Aircraft Navigation Light Power Tap for Supplemental Exterior Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft exterior lighting systems face challenges in integrating additional lighting functions without compromising the primary navigation lighting functionality and requiring extensive re-design or additional certification, and there is a need to extend the on-board power supply to remote locations on the aircraft without adding power lines.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft navigation light with an integrated auxiliary power supply and power conditioning circuit that diverts power to an external supplemental exterior aircraft light, allowing for additional lighting functionality without re-designing the navigation light and maintaining compliance with air traffic regulations, using LEDs and a controller to manage power flow based on the operational status of the anti-collision lighting system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional exterior aircraft lights are installed to provide supplemental lighting functions, then lighting functionality is improved, but device complexity and power wiring complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation light assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides navigation lighting through the navigation light bulb and simultaneously serves as a power supply node for supplemental exterior aircraft lights through the integrated power tap and wiring harness. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to support both navigation and supplemental lighting without adding separate power distribution infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The supplemental exterior aircraft light system is nested within the existing navigation light assembly structure. The power tap is integrated into the navigation light's electrical circuit, and the supplemental light is positioned to utilize the navigation light's mounting location and power supply connection points, effectively nesting the supplemental functionality within the existing structural framework.
2Adaptability or versatility
If power lines are extended to remote locations on the aircraft to provide power for additional lights, then power supply coverage is improved, but device complexity and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation light assembly itself serves as the power supply node for supplemental lighting. The power tap is directly integrated into the navigation light's electrical circuit, allowing the navigation light to provide power to supplemental lights without requiring external power distribution infrastructure or additional wiring to remote locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The power distribution function is merged with the navigation light assembly. The power tap, wiring harness, and supplemental light form an integrated subsystem that combines power distribution and supplemental lighting functions within the existing navigation light mounting location, eliminating the need for separate power line extensions to remote areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the navigation light is re-designed to include additional lighting functions, then lighting functionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity and certification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into independent functional modules: the navigation light assembly (with navigation bulb and housing) and the supplemental exterior light (with its own bulb and housing). These modules are connected through an integrated power tap and wiring harness, allowing them to be manufactured separately and assembled together. This segmentation enables the supplemental lighting function to be added without re-designing the entire navigation light assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The power tap and wiring harness act as intermediary components that connect the navigation light assembly to the supplemental exterior light. This intermediary connection allows power and control signals to be transmitted between the two independent modules without requiring direct integration or re-design of either module's internal structure.
4Area of stationary object
If additional exterior aircraft lights are added to remote locations, then lighting coverage is improved, but loss of time for certification and approval increases
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation light assembly serves dual purposes: providing navigation lighting and serving as a power supply node for supplemental exterior lights. This multi-functionality allows the supplemental lighting system to leverage the existing certified navigation light installation, potentially reducing certification requirements compared to installing completely separate lighting systems at remote locations.
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
Enables the extension of the on-board power supply to remote aircraft locations, adding supplemental lighting without increasing power wiring complexity, while maintaining primary navigation functionality and avoiding additional certification requirements, and allows for efficient operation of exterior aircraft image projectors.
Implementation Method 1
a power conditioning circuit, coupled between the power input and the at least one navigation light source for conditioning a power flow from the power input to the at least one navigation light source
Implementation Method 2
an auxiliary power supply, coupled to the power conditioning circuit for diverting power from the navigation lighting arrangement
Implementation Method 3
at least one LED coupled to the power input for receiving power from the aircraft on-board power supply and configured to emit a light output
Data Source
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AI summary
An aircraft navigation light (2) includes: a navigation lighting arrangement, having: a power input (60), coupleable to an aircraft on-board power supply network (190, 192), at least one navigation light source (70), and a power conditioning circuit (62), coupled between the power input (60) and the at least one navigation light source (70) for conditioning a power flow from the power input (60) to the at least one navigation light source (70); an auxiliary power supply (32), coupled to the power conditioning circuit (62) for diverting power from the navigation lighting arrangement; and a power supply output (34), coupled to the auxiliary power supply (32), for supplying power from the auxiliary power supply (32) to an exterior aircraft light (4), external to the aircraft navigation light (2).