GB2414973A

GB2414973A - Helicopter landing pads

Info

Publication number: GB2414973A
Application number: GB0424452A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Robert Paul Vaughan
Original assignee: Vaughans of Leicester Ltd
Current assignee: Vaughans of Leicester Ltd
Priority date: 2004-11-05
Filing date: 2004-11-05
Publication date: 2005-12-14
Anticipated expiration: 2024-11-05
Also published as: GB0424452D0; WO2006048654A1; GB2414973B

Abstract

The present invention provides a helicopter landing pad that can be rapidly deployed and recovered. The helicopter landing pad includes a plurality of interlocking panels 4 that can be assembled together to form a planar base 2. Each panel 4 has an aperture 8 for receiving one of a ground anchor and a lighting unit. The helicopter landing pad includes a ground anchor that can be inserted through the aperture in one of the panels to secure the panel to the underlying ground. Finally, the helicopter landing pad includes a lighting unit that can be inserted into the aperture in one of the panels. The panels may be square, rectangular, or hexagonal in shape, and made of plastics. The ground anchor may comprise a plurality of deployable securing wires, and the lighting unit may comprise green, amber and infrared light emitters (such as light emitting diodes), a power source, and a control circuit operated manually, remotely or in response to a light sensor. A plurality of lighting units may define a pattern.

Description

TITLE

Helicopter landing pads [)F'SCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to helicopter landing pads, and in particular to helicopter landing pads that are designed for rapid deployment and recovery.

Background Art

In combat and emergency situations there can often be a need to deploy a temporary helicopter landing pad at very short notice. One option is simply to lay a heavy-duty membrane or landing mat directly on an open area of relatively flat ground.

In some cases the ground underneath the landing mat may not be stable enough without first being improved. Moreover, many landing mats are not sufficiently strong and durable to take the weight of the large transport helicopters that are normally used to move troops or humanitarian aid, for example. There is therefore a need for an improved helicopter landing pad that is strong but which can be deployed and recovered quickly and easily.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a helicopter landing pad comprising: a plurality of interlocking panels that can be assembled together to form a planar base, each of the panels having an aperture for receiving one of a ground anchor and a lighting unit; at least one ground anchor that is inserted through the aperture in one of the panels to secure the panel to the underlying ground; and at least one lighting unit that received into the aperture in one of the panels.

The helicopter landing pad can be rapidly deployed and recovered. To deploy the helicopter landing pad, the plurality of interlocking panels are unloaded and then assembled together to form the planar base. The panels can be square or rectangular - 2 shaped. However, it is generally preferred that the panels are hexagonal shaped so that each of the panels is connected to six adjacent panels instead of four. This improves the overall strength and rigidity of the planar base. It will be readily appreciated that any means of interconnecting the panels together in a quick and easy maimer may be used. For example, the panels can be secured using ties or connector pieces. In a preferred embodiment the alternate edges of the panels are provided with integrally formed hooks and channels so that when the panels are laid out on the ground, the edges of each panel engage with the edges of the neighbouring panels to form a rigid and highly durable planar base. If the panels are hexagonal then it will be readily appreciated that the sides of the assembled planar base will not be perfectly straight. Two opposite sides will have a sawtooth profile with shallow triangular gaps and the other two opposite sides will have a crenellated profile. The crenellated profile can be corrected by using edge or filler panels that are trapezium shaped (i.e. like a hexagonal panel cut in half) so that the opposite sides are given a straight edge.

The shallow triangular gaps of the other two opposite sides can be completely covered by an edge ramp (described in more detail below) and there is no need for edge or filler panels.

For ease of transport and assembly, it is generally preferred that the panels are made of a lightweight but rigid plastics material such as high impact, flume retardant and UV stabilised modified polypropylene, for example. The panels should ideally have high resilience and strength, even at low temperatures. They should also have good chemical resistance, particularly against oil spills, grease or petroleum spirit.

The aperture is preferably provided in the centre of each panel but can be provided at any suitable location. Also, more than one aperture can be provided at different locations in eac panel. In this way, a single panel can accommodate more than one ground anchor or more than one lighting unit. A single panel can also accommodate a ground anchor and a lighting unit. The aperture can be plugged or capped by a suitably shaped cover if it not used. - 3

When assembled, the planar base is sufficiently strong to support the heavy downward loading expected from helicopters landing, and from vehicles and personnel transiting to and from the helicopters. This means that the panels can be laid directly on ground that would not be suitable for landing mats.

The number of panels that are needed to form the planar base will depend on the overall size of the helicopter landing pad.

Once the planar base has been assembled, a ground anchor is inserted through the aperture in one of the panels and driven into the ground using a tool. Preferably a number of ground anchors will be used and they are inserted through the aperture of a certain number of selected panels. If a thin membrane is laid under the planar base to suppress dust then the ground anchors are simply driven through the membrane. The ground anchors stabilise the planar base and prevent it from lifting if the downwash caused by the helicopter blades during approach, takeoff or landing gets underneath the planar base. The number of ground anchors that are needed will depend on a number of factors including the ground conditions, the helicopter size and the environmental conditions (high ambient wind conditions may enhance the effect of downwash, for example). For a planar base that is 50 metres square, it is considered that anywhere from 5 to 25 ground anchors may be required. The ground anchors are preferably spaced roughly equal distances apart. As a further way of avoiding the lifting caused by downwash, air holes or apertures can be provided in the panels, or cut out regions can be provided along the edges of the panels, particularly in the corner regions, for example, to allow any air that gets underneath the planar base to escape. These air holes or apertures also improve the drainage to allow surface water to flow off the planar base.

Each ground anchor preferably includes a plurality of securing wires that can be deployed after the ground anchor has been inserted through the aperture in the panel and driven into the ground. The securing wires are preferably driven outwardly from a tip of the ground anchor into the surrounding ground using a tool. More particularly, each ground anchor preferably consists of a hollow sleeve that is closed - 4 at the tip and has an open end with a flange. The securing wires are located inside the sleeve and project a small distance through holes provided around the tip of the ground anchor. To secure the ground anchor, a first tool is used to push the sleeve into the ground until the flange is in contact with the upper surface of the panel. A different tool is then placed partly inside the hollow sleeve and is used to push the securing wires down through the hollow sleeve and out of the holes provided around the tip of the ground anchor.

One obvious advantage of the present invention is that the helicopter landing pad can be deployed and recovered by just one or two individuals using a minimum number of basic tools and without any specialised equipment. Moreover, if the edges of the panels are provided with hooks and channels or other integral interlocking means then there is no need for connectors, tie pieces, clips or locks etc. Everything is self contained and easily assembled.

Helicopter landing pads normally include a touchdown area marker to indicate the area where the helicopter may land safely. The touchdown area marker includes a continuous or broken perimeter marker and a capital letter "H" that is centrally located. The conventional landing mat may have the touchdown area marker already applied to its upper surface in paint or tape. This is f ne for daylight operations but the landing mat cannot be used at night unless some form of additional ambient or flood lighting is provided. In the present invention, the touchdown area marker can be displayed at night or during bad visibility conditions by inserting a lighting unit into the aperture of certain selected panels. When viewed from above, the lighting units will define geometric (straight line, rectangular, square or circular, for example) patterns on the upper surface of the planar base.

When the planar base has been secured with the ground anchors, the perimeter marker and the capital letter "H" of the touchdown area marker can be marked out on the upper surface of the planar base to the required dimensions using paint, tape or the like. The perimeter marker and the capital letter "H" can also be marked out by inserting special panels at appropriate places during the assembly of the planar base - 5 that have a white upper surface. A lighting unit can then be inserted into the aperture of certain of the panels that lie on the perimeter marker and the capital letter "H". For the avoidance of any doubt, it should be made clear that the lighting units are not provided simply to illuminate the touchdown area marker applied to the upper surface of the planar base. Rather, the perimeter marker and the capital letter "H" are represented at night by the geometric patterns defined by the lighting units themselves.

Each lighting unit preferably includes one or more light emitters that can be powered and controlled by an internal or external power supply and control unit. However, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the lighting unit is entirely self-contained and includes one or more light emitters, a control unit and a power source hermetically sealed within a housing. The main advantage of the self-contained lighting unit is that it does not need an external power supply and there are no connecting wires. The one or more light emitters is preferably a light emitting diode (LED), however any suitable light emitter can be used. One possibility is a so-called "emitter" that is a new energy efficient and highly compact light source that has the size advantages of an LED but the illuminating power of more conventional light emitters.

It is generally accepted practice for the perimeter marker of the touchdom area marker to be represented by green lights, and for the capital letter "H" to be represented by amber lights. It is therefore possible to have two types of lighting unit: one that emits green light for the perimeter marker and one that emits amber light for the capital letter "H". However, it is generally preferred that the lighting unit includes at least one light emitter that emits green light and at least one light emitter that emits amber light. This way, only one type of lighting unit needs to be provided and the colour of the light that is emitted can be selected depending on whether the lighting unit is used for the perimeter marker or for the capital letter "H". It will be readily appreciated that the colour of the light emitted by the light emitters or lighting unit is not limited to green and amber but can be any suitable colour, contrasting or otherwise. - 6

The lighting unit can also include at least one light emitter that emits infrared light.

This enables the touchdown area marker to be seen by a helicopter pilot with the appropriate infrared viewing or detecting equipment. The infrared emitter can be used instead of the other light emitters (for covert operations, for example) or in addition to the other light emitters.

The control circuit (either internal or external) can be operated manually to turn some or all of the light emitters on or off. However, it is generally preferred that the control circuit can also be operated remotely using a remote control device, for example.

Also, the lighting unit can include a light sensor so that the control circuit can be operated to turn some or all of the light emitters on or off according to a control signal received from the light sensor. In the case of the self-contained lighting unit, the light sensor is hermetically sealed within the housing.

The self-contained lighting units can be completely deactivated during storage and transport, and then activated before being inserted into the panels. After installation, the lighting units will normally switch on automatically at dusk or during periods of bad visibility as the level of ambient light falls and the light sensor is triggered. They may stay switched on for a fixed period of time or may be switched off automatically by the light sensor at dawn as the level of awhient light rises. If there is a need to switch the lighting units off during the night then this can be done remotely using a remote control device. Similarly, if there is a need to switch the lighting units on during the day then this can also be done remotely using a remote control device.

The control circuit can cause the light emitters flash on and off according to a predetermined frequency or pattern if desired.

The power source provided in the self-contained lighting unit is preferably rechargeable. In particular, the power source can be "trickle charged" during the day if the self-contained lighting unit includes a solar cell unit.

The light emitters are preferably located in a clear or transparent part of the housing of the lighting unit. It will be readily appreciated that if any part of the lighting unit extends above the upper surface of the planar base then this part must be strong enough to withstanding the weight of a helicopter landing on top of it.

The helicopter landing pad preferably further comprises a plurality of interlocking edge ramp sections that can be assembled together to form a continuous edge along at least one of the peripheral edges of the planar base. The edge ramp sections provide a smooth transition between the upper surface of the planar base and the surrounding ground for the assistance of vehicles and personnel that need to transit to and from the helicopters.

Each of the edge ramp sections may include a spigot having an aperture for receiving a ground anchor. The same ground anchor can be used to secure the panels and the edge ramps. The edge ramp sections are preferably made of metal and help to keep the planar base firmly on the ground.

The helicopter landing pad is easily recoverable by removing the edge ramps, lighting units and ground anchors and picking up the interlocking panels.

Drawings Figure l is a plan view of a helicopter landing pad according to the present invention; Figure 2a to 2c are drawings showing alternative schemes for securing the planar base of the helicopter landing pad to the ground using ground anchors; Figures 3a to 3c are perspective views showing how a panel forming the planar base of the helicopter landing pad is secured to the ground using a ground anchor; Figures 4a to 4d are perspective views showing how an edge ramp section is secured to the ground around the helicopter landing pad using a ground anchor; Figure 5 shows the touchdown area marker applied to the upper surface of the planar base of the helicopter landing pad using white paint or tape; Figure 6 shows the touchdown area marker represented by self-contained lighting units; and - 8 Figure 7 is a schematic of a self-contained lighting unit for use with the helicopter landing pad of Figure 1.

With reference to Figure 1, a helicopter landing pad includes a planar base 2 formed from a plurality of interlocking hexagonal panels 4. Only a corner of the planar base 2 is shown for convenience. The alternate edges of each panel 4 are provided with hooks and channels 6a and 6b, which cooperate to releasably secure the panels together in a quick and easy manner. Each panel 4 includes an aperture 8 at its centre.

Edge or filler panels 4a that are trapezium shaped can be used to make sure that two opposite sides of the planar base 2 are straight. A gap (not shown) is provided at the corner regions 4b where three of the hexagonal panels 4 meet. The gap is formed by cut out regions in the periphery of each panel and provides a release for any downwash that get underneath the planar base 2.

Once the panels 4 have been assembled to form the planar base 2, certain panels are selected and a ground anchor 10 is inserted through the aperture in those panels. The ground anchors 10 secure the planar base 2 to the underlying ground and prevent it from lifting if the downwash caused by the helicopter blades during approach, takeoff or landing gets underneath the planar base. Figures 2a to 2c show three possible schemes for positioning the ground anchors in a planar base that is 50 mefres square.

The scheme shown in Figure 2a is suitable for light conditions and for smaller sized helicopters. Only five ground anchors are used and no point on the planar base 2 is more than 9 metres from an edge or a ground anchor. The scheme shown in Figure 2b is suitable for medium conditions and for medium sized helicopters. Thirteen ground anchors are used and no point on the planar base 2 is more than 6 metres from an edge or a ground anchor. Finally, the scheme shown in Figure 2c is suitable for severe conditions and for larger sized helicopters. Twenty-five ground anchors are used and no point on the planar base 2 is more than 4.4 metros from an edge or a ground anchor.

The method of inserting the ground anchors 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 3a to 3c. First of all, a ground anchor 10 is inserted into the aperture 8 in the panel 4. If added security and load spreading is required, the ground anchor 10 can be inserted through a washer of suitable diameter. The ground anchor 10 consists of a hollow sleeve 12 that has a tapered tip 14 and an open end having a flange 16. A number of individual securing wires 1 8 are located inside the sleeve 12 and project a small distance out of holes 20 provided around the tip 14.

Once the ground anchor 10 is properly located in the aperture 8, a positioning tool PT is inserted into the centre of the ground anchor and a hammer H is used to drive the ground anchor into the ground (see Figure 3a). The positioning tool PT has a projection part PTa that is received inside the hollow sleeve 12 and a shoulder PTb that contacts the flange 16. The contact between the positioning tool PT and the flange 16 enables the ground anchor 10 to be driven into the ground until the flange is in contact with the upper surface of the panel 4. The positioning tool PT is then removed.

A driving tool DT has a projection part DTa that is considerably longer than the projection part PTa of the positioning tool PT. The projection part DTa is inserted into the hollow sleeve 12 of the ground anchor 10 and a hammer is used to drive it down until it contacts an upper part of the securing wires 18 that are located inside the sleeve. Further downward movement of the driving too! OT forces the sec''ring wires 18 out through the holes 20 in the tip 14 of the ground anchor 10 and into the ground as shown in Figure 3c. The driving tool DT is removed once the securing wires 18 are properly deployed.

An edging ramp 30 is secured along the peripheral edges of the planar base 2. The edging ramp 30 has sufficient depth to completely cover the triangular-shaped gaps in the two opposite sides of the planar base that are not provided with filler panels 4a.

The edging ramp 30 consists of a number of edge ramp sections 32. Each edge ramp section 32 has a two-part upper surface that rests on top of the panels and slopes then downwardly onto the ground surrounding the planar base 2. A spigot 34 is provided at one end of each edge ramp section 32 and includes an aperture 36 for receiving a ground anchor 10. -

The method of inserting the ground anchors 10 will be explained with reference to I;igures 4a to 4d. First of all, a ground anchor 10 is inserted into the aperture 36 in the spigot 34 at an angle of about 80 degrees to the ground. Once the ground anchor 0 is properly located in the aperture 36, a positioning tool PT is inserted into the centre of the ground anchor and a hammer H is used to drive the ground anchor into the ground until the flange 16 is firmly clamped into the spigot 34. The positioning tool PT is then removed.

A driving tool DT has a projection part DTa that is considerably longer than the projection part PTa of the positioning tool PT. The projection part DTa is inserted into the hollow sleeve 12 of the ground anchor 10 and a hammer H is used to drive it down until it contacts an upper part of the securing wires 18 that are located inside the sleeve. Further downward movement of the driving tool DT forces the securing wires l 8 out through the holes 20 in the tip 14 of the ground anchor 10 and into the ground as shown in Figure 4c. The driving tool DT is removed once the securing wires 18 are properly deployed.

A second edge ramp section 32a can then be slid into position over the spigot 34 of the first edge ramp section 32 and secured using a ground anchor as described above.

A touchdown area marker is then applied to the upper surface of the planar base 2 using paint, tape or the like. With reference to Figure 5, the touchdown area marker includes a continuous perimeter marker 40 and a capital letter "H" marker 42 located in the cenke. A self-contained lighting unit 50 is inserted into the aperture 8 of certain selected panels 4 that lie on the touchdown area marker. Those apertures 8 that are not needed for ground anchors or lighting units 50 can be closed with a cover (not shown). When viewed from above, the self-contained lighting units will define geometric patterns that represent the touchdown area marker as shown in Figure 6. In Figure 6, the perimeter marker 40 and the capital letter "H" marker are shown ghosted so that they can be compared with the geometric patterns defined by the self contained lighting units 50. - 11

With reference to Figure 7, each self-contained lighting unit 50 includes three green light emitting diodes (LEDs) 52, three amber l,EDs 54 and one infrared emitter 56.

The LEDs 52, 54 are powered by a power source 58 (such as a 2/3 AF NiCad tagged rechargeable battery - 700 mAH) and controlled by a control unit 60. A light sensor 62 is connected to the control unit 60. All of the electrical components are hermetically sealed inside a housing 64. The control unit can be incorporated into an electronics pack that has positive and negative electrical terminals. The power source can be provided with corresponding positive and negative electrical terminals and biased by a spring or other means into direct contact with the positive and negative electrical terminals of the electronics pack. An upper part of the housing 64 contains the LEDs 52, 54, the infrared emitter 56 and the light sensor 62 and is transparent.

When viewed from the side, the housing 64 has a generally mushroom shaped appearance with the lower cylindrical part of the housing being received in the aperture 8 in the panel 4 and the upper domed part projecting above the upper surface of the panel. The upper part of the housing can include an indentation or recess at its peripheral outer edge to assist in removing the self-contained lighting unit from the aperture 8 during recovery.

It is generally accepted practice for the perimeter marker 40 of the touchdoum Area marker to be represented by green lights, and for the capital letter "H" 42 to be represented by amber lights. Each selfcontained lighting unit 50 can therefore be manually controlled to enable only the green LEDs 52 (to represent the perimeter marker) or the amber LEDs 54 (to represent the capital letter "H") to flash. The infrared emitter 56 can be enabled to make the touchdown area marker visible to a helicopter pilot having the appropriate infrared viewing or detecting equipment.

The control circuit 60 receives a signal from the light sensor 62 and this is used to switch on the LEDs 52, 54 and/or the infrared emitter 56 automatically at dusk or during period of bad visibility when the level of ambient light falls. The LEDs 52, 54 and/or the infrared emitter 56 are switched off automatically at dawn. The control circuit 60 can also be controlled remotely using a remote control device to override - 12 the light sensor 62 and switch the LEDs 52, 54 and/or the infrared emitter 56 on or off. - 13

Claims

1. A helicopter landing pad comprising: a plurality of interlocking panels that can be assembled together to form a planar base, each of the panels having an aperture for receiving one of a ground anchor and a lighting unit; at least one a ground anchor that is inserted through the aperture in one of the panels to secure the panel to the underlying ground; and at least one lighting unit that is received into the aperture in one of the panels.

2. A helicopter landing pad according to claim l, wherein the plurality of interlocking panels are square-shaped.

3. A helicopter landing pad according to claim l, wherein the plurality of interlocking panels are rectangular-shaped.

4. A helicopter landing pad according to claim l, wherein the plurality of interlocking panels are hexagonal-shaped.

5. A helicopter landing pad according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of interlocking panels are made of a rigid plastics material.

6. A helicopter landing pad according to any preceding claim, wherein the ground anchor includes a plurality of securing wires that are deployed after the ground anchor has been inserted through the aperture in the panel and into the ground.

7. A helicopter landing pad according to any preceding claim, wherein a ground anchor is inserted through the aperture of two or more of the plurality of panels.

8. A helicopter landing pad according to any preceding claim, wherein a lighting unit is inserted into the aperture of two or more of the plurality of panels to define geometric patterns on an upper surface of the planar base. - 14

9. A helicopter landing pad according to any preceding claim, wherein the lighting unit includes one or more light emitters and a control circuit and a power source hermetically sealed within a housing.

10. A helicopter landing pad according to claim 9, wherein the light emitter are Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

] ]. A helicopter landing pad according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the lighting unit includes at least one light emitter that emits green light and at least one light emitter that emits amber light.

12. A helicopter landing pad according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the lighting unit also includes at least one light emitter that emits infrared light.

13. A helicopter landing pad according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the control circuit can be operated manually to turn some or all of the light emitters on or off.

14. A helicopter landing pad according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the control circuit can be operated remotely to turn some or all of the light emitters on or off.

15. A helicopter landing pad according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the lighting unit also includes a light sensor and the control circuit can be operated to turn some or all of the light emitters on or off according to a control signal received from the light sensor.

16. A helicopter landing pad according to any of claims 9 to IS, wherein the power source is rechargeable.

] 7. A helicopter landing pad according to any of preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of interlocking edge ramp sections that can be assembled - 15 together to form a continuous edge along at least one peripheral edge of the planar base.

18. A helicopter landing pad according to claim 17, wherein each of the edge ramp sections includes a spigot having an aperture receiving a ground anchor.

19. A helicopter landing pad according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the edge ramp sections are made of metal.

20. A helicopter landing pad substantially as herein described and with reference to the drawings.