Aircraft Refueling Boom Cable Length Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hoist cable systems for refueling booms on aircraft face challenges in managing cable length, leading to interference with the boom or fuselage during flight, and restricting movement at varying airspeeds, due to reliance on tension-based management which requires more hardware and sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that identify the position of the refueling boom using sensors like position, elevation, and azimuth angles, calculate a desired cable length using geometric formulas, and adjust the cable length using a second-order low pass filter to maintain optimal length, reducing noise and hardware requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tension-based cable management is used, then cable length can be controlled, but more hardware and sensors are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tension-based cable management system with an electromechanical system. The hoist unit uses an electromechanical actuator (motor-driven spool) to actively control cable length based on boom position feedback, eliminating the need for complex tension sensors and mechanical spring mechanisms while maintaining reliable cable length control
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback control loop where the boom position is sensed (using existing position sensors on the boom), the desired cable length is calculated based on the boom position, and the hoist unit adjusts the cable length accordingly. This closed-loop feedback eliminates the need for additional cable length sensors and simplifies the overall system
2Device complexity
If fixed cable length is used, then hardware is simplified, but cable interferes with boom or fuselage during flight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic cable length adjustment system where the cable length changes continuously with boom position. The hoist unit actively reels in or pays out cable based on real-time boom position feedback, ensuring the cable remains taut but does not interfere with the boom movement or fuselage during flight maneuvers and varying airspeeds
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback control loop continuously monitors boom position and adjusts cable length accordingly, preventing cable interference while maintaining proper tension. The system calculates the optimal cable length based on boom position and commands the hoist unit to achieve that length, eliminating interference issues associated with fixed cable lengths
3Device complexity
If cable length is not adjusted, then system is simpler, but boom movement is restricted at varying airspeeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts cable length in response to boom position changes caused by varying airspeeds and flight conditions. The electromechanical hoist unit continuously modulates cable length to maintain optimal boom movement freedom while preventing excessive cable slack that would restrict movement or cause interference
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback control system uses boom position sensors to detect changes in boom state due to airspeed variations and automatically adjusts cable length through the hoist unit. This enables the boom to move freely across its full range of motion at varying airspeeds without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus may be present for managing a hoist cable (340) for a refueling boom (316) for an aircraft (301). A position (332) of the refueling boom (316) for the aircraft (301) may be identified. A desired length (366) for the hoist cable (340) may be identified using the position (332) of the refueling boom (316) in response to identifying the position (332) of the refueling boom (316). A command (370) to change a current length (352) of the hoist cable (340) to substantially the desired length (366) may be generated.