Multi-Beam LED Retrofit for Aircraft Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial aircraft external light systems using incandescent or halogen lamps are inefficient and have short operational lives, with limited flexibility in design and placement due to space constraints, making it costly to replace them with LED lamps that offer lower light output per unit size.
Innovation Solution
The development of an LED light system for aircraft that utilizes multi-beam LED lamps with optical elements like reflectors or lenses to direct light at specific angles, allowing for retrofitting within existing mounting spaces to achieve comparable light output to incandescent systems while being more efficient and reducing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If incandescent or halogen lamps are used for aircraft external lighting, then high light output is achieved, but operational life is short and energy efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from incandescent/halogen lamp technology to LED technology, fundamentally changing the light generation mechanism. LEDs convert electrical energy to light through electroluminescence, achieving significantly higher energy efficiency (reducing power consumption by 70-80%) while maintaining adequate illumination intensity for aircraft external lighting applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the short operational life of incandescent lamps by implementing LED modules with extended service life (5000+ hours vs. 100-200 hours for incandescent). The modular LED design with replaceable modules allows easy replacement without replacing the entire lighting assembly, reducing maintenance costs and downtime
2Loss of energy
If LED lamps with lower light output per unit size are used, then energy efficiency improves, but mounting space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the LED lighting system into modular units, each containing multiple LED chips arranged in arrays. This segmentation allows the lighting function to be distributed across multiple small components rather than requiring a single large lamp, enabling installation in existing aircraft mounting spaces while maintaining high energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nested结构设计 where LED chips are mounted on circuit boards that are then housed in compact modules. These modules can be nested within existing aircraft lighting housings, allowing the LED system to fit within the same mounting space as traditional incandescent lamps while providing superior energy efficiency
3Illumination intensity
If multiple LED lamps are added to increase light output, then illumination intensity improves, but aircraft weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LED light sources into single integrated lighting assemblies that replace traditional incandescent lamp units. By merging multiple LEDs with shared optical elements (reflectors, lenses) and control electronics, the system achieves high illumination intensity without the cumulative weight of multiple separate lamp assemblies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs LED lighting assemblies that can serve multiple functions: providing illumination, acting as structural components, and integrating with aircraft systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby minimizing weight while maintaining required light output levels
4Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated landing lights, takeoff lights, taxi lights and runway turnoff lights are used, then specific lighting functions are achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs LED modules capable of operating in multiple modes by controlling different LED chips or groups of chips within the same module. A single LED lighting assembly can function as landing light, takeoff light, taxi light, or runway turnoff light by activating appropriate LED subsets, thereby reducing the total number of dedicated lamp assemblies needed and simplifying the overall lighting system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamically controllable LED lighting systems where the operational characteristics (beam direction, intensity, color) can be changed in real-time through electronic control. This dynamic capability allows a single lighting system to adapt to different operational requirements, replacing multiple static lighting systems and reducing complexity
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 LED light system provides sufficient luminous flux and intensity for takeoff and landing operations, meeting SAE ARP 693 recommendations, while being more efficient and reducing the weight and cost associated with traditional incandescent systems.
Implementation Method 1
A first optical element may comprise at least one of a reflector or a lens
Implementation Method 2
A first optical element may comprise at least one of a reflector or a lens
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
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AI summary
A light emitting diode, LED, light system retrofitted for an aircraft having a preexisting mounting area, comprising an LED lamp sized and configured to fit within the preexisting mounting area of the aircraft, the LED lamp having multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) that define an LED array and the LED array being configured such that beams centered around different angles are formed by light emitted from different LEDs in the LED array being directed by a single optical element.