LED PAPI Optical Separator Using Precision Ground Blade
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI) systems using traditional light sources face limitations in providing clear visual cues for pilots during aircraft landing, particularly in terms of color separation and luminous intensity management, which can affect the accuracy of glide path determination.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a PAPI system utilizing an array of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) with precision ground stainless steel blades or colored lenses to separate and focus light beams, combined with a power management circuit that adjusts current to LEDs based on luminous intensity, ensuring optimal color differentiation and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional light sources are used in PAPI systems, then the system structure is simpler, but the color separation and luminous intensity management are insufficient, affecting glide path determination accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light source into multiple LED segments with different colors (red, green, white LEDs) arranged in specific patterns. Each LED segment emits a specific color to create distinct visual cues for glide path indication, improving color separation and measurement precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different optical properties to different parts of the system by using colored lenses or filters positioned at specific locations to modify light emission characteristics. This local differentiation of optical quality enhances color separation and luminous intensity control at critical positions, improving glide path determination accuracy without requiring complete system redesign.
2Manufacturing precision
If LED arrays are implemented with precision ground stainless steel blades or colored lenses, then color separation and luminous intensity are optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces precision ground stainless steel blades or colored lenses as intermediary optical elements positioned between the LED array and the observer. These intermediaries selectively transmit or block specific wavelengths, creating well-defined color transitions and optimizing luminous intensity distribution without requiring complex LED construction, thus achieving high manufacturing precision with manageable device complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If power management circuits are added to adjust current to LEDs, then energy efficiency and LED lifespan are improved, but the circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements power management circuits that monitor and adjust current distribution to different LED segments based on operational requirements. This feedback control optimizes energy consumption by activating only necessary LED segments at appropriate intensities, extending LED lifespan while maintaining the circuit complexity at an acceptable level through intelligent current management.
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 solution enhances the clarity of visual cues for pilots by providing well-defined color transitions and optimized luminous intensity, improving the accuracy of glide path determination while extending LED lifespan and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a PAPI system utilizing an array of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
Implementation Method 2
employs a precision ground stainless steel blade to separate different colors of light and provide a well defined transition
Implementation Method 3
employs colored lenses to separate different colors of light
Implementation Method 4
optical beam shaping apparatus that produce multiple light beams
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein is a LED PAPI (100) having an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (120), the array of LEDs (120) comprising a first set of LEDs emitting a first color and a second set of LEDs emitting a second color. Light from the array of LEDs passes through a pair of apertures (206,208) separated by a precision ground blade (210). The precision ground blade (210) has a first edge that is closest to the array of LEDs and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first and second edges have different thicknesses. After passing through the apertures (206,208), the light passes through a first lens and a second lens (116,118).