DE202011004750U1 - Airplane with anti-collision lighting - Google Patents

Abstract

Aircraft with anti-collision lighting, consisting of a plurality of individual lights (11, 12, 13, 14) distributed on the aircraft body, characterized in that each individual light (11, 12, 13, 14) has a specific light intensity and that a control system is provided which controls the Individual lights of a group of individual lights (11, 12, 13, 14) are controlled in such a way that the individual lights (11, 12, 13, 14) of the group are switched on in a cycle, offset from one another, the light intensities of the individual lights (11, 12, 13, 14) of the group are set so that the effective light intensity of the group, measured over the cycle duration, fulfills the regulation according to F 2245-06 A 2.7.3.

Description

The invention relates to an aircraft with anti-collision lighting, comprising a plurality of individual lights distributed on the aircraft body.

Anti-collision lighting should make it possible for an aircraft to be recognized even at a greater distance from other aircraft so that evasion maneuvers can be flown in good time. Regulations for the anti-collision lighting of sports aircraft, z. B. the ASTM F 2245-06 , provide that the lighting covers a certain angle around the aircraft, flashes at a frequency between 40 and 100 cycles per minute and has sufficient light intensity.

A suitable anti-collision light is in the DE 699 01 829 T2 described. Accordingly, a plurality of light-emitting diodes are arranged on a base in all-round direction and controlled jointly intermittently. In order to generate sufficient light intensity in a pulse, a high power consumption is necessary. The invention is based on the object to provide an anti-collision lighting, which has a lower power consumption.

To achieve the object, the invention provides that each individual luminaire has a specific light intensity and that a control system is provided which controls the individual luminaires of a group of individual luminaires such that the individual luminaires of the group are switched clocked in a cycle to each other, wherein the light intensities the individual luminaires in the group are set so that the effective luminous intensity of the group, measured over the cycle time, complies with the requirement of F 2245-06 A 2.7.3 Fulfills.

By successively controlling individual luminaires, the power consumption of the individual luminaires can be reduced, but despite everything over the cycle, a sufficiently high luminous intensity, measured in candelas, can be represented.

The invention provides in a minimum configuration that at least 2 individual lights per aircraft side are present, which together cover a radiation range of 180 °.

A preferred distribution of the individual lights on the aircraft body provides that at least two individual lights are arranged at the wing ends of the aircraft and at least one further individual light at the rear of the aircraft, the main emission direction of the individual lights at the wing ends are directed substantially forward and to the side and the main emission direction the further individual light is directed at the rear to the rear, wherein the opening angle of this individual light is at least 100 °, preferably 120 °.

The individual luminaires on one side of the aircraft preferably form a group, wherein a cycle begins with the switching on of a single luminaire with a main emission direction forward in the direction of flight and the individual luminaires with main emission directions, the angular positions of which are always larger relative to the direction of flight, follow successively. In this way, a kind of lighting strip, which is easy to perceive.

Since the light is to radiate on both sides of the aircraft, it is provided that the individual lights are arranged on each side of the aircraft body symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and that the paired individual lights on each side of the aircraft are switched on and off together.

The control system for controlling the individual lights, so that these zukessive on and off, z. B. be realized in one of the following ways:
On the one hand, the individual luminaires can be controlled by a central control unit which generates on and off signals for each individual luminaire.

On the other hand, the individual lights can each be provided with a control and communication unit. Such individual luminaires are also referred to as modules capable of communicating with at least one other module so that at least the modules of a group form a permutating sequence and the control and communication unit of a module at least the turn-on signal for that in sequence next module generated.

The individual modules are connected by corresponding synchronization lines, so that they synchronize cyclically offset to each other. For this purpose, a module transfers the switch-on signal to the following module by means of a hand-shake, whereby data can also be linked with the signal, which defines the duration and sequence of the light pulses of the further modules.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment, in which:

1a a side view of a sports aircraft, wherein the positions of the individual lights / modules of the anti-collision lighting are highlighted,

1b a plan view of the sports aircraft according to 1a .

2 a diagram showing the successive control of the individual lights / modules and

3 a diagram illustrating an overlapping successive control of the individual lights / modules.

The 1a and 1b show a sports plane in side view and in a plan view. The plane 1 consists of a hull 2 , two wings 3 . 4 and a rudder 5 with a rudder 6 ,

Single luminaires or modules 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 are at the ends of the wings 3 . 4 as well as on the rudder 6 arranged. The individual luminaires or modules 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 each consist of one or more light emitting diodes, which are switched on or off together. As modules single luminaires are referred to, each still contain a control and communication unit. Unless this unit is important, the terms "single luminaire" and "module" are used interchangeably.

The first single lights 11 , each at or in the front edge of an airfoil 3 . 4 are arranged, have a main emission direction substantially forward, the second individual lights 12 , which are mounted farther out in or on the wing, have a main direction of emission to the front laterally and the third individual lights 13 in or on the outer edge of a wing 3 . 4 are arranged, have a main radiation direction to the side.

The fourth single light 14 can also be referred to as a tail light, since it is located at the rear of the vehicle. It has a main direction of radiation to the rear and an opening angle of 120 °, so that the side areas of the aircraft can be reached. The selected opening angle of the rear light in particular also depends on the opening angle of the third individual light 13 from. Possibly. can the tail light 14 even omitted if the individual lights attached to the wings 11 . 12 . 13 per aircraft side reach a coverage of 180 °.

The single lights 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 be according to the diagrams of 2 and 3 driven. The single lights 11 . 12 . 13 as well as the tail light 14 each form a group. In a cycle, the four individual lights are successively, starting with the first single luminaire 11 , controlled so that in a first quarter of a cycle, which lasts from t1 to t2, the first individual light is turned on and in the other quarters successively the individual lights 12 . 13 and 14 , where the order can also be inverted

The duty cycle of the individual switch-on lights can, as in 2 , either without overlap, or as in 3 shown, overlapping. The switch-on duration of the individual luminaires can be the same, but also different. The decisive factor is that one cycle ends at t2 and then starts again at t1.

The luminous intensity of the individual luminaires is now adjusted so that the formula in Paragraph A 2.7.3.5 of ASTM Standard F 2245-06 is satisfied. The times t1 and t2 mentioned therein correspond to the beginning and end of a cycle.

The control described can now by means of a central control unit shown schematically 7 carried out, which outputs the corresponding control signals to the individual lights.

A much simpler and later to install version provides that the individual lights as modules ( 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 ) are formed, each containing a control and communication unit, not shown. These modules can therefore communicate with each other by hand shake, so that an active module can pass on at least one switch-on signal to a subsequent module.

It has been shown that according to the invention, the individual lamps have a lower power consumption than usual and still the required by the standard effective light intensity is achieved.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

plane

2

hull

3

wing

4

wing

5

fin

6

rudder

7

central control unit

11

first single luminaire / module

12

second single luminaire / module

13

third single luminaire / module

14

fourth single light / tail light / module

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 69901829 T2 [0003]

Cited non-patent literature

• ASTM F 2245-06 [0002]
• F 2245-06 A 2.7.3 [0004]
• Paragraph A 2.7.3.5 of ASTM Standard F 2245-06 [0024]

Claims (7)

Aircraft with anti-collision illumination consisting of several individual lights ( 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 ), characterized in that each individual lamp ( 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 ) has a certain luminous intensity and that a control system is provided, which the individual luminaires of a group of individual luminaires ( 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 ) such that the individual lights ( 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 ) of the group are offset in a cycle clocked to each other, the light levels of the individual lights ( 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 ) of the group are set so that the effective light intensity of the group measured over the cycle time fulfills the requirement according to F 2245-06 A 2.7.3. Aircraft according to claim 1, characterized in that at least 2 individual lights per aircraft side are present, which together cover a radiation range of 180 °. Aircraft according to claim 2, characterized in that at least two individual lights ( 11 . 12 . 13 ) and at the rear of the aircraft at least one further individual light ( 14 ) are arranged, wherein the main emission direction of the individual lights ( 11 . 12 . 13 ) are directed at the wing ends substantially forward and to the side and the main radiation direction of the further individual light ( 14 ) is directed at the rear to the rear, wherein the opening angle of this individual light ( 14 ) is at least 100 °, preferably 120 °. Aircraft according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a group of the individual luminaires ( 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 ) is formed on an aircraft side, and that a cycle with the switching on of a single luminaire ( 1 ) begins with a main direction of emission forward in the direction of flight and the individual lights ( 12 . 13 . 14 ) with main directions of radiation, the angular positions of which are always larger in relation to the direction of flight, successively follow. Aircraft according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the individual luminaires ( 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 ) are arranged on each side of the aircraft body symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and that the paired individual luminaires ( 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 ) are switched on and off together on each side of the aircraft. Aircraft according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the individual luminaires ( 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 ) from a central control unit ( 7 ), which generates on and off signals for each individual light. Aircraft according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the individual lights ( 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 ) are each provided with a control and communication unit which are capable of communicating with the control and communication unit of at least one other individual light ( 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 ) so that at least the individual lights ( 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 ) of a group form a permutating sequence and the control and communication unit of a single luminaire generates at least one switch-on signal for the next individual luminaire in the sequence.

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