Systems and Methods for Transferring Electric Power to an Aircraft During Flight
First Claim
1. A system for transferring electric power, comprising:
- a receiver aircraft comprising a first fuselage and a first coupling device externally mounted to the first fuselage, wherein the first coupling device comprises first and second electrical contacts and first and second electrical conductors respectively connected to the first and second electrical contacts; and
a donor aircraft comprising a second fuselage and a second coupling device positioned aft of the second fuselage, wherein the second coupling device comprises third and fourth electrical contacts and third and fourth electrical conductors respectively connected to the third and fourth electrical contacts.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for transferring electric power to an aircraft during flight. Power transfer to the receiver aircraft is effected by means of a donor aircraft using a wired electrical connection. The method for transferring electric power includes: establishing an electrical connection between a receiver aircraft and a donor aircraft during flight; and transferring electric power from the donor aircraft to the receiver aircraft via the electrical connection. In one embodiment, electric power is transferred by way of a power cable deployed by the donor aircraft, a drogue attached to a trailing end of the power cable, and a probe mounted to the fuselage of the receiver aircraft, The probe and drogue are configured to form an electrical connection when fully engaged.
14 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for transferring electric power, comprising:
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a receiver aircraft comprising a first fuselage and a first coupling device externally mounted to the first fuselage, wherein the first coupling device comprises first and second electrical contacts and first and second electrical conductors respectively connected to the first and second electrical contacts; and a donor aircraft comprising a second fuselage and a second coupling device positioned aft of the second fuselage, wherein the second coupling device comprises third and fourth electrical contacts and third and fourth electrical conductors respectively connected to the third and fourth electrical contacts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for transferring electric power, comprising:
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establishing an electrical connection between a receiver aircraft and a donor aircraft during flight; and transferring electric power from the donor aircraft to the receiver aircraft via the electrical connection. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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- 19. An aircraft comprising a fuselage, a coupling device externally mounted to the fuselage and comprising electrical contacts, a battery charger disposed inside the fuselage, and an electrical connection between the battery charger and the electrical contacts in the coupling device.
- 22. An aircraft comprising a fuselage, a cable spool rotatably coupled to the fuselage, a power supply, a power transfer unit configured to transfer electric power from the power supply in a power transfer mode, a power cable connected to the cable spool and electrically coupled to the power transfer unit, and a drogue attached to the power cable, wherein the power cable comprises electrical conductors and the drogue comprises electrical contacts which are electrically coupled to the electrical conductors of the power cable.
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24. An aircraft comprising a fuselage, a trapeze bar disposed outside the fuselage, a power supply, a power transfer unit configured to transfer electric power from the power supply in a power transfer mode, and electrical conductors electrically coupled to the power transfer unit, wherein the trapeze bar comprises first and second electrical contacts which are electrically coupled to the electrical conductors and disposed on an external surface of the trapeze bar.
Specification