Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F19/00—Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for
  • G09F19/22—Advertising or display means on roads, walls or similar surfaces, e.g. illuminated
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
  • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
  • B64D25/00—Emergency apparatus or devices, not otherwise provided for
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21K—NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21K2/00—Non-electric light sources using luminescence; Light sources using electrochemiluminescence
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
  • G09F13/20—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts

Definitions

• This invention concerns improvements in or relating to emergency lighting and in particular, but not exclusively, to emergency lighting to indicate an escape route leading to an exit to assist evacuation of aircraft in an emergency, for example in the event of an accident.
• these known emergency lighting systems have been susceptible to failure at the time they are required as a result of damage to the power source (e.g. storage batteries) and/or the electrical connections in exactly the same way that the overhead electrical lighting systems for normal use may be rendered inoperable .
• the power source e.g. storage batteries
• the photoluminescent material is activated by exposure to a light source such as ambient light or the normal overhead lighting and releases light by means of the stored energy from such activation.
• a light source such as ambient light or the normal overhead lighting
• the photoluminescent material is self-illuminating to identify an escape route for guiding passengers to an emergency exit at the time it is needed without any connections to a separate power source such as storage batteries required by conventional electrically powered emergency lighting systems .
• the emission of light by the photoluminescent material is unaffected by damage to the track(s) and the emergency lighting system continues to operate even if the aircraft breaks up into several parts .
• the track(s) identify an escape route which passengers can follow to an exit or to an opening in the body of the aircraft to escape in an emergency.
• a method of providing an escape route in an aircraft comprising providing photoluminescent means for guiding a user to an exit, for identifying the exit both when closed and when open, and for instructing a user to open the exit.
• the indicator means for identifying an exit such as a door is provided on one or both sides of the structure surrounding the exit, for example a doorway, and includes photoluminescent material such as zinc sulphide or strontium aluminate operable to provide illumination in conditions of darkness or low illumination.
• photoluminescent material such as zinc sulphide or strontium aluminate operable to provide illumination in conditions of darkness or low illumination.
• outer casing integrally in one piece to provide a unitary housing for the photoluminescent insert.
• a photoluminescent track for an emergency lighting system comprising an elongate outer casing and an elongate photoluminescent insert extending lengthwise of the outer casing, the insert having a first side and a second side and having photoluminescent material on at least one of said first and second sides , and the outer casing having opposed main walls extending between and integral with opposed side walls with the main walls overlying the first and second sides of the insert, and at least the main wall of the outer member overlying the photoluminescent material being light transmissive.
• the outer casing may be formed separate from the photoluminescent insert with the main walls and side walls of the housing defining a longitudinally extending slot in which the photoluminescent insert is received.
• the outer casing may be formed by extrusion or moulding and the photoluminescent insert may be slidable lengthwise of the slot for push-fitting from one end of the slot.
• the outer casing may be formed with the slot open at both ends so that the photoluminescent insert can be inserted from either end with both ends of the slot being closed by attaching a respective closure.
• the track may be pre- assembled to components for assembly of the aircraft.
• the track may be attached to the floor panels for assembly of the aircraft.
• the photoluminescent insert may be provided with photoluminescent material on both sides so as to be capable of emitting visible light through that side of the casing which is outermost without requiring the orientation of the insert to be reversed.
• the photoluminescent insert may be incorporated into the outer casing to provide an integrated unitary construction.
• the photoluminescent insert may be incorporated by moulding or extruding the outer casing onto the insert so that the insert is permanently attached to the casing.
• an emergency lighting system in or for an aircraft comprising an elongate track capable of emitting visible light to indicate an escape route, the track including an insert extending lengthways of the track, the insert being provided with photoluminescent material on each side, and an outer casing of light transmissive material covering each side of the insert, the casing being capable of mounting either way up to present a selected one of the first and second sides of the insert for the emission of visible light.
• the insert may "-comprise a base strip of aluminium having a thickness of preferably not more than 2mm, more preferably not more than 1mm and most preferably 0.66mm or less.
• a strip of aluminium foil is employed but it will be understood, however, that other materials may be employed to support the photoluminescent material .
• the present invention provides an emergency lighting system in or for an aircraft having rows of seats arranged on either side of an aisle, the system comprising low level photoluminescent guide means operable to identify an escape path at or near floor level and high level photoluminescent guide means arranged to identify an escape path at or near ceiling level, the photoluminescent guide means being arranged to assist evacuation of the aircraft by a person moving along the aisle between the rows of seats to an exit.
• Each row of seats may be provided by a demountable multi-seat unit on each side of the aisle allowing the number and arrangement of seats to be altered.
• seat units comprising two, three or four seats may be provided. These units are normally of different width with the result that the width of the aisle between seat units on each side can change when one seat unit is replaced by another seat unit with more or less seats .
• Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the interior of the cabin of a passenger aircraft fitted with ceiling and floor mounted photoluminescent guide means embodying the present invention
• Figure 4 shows an exit provided with photoluminescent indicator and sign means embodying the present invention
• Figure 5 shows a section through an alternative track suitable for use in the present invention
• Figure 10 shows a section through another track suitable for use in the present invention
• Figures 11a through llf show examples of various marker symbols that can be incorporated in the track of the present invention.
• FIG 13 shows schematically the general arrangement of the emergency lighting system in an aircraft having interchangeable seat units
• An overhead electrical lighting system (not shown) is installed in the ceiling of the cabin 1 above the seats 2 for illumination of the cabin 1 under normal conditions .
• the ceiling lighting system may be inoperable due to impact damage to the structure of the aircraft or by fire or by water.
• the ceiling lighting system may also be rendered ineffective or obscured by the presence of smoke in the cabin 1 following outbreak of a fire.
• the tracks 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b are of similar construction but this is not essential, for example the ceiling tracks 7a, 7b are not subjected to the same wear and tear as the floor tracks 6a, 6b and this may allow the use of a less robust construction for the ceiling tracks 7a, 7b compared to the floor tracks 6a, 6b.
• the photoluminescent insert 9 comprises one or more base layers of vinyl containing a whitening agent such as titanium dioxide, overlaid by one or more layers of vinyl containing photoluminescent material such as strontium aluminate and a UV protective top layer.
• a whitening agent such as titanium dioxide
• the base member 11 and cover member 12 are extrusions of plastics such as polycarbonate/-
• the cover member 12 at least is transparent or translucent so that light can pass through.
• the photoluminescent material of the insert 9 is activated by exposure to natural or artificial light, and light emitted by the photoluminescent material illuminates the escape path in conditions where the illumination from either natural light or the normal ceiling lighting is low or absent.
• strontium aluminate employed as the photoluminescent material emits a yellow light tinged with green but it will be understood that the colour may be altered depending on the materials employed. Generally, yellow is preferred, however, as providing a visible glow at low levels of natural lighting.
• base member 11 and/or cover member 12 may be made from other materials and that the shape and configuration of the base member 11 and/or cover member 12 may be altered from that shown to change the shape of the casing 10 to suit any given application.
• the photoluminescent material of the insert 9- is relatively expensive and, when the track is replaced, for example during a refurbishment of the aircraft, the insert 9 can be recovered and re-used if desired.
• the tracks 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b may each be provided as a single section of the required length . More preferably, however, the tracks 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b are provided by a plurality of track sections of shorter length laid end to end to produce the required length.
• the sections may be formed in a range of standard lengths , for example 1 or 2 metres , which can be used to produce tracks 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b of any desired length and shape to suit the layout of the seats and exits in a particular aircraft.
• the aircraft is provided in known manner with doors 13 (Figure 4) at the front and rear ends of the cabin 1 through which passengers can board and leave the aircraft under normal conditions . These doors 13 can also be used as exits in an emergency.
• the aircraft is also provided with a doors 14 positioned midway between the ends of the cabin 1 on opposite sides of the aisle 4, usually over the wings for use as exits in an emergency only . Access to these centrally positioned doors 14 is normally provided between two rows of seats 2.
• the tracks 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b incorporate markings such as arrows 15 pointing in the direction of the nearest exit and/or words 16 such as 'EXIT' to identify the shortest route for passengers to follow .
• the markings 15 , 16 may be rendered visible by blocking the light emitted from the photoluminescent inserts 9.
• the markings 15 , 16 may be printed on the cover member 12, preferably on the inside face so as to be protected from possible damage, especially by people treading on the floor mounted track 6. More preferably, the markings 15 , 16 are applied to the strips 9 of photoluminescent material themselves .
• exit doors 13 , 14 are clearly identifiable, and that the location and operation of the controls for opening the exit doors 13 , 14 is clearly indicated so that the exit doors 13 , 14 can be opened easily by a passenger who may be in a panic and confused, and who may not be familiar with the controls.
• the indicator means 17 may extend around the exit door 13 as shown. Alternatively, the indicator means 17 may be provided on one or both sides of the exit door 13. In the latter case, it is preferred that the indicator means 17 extends to a height of at least four feet.
• the photoluminescent material may be arranged to emit any desired pattern of light, for example broken or unbroken.
• the sign means 18 for identifying the instructions and controls for opening the exit door 13 includes a graphic symbol such as a photoluminescent arrow 21 positioned behind an operating handle 22 to indicate the direction on which the handle 22 must be moved to release and open the exit door 13.
• the arrow 21 may be applied in any suitable way such as with photoluminescent paint which may be overlaid with a transparent or translucent protective cover.
• the handle 22 may also be photoluminescent for enhanced visibility, for example photoluminescent paint may be applied to the handle 22.
• the handle 22 may be provided with a photoluminescent insert 23.
• the photoluminescence applied to the handle 22 may also be in the form of a graphic symbol such as an arrow to indicate the direction of opening .
• the embodiment above-described provides a fully integrated photoluminescent emergency lighting system for assisting evacuation of an aircraft in an emergency which does not require any electrical power source and which continues to provide a visual indication of an escape path even if damaged locally, for example by a fire.
• the insert 32 extends the length of the slot 33 and has a width 'w' and thickness 't' slightly less than the corresponding dimensions of the slot 33 to provide limited clearance for push-fitting the insert 32 in the slot 33 from one end of the casing 31.
• the insert 32 is sufficiently rigid by virtue of forming the base strip 32a from sheet metal such as aluminium to allow push fitting for any length of casing 31. It will be understood that the base strip 32a may be formed from any material which allows push fitting the insert 32.
• the casing 31 and insert 32 are pre-assembled to form track sections of pre-determined length, for example 1 or 2 metres .
• track sections can be laid end to end and also cut into shorter lengths for fitment in the appropriate combination to produce any desired length and shape of emergency lighting track 30 to suit the layout of the seats and exits in a particular aircraft.
• the track 40 has an integrated monocoque structure comprising an outer casing 41 of light transmissive material housing an insert 42 containing photoluminescent material such as strontium aluminate.
• the track 40 is secured with double sided adhesive tape which can be easily removed and the surface of the casing 41 cleaned to remove any traces of adhesive without damage to the surface when the track 40 is reversed.
• the tracks 6a, 6, 7a, 7b and 30 can be reversed by removing the insert 9 , 32, reversing the orientation of the casing 10 , 31 and re-inserting the insert 9 , 32 . the same way up to emit light through the other side of the casing 10 , 31 which is to form the outer surface of the track.
• a photoluminescent track 65 is provided on the side of the aisle seat of the wider seat units 61a which overlie the floor tracks 64a, 64b .
• the track 65 identifies the boundary of the aisle 63 and defines an escape path between the seat units which the passengers can follow to evacuate the aircraft 60.
• the aisle seat has a side panel 66 and the track 65 is located on the side facing the aisle at the bottom of the panel 66 close to the floor.
• the track 65 is formed by photoluminescent material which can be mounted in a frame or carrier (not shown) releasably attached to the side panel 66 to overlie and protect the photoluminescent material.
• the frame or carrier may be a moulding of a suitable transparent or translucent material, for example a plastic material such as polycarbonate.
• the track 65 is incorporated into the side panel 66, for example the side panel 66 may be provided with a slot or recess to receive the photoluminescent material which may be in the form of an insert similar to those described previously herein.
• the photoluminescent material employed in the various examples of the invention may be of any type providing an acceptable level of illumination for a sufficient period of time.

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Publications (1)

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ID=27255458

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• 2001
  • 2001-01-08 EP EP01900483A patent/EP1249012A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-01-08 WO PCT/GB2001/000047 patent/WO2001052224A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-01-08 AU AU25313/01A patent/AU2531301A/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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