Exterior aircraft display system

• US 9,324,248 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2014
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Garrettson, Brook W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blount, Eric
• Application Number:
  US14/522,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20150042494A1
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 340/945, 340/971
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/02 Arrangements or adaptations of signal or lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/08 the advertising matter being arranged on the aircraft

Abstract

A method and apparatus for displaying information is presented. The information is sent from a number of sources to a display unit. The information is displayed through pixels located in the display unit. Heat is transferred in the display unit through a conductive path.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

pixels;

a protective layer associated with the pixels, wherein the protective layer is substantially transparent in areas over the pixels; and

wherein the protective layer has a surface having a texture that causes a desired airflow over the protective layer; and

a conductive path in the protective layer that transfers heat, wherein the pixels, the protective layer, and the conductive path form a display unit for an aircraft.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductive path conducts signals selected from at least one of power signals or data signals.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a number of circuits associated with the protective layer and connected to the conductive path.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the conductive path provides the signals to at least one of the pixels or the number of circuits.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective layer is selected from one of a flexible layer and a rigid layer.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of the number of circuits and the pixels are encapsulated within the protective layer.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective layer has an opaque area in addition to the areas over the pixels that are substantially transparent.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the opaque area includes at least one of an image, a color, text, or an applique.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pixels perform at least one of receiving signals and transmitting the signals.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display unit is located in a location selected from an exterior of the aircraft, an interior of the aircraft, a fuselage, a wing, a winglet, a horizontal stabilizer, a vertical stabilizer, an engine housing, a passenger cabin, a cockpit, and a galley.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pixels are comprised of at least one of a light emitting element, a light-emitting diode, an organic light-emitting diode, a plasma cell, a quantum dot, a liquid crystal cell, a radio frequency transmitter, an infrared transmitter, or an ultraviolet light transmitter.

12. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the number of circuits is selected from at least one of circuits, integrated circuit chips, a radio frequency emitter, a light meter, a thermometer, a memory, a processor unit, or a video controller.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display unit in operation receives information from at least one of a navigation source, an advertisement database, or a media library.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the information is selected from at least one of a logo, a trademark, an advertisement, a tail number, safety information, flight information, baggage claim information, ground crew information, gate information, a direction blinker, a navigation light, or warning information, and wherein the information is selected based on a phase of flight of the aircraft.

15. A method for displaying information, the method comprising:

sending the information from a number of sources to a display unit;

wherein the display unit comprises a protective layer that has a surface having a texture that causes a desired airflow over the protective layer;

displaying the information through pixels located in the display unit; and

transferring heat in the display unit through a conductive path.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein transferring the heat in the display unit through the conductive path comprises:

performing at least one of cooling or heating the pixels in the display unit.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein sending the information from the number of sources to the display unit comprises:

sending the information from the number of sources in data signals to the display unit through the conductive path.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

sending power signals to the display unit through the conductive path.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the display unit includes circuits connected to the conductive path and further comprising:

sending at least one of data signals or power signals to the circuits through the conductive path.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the protective layer is selected from one of a flexible layer and a rigid layer.