An apparatus for concentrating light from a light source includes a plurality of lenses that are substantially aligned with one another. Each lens includes a light-receiving end configured to receive the light from the light source and a light-transmitting end configured to transmit the light from the lens to a target. The light-receiving ends are aspherical.

An apparatus for concentrating light from a light source includes a plurality of lenses that are substantially aligned with one another. Each lens includes a light-receiving end configured to receive the light from the light source and a light-transmitting end configured to transmit the light from the lens to a target. The light-receiving ends are aspherical.

An aircraft beacon light with integrated health monitoring comprises an annular arrangement of light sources, which are configured for repeatedly emitting beacon light flashes; a light detection sensor surrounded by the annular arrangement of light sources; and at least one reflective portion arranged to reflect light emitted by the annular arrangement of light sources onto the light detection sensor.

A collision avoidance system for aircraft. A light fixture assembly includes a housing with a base and a clear dome over the base. The base including an aircraft attachment element that allows for drop-in replacement of original light housings. An aircraft light is within the housing, as well as an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor is tied to a warning indicator configured to issue an alert when the light fixture approaches an obstacle. The installation provides a permanent replacement for wing lights or taillights, whereby the proximity sensors are always on the aircraft, and do not need to be added once landed.

A support panel assembly includes a lower panel, an upper panel pivotally coupled to the lower panel by a central pedestal, and a first pressure sensor coupled to the central pedestal. In at least one example, the central pedestal is formed of an elastomeric material. In at least one example, bumpers extend downwardly from a lower surface of the upper panel. In at least one example, a sealing closeout extends around peripheral edges of the lower panel and the upper panel.

A support panel assembly includes a lower panel, an upper panel pivotally coupled to the lower panel by a central pedestal, and a first pressure sensor coupled to the central pedestal. In at least one example, the central pedestal is formed of an elastomeric material. In at least one example, bumpers extend downwardly from a lower surface of the upper panel. In at least one example, a sealing closeout extends around peripheral edges of the lower panel and the upper panel.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to an optoelectronic device for detection and identification of individual water droplets, ice crystals, dust particles and volcanic ash particles, the device comprising a source of ultraviolet collimated monochromatic radiation that illuminates an area of air external to the aircraft through which freely pass individual atmospheric particles to create an illuminated sample volume of air; an optical surveillance system for monitoring the clarity of light transmission through the light transmissive window to indicate a need for preventive maintenance; a first optical detection system that is constructed and arranged to collect light scattered from individual particles over an explicit angle ranging from 137° to 173° that defines the illuminated sample volume for measurement of S and P components of return scattered light from the sample volume to photodetectors that provide signals representative of intensity and change in polarization state caused by the interaction of particles with the incident illumination in the sample volume; a second optical detection system for selectively detecting fluorescence emanating from individual ash particles over an explicit angle ranging from 137° to 173° that defines the illuminated sample volume for measurement of fluoresence from the sample volume to a photodetector that provide a signal representative of intensity caused by the interaction of particles with the incident illumination in the sample volume; a signal processor that is constructed and arranged to condition the signals from the photodetectors by removing electronic noise, restoring baseline shifts and analyzing the pulse shapes to provide processed signals; a signal analyzer configured to operate upon the processed signals for extraction of data representing maximum amplitude, width, rise time and fall time of individual pulses in the S and P components, and the magnitude of the fluorescence signal which correlates to the size and/or composition of ash particles present; an information synthesizer that receives the data and produces analytical results allocated to particles by particle type including equivalent optical diameter (EOD), number and mass size distributions, and number and mass concentrations, the particle type being selected as at least one member among the group consisting of individual water droplets, ice crystals, dust particles and volcanic ash particles; and a report generator that creates an information packet utilizing information from the information synthesizer to assist in decision making related to hazard avoidance for aircraft flight, the optoelectronic system being adapted for mounting

Embodiments of the invention are directed to an optoelectronic device for detection and identification of individual water droplets, ice crystals, dust particles and volcanic ash particles, the device comprising a source of ultraviolet collimated monochromatic radiation that illuminates an area of air external to the aircraft through which freely pass individual atmospheric particles to create an illuminated sample volume of air; an optical surveillance system for monitoring the clarity of light transmission through the light transmissive window to indicate a need for preventive maintenance; a first optical detection system that is constructed and arranged to collect light scattered from individual particles over an explicit angle ranging from 137° to 173° that defines the illuminated sample volume for measurement of S and P components of return scattered light from the sample volume to photodetectors that provide signals representative of intensity and change in polarization state caused by the interaction of particles with the incident illumination in the sample volume; a second optical detection system for selectively detecting fluorescence emanating from individual ash particles over an explicit angle ranging from 137° to 173° that defines the illuminated sample volume for measurement of fluoresence from the sample volume to a photodetector that provide a signal representative of intensity caused by the interaction of particles with the incident illumination in the sample volume; a signal processor that is constructed and arranged to condition the signals from the photodetectors by removing electronic noise, restoring baseline shifts and analyzing the pulse shapes to provide processed signals; a signal analyzer configured to operate upon the processed signals for extraction of data representing maximum amplitude, width, rise time and fall time of individual pulses in the S and P components, and the magnitude of the fluorescence signal which correlates to the size and/or composition of ash particles present; an information synthesizer that receives the data and produces analytical results allocated to particles by particle type including equivalent optical diameter (EOD), number and mass size distributions, and number and mass concentrations, the particle type being selected as at least one member among the group consisting of individual water droplets, ice crystals, dust particles and volcanic ash particles; and a report generator that creates an information packet utilizing information from the information synthesizer to assist in decision making related to hazard avoidance for aircraft flight, the optoelectronic system being adapted for mounting

An air duct system includes an air duct having a main body. The main body of the air duct defines a passageway and an outer surface. The air duct system also includes one or more thermoelectric generators. Each thermoelectric generator includes a hot side and a cold side, and the hot side of the thermoelectric generator is positioned along the outer surface of the air duct.

An air duct system includes an air duct having a main body. The main body of the air duct defines a passageway and an outer surface. The air duct system also includes one or more thermoelectric generators. Each thermoelectric generator includes a hot side and a cold side, and the hot side of the thermoelectric generator is positioned along the outer surface of the air duct.