Automated Aircraft Ground Refueling by Stratom

[JaredF.]

Automated Aircraft Ground Refueling

Stratom has developed a robotic system that will service fighter aircraft during “hot-pit” refueling.  The Air Force Research Laboratories selected Stratom for the Automated Aircraft Ground Refueling (AAGR) project, and the result is the precision control of a DENSO six-axis industrial robot using an innovative machine vision system for feature detection.  By utilizing LabVIEW and an NI Smart Camera mounted on custom designed end-effectors, the system can autonomously identify an aircraft panel, localize the robot’s orientation to the random aircraft position, and utilize interchangeable tools with precise visual servoing to open and close the aircraft service panel and install and actuate a standard refueling nozzle within the aircraft access panel.  This advance will lower the risk for maintenance personnel by allowing them to remain farther away from the site of “hot-pit” refueling, or refueling while one or more engines is in operation.

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