Aircraft air duct system for transmitting electrical power and visible light
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorNathan D Hiller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An air duct system comprising an air duct having a main body, a visible light source, and one or more photovoltaic devices. The main body of the air duct defines a passageway having a reflective inner surface. The visible light source is configured to generate visible light, where the visible light source directs the visible light along the reflective inner surface of the air duct. The one or more photovoltaic devices are disposed along the reflective inner surface of the air duct, where a portion of the visible light generated by the visible light source is converted into electrical power by the one or more photovoltaic devices.
Claims21
An air duct system, comprising:
- an air duct having a main body, wherein the main body of the air duct defines a passageway having a reflective inner surface;
- a visible light source configured to generate visible light, wherein the visible light source directs the visible light along the reflective inner surface of the air duct;
- and
- one or more photovoltaic devices disposed along the reflective inner surface of the air duct, wherein a portion of the visible light generated by the visible light source is converted into electrical power by the one or more photovoltaic devices.
A method for transmitting air, visible light, and electrical power through an air duct of an aircraft, the method comprising:
- receiving, by the air duct, conditioned air, and visible light;
- directing the visible light along a reflective inner surface of the air duct, wherein the visible light reflects off of the reflective inner surface and travels along a passageway of the air duct;
- and
- converting a portion of the visible light into electrical power by one or more photovoltaic devices disposed along the reflective inner surface of the air duct.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.