Rotatable Control Units for Drogue Refueling Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drogue refueling apparatuses are typically passive, making them susceptible to motion induced by turbulence, tanker wake, and receiver forebody effects, leading to difficulties in successful and efficient aerial refueling, with increased risk of damage to both the refueling probe and the drogue apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The integration of rotatable control units with fixed control fins and internal motors, which generate control forces to stabilize and position the drogue refueling apparatus, reducing induced motion and enhancing stability by varying the roll angle of the control units based on sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive drogue refueling apparatus is used, then device complexity is reduced, but stability of the object deteriorates due to motion induced by turbulence and tanker wake
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the drogue refueling apparatus actively controllable rather than passive. Control units with rotatable fins are introduced that can dynamically adjust their orientation in response to sensed motion, allowing the system to adapt to turbulent conditions and maintain stability. This transforms the drogue from a static passive structure to an active dynamic system that can counteract external disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through motion sensors that detect the drogue's movement and feed this information to control units. The control units process this feedback and adjust fin orientations accordingly to counteract unwanted motion. This closed-loop feedback system enables the drogue to automatically correct its position and maintain stability despite turbulence and tanker wake effects.
2Ease of operation
If passive drogue refueling apparatus is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased risk of damage from higher-than-nominal impact loads
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic control to actively manage the drogue's motion characteristics. By continuously adjusting fin orientations based on real-time motion data, the system can dampen oscillations and reduce the amplitude of movements that lead to high-impact contacts during probe-drogue mating operations, thereby protecting both the probe and drogue from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system provides beforehand cushioning by detecting and responding to turbulent conditions and tanker wake effects before they result in damaging impacts. The active stabilization preemptively counteracts motion that would otherwise lead to higher-than-nominal impact loads during refueling operations, protecting the system from potential damage.
3Manufacturing precision
If passive drogue refueling apparatus is used, then manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to reduced success rate and increased refueling time
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system continuously monitors drogue position and motion, making real-time adjustments to maintain optimal refueling geometry. This active stabilization significantly increases the success rate of probe-drogue matings by keeping the drogue in a predictable, stable position, thereby reducing missed contacts and the time required for refueling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on passive mechanical stability with an active control system using sensors and actuators. This substitution of mechanical passivity with active electronic control enables the system to achieve and maintain precise positioning despite environmental disturbances, dramatically improving refueling efficiency and success rates.
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
This solution significantly increases the success rate and safety of aerial refueling, reduces the likelihood of damage, and allows for more efficient refueling operations, particularly for sensitive aircraft like the F-35 Lightning II and V-22 Osprey, by presenting a stable target and optimizing the positioning of the drogue apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
one or more rotatable control units coupled to an object such as, e.g., a drogue refueling apparatus, an aircraft, a spacecraft, a water craft, a rocket, a missile, projectile, etc. moving through a fluid (e.g., an atmosphere, a body of water, etc.) and configured to controllably rotate about an axis to control movement of the object through the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus, and methods may control movement of an object through a fluid. The systems, apparatus, and methods may utilize one or more rotatable control units, each including a plurality of control fins to generate a force at least partially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the object through the fluid.