LED Precision Approach Path Indicator With Heat-Sinking Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PAPI systems using quartz halogen lamps face issues with luminous efficiency, energy consumption, heat generation, and frequent maintenance due to their short lifespan, leading to higher operational costs and potential downtime.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a heatsink assembly with LED sources, back and front collimating lenses, and optical filters to provide collimated and filtered light, along with a printed wire assembly and tilt sensor for precise light guidance, reducing heat and maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If quartz halogen lamps are used in PAPI systems, then initial cost-effectiveness and ease of producing red and white light spectrum are improved, but luminous efficiency and lifespan deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the light source from quartz halogen to LED technology. This parameter change enables the system to maintain the ability to produce red and white light spectra while dramatically improving luminous efficiency and lifespan. The LED-based system achieves wavelengths of 630-680nm for red light and 480-530nm for white light, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the thermal-based quartz halogen lamp system with an electroluminescence-based LED system. This substitution replaces the mechanical/thermal light generation mechanism with a more efficient electrical-to-optical conversion process, achieving both ease of manufacture through standard LED production processes and improved reliability through the inherent longevity of LED technology.
2Ease of manufacture
If quartz halogen bulbs are used, then initial cost-effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption and heat generation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy conversion parameter from thermal radiation (quartz halogen) to electroluminescence (LED). This parameter change dramatically improves energy efficiency by converting electrical energy directly to light with minimal heat generation, while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the lower operational costs and extended service life of LED components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful heat generation of quartz halogen lamps into a benefit by using LED technology that inherently generates minimal heat. The heatsink assembly further manages any heat produced, converting a potential harmful effect into a controlled thermal management solution that improves overall system efficiency and reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If quartz halogen lamps are used, then initial cost-effectiveness is improved, but maintenance requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the service life parameter from the limited lifespan of quartz halogen lamps (typically 1-2 years) to the extended lifespan of LED modules (50,000+ hours). This parameter change reduces maintenance frequency and operational downtime while maintaining cost-effectiveness through lower replacement and maintenance costs over the system's operational life.
4Ease of manufacture
If quartz halogen bulbs are used, then initial cost-effectiveness is improved, but heat generation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the thermal radiation mechanism of quartz halogen lamps with the electroluminescence mechanism of LEDs. This substitution eliminates the need for significant heat generation to produce light, thereby resolving the contradiction between initial cost-effectiveness and heat generation. The heatsink assembly manages the minimal heat produced, converting a harmful effect into a controlled thermal solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful heat generation issue into a benefit by using LED technology that inherently produces minimal heat. The heatsink assembly further manages this minimal heat, demonstrating how a potential problem is transformed into a controlled and manageable aspect of the system design.
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
Improves reliability and efficiency by managing heat and reducing maintenance, while maintaining precise light guidance for safe aircraft landings with lower operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
Each optical channel also includes a back collimating lens coupled to a second surface of the heatsink assembly. The LED source is configured to emit light through the back collimating lens to provide collimated light.
Implementation Method 2
Each optical channel also includes an optical filter disposed to interact with a first portion of the collimated light to form filtered light.
Implementation Method 3
Each optical channel also includes a front collimating lens configured to interact with the filtered light and a second portion of the collimated light to form output light.
Implementation Method 4
The system includes a heatsink assembly. Each optical channel includes a light emitting diode (LED) source coupled to a first surface of the heatsink assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to precision approach path indicator (PAPI) systems. An example system includes a heatsink assembly and a plurality of optical channels. Each optical channel of the plurality of optical channels includes a light emitting diode (LED) source coupled to a first surface of the heatsink assembly. Each optical channel also includes a back collimating lens coupled to a second surface of the heatsink assembly. The LED source is configured to emit light through the back collimating lens to provide collimated light. Each optical channel also includes an optical filter disposed to interact with a first portion of the collimated light to form filtered light. Each optical channel also includes a front collimating lens configured to interact with the filtered light and a second portion of the collimated light to form output light.