Wingtip Light Module Obstacle Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface operations in aviation pose a significant risk due to wingtip collisions with obstacles, primarily caused by failure to maintain adequate visual lookout, perceive distance, and maintain required clearance.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses sensors in wingtip light modules to detect obstacles and generate images for display, providing pilots with visual and aural cues about obstacle proximity and trajectory, enhancing situational awareness through sensor data integration with airport information and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are mounted in wingtip light modules to detect obstacles, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates obstacle detection sensors into existing wingtip light modules, allowing these components to serve dual purposes: traditional navigation lighting and obstacle detection. This multi-functionality approach improves obstacle detection capability while avoiding the addition of separate dedicated sensor systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple functions (lighting and sensing) into a single integrated wingtip module assembly. By merging the sensor mounting with the existing light module structure, the patent reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining enhanced obstacle detection capability.
2Loss of information
If real-time sensor information processing and display are implemented, then pilot awareness of obstacles is improved, but loss of time for data processing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes sensor data and pre-generates visual representations of obstacles and their trajectories before pilot review. By performing preliminary data processing and maintaining ready-state visualizations, the system ensures immediate pilot awareness when obstacles are detected while minimizing the time required for real-time decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies or representations of the three-dimensional obstacle data in a simplified two-dimensional display format. This copying approach allows complex sensor information to be rapidly transformed into intuitive visual cues that can be processed and understood by the pilot almost instantaneously, reducing the effective processing time required.
3Area of stationary object
If comprehensive sensor coverage is implemented to cover 360 degrees, then obstacle detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the obstacle detection function into multiple discrete sensor units distributed at different locations on the aircraft (wingtips, fuselage, tail). Each sensor covers a specific sector, and together they provide comprehensive 360-degree coverage. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wide coverage while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular, distributed sensing rather than a single complex system.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for aiding in pilot awareness of obstacles relative to aircraft features. An exemplary processor receives sensor information from one or more sensors mounted in an aircraft feature (e.g. light modules), determines if at least one obstacle is located within a predefined field of view based on the received sensor or database information and generates an image. The image includes an ownship icon having at least one feature representing wingtips of the aircraft and at least one indicator associated with the determined at least one obstacle. A display device presents the generated image. The display device presents a tip of a first sense coverage area adjacent to one wingtip feature associated with the port wing and a tip of the second sense coverage area adjacent to one wingtip feature associated with the starboard wing. The indicator is presented within at least one of the coverage areas.