Airborne Refueling Nozzle Control for Roll Alignment Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airborne refueling systems face challenges in maintaining precise alignment and stability between the refueling device and the receiver aircraft during in-flight refueling, leading to potential oscillations and difficulties in achieving a consistent roll angle, which can affect the efficiency and safety of the refueling process.
Innovation Solution
A computerized method and system that utilize a non-rigid hose attached to a tanker aircraft, featuring a refueling device with a joint allowing degree of freedom relative to the nozzle, and a controller that adjusts roll and yaw elements based on the tanker's roll angles to maintain alignment with the receiver aircraft, using sensors and actuators to provide commands for ailerons and rudders to achieve and maintain the desired angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a non-rigid hose is used to attach the refueling device to the tanker aircraft, then the device can adapt to flight dynamics and maintain flexibility, but the refueling device experiences oscillations and difficulty maintaining consistent roll angle alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The refueling device incorporates active dynamic control through roll and yaw control elements that continuously adjust the device's orientation based on real-time feedback from sensors measuring roll angles and relative position, enabling the system to maintain stability despite the flexibility of the non-rigid hose connection
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a feedback control mechanism where sensors continuously monitor the roll angles of the tanker aircraft and refueling device, along with their relative position, and this information is fed to a controller that automatically adjusts the control elements to maintain proper alignment and reduce oscillations
2Manufacturing precision
If the refueling device body is rigidly connected to the nozzle, then alignment precision is improved, but the device loses the ability to accommodate relative motion and oscillations between tanker and receiver aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The refueling device is segmented into distinct functional components: a refueling device body containing control elements, and a nozzle assembly, connected through a joint that provides rotational degrees of freedom. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while accommodating relative motion through the articulated connection
Solution Approach 2:
The joint connecting the refueling device body to the nozzle provides rotational degrees of freedom that change the orientation parameters of the nozzle relative to the device body, enabling the system to accommodate relative motion and oscillations while maintaining alignment precision through active control
3Stability of the object's composition
If active control elements are added to manage roll angle and oscillations, then stability and alignment are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed with multi-functionality where a single controller integrates multiple sensor inputs (roll angles, relative position) and coordinates both roll and yaw control elements to achieve multiple objectives: maintaining roll angle alignment, reducing oscillations, and ensuring proper nozzle engagement, thereby managing complexity through unified control architecture
Data Source
AI summary
Computerized system and method of controlling a refueling device including, when the device is in a non-engaged state: receiving a first roll angle of a tanker, determining a first desired roll angle, and providing a command for controlling a roll element, thereby attempting to achieve or maintain a first roll angle that is substantially the same as the roll angle of the tanker. And, when the device is in an engaged state: receiving a second roll angle of the tanker, determining a second desired roll angle, and providing a command related to the desired roll angle for controlling a yaw element, thereby attempting to achieve or maintain a second roll angle that is substantially the same as the roll angle of the tanker, wherein the roll angle of the device during the engaged state is facilitated due to a degree of freedom between the refueling device body and refueling nozzle.