Air-to-air refueling drogue assembly with dynamic drag release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air-to-air refueling drogue assemblies face excessive drag loads when used at higher air speeds than intended, leading to dangerous conditions for the refueling hose system.
Innovation Solution
A drogue assembly with a reception coupling and a drogue canopy connected by connection means, including tether elements and latch mechanisms, that can controllably fail to reduce drag loads when they exceed a predetermined threshold, using spring means and sensors to manage the release of the canopy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a drogue canopy is used to provide high drag at low air speed for helicopter refuelling, then the drag load becomes excessive at higher air speeds, but reducing the drogue size reduces drag at low speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The drogue assembly incorporates a dynamic release mechanism that automatically adjusts the drag load based on air speed conditions. The latch element transitions from a holding position to a release position when drag exceeds a threshold, dynamically adapting the system to prevent excessive loads while maintaining high drag capability when needed for helicopter refuelling operations
Solution Approach 2:
A spring element acts as an intermediary between the latch element and the triggering mechanism. The spring provides a predetermined triggering force that mediates the transition between holding and release states, ensuring the drogue releases at a specific drag threshold to protect the refuelling system from excessive loads
2Ease of operation
If a drogue assembly is designed for high drag at low speed, then it generates dangerous excessive loads at higher air speeds, but using a smaller drogue reduces drag effectiveness at low speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions from a high-drag configuration (canopy held in operative position) to a low-drag configuration (canopy released) based on operating conditions. This allows the same drogue assembly to provide high drag for helicopter refuelling at low speeds while automatically protecting against excessive loads at higher air speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element serves as a safety intermediary that triggers the release mechanism at a predetermined drag threshold. This intermediary mechanism ensures the canopy is released before excessive loads can damage the refuelling hose system, while allowing full drag capability during normal operation
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 solution provides a safety release function that reduces drag loads to safe levels by partially releasing the canopy when excessive loads are detected, preventing damage to the refueling system.
Implementation Method 1
The control means may comprise spring means. Movement of the latch element from the holding position to the release position may be controlled by the spring means.
Data Source
AI summary
An air to air refuelling drogue assembly includes a reception coupling and a drogue canopy connected to the reception coupling by connection means which hold the canopy in an operative, drag producing, position relative to the reception coupling during refuelling. The drogue assembly is arranged to controllably fail so as to reduce the drag load produced by the drogue when a drag load on the canopy exceeds a predetermined threshold.