A helicopter rapid fuel supply system and refueling method

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of helicopters and relates to a helicopter rapid fuel supply system and a refueling method. The helicopter rapid fuel supply system comprises a ground subsystem, a quick-loading fuel tank, and a helicopter airborne subsystem. The ground subsystem comprises a fuel supply / transport vehicle, a lifting follow-up control unit, a lifting / docking mechanism, a lifting platform, and a quick-loading fuel tank fixing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of helicopters and relates to a helicopter rapid fuel supply system and a fuel supply method. Background Art

[0002] Helicopters play an irreplaceable role in search and rescue, service support, reconnaissance and detection in complex terrain and special environments. However, due to the limitations of flight principles, helicopters have a significant gap in combat radius and airborne time compared to fixed-wing aircraft. Aerial refueling can effectively make up for the inherent shortcomings of helicopters in terms of endurance, and can improve the combat effectiveness and flexibility of helicopters in conventional and complex environments such as high temperature and plateaus by reasonably matching the fuel load with the load of weapons, supplies, and aircrew.

[0003] Compared with foreign countries, China's research in the field of helicopter aerial refueling technology is still in the initial exploratory stage, lacking suitable refueling equipment, and the practice of related flight operations is still blank. Referring to relevant foreign experience, helicopter aerial refueling operations usually adopt the method of hose docking and are carried out when the helicopter is cruising, but China is currently facing the difficulty of selecting refueling aircraft. At present, there is still a lack of refueling aircraft models that match the helicopter flight envelope. In addition, the traditional method of front and rear formation-hose docking of refueling aircraft is limited by the restrictions of refueling / refueling flight environment, aerodynamic layout, structural modification and flight driving technology, as well as the requirements for operating airspace. This method faces great technical difficulties and implementation risks in related research and development, test flights, training and use.

[0004] In the face of the urgent need for helicopter aerial refueling, and in view of the current situation and technical shortcomings in this technical field in China, bold technological innovations are needed in refueling operation modes and the development of supporting refueling and receiving equipment to fill the gap in domestic engineering applications in the field of helicopter aerial refueling technology, so as to support the improvement of helicopter operation flexibility and efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a helicopter rapid fuel supply system and a refueling method for refueling a helicopter without landing.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention:

[0007] A helicopter rapid fuel supply system, the helicopter rapid fuel supply system comprising a ground subsystem, a quick-loading fuel tank, and a helicopter airborne subsystem;

[0008] The ground subsystem includes a fuel supply / transport vehicle, a lifting follow-up control unit, a lifting / docking mechanism, a lifting platform, and an in-vehicle quick-install fuel tank fixing device;

[0009] The helicopter airborne subsystem includes a fuel transfer control unit, fuel transfer pipelines, a quick-load fuel tank attachment / delivery control unit, and an airborne attachment / delivery interface;

[0010] A lifting follow-up control unit and a lifting / docking mechanism are installed on the fuel supply / transport vehicle; a lifting platform is installed on the top of the lifting / docking mechanism; a quick-loading fuel tank fixing device is installed on the lifting platform; the lifting follow-up control unit is used to control the translation and lifting of the lifting / docking mechanism to achieve alignment of the quick-loading fuel tank with the quick-loading fuel tank installation surface on the aircraft, and is also used to control the lifting platform to grab and release the quick-loading fuel tank, and is also used to control the quick-loading fuel tank fixing device to fix and release the quick-loading fuel tank; the quick-loading fuel tank is accommodated in the fuel tank storage compartment of the fuel supply / transport vehicle before being grabbed;

[0011] The quick-install fuel tank installation surface is set at the belly of the helicopter; the interface of the fuel transfer pipeline is opened in the middle of the installation surface, and the airborne part mounting / dropping interfaces are set around; the fuel transfer pipeline is used to connect the quick-install fuel tank and the airborne fuel tank, and a fuel transfer pump is set in the fuel transfer pipeline. The fuel transfer control unit is used to control the opening and closing of the fuel transfer pipeline and also used to control the opening and closing of the fuel transfer pump;

[0012] The attachment / delivery interface is used to attach / deliver the quick-loading fuel tank under the control of the quick-loading fuel tank attachment / delivery control unit inside the aircraft.

[0013] The quick-mount fuel tank includes a quick-mount fuel tank body, a hooking / dropping interface of the quick-mount fuel tank part, and a fuel transfer interface of the quick-mount fuel tank part;

[0014] The quick-mount fuel tank body is used for fuel storage, and the upper end surface of the quick-mount fuel tank body is provided with a hooking / dropping interface of the quick-mount fuel tank part and a fuel transfer interface of the quick-mount fuel tank part corresponding to the position of the quick-mount fuel tank installation surface.

[0015] The quick-release fuel tank is designed with an aerodynamically conformal appearance, and its shape, capacity and mounting position vary depending on the specific model of the receiving helicopter.

[0016] The quick-mount fuel tank and the helicopter are attached and mounted in a manner such that the upper end surface of the quick-mount fuel tank body and the mounting surface of the helicopter are attached together; the attachment is controlled by the quick-mount fuel tank attachment / delivery control unit.

[0017] The lifting follow-up control unit includes an optical positioning module and a control module;

[0018] The optical positioning module is used to obtain the relative position and attitude of the helicopter and the ground vehicle;

[0019] The control module is used for coarse and precise positioning of the quick-connect fuel tank; specifically, it is used to first lift the quick-connect fuel tank to a preset position to achieve coarse positioning. When it reaches the preset position, the lifting / docking mechanism is controlled in real time according to the relative position and posture of the helicopter and the ground vehicle to perform motion following control on the lifting platform and the quick-connect fuel tank lifted thereon, so that the quick-connect fuel tank can quickly achieve precise positioning and docking with the helicopter.

[0020] The function of the quick-release tank is to store fuel, realize modular fuel storage during ground transportation, and provide fuel transfer supply during flight.

[0021] A refueling method for a helicopter rapid fuel supply system, characterized by comprising:

[0022] Step 1: After the quick-loading fuel tank is ready, it is placed and stored in the fuel tank storage compartment of the fuel supply / transport vehicle. The lifting / docking mechanism receives the grabbing command and fixing command of the lifting follow-up control unit, grabs the quick-loading fuel tank through the lifting platform, and fixes the quick-loading fuel tank through the quick-loading fuel tank fixing device;

[0023] Step 2: The helicopter hovers stably above the rapid fuel supply system. The lifting follow-up control unit sends lifting, lowering and translation control instructions to the lifting / docking mechanism based on the optical positioning principle to adjust the upper end surface of the quick-install fuel tank to be opposite to the installation surface of the helicopter;

[0024] Step 3: The helicopter receives the crew's control command and automatically attaches the quick-release fuel tank. After the attachment is completed, the lift follow-up control unit receives the helicopter's successful docking feedback information, automatically releases the quick-release fuel tank and retracts the lift / docking mechanism. The helicopter can now carry the quick-release fuel tank and return to normal flight routes;

[0025] Step 4: When the helicopter is flying on the route, the fuel transfer control unit, under the control of the pilot, connects the fuel transfer pipeline and starts the fuel transfer pump to automatically transfer the fuel in the quick-load fuel tank to the helicopter's onboard fuel tank. After the transfer is completed, the fuel transfer pipeline and the fuel transfer pump are closed;

[0026] Step 5: During flight or when parked on the ground, the pilot controls the quick-loading fuel tank attachment / delivery control unit to release the attachment between the helicopter and the quick-loading fuel tank and automatically jettison the quick-loading fuel tank.

[0027] The hooking process is controlled by automatic docking and automatic separation, and no human intervention is required under normal conditions.

[0028] Beneficial effects:

[0029] The main advantages of this invention are: the use of a "quick-load fuel tank" refueling device that is short, flat and fast, and the use of a belly-protected fuel tank that is quickly docked and installed on the ground for refueling. The advantages include: 1) Flexible use, fuel supply / transport vehicles can flexibly establish fuel supply stations at helicopter waypoints according to mission requirements; 2) High operating efficiency, the helicopter adopts a non-stop refueling method, and the mission continuity is high. Compared with the hose docking refueling method, the helicopter can obtain a quantitative fuel supply in a short time, greatly improving the refueling efficiency; 3) Good adaptability, the "quick-loading fuel tank" mounting mechanism can be designed as a standard mounting mechanism, which is easy to promote and apply in various models; 4) High safety, the use of "quick-loading fuel tank" for aerial refueling does not need to consider the impact of the aerodynamic compatibility of the tanker and receiver on operational safety, reducing the pilot's driving skill requirements and workload; 5) High military concealment, helicopter fuel replenishment can be implemented near the ground, and the helicopter can quickly leave the fuel supply area. Compared with the hose docking fuel supply method, it does not require a large area of ​​safe airspace guarantee, greatly reducing the probability of being detected and attacked; 5) Little impact on helicopter performance; the quick-loading fuel tank adopts an aerodynamic conformal design and uses an attached docking method, which has little aerodynamic impact on the helicopter's appearance and can better maintain the original performance of the helicopter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 It is composed of a helicopter rapid fuel supply system.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the helicopter rapid fuel supply system; 1. Ground subsystem; 2. Quick-load fuel tank; 3. Helicopter onboard subsystem; 4. Fuel tank storage compartment; 5. Onboard fuel tank; 11. Fuel supply / transport vehicle; 12. Lifting follow-up control unit; 121. Optical positioning module; 13. Lifting / docking mechanism; 14. Lifting platform; 15. Quick-load fuel tank fixing device; 21. Quick-load fuel tank body; 22. Upper end surface of quick-load fuel tank body; 31. Fuel transfer control unit; 32. Fuel transfer pipeline; 33. Quick-load fuel tank installation surface; 34. Quick-load fuel tank attachment / delivery control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present invention provides a helicopter rapid fuel supply system and a refueling method, which mainly include:

[0033] 1) Helicopter rapid fuel supply system such as Figure 1 Shown

[0034] 2) Refueling method based on helicopter rapid fuel supply system

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the helicopter rapid fuel supply system includes a ground subsystem 1, a quick-fill fuel tank 2, and a helicopter airborne subsystem 3.

[0036] a) The ground subsystem 1 includes a fuel supply / transport vehicle 11, a lifting follow-up control unit 12, a lifting / docking mechanism 13, a lifting platform 14 and a quick-install fuel tank fixing device 15.

[0037] A lifting follow-up control unit 12 and a lifting / docking mechanism 13 are installed on the fuel supply / transport vehicle 11; a lifting platform 14 is installed on the top of the lifting / docking mechanism 13; a quick-loading tank fixing device 15 is installed on the lifting platform 14; the lifting follow-up control unit 12 is used to control the translation and lifting of the lifting / docking mechanism 13 to achieve alignment of the quick-loading tank 2 with the quick-loading tank mounting surface 33 on the aircraft, and is also used to control the lifting platform 14 to grasp and release the quick-loading tank 2, and is also used to control the quick-loading tank fixing device 15 to fix and release the quick-loading tank 2; the quick-loading tank 2 is accommodated in the tank storage compartment 4 of the fuel supply / transport vehicle 11 before being grasped.

[0038] The lifting follow-up control unit 12 includes an optical positioning module 121 and a control module. Among them: the optical positioning module 121 is used to obtain the relative position and posture of the helicopter and the ground vehicle; the control module is used to perform rough positioning and precise positioning of the quick-connect fuel tank 2. First, the quick-connect fuel tank 2 is lifted to a preset position to achieve rough positioning. When it reaches the preset position, the lifting / docking mechanism 13 is controlled in real time according to the relative position and posture of the helicopter and the ground vehicle to perform motion follow-up control on the lifting platform 14 and the quick-connect fuel tank 2 lifted thereon, so that the quick-connect fuel tank 2 can quickly achieve precise positioning and docking with the helicopter.

[0039] b) The quick-install fuel tank 2 comprises a quick-install fuel tank body 21, a hooking / dropping interface of the quick-install fuel tank part and a fuel transfer interface of the quick-install fuel tank part.

[0040] The quick-loading fuel tank body 21 is used for fuel storage, realizing modular fuel storage in ground transportation, and providing fuel transfer supply in flight. The quick-loading fuel tank 2 is designed with a pneumatic shape, and its fuel tank shape, capacity and attachment are different according to the specific model of the helicopter receiving the fuel.

[0041] The upper end surface 22 of the quick-mount fuel tank is provided with a hooking / dropping interface of the quick-mount fuel tank portion and a fuel transfer interface of the quick-mount fuel tank portion corresponding to the position of the quick-mount fuel tank mounting surface.

[0042] The quick-install fuel tank 2 and the helicopter are attached and mounted in a manner such that the upper end surface 22 of the quick-install fuel tank and the quick-install fuel tank mounting surface 33 of the helicopter are attached together; the attachment is controlled by the quick-install fuel tank attachment / delivery control unit 34 .

[0043] c) The helicopter airborne subsystem 3 includes a fuel transfer control unit 31, a fuel transfer pipeline 32, a quick-install fuel tank attachment / delivery control unit 34 and an airborne attachment / delivery interface;

[0044] The quick-loading fuel tank mounting surface 33 is arranged at the belly of the helicopter; an interface for the fuel transfer pipeline is provided in the middle of the mounting surface, and mounting / delivery interfaces for the onboard part are provided around the surface; the fuel transfer pipeline 32 is used to connect the quick-loading fuel tank 2 and the onboard fuel tank 5, and an oil transfer pump is provided in the fuel transfer pipeline 32. The fuel transfer control unit 31 is used to control the opening and closing of the fuel transfer pipeline 32, and is also used to control the opening and closing of the oil transfer pump; the mounting / delivery interface is used to mount / deliver the quick-loading fuel tank 2 under the control of the quick-loading fuel tank mounting / delivery control unit 34 in the aircraft.

[0045] Refueling methods based on the helicopter rapid fuel supply system include:

[0046] Step 1: After the quick-loading fuel tank is ready, it is placed and stored in the fuel tank storage compartment of the fuel supply / transport vehicle. The lifting / docking mechanism receives the grabbing command and fixing command of the lifting follow-up control unit, grabs the quick-loading fuel tank through the lifting platform, and fixes the quick-loading fuel tank through the quick-loading fuel tank fixing device;

[0047] Step 2: The helicopter hovers stably above the fuel supply / transport vehicle. The lifting and following control unit detects the spatial position and posture of the helicopter relative to the vehicle in real time based on optical tracking and positioning, sends lifting, lowering and translation control instructions to the lifting / docking mechanism, and adjusts the quick-release fuel tank and the helicopter's hook mechanism to dock.

[0048] Step 3: After the helicopter sensor receives the signal that the quick-release tank is successfully attached, it sends feedback information to the fuel supply / transport vehicle, and the lifting and following control unit immediately releases the fast-release tank and retracts the lifting / docking mechanism. The helicopter carries the quick-release tank and enters the next stage of mission flight;

[0049] Step 4: When the helicopter is in flight, the fuel transfer control unit, under the control of the pilot, connects the fuel transfer pipeline and starts the fuel transfer pump to automatically transfer the fuel in the quick-load fuel tank to the helicopter's onboard fuel tank. After the transfer is completed, the fuel transfer pipeline and the fuel transfer pump are closed;

[0050] Step 5: During the flight or when the aircraft is parked on the ground, the pilot can control the quick-loading fuel tank attachment / delivery control unit to release the attachment between the helicopter and the quick-loading fuel tank and jettison the quick-loading fuel tank as required.

Claims

1. A helicopter rapid fuel supply system, characterized in that: The helicopter rapid fuel supply system includes a ground subsystem, a quick-load fuel tank, and a helicopter onboard subsystem; The ground subsystem includes a fuel supply / transport vehicle, a lifting follow-up control unit, a lifting / docking mechanism, a lifting platform, and an in-vehicle quick-install fuel tank fixing device; The helicopter airborne subsystem includes a fuel transfer control unit, fuel transfer pipelines, a quick-load fuel tank attachment / delivery control unit, and an airborne attachment / delivery interface; A lifting follow-up control unit and a lifting / docking mechanism are installed on the fuel supply / transport vehicle; a lifting platform is installed on the top of the lifting / docking mechanism; a quick-loading fuel tank fixing device is installed on the lifting platform; the lifting follow-up control unit is used to control the translation and lifting of the lifting / docking mechanism to achieve alignment of the quick-loading fuel tank with the quick-loading fuel tank installation surface on the aircraft, and is also used to control the lifting platform to grab and release the quick-loading fuel tank, and is also used to control the quick-loading fuel tank fixing device to fix and release the quick-loading fuel tank; the quick-loading fuel tank is accommodated in the fuel tank storage compartment of the fuel supply / transport vehicle before being grabbed; The quick-install fuel tank installation surface is set at the belly of the helicopter; the interface of the fuel transfer pipeline is opened in the middle of the installation surface, and the airborne part mounting / dropping interfaces are set around; the fuel transfer pipeline is used to connect the quick-install fuel tank and the airborne fuel tank, and a fuel transfer pump is set in the fuel transfer pipeline. The fuel transfer control unit is used to control the opening and closing of the fuel transfer pipeline and also used to control the opening and closing of the fuel transfer pump; The attachment / delivery interface is used to attach / deliver the quick-loading fuel tank under the control of the quick-loading fuel tank attachment / delivery control unit inside the aircraft.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The quick-mount fuel tank includes a quick-mount fuel tank body, a hooking / dropping interface of the quick-mount fuel tank part, and a fuel transfer interface of the quick-mount fuel tank part; The quick-mount fuel tank body is used for fuel storage, and the upper end surface of the quick-mount fuel tank body is provided with a hooking / dropping interface of the quick-mount fuel tank part and a fuel transfer interface of the quick-mount fuel tank part corresponding to the position of the quick-mount fuel tank installation surface.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The quick-release fuel tank is designed with an aerodynamically conformal appearance, and its shape, capacity and mounting position vary depending on the specific model of the receiving helicopter.

4. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that The quick-mount fuel tank and the helicopter are attached and mounted in a manner such that the upper end surface of the quick-mount fuel tank body and the mounting surface of the helicopter are attached together; the attachment is controlled by the quick-mount fuel tank attachment / delivery control unit.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The lifting follow-up control unit includes an optical positioning module and a control module; The optical positioning module is used to obtain the relative position and attitude of the helicopter and the ground vehicle; The control module is used for coarse and precise positioning of the quick-connect fuel tank; specifically, it is used to first lift the quick-connect fuel tank to a preset position to achieve coarse positioning. When it reaches the preset position, the lifting / docking mechanism is controlled in real time according to the relative position and posture of the helicopter and the ground vehicle to perform motion following control on the lifting platform and the quick-connect fuel tank lifted thereon, so that the quick-connect fuel tank can quickly achieve precise positioning and docking with the helicopter.

6. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that The function of the quick-release tank is to store fuel, realize modular fuel storage during ground transportation, and provide fuel transfer supply during flight.

7. A refueling method for a helicopter rapid fuel supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: include: Step 1: After the quick-loading fuel tank is ready, it is placed and stored in the fuel tank storage compartment of the fuel supply / transport vehicle. The lifting / docking mechanism receives the grabbing command and fixing command of the lifting follow-up control unit, grabs the quick-loading fuel tank through the lifting platform, and fixes the quick-loading fuel tank through the quick-loading fuel tank fixing device; Step 2: The helicopter hovers stably above the rapid fuel supply system. The lifting follow-up control unit sends lifting, lowering and translation control instructions to the lifting / docking mechanism based on the optical positioning principle to adjust the upper end surface of the quick-install fuel tank to be opposite to the installation surface of the helicopter; Step 3: The helicopter receives the crew's control command and automatically attaches the quick-release fuel tank. After the attachment is completed, the lift follow-up control unit receives the helicopter's successful docking feedback information, automatically releases the quick-release fuel tank and retracts the lift / docking mechanism. The helicopter can now carry the quick-release fuel tank and return to normal flight. Step 4: When the helicopter is flying on the route, the fuel transfer control unit, under the control of the pilot, connects the fuel transfer pipeline and starts the fuel transfer pump to automatically transfer the fuel in the quick-load fuel tank to the helicopter's onboard fuel tank. After the transfer is completed, the fuel transfer pipeline and the fuel transfer pump are closed; Step 5: During flight or when parked on the ground, the pilot controls the quick-loading fuel tank attachment / delivery control unit to release the attachment between the helicopter and the quick-loading fuel tank and automatically jettison the quick-loading fuel tank.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The hooking process is controlled by automatic docking and automatic separation, and no human intervention is required under normal conditions.

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