Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft structure – Passenger or crew accommodation
Patent
1990-10-05
1992-07-14
Barefoot, Galen
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft structure
Passenger or crew accommodation
244119, 2441291, 362 62, 362 73, B64D 1100
Patent
active
051295970
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a combination of luggage compartments and ceiling illumination in the passenger cabin of an aircraft.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Such combinations form the upper zone of the passenger cabin of an aircraft and essentially comprise baggage storage compartments and the ceiling which forms the upper zone of the interior paneling of the cabin. The fluorescent lamps for lighting the cabin are also arranged in the zone of the ceiling, or in the zone of the baggage storage compartments. A passenger cabin with two lengthwise aisles has one central and two side baggage storage compartments, each provided with lids. Fluorescent lamps with translucent covers are used for lighting. Two so-called light bands are arranged over each aisle. Due to space considerations, the side baggage storage compartments are constructed so that they can hold only small bags safely. Especially due to the relatively high number of fluorescent lamps, such combinations have a high production cost.
A fluorescent lamp system is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,505 (Fenner) that is used, for example in large aircraft passenger cabins, wherein reflectors are arranged to eliminate end shadows. The abutting zones between two fluorescent lamps are thereby lit up. Fenner does not hint toward constructing the cabin ceiling and baggage storage compartments, so that the number of fluorescent lamps is reduced.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to construct a combination of the type mentioned above, so that one string of lights is saved along each lengthwise aisle, and so that the reduced illumination density resulting from using but one string of lights along each aisle is substantially compensated by optically efficient measures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These objects have been achieved in a combination of the above type, by the following features. A ceiling element of the cabin ceiling is curved approximately as a parabola, whereby the less strongly curved zone extends toward a fluorescent lamp and the fluorescent lamp is partly covered by a light cover in such a way that essentially only indirect light enters into the cabin, and wherein a reflector is arranged on the side of the fluorescent lamp that faces away from the ceiling element so that the reflector reflects the light emanating from the fluorescent lamp toward the ceiling element.
It is a special advantage of the present construction that as a result of the elimination of half of all the fluorescent lamps, a corresponding number of power supply units is also eliminated. Not only does this reduce the production costs, but there is also a substantial weight reduction.
An advantage of the special arrangement of the light cover either formed by the central baggage compartment or by a separate element lies in the fact that the combination can be easily adapted to the structural conditions in the aircraft cabin.
A further advantage is provided by sloping the lids of the baggage compartments in such a way that the spacing between two lids facing each other increases toward the ceiling, whereby favorable angles of reflection are achieved. In addition, this feature introduces an optical impression of spaciousness toward the ceiling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, it will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a sectional view through a ceiling baggage storage lighting combination with a row of centrally arranged fluorescent lamps extending above the central row of baggage compartments, shown with the compartment lids closed;
FIG. 2 shows the combination of FIG. 1 with the compartment lids in the open position;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view corresponding to that of FIG. 1, illustrating the lighting or illumination conditions;
FIG. 4 is a combination with a laterally arranged row of fluorescent lamps positioned above the row of baggage compartments next to the windows; and
FIG. 5 shows the course of
REFERENCES:
patent: 2198579 (1940-04-01), Mayer
patent: 2582738 (1952-01-01), Arenberg
patent: 2595858 (1952-05-01), Kuhler
patent: 3535505 (1970-10-01), Fenner
patent: 4799631 (1989-01-01), Humphries et al.
patent: 4907762 (1990-03-01), Bock et al.
Aviation Week and Space Technology, Feb. 21, 1966 pp. 38-39.
Bock Thomas-Mathias
Glimmann Hans
Manthey Heinz
Nocon Guenther
Poppinga Georg
Barefoot Galen
Deutsche Airbus GmbH
Fasse W. G.
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