Airfield Lighting Transfer Relay for Regulator Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing airfield lighting systems require deactivation of series loops for maintenance of constant current regulators (CCRs), leading to costly, inconvenient, and unsafe closures of airport airfields, especially at high-traffic airports, as the entire area serviced by the lighting components must be closed until the series circuit is reactivated.
Innovation Solution
An airfield lighting system with a transfer relay that allows switching between primary and standby modes, enabling maintenance of CCRs without interrupting the series loop operation by using a standby regulator to power the lighting system during maintenance, thus keeping the airfield operational.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a single primary regulator services an airfield series loop, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but the regulator cannot be serviced without deactivating the entire series loop and closing the airfield
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the single regulator function into two separate regulators (primary and standby), each capable of independently servicing the series loop. This segmentation allows the primary regulator to be taken offline for maintenance while the standby regulator continues to power the lighting system, eliminating the need to close the airfield.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from a single regulator configuration to a dual regulator configuration with automatic or manual switching capability. This parameter change enables continuous operation during regulator maintenance by transitioning between the two regulators.
2Ease of repair
If a standby regulator is added to enable CCR maintenance without airfield closure, then regulator servicing capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The standby regulator is designed to automatically activate when the primary regulator is deactivated for maintenance, without requiring manual intervention or airfield closure procedures. This self-service mechanism reduces operational complexity despite adding hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer relay acts as an intermediary device that automatically switches between the primary and standby regulators based on their operational status. This intermediary component simplifies the control logic and reduces the complexity of managing the dual regulator system.
3Reliability
If the series loop is deactivated for CCR maintenance, then the regulator can be serviced safely, but the airfield must be closed which is costly and unsafe
Solution Approach 1:
The standby regulator is pre-configured and pre-positioned to immediately take over power delivery when the primary regulator is deactivated. This preliminary preparation ensures that safety procedures can be followed during regulator maintenance without requiring airfield closure, as the backup system is already in place and ready to activate.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables periodic servicing of CCRs without rendering the series loop inoperative, reducing downtime and safety risks by maintaining airfield operations during maintenance, thereby improving efficiency and safety at high-traffic airports.
Implementation Method 1
a transfer relay having first and second sides, and a primary regulator operatively coupled to an airfield series loop of an airfield at the first side of the transfer relay. A standby regulator is operatively coupled to the airfield series circuit at the second side of the transfer relay. The transfer relay is movable between primary and standby modes of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An airfield series circuit includes a transfer relay having first and second sides, and a primary regulator operatively coupled to an airfield series loop of an airfield at the first side of the transfer relay. A standby regulator is operatively coupled to the airfield series circuit at the second side of the transfer relay. The transfer relay is movable between a primary mode of operation whereby the first side of the transfer relay closed directing lighting power to the airfield series loop from the primary regulator and the second side of the transfer relay open isolating the standby regulator from the airfield series circuit, and a standby mode of operating whereby the second side of the transfer relay closed directing lighting power to the airfield series loop from the standby regulator and the first side of the transfer relay open isolating the primary regulator from the airfield series circuit.