Laser alignment system for a lamp mounting bracket

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11506486-B2
Application number	US-202016748263-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 21, 2020
Priority date	Jan 21, 2020
Publication date	Nov 22, 2022
Grant date	Nov 22, 2022

Abstract

A laser alignment system for adjusting a mounting bracket of a lamp is disclosed. The laser alignment system includes an alignment bracket including a body portion defining one or more target features and a plurality of index features. The one or more target features include a target that is configured to align with a laser beam and the plurality of index features that are configured to position the alignment bracket along a surface. The laser alignment system also includes a laser alignment tool including a base, a mount, and a laser device. The mount holds the laser device in place and the laser device is configured to emit the laser beam, and the base of the laser alignment tool is shaped to fit within the mounting bracket for the lamp and the laser device directs the laser beam towards a corresponding one of target features of the alignment bracket.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A laser alignment system for adjusting a mounting bracket of a lamp, the laser alignment system comprising:
an alignment bracket including a body portion defining one or more target features and a plurality of index features, wherein the one or more target features include a target that is configured to align with a laser beam and the plurality of index features that are configured to position the alignment bracket along a surface; and
a laser alignment tool including a base, a mounting, and a laser device, wherein the mounting holds the laser device in place and the laser device is configured to emit the laser beam, and the base of the laser alignment tool is shaped to fit within the mounting bracket for the lamp and the laser device directs the laser beam towards a corresponding one of target features of the alignment bracket.

2. The laser alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the alignment bracket includes a plurality of target features.

3. The laser alignment system of claim 2 , wherein each target feature of the plurality of target features corresponds to a unique mounting bracket and each unique mounting bracket corresponds to a unique lamp.

4. The laser alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more target features of the alignment bracket are each disposed along a wall of the alignment bracket and include a raised profile.

5. The laser alignment system of claim 4 , wherein the raised profile of each of the one or more target features of the alignment bracket define an end surface.

6. The laser alignment system of claim 5 , wherein the end surface of each of the one or more target features of the alignment bracket includes a pair of crosshairs that define a target, and wherein the target is configured to align with the laser beam emitted from the laser device.

7. The laser alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the body portion of the alignment bracket defines an outer perimeter, and wherein the plurality of index features are each disposed along the outer perimeter of the alignment bracket.

8. The laser alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the body portion of the alignment bracket defines an outer perimeter, and wherein the outer perimeter of the alignment bracket includes two contoured segments disposed on opposing sides of the alignment bracket.

9. A laser alignment system for aligning exterior aircraft lighting disposed along a leading edge of a wing of an aircraft, the laser alignment system comprising:
an alignment bracket including a body portion defining one or more target features, a plurality of index features, and an outer perimeter, wherein the one or more target features include a target that is configured to align with a laser beam, the plurality of index features that are configured to position the alignment bracket along a leading edge of the wing of the aircraft, and the outer perimeter of the alignment bracket is shaped to an opening surrounding an exterior landing light disposed along the leading edge of the wing; and
a laser alignment tool including a base, a mount, and a laser device, wherein the mount holds the laser device in place and the laser device is configured to emit the laser beam, and the base of the laser alignment tool is shaped to fit within a mounting bracket for a lamp disposed along the leading edge of the wing, and the laser device directs the laser beam towards a corresponding one of target features of the alignment bracket.

10. The laser alignment system of claim 9 , wherein the alignment bracket includes a plurality of target features.

11. The laser alignment system of claim 10 , wherein each target feature of the plurality of target features correspond to a unique mounting bracket and each unique mounting bracket corresponds to a unique lamp disposed along the leading edge of the wing of the aircraft.

12. The laser alignment system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more target features of the alignment bracket are each disposed along a wall of the alignment bracket and include a raised profile.

13. The laser alignment system of claim 12 , wherein the raised profile of the one or more target features of the alignment bracket define an end surface.

14. The laser alignment system of claim 13 , wherein the end surface of each of the one or more target features includes a pair of crosshairs that define a target, and wherein the target is configured to align with the laser beam emitted from the laser device.

15. The laser alignment system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of index features are each disposed along the outer perimeter of the alignment bracket.

16. The laser alignment system of claim 15 , wherein the outer perimeter of the alignment bracket includes two contoured segments disposed on opposing sides of the alignment bracket.

17. A method for aligning a mounting bracket corresponding to a lamp disposed along a leading edge of a wing of an aircraft, the method comprising:
placing a base of a laser alignment tool within the mounting bracket corresponding to the lamp, wherein the laser alignment tool includes a laser device configured to emit a laser beam;
positioning an alignment bracket in place around an opening disposed along the leading edge of the wing of the aircraft;
directing the laser beam emitted by the laser device towards a corresponding target feature of the alignment bracket, wherein the corresponding target feature of the alignment bracket includes a target configured to align with the laser beam emitted from the laser device when the mounting bracket is in a correct installation position; and
adjusting the mounting bracket that holds the laser alignment tool in place until the laser beam emitted by the laser device aligns with the target of the corresponding target feature of the alignment bracket.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
securing the alignment bracket around the opening disposed along the leading edge of the wing of the aircraft.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
manually securing the alignment bracket in place by an individual.

20. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
removably attaching an extension bracket around an outer perimeter of the base of the laser alignment tool prior to placing the base of the laser alignment tool within the mounting bracket corresponding to the lamp.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Barcon David
• Hansen John R

Classifications

• G01M11/062

  using an indicator mounted on the head-light · CPC title

• B64D47/04 Primary

  the lighting devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead · CPC title

• B64F5/40 Primary

  Maintaining or repairing aircraft · CPC title

• G01B11/27 Primary

  for testing the alignment of axes {(means for centering or aligning a light guide within a ferrule G02B6/3834)} · CPC title

• B64D43/00

  Arrangements or adaptations of instruments · CPC title