Pivotable Aerial Refueling Boom Reducing Aerodynamic Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerial refueling systems with rigid booms require larger-sized airfoil control surfaces to maneuver, increasing aerodynamic drag and limiting the boom's operating envelope.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable aerial refueling system with a fluid conduit and actuators providing six degrees of freedom, allowing the refueling boom to move in a three-dimensional space with independent translation and rotation, reducing the need for large control surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If larger-sized airfoil control surfaces are used to maneuver the rigid boom, then the boom's operating envelope is improved, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static rigid boom to a dynamic articulated boom with multiple pivot points. The boom is divided into sections that can independently rotate and articulate, allowing the system to adapt its configuration to different operational requirements without requiring large control surfaces. This dynamic articulation provides the necessary operating envelope while maintaining a smaller cross-section.
Solution Approach 2:
The boom is segmented into multiple articulated sections connected by pivot points. Each section can move independently, allowing the boom to navigate complex three-dimensional spaces. This segmentation replaces the need for large control surfaces on a single rigid structure with smaller pivot mechanisms distributed along the boom's length, reducing overall aerodynamic drag.
2Ease of operation
If larger-sized airfoil control surfaces are used to maneuver the rigid boom, then maneuverability is improved, but the boom cross-section increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated boom provides dynamic maneuverability through multiple pivot points that allow independent rotation of boom sections. This eliminates the need for large control surfaces while maintaining excellent maneuverability, as each pivot point can be controlled by smaller actuators that generate less drag.
Solution Approach 2:
The boom system adds rotational degrees of freedom at multiple pivot points, enabling movement in additional dimensions. Instead of relying on large control surfaces for two-dimensional maneuvering, the articulated structure provides three-dimensional articulation through sequential rotation at each pivot point, achieving superior maneuverability with a smaller cross-section.
3Strength
If a rigid boom structure is used, then structural strength is maintained, but aerodynamic drag increases due to larger control surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The boom is divided into multiple rigid sections connected by pivot points. Each section maintains structural strength while the pivot connections allow articulation. This segmentation replaces the need for large control surfaces on a single rigid boom with smaller pivot mechanisms, reducing aerodynamic drag while preserving the structural integrity of each boom section.
Solution Approach 2:
While the boom sections themselves remain rigid for strength, the connection mechanisms between sections provide flexible articulation. The pivot points act as flexible joints that allow rotation and movement, enabling the rigid sections to reconfigure without requiring large control surfaces, thus maintaining strength while reducing drag.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An aerial refueling system has a fluid conduit (110). A plurality of actuators (120) is coupled to the fluid conduit and a refueling aircraft (102) housing the aerial refueling system (100) to move the fluid conduit in a three perpendicular axes system.