Refueling Boom Breakaway Control Using 3D Receiver Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-to-air refueling systems rely on manual control from boom operators who are limited by the forward position of the control station, making it difficult to accurately align and disengage the refueling boom with the receiver aircraft, especially in complex flight conditions.
Innovation Solution
A boom guidance system using sensors and an electronic control unit (ECU) to determine the 3D position of the receiver and refueling boom, transforming coordinates into boom parameters, and initiating an automatic breakaway when certain conditions are met, such as distance, closure rate, or envelope violations, to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control from a forward-positioned control station is used, then the boom operators can directly observe the refueling process, but the control station position limits accurate alignment and disengagement of the boom with the receiver aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated boom control system with sensors and ECUs as an intermediary between the boom operators and the refueling boom. This mediator enables precise alignment and disengagement through automated computation of boom parameters from sensor data, resolving the limitation of manual control from the forward control station position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical control system with an automated electronic control system. Sensors capture spatial data, ECUs compute boom parameters automatically, and the system executes precise alignment and breakaway maneuvers without manual intervention, substituting human-operated mechanical control with automated electronic-mechanical integration.
2Device complexity
If manual control is used, then the system is simpler, but the risk of contact or collision during complex flight conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor the relative position and motion of the receiver aircraft, the ECUs compute boom parameters in real-time, and the system adjusts boom control accordingly. This closed-loop feedback enables automatic detection of breakaway conditions and execution of safe disengagement maneuvers, significantly improving collision avoidance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated boom control system performs self-service by automatically computing boom parameters, detecting breakaway conditions, and executing breakaway maneuvers without requiring manual intervention from boom operators. The system monitors its own state and environment, making independent safety-critical decisions to prevent collisions.
3Reliability
If automated breakaway control is implemented, then safety and efficiency are enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal automated boom control system that performs multiple functions: alignment control, fuel transfer monitoring, breakaway condition detection, and breakaway maneuver execution. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated system with sensors and ECUs, the patent manages complexity while achieving enhanced safety and efficiency across all refueling phases.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A boom guidance system for use during an automated air-to-air refueling (A3R) mission. The boom guidance system includes sensors configured to output sensor data indicative of a three-dimensional (3D) position of a fuel-receiving aircraft (receiver) and a refueling boom of a fuel-supplying aircraft (tanker) in a tanker reference frame and a boom reference frame, respectively. An electronic control unit ("ECU") is in communication with the sensors. The ECU is programmed to receive the sensor data and determine coordinates for a receptacle on the receiver in a tanker reference frame. The ECU is also programmed to transform the coordinates for the receptacle in the tanker reference frame into boom parameters, determine a receiver status for the receiver based on the boom parameters, and initiate an automatic breakaway of the refueling boom from the receiver when the receiver status satisfies a corresponding automatic breakaway condition.