Description:1 Title of the Invention
LED based Indication lights for aircraft.
2 Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an aircraft indication light, and more specifically, to an aircraft indication light formed by a light emitting diode (LED) assembly. The invention is in the field of Electro-Mechanical Engineering domain.
3 Background of the Invention
Most airplane manufacturers comply with Aviation standards by installing Signalling lights on airplanes that are implemented through the use of incandescent light sources. Alternatively, some Signalling lights operate through the use of LED’s, which can have a longer life expectancy than incandescent lamps. The Aviation standards require position lights to be of a minimum intensity at a multitude of displacement angles in both horizontal and vertical planes, as defined by an airplane's orientation. Standards also require that Signalling lights may not exceed specific light intensity values in certain horizontal and vertical positions. That is, within a position light's intended field of coverage, the Aviation standards establishes minimum intensities only, and outside the intended field of coverage, the Aviation standards establishes maximum intensities. In this manner, various Signalling using illuminations from the plane can easily be determined from multiple viewing angles while at the same time insuring that the lights are not too intense beyond the position lights' field of coverage to confuse or overpower other pilots, aircraft lights, and ground-based entities.
Aviation standards also require different Signalling lights to be of various specified colour. Because most lights use white incandescent light sources, particular color requirements use of appropriate light covers. Light covers made of coloured glass, and are placed in front of the light source.
It is advantageous for lamps to have long life and to perform reliably. However, Signalling lights which use conventional incandescent lamps can typically burn out after 1000 to 2000 hours of operation. This can occur at an inopportune time, such as in-flight or during a short layover on a runway. As a result, the lamps inside these position lights are frequently replaced while the airplane is on the tarmac. This frequent lamp replacement represents a high burden to airplane operators, maintenance crews, air traffic control, and other stake holders.
Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a reliable signalling light which results in a longer life and requires less repair and maintenance time than conventional position lights, while achieving Aviation standards light intensity and distribution requirements.
4 Prior Art
Incandescent lamps were used in lamp assemblies for mounting on bayonet holders inside a metallic structure. A rubber gasket holding the transparent colored glass for transmission of light emanating from the lamps in particular direction is covered over the lamp. The transparent glass is mounted on a rubber gasket inside a metallic structure with directional slot so that the light is emitted in a particular direction.
The light assembly (21) is screwed to the mounting fixture on the Aircraft. The power supply connections are from the back through a two metal inserts surrounded by the hard insulating material (2) to provide the rigidity as well as insulation for electrical connection.
The new design is unique in the sense that the outer transparent cover is directly screwed to the base of the structure (2) and the plurality in directional emission can be controlled by plurality in mounting of the LED circuit board (9) inside the transparent front cover (4). The mounting of the LED circuit board (9) on the periphery (23) of the structure base plate (2) with plurality in shape of the periphery (23).
5 Brief Summary of the Invention
This invention is of signalling light assembly (21) in plurality of LEDs assembly on LED circuit board (9) and also the plurality in no. of LED circuit board and plurality in its mounting arrangement on the structure base plate (2) and their interconnections.
The LED circuit board (9) mounted on the structural base plate (2) is covered with a transparent front cover (4) which is screwed to the structural base plate (2) which make its easy to remove and mount again.
The internal electrical connections between the base circuit board (8) and the LED circuit board (9) are done using flexible wire, black wire (19) & red wire (20), and a plurality of connectors that press to connect.
The external power supply connection is made in a plurality of the design requirement of the circuit boards and is arranged using two metallic terminals (7) embedded in the insulating material (2) for providing structural rigidity. The metallic terminals (7) are screw mounting for providing the electrical connection from the aircraft. These terminals are again covered by an insulating cover (12) which makes the connection more rugged and free from any kind of shorting during use and also not affected by environmental conditions..
6 Detailed Description of Drawings
Figure-1. Assembled view of the invention.
Figure-2. Exploded view of the invention.
Figure-3. Claims in the invention.
Figure-4. Transparent cover
Figure-5. LED circuit Board and base circuit Board
7 Detail Description of the Invention
The requirement of the invention was sensed when it was realized that the mounting arrangement of the LED lights assemblies are different in different light assemblies and none of them could have a stand-alone design that is of aviation standard and certified by the Airworthiness certifying agency. The novelty lies in the design of the base structure plate (2) and front cover (4) which are joined with each other using screw mounting. This makes the complete assembly water-tight and dust and dirt-proof with a simple screw mechanism. The specialty of this arrangement is the ease of access and repairability of the PCBs ((8) & (9)).
The list of the parts of the light assembly (21) is as below
Table1
NO. DESCRIPTION QTY
1. METAL HOUSING 1
2. STRUCTURE BASE PLATE 1
3. CONNECTOR INSULATOR 1
4. TRANSPARENT FRONT COVER 1
5. MOUNTING CLAMP 2Nos
6. FASTENER 2Nos
7. METALLIC TERMINAL CONNECTOR 2Nos
8. BASE CIRCUIT BOARD PCB 1
9. LED CIRCUIT BOARD PCB 1
10. VIBRATION GASKET 1
11. METAL INSERT 1
12. INSULATING COVER 1
13. RIVET 4Nos
14. COUNTER SUNK SCREW 1
15. GASKET 1
16. SLOTTED PAN SCREW 2Nos
17. PHILLIPS SCREW 6Nos
18. HELICOIL SCREW 4Nos
19. BLACK WIRE
20. RED WIRE

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
An indicator light according to an aspect of the present invention will first be introduced, including an assembly of LEDs on plurality of mounting in various directions depending on plurality of the base size and shape and also in plurality in mounting base shape. Next, the use of various types of LEDs, including their orientation, effect on orientation of components of the position light, and benefits, will be described.
Figure 1 shows an Indication light (21) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The Indication light (21) includes a base circuit board (8) and a plurality of circuit boards that are electrically connected to the base circuit board (8) and mechanically mounted on the structure base plate (2). The Indication light (21) also includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) electrically and mechanically mounted upon LED circuit board (9). Additionally, the Indication light (21) includes electrical connection with the base circuit board 8, which, in turn, provides power to the LED circuit board (9), which emits light in a multitude of directions based on the plurality of mounting arrangement on profile (23) of structure base plate (2) of LED circuit board PCB. The Indication light (21) can be mounted to an airplane by bolts, clamps, screws, adhesives, or other suitable well-known means.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of plurality in the mounting of LED circuit board PCB (9) of the Indication lights (21), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. According to one aspect of the invention, each individual LED circuit board (9) of the Indication lights (21) can be identical. Therefore, the LED circuit board (9) may be representative of any circuit board in plurality of design requirements for mounting circuit boards included in the position light (10). However, it will be appreciated that each LED circuit board (9) can be unique in both shape and construction.
Figure 3 shows a side view of the structure base plate (2) following an embodiment of the present invention, including a mounting structure that mounts the plurality of circuit boards to the LED circuit board (9). The mounting structure base structure plate (2) can be constructed of any suitable material strong enough to hold the circuit boards in a steady position relative to the base circuit board (15), and which will not interfere with the operation of the lights. For example, the mounting structure may be formed of molded plastic. It should be appreciated that the mounting structure (23) facilitates the mounting of circuit boards at specific angles. It should also be appreciated that the mounting structure (23) must allow the circuit boards to be electrically connected to the base circuit board (8) using a plurality of wired (18, 19) connections/ connectors. Also, the base structure plate(2) can be designed in a plurality of the outer structure for mounting the heat sink or designed in a plurality of shape the heatsink is absorbed in the design.
The plurality in the design of transparent cover (4) depending on the requirement of mounting is to be considered. The novelty lies in screwing the cover to the base resulting in making the assembly free from ingression of dust, dirt, grit, and other contaminations from atmosphere.
The plurality in design of the metal cover (1) could be done as per the requirements of the user. The metal holder helps to hold transparent cover (4) tightly to the structure base plate (2).
The metal cover is fixed to the structure base plate (2) using two screws (6).
The PCB’s are for driver circuitry are housed inside the base structure (2). To provide the insulation between the indicator light (21) and the airplane a gasket (15) is provided.
The plurality of metallic terminal connector (7) is providing the electrical connection between the inside circuitry to the outside power supply. Phillips screw (17) are used to make a firm connection with the terminal connector (7).
To avoid environmental affects to the connections of the power supply an insulating cover (12) is provided which is screwed to the connector insulator (3) using counter sunk screw (14).
, C , Claims:1. LED-based Indication lights assembly (21) for use on aircraft comprising:
This invention is of indication light assembly (21) in a plurality of LEDs assembly on LED circuit board (9); and also the plurality in no. of LED circuit board and plurality in its mounting arrangement on the structure base plate (2);
Plurality of LED circuit board (9) mounted on the structural base plate (2) is covered with a transparent front cover (4) which is screwed (22) to the structural base plate (2);
Plurality of internal electrical connections between the base circuit board (8) and the LED circuit board (9) is done using flexible wire, black wire (19) & red wire (20);
External power supply in plurality of the design requirement of the circuit boards, is arranged using two metallic terminals (7) embedded in the insulating material (2) for providing the structural rigidity;
Plurality of metallic terminals (7) are screw mounting for providing the electrical connection from aircraft;
2. The LED-based Indication lights assembly (21) as said in claim 1 uses a plurality of size and shape of structure base plate (2), screwed (22) with a transparent front cover (2) having plurality in size and shape, isolates the internal circuitry from the external environment and makes is more rugged and waterproof; Also, the base structure is made of good conducting material that works for heat dissipation for the internal circuit board ((8) & (9)) and also can be designed to accommodate heat sink on to it open to outer atmosphere;
3. The LED-based Indication lights assembly (21) as said in claim 1, the periphery (23) of the structure base plate (2) can be shaped in a plurality of mounting for the directional requirement of coverage of the light;
4. The LED-based Indication lights assembly (21) as said in claim 1, Plurality in the design of LED circuit board (9) and a plurality of surface mount LED arrangement can be used to mount on the periphery (23) of the structures base plate (2);
5. The LED-based Indication lights assembly (21) as said in claim 1, The electrical connection between the circuit boards (19 & 20) is done in a plurality of wires connectors/connections of required ratings and specifications preferably aerospace grade; makes the repair-ability /replace-ability easy and reduced Mean time to repair;
6. The LED-based Indication lights assembly (21) as said in claim 1, The power supply connection from the aircraft is done using a plurality of connector insulators (3) moulded with the structure base plate (2) and the metallic terminal contactor (7) having a plurality in shape, length, and size;
7. The LED-based Indication lights assembly (21) as said in claim 1, The insert (11) is molded with connector insulator (3) to mount with an insulator cover (12) arrangement to avoid any breach of electrical insulation and any kind of leakage inside the transparent cover;
8. The LED-based Indication lights assembly (21) as said in claim 1, The metal housing (1) of plurality in shape and size is to be assembled on the structure base plate (2) using the Fastener (6) arrangement;
The novelty of assembly lies in the
- Screw arrangement of transparent cover(4) which makes it easy to access to PCB’s and its replace-ability;
- Plurality of Press to connect connectors between the PCB’s connections which makes removability and replace-ability easy;
- The plurality of the shape of the periphery (23) makes the ease of the adjustment of the coverage of light to all the desired directions and coverage;
- The plurality of shape of the metallic cover (1) can be considered for requirement of coverage or limited coverage;
- The plurality of shape of the metallic structure base plate (2) makes it rugged and provides structural rigidity and also acts for the heat sink in plurality of design;
- The design is in line with the approved aviation standards;