Aerial Refueling Coupling With Pilot Poppet for Low Engagement Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerial refueling systems require high engagement loads and high drag drogues, leading to safety concerns and potential hose damage due to high tension forces, especially during disengagement, as receiving aircraft must approach at high speeds to open the refueling coupling.
Innovation Solution
A low drag drogue and an aerial refueling coupling with a main poppet valve and pilot poppet valve configuration, where the nozzle tip opens both valves at lower speeds, reducing the force required for engagement and stabilizing the hose with a parachute-like effect, allowing for safer and lower-speed approaches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a high drag drogue is used to stabilize the hose, then the hose stability is improved, but the tension forces on the hose increase making it prone to breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the drag parameter of the drogue from high drag to low drag configuration. This parameter change reduces the tension forces on the hose while maintaining adequate stabilization through the modified drogue design, resolving the contradiction between hose stability and tension force reduction
2Force
If the receiving aircraft approaches at high speeds to open the coupling, then the engagement force is sufficient to open the valves, but the safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve opening function into two separate stages: a pilot valve that opens first at lower speeds, and a main valve that opens subsequently. This segmentation allows the receiving aircraft to approach at lower speeds while still achieving complete valve opening through the two-stage process, resolving the contradiction between sufficient engagement force and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The pilot valve performs a preliminary action by opening first at lower engagement speeds, preparing the system for subsequent main valve opening. This preliminary action enables the main valve to open more easily after the initial low-speed engagement, reducing safety risks while maintaining effective fuel transfer
3Speed
If a high drag drogue is used, then the coupling can be opened at higher speeds, but the hose becomes prone to breaking during disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the drogue drag parameter from high to low, which modifies the tension characteristics on the hose during both engagement and disengagement phases. This parameter change reduces the risk of hose breaking while still enabling effective coupling operation at appropriate speeds
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 system reduces engagement loads and tension forces on the refueling hose, enabling safer and more stable refueling operations by allowing aircraft to approach at lower speeds, minimizing the risk of hose damage and improving safety.
Implementation Method 1
a low drag drogue disposed at a fueling end of the hose, the coupling being disposed within the drogue
Data Source
AI summary
A system including a coupling (100) configured to couple a hose associated with a tanker aircraft to a nozzle associated with a receiving aircraft. The coupling may include a housing that houses a main poppet and a pilot poppet. The main poppet and the pilot poppet may control fuel flow from the tanker aircraft to the receiving aircraft. The coupling may also include an opening disposed at a first side of the housing. The opening may receive the fuel nozzle. An orifice may be disposed on a second side of the housing, the orifice may permit fuel to flow into the housing. The system may also include a low drag drogue configured to house the coupling. The system may also include a nozzle tip configured to open the pilot poppet and the main poppet, wherein fuel flows to the receiving aircraft in response to the main poppet being open.