Aerial Refueling Coupling With Low-Force Poppet Engagement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 during coupling and disengagement.
Innovation Solution
A low drag drogue and a poppet valve system that allows for lower speed engagements by using a nozzle tip to open the pilot and main poppet valves, reducing the force required for fuel flow initiation and maintaining stability during refueling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a high drag drogue is used to maintain stability during aerial refueling, then the coupling engagement load increases, 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 coupling stability through the redesigned poppet valve system that requires lower engagement loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional high-mechanical-load coupling system with a low-engagement-force poppet valve system. The valve mechanism substitutes the need for high engagement forces, allowing stable fuel transfer without excessive tension on the hose.
2Force
If high engagement loads are used for coupling, then the receiving aircraft must approach at relatively high speeds, but this requires caution and increases safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the engagement force parameter from high to low. The poppet valve system is designed to operate with reduced engagement loads, allowing the receiving aircraft to approach at lower, safer speeds while maintaining effective fuel coupling and transfer.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a high drag drogue is used to maintain hose stability, then the coupling engagement is more stable, but the hose is more prone to breaking during disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the drogue drag parameter from high to low, reducing the tension forces that cause hose stress during engagement and disengagement. The low drag configuration maintains adequate hose stability while significantly reducing the risk of hose breaking.
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 enables safer, lower-speed refueling operations with reduced tension forces on the hose, minimizing the risk of damage and improving engagement stability.
Implementation Method 1
A fuel valve comprises a piston and a hollow rod that is pressed by a spring to a seat
Implementation Method 2
a nozzle tip disposed at an end of the fuel nozzle and being configured to open the pilot poppet valve and the main poppet valve, wherein fuel flows from the housing to the receiving aircraft in response to the main poppet valve being open
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
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.