Compact Flush-Mounted Flashing Light for Aircraft Approach Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flush-mounted flashing lights for aircraft approach guidance are too large and heavy, leading to increased installation and maintenance costs, and are not suitable for compact installations such as flat ground surfaces, due to their projection above ground level.
Innovation Solution
A compact flush-mounted flashing light design utilizing a short xenon gas-discharge lamp with an electrode separation of less than 70 mm and a combined lens/prism arrangement for focusing and beam direction, which reduces the size and weight of the device, allowing for a smaller projection and easier handling, along with an internal drive circuit and integral housing components for improved cable length and thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a conventional xenon gas-discharge lamp with electrode separation of 100 mm or more is used, then sufficient light power is produced, but the device becomes too large and heavy for compact installations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by increasing the xenon gas pressure from conventional levels to 10-30 atm (1000-3000 kPa). This pressure increase allows the electrode separation to be reduced to less than 70 mm while maintaining sufficient light output power, thus resolving the contradiction between compact size and adequate power
2Adaptability or versatility
If a long cable (up to 30 m) is used for electrical connection between the flashing light and the ballast, then installation flexibility is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drive circuit functionality from the external ballast and integrates it directly into the housing of the flashing light. This eliminates the need for long external cables and complex external ballast units, reducing system complexity while maintaining installation flexibility through simplified wiring
3Illumination intensity
If the housing cover has a large projection above ground level to accommodate optical components, then optical performance is improved, but the device becomes unsuitable for flat ground surfaces and increases aircraft obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by integrating the optical components (lens and prism) directly into the housing cover structure itself, eliminating the need for separate optical housings that would increase projection height. The optical components are nested within the existing housing geometry, maintaining optical performance while minimizing ground projection to accommodate flat surfaces and reduce aircraft obstruction
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 new design results in a lighter, more compact flashing light that can be installed and maintained by one person, with reduced costs and enhanced durability, enabling applications in previously inaccessible locations and improving aircraft safety by minimizing obstruction during landing.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-discharge lamp with an electrode separation of less than 70 mm... Gas-discharge lamps are known as such from the prior art. They comprise a glass tube, which is generally filled with xenon with electrodes fused in at the ends
Implementation Method 2
The ionization of the xenon filling gas is initiated by means of a high-voltage pulse. Surge ionization results in the discharge current rising within 0.1 ms to values of several hundred amperes
Implementation Method 3
a lens for focusing of the light which is emitted from the light source is arranged on a light inlet surface of the prism... The light flashes from the high-light-intensity and relatively short light source are gathered by the lens arrangement
Implementation Method 4
The prism changes the direction of the beam direction of the light flashes, so that they leave the flashing light in a predetermined emission direction through light outlet openings in the housing upper part
Implementation Method 5
The aluminum highly-reflective mirror is used to guide the light produced by the discharge lamp in the direction of a prism
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a flush-mounted flashing light for approach guidance of aircraft, having a housing which has a housing pot (10) which can be inserted below ground level (F) and a housing cover (12) which covers this approximately at ground level (F) and having an optical system, which is arranged in the housing for controlled production and directed emission of light flashes, which comprises a light source (20) for production of light flashes and a prism (40) for varying the direction of the beam direction of the light flashes, with at least one light outlet opening (13) being provided in the housing cover (12) for light flashes to emerge from in a predetermined emission direction. The external dimensions as well as the total weight of the flashing light can be reduced considerably because the light source (20) is elongated and designed to emit a light over a length (L) of less than 100 mm, and because a lens (42) for focusing the light which is emitted from the light source (20) is arranged on a light inlet surface (41) of the prism (40).