Apparatus and method pertaining to light-based power distribution in a vehicle
AssigneeEmbedded Control Systems
InventorsPaul Douglas Stoner, Ovidiu Gabriel Vlad
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle (400) such as an aircraft is provided (101) with a source of light (401) that provides both a power wavelength component (404) as well as a safety-pilot wavelength component (102, 415). An optical conduit (405) is then used (104) to couple this source of light to a light-to-electricity conversion apparatus. So configured, the optical conduit delivers light from this source of light to the light-to-electricity conversion apparatus such that the light source then serves as a source of electricity in the vehicle while the safety-pilot wavelength component serves, at least in part, as a visual warning and/or beneficial reaction-inducement to onlookers.
Claims14
A method comprising:
- in an aircraft:
- providing a source of light wherein the light comprises both a power wavelength component and a safety-pilot wavelength component;
- using an optical conduit to transport the light to a light-to-electricity conversion apparatus that converts the power wavelength component into electricity to power at least one electrically powered aircraft component;
- such that the safety-pilot wavelength component serves, at least in part, as a visual warning to onlookers.
An aircraft power distribution system comprising:
- in an aircraft:
- a source of light wherein the light comprises both a power wavelength component and a safety-pilot wavelength component;
- an optical conduit configured and arranged to transport the light to a light-to-electricity conversion apparatus that converts the power wavelength component into electricity to power at least one electrically powered aircraft component;
- such that the safety-pilot wavelength component serves, at least in part, as a visual warning to onlookers.
An aircraft comprising:
- an onboard source of light wherein the light comprises both a substantially invisible power component and a visible safety-pilot wavelength component;
- an optical conduit configured and arranged to transport the light to a light-to-electricity conversion apparatus that converts the power component into electricity to power at least one electrically powered aircraft component;
- such that the safety-pilot wavelength component serves, at least in part, as a visual warning to onlookers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.