1. Title of the invention
Portable Hand held controller for switching Wave-Off and Cut Lights used on carrier deck or Shore Based Test Facility
2. Field of invention
This invention relates to introduction of a hand held switching controller for an easy operable and better signaling method of optical landing system used on a carrier deck or shore based test facility.
3. Use of invention
This invention finds its applicability in the easy, simple, fast and safe way to control the switching of Wave-Off and Cut Lights that generally form the optical landing system of carrier deck or shore based test facility. This portable switching controller is supposed to be used by a Landing Signal Officer on deck or shore based test facility to aid the aircrafts lined up for take-off and landing on deck.
4. Prior art
The Landing Signal Officers or Landing Safety Officers (LSOs) are mainly responsible for aircraft line up, landing and take-off on a ship deck. These LSOs earlier were using coloured flags, paddles or wands for signaling an aircraft that is landing or liryng up for a take-off. The LSOs were supposed to be positioned at a designated control box or location on deck from where . they provide visual and physical signaling to the pilot within an aircraft. This restricted the flexibility of movement of LSO on deck.
5. Draw backs of prior art
• Hardship on LSO who has to physically go around to check for deck clearance and need to return to a designated point for signaling the aircraft
• Incorrect use of Paddles or coloured flags could lead to confusions
• Damaged paddles or flags could become FOD on deck
• Requires constant movement of LSO and high degree of co-ordination
• Difficult to differentiate the colours of paddles or flags in complete dark or complete bright ambience or rainy weather conditions
• The above mentioned draw backs could lead to catastrophic situations during high traffic Or emergency conditions
6. Comparison between prior art and present invention
LSOs earlier were using coloured flags, paddles or wands for signaling an aircraft that is landing or lining up for a take-off. The LSOs were supposed to be positioned at a designated control box or location on deck from where they provide visual and physical signaling to the pilot within an aircraft. This restricted the flexibility of movement of LSO on deck.
With use of Portable Hand held controller for switching Wave-Off and Gut • Lights (Optical Landing system) the work load on LSO is greatly reduced .and gives him the flexibility of movement from where he can control the signaling to aircraft. The design of Portable Hand held controller Assembly for switching Wave-Off and Cut Lights involves pistol type grip handle assembly containing two push ON / push OFF switches (one with momentary and the other with alternate action). The design caters the requirement of withstanding the sea weather conditions and also the ease of handling and maintenance like Ergonomic construction, rugged light material, easy fixing for conduct of activity or removable in case of developing fault within the unit or interchangeable, easy removal and stowage on completion of activity.

7. Aim of the invention
Aim of the invention is to find an easy, simple, fast and safe method to control the switching of Wave-Off and Cut Lights that generally form the optical landing system on carrier deck or shore based test facility.
8. Summary of the present invention
The work load on LSO is greatly reduced by using a Portable Hand held controller for switching Wave-Off and Cut Lights ( Optical Landing system) and gives him the flexibility of movement from where he can control the signaling to aircraft. The design of Portable Hand held controller Assembly for switching Wave-Off and Cut Lights involves pistol type grip handle assembly containing two push ON / push OFF switches (one with momentary and the other with alternate action). This Portable Hand held controller Assembly being developed is for a carrier based ship application and to be used by the Landing Signal Officer(LSO) positioned on a carrier ship. Therefore, this necessitates that the switching controller assembly (also sometimes referred as pickle switch assembly) design should be capable of withstanding harsh sea weather conditions and prolonged usage of outdoor ground applications. The design of Portable Hand held controller Assembly caters the requirement of withstanding the sea weather conditions and also the ease of handling and maintenance like Ergonomic construction, rugged light material, easy fixing for conduct of activity, easy removal and stowage on completion of activity. The portable hand held .controller is so designed that it becomes very easy to assemble or disassemble in case of any corrective action to be carried out within the controller assembly. A modular design concept is adopted in designing the controller assembly to comply the aforementioned requirement.

10. , Statement of invention
This invention relates to introduction of a hand held switching controller for an easy operable and better signaling method'of optical landing system used on a carrier deck or shore based test facility. This invention finds its applicability in the easy, simple, fast and safe way of to control the switching of Wave-Off and Cut Lights that generally form the optical landing system by a LSO on carrier deck or shore based.test facility.

11. Detailed description of invention
Fig-1 shows the construction details of a portable hand held controller for switching Wave-off and Cut lights used on shore Based Test Facility. This control switch assembly sometimes also referred as Pickle Switch Assembly. As stated earlier, the portable hand held switching controller is envisaged to function with the optical landing system commissioned on a deck or shore based test facility. The optical landing system comprises of a series of RED and GREEN lights that are operated in a particular pattern or fashion as a signaling or visual indication to carry out certain predetermined or designated activities by a pilot operating an aircraft on deck or shore based test facility. The signaling procedure using portable hand held controller for switching optical landing system is generally performed by Landing Signaling Officer (LSO) on deck.
The portable hand held controller assembly (for switching the wave-off and cut lights which forms part of optical landing system) is designed with a pistol grip handle containing two push-ON / push - Off switches (one with momentary and the other with alternate action).
Switch-1 which is designated with RED colour is of alternate type action. This switch with RED colour button is shielded by a finger guard and is generally used to control switching of Wave-Off light.
Switch-2 which is designated with GREEN colour is of momentary type action. This switch with GREEN colour button located on the end of pickle switch assembly controls the operation of cut lights. A protective feature to avoid any inadvertent operation of this switch is provided by a pole guard placed adjacent to the switch.
The Handle is designed to have proper grip and ergonomic construction. Also additional rubber padding is provided over the handle to make sweat or water proof. This also gives a better grip in holding

The lower portion of the controller assembly is designed with stoppers. The stoppers provide an easy way to removal and stowage after completion of activity. With the help of stoppers the unit can stowed by just hanging on the stand provided for it. Also these stoppers act as shield for the connector assembly at the bottom of the unit.
The portable hand held controller switching assembly is connected using a cable of approximately 20 meter which is detachable at the unit end. This is achieved by using a connector fixed at the end of the unit. The cable interconnecting the optical landing system and the unit is provided with a movable mating connector for connecting to unit. This feature ensures ease of fixing any fault developed within unit. If not repairable another serviceable alternate unit can used with existing set-up on deck.
The entire switch assemble is made up of light weight aluminum which is anodized and coated with primer and black paint to avoid corrosion or any other reaction with saline weather conditions. The switches used are cleared for outdoor weather conditions and have special protective jackets to avoid any water seepage. The cable used for interconnecting the portable hand held controller is well protected with protective sleeves and additional braiding making internal wires safe from external wear and tear. This complete features make the hand held controller a rugged unit suiting for deck or shore based test facility applications.

Claims
We Claim that,
1. Hand held switching controller is used for an easy operable and better signaling
method of optical landing system on a carrier deck or shore based test facility.
2. Unit designed to have proper grip and ergonomic construction, with additional rubber padding. This gives the better grip in holding.
3. The stoppers on unit provide an easy way to removal and stowage after . completion of activity and also protect the unit connector.
4. Design features make the hand held controller a rugged unit suiting for deck or shore based test facility applications