Adjustable Drogue Canopy for Broad Speed Range Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drogue systems for aerial refueling require frequent changes to accommodate different airspeeds, leading to operational delays and increased costs, as they are designed for specific speed ranges and cannot refuel aircraft flying at varying speeds without changing the drogue canopy.
Innovation Solution
A drogue system with a drogue canopy controller that adjusts the surface area of the drogue canopy based on airspeed, using a coupling, vanes, and an air data computer to modify the canopy's surface area, allowing it to operate across a broader speed range without the need for frequent changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed area drogue canopy is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the drogue can only operate at a limited speed range and requires frequent changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the drogue canopy adjustable rather than fixed. The canopy can be configured in different states (e.g., inflated/deflated) to change its surface area, allowing it to adapt to different operating speeds. This resolves the contradiction by enabling a single canopy structure to serve multiple speed ranges, improving versatility without requiring multiple separate canopies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the canopy's surface area to adapt to different speeds. By controlling the inflation/deflation state of the canopy, the system modifies its effective surface area parameter, allowing optimal performance across a broader speed range. This parameter change enables one canopy to replace multiple fixed-area canopies.
2Reliability
If different drogue canopies are used for different speeds, then each canopy is optimized for its speed range, but the need to change canopies causes time loss and operational delays
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic canopy system allows the drogue to adapt its configuration during operation rather than requiring physical replacement. The canopy can be adjusted between different states to match the required operating speed, eliminating the time-consuming process of changing canopies while maintaining optimal refueling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures the canopy in appropriate states based on anticipated operating conditions. By having the canopy ready in the correct configuration before refueling begins, the system avoids delays that would occur if canopy changes were required during operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If variable speed and variable drag drogues are used, then the speed range is expanded to 105-230 knots, but the projected frontal area must be manipulated which adds control complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible, inflatable canopy structure that can be easily adjusted between inflated and deflated states. This flexible membrane approach is simpler than the rigid frontal area manipulation systems used in variable drag drogues, achieving speed adaptation through a more straightforward mechanical means while maintaining the desired versatility.
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
Enables efficient and flexible aerial refueling across a wide range of speeds, improving operational readiness and reducing operational and support costs by eliminating the need for frequent drogue changes, thus enhancing compatibility with various receiving aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
The drogue canopy is attached to the drogue structure, wherein the drogue canopy has a surface area
Data Source
AI summary
A refueling system on an aircraft comprises a fuel hose coupled to the aircraft, a drogue coupled to the fuel hose, an air data computer, and a drogue canopy controller coupled to the drogue canopy. The drogue further comprises a coupling, a plurality of vanes, and a drogue canopy. The drogue canopy controller determines a selected surface area of the drogue canopy based on air speed. The drogue canopy controller is configured to modify a surface area of the drogue canopy to conform to the appropriate surface area.