Towed Refueling Boom Control for Concurrent In-Flight Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-flight refueling systems, particularly the boom and receptacle system, are limited to refueling a single receiver aircraft at a time and lack effective stability and control mechanisms for multiple aircraft refueling, leading to operational constraints and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A refueling device with a body towed by a tanker aircraft via a fuel hose, equipped with a boom member and a spatial control system, including longitudinal displacement control through deployable panel elements and aerodynamic control surfaces, enabling stability and control in multiple degrees of freedom for concurrent refueling of multiple receiver aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single boom system is used for refueling, then the system structure is simple, but only one receiver aircraft can be refueled at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The refueling system is divided into multiple independent refueling devices, each with its own boom and control system. Each device can independently service one receiver aircraft, allowing concurrent refueling of multiple aircraft simultaneously, thus increasing productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The tanker aircraft is equipped with multiple refueling devices that can be selectively deployed and positioned to service different receiver aircraft. The system provides multi-functionality by enabling the tanker to refuel multiple types of aircraft simultaneously from different positions, increasing operational versatility and throughput
2Productivity
If multiple refueling devices are deployed for concurrent refueling, then refueling productivity increases, but stability and control mechanisms become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Each refueling device is equipped with deployable panel elements that can be dynamically adjusted during operation. These panels provide aerodynamic control surfaces that enable real-time stability adjustment and control, allowing the system to maintain stability even when multiple devices are operating concurrently in different configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates control systems that monitor the position and orientation of each refueling device and make automatic adjustments to maintain stable operation. The deployable panels can be actively controlled based on feedback from sensors, ensuring stability is maintained during concurrent refueling operations
3Ease of operation
If manual control of boom position is used, then the system is easy to operate, but safety risks increase due to operator workload
Solution Approach 1:
The refueling device incorporates autonomous navigation and positioning capabilities that allow the boom to automatically align with and engage the receiver aircraft's receptacle. The system performs self-correction and self-adjustment functions, reducing operator workload and minimizing human error, thereby improving safety while maintaining ease of operation through simplified interface
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
The solution provides enhanced stability and control during in-flight refueling, allowing concurrent refueling of up to three receiver aircraft, reducing operational complexity and safety risks while maintaining precise engagement with fuel receptacles.
Implementation Method 1
each said panel element being controllably and reversibly deployable incrementally to each one of a plurality of successive deployed positions between a fully retracted position and a fully deployed position, to provide a respective reversible incrementally increasing aft force to the refueling device
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3~3(a)
AI summary
Refueling devices for use in in-flight refueling operation are provided, including a body configured for being towed by a tanker aircraft and having a boom member that has a fuel delivery nozzle, a spatial control system and a longitudinal control system. The longitudinal displacement control system includes at least one panel element defining a front panel projected area orthogonal to a body longitudinal axis, each panel element being controllably and reversibly deployable incrementally to each one of a plurality of successive deployed positions between a fully retracted position and a fully deployed position, to provide a respective reversible incrementally increasing aft force to the refueling device at least during the in-flight refueling operation.