Actuated Drogue Canopy for Turbulent Refueling Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerial refueling drogue assemblies are unstable during turbulent conditions, requiring pilots to manually maneuver receiving aircraft to connect with the refueling system, increasing workload and complicating the refueling process, especially in rough weather.

Innovation Solution

A stabilized controllable drogue assembly with a paradrogue frame, drogue canopy, and actuators that move the canopy to control and steer the assembly, using control cords and cables connected to actuators mounted on the reception coupling to stabilize and direct the drogue during turbulent conditions, allowing for autonomous refueling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a passive variable speed drogue is used to maintain constant loads, then refueling can proceed at different speeds, but the drogue becomes uncontrollable during turbulent conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefueling speed adaptabilityVSAvoiddrogue stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the drogue canopy movable and adjustable through actuators. The canopy can be positioned in different configurations (e.g., collapsed, partially deployed, fully deployed) to adapt to varying refueling speeds and turbulent conditions, transforming the static passive drogue into a dynamic controllable system that maintains both speed adaptability and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters of the drogue system by adjusting the canopy configuration through actuators. By varying the canopy's position, area, and shape parameters in response to turbulence and speed changes, the system maintains optimal performance across different operating conditions while preventing uncontrollable movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If no active control system is installed, then the drogue structure remains simple, but the pilot workload increases during turbulent conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrogue structure complexityVSAvoidpilot workload

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by equipping the drogue with actuators and control systems that automatically adjust the canopy configuration in response to turbulent conditions and refueling requirements. This eliminates the need for continuous manual intervention by the pilot, reducing workload while maintaining relatively simple overall structure through automated functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the drogue canopy is fixed in position, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the drogue cannot adapt to turbulent conditions or different refueling speeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural reliabilityVSAvoidcondition adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed canopy structure into a dynamic adjustable one while maintaining reliability. The actuators provide controlled movement between predefined positions, ensuring the structure remains stable during operation but can adapt to different refueling speeds and turbulent conditions through systematic reconfiguration rather than unstable continuous movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a stable and controllable drogue assembly that reduces pilot workload by automatically stabilizing and directing the refueling system, enabling smooth connections during turbulent conditions and allowing for autonomous refueling operations.

Implementation Method 1

The drogue provides drag for the refueling coupling, which must resist the forward movement of a probe from a refueling aircraft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic drag: Drag

Implementation Method 2

one or more actuators for moving the drogue canopy in a desired direction to control, steer and stabilize the paradrogue assembly during turbulent conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic force: Force

Data Source

PatentUS8317136B2Stabilized controllable drogue for aerial flight refueling

Publication Date: 2012.11.27 WEST COAST NETTING

AI summary

The stabilized controllable drogue for an inflight aerial refueling system includes a reception coupling, a paradrogue frame, a drogue canopy, and a plurality of actuators for moving the drogue canopy in a desired direction to control, steer and stabilize the stabilized controllable drogue during turbulent conditions.