Combined Wing Scan and Runway Turn-off Light Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of exterior aircraft lighting systems is high due to the need for multiple separate light units, which increases wiring, weight, and maintenance requirements, and can lead to aerodynamic inefficiencies and risks such as bird strikes.
Innovation Solution
A combined aircraft wing scan and runway turn-off light unit is designed, which integrates two previously separate light units into a single unit mounted on the fuselage, reducing complexity by sharing a housing, optical system, and power supply, and eliminating the need for a separate runway turn-off light unit at the front gear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate light units are used for wing scan and runway turn-off illumination, then the illumination coverage and functionality are sufficient, but the system complexity, wiring requirements, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two previously separate light units (wing scan light unit and runway turn-off light unit) into a single integrated light unit. This merging reduces the number of separate components, simplifies the lighting system architecture, and decreases wiring requirements while maintaining both illumination functions through a unified housing and shared optical system
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated light unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it provides both wing scan illumination and runway turn-off illumination capabilities. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single housing that contains optical systems capable of directing light to different regions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated light units for each function
2Illumination intensity
If separate runway turn-off light unit is mounted at front running gear, then the illumination coverage is adequate, but the weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The runway turn-off illumination function previously requiring a separate light unit at the front running gear is merged into the main light unit housed in the fuselage. This consolidation eliminates the need for additional weight at the front gear assembly while maintaining the necessary airfield illumination coverage through the integrated optical system
3Illumination intensity
If runway turn-off light unit is placed at front running gear, then the illumination function is provided, but aerodynamic drag and bird strike risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The runway turn-off light unit is extracted from the front running gear location and relocated to the fuselage. This extraction removes the light unit from a position where it would create aerodynamic drag and be vulnerable to bird strikes, while the illumination function is preserved through the new fuselage mounting location and integrated optical system
4Illumination intensity
If multiple separate light units are used, then the illumination coverage is sufficient, but the wiring efforts and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the wing scan and runway turn-off light units into a single integrated unit with shared housing and optical systems, the patent reduces the number of separate components that require maintenance. This consolidation simplifies wiring efforts, reduces the number of connection points that can fail, and makes maintenance activities more efficient while preserving both illumination functions
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 integration reduces wiring and weight, lowers maintenance, enhances aerodynamic efficiency, and provides effective illumination for wing inspection and airfield visibility, while minimizing power requirements and eliminating the risk of bird strikes.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system for shaping a light emission distribution of the combined aircraft wing scan and runway turn-off light unit; wherein the light emission distribution comprises a first illumination region for illuminating a wing region of the aircraft and a second illumination region for illuminating a lateral forward airfield region
Data Source
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AI summary
A combined aircraft wing scan and runway turn-off light unit (2) includes a housing (20) for mounting the combined aircraft wing scan and runway turn-off light unit to a side portion of a fuselage (102) of an aircraft (100); at least one light source (44, 64, 84); and an optical system (46, 66, 86) for shaping a light emission distribution of the combined aircraft wing scan and runway turn-off light unit; wherein the light emission distribution comprises a first illumination region (4) for illuminating a wing region of the aircraft and a second illumination region (6) for illuminating a lateral forward airfield region.