Magnetically controlled fluid drain valve for aircraft exterior light unit
US12270523B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2022 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF21W2107/30
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An aircraft exterior light unit may comprise a magnetically controlled fluid drain valve configured to expel liquid water from the light unit. The valve may include a permanent magnet configured to induce a magnetic flux circuit that generates a magnetic force configured to close the valve. The valve may be configured to open when the pressure inside the light unit exceeds the magnetic force. As the valve opens and expels the water, the pressure within the light unit may decrease, equalizing with that of the external environment. As the magnetic force generated by the magnet increases as the valve is open and the water expelled, the magnet may be configured to close the valve once more. As such, the magnet may be configured to control a self-acting fluid drain valve in an aircraft exterior light.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.