Aircraft Beacon Light Housing With Integrated Optical Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for capturing images outside an aircraft are obstructed by glare or moisture on windows and require costly FAA-certified mounts for exterior cameras, which often rely on batteries that die prematurely.
Innovation Solution
An aviation integrated optics and lighting unit that includes a housing with a light-emitting device and an optical sensor, allowing for unobstructed views and replacing existing beacon lights, with a rechargeable power source and controller for capturing and transmitting optical data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cameras are mounted to exterior portions of an aircraft to capture images outside, then unobstructed views can be obtained, but FAA certification requirements and complex mounting structures are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the camera housing with the beacon light housing into a single integrated unit. The camera is positioned within the existing beacon light structure, eliminating the need for separate external camera mounts and their associated FAA certification requirements. This merging of functions allows unobstructed external viewing while using the already-certified beacon light mounting structure.
2Ease of operation
If wireless cameras with batteries are used to capture external images, then installation flexibility is improved, but battery life is limited and requires frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated unit serves multiple functions: the beacon light provides aviation safety illumination while the camera captures external images. Both functions operate continuously without battery limitations since they draw power from the aircraft's electrical system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for replaceable batteries while maintaining installation flexibility.
3Device complexity
If internal cameras are used to capture images within the aircraft, then no external mounting is needed, but views are obstructed by glare or moisture on windows
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is integrated within the beacon light housing but positioned to look through the beacon light's external lens rather than through aircraft windows. This allows the system to maintain the simplicity of internal mounting while achieving unobstructed external views by using the beacon light's own optical path.
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
Provides an FAA-compliant, robust, and easily installable solution for capturing aircraft surroundings with unobstructed views, eliminating the need for external camera mounts and ensuring continuous operation through rechargeable power.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting device secured to the housing
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor positioned in the housing and configured to capture optical data
Data Source
AI summary
An aviation integrated optics and lighting unit for securing to a light receptacle of an aircraft. The aviation integrated optics and lighting unit comprises a housing, a light-emitting device, and an optical sensor. The light-emitting device is secured to the housing. The optical sensor is positioned in the housing and is configured to capture optical data.