Aircraft Laser Sensing Power Control for Eye Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser sensing systems for aircraft face challenges in eye safety during ground operations, as shutting off or shuttering non-critical systems is impractical for critical systems, and they often operate at higher power levels than necessary for most flight conditions, leading to inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and system that allows the laser sensing system to operate in two modes: a ground mode with reduced, eye-safe power for on-ground operations and an in-flight mode with full power, adjusting power based on flight phases and environmental conditions to optimize performance and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the laser system operates at full power during ground operations, then measurement performance and data collection capability are improved, but eye safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The laser system dynamically adjusts its power output based on the aircraft's operational state. The controller receives aircraft state information (ground vs. flight mode) and automatically adjusts the laser power accordingly, transitioning from full power during flight to reduced eye-safe power during ground operations. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the power level variable rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the laser power parameter based on operational conditions. During ground operations, the laser power is reduced to an eye-safe level, while during flight operations, it operates at full power. This parameter change allows the system to maintain measurement performance when needed while ensuring safety when the aircraft is on the ground.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the laser system is shut off or shuttered during ground operations, then eye safety is ensured, but system functionality and data collection capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely shutting off the laser during ground operations, the system applies partial action by reducing the power to an eye-safe level. This allows the laser to continue operating and collecting data during ground phases, while still ensuring eye safety. The partial operation maintains productivity while addressing safety concerns.
3Loss of time
If the laser operates at maximum power for all flight conditions, then data latency and performance requirements are met, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser power is dynamically adjusted based on the aircraft's operational state. During flight operations where low data latency is critical, the laser operates at full power to meet performance requirements. During ground operations where latency is less critical, the power is reduced to eye-safe levels, thereby reducing energy consumption without compromising critical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the laser power parameter based on operational context. By operating at maximum power only when necessary (during flight operations requiring low latency) and reducing power during ground operations, the system optimizes the trade-off between performance and energy consumption.
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
Enables safe and efficient operation of critical laser sensing systems during ground phases while ensuring eye safety and reducing power consumption during non-critical flight phases, improving system functionality and reducing latency in data collection.
Implementation Method 1
Remote detection sensors using light detection and ranging (LIDAR) methodologies may be utilized, for example, to monitor the environment external to an aircraft
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (12) for an aircraft (10) includes an optical sensor, at least one aircraft sensor, and a controller (18). The optical sensor is configured to emit a laser outside the aircraft (10), and the at least one aircraft sensor is configured to sense at least one aircraft condition. The controller (18) is configured to determine a first operational state of the aircraft (10) based upon the at least one aircraft condition and determine a second operational state of the aircraft (10) based on the at least one aircraft condition, and operate the optical sensor to emit the laser at a first intensity during the first operational state and a second intensity during the second operational state, wherein the second intensity is greater than the first intensity.