Aircraft Beacon Light with Annular Splitter for Drag Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft beacon lights introduce aerodynamic drag and are prone to mechanical issues like bird strikes due to their positioning, and power supply can be challenging, necessitating a more efficient and reliable solution.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft beacon light design featuring a support plate with LEDs, an annular light splitting element with reflective and transmissive portions, and light conditioning elements to redirect light efficiently, achieving high light intensity while minimizing space and power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If beacon lights are positioned remotely from the aircraft core to provide 360-degree visibility, then light coverage is improved, but aerodynamic drag and mechanical vulnerability increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight coverageVSAvoidaerodynamic drag and bird strike risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a conventional single-point light source to a distributed array of LEDs arranged in a specific geometric pattern on the aircraft surface. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the beacon light function to be integrated into the aircraft skin, eliminating the need for remote protruding light assemblies while maintaining 360-degree visibility through coordinated illumination of multiple LED elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If conventional beacon light assemblies are used to achieve sufficient light intensity, then illumination requirements are met, but power consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight output intensityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The beacon light system is segmented into multiple individual LED elements distributed across the aircraft surface, each contributing to the overall illumination. This segmentation allows for efficient light distribution and reduced power consumption compared to a single high-intensity source, while also enabling independent control and failure isolation of individual LED segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the beacon light function with the aircraft skin structure itself, integrating the LED array directly into the fuselage surface. This consolidation eliminates separate light housing and mounting structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective beacon illumination through the coordinated operation of integrated LED elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Illumination intensity

If remote beacon light positions are used for visibility, then light distribution is improved, but mechanical reliability deteriorates due to bird strike and structural exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidmechanical reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The LED beacon elements are nested within or integrated into the aircraft skin structure, with the light-generating components positioned inside or flush with the fuselage surface. This nesting protects the delicate LED elements and their electronics from external damage such as bird strikes, while the aircraft skin itself acts as a protective enclosure that maintains structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design allows for efficient light usage, meeting regulatory requirements with reduced power consumption and aerodynamic impact, providing a compact and reliable beacon light system.

Implementation Method 1

the proximate side has reflective portions and transmissive portions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

at least one light conditioning element for redirecting light having passed through the transmissive portions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS11072437B2Aircraft beacon light and aircraft comprising the same

Publication Date: 2021.07.27 GOODRICH LIGHTING SYST GMBH

AI summary

An aircraft beacon light is provided for emitting flashes of red light into an environment around an aircraft. The aircraft beacon light includes a support plate having a central portion; a plurality of LEDs, arranged on the support plate around the central portion and facing away from the support plate; an annular light splitting element, having a proximate side arranged over and facing the plurality of LEDs, wherein the proximate side has reflective portions and transmissive portions; and at least one light conditioning element for redirecting light having passed through the transmissive portions of the proximate side of the annular light splitting element.