Boom Hose Adaptor Control for Large Aircraft Refueling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 the S-shape deformation of the hose portion, which cannot accommodate larger relative movements, and existing sensors fail to operate effectively with the boom hose adaptor configuration.
Innovation Solution
A refueling system with a rigid boom equipped with a boom hose adaptor, featuring sensors and a controller to automatically control the position of the rigid boom, allowing it to absorb relative movements between the tanker and receiver aircraft, enabling refueling of large receiver aircraft by adjusting its vertical, lateral, and telescopic movements based on data from sensors like vision systems or load sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a boom hose adaptor is used to enable refueling of larger receiver aircraft, then the adaptability and versatility of the refueling system is improved, but the hose portion cannot accommodate the larger relative movements required by large receiver aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by making the rigid boom dynamically controllable through an automated control system. The boom can now move vertically, laterally, and telescopically based on sensor feedback about the receiver aircraft's position and the hose's state. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the boom to compensate for the limited hose length while maintaining refueling capability with larger receiver aircraft that have greater relative movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the Feedback principle by incorporating sensors (such as vision systems or load sensors) that detect the position of the receiver aircraft and the state of the hose portion. This feedback information is fed to a controller that automatically adjusts the boom's position and orientation. The closed-loop control system enables the boom to respond in real-time to changes in relative movement, compensating for the limited hose length and enabling refueling of larger aircraft.
2Ease of operation
If automatic tension control is added to the boom hose adaptor system, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Self-service principle by implementing an automated control system that operates autonomously without requiring manual intervention from a boom operator. The sensor system continuously monitors the receiver aircraft's position and hose state, and the controller automatically adjusts the boom's vertical, lateral, and telescopic movements. This self-service capability simplifies operation while the complexity is managed through integration of standardized sensor and control components.
Data Source
AI summary
A refueling system and method of a tanker aircraft (1) includes: a rigid boom (5); a boom hose adaptor (9) having a hose portion (8), and a coupling end (4); a sensor in the tanker aircraft (1) and collecting data of the situation of the receiver aircraft (3) with respect to the tanker aircraft (1), and a controller in the tanker aircraft (1) and in communication with the sensor to receive the data from the sensor, and the tanker aircraft (1) to control the a 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.