Active Air-to-Air Coupling for Low-Force Probe Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In probe-and-drogue air-to-air refuelling systems, the existing spring-loaded latches require significant force to engage and disengage the refuelling probe, making it difficult to refuel aircraft that are not designed for air-to-air refuelling, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, and pose challenges in safely handling broken-off probe tips.
Innovation Solution
An air-to-air coupling with movable retaining members driven by an active drive system, responsive to latching and release signals, which reduces the insertion force required and ensures secure holding and safe ejection of the probe tip, using sensors to detect the probe's position and actuators to actively position and release the retaining members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring-loaded latches are used in the reception coupling, then the probe can be held securely in position during refuelling, but significant force is required to insert and remove the probe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the retaining members movable between a release position and a holding position. The retaining members are actively driven to change their position based on operational requirements, allowing them to be retracted during insertion/removal and engaged during holding, thus resolving the contradiction between secure holding and low insertion force
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive spring-loaded mechanical latch system with an active drive system that can dynamically control the retaining members. This substitution allows for controlled movement of retaining members to reduce insertion force while maintaining secure holding capability when engaged
2Reliability
If spring-loaded latches require significant force to engage, then the probe can be held firmly, but aircraft not designed for air-to-air refuelling (such as UAVs) cannot be refuelled
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic positioning of retaining members allows the system to adapt to different aircraft types. By actively retracting retaining members during insertion, the system accommodates aircraft with different probe capabilities, including UAVs, while still achieving firm engagement through active positioning during the holding phase
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the retaining members by actively controlling their position and engagement force. This allows the same coupling mechanism to work with various aircraft types by adjusting the engagement parameters rather than requiring fixed, high-force spring loading
3Reliability
If excessive force is required to remove the probe, then the connection is secure, but broken-off probe tips cannot be safely ejected
Solution Approach 1:
The active drive system replaces the passive spring mechanism, enabling controlled release of retaining members. When a probe tip breaks off, the active system can be commanded to retract retaining members, allowing safe ejection of the broken tip without requiring excessive manual force or posing safety risks
Data Source
AI summary
An air-to-air coupling 13 (e.g. for receiving a probe in probe-and-drogue refuelling) comprises retaining members 19, 27 for interacting with a further member (e.g. a refuelling probe) to hold the further member in place. An active drive system 39, 21 may drive the holding members and may thereby also actively drive the further member into place. Alternatively the active drive 39, 21 may drive another member such as a locking member 31 to hold the retaining members 19, 27 in position once the further member is in place. The active drive releases the retaining members 19, 27 or moves them out of position to allow the further member to be removed. This allows the further member to be inserted and removed with a lower force than is used to hold it in place. The coupling may also be used for in-air recovery of an unmanned aircraft.