Aerial Refueling Boom Pivot Assembly with Six Degrees of Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerial refueling booms face limitations in roll capability and degrees of freedom due to structural constraints, leading to increased aerodynamic drag and the need for airfoil control surfaces to overcome this drag, which restricts their operational envelope.
Innovation Solution
The aerial refueling boom system incorporates a pivot assembly with independently controllable actuators and a roller bearing to provide six degrees of freedom, eliminating the need for airfoil control surfaces by allowing the boom to move and rotate, thereby reducing drag and enhancing operational capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If airfoil control surfaces are used to overcome aerodynamic drag, then the boom can be moved throughout its operational envelope, but the structural limitations of the boom structure prevent further force generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static boom structure into a dynamic system by introducing multiple degrees of freedom through the pivot assembly. The boom can now actively adapt its orientation and position in three-dimensional space, moving from a fixed structural element to a dynamically controllable component that optimizes its configuration during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds rotational freedom about the boom's longitudinal axis (roll capability) to the traditional two-degree-of-freedom pivot system. This third dimension of movement allows the boom to rotate around its own centerline, providing additional operational flexibility and enabling new maneuvering capabilities that were previously unavailable.
2Force
If the refueling boom cross-section is increased to generate more force, then aerodynamic drag increases, but the structural limitations prevent further force generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the boom system by enabling active reconfiguration of its spatial orientation through multiple degrees of freedom. Instead of increasing cross-sectional area to generate more force, the system uses dynamic parameter changes in position and orientation to optimize performance while maintaining a streamlined cross-section that minimizes drag.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the boom is moved side-to-side, then the profile surface area exposed to airflow increases, but aerodynamic drag increases consequently
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static boom positioning to dynamic, multi-axis movement capability. The boom can now actively adjust its position not only side-to-side and up-down but also rotate around its longitudinal axis, creating a dynamically adaptable system that optimizes its configuration in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a telescoping tube assembly with inner and outer tubes, representing a composite structural design. This multi-layer construction provides both the structural strength needed for boom operation and the streamlined cross-sectional profile required to minimize aerodynamic drag during side-to-side movements.
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial refueling boom may include a refueling boom assembly and a pivot assembly for attaching the aerial refueling boom to a tanker aircraft. The refueling boom assembly may include a main boom section and a hollow telescoping boom section. The hollow telescoping boom section is adapted to be moved between a retracted position within the main boom section and an extended position extending from the main boom section for in-flight refueling of an aircraft. The pivot assembly may include an aircraft attachment plate to attach the pivot assembly to the tanker aircraft and a refueling boom attachment plate to attach the refueling boom assembly to the pivot assembly. The pivot assembly may also include a plurality of actuators pivotably coupling the aircraft attachment plate to the refueling boom attachment plate.