Aerial Refueling Coupling with Integrated Sensor and Ram Air Turbine
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerial refueling couplings lack the capability to accurately and reliably measure and record operational parameters during in-flight refueling, and do not provide the necessary data for tanker-receiver pair qualification and hose-and-drogue certification.
Innovation Solution
An aerial refueling coupling with a sensor system, data processing device, portable storage system, and power supply, including a ram air turbine, mounted on a rigid body covered by a shell, enabling secure and durable parameter measurement and data collection from deployment to retraction, with autonomous power and data storage for post-processing analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an aerial refueling coupling is equipped with sensor system, data processing device, storage system and power supply system for parameter measurement, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the sensor system, data processing device, portable storage system, and power supply system into a single aerial refueling coupling unit. This merging of multiple functional subsystems into one integrated device enables comprehensive parameter measurement and data collection capabilities while maintaining a unified structural design, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerial refueling coupling is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the refueling connection interface and the measurement system platform. The coupling body houses sensors for detecting operational parameters, a data processing device for analyzing measurements, storage for data retention, and power supply for autonomous operation. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to fulfill both refueling and measurement objectives, improving measurement capabilities without requiring separate dedicated measurement equipment.
2Loss of information
If a portable storage system is mounted on the coupling body for data collection, then information availability for qualification and certification is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable storage system is physically mounted on and integrated with the coupling body structure. This merging ensures that data storage capability is built into the refueling coupling itself, guaranteeing that operational data is captured and retained during the refueling operation. The storage system's physical integration with the coupling body eliminates the need for separate data collection equipment, thereby improving information availability while controlling the increase in device complexity through unified structural design.
3Reliability
If a ram air turbine power supply system is installed for autonomous power supply, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ram air turbine power supply system is designed to generate electrical power autonomously by utilizing the relative airflow during flight operations. The turbine automatically converts kinetic energy from the air stream into electrical energy to power the sensor system, data processing device, and storage system. This self-service capability ensures reliable autonomous power supply without requiring external power sources or complex wiring connections to the aircraft, thereby improving reliability while managing device complexity through self-contained design.
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
Provides accurate and reliable operational data for tanker-receiver pair qualification and hose-and-drogue certification, ensuring robust and durable in-flight parameter measurement and autonomous data collection without external power sources.
Implementation Method 1
The power supply system comprises at least one battery for supplying energy to the data processing device and to the sensor and storage systems, and a ram air turbine (RAT) to activate them when the aerial refueling coupling is in-flight
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention refers an aerial refueling coupling (1) for in-flight parameter measuring, comprising a body (13) configured to receive and support a probe (18) and a removable shell (14) that covers at least part of the body (13). The aerial refueling coupling (1) comprises a sensor system for detecting at least one parameter related to in-flight refueling operation, a data processing device (4) configured to provide a measure at least relative to parameters detected by the sensor system, a portable data storage system (5), and a power supply system (2) comprising at least one battery (20) for supplying energy, and a ram air turbine (12) for their activation when the aerial refueling coupling (1) is in-flight. The data processing device (4), the data storage system (5) and the power supply system (2) are mounted onto the body (13) covered by the shell (14).