Aircraft Light Erosion Detection and Adaptive Control
Solution Overview
Problem
Current exterior aircraft lights do not adequately provide good visibility conditions for pilots under varying operating conditions such as ambient light changes, weather, and component erosion, requiring manual analysis and intervention for effective operation.
Innovation Solution
A method to automatically determine the operating conditions of exterior aircraft lights by using a light detector and controller to assess erosion and ambient conditions, allowing for adaptive light output adjustments without human intervention, including distinguishing between erosion, fog, clouds, and ambient light, and providing an erosion indication signal for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If exterior aircraft lights operate under varying ambient light and weather conditions, then visibility for pilots is required, but current lights cannot maintain satisfactory visibility under all conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation by continuously monitoring operating conditions (ambient light, weather, erosion) and automatically adjusting light output parameters. The system transitions from static to dynamic operation, where light intensity, color temperature, and beam pattern are continuously optimized based on real-time sensor feedback about environmental conditions and component status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multiple sensors (light detectors, weather sensors, erosion detectors) that provide continuous feedback about operating conditions to a control unit. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust light output to maintain optimal visibility while preventing glare and unnecessary energy consumption, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
2Extent of automation
If manual analysis and intervention are used to manage exterior aircraft lights, then some control is achieved, but automatic determination of operating conditions is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by automatically monitoring its own operating conditions through integrated sensors. The control unit continuously evaluates light source status, optical component erosion, and environmental conditions, then autonomously adjusts operation without pilot intervention. This self-service capability maximizes automation while maintaining complete information about system state through continuous sensing.
3Illumination intensity
If light output is increased to improve visibility, then visibility improves, but glare and unnecessary light emission occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts multiple light output parameters including intensity, color temperature, and beam distribution pattern based on real-time operating conditions. By changing these parameters adaptively rather than simply increasing overall intensity, the system maintains optimal visibility while minimizing glare and energy waste. The control unit modulates light source characteristics to match actual visibility requirements.
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
Enhances aircraft safety by ensuring reliable visibility conditions through automatic detection and adjustment of light output, reducing the risk of glare and unnecessary light emission, and enabling timely maintenance of optical components.
Implementation Method 1
a light detector, which is configured for detecting light emitted by the at least one light source and reflected by the optical element
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
A method of determining operating conditions of an exterior aircraft light (2) comprising at least one light source (4) includes: operating the at least one light source (4) of the exterior aircraft light (2); repeatedly detecting light with a light detector (12), which is located at the exterior aircraft light (2) and configured for providing light detection values (I); determining a smallest light detection value (Imin) provided by the light detector (12) within a first period of time, and storing said smallest light detection value (Imin) as an element of a series of smallest light detection values (Imin); and evaluating the light detection values (l) and the series of smallest light detection values (Imin) for detecting erosion of an optical component (8) of the exterior aircraft light (2), for detecting the presence of ambient light (14) and/or for detecting the presence of fog and/or clouds (20) in front of the exterior aircraft light (2).