Boom Hose Adaptor Position Control for Large-Aircraft Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boom-equipped tanker aircraft with a boom hose adaptor lack automatic tension control, limiting their use to small receiver aircraft due to restricted hose portion length, and existing systems fail to predict or control the behavior of the attached drogue when used with larger aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A refueling system with a rigid boom equipped with a boom hose adaptor, featuring sensors and control means to automatically adjust the boom's position based on data from sensors, allowing it to absorb relative movements between the tanker and receiver aircraft, enabling refueling of larger aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a boom hose adaptor is used with a rigid boom, then the receiver aircraft can be positioned more stably, but the hose portion length is limited by the dimensions of the tanker aircraft, restricting use to small receiver aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a drum actuator that dynamically adjusts the tension of the hose portion during refueling operations. This dynamic tension control allows the hose to accommodate larger relative movements between tanker and receiver aircraft, effectively extending the operational envelope beyond what static hose configurations could achieve, thus enabling use with larger receiver aircraft while maintaining position stability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hose portion length is increased to accommodate larger receiver aircraft, then compatibility with bigger aircraft is achieved, but the tanker aircraft dimensions are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The drum actuator provides dynamic tension control that allows the hose portion to be compact when not in use (reducing space occupation) but extends effectively during operation to accommodate larger receiver aircraft. The system optimizes the hose configuration based on real-time operational needs, achieving versatility without permanently increasing the tanker's volume requirements
3Ease of operation
If automatic tension control is implemented, then relative movements between aircraft can be absorbed, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drum actuator is designed to automatically adjust hose tension based on the relative movements between tanker and receiver aircraft, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention. The system self-regulates the hose configuration to maintain optimal refueling conditions, providing ease of operation while the automation handles the complexity internally
Data Source
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AI summary
Refuelling system and method of a tanker aircraft (1) comprising a boom hose adaptor (9), the refuelling system comprising: - a rigid boom (5), - the boom hose adaptor (9) comprising: ∘ a hose portion (8), and ∘ a coupling end (4), - at least a sensor configured to be located into the tanker aircraft (1) and to obtain data of the situation of the receiver aircraft (3) with respect to the tanker aircraft (1), and - a control means configured to be located into the tanker aircraft (1) and connectable to: ∘ the sensor to receive the data from the sensor, and ∘ the tanker aircraft (1) to control the position of the rigid boom (5) to place the boom hose adaptor (9) within a range of positions according to the data obtained from the sensor.