Air Refueling Hose Damage Detection Using Embedded Conductors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current air to air refueling hose inspection methods require the hose to be fully extended, are labor-intensive, and cannot detect hidden internal damage, leading to safety risks and increased maintenance time, with potential for hose rupture during flight.

Innovation Solution

Integration of sensing means, such as electric conductors embedded within the external structure of the hose, allowing for damage detection without extending the hose, including hidden damage like corrosion, by measuring electrical continuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If visual inspection methods are used to check hose damage, then the hose can be inspected for external damage, but the internal structure damage cannot be detected and the hose must be fully extended requiring multiple people

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage detection capabilityVSAvoidinspection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical visual inspection system with an electrical sensing system. Electric conductors are embedded within the hose structures to detect damage through electrical continuity measurements, eliminating the need for manual extension and visual examination while detecting both external and internal damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent embeds sensing means (electric conductors) inside the hose structures. The first electric conductor is embedded in the external structure, the second electric conductor is embedded in the intermediate structure, creating a nested configuration that allows damage detection without extending the hose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the hose is extended for visual inspection, then external damage can be detected, but the inspection requires several people and affects aircraft schedule

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose safety verificationVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the time-consuming mechanical extension and visual inspection process with an electrical measurement system. The sensing means detect damage through electrical continuity, providing rapid assessment without requiring hose extension or multiple personnel, thus reducing maintenance time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If manual extension and retraction of hose is performed, then visual inspection can be conducted, but there is risk of incorrect wrapping and additional friction damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage detection accuracyVSAvoidfriction damage during handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for manual hose extension and retraction by implementing an electrical sensing system. The embedded electric conductors continuously monitor hose integrity without requiring physical manipulation, thereby preventing friction damage from incorrect wrapping while maintaining damage detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If eddy current inspection method is used, then internal damage can be detected, but the hose must still be extended and end fitting areas cannot be inspected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal damage detectionVSAvoidinspection operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds electric conductors directly within the hose structures (external and intermediate structures). This nested configuration allows the sensing means to be positioned throughout the hose including end fitting areas, enabling comprehensive damage detection without hose extension and overcoming the limitations of eddy current inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables quick and effective damage detection, reducing personnel risk, maintenance time, and improving aircraft dispatch reliability by identifying damage without extending the hose, thus enhancing operational availability.

Implementation Method 1

the sensing means are electric conductors... measuring electrical continuity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10996136B2Air to air refueling hose and method for detecting damage in air to air refueling hose

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE SAU

AI summary

An air to air refueling hose for an aircraft comprises an internal structure suitable for transporting fuel inside, an intermediate structure arranged around the internal structure, and an external structure arranged around the intermediate structure such that the intermediate structure is located between the internal structure and the external structure, and a sensing arrangement comprising electric conductors arranged along the air to air refueling hose and embedded inside of the external structure.