Optical Boom Tip and Fuel Inlet Positioning for Aerial Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-flight refueling systems rely heavily on manual operations, lacking semi-automatic or automatic capabilities to accurately position the boom's end and the receiving aircraft's fuel inlet, which limits safety, precision, and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising light emitters and cameras on both the tanker and receiving aircraft to determine the spatial location and inclination of the boom's end and the fuel inlet, using LEDs, lasers, or Time-of-flight cameras, enabling semi-automatic or automatic refueling by providing precise positional and inclinational data for controlled approach and contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual operations are used for boom positioning and vessel alignment, then operator flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but positioning precision and safety are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning operations with an automated optical measurement system. Cameras mounted on the tanker aircraft capture images of light emitters attached to the boom and receiving aircraft, enabling automatic calculation of spatial positions and inclinations without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates optical copies (images) of the physical objects (boom, vessel, light emitters) through cameras. These image copies are then processed to extract positional and inclinational data, replacing the need for direct mechanical measurement and manual positioning.
2Reliability
If automated positioning systems are implemented, then safety and precision are improved, but operator dependency increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the aircraft and boom automatically determine their relative positions and alignments without continuous operator input. The cameras and light emitters work autonomously to provide real-time positional data, reducing the need for manual monitoring and adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If multiple locating means are deployed on both aircraft, then measurement precision and coverage are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system serves multiple functions: capturing images of light emitters for position determination, determining inclination angles, and providing visual feedback for approach guidance. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each measurement task.
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
Enables safe, precise, and efficient semi-automatic or automatic refueling by accurately determining the positions and inclinations of the boom's end and the fuel inlet, reducing operator dependency and enhancing the overall refueling process.
Implementation Method 1
light emitters and cameras on both the tanker and receiving aircraft to determine the spatial location and inclination
Implementation Method 2
using LEDs, lasers, or Time-of-flight cameras
Data Source
AI summary
A system for locating the end of a boom and that of a refueling vessel in a mid-flight refueling operation from a tanker that includes means for locating the position of the inlet mouth of the fuel that is inside the vessel of the receiving plane that comprise at least one vision subsystem arranged on the tanker. Also included are means for locating the position of the boom tip comprising light emitters, placed on the boom tip, along with the vision subsystem arranged on the tanker, and processing means constructed to use the images obtained from the locating means to allow their positions and inclinations to be exactly determined with respect to a common coordinate system.