Multi-Mode Aircraft Beacon Light With Orientation-Based Infrared Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft beacon lights require separate upper and lower units to achieve different infrared light output characteristics, increasing component complexity and risk of operational errors due to incorrect mounting.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mode aircraft beacon light that can automatically determine its mounting orientation and selectively operate as either an upper or lower beacon light, using an orientation sensor and controller to activate subsets of infrared light sources for appropriate output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate upper and lower beacon light units are used to achieve different infrared light output characteristics, then the desired spatially restricted infrared output for lower beacon lights is achieved, but the component complexity and risk of operational errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single beacon light unit that can function as both upper and lower beacon lights. The controller selectively activates different subsets of infrared light sources based on the detected mounting orientation, allowing one universal component to replace two specialized components, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining functional differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the infrared light source activation dynamic rather than static. The controller dynamically selects which subsets of infrared light sources to activate based on real-time orientation sensor data, enabling the same hardware configuration to adapt its behavior according to mounting position, thus eliminating the need for separate fixed configurations.
2Reliability
If separate upper and lower beacon light units are used to achieve different infrared light output characteristics, then the appropriate infrared light distribution for each position is achieved, but the risk of operational errors due to incorrect mounting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using an orientation sensor to continuously monitor the mounting position of the beacon light and providing this information to the controller. The controller then adjusts the activation of infrared light sources based on this feedback, ensuring correct operation regardless of mounting orientation and preventing operational errors that would result from incorrect installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon light system applies self-service by automatically detecting its own mounting orientation and self-adjusting which infrared light sources to activate. This self-diagnosis and self-correction capability eliminates the need for manual configuration or specialized training for installation, reducing mounting errors while simplifying the system to a single universal unit.
3Device complexity
If a single beacon light unit is used for both upper and lower positions, then component count is reduced, but the ability to provide spatially restricted infrared output for lower beacon lights is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the infrared light sources into multiple distinct subsets, where each subset is responsible for a specific spatial output pattern. The controller selectively activates appropriate subsets based on mounting orientation, enabling a single unified unit to deliver differentiated spatial light distribution characteristics required for both upper and lower beacon positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically altering which infrared light sources are activated based on the mounting orientation parameter. This parameter-driven selection allows the system to change its effective light output characteristics - from wide dispersion for upper positions to spatially restricted patterns for lower positions - using the same physical hardware.
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi mode aircraft beacon light (2) comprises a mounting portion (3) for mounting the multi mode aircraft beacon light (2) to an aircraft fuselage (104); at least one visible light source (61) for emitting a visible beacon light output; a plurality of infrared light sources (62a, 62b) for emitting an infrared beacon light output (71, 72); an orientation sensor (14); and a controller (12), coupled to the orientation sensor (14) for receiving an orientation sensor signal from the orientation sensor (14). The controller (12) is configured to determine a mounting orientation of the multi mode aircraft beacon light (2) from the orientation sensor signal, wherein the mounting orientation is indicative of whether the multi mode aircraft beacon light (2) has an upper fuselage mounting position or a lower fuselage mounting position; and to selectively operate the plurality of infrared light sources (62a, 62b), depending on the mounting orientation of the multi mode aircraft beacon light (2).