Dual mode anticollision/recognition lamp for aircraft
AssigneeGodfrey Engineering, Inc.
InventorGeorge W. Godfrey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual mode exterior lamp for an aircraft includes a higher intensity anticollision light, a lower intensity recognition light, a power supply for the lights, and means for activating the anticollision light when the aircraft is airborne and for activating the recognition light when the aircraft is on the ground. In the preferred embodiment the activating means is responsive to a landing gear position switch.
Claims26
An exterior light system for an aircraft comprising first and second lamp means;
- switching means for indicating when the aircraft is airborne and when the aircraft is on the ground and providing a status signal indicative thereof;
- and activating means responsive to said status signal for activating said first lamp means when the aircraft is airborne and said second lamp means when the aircraft is on the ground.
A dual mode exterior lamp for an aircraft comprising first and second lights, each of said lights being positioned on a respective reflector;
- said reflectors being axially aligned within a common housing;
- and means for activating one of said lights when the aircraft is airborne and the other of said lights when the aircraft is on the ground.
A dual mode exterior lamp for an aircraft comprising an anticollision light, a recognition light, a power supply for said lights, and switching means for activating said anticollision light when the aircraft is airborne and for activating said recognition light when the aircraft is on the ground in mutually exclusive manner with respect to one another, wherein said switching means is responsive to an automatically generated signal that indicates when the aircraft is airborne and when the aircraft is on the ground.
A method for providing safety lighting on an aircraft exterior comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a dual mode lamp having an anticollision light and a recognition light;
- b) providing a detection means to detect whether the aircraft is airborne or on the ground and provide a status signal indicative thereof;
- c) selectively emitting light from said anticollision light in response to said status signal indicating the aircraft is airborne;
- and,
- d) selectively emitting light from a recognition light in response to said status signal indicating the aircraft is one the ground.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.