Flexible Structure Status Detection for Aerial Refueling Booms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flight control laws for aerial refueling boom systems suffer from Filtering Mode Mismatch issues, leading to handling quality degradations and potential structural damage due to incorrect detection of physical status changes from 'free-movement' to 'restricted-movement' and vice versa, especially when the coil signal fails to be generated or recognized.
Innovation Solution
A method for detecting the physical status of a flexible structure using discrete-time scalar signals from active measurement sources, employing notch filters and amplitude demodulation to estimate elastic mode excitation and recursively compute the probability of restricted-movement status, allowing for automatic switching of filtering modes to match the actual physical status without requiring additional sensors or pulse signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the coil signal method is used to detect physical status, then the system can detect mating status, but the detection reliability deteriorates when the coil signal fails to be generated or recognized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection method using flexible structure dynamics analysis as a mediator between the primary coil signal method and the final status determination. When the coil signal is unavailable or ambiguous, the system uses vibration-based elastic mode analysis to infer the physical status, providing a redundant detection pathway that maintains reliability without sacrificing measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of flexible structure dynamics continuously in the background, preparing alternative detection data before the coil signal failure occurs. This allows the system to seamlessly switch to the vibration-based detection method when needed, maintaining detection reliability without interrupting the refueling operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If filtering modes are switched based on coil signal recognition, then the flight control laws can adapt to physical status changes, but handling quality deteriorates when the filtering mode does not match the actual physical status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detected physical status (from either coil signal or vibration analysis) continuously informs the filtering mode selection in flight control laws. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the filtering mode always matches the actual physical status, maintaining both adaptability and handling quality by automatically adjusting control parameters based on real-time status detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different filtering modes based on the detected physical status, making the flight control laws adaptive to changing operational conditions. The filtering mode is not fixed but changes in real-time according to whether the boom is in free-movement or restricted-movement status, ensuring optimal handling quality across all operational phases
3Strength
If the flying boom is in restricted-movement status with incorrect filtering mode, then structural damage can occur due to divergent oscillatory loads, but the system cannot detect the status change without additional sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the flexible structure itself to provide detection information through its own dynamic response. By analyzing the vibration characteristics and elastic modes of the flying boom, the system uses the structure's inherent mechanical behavior as the detection sensor, eliminating the need for additional external sensors while preventing structural damage through accurate status detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes mechanical vibration analysis of the flexible structure to detect physical status. By monitoring changes in vibration characteristics and elastic mode frequencies, the system can determine whether the boom is in free-movement or restricted-movement status, providing structural integrity protection without adding complex sensor systems
Data Source
AI summary
A method in the field of flight control laws (CLAWs) used to control a flexible structure, for example an air to air refueling flying boom system, the method detecting the physical status determined by exogenous boundary conditions acting on the flexible structure. A computer program is provided which carries out the method for detecting the physical status of a flexible structure. A system and aircraft comprising such a flexible structure are also provided.