This paper presents the feasibility of semi-active magnetorheological (MR) refueling probe systems for the aerial refueling events through theoretical work. The semi-active smart refueling probe system consists of probe, a coil spring, and an MR damper. The dynamics of the smart refueling probe system using an MR damper was derived and incorporated with the hose-drogue dynamics so as to theoretically evaluate the overload reduction of the refueling hose at the drogue position. The simulated responses of the smart refueling probe system using an MR damper were conducted at different peak closure velocities of 1.56 and 5 ft/s and different tanker flight speeds of 185 and 220 knots.

Date Published: 27 April 2011
PDF: 14 pages
Proc. SPIE 7977, Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2011, 79770X (27 April 2011); doi: 10.1117/12.885631

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7977:
Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2011
Mehrdad N. Ghasemi-Nejhad, Editor(s)