Apparatus and Method Pertaining To Light-Based Power Distribution in a Vehicle
A vehicle ( 400 ) such as an aircraft is provided ( 101 ) with a source of light ( 401 ) that provides both a power wavelength component ( 404 ) as well as a safety-pilot wavelength component ( 102, 415 ). An optical conduit ( 405 ) is then used ( 104 ) to couple this source of light to a light-to-electricity conversion apparatus. So configured, the optical conduit delivers light from this source of light to the light-to-electricity conversion apparatus such that the light source then serves as a source of electricity in the vehicle while the safety-pilot wavelength component serves, at least in part, as a visual warning and/or beneficial reaction-inducement to onlookers.
1 . A method comprising:
in an aircraft:
providing a source of light wherein the light comprises both a power wavelength component and a safety-pilot wavelength component;
using an optical conduit to transport the light to a light-to-electricity conversion apparatus that converts the power wavelength component into electricity to power at least one electrically powered aircraft component;
such that the safety-pilot wavelength component serves, at least in part, as a visual warning to onlookers.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the optical conduit comprises, at least in part, an optical fiber.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the optical conduit comprises, at least in part, a plurality of the optical fibers.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein the plurality of the optical fibers comprises a plurality of optical fibers that are each comprised of a polymer material.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein the plurality of optical fibers comprises a plurality of optical fibers that are each about 1 millimeter in diameter, such that a power density as corresponds to the power wavelength component is relatively low and hence poses no more than minimal risk to an onlooker.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the plurality of optical fibers comprises from about 2 to about 100 optical fibers.
7 . The method of claim 5 wherein the plurality of optical fibers comprises a plurality of optical fibers that are each about 0.1 to about 5 millimeters in diameter, such that a power density as corresponds to the power wavelength component is relatively low and hence poses no more than minimal risk to an onlooker.
8 . An aircraft power distribution system comprising:
in an aircraft:
a source of light wherein the light comprises both a power wavelength component and a safety-pilot wavelength component;
an optical conduit configured and arranged to transport the light to a light-to-electricity conversion apparatus that converts the power wavelength component into electricity to power at least one electrically powered aircraft component;
such that the safety-pilot wavelength component serves, at least in part, as a visual warning to onlookers.
9 . The aircraft power distribution system of claim 8 wherein the optical conduit comprises, at least in part, an optical fiber.
10 . The aircraft power distribution system of claim 9 wherein the optical conduit comprises, at least in part, a plurality of the optical fibers.
11 . The aircraft power distribution system of claim 10 wherein the plurality of the optical fibers comprises a plurality of optical fibers that are each comprised of a polymer material.
12 . The aircraft power distribution system of claim 11 wherein the plurality of optical fibers comprises a plurality of optical fibers that are each about 0.1 to about 5 millimeters in diameter, such that a power density as corresponds to the power wavelength component is relatively low and hence poses no more than minimal risk to an onlooker.
13 . The aircraft power distribution system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of optical fibers comprises from about 2 to about 100 optical fibers.
14 . An aircraft comprising:
an onboard source of light wherein the light comprises both a substantially invisible power component and a visible safety-pilot wavelength component;
an optical conduit configured and arranged to transport the light to a light-to-electricity conversion apparatus that converts the power component into electricity to power at least one electrically powered aircraft component;
such that the safety-pilot wavelength component serves, at least in part, as a visual warning to onlookers.