Precision Color-Controlled LED Light Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airfield lighting maintenance is costly and cumbersome due to the need for frequent changes in light color and the requirement for multiple spare parts to meet aviation regulatory standards, especially with traditional light sources like incandescent, halogen, and LEDs, which require replacement or optical filter adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A precision variable-color light source using multiple LED emitters with active monitoring and control, allowing for precise radiometric and photometric output, and programmable operational parameters through a communications link, enabling closed-loop control of color and intensity, reducing the need for multiple spare parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional light sources (incandescent, halogen, gas-arc, cold-cathode fluorescent) are used, then the light sources can provide sufficient illumination, but changing the color requires replacing optical filters which is costly, cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of a single LED by adjusting drive current to achieve different color temperatures and hues, eliminating the need to replace optical filters. The LED's color characteristics are dynamically controlled through electrical parameter adjustment rather than physical component replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
A single LED-based light source is designed to perform multiple color functions (white, yellow, red, green, blue) that traditionally required multiple different light sources or filter combinations. This multi-functional LED replaces the need for an entire inventory of specialized optical filters and light sources.
2Reliability
If multiple spare parts are maintained to provide various aviation colors, then regulatory compliance is ensured, but the spare parts inventory strains the maintenance budget and consumes valuable storage space
Solution Approach 1:
A single LED-based light source is designed to perform multiple color functions (white, yellow, red, green, blue) that traditionally required multiple different light sources or filter combinations. This multi-functional LED replaces the need for an entire inventory of specialized optical filters and light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of a single LED by adjusting drive current to achieve different color temperatures and hues, eliminating the need to replace optical filters. The LED's color characteristics are dynamically controlled through electrical parameter adjustment rather than physical component replacement.
3Use of energy by moving object
If LEDs are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but changing color requires replacing LEDs which is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of a single LED by adjusting drive current to achieve different color temperatures and hues, eliminating the need to replace optical filters. The LED's color characteristics are dynamically controlled through electrical parameter adjustment rather than physical component replacement.
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 provides a cost-effective and efficient means to maintain precise color control and intensity, minimizing the number of spare parts required and simplifying maintenance by allowing remote control and monitoring of light sources, thus reducing inventory and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of light emitting diodes are provided, the light emitting diodes being configured to emit different colors of light
Implementation Method 2
A sensor receives the light emitted by the light emitting diodes and converts the received light to electrical feedback signals corresponding to the emitted light
Data Source
AI summary
A color-controlled light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, the light emitting diodes being configured to emit different colors of light, intensity of the light emitted by the light emitting diodes being selectably adjustable. A sensor receives the light emitted by the light emitting diodes and converts the received light to electrical feedback signals corresponding to the emitted light. A processor generates an electrical reference signal. An amplifier receives the reference signal and the feedback signal, compares the feedback signal and the reference signal, and generates an error signal corresponding to a difference between the feedback signal and the reference signal. A current control receives the error signal and adjusts the intensity of at least one light emitting diode to cancel the error signal. A composite color emitted by the plurality of light emitting diodes has a predetermined, closed-loop controlled chromaticity.