Helicopter Search Light Flash Mode for Bird Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Helicopter collisions with birds pose a significant risk of damage and dangerous situations, and existing solutions require additional heavy and costly light units that can affect flight behavior and increase weight.

Innovation Solution

Repurposing the helicopter search light to operate in a flash mode by periodically switching it on and off, with adjustable light direction along an elliptic cone, utilizing existing LED light sources to create a high-intensity, efficient anti-bird collision system without additional structural components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional light units are installed for anti-bird-collision purposes, then the effectiveness of bird collision avoidance is improved, but the weight and cost of the helicopter increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebird collision avoidance effectivenessVSAvoidhelicopter weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The helicopter search light is configured to perform multiple functions: ground illumination during landing approach and anti-bird-collision illumination. By enabling the search light to operate in different modes (ground illumination mode and bird scaring mode), the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated anti-bird-collision light units, thereby reducing weight while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the ground illumination function and anti-bird-collision illumination function into a single search light system. The control unit integrates both functions by switching the search light between different operational modes, merging what would traditionally require separate equipment into one unified system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If additional light units are installed for anti-bird-collision purposes, then the effectiveness of bird collision avoidance is improved, but the cost of the helicopter increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebird collision avoidance effectivenessVSAvoidhelicopter cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The search light system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both ground illumination and anti-bird-collision purposes. This eliminates the need for additional dedicated equipment, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining effective bird collision avoidance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

By merging ground illumination and anti-bird-collision functions into a single search light system with integrated control, the patent reduces the total number of components required, leading to lower manufacturing and installation costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If additional light units are installed for anti-bird-collision purposes, then the effectiveness of bird collision avoidance is improved, but the flight behavior of the helicopter is affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebird collision avoidance effectivenessVSAvoidflight behavior

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The search light system performs dual functions without requiring additional mounting structures. By using the existing search light for both ground illumination and bird scaring, the patent avoids adding heavy equipment that would negatively impact flight characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If the search light is operated in flash mode with periodic switching, then the bird scaring effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption pattern changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebird scaring effectivenessVSAvoidsearch light energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit operates the search light in a flash mode with periodic switching between on and off states. This periodic operation creates effective bird scaring through intermittent high-intensity illumination while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the search light by switching between different modes (ground illumination mode with continuous operation and bird scaring mode with periodic flashing). This parameter change optimizes both effectiveness and energy efficiency for different operational requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Effectively reduces the risk of bird collisions by utilizing existing search lights, maintaining weight and cost efficiency while enhancing bird scaring range and coverage, without the need for additional equipment.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing existing LED light sources to create a high-intensity, efficient anti-bird collision system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

the flashing of the helicopter search light is useful for scaring birds away

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotophobia:

Data Source

PatentUS11021264B2Anti-bird-collision light

Publication Date: 2021.06.01 GOODRICH LIGHTING SYST GMBH

AI summary

A helicopter anti-bird-collision system including a search light (2) and a control unit (35) which is configured for operating the search light (2) in a flash light mode by switching the search light periodically on and off.