Mobile Runway Light Measurement Bar with Faraday Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile equipment for measuring photometric characteristics of airport beacon lights is cumbersome, unreliable, and sensitive to electromagnetic disturbances, with limited precision and increased downtime for runway usage due to the need for frequent recalibration and data processing issues.
Innovation Solution
A mobile light control equipment with a measuring bar that processes signals locally, using a Faraday cage to protect against electromagnetic interference, and employs radio transmission for data transfer, allowing for continuous measurement of photometric characteristics during movement and reducing the need for extensive cable connections, thus enhancing reliability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile equipment uses extensive cable connections for data transmission, then data can be transferred reliably, but the equipment becomes cumbersome and installation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a radio transmission system. The mobile equipment communicates with the control computer via radio waves, eliminating the need for physical cable connections. This substitution maintains data transmission reliability while dramatically reducing device complexity and making the equipment more portable and easier to install.
2Measurement precision
If photometric sensors are exposed to electromagnetic environments, then they can detect light signals, but they become sensitive to electromagnetic disturbances reducing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent acknowledges that electromagnetic shielding may block some light signals, but converts this potential harm into a benefit by using frequency-selective sensing. The system detects light signals at frequencies that penetrate the Faraday cage while blocking interfering electromagnetic frequencies, thus converting the shielding effect from a disadvantage into a selective filtering mechanism that improves measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If equipment processes data locally in real-time, then measurement accuracy improves, but processing power requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data processing function into segments: the mobile equipment with Faraday cage performs real-time filtering and preliminary processing of photometric data, while more complex analysis and storage are performed by a separate control computer. This segmentation allows local real-time processing to improve measurement accuracy while distributing complexity across multiple systems.
4Ease of operation
If equipment is designed to be mobile and portable, then ease of operation improves, but shielding against electromagnetic interference becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a Faraday cage constructed from conductive mesh or thin conductive material that can be integrated into the mobile equipment housing. This flexible shielding structure maintains electromagnetic protection while allowing the equipment to remain portable and mobile, as the shielding is implemented through thin conductive layers rather than bulky solid barriers.
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 solution provides faster, more reliable, and less bulky equipment for measuring beacon light characteristics, minimizing runway downtime and improving data accuracy by processing signals locally and reducing electromagnetic interference.
Implementation Method 1
a bar (4) having a housing (4a) forming a Faraday cage
Implementation Method 2
a photometric sensor (11; 10) mounted on the bar (4; 5) and directed towards the light to be monitored
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a mobile device for measuring photometric characteristics of airport runway lights, including a measuring rod to be moved over runway lights to be checked in the light beams emitted by said lights, and a means for measuring the distance between said measuring rod and the lights to be checked, said measuring rod having at least one photometric sensor, and including a means for acquiring and processing the signals transmitted by said photometric sensor(s) on the basis of the measured distance between said measuring rod and the lights to be checked, said acquisition and processing means being capable of generating a set of data that are representative of photometric characteristics of each checked light.