Refueling Boom Disconnect Mechanism for Emergency Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-flight refueling systems, particularly the boom and receptacle system, lack a reliable mechanism for safe and efficient emergency disconnection between the receiver aircraft and the refueling device, especially when mechanical or electrical malfunctions occur, which can lead to potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
A boom member with a connect/disconnect mechanism that allows for selective, electrically actuated disconnection between the receiver aircraft and the refueling device, featuring a mechanical coupling arrangement and an electrically actuable locking mechanism to ensure non-destructive separation, enabling disconnection even in flight and under nominal mechanical loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional boom and receptacle system is used for in-flight refueling, then fuel transfer can be achieved, but the system lacks a reliable emergency disconnection mechanism which can lead to accidents when mechanical or electrical malfunctions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The boom member is divided into a first portion and a second portion that can be selectively disconnected from each other. The first portion remains connected to the tanker aircraft while the second portion can be separated from the receiver aircraft, enabling emergency disconnection while maintaining system integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connect/disconnect mechanism extracts the disconnection function from the conventional boom system by adding a specialized mechanism with locking elements and actuating means that can independently separate the second boom portion from the receiver aircraft without affecting the entire refueling system.
2Reliability
If the boom is disconnected to prevent accidents during refueling, then safety is improved, but the refueling operation must be interrupted and reestablished
Solution Approach 1:
The connect/disconnect mechanism is pre-configured with locking elements and actuating means that enable rapid disconnection without requiring complex manual operations. The mechanism is designed to be activated quickly in emergency situations, minimizing refueling interruption time while maintaining safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical coupling arrangement with locking mechanism is added to enable selective disconnection, then emergency disconnection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connect/disconnect mechanism merges multiple functions into a integrated assembly: the mechanical coupling arrangement, locking elements, and actuating means are combined in a compact configuration that adds disconnection capability while minimizing structural complexity and space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A boom member for in-flight refueling includes a first boom member portion, a second boom member portion, and a connect/disconnect mechanism. The first boom member portion includes a first boom lumen, a first boom axis, and a fuel receiving end. The second boom member portion includes a second boom lumen, a second boom axis, and a fuel delivery end including a fuel delivery nozzle. The connect/disconnect mechanism is configured for: selectively enabling the first boom member portion to be connected with respect to the second boom member portion to provide a connected configuration; and, for selectively enabling actively disconnecting the first boom member portion with respect to the second boom member portion to provide a disconnected configuration responsive to receiving a disconnection activation signal.