Aircraft Warning Light for Power Lines Using Current Transformer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft lighting systems for power lines near airports face issues such as long installation times, complexity, limited voltage compatibility, and high maintenance costs due to capacitive and inductive technologies, which are not stable over long-term use and cannot handle a wide range of AC power cables effectively.
Innovation Solution
A suspended light system utilizing a jumper connection with a secondary winding and a lighting device powered by the power line, employing current transformer technology to maintain a small primary circuit, with an electronic circuit for overload protection and adjustable impedance to accommodate varying currents, and featuring LEDs for enhanced visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If capacitive technology is used for aircraft lighting systems, then the system can operate on high voltage power lines, but the installation time becomes long and the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of voltage transformation by removing the complex capacitive coupling components and replacing them with a simple current transformer-based voltage induction mechanism. This eliminates the need for multiple capacitive components while maintaining high voltage compatibility through electromagnetic induction principles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electromagnetic field as the mediator between the high voltage power line and the lighting system. Instead of direct capacitive coupling, the system uses electromagnetic induction through a current transformer to transfer energy, simplifying the component structure while maintaining voltage adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If capacitive technology is used for aircraft lighting systems, then the system can operate on high voltage power lines, but the maintenance costs increase due to periodic maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the lighting system automatically adapts to different voltage levels through the current transformer's electromagnetic induction. The system self-regulates its operation based on the primary circuit current without requiring manual intervention or maintenance, eliminating periodic maintenance costs while maintaining broad voltage compatibility.
3Device complexity
If a jumper connection with secondary winding is used, then the primary circuit can be kept sufficiently small, but the installation complexity must be managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the jumper connection, secondary winding, and lighting device into an integrated assembly. This combination simplifies installation by reducing the number of separate components that need to be individually installed and connected, while maintaining the benefit of a small primary circuit through the current transformer design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal lighting system that can be installed on various AC power lines regardless of voltage or current characteristics. The jumper connection with secondary winding serves multiple functions: creating the primary circuit, transforming current, and powering the lighting device, thereby reducing installation complexity through multi-functionality.
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
The system provides a long-term stable, cost-effective solution for signaling power lines to aircraft across a wide range of AC power cables, reducing installation complexity and maintenance needs while ensuring visibility and safety.
Implementation Method 1
An alternating current in the primary produces an alternating magnetic field in the core, which then induces an alternating current in the secondary
Implementation Method 2
The accumulated charge and hence the potential difference is sufficient to trigger a gas discharge lamp (GDL)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a suspended light system for signalization of power lines to the aircrafts near airports or aviation corridors, and to a method for installing such a light system at a power line, in particular an alternating current (AC) line. A suspended light system for signalizing a power line (2) to aircrafts is provided, the lighting system comprising a jumper connection (12) to be connected between two points of the power line (2), a secondary winding (3, 3a, 3b) that surrounds a part of the jumper connection (12), and a lighting device (1) with a base (6), the lighting device being connected to the secondary winding (3a, 3b), so that during operation the lighting device (1) is powered by the power line (2).