Optical viewing apparatus for aircraft doorway

• US 10,252,818 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2013
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Learjet Incorporated (Bombardier Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Learjet Incorporated (Bombardier Incorporated)
• Inventors: Butler, III, Harris K., Rustman, Kris
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Tung T
• Application Number:
  US14/441,413
• Publication Number:
  US 20150307208A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,972 Days
• Field of Search: 348148
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1407 Doors; surrounding frames
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/08 Periscopes arrangements on floating structures of underwater viewing devices B63C11/49; arrangement of visual watch equipment on submarines B63G8/38
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/06 the relative position of the fibres being the same at both ends, e.g. for transporting images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/186 Video door telephones

Abstract

A viewing device for an aircraft includes an image receiver adapted to receive an image of a predetermined spatial area of an exterior of an aircraft, an image projector adapted to display the image of the predetermined spatial area, and an image conduit connecting the image receiver to the image projector. The image receiver is adapted to be positioned on an exterior side of the aircraft below a lateral width of a fuselage of the aircraft while the image projector is adapted to be positioned on an interior side of the aircraft above the lateral width of the fuselage of the aircraft. The image projector is adapted to be positioned at a first predetermined height above a floor on the interior side of the aircraft, consistent with a person'"'"'s eye level. The image projector is separated from the image receiver by a first predetermined distance.

Claims

1. An aircraft, comprising:

a fuselage defining a lateral width;

a door connected to the fuselage at a lower end of the door so as to open in a downward manner along an arc; and

a viewing device, comprising;

an image receiver for capturing an image of a predetermined spatial area exterior to the door, the predetermined spatial area being at least partially occupied by the door of the aircraft when the door is in an opened position;

an image projector to display the image of the predetermined spatial area, the image projector positioned in a vicinity of an interior of the door of the aircraft thereby allowing a person to activate an opening mechanism of the door of the aircraft while viewing the predetermined spatial area through the image projector; and

an artificial light source to convey light to the predetermined spatial area exterior to the door, the artificial light source being connected to battery back-up power such that the artificial light source is activatable upon a loss of power to the aircraft,

wherein the viewing device comprises a passive portion and an active portion, the viewing device comprising a distal lens housing combined with a camera, such that the viewing device continues to operate if the aircraft experiences a loss of power.

2. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the predetermined spatial area is a predetermined, lateral spatial area.

3. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the image receiver is positioned on an exterior side of the door of the aircraft.

4. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the image receiver and image projector are passive.

5. The aircraft of claim 4, wherein the image receiver is a light-receiving aperture.

6. The aircraft of claim 4, wherein the image projector is an eye piece.

7. The aircraft of claim 4, wherein an image conduit connects the image receiver and the image projector, wherein the image conduit is an optical conduit.

8. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the viewing device further comprises an image conduit, and wherein the image receiver, the image projector, and the image conduit are powered.

9. The aircraft of claim 8, wherein the image receiver is a digital camera.

10. The aircraft of claim 8, wherein the image projector is a display.

11. The aircraft of claim 8, wherein the image conduit is an electrical cable.

12. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the image projector is positioned at a first predetermined height above a floor within the fuselage, the first predetermined height is within a range between about 50 to 80 inches.

13. The aircraft of claim 12, wherein the first predetermined height is within a range between about 55 to 75 inches.

14. The aircraft of claim 13, wherein the first predetermined height in within a range between about 60 to 70 inches.

15. The aircraft of claim 14, wherein the first predetermined height is about 65 inches.

16. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the image projector is separated from the image receiver bay a first predetermined distance, the first predetermined distance is within a range of less than about 6 feet.

17. The aircraft of claim 16, wherein the first predetermined distance is within a range of less than about 5 feet.

18. The aircraft of claim 17, wherein the first predetermined distance is within a range of less than about 4 feet.

19. The aircraft of claim 18, wherein the first predetermined distance is within a range of less than about 3 feet.

20. The aircraft of claim 19, wherein the first predetermined distance is within a range of less than about 2 feet.

21. The aircraft of claim 20, wherein the first predetermined distance is within a range of less than about 1 foot.