US3701498A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiberoptic clearance light system
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1971-06-03
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1991-06-03
Abstract
Abstract Problems with individual lamps on helicopter blades are minimized by use of a single source of white light and fiberoptic cables to pipe the light together with colored lenses (e.g. red for port and green for starboard).
Inventors
- 👤 Peter B Ferrara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:31
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D47/00; B64D47/02; B64D47/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
In a lighting system in combination with a rotary wing aircraft a source of light, a stationary light ring, first means to conduct light from said source to various locations on said light ring to shine outwardly therefrom, second light conducting means in fixed relationship to at least one of the rotary wings to rotate therewith and pickup light shining outwardly from said ring, said second light conducting means extending from a location adjacent to the hub of the rotary wing outwardly along the length thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
In a lighting system in combination with a rotary wing aircraft a source of light, a stationary light ring, first means to conduct light from said source to various locations on said light ring to shine outwardly therefrom, second light conducting means in fixed relationship to at least one of the rotary wings to rotate therewith and pickup light shining outwardly from said ring, said second light conducting means extending from a location adjacent to the hub of the rotary wing outwardly along the length thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the said second light conducting means extends along all of the rotary wings to points adjacent to the ends of the tips thereof to shine outwardly from the revolving tips.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein lenses of various colors are operatively associated with said first means to conduct light and causing the light shining outwardly from said light ring and along the rotary wing to be similarly vari-colored.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 and lenses operatively associated with said second light conducting means and adjacent to the rotary wing tips to spread the light shining outwardly therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 and third light conducting means to conduct light to a fixed lens on the right side of the aircraft and fourth light conducting means to conduct light to a fixed lens on the left side of the aircraft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said lenses of various colors include a green lens affecting light to the rotary wing tips when on the starboard side, a red lens affecting light to the rotary wing tips when on the port side, and a clear or white lens affecting light to the rotary wing tips in between.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |