Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Aircraft
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-23
2001-10-02
Quach, Y. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Aircraft
C362S390000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296378
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND ART
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to position lights for aircraft. More particularly, the present invention relates to a position light with a pivotable reflector for use on a tilt rotor aircraft.
2. Description of Related Art
In order for an aircraft to be certified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft must meet certain requirements set forth in the Federal Aviation Regulations (“FAR”) of the United States Code of Federal Regulations. The FAR require that position lights meeting certain color, intensity, and viewing angle specifications be installed on all aircraft. For example: 14 C.F.R. §29.1387 defines various dihedral angles through which position lights must show unbroken light; and 14 C.F.R. §§29.1389, 29.1391, 29.1393, 29.1395 set forth the specific light distribution and intensity requirements for position lights. Because fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters use position lights that are fixed, they have little difficulty meeting the position-light standards. However, tilt rotor aircraft cannot use fixed position lights because when the tilt rotor assemblies tilt from helicopter mode to airplane mode the reflective angles and intensities of the position light change and no longer meet the required specifications.
Although several alternatives are available for placement of position lights on tilt rotor aircraft, none of the solutions adequately rectify the problem. For example, the use of a rotating position light is not an acceptable answer to the problem, because the rotating position light must be mounted through the nacelle of the tilt rotor to the wing structure. The use of multiple position lights is unacceptable because of the added weight and complexity. Additional parts are required, including automatic on/off switching of the light sources. Simply mounting the position light at a different location on the tilt rotor aircraft does not work because this violates the viewing requirements.
There is a need for a position light for use on a tilt rotor aircraft that is capable of meeting the stringent color, intensity, and viewing angle requirements while in both airplane and helicopter mode.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is a need for a position light for use on an aircraft that is capable of radiating light at selected angles and at selected intensities relative to a horizontal plane, such as the earth's surface, independent of the orientation of the aircraft's plane of travel. There is also a need for a position light for use on a tilt rotor aircraft that can maintain specific color, intensity, and viewing angle requirements in both the airplane mode and the helicopter mode.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a position light for an aircraft that is capable of radiating light at selected angles and at selected intensities relative to a horizontal plane, such as the earth's surface, independent of the orientation of the aircraft's plane of travel.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tilt rotor aircraft having position lights that meet certain color, intensity, and viewing angle specifications in both the airplane mode and the helicopter mode.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an aircraft position light with a pivotable reflector.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a forward position light for mounting to a nacelle of a tilt rotor on a tilt rotor aircraft such that the position light continuously maintains certain color, intensity, and viewing angle settings.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a position light for aircraft having components that move relative to the aircraft's airframe, such as vectored thrust aircraft.
The above, as well as, additional objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2719282 (1955-09-01), Roth
patent: 2832059 (1958-04-01), Adler, Jr.
patent: 3102993 (1963-09-01), Jensen
patent: 3270193 (1966-08-01), Peterson
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
Hill & Hunn LLP
Quach Y.
Walton James E.
LandOfFree
Position light for aircraft does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Position light for aircraft, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Position light for aircraft will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2563677