基于变长度绝对节点坐标单元的软式空中加油系统动力学建模

安阳, 武虎子, 穆湛, 王天舒

清华大学学报(自然科学版) ›› 2026, Vol. 66 ›› Issue (5) : 1055-1060.

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PDF(1959 KB)
清华大学学报(自然科学版) ›› 2026, Vol. 66 ›› Issue (5) : 1055-1060. DOI: 10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2026.28.006
航空航天

基于变长度绝对节点坐标单元的软式空中加油系统动力学建模

  • 安阳1, 武虎子2, 穆湛1, 王天舒1
作者信息 +

Dynamic modeling of a hose-drogue aerial refueling system using variable-length absolute nodal coordinate formulation

  • AN Yang1, WU Huzi2, MU Zhan1, WANG Tianshu1
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摘要

在软式空中加油过程中对加油软管进行适当的收放可以有效抑制甩鞭现象的发生,对加油软管进行准确的动力学分析对于实现安全可靠的空中加油具有重要意义。针对加油软管在平稳拖曳和收放过程中的动力学建模问题,采用绝对节点坐标法建立了变长度三维梁单元的动力学模型。给出了由于单元长度变化而产生的陀螺力项和等效刚度项的具体表达式。通过设置所有单元的长度随时间同步变化,实现了对加油软管任意非零长度的动态模拟。以绝对节点坐标法研究中的典型工况为例,验证了模型在单元长度固定、伸长和缩短三种情况下的有效性。为空中加油软管的动力学分析与甩鞭现象的控制提供了高精度的动力学模型。

Abstract

[Objective] Aerial refueling technology dramatically extends combat radius and flight endurance of fighter aircraft, serving as a crucial guarantee for success in modern warfare. The hose-drogue aerial refueling system has been widely adopted by most nations with aerial refueling capabilities. In aerial refueling operations using the hose-drogue system, the whipping phenomenon caused by excessive slack in the refueling hose is a critical factor that significantly affects both operational success and safety. Proper deployment and retraction of the hose can effectively prevent whipping. Accurate dynamic analysis of the hose during smooth towing and deployment/retraction is essential for ensuring safe and reliable aerial refueling. [Methods] The absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) is a flexible multibody dynamics modeling technique based on finite element theory and continuum mechanics principles. In ANCF, all nodal coordinates are defined in the global coordinate system, replacing the rotational coordinates typically used in conventional finite element methods with slope vectors. This approach not only yields higher accuracy in modeling flexible multibody systems but also performs well in scenarios with large deformations of flexible bodies. For modeling the fuel delivery hoses during steady towing and deployment/retraction, this study develops a dynamic model for variable-length three-dimensional beam elements using the principle of virtual work combined with ANCF. Equivalent stiffness terms and gyroscopic terms, both arising from variations in element length and potentially affecting system stability, are derived. When the element length is constant, the model can be simplified to the traditional ANCF with fixed-length elements. By applying a unified time-dependent function to set the lengths of all elements—where the undeformed lengths undergo simultaneous and identical changes—the method enables dynamic simulation of hoses at arbitrary non-zero lengths while reducing the overall degrees of freedom. Based on Green-Lagrangian strain theory, both axial and bending deformations of the hose are incorporated into the analysis. Additionally, internal damping forces are included via a damping coefficient. [Results] Through a classical benchmark problem from ANCF studies, the validity of the developed dynamic model presented in this work has been rigorously verified. The simulation results demonstrate that under three distinct scenarios-fixed, extended, and shortened element lengths-the proposed dynamic model consistently achieves precise simulation of temporal morphological evolution in flexible hoses. The constant-length element cases are widely adopted as benchmark configurations in existing research, and the proposed model achieves accuracy comparable to previously reported results. [Conclusions] This study offers an effective methodology for creating a precise dynamic model of hose deployment and retrieval during aerial refueling. It provides a high-fidelity model for hose dynamics analysis and whiplash prevention. The model enables dynamic simulation of refueling hoses with arbitrary non-zero lengths. In practical aerial refueling operations, the refueling hose is subjected to various forces including aerodynamic forces, hydraulic forces from the fluid medium, and collision forces generated during docking. Building on the established dynamic model presented in this study, future research can extend the current work by incorporating these multi-physics interactions to conduct comprehensive dynamic simulations and analytical investigations of different phases within the aerial refueling process.

关键词

软式空中加油 / 动力学建模 / 加油软管 / 变长度 / 绝对节点坐标法

Key words

hose-drogue aerial refueling system / dynamic modeling / refueling hose / variable-length / absolute nodal coordinate formulation

引用本文

导出引用
安阳, 武虎子, 穆湛, 王天舒. 基于变长度绝对节点坐标单元的软式空中加油系统动力学建模[J]. 清华大学学报(自然科学版). 2026, 66(5): 1055-1060 https://doi.org/10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2026.28.006
AN Yang, WU Huzi, MU Zhan, WANG Tianshu. Dynamic modeling of a hose-drogue aerial refueling system using variable-length absolute nodal coordinate formulation[J]. Journal of Tsinghua University(Science and Technology). 2026, 66(5): 1055-1060 https://doi.org/10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2026.28.006
中图分类号: V212.12   

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国家自然科学基金面上项目(11672145)

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