Aircraft Wingtip Light Bar for Taxi Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft lighting systems lack enhanced visibility at wingtips, particularly during taxiing operations where wing interference is a concern, and existing technologies do not provide sufficient supplemental lighting beyond navigation lights.
Innovation Solution
A lighting arrangement featuring a light bar extending along the leading edge or winglet of an aircraft's wing, which can include passive or active light strips made from LEDs, OLEDs, or other light sources, and a controller to adjust color, intensity, and pulsation, providing enhanced visibility and customizable lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If navigation lights are positioned at the wingtip, then the aircraft meets regulatory requirements for visibility, but the visibility is insufficient to prevent wing interference during taxiing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent light sources: traditional navigation lights (red/green/white) and supplemental lighting elements (strobes, LEDs, laser lights) positioned at different locations including wingtips, winglets, and fuselage. Each segment serves specific functions - navigation lights for regulatory compliance and supplemental lights for enhanced visibility and collision prevention during ground operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different lighting characteristics are applied to different locations: intense strobe lights at wingtips for maximum visibility, LED arrays along winglets for continuous illumination, and laser lights for precise obstruction marking. Each location receives the specific type and intensity of lighting most effective for its function, creating locally optimized visibility solutions.
2Illumination intensity
If additional lighting elements are added to enhance wingtip visibility, then visibility and safety are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is designed with multi-functional elements that serve multiple purposes: LED arrays provide both navigation lighting and anti-collision illumination; strobe lights serve as both position markers and warning signals; laser lights mark obstructions and provide guidance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated lighting systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates relatively simple, easily replaceable lighting components such as LED modules and strobe units that can be quickly swapped if failed. These are designed as consumable or easily replaceable elements rather than complex permanent installations, reducing long-term maintenance complexity despite initial system complexity.
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 solution enhances visibility at aircraft wingtips, reducing the risk of wing interference during taxiing and allowing for customizable lighting schemes for identification and safety, improving operational safety and compliance with aviation regulations.
Implementation Method 1
The light bar is configured to emit light along a length thereof... at least one light emitting source... navigation lights using light emitting diodes (LEDs)
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting arrangement for an aircraft includes a navigational lighting group disposed at a leading edge of a wing of the aircraft. The navigational lighting group includes at least one right of way light. The lighting arrangement also includes a light bar extending along at least a portion of the leading edge of the wing, adjacent to the navigational lighting group. The light bar is configured to emit light along a length thereof.