Tail hard boom active in-flight refueling apparatus and method

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of aircraft aerial refueling, and particularly relates to a tail hard active aerial refueling device and method. The device comprises a hard recovery rod (2), a winch (6) and a lock chain (7). The winch (6) controls the locking and unlocking of the lock chain (7), so as to control the deflection angle of the hard recovery rod (2). One end of the hard recovery rod (2) is hinged to the front belly of a refueling aircraft (1), and the other end is provided with a locking device (8), a refueling cone (9) and an axially telescopic telescopic rod. The end of the telescopic rod is provided with a docking device (10) which is configured to be capable of being controlled to dock with a docking ring (13) on the back of a receiver aircraft (11). The locking device (8) is configured to be capable of being controlled to lock with a locking end on the back of the receiver aircraft (11). The application effectively reduces the docking difficulty of the aerial refueling aircraft and the receiver aircraft, and improves the docking efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of aircraft aerial refueling technology, and specifically relates to a tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling device and method. Background Technology

[0002] The challenge of aerial refueling technology lies in the fact that both the tanker and the receiver aircraft are in relative motion, and the fluctuations in airflow can cause significant oscillations between them. This increases the difficulty of docking the tanker's refueling cone with the receiver's refueling inlet. Currently, practical achievements in aerial refueling technology are limited, and further research is urgently needed.

[0003] In the prior art, Chinese invention patent CN109747839A discloses a docking method between a tanker aircraft and a receiver aircraft, including a mother aircraft device as the tanker aircraft and an unmanned aerial vehicle device as the receiver aircraft. It also discloses a corresponding recovery controller, which enables aerial refueling. However, its refueling and receiving devices and control programs are relatively complex, resulting in poor refueling efficiency and safety. Chinese invention patent CN112660398A discloses a soft refueling method, which has low refueling efficiency and is easily affected by airflow fluctuations. Chinese invention patent CN106043718A discloses a hard refueling method. Although the refueling efficiency is higher than that of the soft refueling method, it does not take safety protection measures, and the risk of collision between the tanker aircraft and the receiver aircraft during the refueling process is high, resulting in poor refueling safety. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address at least one of the aforementioned technical problems, this application presents a tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling device and method. The device employs a docking device and a locking device to achieve a three-point fixation between the tanker and the receiver aircraft. During the refueling process, the relative stability and safety between the tanker and the receiver aircraft are relatively good.

[0005] The first aspect of this application provides a tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling device, mainly comprising:

[0006] A rigid recovery rod has one end hinged to the front of the fuel dispenser and the other end free. The free end of the rigid recovery rod is provided with a locking device, a retractable fuel cone relative to the free end, and a telescopic rod that can extend and retract along the axial direction of the rigid recovery rod relative to the free end. The end of the telescopic rod is provided with a docking device, which is configured to dock with a docking ring on the back of the receiving fuel dispenser in a controlled manner. The locking device is configured to lock with a locking end on the back of the receiving fuel dispenser in a controlled manner.

[0007] The winch is fixed to the rear of the refueling machine and has a chain attached to it. The end of the chain is hinged to a rigid recovery bar.

[0008] The refueling controller is electrically connected to the winch and is used to control the rotation of the winch. It is also electrically connected to the locking device, refueling cone, telescopic rod, and docking device at the end of the telescopic rod via the rigid recovery rod. It is used to control the extension and retraction of the refueling cone and the telescopic rod, as well as to control the opening and closing of the lock and docking device.

[0009] Preferably, the tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling device further includes optical measuring instruments and video monitoring equipment disposed on the belly of the tanker aircraft. The optical measuring instruments and video monitoring equipment are electrically connected to the refueling controller and are used to feed back the position data of the receiver aircraft to the refueling controller.

[0010] Preferably, the rigid recovery rod is connected to the hinge point of the front part of the refueling machine via a ball joint.

[0011] Preferably, the rigid recovery rod is hinged to the front end of the central axis of the fuel dispenser's abdomen, and the winch is slidably mounted on slide rails on both sides of the rear end of the central axis of the fuel dispenser's abdomen, with the slide rails perpendicular to the central axis of the fuel dispenser's abdomen.

[0012] Preferably, the locking device includes an arc-shaped cavity with two symmetrical latches at the opening of the arc-shaped cavity. One end of each latch is hinged to the inner wall of the arc-shaped cavity, and the other end is a free end. The free end has a limiting device that can be controlled to extend or retract. The arc-shaped cavity also has two restoring springs. One end of each of the two restoring springs is connected to the two limiting devices in pairs, and the other end of each of the two restoring springs is connected to the inner wall of the arc-shaped cavity.

[0013] The second aspect of this application provides a tail-mounted rigid active in-flight refueling method, mainly including:

[0014] Step S1: Control the receiver aircraft to cruise at a constant speed in the stable airflow area directly below the tanker aircraft, and keep the flight attitude of the receiver aircraft consistent with that of the tanker aircraft;

[0015] Step S2: Determine the relative positions of the receiving unit and the refueling unit according to the indicator lights on the docking ring on the back of the receiving unit;

[0016] Step S3: Based on the relative position, control the chain to extend and retract, and at the same time adjust the position of the winch so that the free end of the rigid recovery bar is directly opposite the docking ring of the receiving machine;

[0017] Step S4: Control the extension of the telescopic rod at the free end of the rigid recovery rod so that the docking device at the end of the telescopic rod reaches the docking ring position of the receiving machine, and control the docking device to dock with the docking ring of the receiving machine.

[0018] Step S5: Retract the telescopic rod of the rigid recovery bar to pull the receiving unit toward the refueling unit, so that the docking ring of the receiving unit reaches the free end of the rigid recovery bar.

[0019] Step S6: Operate the locking device to lock the receiving machine;

[0020] Step S7: Operate the refueling cone to extend and retract until it aligns with the oil receiving port of the receiving machine to refuel.

[0021] This application has the following advantages:

[0022] (1) The rigid pipe refueling method is adopted, which has high refueling efficiency and can refuel multiple receiver aircraft in sequence.

[0023] (2) The docking device uses symmetrical locking and two recovery springs to dock with the docking ring of the receiving machine, which has strong flexibility and stability and is easy to dock;

[0024] (3) The refueling machine adopts a locking device and a docking device to achieve three-point fixation of the receiving machine, which has strong stability and improves refueling safety. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the device structure of a preferred embodiment of the tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling device of this application.

[0026] Figure 2 This application Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the locking device structure in the embodiment shown.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the docking of the tanker and the receiver aircraft in a preferred embodiment of the tail-mounted active aerial refueling method of this application.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the receiver aircraft pulling back in a preferred embodiment of the tail-mounted active aerial refueling method of this application.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a three-point fixation of a preferred embodiment of the tail-mounted active aerial refueling method of this application.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of aerial refueling, representing a preferred embodiment of the tail-mounted active aerial refueling method of this application.

[0031] Figure 7 A diagram illustrating the refueling process.

[0032] Among them, 1-fueling machine, 2-rigid recovery bar, 3-fueling controller, 4-optical measuring instrument, 5-video monitoring equipment, 6-winch, 7-chain, 8-locking device, 9-fueling cone, 10-docking device, 11-oil receiving machine, 12-oil receiving port, 13-docking ring.

[0033] 8-1 is an arc-shaped cavity, 8-2 is a latch, 8-3 is a limiting device, and 8-4 is a recovery spring. Detailed Implementation

[0034] 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 only some, not all, of the 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 inventive 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.

[0035] The first aspect of this application provides a tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling device, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it mainly includes: a rigid recovery rod 2, one end of which is hinged to the front of the fuel dispenser 1, and the other end is a free end. A locking device 8 is provided on the free end of the rigid recovery rod 2, a fuel cone 9 that can extend and retract relative to the free end, and a telescopic rod that can extend and retract along the axial direction of the rigid recovery rod 2 relative to the free end. A docking device 10 is provided at the end of the telescopic rod. The docking device is configured to dock with the docking ring 13 on the back of the fuel dispenser 11 in a controlled manner. The locking device 8 is configured to lock with the locking end on the back of the fuel dispenser 11 in a controlled manner.

[0036] The winch 6 is fixed to the rear of the fuel dispenser 1, and a chain 7 is installed on it. The end of the chain 7 is hinged to the rigid recovery rod 2.

[0037] The refueling controller 3 is electrically connected to the winch 6 and is used to control the rotation of the winch 6. At the same time, it is electrically connected to the locking device 8, the refueling cone 9, the telescopic rod, and the docking device 10 at the end of the telescopic rod 2 through the rigid recovery rod 2. It is used to control the extension and retraction of the refueling cone 9 and the telescopic rod, and to control the opening and closing of the lock of the locking device 8 and the docking device 10.

[0038] This application adjusts the rotation of the winch 6 by the refueling controller 3 to release or retract the chain, thereby adjusting the vertical deflection of the rigid recovery rod 2, so that the refueling machine actively approaches the docking ring of the receiving machine, ensuring the initiative of the refueling machine and reducing the intelligent requirements of the receiving machine.

[0039] In some optional embodiments, the tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling device further includes an optical measuring instrument 4 and a video monitoring device 5 disposed on the belly of the tanker aircraft 1. The optical measuring instrument 4 and the video monitoring device 5 are electrically connected to the refueling controller 3 and are used to feed back the position data of the receiver aircraft 11 to the refueling controller 3. In this embodiment, the relative position of the tanker aircraft and the receiver aircraft is determined based on the fed-back position data, or the positional relationship between the refueling cone 9 of the tanker aircraft, the docking device 10 of the tanker aircraft, and the refueling port 12 of the receiver aircraft 11 is determined, thereby achieving precise control of the rigid recovery boom 2 of the tanker aircraft.

[0040] The optical measuring instrument 4 and video monitoring equipment 5, or winch 6 and other devices of this application are electrically connected to the refueling controller 3 and controlled by the refueling controller 3. The electrical connection here is usually a cable connection. In an alternative embodiment, a wireless connection can also be used, that is, a wireless receiving device is installed on each controlled device and a wireless transmitting device is installed on the refueling controller 3. In an alternative embodiment, the refueling controller 3 can be a part of the program code located inside the airborne control system, which realizes precise control of each controlled device according to the predetermined logic.

[0041] In some alternative embodiments, the rigid recovery rod 2 is connected to the hinge point of the front part of the refueling machine 1 by a ball joint.

[0042] It should be noted that this application controls the deflection direction of the rigid recovery lever 2 by controlling the extension and retraction of the hinge 7, such as downward or upward deflection. At the same time, in order to ensure the left and right swing of the rigid recovery lever 2, the rigid recovery lever 2 is usually hinged to the fuselage belly in an omnidirectional manner. The omnidirectional hinge can be a ball joint, a universal joint, or two rotating shafts in different directions connected together to form an omnidirectional hinge structure.

[0043] In some alternative embodiments, the rigid recovery rod 2 is hinged to the front end of the central axis of the belly of the fuel dispenser 1, and the winch 6 is slidably mounted on slide rails on both sides of the rear end of the central axis of the belly of the fuel dispenser 1, the slide rails being perpendicular to the central axis of the belly of the fuel dispenser 1.

[0044] In this embodiment, it should first be noted that the conventional mechanism for controlling the rotation of the rigid recovery lever 2 is usually a rigid connection, that is, the mechanism of this application... Figure 1The chain 7 shown is replaced with a rigid structure, for example, connected to the end of the rigid recovery rod 2 via an actuator. The actuator enables the rigid recovery rod 2 to deflect in a specified direction, including vertical deflection and horizontal deflection. However, after the end of the rigid recovery rod 2 moves to the designated position of the receiving aircraft, both the tanker and the receiving aircraft are easily affected by airflow and sway, resulting in rigid contact when the two aircraft dock. Stress fatigue is easily generated in the weak parts of the structure. Therefore, this application uses a flexible connection instead of a rigid connection. The end of the rigid recovery rod 2 is released through the chain 7 to ensure a flexible connection during the docking process of the tanker and the receiving aircraft. However, the chain 7 can only make the rigid recovery rod 2 rotate in the vertical direction. Therefore, this application slides the entire winch 6 on the slide rail, thereby driving the chain 7 and the end of the rigid recovery rod 2 to move in the horizontal direction.

[0045] The above method enables motion control of the rigid recovery rod 2. In an alternative embodiment, the slide rail and winch are retracted into the belly of the machine body. When in use, the opening cover of the belly of the machine body is opened, and the winch and slide rail are moved out as a whole. The slide rail adopts a telescopic structure so that it can pass smoothly through the opening of the belly of the machine body when it is extended or retracted into the machine body. Outside the machine body, by extending the slide rail, the winch has a larger movement space.

[0046] In some alternative embodiments, the telescopic rod at the free end of the rigid recovery rod 2 is driven to extend and retract hydraulically; in alternative embodiments, it can also be driven mechanically.

[0047] In some optional embodiments, the locking device 8 includes an arc-shaped cavity 8-1, with two symmetrical latches 8-2 at the opening of the arc-shaped cavity 8-1. One end of each latch 8-2 ​​is hinged to the inner wall of the arc-shaped cavity 8-1, and the other end is a free end. The free end has a limiting device 8-3 that can be controlled to extend or retract. The arc-shaped cavity 8-1 is also provided with two restoring springs 8-4. One end of each of the two restoring springs 8-4 is connected to the two limiting devices 8-3 in pairs, and the other end of each of the two restoring springs 8-4 is connected to the inner wall of the arc-shaped cavity.

[0048] One end of the locking device 8 is typically hinged to the free end of the rigid recovery lever 2, while the other end of the locking device 8 is a free end. (Refer to...) Figure 2 and Figure 5 When the locking device 8 is pressed down, the limiting device 8-3 is pressed and deflects upward with the opening of the arc-shaped cavity 8-1 as the rotation point, squeezing the restoring spring 8-4. After the locked part enters the arc-shaped cavity 8-1, the restoring spring 8-4 drives the limiting device 8-3 to return to its original position, thereby preventing the locked part from sliding out from the opening of the arc-shaped cavity 8-1. Figure 6As can be seen, the locking device 8 provides two latches 8-2 to lock the locked parts. Combined with the locking of the docking device 10, it realizes the three-point fixation of the receiving machine, which improves the stability of the docking process and the refueling process between the refueling machine and the receiving machine, and further enhances the safety.

[0049] When it is necessary to release the receiver, the drive limit device 8-3 retracts to both sides into the latch 8-2, thereby increasing the opening of the arc-shaped cavity 8-1 and releasing the locked part.

[0050] The structure of the docking device 10 is similar to that of the locking device 8, except that it uses a circular cavity instead of an arc-shaped cavity, thereby providing a smaller opening to lock the docking ring 13 of the receiving machine 11.

[0051] Based on the above structure, the second aspect of this application provides a tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling method, such as... Figures 3-7 As shown, it mainly includes:

[0052] Step S1: Control the receiver aircraft 11 to cruise at a constant speed in the stable airflow area directly below the tanker aircraft 1, and keep the flight attitude of the tanker aircraft 1 consistent.

[0053] Step S2: Determine the relative position of the receiver 11 and the refueling machine 1 according to the indicator light on the docking ring 13 on the back of the receiver 11.

[0054] In this step, a docking ring is first installed on the back of the receiver aircraft, along with an indicator light. When refueling is required, the receiver aircraft cruises at a constant speed in the stable airflow zone directly below the tanker aircraft, maintaining the same flight attitude as the tanker aircraft. The docking ring installed on the back of the receiver aircraft is then raised, and the indicator light on the docking ring is turned on. Subsequently, the optical measurement equipment and video monitoring equipment on the lower part of the tanker aircraft begin to search for the docking ring on the receiver aircraft. The refueling controller extracts the boundary contour and feature points of the docking ring, obtaining the relative position data of the receiver aircraft with the tanker aircraft as the coordinate system.

[0055] Step S3: Based on the relative position, control the chain 7 to extend and retract, and simultaneously adjust the position of the winch 6 so that the free end of the rigid recovery rod 2 is directly aligned with the docking ring 13 of the receiving machine 11. Figure 1 As shown.

[0056] Step S4: Control the extension of the telescopic rod at the free end of the rigid recovery rod 2 so that the docking device 10 at the end of the telescopic rod reaches the docking ring 13 of the receiving machine 11, and control the docking device to dock with the docking ring 13 of the receiving machine 11, as follows. Figure 3 As shown.

[0057] Step S5: Retract the telescopic rod of the rigid recovery rod 2 to pull the receiving unit 11 towards the refueling unit 1, so that the docking ring 13 of the receiving unit 11 reaches the free end of the rigid recovery rod 2, as shown. Figure 4 As shown.

[0058] Step S6: Operate the locking device 8 to lock the receiving machine 11, such as... Figure 5 As shown.

[0059] Step S7: Operate the refueling cone 9 to extend and retract until it connects with the oil receiving port 12 of the oil receiving machine 11 to refuel.

[0060] In this step, the refueling controller locks the receiving port of the receiving unit and operates the telescopic refueling cone until it is fully aligned with the receiving port of the receiving unit. Figure 6 As shown, the refueling machine then refuels the receiving machine via a telescopic refueling cone until refueling is complete.

[0061] After refueling is completed, the next step involves separating the refueling machine from the receiving machine, a process that is the reverse of the steps described above, for example:

[0062] Step S8: The refueling controller retracts the telescopic refueling cone, and the refueling controller operates the locking device to unlock the receiving machine, as shown. Figure 5 As shown.

[0063] Step S9: The refueling controller extends the docking device on the retractable rigid recovery bar until the receiving unit reaches the stable airflow zone, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the docking device is disengaged from the receiving machine's docking ring by controlling the refueling controller.

[0064] Step S10: The refueling controller retracts the docking device on the retractable rigid recovery bar, and operates the winch to retract the chain to the vicinity of the rear compartment of the refueling unit. Figure 7 As shown.

[0065] This application adopts a rigid pipe refueling system, which can sequentially refuel multiple receiver aircraft, resulting in high refueling efficiency.

[0066] 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 tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling device, characterized in that, include: A rigid recovery rod (2) is hinged at one end to the front of the fuel dispenser (1) and the other end is a free end. The free end of the rigid recovery rod (2) is provided with a locking device (8), a refueling cone (9) that can extend and retract relative to the free end, and a telescopic rod that can extend and retract along the axial direction of the rigid recovery rod (2) relative to the free end. The end of the telescopic rod is provided with a docking device (10). The docking device is configured to dock with the docking ring (13) on the back of the receiving fuel dispenser (11) in a controlled manner. The locking device (8) is configured to lock with the locking end on the back of the receiving fuel dispenser (11) in a controlled manner. A winch (6) is fixed to the rear of the fuel dispenser (1) and a chain (7) is installed on it. The end of the chain (7) is hinged to a rigid recovery rod (2). The refueling controller (3) is electrically connected to the winch (6) and is used to control the rotation of the winch (6). At the same time, it is electrically connected to the locking device (8), refueling cone (9), telescopic rod and docking device (10) at the end of the rigid recovery rod (2) through the rigid recovery rod (2). It is used to control the extension and retraction of the refueling cone (9) and the telescopic rod and to control the opening and closing of the lock of the locking device (8) and the docking device (10). The rigid recovery rod (2) is hinged to the front end of the abdominal central axis of the fuel dispenser (1), and the winch (6) is slidably arranged on the slide rails on both sides of the rear end of the abdominal central axis of the fuel dispenser (1), and the slide rails are perpendicular to the abdominal central axis of the fuel dispenser (1). The rigid recovery rod (2) is hinged to the fuselage belly in an omnidirectional manner.

2. The tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling device also includes an optical measuring instrument (4) and a video monitoring device (5) installed on the belly of the refueling aircraft (1). The optical measuring instrument (4) and the video monitoring device (5) are electrically connected to the refueling controller (3) and are used to feed back the position data of the receiver aircraft (11) to the refueling controller (3).

3. The tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rigid recovery rod (2) is connected to the front of the refueling machine (1) by a ball joint at the hinge point.

4. The tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The locking device (8) includes an arc-shaped cavity (8-1), and two symmetrical latches (8-2) are provided at the opening of the arc-shaped cavity (8-1). One end of each latch (8-2) is hinged to the inner wall of the arc-shaped cavity (8-1), and the other end is a free end. The free end has a limiting device (8-3) that can be controlled to extend or retract. Two restoring springs (8-4) are also provided in the arc-shaped cavity (8-1). One end of the two restoring springs (8-4) is respectively connected to the two limiting devices (8-3) in pairs, and the other end of the two restoring springs (8-4) is connected to the inner wall of the arc-shaped cavity.

5. A tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling method, characterized in that, Based on the tail-mounted rigid active aerial refueling device according to claim 1, the method includes: Step S1: Control the receiver aircraft (11) to cruise at a constant speed in the stable airflow area directly below the tanker aircraft (1) and keep in the same flight attitude as the tanker aircraft (1); Step S2: Determine the relative position of the receiver (11) and the refueling machine (1) according to the indicator light on the docking ring (13) on the back of the receiver (11); Step S3: Based on the relative position, control the chain (7) to extend and retract, and at the same time adjust the position of the winch (6) so that the free end of the rigid recovery rod (2) is directly opposite the docking ring (13) of the receiving machine (11). Step S4: Control the extension rod of the free end of the rigid recovery rod (2) to extend so that the docking device (10) at the end of the extension rod reaches the docking ring (13) of the receiving machine (11), and control the docking device to dock with the docking ring (13) of the receiving machine (11). Step S5: Retract the telescopic rod of the rigid recovery rod (2) to pull the receiving machine (11) toward the refueling machine (1) so that the docking ring (13) of the receiving machine (11) reaches the free end of the rigid recovery rod (2); Step S6: Use the locking device (8) to lock the oil receiver (11); Step S7: Operate the refueling cone (9) to extend and retract until it connects with the oil receiving port (12) of the oil receiving machine (11) to refuel.

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