A lifting refueling system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lifting type refueling system, which is mainly composed of a spring support unit, a height-adjustable refueling pipeline, a rotatable joint, a movable arm with an internal self-locking mechanism, a rotatable docking refueling joint, and a lifting unit including a counterweight. The present invention completes the lifting function of the pipeline part by using a lifting unit, ensuring that the system can be completely stored inside the ground well when not in use, does not occupy ground space, and occupies a small space in the ground well, with good storage performance. Through the spring support structure and the lifting pipeline, the system achieves the purpose of refueling devices at different positions and heights, and is particularly suitable for aircraft fuel tanks to be refueled or emptied. In addition, under the condition of meeting the operating height, the overall structural design of this system is more centralized, thereby achieving the purpose of reducing the storage space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of mechanical design, and in particular relates to a lifting type refueling system. Background Art

[0002] During aircraft refueling, the refueling system must deliver large quantities of fuel to the aircraft's tanks in a relatively short period of time. However, due to the unique nature of the apron, the installation of related piping facilities on the ground is prohibited. This requires that the aircraft's fuel supply system can be accurately and quickly removed from the underground storage area and docked with the refueling port, which has a flexible location. This also places strict requirements on the space occupied by the overall structure. Current aircraft refueling systems primarily rely on hydraulic cylinders to lift the refueling pipelines to achieve fuel supply to the aircraft. This overall structure occupies a large space and needs to be optimized. Furthermore, the system lacks flexibility when adapting to different refueling locations, and its ability to quickly and accurately dock needs to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a lifting refueling system with a rotary joint, which ensures that the system can be completely stored inside the ground well when not in use, does not occupy ground space, meets the refueling needs of devices at different positions and heights, and improves the flexibility of the refueling system.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: a lifting type refueling system, comprising a lifting unit, a spring support unit, a refueling pipeline, a rotatable joint, a boom, a refueling joint and a manhole cover, wherein the connection points of the refueling pipeline are all provided with rotatable joints, and the connection points between the refueling pipeline and the refueling joint are also provided with a rotatable joint, the spring support unit is installed above the boom, one end of the boom is connected to the rotatable joint on the refueling pipeline, and the other end is installed on the pipeline of the upper lifting unit, the lifting unit is composed of a counterweight block, an outer column bracket, an inner column and an outer column, the counterweight block is fixed to the outer column by a pulley assembly, the fixed valve block of the refueling pipeline is fixed to the inner column, a rolling bearing is provided between the inner column and the outer column, and the outer column is fixed inside the underground well.

[0005] Furthermore: the boom is provided with a self-locking mechanism inside, which is unlocked when the refueling pipeline needs to be raised, and is activated after reaching a specified height to fix the height of the refueling system.

[0006] Further: the refueling joint is rotatable.

[0007] Furthermore: the spring support unit is wrapped around the outside of the boom to support the gravity of the refueling pipeline itself and the elastic force of the balance spring.

[0008] Furthermore, the rotatable joint can adjust the position of the refueling line in the horizontal and vertical directions, and can be connected to refueling ports with varying heights and distances.

[0009] Furthermore: the refueling pipeline is of a swirl design.

[0010] Furthermore: the refueling pipeline adjusts the structure in the working state through the spring support unit, the movable arm and the rotatable joint.

[0011] Further: The refueling system has a two-stage lifting function.

[0012] Furthermore: when the refueling system is in the initial state, the entire system is stored inside the airport well. When in use, the refueling pipeline is lifted out of the ground through the lifting unit. After use, the refueling pipeline is stored again through the lifting unit.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effect of this application is

[0014] A lifting refueling system utilizes a lifting unit to complete the lifting function of the pipeline, ensuring that the system can be completely stored within the underground well when not in use, eliminating the need for floor space and occupying a relatively small amount of underground space, offering excellent storage performance. The system's spring-supported structure and lifting pipelines allow refueling of devices at various locations and heights, making it particularly suitable for aircraft fuel tanks awaiting refueling or emptying. Furthermore, while maintaining a high operating altitude, the overall structural design is more centralized, minimizing storage space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only for more clearly illustrating the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the lifting type refueling system of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the working state of the lifting type refueling system of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the vertical lifting limit position of the lifting type refueling system of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the horizontal limit position of the lifting type refueling system of the present invention;

[0020] In the figure: 1-spring support unit, 2-fueling pipeline, 3-rotatable joint, 4-boom, 5-fueling joint, 6-counterweight, 7-outer column bracket, 8-inner column, 9-outer column. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand and implement the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention is further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, the embodiments are only intended to illustrate the present invention and not to limit the present invention.

[0022] A lifting refueling system comprises a spring support unit 1, a height-adjustable refueling line 2, a rotatable joint 3, a boom 4 with an internal self-locking mechanism, a rotatable docking refueling connector 5, and a lifting unit containing a counterweight 6. The refueling system is installed entirely within an airport pit. When not in use, it is stored entirely within the pit. During use, the lifting unit is used to partially lift the refueling line 2 out of the pit. The refueling connector 5 is then adjusted to the desired position by adjusting the rotatable joint 3 and boom 4 on the refueling line 2, completing the docking operation. After use, the refueling line 2 is similarly retracted using the rotatable joint 3 and boom 4. After returning to its original state, the refueling system is retracted into the pit using the lifting unit.

[0023] One end of the boom 4 is installed below the rotatable joint 3 on the refueling pipeline 2, and the other end is installed on the pipeline of the lifting unit. The refueling pipeline 2 completes position adjustment based on the boom 4 and is restricted by it, ensuring that the refueling pipeline 2 is always in a normal and reasonable position; the spring support unit 1 is installed on the boom 4 and is in a compressed state, supporting the deadweight of the entire pipeline, and fixing the lifting height of the refueling pipeline by the self-locking mechanism inside the boom 4. When the refueling pipeline 2 is lifted upward, the self-locking mechanism inside the boom 4 is opened, the spring support unit 1 releases energy, and the boom 4 extends outward under the elastic force on both sides of the spring support unit 1. During the extension process of the boom 4, the refueling pipeline 2 is lifted upward around the rotatable joint 3 to achieve the purpose of raising the refueling pipeline 2. After reaching the specified height, the self-locking mechanism inside the boom 4 is activated to fix the position of the refueling pipeline 2; when the refueling pipeline 2 is retracted, the self-locking mechanism inside the boom 4 is opened, and after applying external force to compress the spring support unit 1 to the initial position, the self-locking mechanism inside the boom 4 is activated to fix the position of the refueling pipeline 2.

[0024] In the initial state, the spring support unit 1 is compressed to the extreme position, the boom 4 is fixed in the shortest position by the internal self-locking mechanism and is in a horizontal position, the refueling pipeline 2 is at the lowest height and is contracted as a whole. At this time, the space occupied is the smallest and it is placed in the well of the apron.

[0025] When the refueling system needs to work, the manhole cover 10 is opened, the self-locking mechanism inside the boom 4 is opened, the spring support unit 1 releases energy, and the refueling pipe 2 is lifted. On the premise of supporting the weight of the refueling system, the spring support unit 1 has an additional external force equivalent to 5kg. By applying a certain external force, the refueling pipe 2 system is dragged. When the refueling pipe 2 reaches the specified height, the self-locking mechanism inside the boom 4 is started to fix the refueling pipe 2, and then the rotatable joint 3 at the connection of the refueling pipe 2 is used to drag the refueling pipe 2 in the horizontal direction. After reaching the vicinity of the refueling port, the rotatable refueling joint 5 is used to align with the refueling port to complete the refueling operation.

[0026] After the refueling work is completed, disconnect the refueling connector 5 from the refueling port, retract the refueling pipeline 2 to the ground well position in the horizontal direction, open the self-locking mechanism inside the boom 4, reset the raised refueling pipeline 2 by applying external force, and then start the self-locking mechanism inside the boom 4. The refueling system is retracted into the ground well as a whole, and the manhole cover 10 is closed to complete the retraction of the refueling pipeline 2.

[0027] The refueling line 2 of the lift-type refueling system utilizes a swivel design to minimize space usage. When deployed, it offers a wide operating range, meeting refueling needs in a variety of conditions. In both fully raised and fully horizontal operating conditions, the refueling connector 5 achieves a refueling distance of 3600mm horizontally and 2800mm vertically when fully raised; and 5000mm horizontally and 800mm vertically when fully horizontal.

[0028] In order to reduce the space occupancy rate as much as possible, this refueling system is equipped with a two-stage lifting function: the first stage is within the lifting system, after the gravity self-balancing is achieved between the counterweight block 6 and the refueling pipeline, a push-pull force is applied to complete the lifting function of the entire refueling pipeline 2; the second stage is the refueling pipeline part, which mainly includes a spring support unit 1 and a movable arm 4. By unlocking the self-locking of the movable arm 4, the compressed spring support unit 1 generates an outward thrust to complete the lifting function of the refueling pipeline 2. The lifting function of the entire system is simple and labor-saving. The counterweight block 6 is balanced with the refueling pipeline 2, and only a slight push-pull force is required to complete the lifting; the spring support unit 1 in the refueling pipeline 2 is in a compressed state, and the lifting function of the refueling pipeline 2 can be completed by only unlocking the self-locking of the movable arm 4 and applying a slight pressure to keep the spring support unit 1 in a compressed state.

[0029] This invention utilizes a lifting unit to complete the lifting function of the pipeline, ensuring that the system can be completely stored within the underground well when not in use, eliminating the need for floor space and minimizing the space occupied by the well, demonstrating excellent storage performance. The system, through its spring-supported structure and lifting pipelines, enables refueling of devices at various locations and heights, making it particularly suitable for aircraft fuel tanks awaiting refueling or emptying. Furthermore, while maintaining a suitable operating height, the overall structural design is more centralized, minimizing storage space.

[0030] The contents not described in detail in the present invention are all prior art.

[0031] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lifting type refueling system, comprising a lifting unit, a spring support unit (1), a refueling pipeline (2), a rotatable joint (3), a movable arm (4), a refueling joint (5) and a manhole cover (10), characterized in that: The connection points of the refueling pipeline (2) are all provided with rotatable joints (3), and the connection points of the refueling pipeline (2) and the refueling joint (5) are also provided with rotatable joints (3). The spring support unit (1) is installed above the boom (4), one end of the boom (4) is connected to the rotatable joint (3) on the refueling pipeline (2), and the other end is installed on the pipeline of the upper lifting unit. The lifting unit is composed of a counterweight block (6), an outer column bracket (7), an inner column (8) and an outer column (9). The counterweight block (6) is fixed to the outer column through a pulley assembly. The fixed valve block of the refueling pipeline (2) is fixed to the inner column (8). A rolling bearing is provided between the inner column (8) and the outer column (9). The outer column (9) is fixed inside the well. The movable arm (4) is internally provided with a self-locking mechanism, which is unlocked when the refueling pipeline (2) needs to be raised, and is activated after reaching a specified height, thereby fixing the height of the refueling pipeline (2); The spring support unit (1) is wrapped around the outside of the boom (4), supporting the weight of the refueling pipeline (2) and the elastic force of the balance spring.

2. A lifting type refueling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refueling connector (5) is rotatable.

3. The lifting type refueling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotatable joint (3) can adjust the position of the refueling pipeline (2) in the horizontal and vertical directions, and can be connected to refueling ports with varying heights and distances.

4. The lifting type refueling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refueling pipeline (2) is of a convoluted design.

5. The lifting type refueling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refueling pipeline (2) adjusts the structure in the working state through the spring support unit (1), the movable arm (4) and the rotatable joint (3).

6. The lifting type refueling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refueling system has a two-stage lifting function.

7. The lifting type refueling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the refueling system is in its initial state, the entire system is stored inside the airport well. When in use, the refueling pipeline (2) is lifted out of the ground by the lifting unit. After use, the refueling pipeline (2) is stored again by the lifting unit.

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