Deflection Device for Aircraft Refueling Pod Slipstream

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft refueling pods with blunt construction shapes generate turbulent slipstreams that destabilize dragged objects like refueling hoses, leading to unwanted motion and instability during flight operations.

Innovation Solution

A deflection device with a bent or angled edge is mounted at the end of the body to deflect turbulences away from the region immediately downstream, reducing the impact of slipstream turbulence on dragged objects and enhancing their stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a blunt construction shape is used for the refueling pod to allow hose exit, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the dragged object deteriorates due to turbulent slipstream

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose exit capabilityVSAvoiddragged object stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The refueling pod is divided into two functional sections: a streamlined main body for stable airflow and a separate blunt exit region for hose deployment. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A deflection device is introduced as an intermediary element between the blunt exit and the dragged object. This device redirects the turbulent slipstream away from the hose, mediating the conflict between the blunt exit requirement and the stability requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a streamlined construction shape is used to reduce turbulences, then the stability of the dragged object is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted hose exit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedragged object stabilityVSAvoidhose exit capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the refueling pod have different geometric qualities: the main body is streamlined for aerodynamic stability, while the exit region is blunt to facilitate hose deployment. This local differentiation of geometric properties resolves the contradiction between stability and operability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the face of the deflection device is bent toward the local stream direction, then the stability of the dragged object is improved by shifting turbulence region, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedragged object stabilityVSAvoiddeflection device geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection device employs a curved or bent face geometry that redirects the slipstream smoothly. This curvature is optimized to deflect turbulence away from the dragged object while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

The deflection device stabilizes dragged objects by minimizing the exposure to turbulences, simplifying and accelerating the refueling process, and reducing the risk of hose instability and unwanted motion.

Implementation Method 1

The mounting of a deflection device at the end of the body may have the effect that the slipstream and therefore the turbulences evoked are deflected out of the region immediately downstream of the stream body to the greatest possible extent. By means of bending the face of the deflection device toward the local stream direction, however, this region can be shifted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid deflection:

Data Source

PatentUS7931236B2Deflection device for a stream body

Publication Date: 2011.04.26 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

The present application describes to a deflection device, for example, for a blunt stream body. The deflection device has an edge, which, for example, can be mounted to the stream body. In an advantageous manner, the deflection device allows an influencing of the slipstream in such a way that turbulences, which are connected with the slipstream and form downstream of blunt stream bodies, have as little influence as possible on the dragged object in order to avoid the formation of building-up motions of the dragged object, which lead to instabilities.