GB2553524A

GB2553524A - Wing tip device

Info

Publication number: GB2553524A
Application number: GB1615074.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tulloch William
Original assignee: Airbus Operations Ltd
Current assignee: Airbus Operations Ltd
Priority date: 2016-09-06
Filing date: 2016-09-06
Publication date: 2018-03-14
Also published as: GB201615074D0

Abstract

A wing tip device 300 comprises an upwardly extending element 302 and a downwardly extending wing-like element 304 connected at an intersection; and a lighting element 316 on the downwardly extending element which operates as a wingtip logo light to illuminate at least a portion of the outboard surface 308 of the upwardly extending wing-like element 302. The lighting element 316 may also radiate light away from the aircraft, either by a lens arrangement (706 figure 7) or by supplying two separate lighting means (602, 604. figure 6)

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Airbus Operations Limited

Pegasus House, Aerospace Avenue, Filton, BRISTOL, BS34 7PA, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

William Tulloch (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Airbus Operations Limited

Pegasus House, Aerospace Avenue, Filton, BRISTOL, BS34 7PA, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

B64D 47/02 (2006.01) B64C 23/06 (2006.01)

G09F 21/10 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2532134 A EP 2719625 A1

EP 2565118 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B64C, B64D, G09F Other: WPI, EPODOC (54) Title of the Invention: Wing tip device

Abstract Title: Wing tip logo illuminating device (57) Awing tip device 300 comprises an upwardly extending element 302 and a downwardly extending wing-like element 304 connected at an intersection; and a lighting element 316 on the downwardly extending element which operates as a wingtip logo light to illuminate at least a portion of the outboard surface 308 of the upwardly extending wing-like element 302. The lighting element 316 may also radiate light away from the aircraft, either by a lens arrangement (706 figure 7) or by supplying two separate lighting means (602, 604. figure 6)

2/7

Figure 2 PRIOR ART

3/7

Figure 3

4/7

Figure 4

5/7

Figure 5

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608

Figure 6

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708

Figure 7

WING TIP DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a wing tip device for attachment to the outboard end of the wing of an aircraft. In particular the present invention relates to the inclusion of an aircraft light in a wing tip device, a wing with the wing tip device and an aircraft including such a wing with the wing tip device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Aircraft may include a number of lights for navigation purposes, or to illuminate various elements of the aircraft and/or its surroundings. Depending on the purpose of the light there may be a need to position a light within certain regions of the aircraft. For example, rear-facing wing lights would typically need to be located near the trailing edge of the wing in order that the light cone produced by such a light can extend rearwards without being obstructed by the aircraft structure.

[0003] Figure 1 shows an aircraft 100 comprising wings 102, a fuselage 104, engines 106, a vertical tailplane/stabiliser 108 and horizontal tailplanes/stabilisers 110. A number of coloured navigation lights are provided on the aircraft that are used in low light conditions to allow the direction of travel of the aircraft to be visually determined. A red left navigation light 112 is provided at the end of the left wing, a green right navigation light 114 is provided at the end of the right wing and a white tail navigation light 116 is provided at the aft of the fuselage 104. Also, a number of anti-collision lights are provided on the aircraft in order to increase visibility of the aircraft in low light conditions. A red upper anti-collision light 118 is provided on the upper surface of the fuselage 104, a white anti-collision light 120 is provided at the tip of each wing 102 and a white tail anti-collision light 122 is provided at the aft of the fuselage 104. In addition to the navigation and anti-collision lights described above, it is common practice for commercial airlines to include, corporate livery on the vertical tailplane 108 of the aircraft 100. Logo lights 124 are provided on the horizontal tail planes 110 that are directed to illuminate the corporate livery on the vertical tailplane 108.

[0004] Commercial passenger aircraft often include wing tip devices at their wing tips in order to change the lift distribution of the wing to improve aircraft performance. One such wing tip device 200 is shown in Figure 2 and is described in WO202/07358. Wing tip device 200 comprises an upper wing-like element 202, a lower wing-like element 204 having a root chord 206 that intersects the upper wing-like element 202. The wing tip device 200 connects to the outboard end of the wing of an aircraft at the root 208.

[0005] The addition of wing tip devices, such as wing tip device 200, to commercial aircraft provides the commercial airlines with the opportunity to provide their corporate livery on the inner surface of the upper wing-like element 202 to provide advertising to the passengers on board the aircraft and on the outer surface of the upper wing-like element to provide advertising to the potential customers external to the aircraft. However, in low light conditions, in order for the advertising to be effective, it is necessary to illuminate the corporate livery so that it can be seen.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wing tip device comprising: an upwardly extending wing-like element comprising an inboard surface and an outboard surface; a downwardly extending wing-like element comprising an inboard surface and an outboard surface, the downwardly extending wing-like element being connected to the upwardly extending wing-like element at an intersection; and a lighting element positioned on the downwardly extending wing-like element and configured such that in use, the lighting element operates as a wing tip logo light to illuminate at least a portion of the outboard surface of the upwardly extending wing-like element.

[0007] The downwardly extending wing-like element may be joined at a proximal end to the outboard surface of the upwardly extending wing-like element. The downwardly extending wing-like element may be connected to the upwardly extending wing-like element at the intersection such that an included angle less than 180° is provided between the upwardly extending wing-like element and the downwardly extending wing-like element at the intersection. The downwardly extending wing-like element may be connected to the upwardly extending wing-like element at the intersection such that an included angle of at least 60° is provided between the upwardly extending wing-like element and the downwardly extending wing-like element at the intersection.

[0008] The lighting element may comprise a light emitting element and a housing, the housing having at least one transparent region for allowing the transmission of light from the light emitting element to the surroundings. The housing may comprise the tip cap of the downwardly extending wing tip element. [0009] The lighting element may be configured such that in use, the lighting element operates as a wing tip logo light to illuminate at least a portion of the outboard surface of the upwardly extending wing-like element and an aircraft obstruction light to emit light radially away from the wing tip device.

[0010] The lighting element may comprise a single light emitting element and a lens arrangement, wherein the lens arrangement is configured such that in use, a portion of the light emitted from the single light emitting element is directed to illuminate at least a portion of the outboard surface of the upwardly extending wing-like element and a portion of the light emitted from the single light emitting element is directed radially away from the wing tip device.

[0011] The light emitting element may comprise a first light emitting element and a second light emitting element. In use, the first light emitting element may operate as the aircraft obstruction light and the second light emitting element may operate as the wing tip logo light. The first light emitting element and the second light emitting element are operable from the same control circuitry.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a wing comprising the wing tip device according to any preceding claim.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an aircraft comprising a wing having a wing tip device described above.

[0014] It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects. For example, the method of the present invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the apparatus of the present invention and vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0016] Figure 1 shows the location of various lights on an aircraft;

[0017] Figure 2 shows an example wing tip device;

[0018] Figure 3 schematically shows a wing tip device according to a first embodiment of the invention; [0019] Figure 4 schematically shows a lighting element of the first embodiment of the invention;

[0020] Figure 5 schematically shows a wing tip device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0021] Figure 6 schematically shows a lighting element of the second embodiment of the invention; and [0022] Figure 7 schematically shows an alternative lighting element of the second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0023] Figure 3 shows a wing tip device 300 of a first embodiment that can be fitted to the outboard end of a wing of an aircraft, such as the aircraft shown in Figure 1. The wing tip device 300 comprises an upper (upwardly extending) wing-like element 302 and a lower (downwardly extending) wing-like element 304. The upper wing-like element 302 comprises an inboard surface 306 that generally faces the fuselage of the aircraft and an outboard surface 308 that faces away from the fuselage of the aircraft. A corporate livery, logo, or other form of advertising may be provided on the outboard surface 308 of the upper wing-like element 302. The lower wing-like element 304 comprises an inboard surface 310 that generally faces the fuselage of the aircraft and an outboard surface 312 that faces away from the fuselage of the aircraft. The lower wing-like element 304 comprises a root chord 314 that intersects the outer surface 308 of the upper wing-like element 302 and the lower wing-like 304 element projects downwardly from this intersection. The lower wing-like element 304 projects away from the upper winglike element 302 such that there is included angle of around 130° between the upper wing-like element 302 and lower wing-like element 304.

[0024] The wing tip device comprises a lighting element 316 that is provided at the tip of the lower-wing like element 304. The lighting element 316 comprises a light emitting element (light source) that is operable to emit a light beam. The light source may be a bulb, Light Emitting Diode (LED) or array of LEDs. In use, the light source can be operated from the cockpit of the aircraft to illuminate the corporate livery or logo that is provided on the outboard surface 308 of the upper wing-like element 302. In other words, the lighting element operates as a logo light for illuminating the corporate livery/ logo provided on the upper wing-like element 302.

[0025] The lighting element 316 can be controlled using control circuitry that allows the pilot/co-pilot of the aircraft to selectively turn the lighting element on, such that the corporate livery/ logo is only illuminated in low light level conditions or when the aircraft is on the ground or close to the ground, when people will be able to see the corporate livery/ logo. It will be appreciated that control of the lighting element 316 may be automatically controlled, for example using a photodiode and appropriate circuitry or the like to set a threshold light level below which the lighting element is turned on, provided the landing gear is down.

[0026] The light from the light source may illuminate all of the upper wing-like element 302 or a just a portion of it. A lens arrangement (not shown in Figure 3) may be used to direct the light emitted from the light source to the outboard surface 308 of the upper wing-like element 302.

[0027] Figure 4 shows a lighting element 400 that is suitable for use with the wing tip device 300 of Figure 3. In Figure 4, the wing tip device itself is not shown for clarity. Lighting element 400 comprises a light emitting element (light source) 402 and a housing 404 for holding the first light emitting element 402. The housing 404 comprises control circuitry for controlling the light emitting element. As can be seen in Figure 4, the light emitting element 402 is arranged to provide a light field/light beam 406. The light beam 406 is oriented such that it is can illuminate corporate livery or logo that is provided on the outboard surface 308 of the upper wing-like element 302 when it operates as a logo light.

[0028] The housing 404 may further comprise an external glazing or lens 408. Lens 408 is transparent such that it allows light emitted from the first and second light emitting elements to pass through it. In addition, the lens 408 may be provided with a portion that has specific optical properties arranged to focus or disperse the light in the desired way. For example, the lens 408 may comprise a lens portion that directs the first light beam 406 from the light emitting element402 towards the corporate livery/logo. The lens portion may be a collimator, a Fresnel lens or the like.

[0029] Figure 5 shows a wing tip device 500 of a second embodiment that can be fitted to the outboard end of a wing of an aircraft, such as the aircraft shown in Figure 1. Like in Figure 3, the wing tip device 500 comprises an upper (upwardly extending) wing-like element 502 and a lower (downwardly extending) wing-like element 504. The upper wing-like element 502 comprises an inboard surface 506 that generally faces the fuselage of the aircraft and an outboard surface 508 that faces away from the fuselage of the aircraft. A corporate livery, logo, or other form of advertising may be provided on the outboard surface 508 of the upper wing-like element 502. The lower wing-like element 504 comprises an inboard surface 510 that generally faces the fuselage of the aircraft and an outboard surface 512 that faces away from the fuselage of the aircraft. The lower wing-like element 504 comprises a root chord 514that intersects the outer surface 508 of the upper wing-like element 502 and the lower wing-like 504 element projects downwardly from this intersection. The lower wing-like element 504 projects away from the upper wing-like element 502 such that there is included angle of around 130° between the upper wing-like element 502 and lower wing-like element 504.

[0030] Wing tip device 500 comprises a lighting element 516 that is provided at the tip of the lowerwing like element 504. The embodiment of Figure 5 differs from the embodiment described in relation to Figure 3 in that the lighting element 516 is operable as both a logo light and an anti-collision/obstruclion light. In other words, the lighting element 516 is operable to provide a light beam for illuminating the corporate livery or logo that is provided on the outboard surface 508 of the upper wing-like element 502 and to provide a light beam that extends away from the lower wing-like element so as to operate as an anti-collision/obstruction light.

[0031] Figure 6 shows a lighting element 600 that is suitable for use with the wing tip device 500 of Figure 5. In Figure 6, the wing tip device itself is not shown for clarity. Fighting element 600 comprises a first light emitting element (light source) 602, a second light emitting element (light source) 604 and a common housing 606 for holding the first and second light emitting elements. As can be seen in Figure 6, the first light emitting element 602 is arranged to provide a first light field/light beam 608. The light beam 608 is oriented such that it is can illuminate corporate livery or logo that is provided on the outboard surface 508 of the upper wing-like element 502 when it operates as a logo light. The second light emitting element 604 is arranged to provide a second light field/light beam 610 that extends away from the second light emitting element in an approximately hemispherical distribution. This light distribution from the second light emitting element will provide the maximum visibility of the second light emitting element when it operates as an anti-collision/obstruction light.

[0032] The housing 606 may comprise control circuitry for the first light emitting element and control circuitry for the second light emitting element. In an alternative embodiment, the housing may comprise common control circuitry for both the first and second light emitting elements.

[0033] The housing 606 may further comprise an external glazing or lens 612. Fens 612 is transparent such that it allows light emitted from the first and second light emitting elements to pass through it. In addition, the lens may be configured with portions that have specific optical properties arranged to focus or disperse the light in the desired way. For example, the lens 612 may comprise a first lens portion 614 that directs the first light beam 608 from the first light emitting element 602 towards the corporate livery/logo. The first lens portion 614 may be a collimator or a Fresnel lens. The lens 612 may have a second lens portion 616 that directs the second light beam 610 away from the second light emitting element 604. The second lens portion 616 may be a concave lens, plano-concave lens, negative meniscus lens or any other suitable lens that causes a divergence of the light beam 610. As will be appreciated the first lens portion, second lens portion or both first and second lens portion may be provided in the lens 612.

[0034] The first light source emitting element may be constant beam light source and the second light source may be a constant beam or a strobe light source.

[0035] Figure 7 shows an alternative lighting element 700 that is suitable for use with the wing tip device 500 of Figure 5. In Figure 7, the wing tip device itself is not shown for clarity. Lighting element 700 comprises a single light emitting element (light source) 702 and a housing 704. The housing 704 comprises a transparent external glazing or lens 706. The lens 706 may comprise various lenses, beam splitters, waveguides or mirrors that are arranged to direct a first portion of the light 708 from the light source 702 to illuminate a corporate livery/logo on an upper wing-like element of a wing tip device and a second portion 710 of the light from the light source 702 that extends away from the light source 702 in an approximately hemispherical distribution. In other words, the lens 706 is arranged to provide logo light and an anti-collision/obstruction light from the single light source 702.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the lens 706 comprises a first lens portion 712 and a second lens portion 714. The first lens portion 712 directs the first portion 708 of light from the light source 702 towards the corporate livery/logo. The first lens portion 712 may be a collimator or a Fresnel lens. The second lens portion 714 directs the second portion 710 of light from the light source 702 away from the lighting element 700. The second lens portion 714 may be a concave lens, plano-concave lens, negative meniscus lens or any other suitable lens that causes a divergence of the light beam 710.

[0037] As described above, the lighting elements 316, 516 are provided at the tip of the lower wing-like element. In some embodiments, the lower wing-like elements of Figure 3 and 4 may comprise a tip cap and the lighting element 316, 516 may form part, or all, of the tip cap of the lower-wing-like element. By incorporating the lighting element in the tip cap of the lower wing like element, the lighting element can be shaped such that it does not introduce unwanted drag.

[0038] However, it should be appreciated that although Figures 3 and 5 show the lighting elements 316, 516 being located at the tip of the lower wing-like element, it will be understood that in alternative embodiments the lighting element may be provided at any location on the lower-wing-like element provided that it is operable to illuminate at least a portion the outboard surface of the upper wing-like element. For example the lighting element may be provided on the surface of the of the lower wing likeelement and an aerodynamic fairing may be provided to cover the lighting element to reduce any unwanted drag. Further, as the wing tip device is an entirely passive device and does not include any fuel storage or control surfaces, the interior of the lower wing-like element will not be utilised. Therefore, in some embodiments, the lighting element may be recessed into the lower wing-like element such that the outer surface of the surface lighting element is flush with the skin of the lower wing-like element.

[0039] It should be understood that although Figures 3 and 5 show wing tip devices in which the lower wing-like elements intersect the upper wing-like elements at a curved transition portion that blends the outboard end of the wing into the substantially planar portion of the upper wing-like element, embodiments of the invention are equally applicable to other arrangement of wing tip devices, provided there is an included angle of less than 180° between the upper wing-like element and a lower wing-like elements at the intersection between the two.

[0040] Further, although the above describes the included angel between the upper wing-like element and lower wing-like element to be around 130°, it will be understood that embodiments of the invention are equally applicable to any wing tip device that has an included angel between the upper wing-like element and lower wing-like element that is at least 80° but is less than 180°.

[0041] Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

[0042] In addition, comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and a or one does not exclude a plural number. In addition, “or” should be understood to mean “and/or”. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. It should be understood that there should be embodied within the scope of the patent warranted hereon ah such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of the contribution to the art. Such modifications, substitutions and alternatives can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which should be determined from the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A wing tip device comprising:

an upwardly extending wing-like element comprising an inboard surface and an outboard surface; a downwardly extending wing-like element comprising an inboard surface and an outboard surface, the downwardly extending wing-like element being connected to the upwardly extending winglike element at an intersection; and a lighting element positioned on the downwardly extending wing-like element and configured such that in use, the lighting element operates as a wing tip logo light to illuminate at least a portion of the outboard surface of the upwardly extending wing-like element.

2. The wing tip device according to claim 1, wherein the downwardly extending wing-like element is joined at a proximal end to the outboard surface of the upwardly extending wing-like element.

3. The wing tip device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the downwardly extending wing-like element is connected to the upwardly extending wing-like element at the intersection such that an included angle less than 180° is provided between the upwardly extending wing-like element and the downwardly extending wing-like element at the intersection.

4. The wing tip device according to any preceding claim, wherein the downwardly extending winglike element is connected to the upwardly extending wing-like element at the intersection such that an included angle of at least 80° is provided between the upwardly extending wing-like element and the downwardly extending wing-like element at the intersection.

5. The wing tip device according to any preceding claim, wherein the lighting element comprises a light emitting element and a housing, the housing having at least one transparent region for allowing the transmission of light from the light emitting element to the surroundings.

6. The wing tip device according to claim 5, wherein the housing comprises the tip cap of the downwardly extending wing tip element.

7. The wing tip device according to any preceding claim, wherein the lighting element is configured such that in use, the lighting element operates as a wing tip logo light to illuminate at least a portion of the outboard surface of the upwardly extending wing-like element and an aircraft obstruction light to emit light radially away from the wing tip device.

8. The wing tip device according to claim 7, wherein the lighting element comprises a single light emitting element and a lens arrangement, wherein the lens arrangement is configured such that in use, a portion of the light emitted from the single light emitting element is directed to illuminate at least a portion of the outboard surface of the upwardly extending wing-like element and a portion of the light emitted from the single light emitting element is directed radially away from the wing tip device.

9. The wing tip device according to claim 7, wherein the lighting element comprises a first light emitting element and a second light emitting element.

10. The wing tip device according to claim 9, wherein in use, the first light emitting element operates as the aircraft obstruction light and the second light emitting element operates as the wing tip logo light.

11. The wing tip device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element are operable from the same control circuitry.

12. A wing comprising the wing tip device according to any preceding claim.

13. An aircraft comprising a wing having a wing tip device according to any of claims 1 to 11.

14. A wing tip device substantially as described with reference figures 3 to 6.

MS'/

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1615074.0 Examiner: Mr Michael Shaw