Aerial Refueling Drogue Latch Assembly with Wireless Tension Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerial refueling systems face issues with false indications of coupling due to friction and aerodynamic forces, as they rely on hose tension measurements at the reel end, which are prone to errors, and introducing power sources or sensors at the drogue is operationally complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A refueling drogue coupling system with a latch assembly and wireless communication between the drogue and tanker aircraft, allowing direct measurement of hose tension at the drogue end and positive latch indication, enabling reliable coupling and uncoupling with reduced force and improved operational safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hose tension measurements are taken at the reel end to infer coupling, then the system structure remains simple, but false indications occur due to friction and aerodynamic forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/wire-based sensing systems with a wireless communication system. A sensor at the drogue detects probe presence and coupling status, then transmits this data wirelessly to the tanker aircraft, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages or wired connections through the hose.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication system as an intermediary between the drogue sensor and the tanker aircraft control system. This intermediary enables reliable data transmission without requiring physical connections through the hose, avoiding the friction and aerodynamic interference problems of direct mechanical measurement.
2Reliability
If power sources or sensors are added at the drogue to enable direct measurement, then coupling detection accuracy improves, but operational complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex wired power and data transmission systems with wireless communication technology. The drogue contains a sensor and wireless transmitter that communicate with the tanker aircraft without requiring power cables or data wires to pass through the flexible hose, significantly reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the communication paradigm from physical/electrical connections to electromagnetic wireless transmission. This parameter change allows the system to achieve reliable coupling detection without the operational constraints of wired systems, such as cable management, connection reliability, and interference through the hose.
3Reliability
If wires or optical fibers are incorporated in the aerial refueling hose to transmit data, then direct measurement capability is achieved, but operational complexity, durability, cost, and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical transmission media (wires and optical fibers) embedded in the hose with wireless electromagnetic communication. This substitution eliminates all the problems associated with wired systems: operational complexity of cable management, durability issues from flexing and movement, cost of specialized cables, and safety concerns from potential connection failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the data transmission function from the physical hose structure. Instead of embedding wires or fibers within the hose, the system uses independent wireless transmitters and receivers, separating the communication function from the fuel delivery function and eliminating the need for complex integrated cable-hose assemblies.
Data Source
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AI summary
A refueling drogue coupling system is provided. The system includes a fluid passage extending from a coupling inlet to a coupling outlet, the fluid passage comprising a valve seat circumscribing the fluid passage proximate the coupling outlet, a valve plug assembly comprising a valve plug configured to engage the seat to prevent flow through the fluid passage and an actuator assembly comprising a bias member, a coupling latch assembly (310) coupled to the coupling outlet, the coupling latch assembly comprising a latch member configured to matingly engage a complementary latch-receiving member (338) of a receiver probe (116), the coupling latch assembly further comprising a latch member (312) actuator operatively coupled to the latch member to permit the latch member to move from a first locked position to a second unlocked position, a probe position sensor (308) configured to detect a position of the receiver probe, a hose tension sensor (313) configured to measure a tension in a hose coupled to the coupling inlet, and a drogue control system positioned on the refueling drogue coupling system and communicatively coupled to the latch member actuator, the probe position sensor, and the hose tension sensor.