monitor. Upon the occurrence of an error, the bistable devices are latched, i.e. prevented from thereafter changing state. The state of each bistable device is visually displayed as of the occurrence of an error.

Abstract: A fault detection apparatus for use with a double-filament lamp utilizes the temperature-related changes in resistance of the non-energized filament to indicate a break in the energized filament. The circuit of the apparatus includes, for each filament, a first voltage dividing network in parallel with the filament and which includes the other filament as a voltage dividing resistance and a second voltage dividing network including the filament which establishes a reference voltage. A comparator is activated to energize a warning lamp when the sensed voltage at a specific voltage dividing point in the network is changed due to the temperature-related changes in the resistance value of the non-energized filament when the energized filament is broken.

Abstract: A motor car dashboard, which is compact and has a self contained design and is functionally improved in that the scales of measure of certain magnitudes (e.g. Speed) are divided into staggered sectors corresponding to the most common fields of use, and in that it is possible to take immediate digital readouts of the most important physical magnitudes of interest for a motorist on a display screen, it being sufficient to depress a pushbutton which energizes an electronic readout apparatus for each magnitude of interest and causes the display to be shown on said screen.

Abstract: This instrument panel comprises at least two small rules or display panels of which one comprises a luminous member for displaying the values supplied from a pulse counter and the other comprises pilot-lamps carrying illuminated symbols corresponding to the magnitudes displayed for the various functions or physical conditions being measured, the device further comprising an electronic assembly consisting of a member adapted to emit periodic signals, of members for converting the signals transmitted from pickups or probes into modulated-frequency pulses, of switching members, of further display apparatus, of apparatus for adjusting the luminous intensity and of apparatus for actuating alarm devices.

Abstract: An emergency light system which incorporates flashing strobe type of lights located along the aisle(s) of an aircraft, or other passenger carrier, would provide flashing arrows indicating the location of emergency exits. The sequential firing of the flashing lamps will further create the effect of a moving light beam to lead passengers toward the exit area(s). Also, with programmable control means, there can be stroboscopic type flashing lights to direct egress to only those exits which are open.

Abstract: A circuit is provided for test and operation of indicator lights wherein multiple lights may be tested simultaneously by pushing one button and closing one set of normally open contacts and the individual indicator lights are operated from a circuit utilizing a self-triggering bidirectional thyristor. The test pushbutton and the indicator operating signal circuit operate at a higher voltage, such as 120 volts ac, and the indicator lamp is operated at a low voltage, such as 6 volts ac, providing safety and allowing use of inexpensive incandescent indicator bulbs. One indicator transformer is required for each indicator light. A diode is provided in the test circuit on the high voltage side of each of the indicator transformers to permit a test signal to activate the indicator lamps without affecting the rest of the circuit. The diodes in the test circuit permit only unidirectional current to flow therethrough.