Abstract:
Provided systems and methods for an aircraft lighting system (ALS) include a centralized blue generator that supplies blue light to a plurality (N) of passive light-heads distributed at various locations on the aircraft. A load profile for use of the N passive light-heads during all flight phases and operational phases is developed and uploaded into the system. Each of the passive light-heads is operationally coupled to the blue light generator via a respective light transmission element that is gated with a respective one of N light switches. A light generating control unit (LGCU) is coupled to the blue light generator, and controls the generation and actuation of blue light, in addition to controlling light switch positions, as a function of navigation data and the load profile. Each of the N passive light-heads comprises a respective light conversion element to convert the blue light into red, green, or white light.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for an auto-land system for a rotorcraft are provided. The system includes, a search light (SL) assembly configured to receive user input directing the SL to a point of interest (POI) and determine an actual SL orientation and an actual SL range to the POI; and, a searchlight controller operationally coupled to the search light assembly, and configured to: responsive to receiving a command to auto-land at the POI, begin (i) generating a desired trajectory from the rotorcraft actual orientation and rotorcraft actual range to the POI; (ii) generating guidance commands for navigating the rotorcraft in accordance with the desired trajectory; (iii) monitoring an actual SL range and an actual SL orientation; and (iv) generating controlling commands for the searchlight assembly in accordance with the coordinates of the POI.
Abstract:
A light emitting diode (LED) lamp assembly includes a base including an electrical connector adapted to electrically engage a socket. A thermally conductive enclosure is coupled to the base, and a printed circuit board is disposed within the thermally conductive enclosure. The printed circuit board is operably electrically connected with the base and the electrical connector and thermally coupled to the enclosure. An LED is disposed on an exterior surface of the housing and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The thermally conductive enclosure is adapted to mechanically and thermally engage the socket to sink heat generated by the printed circuit board and the light source from the lamp assembly into the socket and an associated reflector.
Abstract:
A single-stage power factor corrected light emitting diode (LED) driver circuit having a circuit input node, a circuit output node, and a circuit common node includes a first inductor, a second inductor, a coupling capacitor, a controllable switch, and an LED string. The first inductor is electrically connected in series between the circuit input node and the coupling capacitor, the second inductor is electrically connected in series between the circuit output node and the circuit common node, the coupling capacitor is electrically connected in series between the first inductor and the circuit output node, the controllable switch is electrically connected in series between a first internal circuit node and the circuit common node, the first internal circuit node located between the first inductor and the coupling capacitor, and the LED string is electrically connected in parallel with only the second inductor.
Abstract:
Mobile apparatus and methods for ultraviolet (UV) light sanitization of an aircraft. The mobile apparatus generally comprises a mobile platform, such as a trolley, that has integrated therewith circuitry and devices that control and actuate ultra-violet C-spectrum (UV-C) light sources that are mechanically coupled to the trolley. The proposed mobile apparatus includes a controller that receives input from an operator and, optionally, from dosimeters mounted on the proposed system and/or within the aircraft. Based on the inputs received, the controller provides guidance to the operator in the form of alerts and messages, as well as automatically adjusting components of the mobile apparatus to adapt itself to a specific aircraft type.
Abstract:
A control system in a UVC-based aircraft sanitization system for controlling the UVC-based aircraft sanitization system to maintain a desired UVC (ultraviolet C) radiation level at a target surface in an aircraft under varying operating conditions is disclosed. The control system includes a controller configured to: receive measured radiation feedback from a radiation measurement device (e.g., dosimeter) on the target surface that identifies a radiation level that is applied at the target surface by the UVC-based aircraft sanitization system; and generate a UVC source control command for UVC sources in the UVC-based aircraft sanitization system. based on the received measured radiation feedback, to control the UVC sources to increase or decrease radiation level output (e.g., identify the amount of increase or decrease from the UVC sources) to generate sufficient radiation to achieve the desired radiation level at the target surface.
Abstract:
Methods and systems are provided for slewing a light beam axis directly between points on the ground. One method involves determining a first position associated with a beam axis of a lighting arrangement in a Cartesian reference frame based on an initial orientation of the lighting arrangement in a spherical reference frame, determining an adjustment for the lighting arrangement in the Cartesian reference frame in response to a user input, determining an updated position for the beam axis in the Cartesian reference frame based on the first position and the adjustment in the Cartesian reference frame, transforming the updated position for the beam axis in the Cartesian reference frame to an updated orientation of the lighting arrangement in the spherical reference frame, and concurrently commanding actuators associated with the lighting arrangement to slew the lighting arrangement from the initial orientation to the updated orientation in the spherical reference frame.
Abstract:
Mobile apparatus and methods for ultraviolet (UV) light sanitization of an aircraft. The mobile apparatus generally comprises a mobile platform, such as a trolley, that has integrated therewith circuitry and devices that control and actuate ultra-violet C-spectrum (UV-C) light sources that are mechanically coupled to the trolley. The proposed mobile apparatus includes a controller that receives input from an operator and, optionally, from dosimeters mounted on the proposed system and/or within the aircraft. Based on the inputs received, the controller provides guidance to the operator in the form of alerts and messages, as well as automatically adjusting components of the mobile apparatus to adapt itself to a specific aircraft type.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for using a searchlight unit to obtain elevation information about a point of interest are disclosed herein. The searchlight unit comprises an illumination source, a distance measurement system and an actuator for positioning the illumination source and for positioning the distance measurement system toward the point of interest. The searchlight unit also includes a global navigation satellite system and an inertial measurement unit for obtaining position and orientation information about the searchlight unit.
Abstract:
A non-isolated power supply is configured to receive an input voltage and supply an output voltage, and includes a supply line, a return line, a first semiconductor switch coupled in series in the supply line, and a second semiconductor switch coupled in series in the return line. The first and second semiconductor switches are each configured to operate in an ON state and an OFF state. The differential current sensor is configured to sense differential current between the supply line and the return line. The fault detection logic is coupled to the differential current sensor, the first semiconductor switch, and the second semiconductor switch, and is configured to detect when the differential current exceeds a predetermined current magnitude, and command the first and second semiconductor switches to operate in the OFF state upon detecting that the differential current exceeds the predetermined current magnitude.