Aircraft Tail Navigation Light Switching to Reduce Refueling Glare

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft tail navigation lights can glare the pilot of a trailing aircraft during nighttime refueling, causing eye fatigue and reduced dark adaptation, which affects the pilot's ability to safely navigate and perform the refueling operation.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft tail navigation light with a switchable navigation and orientation lighting system, where the navigation light intensity is higher than the orientation light intensity, allowing the light to be switched to a lower intensity mode when approaching a leading aircraft, thereby reducing glare and maintaining dark adaptation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the aircraft tail navigation light emits high intensity light to make the aircraft visible over large distance, then the visibility is improved, but the glare to the pilot of the trailing aircraft increases causing eye fatigue and reduced dark adaptation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation light intensityVSAvoidglare to pilot

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation light system is made dynamically switchable between two operational modes: a first operational mode with first light intensity and a second operational mode with second light intensity. The system can transition between these modes based on the operational context, allowing the light intensity to be adjusted from high (for visibility) to low (for reducing glare during refueling operations).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of light intensity by providing a navigation light system that can operate at different intensity levels. The control system enables switching between a first light intensity level for normal navigation and a second, lower light intensity level when the aircraft is approaching another aircraft for refueling, thus adapting the illumination parameter to the operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the aircraft tail navigation light emits high intensity light to ensure proper navigation visibility, then the navigation functionality is improved, but the dark adaptation of the pilot is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation visibilityVSAvoidreduced dark adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the light output based on the operational phase. During normal navigation, the light emits at high intensity for reliable visibility. When the aircraft is in the approach phase for refueling, the system transitions to low intensity mode, allowing the pilot's eyes to maintain dark adaptation while still providing sufficient illumination for the refueling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation light system is segmented into distinct operational modes: a first operational mode for general navigation with high light intensity and a second operational mode for refueling approach with low light intensity. This segmentation allows the system to provide appropriate illumination for each specific task without compromising the pilot's dark adaptation during refueling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a conventional single-mode navigation light is used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different operational conditions (especially refueling) is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting system complexityVSAvoidoperational mode adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation light system is designed with multi-functionality to handle different operational scenarios. It can function as a conventional high-intensity navigation light during normal operations and as a low-intensity light during refueling approaches. This universal design allows a single system to adapt to multiple operational conditions without requiring separate lighting systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates dynamic switching capability that allows it to adapt its light output based on the operational context. The control system monitors the operational state and automatically adjusts the light intensity accordingly, enabling the same physical light source to serve multiple purposes: high-intensity navigation and low-intensity refueling approach illumination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4696607A1Aircraft tail navigation light, aircraft comprising an aircraft tail navigation light, and method of operating an aircraft tail navigation light

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 GOODRICH LIGHTING SYST GMBH

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AI summary

An aircraft tail navigation light (106c) comprises: a navigation lighting assembly (4) for emitting a regular navigation light output; and an orientation lighting assembly (6) for emitting an orientation light output. The aircraft tail navigation light (106c) is switchable between emitting the regular navigation light output having a navigation light intensity and emitting the orientation light output having an orientation light intensity, with the navigation light intensity being larger than the orientation light intensity.