High-speed Underwinding of Fuel Hose of UAV Aerial Refueling System

The paper is devoted to the issues of automation of refueling of unmanned aerial vehicles in the air. The problems of the docking stage are considered, in particular, the sagging of the fuel hose with its subsequent beating, which occurs immediately after contact. The main attention is paid to the stage of winding the sagging fuel hose after the drogue is docked with the probe of the refueled unmanned aerial vehicle. Options for improving the fuel hose winding drive are proposed. The emergency braking programs of the refueled unmanned aerial vehicle to equalize its speed with the speed of the tanker are studied. Options for changing the speed of reeling the fuel hose depending on the emergency braking parameters are proposed. The procedure for laying the fuel hose on the underwinding drum and its effect on changing the reeling speed are analyzed. Options are offered to prevent the drogue and probe from disengaging due to excessive hose tension.