System and method of preventing aircraft wingtip ground incursion

• US 6,963,293 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2002
• Issued: 11/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rastar
• Original Assignee: Rastar
• Inventors: Rast, Rodger H.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US10/245,909
• Time in Patent Office: 1,150 Days
• Field of Search: 340/958, 340/932.2, 340/903, 340/435, 340/642, 340/961, 340/946, 340/981, 340/982, 362/420, 362/472, 244/114.R, 701/301, 315/293, 315/77, 315/246, 315/90, 315/294
• US Class Current: 340/981
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/04 the lighting devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/065 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. for taxiing or rolling

Abstract

An apparatus and method for tracking aircraft wingtip position during taxi operations to prevent wingtip ground incursion. A patterned illumination source is attached proximal the wingtips to project a readily discernable target pattern in the direction of taxi travel. At least a portion of the target pattern is reflected off of any obstructions that lie in the straight-line direction of travel, such that the pilot can maneuver to avoid striking the obstruction. By way of example, the patterned illumination source comprises a laser module positioned with the navigation and/or strobe light of the aircraft. The device may be retrofitted to existing aircraft without additional wiring with the control of activation being selectable via power cycling of existing aircraft lighting controls. One aspect of the invention provides a tip tracking module bulb that may be retrofitted into existing light sockets to simplify system installation.

Claims

1. An illumination bulb module configured for receipt within a bulb receptacle of a lighting system, comprising:

a bulb housing adapted for receiving power from a bulb receptacle into which it is inserted;

at least one illumination element connected within said housing and adapted to generate a multidirectional lighting pattern; and

at least one laser diode illumination source connected within said housing, adapted for directing a narrow beam of illumination in a desired direction.

2. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 1, wherein said lighting system is an aircraft lighting system.

3. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 2;

wherein said aircraft lighting system is a navigation or strobe lighting circuit;

wherein said laser illumination source is configured for being directed substantially horizontally when the aircraft is in a taxi attitude.

4. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 2, wherein said lighting system is an automotive, truck, motorcycle, or boat lighting system.

5. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 1, further comprising a controller circuit within said housing, said controller circuit adapted for controlling the operation of said laser diode element.

6. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 5, wherein said controller circuit regulates the power to said laser diode illumination element.

7. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 5, wherein said controller circuit controls the activation and duration that said laser diode illumination element is activated.

8. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 1, wherein said multidirectional illumination element comprises at least one incandescent element, at least one light emitting diode, or a combination thereof.

9. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 1, wherein said illumination bulb module has a shape and electrical connections configured to allow it be received within conventional incandescent bulb receptacles.

10. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 9, wherein said illumination bulb module has a base configured for insertion within a bayonet lighting receptacle.

11. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 1, wherein said predetermined direction of said laser diode illumination source can be adjusted to a desired direction for a given application.

12. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 11, further comprising a adjustable mirror, lens, or light pipe coupled to said housing for directing said narrow beam of illumination from said laser diode.

13. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 1, further comprising a reflector within at least a portion of the interior of said illumination bulb.

14. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 1, further comprising means of directing said narrow beam of illumination from said laser diode illumination source into a two dimensional illumination pattern.

15. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 14, wherein said means of directing said narrow beam into a two-dimensional illumination pattern comprises an actuator for modulating the direction of said laser diode illumination source or the reflection therefrom.

16. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 15, wherein said actuator is selected from the group of actuating devices consisting essentially of motors, muscle wire, and movable mirror assembly.

17. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 15, wherein said two-dimensional illumination pattern comprising a nutating pattern.

18. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 5:

wherein said controller circuit is configured to control the operation of said laser diode illumination source in response to signals received over the electrical power connections of the bulb receptacle into which it is electrically coupled;

wherein said signals comprise operations beyond activating the light in response to providing a sufficient voltage and deactivating by terminating the supply of voltage.

19. An illumination bulb module as recited in claim 15:

wherein said signals to which controller circuit is responsive comprise detecting a reversed voltage level or a predetermined number of power transitions;

wherein said predetermined number of power transitions comprises at least two transitions within a predetermined interval;

wherein said predetermined number of power transitions occur between the OFF and ON power states.