Patent GB-588510-A (GB)
Title: Fog freeable runways for aircraft and plant associated therewith
IPC: E01H13/00
Filed: 1945-02-24
Abstract: 588,510. Dispersing fog on aircraft runways. HARTLEY, A. C., BROWN, J. C., CALLENDAR, G. S., FEHLING, H. R., FOX, D. A., GILL, F., MOORE, W. T., ROSIN, P. O., and WILLIAMSON, G. J. Feb. 24, 1945, No. 4677. [Class 6 (ii)] [Also in Groups XI and XXXIII] An installation for dispersing fog on an aircraft runway comprises burner lines (preferably for liquid fuel) extending longitudinally parallel with but spaced from the landing strip and transversely across the approaches thereto so as to provide a linear heat source or heat frame by the consumption of fuel in the burner lines at a rate to develop that number of therms per yard per hour capable of producing a fogfree tunnel or lift over the landing strip. As shown, Fig. 1, the landing strip 1 is provided with longitudinal burner lines 3, spaced about 50 yards from the lateral margins, and transverse double burner lines 4 and 6 spaced about 160 yards apart. Supplementary lines 5 are laid adjacent the ends of lines 3 so as to cover with the lines 4 and 6 a heat frame of greater intensity at the approaches to the strip. In calm weather, the whole of the burners may be brought into operation, while, in certain wind conditions, a selected line, or lines, may be effective to disperse fog by creating a heat screen on the windward side of the strip For dealing with fogs in strong cross winds, an auxiliary burner line may be laid about 250 yards from the centre-line of the strip and the transverse lines extended. The burner plant (see Group XI) may consist of a number of units which together make up a burner line, each unit consisting of a length of burner piping provided with jet orifices and vaporizer piping through which the liquid fuel is passed before being burnt in the jets. Alternatively, a burner line may consist of a long length of burner piping supplied from an independent vaporizer. A portable form of burner plant is described. The burner lines may be provided at intervals with orifices for stabilizing flames which serve to re-ignite the jets if any blow out. The lines may be arranged above ground, in which case gaps are left for the passage of grounded aircraft, or in troughs below ground provided with wheel-supporting grids. The burner lines or units are supplied from a pump house 90, Fig. 2, through mains 91, 92; submains 93-96, controlled by hand-operated stop valves 97; sub-mains 98-101, controlled by valves 102; a sub-main 103, controlled by a valve 104 and connected to valve controlled branch pipes 105-103 ; and a sub-main 109, controlled by a valve 110 and connected to valve-controlled branch pipes 111,112. Pipes 113 connected to sections of the burner lines are each provided with a valve 114, so that each section may be controlled individually. The fuel supply for each unit or section may be controlled by pressure-responsive valves which regulate the pressure to a certain value, or within a certain range, and cut off the supply if the pressure falls below a predetermined value during running or shutting off. Remotelycontrolled valves may be provided to release a measured quantity of fuel from the jets for priming purposes. When priming has been effected, which may be indicated electrically at a control station, the jets are lit by electrical or other means. Temperature responsive devices may be installed at suitable points to indicate whether a burner line or section is alight or not. Pressure-responsive devices and remote indicating means may be provided to indicate the vapour-pressure reached in starting up or during operation.