LED Airport Light Elliptical Beam via Angled Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED airport lights face challenges in achieving a specific elliptical radiation pattern without complex and costly optical components, while also requiring high reliability, long lifetime, and low manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves mounting first and second LEDs on separate modules at an angle to each other, typically between 6° to 30°, to create overlapping light beams that approximate an elliptical radiation pattern, using a simple and cost-effective arrangement without lenses or reflectors, and housing them in a thermally conductive metal housing with a glass cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If complex optical components like lenses and mirrors are used to achieve an elliptical radiation pattern, then the radiation pattern precision is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex optical components (lenses and mirrors) from the system. Instead of using multiple optical elements to shape the light, the patent uses a single LED source with its inherent emission characteristics, eliminating the need for complex optical train while achieving the desired radiation pattern through strategic LED placement and orientation
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using optical components to transform circular LED emission into an elliptical pattern, the invention inverts the approach by directly positioning and orienting LED(s) to emit light in the desired elliptical distribution from the start, working with the natural emission pattern rather than attempting to correct it
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple LEDs are mounted at angles to create overlapping light beams for an elliptical pattern, then the radiation pattern is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies asymmetry by mounting LEDs at specific non-uniform angles relative to the housing axis. The first LED is mounted at a first angle and the second LED at a second angle, creating an asymmetric arrangement that generates the elliptical radiation pattern. This asymmetric positioning allows precise control over the light distribution without requiring symmetric complexity
3Shape
If LED modules are mounted at angles to each other, then the elliptical radiation pattern is achieved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the LED modules universal by designing them with standardized mounting interfaces and configurations. The modules can be mounted at different angles depending on the desired radiation pattern, allowing the same basic module design to serve multiple angular requirements. This universality reduces the need for custom precision-machined mounting structures for each specific angle
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
This approach results in a reliable and efficient LED airport light with an elliptical radiation pattern that meets ICAO standards, offering high optical power and long lifetime while reducing manufacturing complexity and costs, allowing for easy adaptation to individual requirements by adjusting the module holder.
Implementation Method 1
at least first and second LEDs forming at least two light beams
Implementation Method 2
The first and second modules are contained within a housing which preferably is made of metal to achieve good thermal conductivity
Data Source
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AI summary
An airport light for generating and elliptical beam of light and a method for generating such a beam of light is disclosed. The airport light has within a housing a first module with first LEDs, generating a first beam of light and a second module with a second LEDs, generating a second beam of light. The modules are mounted under an angle against each other resulting in non-parallel and partially overlapping beams of light from the LEDs.