Refractive Optical Element for Homogeneous Airfield Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airfield lighting technologies require complex structures and a large number of light sources to achieve homogeneous illumination in a main light exit plane, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An optical element with a recess on its rear side, featuring a light entry surface formed by multiple partial surfaces such as cylinder, spherical, or cone segments, and a convexly curved light exit surface, is used in conjunction with light-emitting diodes to deflect light into a main light exit plane, covering a horizontal angular range of -95° to +95° and a vertical range of -1° to +16°, allowing for simple and cost-effective illumination with a minimal number of lighting elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a rotating beacon with multiple light elements is used for airfield lighting, then homogeneous illumination in the main light emission plane is achieved, but the structural complexity and number of light sources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is divided into multiple functional zones with different geometric shapes (cylindrical, spherical, frustoconical, and flat segments) that collectively achieve homogeneous illumination. Each segment handles a specific portion of the light distribution task, allowing the system to replace multiple light sources with a single optimized optical element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation mechanism of traditional beacons with a static optical element that uses refractive geometry to achieve the same illumination effect. This substitution eliminates moving parts while maintaining homogeneous illumination across the main light emission plane.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional optical elements with 90° light deflection are used, then light distribution is achieved, but homogeneous illumination across a wide angular range cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element incorporates multiple curved surface segments (cylindrical, spherical, and frustoconical) that refract light at various angles. These curved geometries enable the system to distribute light homogeneously across a wide horizontal angular range of -95° to +95°, far exceeding the capability of traditional single-angle deflection optics.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are distributed arrangement to ensure homogeneous illumination, then illumination quality improves, but cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple light sources into a single luminaire element paired with a multi-segment optical element. The combined system achieves homogeneous illumination that previously required multiple distributed light sources, thereby reducing the quantity of light sources needed while maintaining illumination quality.
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 configuration provides highly homogeneous light distribution across a wide angular range, achieving efficient and adjustable illumination with fewer light sources, reducing structural complexity and costs while meeting legal requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element associated with the luminaire element for deflecting the light into a main light emission plane
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an ambient light for airfield illumination comprising at least one luminaire (1) for emitting light, at least one optical element (2) associated with the luminaire (1), which is designed in the manner of a refractive optical element with a light entry surface for the light emitted by the luminaire (1) and with a light exit surface for coupling the light out of the optical element (2), wherein a main emission direction (10) defined by an optical axis of the luminaire extends in a main light exit plane (9) of the light deflected by the optical element.