Staggered LED Obstruction Light with Adjustable Reflectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LED-based high intensity lights struggle to meet FAA and ICAO standards due to the complexity and cost associated with using a large number of LEDs and large reflectors, which results in a non-uniform beam pattern at all angles of azimuth.
Innovation Solution
The design employs a series of concentric rings with individually adjustable reflectors and LEDs, where each reflector is mounted perpendicular to the LED and offset from the previous ring, allowing for precise alignment and beam pattern control, reducing the number of reflectors needed while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a large number of LED light sources are used to achieve the required total light intensity, then the light intensity requirement is met, but the beam pattern becomes difficult to control and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting system into multiple concentric rings, each containing a specific number of LEDs and reflectors. This segmentation allows the total light intensity requirement to be distributed across multiple zones, making the beam pattern control more manageable while achieving the required 20,000 cd intensity through coordinated operation of all rings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane LED arrangement to a three-dimensional concentric ring structure. By distributing LEDs across multiple rings at different radial distances from the center, the system achieves uniform beam control in the azimuth direction while maintaining the required intensity, effectively using spatial dimensionality to solve the beam uniformity problem.
2Area of stationary object
If smaller reflectors are used to meet size restrictions, then the overall size is reduced, but more numerous reflectors are needed which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reflector system into multiple smaller reflectors arranged in concentric rings. Each reflector is smaller in size to meet overall dimension restrictions, but the segmented arrangement across multiple rings ensures that the cumulative reflective area is sufficient to direct light from numerous LEDs to achieve the required beam intensity and uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
By arranging smaller reflectors in multiple concentric rings rather than using fewer large reflectors in a single plane, the patent achieves the required optical function within size constraints. The radial distribution of reflectors across different rings provides the necessary total reflective area while maintaining a compact overall footprint.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple optical elements are used to achieve required intensity, then the light output is sufficient, but alignment difficulty increases to achieve uniform beam at all azimuth angles
Solution Approach 1:
The concentric ring structure provides a natural geometric framework that simplifies alignment. Each ring is centered on the optical axis, and LEDs and reflectors within each ring are positioned at predetermined radial distances and angular intervals. This dimensional arrangement ensures that light from multiple LEDs is reflected by corresponding reflectors to create a uniformly distributed beam pattern across all azimuth angles, reducing alignment complexity compared to non-concentric arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of LEDs and reflectors within each concentric ring, with elements offset from perfect radial alignment. This asymmetric arrangement, when combined across multiple rings, creates a balanced overall beam pattern that achieves uniformity at all azimuth angles while accommodating manufacturing tolerances more effectively than perfectly symmetric arrangements.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional LED lamp designs are used with symmetric stacking, then assembly is simplified, but the beam pattern uniformity and intensity control are insufficient to meet FAA and ICAO standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains assembly simplicity through the modular concentric ring structure, where each ring is a self-contained unit that can be manufactured and assembled independently. However, unlike conventional symmetric stacking, each ring is positioned at a specific radial distance from the optical axis, creating a three-dimensional distributed arrangement that provides superior beam uniformity and intensity control across all azimuth angles while remaining manufacturable.
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 achieves a uniform beam pattern that meets FAA and ICAO requirements with fewer LEDs and reflectors, reducing complexity and cost while minimizing 'ripple' in intensity variation across azimuth angles.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting diode and a reflector having a reflective surface
Implementation Method 2
the reflective surface is shaped to emit a specific beam pattern from light reflected from the light emitting diode
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A high intensity LED based lighting array for use in an obstruction light with efficient uniform light output is disclosed. The high intensity LED based lighting array has a first concentric ring having a plurality of reflectors and light emitting diodes. The concentric ring has a planar surface mounting each of the plurality of reflectors in perpendicular relation to a respective one of the plurality of light emitting diodes. At least some of the first plurality of reflectors are adjustable relative to the position of the respective light emitting diode to produce a precise beam pattern from the light emitting diode.