Landing Gear Wheel Lighting for Electric Taxi Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack a method to easily and efficiently identify aircraft equipped with electric taxi systems for autonomous ground movement, making it difficult for airport personnel to differentiate them from those requiring tow vehicles and main engine operation, leading to potential delays and safety risks in ground operations.
Innovation Solution
An identification system using a lighting arrangement on aircraft landing gear wheels, powered by the electric taxi system or a dedicated power source, to clearly distinguish aircraft equipped with electric taxi systems from those that are not, ensuring visibility under various environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If aircraft are identified by traditional fuselage markings, then airline identification is provided, but information about electric taxi system equipment is not visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the identification system from the traditional fuselage area to the landing gear wheel area, utilizing a different spatial dimension on the aircraft. This allows identification information to be displayed in a location that is both visible to ground personnel and does not interfere with traditional fuselage markings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lighting elements as an intermediary medium to make the identification information visible. The lights are positioned on the landing gear wheel hub or rim and can be activated to clearly display the presence of an electric taxi system, making information visible without adding complex external signage.
2Illumination intensity
If lighting systems are added to landing gear wheels, then visibility of electric taxi system is improved, but structural complexity of wheel system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the lighting system into the existing landing gear wheel structure, allowing the wheel to serve both its primary function of supporting and moving the aircraft and the secondary function of displaying identification information. The lighting elements are positioned on the wheel hub or rim and can be activated to clearly display the presence of an electric taxi system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the wheel rim or hub as a mounting surface for the lighting elements, effectively using the existing wheel structure as a carrier for the identification system. This approach avoids adding bulky external components and maintains the aesthetic and functional integrity of the wheel while providing clear visibility.
3Reliability
If direct communication between pilot and airport personnel is required, then accurate information about ground movement mode is confirmed, but ground operations efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a visual identification system that is continuously visible on the aircraft, allowing airport personnel to immediately identify aircraft equipped with electric taxi systems without waiting for radio communication. The lighting elements on the landing gear wheels provide preliminary visual information that eliminates the need for time-consuming verbal confirmations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the radio communication system with an optical signaling system. Instead of requiring pilots to verbally confirm ground movement capabilities, the system uses visible lighting elements on the landing gear wheels to automatically convey information about electric taxi system presence, eliminating the need for radio communication in this specific information exchange.
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
Enables quick and safe identification of electric taxi-equipped aircraft, optimizing ground operations by allowing appropriate services to be provided efficiently, reducing the need for tow vehicles and enhancing safety by avoiding jet blast and engine ingestion risks.
Implementation Method 1
An identification system using a lighting arrangement on aircraft landing gear wheels
Data Source
AI summary
An identification system and method are provided for aircraft equipped with electric taxi systems for autonomous ground movement that enables airport ground personnel and others outside the aircraft to safely and easily identify the aircraft moving on ground surfaces at an airport as equipped with a pilot-controlled electric taxi system and to distinguish these aircraft from aircraft not moved by electric taxi systems. The identification system may be mounted with nose or main landing gear drive wheels supporting the electric taxi system. The identification system includes an identifying lighting system with lighting elements of a selected number, shape, color, or arrangement positioned on at least a visible face of one or more landing gear wheels. Automatic or manual controls may actuate the identification system to identify electric taxi system-equipped aircraft when the aircraft are moved with the electric taxi system or are stopped.