Co-located Visible and Infrared Obstruction Lighting for NVIS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current obstruction lighting systems lack standards for compatibility with night vision imaging systems (NVIS), particularly with LED-based systems that generate less infrared radiation, making them difficult to detect with NVIS equipment.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system that co-locates visible and infrared light emitters, with a controller and monitor to adjust the visible light emitter's characteristics based on fault conditions in the infrared emitter, ensuring correlated light emissions for both visible and infrared spectra, and separate optical systems for optimized performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If LED-based visible light emitters are used in obstruction lighting systems, then energy consumption is reduced and lifespan is extended, but infrared radiation emission is insufficient making the lights difficult to detect with NVIS equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate visible light LED emitters and infrared LED emitters into a single obstruction lighting system. The visible light emitter provides standard obstruction lighting while the infrared emitter specifically addresses NVIS detectability, allowing both functions to coexist without compromising either energy efficiency or night vision compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing visible obstruction lighting for standard aviation safety and emitting infrared radiation for detection by NVIS equipment. This multi-functional approach allows a single system to serve both conventional and night vision operations
2Object-affected harmful factors
If infrared LED emitters are co-mingled with visible light emitters in a single optical system, then NVIS compatibility is improved, but the lighting pattern and intensity characteristics of the infrared light are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting system into separate optical systems: one dedicated to visible light emission and another dedicated to infrared light emission. Each optical system is independently designed and optimized for its specific wavelength range, ensuring that the infrared emitter achieves proper lighting pattern and intensity characteristics without interference from the visible light components
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the system are designed with specialized properties for their specific function. The visible light optical system is optimized for standard obstruction lighting patterns, while the infrared optical system is independently configured to achieve optimal infrared radiation distribution and intensity, allowing each subsystem to perform at its best without compromising the other
3Manufacturing precision
If separate optical systems are used for visible and infrared light emitters, then lighting characteristics for each spectrum are optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While maintaining separate optical systems for visible and infrared light, the patent combines the control functions through a single controller that manages both emitter types. The monitor system also integrates fault detection for both emitters, allowing the system to function as a unified whole despite having separate optical pathways, thereby managing complexity through integrated control
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
The system provides consistent and visually perceivable light emissions for both visible and infrared spectra, enhancing safety by maintaining equivalent perceived intensity regardless of the viewing method, thus addressing the hazard of inconsistent appearance with NVIS equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a first light emitter that is configured to emit light outside a visible-light spectrum
Implementation Method 2
A second light emitter is configured to emit visible light
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system includes a first light emitter configured to emit light outside a visible-light spectrum. A second light emitter is configured to emit light in a visible-light spectrum. The first and second light emitters are co-located, such as in a stacked arrangement with one light emitted atop the other. The amount of visible illumination of the second light emitter may correspond to a correlated radiant intensity of infrared light emitted by the first light emitter.