Airport In-Ground Lighting With Inductive Power Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting arrangements at airports require the entire system to be de-energized for maintenance, as existing contact-based energy supply methods do not allow for isolation of defective inset lights while energized, and this limits efficient maintenance and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of ferrite cores for inductive coupling of induction coils and power supply lines enables contactless energy transmission, allowing individual lighting units to be isolated without shutting down the entire system, and the design includes segmented ferrite cores and spring elements for improved efficiency and assembly of power supply lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If contact-based electrical connection is used for underground lights, then the system can be de-energized for maintenance, but the entire system must be shut down when a faulty bulb occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the lighting infrastructure into independent modular units, each with its own power supply capabilities through induction coils. This segmentation allows individual lighting assemblies to be maintained or replaced without affecting other units in the network.
Solution Approach 2:
Induction coils serve as intermediary components that enable wireless power transfer between the power supply lines and lighting assemblies. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for direct physical electrical connections, allowing maintenance without system shutdown.
2Reliability
If waterproof sealing elements are added to protect power supply connections, then moisture ingress is prevented, but the complexity and cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical electrical connections (which would require waterproof sealing) with an electromagnetic induction system. Power is transferred inductively through induction coils without physical contact, eliminating the need for complex waterproof sealing of electrical connections.
3Loss of energy
If ferrite cores are added to improve energy transfer efficiency, then contactless power supply efficiency is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Ferrite cores are introduced to modify the magnetic properties of the induction system, significantly improving energy transfer efficiency by reducing eddy current losses and enhancing magnetic coupling between the power supply lines and induction coils.
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
This solution allows for efficient maintenance of individual lighting units without powering down the entire system, reduces costs by eliminating the need for waterproof power supply housings, and enhances energy conversion efficiency through optimized ferrite core contact and assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The induction coils and the power supply lines are inductively coupled
Implementation Method 2
the efficiency of the contactless energy transfer is significantly increased by the provision of ferrite cores
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting arrangement for airports, in particular in-ground lights, comprising a multi-part lighting module housing with a light outlet housing part arranged above ground in the assembled state and with a functional component housing part arranged underground in the assembled state, wherein the lighting module housing provides at least one light source for providing light and at least one optic associated with the at least one light source for shaping a light distribution as well as a control for the at least one light source, and comprising a multi-part power supply housing with an upper shell attached to the functional component housing part and a lower shell connected to the upper shell.wherein the power supply housing has at least one access opening and at least one outlet opening for a first power supply line and for a second power supply line, wherein each section of the power supply lines guided in the power supply housing is assigned at least one induction coil electrically connected to the control circuit such that a voltage is induced in the induction coils during operation and the at least one light source is operated by means of the induced voltage, and wherein a first ferrite core and a second ferrite core are provided in the power supply housing, which surround the induction coils and the power supply lines on the outer surface.