A fuselage-mounted aerial refueling improved boom receptacle device and method

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of aircraft in-flight refueling, and particularly relates to a fusion type in-flight refueling improved cone sleeve storage device and method. One end of an in-flight refueling hose is provided with an in-flight refueling machine body connecting interface; a machine body end butt joint interface is sleeved on the in-flight refueling hose and located at one end of the in-flight refueling hose provided with the in-flight refueling machine body connecting interface; a movement assembly is sleeved on the in-flight refueling hose; and an improved cone sleeve is sleeved on the in-flight refueling hose. The application can change the aerodynamic characteristics and dynamic response characteristics of the existing soft in-flight refueling system cone sleeve according to needs, effectively alleviate the impact problem of the "plug-cone sleeve" release initial stage and recovery end stage with adjacent structures, avoid the failure risk caused by the impact of the stealth coating or stealth structure, and further meet the adaptability requirements of the in-flight refueling platform and the soft in-flight refueling device under the high stealth constraint condition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of aerial refueling technology for aircraft, and specifically relates to an improved drogue storage device and method for integrated aerial refueling. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the stable or quasi-stable state of the hose and improved cone combination in the airflow of the existing "plug-improved cone" type refueling device is based on the dynamic balance of hose tension, aerodynamic drag, and gravity. Depending on the installation location of the "plug-improved cone" type aerial refueling device on the tanker aircraft, it can be divided into two main categories: wing-mounted pod type and fuselage centerline platform type. Both types have dedicated impact- and scratch-resistant structural areas made of stainless steel or other materials near the improved cone's storage interface. This is to address the impact hazard caused by asymmetrical airflow disturbances during the initial release and final recovery phases of the improved cone due to its proximity to the fuselage or pod, and the change in the dynamic balance characteristics of the hose and improved cone combination due to the shortening of the hose, leading to unpredictable flight trajectories. Stealth coatings or stealth structures are even less effective against such physical impacts, making the aforementioned passive protective measures difficult to apply on future stealth aerial refueling platforms.

[0003] Therefore, it is desirable to have a technical solution to overcome or at least mitigate one of the aforementioned defects of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide an improved drogue storage device and method for integrated aerial refueling, in order to solve at least one problem existing in the prior art.

[0005] The technical solution of this application is:

[0006] An improved drogue storage device for integrated aerial refueling includes:

[0007] An aerial refueling hose, one end of which is provided with an aerial refueling aircraft fuselage connection interface;

[0008] The fuselage-side docking interface is sleeved on the aerial refueling hose and is located at the end of the aerial refueling hose where the aerial refueling aircraft fuselage connection interface is provided.

[0009] A motion assembly, which is fitted onto the aerial refueling hose;

[0010] An improved cone sleeve, wherein the improved cone sleeve is fitted onto the aerial refueling hose;

[0011] In standby mode, the two ends of the motion component are connected to the docking interface at the fuselage end and the improved cone sleeve respectively, and the three are connected as one unit. In working mode, the motion component moves to the outside of the fuselage along with the improved cone sleeve. When the improved cone sleeve reaches the designated position, the motion component disconnects from the improved cone sleeve and moves along the aerial refueling hose to the docking interface at the fuselage end and connects with it.

[0012] In at least one embodiment of this application, the body-end docking interface includes a structural component, a locking slot I, an electrical interface, a position sensing module I, and a wireless charging module I, wherein,

[0013] The structural component is provided with a through hole not less than the maximum diameter of the aerial refueling hose. The structural component is sleeved on the aerial refueling hose through the through hole. The structural component is tapered in shape, with the smaller diameter end facing the moving component and the larger diameter end facing the fuselage.

[0014] The locking groove I is provided at the end of the structural component with a smaller diameter;

[0015] The electrical interface is located at the end of the structural component with the larger diameter.

[0016] The position sensing module I is disposed on the structural component, adjacent to the locking groove I (202) and closer to the body relative to the locking groove I;

[0017] The wireless charging module I is located on the structural component near its outer surface.

[0018] In at least one embodiment of this application, the motion component includes a barrel segment, a fixed section wing surface, a movable section wing surface, and a conical docking plate, wherein,

[0019] The barrel section is fitted onto the aerial refueling hose and is connected to the aerial refueling hose via multiple sets of moving wheels.

[0020] The fixed section wing surface includes multiple sets, which are fixed at equal intervals along the circumference to the outer surface of the barrel section, and a rotary pair II is provided on the fixed section wing surface;

[0021] The movable section airfoil is connected to the fixed section airfoil via a rotary joint III. A rotary joint I is provided on the movable section airfoil, and rotary joint I and rotary joint II are connected via an actuator.

[0022] The conical docking plate is arc-shaped and is connected to the movable section wing surface via a rotary joint IV.

[0023] In at least one embodiment of this application, the barrel segment is cylindrical in shape and has a multi-cavity internal structure, wherein...

[0024] Both ends of the barrel section are respectively provided with interfaces for docking with the machine body and conical cavities for adapting to the improved conical sleeve;

[0025] Inside the barrel section, three sets of moving wheels, namely moving wheel set I, moving wheel set II, and moving wheel set III, are arranged sequentially along the axial direction and are distributed circumferentially. Moving wheel set I and moving wheel set III are driving wheels, and moving wheel set II is a driven wheel.

[0026] Inside the barrel section, drive battery pack II and drive battery pack III are arranged sequentially along the axial direction. A wireless charging module II is provided at one end of the barrel section near the docking interface of the body. The wireless charging module II works in conjunction with the wireless charging module I to replenish the power of drive battery pack II and drive battery pack III.

[0027] In at least one embodiment of this application, a docking lock I and a position sensing module II are provided at the end of the barrel segment near the docking interface of the body. The position of the docking lock I is closer to the docking interface of the body than the position sensing module II. The relative position of the motion component and the docking interface of the body is monitored by the position sensing module II and the position sensing module I.

[0028] In at least one embodiment of this application, the fixed section wing surface includes 4 groups, and the 4 groups of fixed section wing surfaces are fixed to the outer surface of the barrel section in a cross shape with equal spacing along the circumference. A driving battery pack I is installed inside the fixed section wing surface, and the driving battery pack I is replenished through the cooperation of the wireless charging module II and the wireless charging module I. A wireless communication module is also provided on the fixed section wing surface.

[0029] In at least one embodiment of this application, the inner surface of the tapered mating plate is provided with a low-friction pad.

[0030] In at least one embodiment of this application, a docking lock II and a sensing module III are provided at one end of the barrel segment near the improved conical sleeve, and the position sensor III is closer to the improved conical sleeve than the docking lock II;

[0031] The improved cone sleeve includes an improved cone sleeve connecting section, umbrella ribs, and a drag umbrella. The improved cone sleeve connecting section is provided with a continuous V-shaped locking groove II and a position sensing module IV, and the position of the locking groove II is closer to the motion component than the position sensing module IV.

[0032] The relative position of the motion component and the improved cone sleeve is monitored by the position sensor III and the position sensing module IV.

[0033] In at least one embodiment of this application, the barrel segment includes four sets of units that are circumferentially connected, the motion wheel set I, the motion wheel set II, and the motion wheel set III each include four sets of units that are evenly distributed along the circumference of the barrel segment, and the docking lock I and the docking lock II each include four sets of units that are evenly distributed along the circumference of the barrel segment.

[0034] The second aspect of this application discloses a method for retracting an improved drogue for integrated aerial refueling, based on the improved drogue device for integrated aerial refueling described above, comprising:

[0035] The release process includes:

[0036] Step 1: Dock lock I and dock lock II, in the locked state, reliably connect the fuselage docking interface, motion components and improved cone sleeve to the aerial refueling aircraft, and the actuator is in the extended state, compressing the parachute ribs of the improved cone sleeve to the retracted state with the conical docking plate, thereby controlling the drag parachute to the retracted state. At this time, wireless charging module II and wireless charging module I replenish the power of the three drive battery packs in the motion components.

[0037] Step 2: According to the release command, docking lock I changes from the locked state to the unlocked state;

[0038] Step 3: The moving components and the improved cone sleeve assembly, still locked by docking lock II, move toward the outside of the aerial refueling aircraft under the action of gravity along with the aerial refueling hose;

[0039] Step 4: After the aerial refueling hose has been extended to a length of at least 5 meters, the aerial refueling aircraft sends a recovery command to the moving components via the wireless communication module;

[0040] Step 5: The actuator changes from the extended state to the retracted state, and the improved cone-shaped resistance umbrella unfolds under the action of airflow, driving the umbrella ribs to the extended state;

[0041] Step 6: Connector lock II changes from locked to unlocked state;

[0042] Step 7: Motion wheel set I and motion wheel set III drive the motion component to move along the aerial refueling hose toward the docking interface at the end of the aircraft. At the same time, the actuator changes from a retracted state to an extended state to reduce the envelope size formed by the four sets of conical docking plates, which facilitates entry into the interior of the refueling aircraft and reduces aerodynamic drag.

[0043] Step 8: Under the self-guiding action generated by the conical shape of the docking interface at the body end and the conical inner surface of the moving component, the moving component moves until its position sensing module II and the position sensing module I on the docking interface at the body end meet the relative distance requirement. The docking lock I changes from the unlocked state to the locked state, and the moving component is reliably fixed to the docking interface at the body end.

[0044] Step 9: Stop driving the motion wheel set I and motion wheel set III;

[0045] The recycling process includes:

[0046] Step 1: The aerial refueling aircraft uses the recovery mechanism to move the aerial refueling hose from the working length to the retracted length, and sends a command to the motion component when the exposed length is about 10 meters.

[0047] Step 2: Connector lock I changes from locked to unlocked state;

[0048] Step 3: Motion wheel assembly I and motion wheel assembly III drive the motion component to move along the aerial refueling hose toward the improved cone sleeve;

[0049] Step 4: After the position sensor module II is positioned and the position sensor module I on the docking interface of the fuselage is fully disengaged from the air tanker, the actuator changes from the extended state to the retracted state, increasing the envelope size formed by the four sets of conical docking plates, increasing the frontal area and thus accelerating the movement speed of the moving component.

[0050] Step 5: Under the self-guiding action generated by the conical shape of the improved conical sleeve and the conical inner surface of the moving component, the moving component moves until its position sensing module III and the position sensing module IV on the improved conical sleeve meet the relative distance requirements. Then, the docking lock II changes from the unlocked state to the locked state, reliably fixing the moving component to the improved conical sleeve.

[0051] Step 6: Stop driving the motion wheel set I and motion wheel set III;

[0052] Step 7: The actuator changes from the retracted state to the extended state, driving the conical docking plate to compress the umbrella ribs of the improved conical sleeve to the retracted state, and then transforms the drag umbrella into the retracted state.

[0053] Step 8: The aerial refueling tanker recovers the moving component and the improved cone-shaped sleeve assembly into the tanker body through the recovery mechanism. Under the self-guiding action of the cone-shaped outer shape of the docking interface at the fuselage end and the cone-shaped inner surface of the moving component, the moving component completes the docking with the docking interface at the fuselage end. According to the position sensor module II and the position sensor module I on the docking interface at the fuselage end, the relative distance requirement is met, and the docking lock I changes from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0054] Step 9: The aerial refueling tanker stops operating via the recovery mechanism, completing the recovery process.

[0055] The invention has at least the following beneficial technical effects:

[0056] The improved drogue storage device for integrated aerial refueling in this application can modify the aerodynamic and dynamic response characteristics of the drogue of the existing soft aerial refueling system as needed, effectively mitigating the impact problem between the "plug-drogue" release initial stage and the recovery end stage and adjacent structures, avoiding the failure risk of stealth coating or stealth structure due to impact, and thus meeting the compatibility requirements of aerial refueling platform and soft aerial refueling device under high stealth constraints. Attached Figure Description

[0057] Figure 1 This is an axial view of an improved condenser sleeve storage device for integrated aerial refueling according to one embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 2 This is a front view of an improved condenser cone-shaped storage device for integrated aerial refueling according to one embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of part I in the image;

[0060] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of Part II;

[0061] in:

[0062] Aerial refueling software-1, fuselage end docking interface-2, structural component-201, locking slot I-202, electrical interface-203, position sensing module I-204, wireless charging module I-205, motion component-3, barrel section-301, fixed section wing surface-302, movable section wing surface-303, conical docking plate-304, drive battery pack I-305, actuator-306, motion wheel assembly I-307, motion wheel assembly II-308, motion wheel assembly III-309, docking lock I-310, docking lock II-311, Rotary joint I-312, Rotary joint II-313, Rotary joint III-314, Rotary joint IV-315, Wireless charging module II-316, Position sensing module II-317, Position sensing module III-318, Low-friction pad-319, Drive battery pack II-320, Drive battery pack III-321, Wireless communication module-322, Improved conical sleeve-4, Locking slot II-401, Position sensing module IV-402, Umbrella rib-403, Resistance umbrella-404. Detailed Implementation

[0063] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The described embodiments are some, but not all, embodiments of this application. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. The embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application.

[0065] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figures 1 to 4 This application will be described in further detail.

[0066] The first aspect of this application provides an integrated aerial refueling improved cone sleeve storage device, including an aerial refueling hose 1, a fuselage end docking interface 2, a motion component 3, and an improved cone sleeve 4.

[0067] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, one end of the aerial refueling hose 1 is provided with an aerial refueling aircraft fuselage connection interface for connection with the aerial refueling aircraft fuselage. The fuselage-side docking interface 2 is located at the end of the aerial refueling hose 1 where the aerial refueling aircraft fuselage connection interface is provided, and the aerial refueling hose 1 passes through the center of the fuselage-side docking interface 2. The moving component 3 and the improved cone sleeve 4 are both fitted onto the aerial refueling hose 1. The moving component 3 can move bidirectionally along the aerial refueling hose 1. In the standby state, one end of the moving component 3 is reliably connected to the fuselage docking interface 2, and the other end is reliably connected to the improved cone sleeve 4, with the three connected as one unit. In the working state, the moving component 3 can move to the outside of the aerial refueling aircraft fuselage along with the improved cone sleeve 4. After the improved cone sleeve 4 reaches the designated position, the moving component 3 is disconnected from the improved cone sleeve 4 and moves along the aerial refueling hose 1 to the fuselage-side docking interface 2 and reliably connects with it. The improved cone sleeve 4 is an adaptation improvement based on the cone sleeve in the existing "plug-cone sleeve" type refueling device.

[0068] The improved drogue storage device for integrated aerial refueling in this application has an airframe-end docking interface 2 that can effectively dock and lock the integrated aerial refueling drogue storage device to the fixed structure of the aerial refueling aircraft. The moving component 3 can move along the aerial refueling hose 1 to a designated position and can adjust the improved drogue 4 from the deployed state to the stored state.

[0069] like Figure 2 As shown, the fuselage-side docking interface 2 includes a structural component 201, a locking groove I 202, an electrical interface 203, a position sensing module I 204, and a wireless charging module I 205. The structural component 201 has a through hole with a diameter not less than the maximum diameter of the aerial refueling hose 1, allowing the aerial refueling hose 1 to pass through. The structural component 201 is tapered, with the smaller diameter end facing the motion component 3 and the larger diameter end facing the fuselage. The locking groove I 202 has a V-shaped cross-section and is arranged circumferentially on the surface of the structural component 201, located at the smaller diameter end. The distance between the locking groove I 202 and the smaller diameter end face should ensure that the structural component 201 can withstand the load transmitted by the motion component 3 and the cone sleeve 4 through the locking groove I 202. The electrical interface 203 is located at the larger diameter end of the structural component 201 to enable signal and power communication between the fuselage-side docking interface 2 and the aerial refueling aircraft. The position sensing module I 204 is located on the structural component 201 adjacent to the locking groove I 205. 202 and close to one side of the body; the wireless charging module I 205 is located on the structural component 201 near the outer surface, and is used to wirelessly charge the motion component 3 through a relevant interface.

[0070] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the motion component 3 includes a barrel section 301, a fixed section wing surface 302, a movable section wing surface 303, and a conical docking plate 304. It also includes a drive battery pack I 305, an actuator 306, a motion wheel set I 307, a motion wheel set II 308, a motion wheel set III 309, a docking lock I 310, a docking lock II 311, a rotary joint I 312, a rotary joint II 313, a rotary joint III 314, a rotary joint IV 315, a wireless charging module II 316, a position sensing module II 317, a position sensing module III 318, a low-friction pad 319, a drive battery pack II 320, a drive battery pack III 321, and a wireless communication module 322.

[0071] Specifically, the barrel section 301 is fitted onto the aerial refueling hose 1 and connected to the aerial refueling hose 1 through multiple sets of moving wheels; the fixed section wing surface 302 includes multiple sets, which are fixed to the outer surface of the barrel section 301 at equal intervals along the circumference, and a rotary joint II 313 is provided on the fixed section wing surface 302; the movable section wing surface 303 is connected to the fixed section wing surface 302 through a rotary joint III 314, and a rotary joint I 312 is provided on the movable section wing surface 303. Rotary joint I 312 and rotary joint II 313 are connected through an actuator 306; the conical docking plate 304 is arc-shaped and is connected to the movable section wing surface 303 through a rotary joint IV 315.

[0072] In the preferred embodiment of this application, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the barrel section 301 has a cylindrical shape and a multi-cavity internal structure. A circular through-hole with a diameter no smaller than the maximum diameter of the aerial refueling hose 1 is coaxially arranged with the barrel section 301. Conical cavities are provided at both ends of the barrel section 301, with the diameter of the conical cavity on the side closer to the fuselage docking interface 2 and the improved conical sleeve 4 being larger than that on the other side, to ensure compatibility with the fuselage docking interface 2 and the improved conical sleeve 4. Inside the barrel section 301, along the axial direction, are arranged three circumferentially distributed motion wheel sets: I 307, II 308, and III 309. Motion wheel sets I 307 and III 309 are active wheels, capable of bidirectional active movement, providing the motion drive input for the motion component 3. Motion wheel set II 308 is a passive wheel, providing support for the aerial refueling hose 1 and reducing friction to prevent motion jamming caused by excessive bending and deformation of the hose between motion wheel sets I 307 and III 309. Preferably, the barrel segment 301 is composed of four sets of structures joined together circumferentially to form a maintenance channel for related internal components. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the motion wheel set I 307, motion wheel set II 308, and motion wheel set III 309 are each composed of four units, evenly distributed circumferentially along the barrel segment 301.

[0073] It is understood that in this embodiment, drive battery pack II 320 and drive battery pack III 321 are arranged sequentially along the axial direction inside the barrel segment 301. A wireless charging module II 316 is provided at the end of the barrel segment 301 near the docking interface 2 of the body. The wireless charging module II 316 cooperates with the wireless charging module I 205 to replenish the power of drive battery pack II 320 and drive battery pack III 321. Among them, drive battery pack II 320 and drive battery pack III 321 are annular and separated by the motion wheel set II 308.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment of this application, there are four sets of fixed wing surfaces 302, which are fixed to the outer surface of the barrel structure 301 in a cross shape with equal spacing along the circumference. They are connected to the movable wing surfaces 303 through four sets of rotary joints III 314, and the relative positions are controlled by an actuator 306 that is connected to the fixed wing surface 302 at one end through rotary joint II 313 and to the movable wing surface 303 at the other end through rotary joint I 312. In this embodiment, a drive battery pack I 305 is installed inside the fixed wing surface 302. The drive battery pack I 305 is flat and built into the fixed wing surface 302. It is charged by a wireless charging module II 316 built into the barrel 301 near the docking interface 2 of the fuselage end and a wireless charging module I 205 on the docking interface 2 of the fuselage end. A wireless communication module 322 is also provided on the fixed wing surface 302.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment of this application, the conical docking plate 304 is generally arc-shaped and is connected to one end of the movable section airfoil 303 via a rotary joint IV 315, and a low-friction pad 319 is provided on its inner surface. In this embodiment, the fixed section airfoil 302 and the movable section airfoil 303 have symmetrical airfoils.

[0076] The improved condenser housing for integrated aerial refueling in this application, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, a docking lock I 310 and a position sensing module II 317 are provided at the end of the barrel segment 301 near the docking interface 2 of the body. The position of the docking lock I 310 is closer to the docking interface 2 of the body than the position sensing module II 317. The relative position of the motion component 3 and the docking interface 2 of the body is monitored by the position sensing module II 317 and the position sensing module I 204. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a docking lock II 311 and a sensing module III 318 are provided at the end of the barrel segment 301 near the improved cone sleeve 4. The position of the position sensor III 318 is closer to the improved cone sleeve 4 than the docking lock II 311.

[0077] In this embodiment, the improved cone sleeve 4 includes an improved cone sleeve connecting section, a parachute rib 403, and a drag parachute 404. The improved cone sleeve connecting section is provided with a locking groove II 401 and a position sensing module IV 402, and the locking groove II 401 is positioned closer to the moving component 3 relative to the position sensing module IV 402. The relative position between the moving component 3 and the improved cone sleeve 4 is monitored jointly by a position sensor III 318 and the position sensing module IV 402. The improved cone sleeve 4 is an improvement on the existing aerial refueling cone sleeve, with the improved cone sleeve connecting section near the moving component 3 having a conical shape and a smaller diameter on the side closer to the moving component 3. A locking groove II 401 and a position sensing module IV 402 are added. The locking groove II 401 is a continuous V-shape and is located on the surface of the improved cone sleeve 4 structure.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment of this application, docking lock I 310 and docking lock II 311 each consist of four sets of locking units evenly distributed circumferentially along barrel section 301, and are arranged at a 45-degree angle different from the fixed section wing surface 302 to avoid interference with the latter. In this embodiment, docking lock I 310 and docking lock II 311 are telescopic, forming a load transfer channel with locking groove I 202 and locking groove II 401 through an extended cylindrical pin, thereby achieving relative locking.

[0079] Based on the aforementioned integrated aerial refueling drogue storage device, the second aspect of this application provides an integrated aerial refueling drogue storage method, the usage process of which is as follows:

[0080] The release process includes:

[0081] Step 1: Dock lock I 310 and dock lock II 311, in the locked state, reliably connect the fuselage docking interface 2, motion component 3 and improved cone sleeve 4 to the aerial refueling aircraft, and actuator 306 is in the extended state, compressing the parachute rib 403 of the improved cone sleeve 4 to the retracted state with the conical docking plate 304, thereby controlling the drag parachute 404 to the retracted state. At this time, wireless charging module II 316 and wireless charging module I 205 replenish the power to the three drive battery packs in motion component 3.

[0082] Step 2: According to the release command, docking lock I 310 changes from the locked state to the unlocked state;

[0083] Step 3: The motion assembly 3, still locked by docking lock II 311, and the improved cone sleeve 4 (including aerial refueling hose 1) move towards the outside of the aerial refueling aircraft under the action of gravity;

[0084] Step 4: After the aerial refueling hose 1 has been extended to a length of not less than 5 meters, the aerial refueling aircraft sends a recovery command to the motion component 3 through the wireless communication module 322;

[0085] Step 5: Actuator 306 changes from extended state to retracted state, and the resistance umbrella 404 of the improved cone sleeve 4 unfolds under the action of airflow and drives the umbrella rib 403 to the extended state.

[0086] Step 6: Connector lock II 311 changes from locked to unlocked state;

[0087] Step 7: The motion wheel set I 307 and motion wheel set III 309 drive the motion component 3 to move along the aerial refueling hose 1 toward the docking interface 2 at the fuselage end. At the same time, the actuator 306 changes from the retracted state to the extended state to reduce the envelope size enclosed by the four sets of conical docking plates 304, so as to facilitate entry into the interior of the refueling aircraft and reduce aerodynamic resistance.

[0088] Step 8: Under the self-guiding action generated by the conical shape of the docking interface 2 and the conical inner surface of the motion component 3, the motion component 3 moves until its position sensing module II 317 and the position sensing module I204 on the docking interface 2 meet the relative distance requirement. Then, the docking lock I 310 changes from the unlocked state to the locked state, and the motion component 3 is reliably fixed to the docking interface 2.

[0089] Step 9: Stop driving the motion wheelset I 307 and motion wheelset III 309;

[0090] The recycling process includes:

[0091] Step 1: The aerial refueling aircraft uses the recovery mechanism to move the aerial refueling hose 1 from its working length to its retractable length, and sends a command to the motion component 3 when the exposed length is about 10 meters.

[0092] Step 2: Connector lock I 310 changes from locked to unlocked state;

[0093] Step 3: Motion wheel assembly I 307 and motion wheel assembly III 309 drive motion component 3 to move along aerial refueling hose 1 toward improved cone sleeve 4;

[0094] Step 4: After the position sensing module II 317 is positioned and the position sensing module I 204 on the docking interface 2 of the fuselage is ensured, the actuator 306 changes from the extended state to the retracted state, increasing the envelope size formed by the four sets of conical docking plates 304, increasing the frontal area and thus accelerating the movement speed of the motion component 3.

[0095] Step 5: Under the self-guiding action generated by the conical shape of the improved conical sleeve 4 and the conical inner surface of the moving component 3, the moving component 3 moves until its position sensing module III 318 and the position sensing module IV 402 on the improved conical sleeve 4 meet the relative distance requirements, and the docking lock II 311 changes from the unlocked state to the locked state, reliably fixing the moving component 3 to the improved conical sleeve 4.

[0096] Step 6: Stop driving the motion wheelset I 307 and motion wheelset III 309;

[0097] Step 7: The actuator 306 changes from the retracted state to the extended state, driving the conical docking plate 304 to compress the umbrella rib 403 of the improved conical sleeve 4 to the retracted state, and then transforms the drag umbrella 404 into the retracted state.

[0098] Step 8: The aerial refueling aircraft recovers the combination of motion component 3 and improved cone sleeve 4 into the fuselage through the recovery mechanism. Under the self-guiding action generated by the conical shape of the fuselage docking interface 2 and the conical inner surface of the motion component 3, the motion component 3 completes the docking with the fuselage docking interface 2. According to the position sensing module II 317 and the position sensing module I 204 on the fuselage docking interface 2, the relative distance requirement is met, and the docking lock I 310 changes from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0099] Step 9: The aerial refueling tanker stops operating via the recovery mechanism, completing the recovery process.

[0100] The improved drogue storage device and method for integrated aerial refueling in this application can modify the aerodynamic and dynamic response characteristics of the drogue of the existing soft aerial refueling system as needed, effectively alleviate the impact problem between the drogue and adjacent structures during the initial release and recovery stages, avoid the failure risk of stealth coatings or stealth structures caused by drogue impact, and thus meet the compatibility requirements of aerial refueling platforms and soft aerial refueling devices under high stealth constraints.

[0101] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A blended aerial refueling improved boom receptacle storage device, comprising: The utility model relates to an air refueling hose (1) provided with an air tanker body connecting interface at one end, a body end docking interface (2) sleeved on the air refueling hose (1) and located at the end of the air refueling hose (1) provided with the air tanker body connecting interface, a movement assembly (3) sleeved on the air refueling hose (1), and an improved cone sleeve (4) sleeved on the air refueling hose (1). In standby state, the two ends of the movement assembly (3) are connected with the body end docking interface (2) and the improved cone sleeve (4) respectively, and the three are integrated; in working state, the movement assembly (3) moves to the outside of the body along with the improved cone sleeve (4), and when the improved cone sleeve (4) reaches the designated position, the movement assembly (3) is disconnected from the improved cone sleeve (4) and moves along the air refueling hose (1) to the body end docking interface (2) and is connected therewith. The body end docking interface (2) comprises a structural member (201), a locking groove I (202), an electrical interface (203), a position sensing module I (204), and a wireless charging module I (205), wherein, The structural member (201) is provided with a through hole not smaller than the maximum diameter of the air refueling hose (1), the structural member (201) is sleeved on the air refueling hose (1) through the through hole, the outer shape of the structural member (201) is conical, the smaller-diameter end thereof faces the movement assembly (3), and the larger-diameter end thereof faces the body; The locking groove I (202) is arranged at the smaller-diameter end of the structural member (201); The electrical interface (203) is arranged at the larger-diameter end of the structural member (201); 2. The blended aerial refueling modification conical fitting storage device of claim 1, wherein, The position sensing module I (204) is arranged on the structural member (201) and is adjacent to and closer to the body relative to the locking groove I (202); The wireless charging module I (205) is arranged on the structural member (201) at a position close to the outer surface. The movement assembly (3) comprises a barrel segment (301), a fixed segment airfoil (302), a movable segment airfoil (303), and a conical docking plate (304), wherein, The barrel segment (301) is sleeved on the air refueling hose (1) and is connected with the air refueling hose (1) through a plurality of groups of movement wheels; The fixed segment airfoil (302) comprises a plurality of groups and is fixed on the outer surface of the barrel segment (301) at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the fixed segment airfoil (302) is provided with a rotation pair II (313); The movable segment airfoil (303) is connected with the fixed segment airfoil (302) through a rotation pair III (314), the movable segment airfoil (303) is provided with a rotation pair I (312), and the rotation pair I (312) is connected with the rotation pair II (313) through an actuator (306).

3. The blended aerial refueling modification conical fitting storage device of claim 2, wherein, ​ ​ ​ ​ The conical butt plate (304) is circular arc-shaped, and is connected to the movable section airfoil (303) through a rotary pair IV (315).

4. The blended aerial refueling modification conical fitting storage device of claim 3, wherein, The barrel section (301) is cylindrical in shape and has a multi-cavity structure inside, Both ends of the barrel section (301) are provided with conical cavities for adapting to the machine body end butt joint interface (2) and the improved conical sleeve (4); The barrel section (301) is sequentially provided with a motion wheel group I (307), a motion wheel group II (308), and a motion wheel group III (309) which are circumferentially distributed inside along the axial direction, the motion wheel group I (307) and the motion wheel group III (309) are driving wheels, and the motion wheel group II (308) is a driven wheel; The barrel section (301) is sequentially provided with a driving battery group II (320) and a driving battery group III (321) inside along the axial direction, and the barrel section (301) is provided with a wireless charging module II (316) at one end close to the machine body end butt joint interface (2), and the wireless charging module II (316) and the wireless charging module I (205) are matched to realize power supplement of the driving battery group II (320) and the driving battery group III (321).

5. The blended aerial refueling modification conical fitting storage device of claim 4, wherein, The barrel section (301) is provided with a butt joint lock I (310) and a position sensing module II (317) at one end close to the machine body end butt joint interface (2), and the position of the butt joint lock I (310) is closer to the machine body end butt joint interface (2) than that of the position sensing module II (317), and the position sensing module II (317) and the position sensing module I (204) are matched to monitor the relative position of the motion assembly (3) and the machine body end butt joint interface (2).

6. The blended aerial refueling modification conical fitting storage device of claim 5, wherein, The fixed section airfoil (302) includes four groups, and the four groups of fixed section airfoils (302) are fixed on the outer surface of the barrel section (301) in a cross shape at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the fixed section airfoil (302) is internally provided with a driving battery group I (305), and the wireless charging module II (316) and the wireless charging module I (205) are matched to realize power supplement of the driving battery group I (305), and the fixed section airfoil (302) is further provided with a wireless communication module (322).

7. The blended aerial refueling modification conical fitting storage device of claim 6, wherein, The inner surface of the conical butt plate (304) is provided with a low-friction gasket (319).

8. The blended aerial refueling modification conical fitting storage device of claim 7, wherein, The barrel section (301) is provided with a butt joint lock II (311) and a position sensing module III (318) at one end close to the improved conical sleeve (4), and the position of the position sensing module III (318) is closer to the improved conical sleeve (4) than that of the butt joint lock II (311); The improved conical sleeve (4) includes an improved conical sleeve connecting section, a rib (403), and a resistance umbrella (404), the improved conical sleeve connecting section is provided with a continuous V-shaped locking groove II (401) and a position sensing module IV (402), and the position of the locking groove II (401) is closer to the motion assembly (3) than that of the position sensing module IV (402); The relative position of the movement assembly (3) and the improved cone sleeve (4) is monitored by the position sensing module III (318) and the position sensing module IV (402) together.

9. The blended aerial refueling modification conical fitting storage device of claim 8, wherein, The barrel section (301) includes 4 groups of units butt-jointed in the circumferential direction, the movement wheel group I (307), the movement wheel group II (308), and the movement wheel group III (309) each include 4 groups of units evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the barrel section (301), and the butt-joint lock I (310) and the butt-joint lock II (311) each include 4 groups of units evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the barrel section (301).

10. A method of storing a blended aerial refueling improved drogue based on the blended aerial refueling improved drogue storage apparatus of claim 9, wherein, It comprises: The release process comprises: Step 1: The butt-joint lock I (310) and the butt-joint lock II (311) in the locked state reliably connect the body end butt-joint interface (2), the movement assembly (3), and the improved cone sleeve (4) to the air refueling machine, and the actuator (306) is in the extended state, the umbrella rib (403) of the improved cone sleeve (4) is compressed to the storage state by the conical butt-joint plate (304), and then the resistance umbrella (404) is controlled to the contracted state, at this time, the wireless charging module II (316) and the wireless charging module I (205) supplement the power of the three drive battery groups in the movement assembly (3); Step 2: According to the release instruction, the butt-joint lock I (310) is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state; Step 3: The movement assembly (3) and the improved cone sleeve (4) combination still locked by the butt-joint lock II (311) move towards the outside of the body of the air refueling machine under the action of gravity along with the air refueling hose (1); Step 4: After the air refueling hose (1) is released by not less than 5 meters in length, the air refueling machine sends a recovery instruction to the movement assembly (3) through the wireless communication module (322); Step 5: The actuator (306) is switched from the extended state to the contracted state, the resistance umbrella (404) of the improved cone sleeve (4) is unfolded under the action of airflow and drives the umbrella rib (403) to the extended state; Step 6: The butt-joint lock II (311) is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state; Step 7: The movement wheel group I (307) and the movement wheel group III (309) drive the movement assembly (3) to move along the air refueling hose (1) towards the body end butt-joint interface (2), at the same time, the actuator (306) is switched from the contracted state to the extended state, so as to reduce the envelope size surrounded by the four conical butt-joint plates (304), facilitate entering the inside of the body of the air refueling machine, and reduce the aerodynamic resistance; Step 8: Under the self-guiding action generated by the conical shape of the body end butt-joint interface (2) and the conical inner surface of the movement assembly (3), the movement assembly (3) moves to the position where the position sensing module II (317) and the position sensing module I (204) on the body end butt-joint interface (2) meet the relative distance requirement, the butt-joint lock I (310) is switched from the unlocked state to the locked state, and the movement assembly (3) is reliably fixed to the body end butt-joint interface (2); Step 9: The movement wheel group I (307) and the movement wheel group III (309) stop driving; The recovery process comprises: Step 1: The aerial tanker sends a command to the movement assembly (3) when the exposed length of the aerial refueling hose (1) is about 10 meters, through the recovery mechanism to retract the aerial refueling hose (1) from the working length to the storage length; Step 2: The docking lock I (310) is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state; Step 3: The movement wheel set I (307) and the movement wheel set III (309) drive the movement assembly (3) to move along the aerial refueling hose (1) to the improved cone sleeve (4); Step 4: After the movement assembly (3) is completely removed from the aerial tanker body, the actuator (306) is switched from the extended state to the retracted state, the envelope size surrounded by the four sets of conical docking plates (304) is increased, the windward area is increased, and the movement speed of the movement assembly (3) is accelerated, according to the positioning of the position sensing module II (317) and the position sensing module I (204) on the body end docking interface (2); Step 5: Under the self-guiding effect of the conical outer shape of the improved cone sleeve (4) and the conical inner surface of the movement assembly (3), the movement assembly (3) moves to the position where the position sensing module III (318) and the position sensing module IV (402) on the improved cone sleeve (4) meet the relative distance requirement, the docking lock II (311) is switched from the unlocked state to the locked state, and the movement assembly (3) is reliably fixed to the improved cone sleeve (4); Step 6: The movement wheel set I (307) and the movement wheel set III (309) stop driving; Step 7: The actuator (306) is switched from the retracted state to the extended state, the conical docking plate (304) drives the ribs (403) of the improved cone sleeve (4) to be compressed to the storage state, and further changes the resistance umbrella (404) to the storage state; Step 8: The aerial tanker recovers the movement assembly (3) and the improved cone sleeve (4) combination into the aerial tanker body through the recovery mechanism, completes the docking of the movement assembly (3) and the body end docking interface (2) under the self-guiding effect of the conical outer shape of the body end docking interface (2) and the conical inner surface of the movement assembly (3), and switches the docking lock I (310) from the unlocked state to the locked state according to the positioning of the position sensing module II (317) and the position sensing module I (204) on the body end docking interface (2) meeting the relative distance requirement; Step 9: The aerial tanker stops working through the recovery mechanism, and completes the recovery.

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