The Boeing Company

Kimberly Ann Hinson

Jung Soon Jang

Justin Cleve Hatcher

Jeffrey Lee Musgrave

Richard Golob

Blain A Lawson

Christopher M Jacobus

Ian A Halley

Described are systems and methods for deploying and stowing a refueling boom. In certain examples, deploying the refueling boom includes lowering a refueling boom structure with a hoist while a boom aerodynamic control surface of the refueling is deactivated, determining that first transition conditions have been met, switching the hoist actuator state mode, and activating the boom aerodynamic control surface. In other examples, stowing the refueling boom includes flying the refueling boom towards a fuselage, determining that second transition conditions have been met, switching the hoist actuator state mode, and raising a refueling boom structure of the refueling boom with the hoist.

Assisted boom actuator

A system for detecting a sensor fault of an aerial refueling boom. The system comprises a data collector configured to receive sensor data from a plurality of sensors and determine an aerial refueling boom elevation angle of the aerial refueling boom based on the sensor data, wherein the sensor data comprises at least one of cable length data, a dynamic pressure data or aerial refueling boom position data. The system further comprises a processing unit configured access a database table in a storage unit to determine an estimated aerial refueling boom elevation angle, a comparator configured to compare the estimated aerial refueling boom elevation angle to the determined aerial refueling boom elevation angle, and a fault detector configured to generate a sensor fault signal based on the comparison.

Boom elevation estimation using hoist cable system

Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for rate and position control modes used in the operations of a telescoping refueling boom system. In one example, a system includes a telescoping tube and an actuator coupled to the telescoping tube and configured to extend and/or retract the telescoping tube. A processor is coupled to the actuator and configured to select a telescoping tube rate control mode and/or a telescoping tube position control mode based on a telescoping tube current position error, a telescoping tube current rate of movement, and a value of a telescoping tube rate command.

Telescoping refueling boom control systems and methods

An aerial refueling boom elevation estimation ('ARBEE') system for estimating an elevation angle of an aerial refueling boom on an aerial refueling aircraft is described. The ARBEE system may include a data collector, storage unit, optimizer, and comparator.

Aerial refueling boom elevation estimation system

A control system for an aircraft refueling boom controls the movements of the boom in certain areas in a total field of movement volume of possible boom movements based on the location of the boom in the total field of movement volume and based on the current rate of movement of the boom in the total field of movement volume.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Kimberly Ann Hinson