Wireless Boom Tip Load Sensing for Air Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air refueling systems require complex and cumbersome wiring for data transmission between the telescoping section and the boom, limiting mechanical design simplicity and feasibility of retrofit installations, and posing safety risks in fueling environments.
Innovation Solution
A Wireless Communication and Sensor System that includes a Boom Tip Unit with nozzle load sensing functionality, wirelessly transmitting data to a Boom Forward Unit, enabling wireless voice communication and load sensing data transmission to the boom operator or flight control computer, eliminating the need for physical wiring and simplifying the mechanical design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wiring is used for data transmission between telescoping section and boom, then data transmission is achieved, but mechanical design complexity increases and retrofit feasibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. The wireless transceiver unit communicates with the flight control computer via wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical wiring between the telescoping section and boom, thereby reducing mechanical design complexity while maintaining data transmission reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the wiring system from the refueling boom assembly by implementing wireless communication. The wireless transceiver unit is integrated into the telescoping section, and data transmission is achieved through wireless signals rather than physical connections, removing the complex wiring infrastructure
2Loss of information
If wiring is installed for data transmission, then communication functionality is provided, but installation complexity increases and retrofit feasibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes wired communication with wireless communication to enable easy retrofit installation. The wireless transceiver unit can be integrated into existing telescoping sections without modifying the aircraft's existing wiring harness, making retrofitting straightforward and cost-effective
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system provides universal compatibility with existing refueling boom designs. The wireless transceiver unit can be integrated into various boom configurations without requiring aircraft-specific wiring modifications, enabling broad retrofit feasibility across different aircraft models
3Reliability
If wiring is used in fueling environment, then data transmission is achieved, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical wiring with wireless communication to eliminate potential ignition sources in the fueling environment. The wireless transceiver unit transmits data through electromagnetic signals without creating sparks or electrical arcs, thereby removing a significant safety hazard in areas with fuel vapors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of electrical wiring (spark ignition risk) into a benefit by using wireless communication. The electromagnetic fields used for wireless data transmission are at levels that do not pose ignition risks, transforming a hazardous system into a safe one while maintaining communication functionality
Data Source
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AI summary
A Wireless Communication and Sensor System (WSCC) serving a reflueled entity and a refueling entity (5), the system comprising nozzle (30) load sensing functionality for a nozzle Boom Tip Unit (70); and apparatus for wirelessly transmitting loads sensed by the nozzle load sensing functionality to at least one of a boom operator and a boom flight control computer.