WO2015035451A1 - An aircraft cockpit lighting arrangement for creating pilot ability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude - Google Patents
An aircraft cockpit lighting arrangement for creating pilot ability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude Download PDFInfo
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- WO2015035451A1 WO2015035451A1 PCT/AU2014/000895 AU2014000895W WO2015035451A1 WO 2015035451 A1 WO2015035451 A1 WO 2015035451A1 AU 2014000895 W AU2014000895 W AU 2014000895W WO 2015035451 A1 WO2015035451 A1 WO 2015035451A1
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- aircraft
- cockpit
- internal
- pilot
- lighting fixture
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
- G01C23/00—Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/40—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors specially adapted for specific vehicle types
- B60Q3/41—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors specially adapted for specific vehicle types for mass transit vehicles, e.g. buses
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D43/00—Arrangements or adaptations of instruments
- B64D43/02—Arrangements or adaptations of instruments for indicating aircraft speed or stalling conditions
Definitions
- This invention relates to an arrangement to assist a pilot withinside the cockpit of an aircraft in more correctl interpreting aircraft attitude, and more particularly to an arrangement that can utilise the peripheral vision of the pilot to improve his or her ability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude rather than relying solely on focusing on aircraft internal instrumentation.
- attitude indicator which is designed to assist the pilot's spatial orientation to maintain the pilot's body orientation and/or posture in relation to the surrounding environment and notably to establish an artificial horizon and/or at least a reference environment so that the pilot is able to determine their orientation of the aircraft relative to the earth's real horizon, notably when the aircraft increases or decreases its pitch by ascending or descending or when the aircraft is required to rol! or bank as the nose of the airplane tilts to the left or right during a flight turning procedure.
- an aircraft internal cockpit lighting arrangement for improving a pilot's ability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude, said arrangement including an internal cockpit lighting fixture adapted to emit a lateral dispersible light providing an illuminated artificial horizon within the cockpit of the aircraft wherein the illuminated artificial horizon is configured to surround a pilot within the cockpit when the pilot is seated during flight of the aircraft, wherein the internal cockpit lighting fixture is further adapted to maintain said illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch and/or when the nose of the aircraft rolls, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
- the internal cockpit lighting fixture is rotatable about a vertical axis and a lateral axis such that when the aircraft is increasing or decreasing pitch attitude during flight this translates to downward or upper movement respectively of the interna! cockpit lightning fixture about the vertical axis and wherein left or right turning of the aircraft translates to right or left movement respectively about the interna! cockpit lighting fixture lateral axis in order to maintain the illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch and/or when the nose of the aircraft roils, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
- the internal cockpit lighting fixture is a single light fitting fastenab!e to a wall within the cockpit of the aircraft at a level comparative to the tip of the nose of the aircraft.
- the internal cockpit lighting fixture is a plurality of light fittings positionable to walls and/or a door within the cockpit at a level comparative to the tip of the nose of the aircraft
- the internal cockpit lighting fixture is in communication with the interna! aircraft control instrumentation so as to respond during pitching and/or rolling of the aircraft so as to translate the corresponding movement of the internal cockpit lighting fixture about the vertical axis and/or the lateral axis to maintain the
- the laterally dispersibie light also includes light that has a visual depth.
- the laterally dispersibie light is adapted to illuminate in different colours.
- the internal cockpit lighting fixture includes a lighting device fastenab!e within the cockpit of the aircraft; said lighting device including an array of light emitting units, wherein each light emitting unit is arranged in a series of rows and columns across the array wherein the array is divided info three regions, a central region wherei light disperses straight out from the array, a section of upwardly inclined light emitting units and a section of downwardly inclined light emitting units such that when the aircraft during flight increases or decreases pitch attitude, light will be emitted from the section of downwardly inclined light emitting units and the section of upwardly inclined light emitting units respectively so as to maintain the illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch
- the central region of light emitting units within the array provides a corresponding diagonal representation across the columns and between the rows of said array in order to maintain the illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft rolls, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
- the internal cockpit Iighting fixture includes a Iighting device fastenabie within the cockpit of the aircraft; said iighting device having a substantially curved profile with a flat section having a series of light emitting units protruding therefrom in an array divided up into columns and rows of such light emitting units such that when the aircraft increases pitch attitude, light emitting units of the array pointing downward along the substantially curved profile of the internal cockpit Sighting fixture are illuminated, and wherein when the flight of the aircraft results in a decrease in the pitch attitude those light emitting units pointing upwards along the curve profile on the of the array are illuminated and wherein the aircraft has the nose of the aircraft tilting to left or right there is a diagonal illumination between adjacent rows and columns of each light emitting units within the flat section of the
- substantially curved profile to provide and maintain the illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitc and/or when the nose of the aircraft rolls, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
- this invention provides a unique way in which a pilot who finds his or herself under the effect of disorientation being able to re-orientate themselves rather than by having to concentrate on cockpit instrumentation the pilot will simply be able to get the effects of disorientation under control through the general peripheral vision of observing the illuminated artificial horizon that was created by the internal cockpit lighting arrangement and to which can be maintained in the sounding configuration about the pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch and/or when the nose of the aircraft rolls, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
- the internal cockpit lighting arrangement provides a continuous visual reference of the artificial horizon for the pilots in the cockpit no matter whether the pilot becomes disorientate through the effects of flying when the pitch of the aircraft changes during an ascent or descent and/or when the aircraft is tilting to the left or right during turning or by other more incidental causes of disorientation such as inadvertent head and body turning and so forth, the pilot is able to naturally readjust themselves instantaneously to regain their ability of body orientation and/or posture in relation to the surrounding appropriate flight environment due to this uniquely created illuminated artificial horizon.
- the pilot or pilots can rely on their general peripheral vision to combat the effects of incorrectly interpreting aircraft attitude by being surrounded by the artificially created illuminated horizon about them, as opposed to focusing upon aircraft console instrumentation.
- Figure 1 is a schematic view of an internal cockpit lighting fixture used in the aircraft internal cockpit lighting arrangement in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show schematic representations of the internal lighting fixture being used within the cockpit of an aircraft in a preferred embodiment of the invention under various flight scenarios.
- Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show schematic representations similar to those shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, however from a side view under various flight scenarios.
- Figures 4a and 4b show a further preferred embodiment of the invention of an interna! cockpit lighting fixture.
- Figure 5 is a side profile view of a further preferred embodiment of the invention for a further alternative interna! cockpit lighting fixture.
- Figure 1 a representative example of the kinds of interna! lighting devices such as the infernal cockpit lighting fixture (10) can be used in achieving the outcome of the invention, that being to be able to illuminate throughout the cockpit of the aircraft a dispersed light that acts as a referenced artificial horizon that can surround the pilot when the pilot is seated during flight so that a pilot under the affects of disorientation can control their illusory sensations during flight so as to appropriately through their general peripheral vision, rather that the requirement to simply focus on internal aircraft instrumentation, adjust almost instantaneously their ability to regain appropriate body orientation and/or posture in relation to the surrounding flight environment as they can without difficult observe continuous the artificial illuminated horizon established by the internal cockpit lighting fixture (10).
- this interna! cockpit lighting fixture (10) is able to have rotatable movement about the vertical axis shown by way of arrows (12) and (14) but also the lateral axis shown by way of arrows (16) and (18).
- the ability of the internal cockpit lighting fixture (10) to be able to be rotatably moveable about both the vertical and the lateral axis in response to changes in the pitch or nose tilting to the left and/or right during turning of the aircraft, means that the interna!
- cockpit lighting fixture (10) positioned within the cockpit of the aircraft is always able to maintain the required illuminated artificial horizon made up of dispersed light that surrounds the pilot when seated during flight. If the pilot develops an inability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude the pilot can rely upon this illuminated artificial horizon wherein the pilot is able to rely upon their own general peripheral vision to over-ride any illusory non-visuai sensations they may feel.
- Figure 2a shows a general view inside the cockpit (20) of the aircraft wherein the lighting device shown in Figure 1 is installed on the rear wall (22) within the cockpit (20) of the aircraft.
- the invention is not restricted to a particular type of lighting fixture per se but the intention of the invention is to provide the artificial illuminated horizon which is able to be created by the projection of light from the internal cockpit lighting fixture, which in this preferred embodiment includes two such internal cockpit lighting fixtures (10a) and (10b),
- pilots (21 ) and (23) are for the most part surround in the dispersed light (24) which is projected out from the lighting devices (10a) and (10b) establish the artificial illuminated horizon made up of the dispersed light (24).
- Figure 2c presents the flight scenario wherein the aircraft is completing a right tur or is at least tilting or banking towards the right shown by way of arrow (32) and accordingly in order to maintain the continuous fixed appropriate artificial illuminated horizon surrounding the pilots (2 ) (23) while seated within the cockpit (20) each of the lighting fixtures (10a) and (10b) rotate laterally towards the left shown by way of arrows (34) and (36) to keep the dispersed light (24) in the correct orientation for the appropriate artificial illuminated horizon on which the pilots' (21 ) and (23) peripheral vision can call upon if the effects of disorientation take control.
- FIGS 4a, 4b and 4c show a further preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the main internal cockpit lighting fixture which generates the dispersible light for the artificial illuminated horizon is shown as (50).
- the interna! cockpit lighting fixture (50) is an array or grid of light emitting units (51 ) arranged in rows and columns.
- an internal cockpit lighting fixture (50) is further divided into segments wherein the light emitting units (51 ) have an upper section (52) wherein the light emitting units (51 ) have an upward inclination and wherein those shown in the central region (54) have a direct outward orientation and those light emitting units (51) at the bottom region shown by way of (56) have an incline downwards.
- Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show the concept pictorial !y and it is to be appreciated that many light emitting units (51 ) could be included and the degree of inclination and arrangement and the size of the configuration that feature the respective regions (52), (54) and (56) can all be altered but for the purpose of illustrating this embodiment as shown in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c the internal cockpit lighting fixture (50) per se does not need to have to be rotatabiy moveable about a vertical axis and a lateral axis in that depending on the change in pitch or roll of the aircraft this will then correlate to a different pattern of illumination coming from the array (50) drawn from the individual light emitting units (51) that are emitting light to create the appropriate artificial iiiuminated horizon that surrounds the pilot in the cockpit of the aircraft when the pilot is seated during flight.
- the light emitting units (51 ) in the region (52) of the array with the upward incline would illuminate thereby maintaining the illuminated artificial horizon about the pilot in the cockpit of the aircraft.
- the aircraft was ascending those light emitting units (51 ) in the bottom region (56) of the array (50) with the incline pointing downwards would then be illuminated once again in order to maintain the continuous illuminated artificial horizon about the pilot in the cockpit of the aircraft.
- Figure 5 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention, not dissimilar to the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c however the internal cockpit lighting fixture in the cockpit shown in Figure 5 as (60) has a generally curved profile with a generally flat section (61 ) having a series the light emitting units (65) divided into upper region (63), central region (62) and downwardly inclined region (64) wherein the natural profile (61) of the internal cockpit lighting unit (60) provides the necessary outward, downward or upward inclination in order to achieve the emission of light to be laterally dispersibie outwards in order to create the illuminated periphery visual artificial horizon about the pilot during an increase or decrease in the pitch of the aircraft or when turning.
- the internal cockpit lighting fixture in the cockpit shown in Figure 5 as (60) has a generally curved profile with a generally flat section (61 ) having a series the light emitting units (65) divided into upper region (63), central region (62) and downwardly inclined region (64) wherein the natural profile (61) of the internal cockpit lighting unit (60)
Abstract
An aircraft internal cockpit lighting arrangement for improving a pilot's ability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude having an internal cockpit lighting fixture adapted to emit a lateral dispersible light providing an illuminated artificial horizon within the cockpit of the aircraft wherein the illuminated artificial horizon is configured to surround the pilot within the cockpit when the pilot is seated during flight of the aircraft, wherein the internal cockpit lighting fixture is further adapted to maintain said illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch and/or when the nose of the aircraft rolls, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
Description
AN AIRCRAFT COCKPIT LIGHTING ARRANGEMENT FOR CREATING PILOT ABILITY TO CORRECTLY INTERPRET AIRCRAFT ATTITUDE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] This invention relates to an arrangement to assist a pilot withinside the cockpit of an aircraft in more correctl interpreting aircraft attitude, and more particularly to an arrangement that can utilise the peripheral vision of the pilot to improve his or her ability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude rather than relying solely on focusing on aircraft internal instrumentation.
BACKGROUND ART DISCUSSION
[002] Most modern-day aircraft include as part of their internal instrumentation system, an attitude indicator which is designed to assist the pilot's spatial orientation to maintain the pilot's body orientation and/or posture in relation to the surrounding environment and notably to establish an artificial horizon and/or at least a reference environment so that the pilot is able to determine their orientation of the aircraft relative to the earth's real horizon, notably when the aircraft increases or decreases its pitch by ascending or descending or when the aircraft is required to rol! or bank as the nose of the airplane tilts to the left or right during a flight turning procedure.
[003] The causes of spatial disorientation in pilots where they lose the ability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude is well documented and it is not the purpose of this invention to go into the physioiogica! reasons as to what creates spatial disorientation with pilots, suffice to say that spatial disorientation is a problem to which this invention intends to address and provide a solution for.
[004] If a pilot is under the effects of disorientation and is under the control of illusory non-visual sensations during flight it would be advantageous to be able to assist the pilot in over-riding these senses and to get the pilot back into correct judgement of spatial orientation by not simply just having the pilot being forced to rely on a focusing of vision upon internal aircraft instrumentation but also be abie to introduce
a means in which the peripheral vision of the pilot could be aided with some means suc that the pilot is able to adjust naturally and also almost instantaneously to regain their ability of body orientation and/or posture in relation to the surrounding flight environment.
[005] Within the cockpit spatial disorientation can develop for a variety of reasons, for example the pilot turns around to momentarily talk to an attendant or passenger, and/or check instrumentation and/or equipment at the rear of the cockpit and then upon re-positioning themselves in a forward direction the head swing can induce effects associated with disorientation and presently for the most part the only way a pilot can take control of that illusory non-visual sensation during flight is to try and focus vision upon internal aircraft instrumentation as referred to above.
[006] Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide an arrangement which will be able to create conditions so that the pilot, upon being under the effects of disorientation, will be able to correctly interpret aircraft attitude by not necessarily only relying on internal instrumentation such as an attitude indicator but also through the use of their peripheral vision.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form of the invention there is provided an aircraft internal cockpit lighting arrangement for improving a pilot's ability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude, said arrangement including an internal cockpit lighting fixture adapted to emit a lateral dispersible light providing an illuminated artificial horizon within the cockpit of the aircraft wherein the illuminated artificial horizon is configured to surround a pilot within the cockpit when the pilot is seated during flight of the aircraft, wherein the internal cockpit lighting fixture is further adapted to maintain said illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch and/or when the nose of the aircraft rolls, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
[007] In preference the internal cockpit lighting fixture is rotatable about a vertical axis and a lateral axis such that when the aircraft is increasing or decreasing pitch
attitude during flight this translates to downward or upper movement respectively of the interna! cockpit lightning fixture about the vertical axis and wherein left or right turning of the aircraft translates to right or left movement respectively about the interna! cockpit lighting fixture lateral axis in order to maintain the illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch and/or when the nose of the aircraft roils, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
[008] in preference the internal cockpit lighting fixture is a single light fitting fastenab!e to a wall within the cockpit of the aircraft at a level comparative to the tip of the nose of the aircraft.
[009] In preference the internal cockpit lighting fixture is a plurality of light fittings positionable to walls and/or a door within the cockpit at a level comparative to the tip of the nose of the aircraft
[010] In preference the internal cockpit lighting fixture is in communication with the interna! aircraft control instrumentation so as to respond during pitching and/or rolling of the aircraft so as to translate the corresponding movement of the internal cockpit lighting fixture about the vertical axis and/or the lateral axis to maintain the
illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch and/or when the nose of the aircraft rolls, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
[011] In preference the laterally dispersibie light also includes light that has a visual depth.
[012] in preference the laterally dispersibie light is adapted to illuminate in different colours.
[013] in preferenc the internal cockpit lighting fixture includes a lighting device fastenab!e within the cockpit of the aircraft; said lighting device including an array of light emitting units, wherein each light emitting unit is arranged in a series of rows and columns across the array wherein the array is divided info three regions, a
central region wherei light disperses straight out from the array, a section of upwardly inclined light emitting units and a section of downwardly inclined light emitting units such that when the aircraft during flight increases or decreases pitch attitude, light will be emitted from the section of downwardly inclined light emitting units and the section of upwardly inclined light emitting units respectively so as to maintain the illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch
[014] in preference the central region of light emitting units within the array provides a corresponding diagonal representation across the columns and between the rows of said array in order to maintain the illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft rolls, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
[015] In preference the internal cockpit Iighting fixture includes a Iighting device fastenabie within the cockpit of the aircraft; said iighting device having a substantially curved profile with a flat section having a series of light emitting units protruding therefrom in an array divided up into columns and rows of such light emitting units such that when the aircraft increases pitch attitude, light emitting units of the array pointing downward along the substantially curved profile of the internal cockpit Sighting fixture are illuminated, and wherein when the flight of the aircraft results in a decrease in the pitch attitude those light emitting units pointing upwards along the curve profile on the of the array are illuminated and wherein the aircraft has the nose of the aircraft tilting to left or right there is a diagonal illumination between adjacent rows and columns of each light emitting units within the flat section of the
substantially curved profile to provide and maintain the illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitc and/or when the nose of the aircraft rolls, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
[016] Advantageously this invention provides a unique way in which a pilot who finds his or herself under the effect of disorientation being able to re-orientate themselves rather than by having to concentrate on cockpit instrumentation the pilot will simply be able to get the effects of disorientation under control through the general
peripheral vision of observing the illuminated artificial horizon that was created by the internal cockpit lighting arrangement and to which can be maintained in the sounding configuration about the pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch and/or when the nose of the aircraft rolls, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
[017] As the internal cockpit lighting arrangement provides a continuous visual reference of the artificial horizon for the pilots in the cockpit no matter whether the pilot becomes disorientate through the effects of flying when the pitch of the aircraft changes during an ascent or descent and/or when the aircraft is tilting to the left or right during turning or by other more incidental causes of disorientation such as inadvertent head and body turning and so forth, the pilot is able to naturally readjust themselves instantaneously to regain their ability of body orientation and/or posture in relation to the surrounding appropriate flight environment due to this uniquely created illuminated artificial horizon. Hence the pilot or pilots can rely on their general peripheral vision to combat the effects of incorrectly interpreting aircraft attitude by being surrounded by the artificially created illuminated horizon about them, as opposed to focusing upon aircraft console instrumentation.
[018] in order now to describe the invention in greater detail a series of preferred embodiments will be described with the assistance of the following illustrations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[019] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an internal cockpit lighting fixture used in the aircraft internal cockpit lighting arrangement in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
[020] Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show schematic representations of the internal lighting fixture being used within the cockpit of an aircraft in a preferred embodiment of the invention under various flight scenarios.
[021] Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show schematic representations similar to those shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, however from a side view under various flight scenarios.
[022] Figures 4a and 4b show a further preferred embodiment of the invention of an interna! cockpit lighting fixture.
[023] Figure 5 is a side profile view of a further preferred embodiment of the invention for a further alternative interna! cockpit lighting fixture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[024] Referring now to the drawings in greater detail where in Figure 1 a representative example of the kinds of interna! lighting devices such as the infernal cockpit lighting fixture (10) can be used in achieving the outcome of the invention, that being to be able to illuminate throughout the cockpit of the aircraft a dispersed light that acts as a referenced artificial horizon that can surround the pilot when the pilot is seated during flight so that a pilot under the affects of disorientation can control their illusory sensations during flight so as to appropriately through their general peripheral vision, rather that the requirement to simply focus on internal aircraft instrumentation, adjust almost instantaneously their ability to regain appropriate body orientation and/or posture in relation to the surrounding flight environment as they can without difficult observe continuous the artificial illuminated horizon established by the internal cockpit lighting fixture (10).
[025] The arrangement of the light emitting units (9) is not essential to the invention nor the actual configuration of the representative example of the internal lighting fixture (10) which as to be discussed in greater detail in relation to Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and Figures 3a, 3b and 3c can be fastenable to the internal walls and so forth of the cockpit of the aircraft.
[026] What is important in relation to the internal cockpit lighting fixture (10) to be installed within the cockpit of the aircraft in this preferred embodiment is that this interna! cockpit lighting fixture (10) is able to have rotatable movement about the vertical axis shown by way of arrows (12) and (14) but also the lateral axis shown by way of arrows (16) and (18).
[027] The ability of the internal cockpit lighting fixture (10) to be able to be rotatably moveable about both the vertical and the lateral axis in response to changes in the pitch or nose tilting to the left and/or right during turning of the aircraft, means that the interna! cockpit lighting fixture (10) positioned within the cockpit of the aircraft is always able to maintain the required illuminated artificial horizon made up of dispersed light that surrounds the pilot when seated during flight. If the pilot develops an inability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude the pilot can rely upon this illuminated artificial horizon wherein the pilot is able to rely upon their own general peripheral vision to over-ride any illusory non-visuai sensations they may feel.
[028] Figure 2a shows a general view inside the cockpit (20) of the aircraft wherein the lighting device shown in Figure 1 is installed on the rear wall (22) within the cockpit (20) of the aircraft.
[029] in the embodiment shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c there are two infernal lighting fixtures as shown in Figure 1 represented as ( 0a) and (10b).
[030] As introduced above the invention is not restricted to a particular type of lighting fixture per se but the intention of the invention is to provide the artificial illuminated horizon which is able to be created by the projection of light from the internal cockpit lighting fixture, which in this preferred embodiment includes two such internal cockpit lighting fixtures (10a) and (10b),
[0313 On viewing Figure 2a it can be appreciated that the pilots (21 ) and (23) are for the most part surround in the dispersed light (24) which is projected out from the lighting devices (10a) and (10b) establish the artificial illuminated horizon made up of the dispersed light (24).
[032] in Figure 2b the aircraft is undergoing a left turn referenced by arrow (30) but in order to maintain the artificial illuminated horizon of laterally dispersed light (24) each of the lighting fixtures (10a) and (1 Ob) laterally rotates to the right respectively shown by way of arrows (26) and (28) so that the dispersed light of the artificial illuminated horizon (24) about the pilots (21) (23) in the cockpit (22) remains in clear peripheral vision of the pilots (21 ) and (23) so that once again the pilots (21) (23) if they become under the affects of spatial disorientation as they are still immersed and/or surrounded within an appropriately referenced illuminated artificial horizon that is dispersed throughout the cockpit (20) of the aircraft, the pilots (21 ) and (23) can reorientate promptly.
[033] Figure 2c presents the flight scenario wherein the aircraft is completing a right tur or is at least tilting or banking towards the right shown by way of arrow (32) and accordingly in order to maintain the continuous fixed appropriate artificial illuminated horizon surrounding the pilots (2 ) (23) while seated within the cockpit (20) each of the lighting fixtures (10a) and (10b) rotate laterally towards the left shown by way of arrows (34) and (36) to keep the dispersed light (24) in the correct orientation for the appropriate artificial illuminated horizon on which the pilots' (21 ) and (23) peripheral vision can call upon if the effects of disorientation take control.
[034] The representations shown in Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are not dissimilar to those shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c however the flight patterns concerns with Figures 3a, 3b and 3c focus on a change in pitch of the aircraft as it either ascends as shown in Figure 3b or alternatively descends as shown in Figure 3c.
[035] The fundamentals of the invention remain the same in that enclosed within the cockpit (41 ) of the aircraft is the internal cockpit lighting fixture shown by way of reference number (43).
[036] When the aircraft (not shown) is flying straight ahead the lighting fixture (43) disperses out the appropriate artificial illuminated horizon by way of the lateral disperse light (40) coming from the lighting fixture (43) so as to surround the seated pilot (42) in the cockpit (41) of the aircraft. As can be seen from Figure 3a in a sense
the pilot (42) is surrounded or immersed amongst the dispersed light (40) created by the projected artificial illuminated horizon such that in the case of Figure 3b when the aircraft begins to ascend shown by way of arrow (44) the internal cockpit light fixture (43) verticall rotates downwards (40), shown by way of arrow (46) so as to maintain the appropriate illuminated artificial horizon about the pilot (42) within the cockpit (41 ) of the aircraft.
[037] in the flight scenario shown in Figure 3c as the aircraft descends shown by way of arrow (48) the internal cockpit light fixture (43) vertically rotates upwards, shown by way of arrow (50) to project out the lateral dispersed light (40) to maintain the correct orientation of the artificial illuminated horizon so appropriate periphery vision is available to the pilot to continually view illuminated artificial horizon surrounding him or her in the event the pilot cannot correctly interpret aircraft attitude.
[038] Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show a further preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the main internal cockpit lighting fixture which generates the dispersible light for the artificial illuminated horizon is shown as (50). The interna! cockpit lighting fixture (50) is an array or grid of light emitting units (51 ) arranged in rows and columns.
[039] As best seen in Figure 4a internal cockpit lighting fixture (50) is further divided into segments wherein the light emitting units (51 ) have an upper section (52) wherein the light emitting units (51 ) have an upward inclination and wherein those shown in the central region (54) have a direct outward orientation and those light emitting units (51) at the bottom region shown by way of (56) have an incline downwards.
[040] The purpose of Figures 4a, 4b and 4c is to show the concept pictorial !y and it is to be appreciated that many light emitting units (51 ) could be included and the degree of inclination and arrangement and the size of the configuration that feature the respective regions (52), (54) and (56) can all be altered but for the purpose of illustrating this embodiment as shown in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c the internal cockpit lighting fixture (50) per se does not need to have to be rotatabiy moveable about a
vertical axis and a lateral axis in that depending on the change in pitch or roll of the aircraft this will then correlate to a different pattern of illumination coming from the array (50) drawn from the individual light emitting units (51) that are emitting light to create the appropriate artificial iiiuminated horizon that surrounds the pilot in the cockpit of the aircraft when the pilot is seated during flight.
[041] For example, if the aircraft was to decrease in pitch and the nose was heading downwards the light emitting units (51 ) in the region (52) of the array with the upward incline would illuminate thereby maintaining the illuminated artificial horizon about the pilot in the cockpit of the aircraft. Alternatively, if the aircraft was ascending those light emitting units (51 ) in the bottom region (56) of the array (50) with the incline pointing downwards would then be illuminated once again in order to maintain the continuous illuminated artificial horizon about the pilot in the cockpit of the aircraft.
[042] in Figure 4c in a situation where the aircraft is tilting and also potentially ascending, shown by way of arrow (59) the lighting fixture (50) within the cockpit of the aircraft is still able to illuminate through the selected series of light emitting units (51 ) shown by way of the line with the reference numeral (58) to disperse out light to maintain the appropriate illuminated visual artificial horizon in which the pilot situated in the cockpit would be surrounded therein so that in the event that the pilot becomes under the affects of spatial disorientation and/or cannot correctly interpret aircraft attitude the pilot will be able to correctly interpret the aircraft attitude by comfortably accepting that the artificial horizon created by the internal lighting fixture (50) is correct and the pilot will not need to focus on the internal aircraft instrumentation such as an attitude indicator to try and over-ride and limit the affects of disorientation but rely on his or hers on peripheral vision of observing the artificial illuminated horizon.
[043] Figure 5 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention, not dissimilar to the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c however the internal cockpit lighting fixture in the cockpit shown in Figure 5 as (60) has a generally curved profile with a generally flat section (61 ) having a series the light emitting units (65) divided into upper region (63), central region (62) and downwardly inclined region
(64) wherein the natural profile (61) of the internal cockpit lighting unit (60) provides the necessary outward, downward or upward inclination in order to achieve the emission of light to be laterally dispersibie outwards in order to create the illuminated periphery visual artificial horizon about the pilot during an increase or decrease in the pitch of the aircraft or when turning.
Claims
1. An aircraft internal cockpit Sighting arrangement for improving a pilot's ability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude, said arrangement including; an interna! cockpit lighting fixture adapted to emit a lateral dispersible light providing an illuminated artificial horizon within the cockpit of the aircraft wherein the
illuminated artificial horizon is configured to surround a pilot within the cockpit when the pilot is seated during flight of the aircraft, wherein the internal cockpit lighting fixture is further adapted to maintain said illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch and/or when the nose of the aircraft rolls, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
2. The aircraft internal cockpit lighting arrangement of claim 1 wherein the internal cockpit lighting fixture is rotatabie about a vertical axis and a lateral axis such that when the aircraft is increasing or decreasing pitch attitude during flight this translates to downward or upper movement respectively of the internal cockpit lightning fixture about the vertical axis and wherein left or right turning of the aircraft translates to right or left movement respectively about the internai cockpit lighting fixture lateral axis in order to maintain the illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch and/or when the nose of the aircraft rolls, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
3. The aircraft interna! cockpit lighting arrangement of claim 2 wherein the internal cockpit lighting fixture is a single light fitting fastenable to a wall within the cockpit of the aircraft at a level comparative to a tip of a nose of the aircraft.
4. The aircraft internal cockpit lighting arrangement of claim 2 wherein the internal cockpit lighting fixture is a plurality of light fittings positionable to walls and/or a door within the cockpit at a level comparative to a tip of a nose of the aircraft
5. The aircraft internal cockpit lighting arrangement of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the internal cockpit lighting fixture is in communication with an internal
aircraft control instrumentation so as to respond during pitching and/or rolling of the aircraft so as to translate the corresponding movement of the internal cockpit lighting fixture about the vertical axis and/or the lateral axis to maintain the illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch and/or when the nose of the aircraft rolls, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
6. The aircraft internal cockpit lighting arrangement of claim 1 wherein the laterally dispersib!e light has visual depth.
7. The aircraft internal cockpit lighting arrangement of claim 1 wherein the laterally disperslble light is adapted to illuminate in different colours.
8. The aircraft internal cockpit lighting arrangement of claim 1 wherein the internal cockpit lighting fixture includes a fighting device fastenable within the cockpit of the aircraft; said lighting device including an array of light emitting units, wherein each fight emitting unit is arranged in a series of rows and columns across the array wherein the array is divided into three regions, a central region wherein light disperses straight out from the array, a section of upwardly inclined light emitting units and a section of downwardly inclined light emitting units such that when the aircraft during flight increases or decreases pitch attitude, light will be emitted from the section of downwardly inclined light emitting units or the section of upwardly inclined light emitting units respectively so as to maintain the illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch
9. The aircraft internal cockpit lighting arrangement of claim 8 wherein the central region of light emitting units within the array provides a corresponding diagonal representation across the columns and between the rows of said array in order for the laterally dispersible light to maintain the illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft rolls, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
1.3
1CL The aircraft internal cockpit lighting arrangement of claim 1 wherein the internal cockpit lighting fixture includes a lighting device fastenable within the cockpit of the aircraft; said lighting device having a substantially curved profile with a flat section, said substantially curved profile with a flat section having a series of light emitting units protruding therefrom in an array divided up into columns and rows of suc light emitting units such that when the aircraft increases pitch attitude, light emitting units of the array pointing downward along the substantially curved profile of the internal cockpit lighting fixture are illuminated, and wherein when the flight of the aircraft results in a decrease in the pitch attitude those fight emitting units pointing upwards along the curve profile on the of the array are illuminated and wherein the aircraft has the nose of the aircraft tilting to left or right there is a diagonal illumination between adjacent rows and columns of fight emitting units within the flat section of the substantially curved profile to provide and maintain the illuminated artificial horizon in the sounding configuration about said pilot as the aircraft increases or decreases pitch and/or when the nose of the aircraft roils, banks or tilts to the left or right during turning.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2013903553 | 2013-09-16 | ||
| AU2013903553A AU2013903553A0 (en) | 2013-09-16 | An aircraft cockpit lighting arrangement for creating pilot ability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2015035451A1 true WO2015035451A1 (en) | 2015-03-19 |
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ID=52664827
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2014/000895 WO2015035451A1 (en) | 2013-09-16 | 2014-09-12 | An aircraft cockpit lighting arrangement for creating pilot ability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
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| WO (1) | WO2015035451A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20160272340A1 (en) * | 2014-12-24 | 2016-09-22 | Environmental Tectonics Corporation | Aircraft-vision systems and methods for maintaining situational awareness and spatial orientation |
| CN116202498A (en) * | 2023-05-05 | 2023-06-02 | 中航西飞民用飞机有限责任公司 | Method and system for measuring horizontal relative pose of engine mounting vehicle and aircraft nacelle |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5486821A (en) * | 1994-05-26 | 1996-01-23 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Artificial horizon altitude warning system |
| US7908041B2 (en) * | 2004-04-29 | 2011-03-15 | Munro & Associates, Inc. | Self-leveling laser horizon for navigation guidance |
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2014
- 2014-09-12 WO PCT/AU2014/000895 patent/WO2015035451A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5486821A (en) * | 1994-05-26 | 1996-01-23 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Artificial horizon altitude warning system |
| US7908041B2 (en) * | 2004-04-29 | 2011-03-15 | Munro & Associates, Inc. | Self-leveling laser horizon for navigation guidance |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20160272340A1 (en) * | 2014-12-24 | 2016-09-22 | Environmental Tectonics Corporation | Aircraft-vision systems and methods for maintaining situational awareness and spatial orientation |
| US10053226B2 (en) * | 2014-12-24 | 2018-08-21 | Environmental Tectonics Corp. | Aircraft-vision systems and methods for maintaining situational awareness and spatial orientation |
| CN116202498A (en) * | 2023-05-05 | 2023-06-02 | 中航西飞民用飞机有限责任公司 | Method and system for measuring horizontal relative pose of engine mounting vehicle and aircraft nacelle |
| CN116202498B (en) * | 2023-05-05 | 2023-08-25 | 中航西飞民用飞机有限责任公司 | Method and system for measuring horizontal relative pose of engine mounting vehicle and aircraft nacelle |
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