697. Electroluminescent Lighting as Used in Aviation Applications

Paper

Abstract

Electroluminescent Lighting is uniform dispersion of light over an area with a thickness of 0.025′ to 0.045′, Panelescent is Sylvania’s trade name. This form of lighting is available in almost any configuration. Panelescent is no longer an experimental light form but rather a proved practical light source in automotive instrument panels, General Aviation cockpits, radar consoles, clock radios, telephone dials, runway lighting in Vietnam, formation lights on exteriors of jets and helicopters, clock faces and many other commercial and military applications.
Electroluminescent Lighting has variable brightness ranging from that of the Tritium exit signs to twice as bright as a television screen. In areas of low to medium brightness applications, it can do a far superior job to conventional forms of light at a fraction of the weight and infinitely greater reliability. Being in the unique form of a flat panel that emits light it offers total new concepts in design as well as significant weight and space savings. Panelescent lamps can be manufactured to almost any configuration an application calls for. This means the design engineer who uses the light source needs a working knowledge of the product. The flat panel nature of Electroluminescence can reduce design time since emission patterns, reflectors and diffusers are not required.
By its physical nature Panelescent is a ‘Solid State’ light source. Some of the advantages over Incandescent includes:
1. Uniform area light with dimability from zero to maximum while maintaining perfect uniformity.
2. Lower power requirements in diffused applications
3. Lighter weight
4. Freedom from catastrophic failures
5. Infinate shock and vibration tolerance
6. ‘Solid State’ reliability
7. Depth perception in total darkness
8. Monochromatic spectral output that does not ruin night vision of observer
9. No heat
10. Less space required