Runway Lighting Fixture Rotational Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Previous runway lighting systems secured with fasteners like hex head bolts are prone to loosening due to vibrations and aircraft traffic, leading to foreign object damage (FOD) risks and requiring frequent runway closures for maintenance, resulting in time delays and costs.
Innovation Solution
A runway lighting apparatus with a top portion and base portion that secure through sliding keys and a spring-loaded pin mechanism, eliminating the need for screws or tightened fasteners, allowing for secure attachment and easy removal without tools, and potentially embedding the base in concrete for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fasteners like hex head bolts are used to secure lighting components, then the components can be attached to the runway, but the fasteners become loose due to vibrations and aircraft traffic, creating FOD risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional fasteners (bolts, screws, nuts) from the lighting assembly, extracting the source of FOD problems. The light fixture is instead secured to the base through a rotation mechanism where the fixture rotates 90 degrees to engage with the base, eliminating loose fasteners that could become foreign objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system (bolts and fasteners) with a rotational engagement mechanism. The light fixture rotates to engage with the base through complementary geometric features, substituting the traditional fastener-based mechanical connection with a rotation-based locking mechanism that prevents loosening from vibrations.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional fasteners are used to secure lighting components, then the components can be assembled, but frequent runway closures are required for maintenance and re-torquing
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting assembly is designed to be self-securing through its rotation mechanism. When the light fixture is installed, it rotates 90 degrees to automatically lock into position on the base, creating a self-locking connection that maintains itself without requiring periodic human intervention for re-torquing or maintenance during runway operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic installation process where the light fixture rotates from a horizontal to a vertical position to engage with the base. This rotational movement transforms the static assembly process into a dynamic operation that self-locks, eliminating the need for repeated maintenance interventions that would require runway closures.
3Strength
If fasteners are used to secure lighting components, then the components can be attached, but vibrations and aircraft tire loads cause the fasteners to loosen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric geometric features between the light fixture and base that create a one-way locking mechanism. The complementary shapes engage in a specific orientation after rotation, creating an asymmetric connection that resists loosening from vibrations and aircraft loads while maintaining strong attachment strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation mechanism is designed to pre-establish a locked position that counteracts future loosening forces. By rotating the fixture 90 degrees during installation, the connection is pre-configured to resist vibrations and aircraft tire loads, creating preliminary anti-action against the destabilizing forces that would otherwise cause fastener loosening.
Data Source
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AI summary
Devices, methods, and systems for runway lighting are described herein. One device includes a top portion (102), including a plurality of light emitting elements (106) and a plurality of lateral protrusions (116), and a base portion (104) including a plurality of surfaces defining a plurality of slots (114), wherein each slot (114) is configured to receive one of the plurality of lateral protrusions (116) to secure the top portion (102) to the base portion (104).