Autonomous Electrical System for Air-to-Air Refueling Gondolas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air to air refueling systems require significant power from the tanker aircraft's electrical and hydraulic systems, leading to overloading and reduced availability for other aircraft systems, especially during refueling operations.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous electrical system for air to air refueling, comprising wind turbine generators, energy storage devices (such as batteries, ultracapacitors, or flywheels), and electrical actuators for key components, allowing for power generation and storage to meet refueling demands without relying solely on the tanker aircraft's systems, with a method to manage energy flow and maintain stored power levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the tanker aircraft's electrical and hydraulic systems power all refueling components, then the refueling operation can be conducted, but the power demand overloads the aircraft's systems and reduces availability for other functions
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the power supply architecture into segments: the aircraft's electrical system provides only essential power for critical refueling functions and safety systems, while a separate autonomous power system (wind turbine + energy storage) handles the remaining power demands for fuel pumps, hose retraction, and other non-critical components. This segmentation prevents overload of the aircraft's electrical system while maintaining full refueling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The refueling system becomes self-sufficient by incorporating a wind turbine generator and energy storage devices that autonomously generate and store electrical power during flight. The stored energy is then used to power refueling components without drawing from the aircraft's electrical system, making the refueling system self-serviceable and independent of the aircraft's limited power capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wind turbine generators and energy storage devices are added to create an autonomous power system, then power independence is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wind turbine generator, energy storage devices (batteries/ultracapacitors), and refueling system components into an integrated autonomous power system. The control unit coordinates power generation, storage, and consumption across these components, managing complexity through unified control while achieving power independence. The system combines multiple energy sources and storage mechanisms into a cohesive architecture that operates as a single functional unit.
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
This solution enables the air to air refueling system to operate independently, reducing the power demand on the tanker aircraft, optimizing energy use, and allowing for the conversion of commercial aircraft into tanker aircraft with increased refueling capacity and reduced cabling and weight.
Implementation Method 1
an electric generator actuated by a wind turbine located in one of said hose and drogue refueling devices
Implementation Method 2
an energy storage device
Data Source
AI summary
A system for air to air refueling with an autonomous electrical system, comprising at least two hose and drogue devices (3, 5) housed in gondolas located underneath the wings of the aircraft, each refueling device comprising a plurality of components actuated by electrical actuators and its electrical system that is formed by two subsystems, each one of them comprising: a) Electric generator (11) actuated by a wind turbine (25) located in one of said gondolas; b) Energy storage device (19); c) Connection to the aircraft electrical system (15, 17); d) administrating device (21) equipped with means for ensuring the generation and storage of the energy required for responding to the electrical needs of the refueling system without recurring to the electrical system of the aircraft except in the event that the energy stored in said accumulation device (19) falls below a preset value.