Lamp retainer ring and lampholder assembly

#This invention relates to a lamp retainer ring and a lampholder assembly, for example, for individual lamps in a multilamp lighting system, such as a high intensity approach lighting system for an airport. More particularly, the invention relates to such a retainer ring and lampholder assembly which are effective in securing the lamp in the lamp housing even under severe storm conditions, and preferably in maintaining desired alignment even in the presence of jet blasts and high winds.

#Many airports today, particularly those having Category II runways under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classification criteria, are equipped with a dual mode high intensity approach lighting system. Such a system provides visual approach lighting patterns to landing aircraft, and typically has a first high intensity approach lighting system mode and a second simplified short approach lighting system mode. The typical system is capable of providing 3000 foot patterns with any needed glide slope angle restrictions, and also shorter 2400 foot patterns for use on other domestic Category II runways, and includes both steady burning approach lights and sequenced flashing lights to provide directional guidance to the approaching aircraft. The steady burning approach lights are connected in a number of constant current lighting loops, and may be operated at several, for example, five, distinct brightness levels. Switching between the modes may be locally controlled from an adjacent substation, or remotely controlled from the air traffic control tower via a control subsystem.

#In the first high intensity approach mode, the typical system includes approximately 100 lamps of the 300 to 500 watt type, connected in series in each of a plurality, for example, three, constant current loops. Additionally, fifteen flashers are active in a typical embodiment, so that the sequence will begin with the flasher farthest from the threshold of the runway and proceed toward the flasher closest to the runway threshold. Of course, the actual number of lamps and lamp wattage may vary for each loop of steady burning lights, and the number of flashers may vary for a specific application.

#FIG. 1 is a front side view, in perspective, of a lamp combination in accordance with the present invention showing the retaining ring in place in proximity to the lamp face.

#FIG. 2 is a front side view, in perspective, of the lamp combination shown in FIG. 1 with the retaining ring separated from the lamp face.

#FIG. 3 is a side view, with a portion of the housing cut away, of the lamp combination shown in FIG. 1.

#Referring now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a lamp combination, shown generally at 10, includes a housing 12, a lamp 14, such as a 300 to 500 or more watt lamp, and a retainer ring 16. Combination 10 includes an individual lamp 14 which preferably is part of a multi-lamp system, for example, used in guiding aircraft to airports. See Manson U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,963. It should be noted that combination 10 can be used in other applications where lamp 14, or a like lamp, is useful.

#Housing 12 includes a lamp housing 18 and a housing base 20. Nut and bolt assembly 22 provides for coupling the lamp housing 18 to the housing base 20 and allows the angular orientation of the lamp housing relative to the housing base to be adjusted, as shown by the rotation arrows in FIG. 3. Index markings 24 on housing base 20 provide a reference as to the angle of lamp housing 18 relative to housing base 20. The bottom 21 of housing base 20 includes threaded screws 23 which are used to fix or secure the housing 12 to a stationary support (not shown)

#A conventional turnbuckle 30 is provided and includes a first end 32 secured to the lamp housing 18 and a second end 34 secured to the housing base 20. Turnbuckle 30 is spaced apart from the primary coupling point, nut/bolt assembly 22, between the lamp housing 18 and housing base 20.