Light-Signaling System Using Segmented Cylindrical Projectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional signaling devices for aircraft, such as those on chimneys, face inefficiencies due to the geometry of the chimney, where light emitted in the center direction is obstructed and consumes power without being useful, leading to incomplete signaling and suboptimal power usage.
Innovation Solution
A light-signaling system comprising multiple lighting modules with elongated cylindrical lenses and linear light sources, arranged to emit flat light beams in predefined angular sectors, allowing coverage of all azimuthal directions without obstruction by the support, with projectors fixed together to facilitate installation and power supply through a modular system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single isotropic cylindrical light beacon is positioned on one side of the chimney, then the beacon can be installed on the chimney structure, but the light emitted in the center direction is obstructed by the chimney itself, resulting in incomplete signaling coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The single light beacon is divided into multiple lighting modules (at least three), each equipped with directional projectors that emit light in specific azimuthal sectors. This segmentation allows each module to cover a defined angular range, collectively achieving complete 360-degree coverage without obstruction from the chimney structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting modules are positioned asymmetrically around the chimney at different angular positions (e.g., 0°, 120°, 240°), with each module's projectors oriented to cover specific azimuthal sectors. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that no single chimney structure blocks all light paths, as each module covers directions away from its own position.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If light is emitted in the direction passing through the center of the chimney, then the light consumes power, but the chimney itself obstructs this light, making it useless
Solution Approach 1:
Each lighting module emits light with directional characteristics tailored to its specific position on the chimney. The projectors are oriented to concentrate light in azimuthal sectors that are not blocked by the chimney structure, ensuring that every unit of energy produces useful illumination in the required directions rather than wasting power on obstructed paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts light emission patterns to the chimney's geometric constraints. By positioning multiple modules at different angular locations and orienting their projectors accordingly, the system optimizes energy distribution to cover only the azimuthal sectors that are not blocked, eliminating waste while maintaining complete coverage.
3Ease of operation
If multiple lighting modules with multiple projectors are used to achieve complete azimuthal coverage, then signaling coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple projectors are merged into integrated lighting modules that are positioned around the chimney. Each module combines a light source, directional optics, and mounting structure into a unified unit, reducing the number of separate components that need to be individually installed and managed while achieving complete azimuthal coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting modules are designed as universal units that can be positioned at different angular locations around the chimney and oriented to cover specific azimuthal sectors. This multi-functional design allows the same module type to serve different positional requirements, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining complete coverage capability.
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
The system ensures comprehensive airspace coverage, optimizing light emission efficiency and reducing power consumption, while maintaining effective signaling without blind spots and minimizing disturbance to residents.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated cylindrical lens, the cylindrical shape of which is defined by a horizontal generatrix direction; and a linear light source parallel to the generatrix direction, extending over all or part of the length of the cylindrical lens in order to emit a luminous flux in the direction of the cylindrical lens; the cylindrical lens being capable of generating a main flat light beam by concentrating the luminous flux within a predefined elevation angular sector
Data Source
AI summary
A light-signaling system includes three lighting modules, each including two projectors fixed together. Each projector includes an elongated cylindrical lens defined by a horizontal generatrix direction, and a linear light source parallel to the generatrix direction, for emitting a luminous flux. The cylindrical lens is capable of generating and projecting a main flat light beam within a predefined azimuthal angular sector that is greater than 60°. The two projectors of the same lighting module are arranged such that the generatrix direction of the first projector and the generatrix direction of the second projector form an angle of 120° the bisectrix of which defines the main direction of the lighting module.