Aircraft Beacon Light Lens Structure Total Internal Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft beacon lights require high maintenance and complex reflector structures, which can lead to corrosion and increased aerodynamic drag, while failing to efficiently meet Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) for light intensity distribution.
Innovation Solution
A compact aircraft beacon light design utilizing a lens structure with total internal reflection to redirect light, eliminating the need for metallic reflectors and incorporating a silicone lens structure for durability and efficient light conditioning, ensuring compliance with FAR section 25.1401.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If metallic reflectors are used to redirect light in beacon lights, then light distribution can be controlled, but corrosion and electrolysis occur leading to high maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces metallic reflectors with a lens structure made of corrosion-resistant material (such as plastic or composite material). The lens structure uses refractive optics instead of reflective surfaces to redirect light, eliminating the corrosion and electrolysis problems associated with metallic reflectors. This substitution maintains light distribution control while significantly improving reliability and reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials for the lens structure that combine optical clarity with corrosion resistance. These materials allow the beacon light to achieve proper light distribution patterns without the degradation issues of metallic components, thereby reducing maintenance while preserving illumination control.
2Illumination intensity
If complex reflector structures are used to meet FAR light intensity requirements, then light intensity distribution can be controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex metallic reflector structures with a simpler lens-based optical system. The lens structure achieves the required light intensity distribution through refractive surfaces and internal optical design, eliminating the need for complex segmented reflectors and their associated mounting and adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the optical parameters by using a lens structure with specific refractive indices and surface curvatures to achieve the desired light distribution patterns. This approach simplifies the overall structure compared to complex reflector systems while meeting FAR section 25.1401 requirements for beacon light intensity distribution.
3Illumination intensity
If larger beacon light structures are used to ensure proper light distribution, then FAR compliance can be achieved, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a compact lens structure that achieves the required light distribution in a smaller volume compared to traditional reflector-based systems. This compact design reduces the aerodynamic profile of the beacon light, thereby minimizing drag while still meeting FAR compliance requirements for light intensity and distribution patterns.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional beacon light designs are used, then light emission function is achieved, but longevity is reduced due to corrosion and electrolysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces metallic reflector components with non-metallic lens structures made from corrosion-resistant materials such as engineered plastics or composites. This substitution eliminates the electrochemical corrosion and electrolysis that plague metallic components in the harsh aviation environment, thereby significantly extending the service life and longevity of the beacon light while maintaining the light emission function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials for the lens structure that provide both optical functionality and resistance to corrosion, electrolysis, and environmental degradation. These materials ensure long-term reliability and extended longevity of the beacon light system without compromising the light emission performance required for proper beacon operation.
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 reduces maintenance efforts, extends the longevity of the beacon light, and achieves a high degree of light efficiency and compliance with FAR requirements, while minimizing the beacon light's volume and aerodynamic impact.
Implementation Method 1
Directing a first portion of light from the plurality of light sources laterally outwards via total internal reflection allows for a desired re-directing of light in a space-efficient manner
Implementation Method 2
The lens structure conditions the light output of the aircraft beacon light. In particular, it may transform the light intensity distribution, as emitted by the plurality of light sources, into an output light intensity distribution
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An aircraft beacon light (2) includes a mounting plate (4) having a central portion (40); a plurality of light sources (6) arranged on the mounting plate (4) around the central portion (40) and facing away from the mounting plate (4); and a lens structure (8) arranged over the plurality of light sources (6), wherein the lens structure (8) is configured to reflect a first portion of light emitted by the plurality of light sources (6) laterally outwards via total internal reflection; wherein the aircraft beacon light is configured to emit flashes of red light in operation.