Abstract: A system for enabling successful use of HID lamps in aircraft, including in particular high power lamps for use as landing lights and taxi lights, utilizes a sealed beam HID lamp which during normal operation has an external temperature considerably lower than the external temperature of a quartz halogen or incandescent sealed beam lamp of equivalent light output. The lower external temperature arises in part from the use of a gas fill in the sealed beam. A detector is provided to monitor the seal integrity of the sealed beam HID lamp and further to provide a response to seal failure resulting in disablement of the lamp. Exemplary means for accomplishing seal failure detection include radioactive detection, pressure monitoring, and chemical sensing, or other means wherein detection of a failed seal is followed by an electrical output used to terminate or preclude lamp operation.

Abstract: The present invention includes a vehicle light and method for use in applications experiencing vibrational loading and wide temperature variations. The light includes a solid state illumination device and a thermal compensator in thermal communication with the solid state illumination device. The thermal compensator operates to maintain the solid state illumination device above a temperature threshold.

Abstract: A dual mode exterior lamp for an aircraft includes a higher intensity anticollision light, a lower intensity recognition light, a power supply for the lights, and means for activating the anticollision light when the aircraft is airborne and for activating the recognition light when the aircraft is on the ground. In the preferred embodiment the activating means is responsive to a landing gear position switch.