Illumination unit, illumination system, and heliport

Abstract

Illumination unit for an illumination system for a heliport, comprising at least two domes of respective light emitting elements, the domes being arranged along a common base plane with the apex of each of the domes being directed normal to the base plane, wherein each of the domes is provided with internal reinforcement ribs each extending along the respective dome axis and extending along the base plane in a respective main direction from the dome axis, wherein, for each of the domes, along the base plane, main directions of the reinforcement ribs of the dome and main directions of the reinforcement ribs of an adjacent one of the domes together define a set of regularly distributed directions along the base plane.

Description

[0001] P132860PC00

[0002] Title: Illumination unit, illumination system, and heliport

[0003] The invention relates to an illumination unit for an illumination system for a hehport, as well as to an illumination system for a heliport, and to a heliport.

[0004] A heliport deck typically may be illuminated at least during night to provide for a safe landing area for a helicopter. The landing area comprising a touchdown circle with a helicopter H inside of it, is usually marked with a yellow painted circle and white painted H and illuminated with flood lights positioned on sides of the landing area. As an improvement thereto, WO 2016 / 076715 discloses an illumination system for a heliport comprising illumination units and cover units, wherein the illumination unit comprises at least one dome of a light emitting element, wherein a touchdown circle and / or a helipad H-area of a hehport may be formed when the illumination units and cover units are installed.

[0005] There is a need for further improvements, in particular to make the illumination unit and illumination system more robust without affecting illumination performance.

[0006] Thereto, an aspect of the invention provides an illumination unit for an illumination system for a heliport, comprising at least two domes of respective light emitting elements, the domes being arranged along a common base plane with the apex of each of the domes being directed along a respective dome axis normal to the base plane. Each of the domes is provided with internal reinforcement ribs each extending along the respective dome axis and extending along the base plane in a respective main direction from the dome axis.

[0007] By providing each of the domes with the internal reinforcement ribs, the illumination unit can be made more robust, for example against loads exerted by helicopter skids. It has been found that in known illumination units, domes may often break when a skidded helicopter lands with one of its skids positioned on top of a dome.

[0008] It has been found that the overall illumination performance for the heliport can advantageously be promoted when, for each of the domes, the main directions of the reinforcement ribs of the dome and the main directions of the reinforcement ribs of an adjacent one of the domes together define a set of regularly distributed directions along the base plane.

[0009] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that this advantageous result may be related to optical effects of ribs of adjacent domes essentially cancelling each other out in this way, at least with respect to the overall illumination performance during use. In particular, where an individual reinforcement rib may result in a localized dip in illumination output, this may be essentially compensated by the arrangement of reinforcement ribs in the adjacent dome. Meanwhile, the number of reinforcement ribs per dome can thus be kept relatively low, i.e. with a relatively sparse distribution, so as to largely maintain the general optical behavior of the dome itself. Still, the number of reinforcement ribs per dome can be sufficient to provide a desired strengthening of the dome.

[0010] In embodiments, the directions in the set may be evenly distributed over a full range of 360° of possible directions along the base plane. In this way, the illumination can be perceived, e.g. by a pilot on approach, as substantially even for all viewing angles in terms of their direction along the base plane. However, in some situations, such an all-around illumination may not be needed and / or desired, for example where obstacles limit the possible approach directions to the helipad. In such and possibly other cases, the directions in the set may be unevenly distributed with respect to the full range of 360° of possible directions along the base plane, while the directions are still regularly distributed within a limited range, for example corresponding to a limited range of approach directions. Thus, it shall be appreciated that in the present context the term ‘regularly distributed’ as such does not imply ‘distributed over a full possible range’, but merely ‘distributed at regular intervals’.

[0011] Preferably, the number of reinforcement ribs per dome is the same for each of the domes. Thereby, a relatively even illumination performance can be provided across the illumination unit.

[0012] Preferably, the average number of reinforcement ribs per dome is in the range of two to ten, preferably in the range of four to eight, more preferably in the range of five to seven, for example six. It has been found that such a number of ribs can advantageously increase robustness throughout the dome, without excessively affecting optical behavior.

[0013] Preferably, along the base plane, for each dome, at least two of the respective ribs extend in line with each other. More preferably, along the base plane, for each dome, each of the respective ribs extends in line with at least one other of the respective ribs, in particular so as to form one or more pairs of reinforcement ribs. The ribs of a pair may advantageously extend on either side of the dome axis, thereby providing a relatively open area under the dome at the dome axis.

[0014] Preferably, at least with respect to the reinforcement ribs, each of the domes is arranged as a rotated copy of an adjacent one of the domes, the rotation being by 90° about a rotation axis normal to the base plane. Such an arrangement can simplify production of the illumination unit, wherein in particular a single type of dome may suffice, thus being mutually interchangeable and e.g. all made using a same mold.

[0015] Preferably, for each dome, the reinforcement ribs are regularly distributed around the respective dome axis. In this way, the provided reinforcement can be relatively even across the dome, in particular while still allowing a relatively open area under the dome at the dome axis.

[0016] Preferably, at least some, more preferably all, of the reinforcement ribs form struts for their respective dome. In this way, the ribs may effectively transfer a load from an outer surface of the dome to a support structure under the dome, for example a base associated with the dome and / or with the illumination unit, and / or a ground surface under the illumination unit. To this end, the ribs or struts are then preferably shaped to engage, e.g. interface with, such a support structure. For example, the ribs or struts may have an end, edge and / or face which faces towards the base plane.

[0017] Preferably, with respect to the reinforcement ribs of the domes, the illumination unit is rotation symmetric for a rotation of 180° about a rotation axis normal to the base plane. Such a symmetry greatly facilitates easy installation, e.g. on a helipad, wherein in particular the advantageous rib configuration of adjacent domes within an illumination unit can be extended to further, adjacent, illumination units, without regard for possible 180° rotations of illumination units which may occur during installation.

[0018] Preferably, the domes are arranged in a single row across the base plane, in particular to form a straight path across the base plane. Such an arrangement enables to form various shaped, e.g. an H-shape, using such illumination units.

[0019] Preferably, an interspacing among the domes is regular across the illumination unit. This can provide a relatively even illumination output across the illumination unit, in particular if each of the domes is provided with a same light emitting element.

[0020] Preferably, the number of domes of the at least two domes is an even number, preferably in the range of two to six, for example four. In this way, the configuration of reinforcement ribs can be well balanced across the illumination unit, in particular while an overall size of the illumination unit can be relatively small, thereby facilitating versatility and convenient installation.

[0021] A further aspect provides an illumination system for a heliport, comprising: one or more illumination units as described herein; and cabling comprising a connecting element for connection to an illumination unit. Preferably, the illumination system further comprises a cover unit for mounting over the one or more illumination unit and over at least the connecting element of the cabling, wherein the cover unit at a bottom side is provided with at least one recess for receiving the illumination unit and / or the connecting element of the cabling, and a top side of the cover unit is provided with a at least one opening for allowing the domes of the one or more illumination units to extend therethrough.

[0022] A further aspect provides a heliport comprising a heliport deck provided with an illumination unit as described herein, in particular as part of an illumination system as described herein.

[0023] Preferably, the one or more illumination units are arranged to form, at least conform to, at least one of: a touchdown circle of the heliport, an H-area of the heliport, and a medical-facility-indicating, e.g. crossshaped, area of the heliport.

[0024] A further aspect provides a combination of a heliport as described herein and a skidded helicopter, wherein the illumination unit is configured to support at least part of the skidded helicopter on the heliport deck when the helicopter is positioned with at least one of its skids on top of at least one of the domes of the illumination unit.

[0025] Such an illumination system and / or heliport and / or combination can combine advantages as described herein for the illumination unit with advantages of the illumination system and heliport as known from WO 2016 / 076715.

[0026] In the following, the invention will be explained further using examples of embodiments and drawings. The drawings are schematic and merely show examples. In the drawings, corresponding elements have been provided with corresponding reference signs. In the drawings:

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view in transverse direction of a prior art illumination system;

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the illumination system of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a partly transparent perspective view of an illumination system according to an embodiment;

[0029] Fig. 4 shows a cross sectional partial side view of the illumination system of Fig. 3;

[0030] Fig. 5 shows a partly opened bottom view of the illumination system of Figs. 2-4;

[0031] Figs. 6 and 7 show exploded perspective views of parts of an illumination unit of the illumination system of Figs. 2-5; and

[0032] Fig. 8 shows a top view of a prior art heliport provided with a configuration of an illumination system.

[0033] Figures 1 and 2 show an illumination system 1, known as such from WO 2016 / 076715. The illumination system 1 comprises at least one illumination unit 2 and cabling 3 to connect thereto. The cabling 3 is provided with a connecting element for connection with the illumination unit 2.

[0034] The illumination unit 2 comprises at least one light emitting element, preferably an LED. The light emitting element is for reasons of simplicity not shown in Figs. 1-2. The light emitting element is protected by a dome 4. The dome 4 is transparent and / or translucent to allow light rays of the light emitting element to pass through it. The domes 4 typically extend somewhat above the illumination unit to 2 also allow light rays to emit from the dome 4 at a small angle, for example at an angle of approximately 0 degrees or at an angle between approximately 0 degrees and approximately 5 degrees depending on the requirements.

[0035] The cabling 3 usually may be electricity cabling, for providing electricity power to the light emitting elements. The cabling 3 may also comprise data cabling for transmitting data signals e.g. to / from the light emitting elements, but in other embodiments sensors may be provided on the deck and / or on the illumination units and as such data may be transmitted. The cabling advantageously comprises a protection sleeve to protect against e.g. environmental influences or impact etc. One or more connecting elements 8, e.g. a plug and socket or an eye and hook, may be provided to connect the cabling 3 to the illumination unit 2.

[0036] Further, the illumination system 1 here comprises a cover unit 5. The cover unit 5 is arranged for mounting over the illumination unit 2 and over at least the connecting element of the cabling 3 as to protect the illumination unit 2 and at least the connecting element of the cabling 3.

[0037] The cover unit 5 is at a top side 5a provided with at least one opening 6 to allow the dome 4 to pass through it and thus to extend above the top side 5a of the cover unit 5 such that light rays may be emitted at small angles.

[0038] At a bottom side 5b, the cover unit 5 may be provided with at least one recess 7 for receiving the illumination unit 2 and / or the cabling 3. By providing the recesses 7, the cover unit 5 may be extending over the cabling 3 and / or the illumination unit 2 sideways as well. So, the cabling 3 and / or the illumination unit 2 may protected in a height direction by the cover unit. Here, the at least one recess 7 comprises a central recess 7a for receiving the illumination unit 2, and two side recesses 7b for respective connectors 8 of the cabling 3. A section of the cover unit 5 corresponding to one of the side recesses 7b has been indicated by reference sign 12 in Fig. 2.

[0039] An upper surface 5c of the cover unit 5 may have a rounded and / or beveled shape. The cover unit 5 may be provided with flanges 5d to allow fixation elements to fix the cover unit 5 to an underground through the flanges 5d.

[0040] Figure 8 shows an arrangement of illumination systems 1 onto a heliport deck, known as such from WO 2016 / 076715. The illumination systems 1 are positioned with their end sides adjacent each other to form a touchdown circle 9 and a helipad H area 10.

[0041] Figs. 3 to 7 illustrate, by way of a non-limiting example, how such an illumination unit 2, and thereby an illumination system 1 and a heliport, can be improved according to the present invention. In Figs. 3 to 7, elements corresponding to those in Figs. 1 and 2 have been indicated with corresponding reference signs. Hence it may be further appreciated that such elements may be realized in various ways in various different possible embodiments.

[0042] In the example of Figs. 3 to 7, an illumination unit 2 for an illumination system 1 for a heliport comprises four domes 4 of respective light emitting elements 24. The domes 4 are arranged along a common base plane P with the apex of each of the domes 4 being directed along a respective dome axis X normal to the base plane P. Each of the domes 4 is provided with internal reinforcement ribs 21 each extending along the respective dome axis X and extending along the base plane P in a respective main direction from the dome axis X.

[0043] In Fig. 3, the domes 4 have been drawn transparent to show the internal reinforcement ribs 21. In Fig. 3, for clarity of the drawing, only one such a rib 21 has been indicated by a reference sign 21, wherein it can be seen that each of the four domes 4 here comprises six such ribs 21. In practice, the domes 4 may in fact be transparent, or alternatively merely translucent. The domes 4 are preferably formed by injection molding using a transparent or translucent plastics material, wherein the reinforcement ribs 21 may be integrally formed with the rest of the dome 4. Thus, the ribs 21 are preferably transparent or translucent as well. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the ribs 21 could be partly or fully opaque.

[0044] Fig. 4 shows a cross sectional view as indicated by arrows IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows a bottom view which has been partly opened to expose the ribs 21, wherein, again for clarity, only one of six ribs 21 per dome 4 has been indicated by a reference sign 21. Figs. 6 and 7 show, from different viewing angles, a single dome 4 and several associated elements, exploded along the dome axis X. The reinforcement ribs 21 here form struts for their respective dome 4. In particular from Figs. 4 and 7, it can be seen that a downward directed lower edge of the ribs 21 is supported on an annular support structure 22, which in turn may be fixed to the dome 4. Such fixing may for example comprise one or more of: ultrasonic welding, gluing, fastening using fastening means such as screws, and snap-fitting such as by cantilever-type snap -fit connections.

[0045] Moreover, the annular support structure 22 is here fixed to one or more load transferring parts, e.g. a housing part and / or a cover unit 5, so as to transfer loads from the dome 4 to an underground on which the illumination unit 2 is positioned during use. Alternatively, the domes can be filled with a resin, e.g. a two-component-resin. This resin hardens and forms a solid structure via which forces can be transmitted. Further, the resin may also covering a rear side of the cover unit 5, thus providing a single massive, or solid, unit. Forces can then be transmitted further, e.g. to ground, via the said resin.

[0046] Here, the annular support structure 22 is configured to mate with a printed circuit board 23 which holds the light emitting element 24, here a light emitting diode.

[0047] In the shown example, the number of reinforcement ribs 21 per dome 4 is the same for each of the domes 4, namely six, so that also the average number of reinforcement ribs 21 per dome 4 is in this case six. It shall be appreciated that different number of ribs per dome are possible, for example in the range of two to ten ribs per dome.

[0048] The following is best illustrated in Fig. 5.

[0049] For each of the domes 4, the main directions of the reinforcement ribs 21 of the dome 4 and the main directions of the reinforcement ribs 21 of an adjacent one of the domes 4 together define a set S of regularly distributed directions along the base plane P. In the shown example, such sets S can be seen to each comprise twelve regularly distributed directions, corresponding to six ribs 21 per dome. It shall be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such a number of directions or such a number of ribs per dome. For example, with four ribs per dome, each set of directions would comprise eight regularly distributed directions. For clarity of the drawing, the sets S have been indicated outside the illumination unit 2 in Fig. 5, wherein dotted brackets indicate the respective pair of domes 4 for each set S.

[0050] In this way, optical effects of the ribs 21 on the illumination output of the illumination unit 2 can advantageously be largely evened out among adjacent domes 4, resulting in a relatively even illumination performance around the illumination unit 2. In particular, each dome 4 can thus be free from reinforcement ribs in areas where an adjacent dome 4 in a corresponding area does comprise such a rib 21, and vice versa. Meanwhile sufficient ribs 21 can be provided in each dome 4 to provide a desired structural strength, e.g. to be robust against loads exerted by helicopter skids, while the number of ribs 21 per dome 4 can still be relatively low so as to maintain a desired overall illumination output.

[0051] It can be seen in Fig. 5 that each of the sets S here essentially covers the full 360° range of possible directions, as may be preferred, in particular where a helicopter deck is approachable from all directions. Still, as explained above, in some embodiments one or more of such sets may not cover such a full range of directions, for example where the possible approach directions to the helicopter deck are limited.

[0052] Here, along the base plane P, for each dome 4, each of the respective ribs 21 extends in line with one other of the respective ribs 21, in particular so as to form three pairs.

[0053] In particular with respect to the reinforcement ribs 21, each of the domes 4 is here arranged as a rotated copy of an adjacent one of the domes 4, the rotation in particular being by 90° (either one way or the other) about a rotation axis normal to the base plane P (i.e. parallel to the dome axes X). For each dome 4, the reinforcement ribs 21 are here regularly distributed around the respective dome axis X. The distribution is here sparse, i.e. with ribs 21 being far apart compared to their size and with most of the inner surface of the dome 4 being free from ribs 21.

[0054] With respect to the reinforcement ribs 21 of the domes 4, the shown illumination unit 2 is rotation symmetric for a rotation of 180° about a rotation axis normal to the base plane P (i.e. parallel to the dome axes X).

[0055] The domes 4 are here arranged in a single row across the base plane P, in particular to form a straight path across the base plane P.

[0056] An interspacing among the domes 4 is here regular across the illumination unit 2.

[0057] In the example of Figs. 3 to 7, the illumination system 1 comprises the illumination unit 2 and cabling comprising a connecting element for connection to an illumination unit 2. The cabling and connecting element are not explicitly shown in Figs. 3 to 7, but may be arranged at least partly at a central printed circuit board 25 of the illumination unit 2.

[0058] The illumination system 1 here further comprises a cover unit 5 for mounting over the illumination unit 2 and over at least the connecting element 8 of the cabling 3, wherein the cover unit 5 at a bottom side is provided with at least one recess 7 for receiving the illumination unit 2 and / or the connecting element 8 of the cabling 3, and a top side 5a of the cover unit 5 is provided with a at least one opening 6 for allowing the domes 4 of the illumination unit 2 to extend therethrough.

[0059] In the example of Fig. 3 to 7, the cover unit 5 is configured to maintain the domes 4 of the illumination unit 2 in their mutual positions and orientations, in particular by fixation of the domes 4 to the cover unit 5. As such, part or all the cover unit 5 may be considered as a structural part of the illumination unit 2. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the domes 4 of the illumination unit 2 can be maintained in their position and orientation by other means, for example by fixation to a common base and / or directly to an underground.

[0060] Such an improved illumination unit 2 and illumination system 1 may advantageously be comprised by a heliport deck of a heliport, for example essentially as illustrated for a prior art illumination system 1 in Fig. 8. Thus, the one or more illumination units 2, e.g. as part of illumination systems 1, may be arranged to form, at least conform to, at least one of: a touchdown circle 9 of the heliport, and an H-area 10 of the heliport. Many alternative or additional arrangements are possible. For example, a cross-shaped area of a heliport may be formed so as to indicate that a helipad is associated with a medical facility.

[0061] Although the invention has been explained herein using examples of embodiments and drawings, these do not limit the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Many variations, combinations and extensions are possible, as will be appreciated by the skilled person. For example, a heliport deck may comprise various illumination means, which may comprise one or more domes without reinforcement ribs. All such variants are included in the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims1. Illumination unit for an illumination system for a heliport, comprising at least two domes of respective light emitting elements, the domes being arranged along a common base plane with the apex of each of the domes being directed along a respective dome axis normal to the base plane, wherein each of the domes is provided with internal reinforcement ribs each extending along the respective dome axis and extending along the base plane in a respective main direction from the dome axis, wherein, for each of the domes, the main directions of the reinforcement ribs of the dome and the main directions of the reinforcement ribs of an adjacent one of the domes together define a set of regularly distributed directions along the base plane.

2. Illumination unit according to claim 1, wherein the number of reinforcement ribs per dome is the same for each of the domes.

3. Illumination unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the average number of reinforcement ribs per dome is in the range of two to ten, preferably in the range of four to eight, more preferably in the range of five to seven, for example six.

4. Illumination unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, along the base plane, for each dome, at least two of the respective ribs extend in line with each other.

5. Illumination unit according to claim 4, wherein, along the base plane, for each dome, each of the respective ribs extends in line with at leastone other of the respective ribs, in particular so as to form one or more pairs of reinforcement ribs.

6. Illumination unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, at least with respect to the reinforcement ribs, each of the domes is arranged as a rotated copy of an adjacent one of the domes.

7. Illumination unit according to claim 6, wherein the rotation of the copy is by 90° about a rotation axis normal to the base plane.

8. Illumination unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, for each dome, the reinforcement ribs are regularly distributed around the respective dome axis.

9. Illumination unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least some, preferably all, of the reinforcement ribs form struts for their respective dome.

10. Illumination unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, with respect to the reinforcement ribs of the domes, the illumination unit is rotation symmetric for a rotation of 180° about a rotation axis normal to the base plane.

11. Illumination unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the domes are arranged in a single row across the base plane, in particular to form a straight path across the base plane.

12. Illumination unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an interspacing among the domes is regular across the illumination unit.

13. Illumination unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the number of domes of the at least two domes is an even number, preferably in the range of two to six, for example four.

14. Illumination system for a heliport, comprising: one or more illumination units according to any of the preceding claims; and cabling comprising a connecting element for connection to an illumination unit.

15. Illumination system according to claim 14, further comprising a cover unit for mounting over the one or more illumination unit and over at least the connecting element of the cabling, wherein the cover unit at a bottom side is provided with at least one recess for receiving the illumination unit and / or the connecting element of the cabling, and a top side of the cover unit is provided with a at least one opening for allowing the domes of the one or more illumination units to extend therethrough.

16. Heliport comprising a heliport deck provided with an illumination unit according to any of claims 1-13, in particular as part of an illumination system according to claim 14 or 15.

17. Heliport according to claim 16, wherein the one or more illumination units are arranged to form, at least conform to, at least one of: a touchdown circle of the heliport, an H-area of the heliport, and a medical- facility-indicating, e.g. cross-shaped, area of the heliport.

18. Combination of a heliport according to claim 16 or 17 and a skidded helicopter, wherein the illumination unit is configured to support at least part of the skidded helicopter on the heliport deck when the helicopteris positioned with at least one of its skids on top of at least one of the domes of the illumination unit.

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