In-flight refueling system, alignment system, and method for automatic alignment and engagement of an in-flight refueling boom
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An in-flight refueling system comprising:
- an in-flight refueling boom adapted to be carried by a first aircraft and comprising an extendable nozzle capable of extending therefrom, the extendable nozzle being adapted to engage a refueling receptacle carried by a second aircraft;
an imaging device operably engaged with the in-flight refueling boom and configured to capture an image of the refueling receptacle;
an alignment device operably engaged with the in-flight refueling boom and configured to determine and indicate alignment of the in-flight refueling boom with the refueling receptacle carried by the second aircraft by receiving a signal emitted by the second aircraft such that extension of the extendable nozzle will engage the refueling receptacle;
said second aircraft comprising a locator device configured to emit said signal; and
a controller operably engaged with the in-flight refueling boom and configured to be in communication with the alignment device and the imaging device, the controller further configured to be capable of receiving the image of the refueling receptacle and positioning the in-flight refueling boom in response to the image and stabilizing the in-flight refueling boom such that the in-flight refueling boom is in alignment with the refueling receptacle.
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Abstract
An in-flight refueling system, alignment system, and method are provided for substantially automating the positioning and engagement of an in-flight refueling system carried by a first aircraft with respect to a refueling receptacle carried by a second aircraft so as to facilitate an in-flight refueling operation between the first and the second aircraft. More specifically, the present invention provides for the alignment of the in-flight refueling boom with the refueling receptacle such that an extendable nozzle may extend from the in-flight refueling boom and engage the refueling receptacle to initiate an in-flight refueling operation.
88 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An in-flight refueling system comprising:
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an in-flight refueling boom adapted to be carried by a first aircraft and comprising an extendable nozzle capable of extending therefrom, the extendable nozzle being adapted to engage a refueling receptacle carried by a second aircraft; an imaging device operably engaged with the in-flight refueling boom and configured to capture an image of the refueling receptacle; an alignment device operably engaged with the in-flight refueling boom and configured to determine and indicate alignment of the in-flight refueling boom with the refueling receptacle carried by the second aircraft by receiving a signal emitted by the second aircraft such that extension of the extendable nozzle will engage the refueling receptacle;
said second aircraft comprising a locator device configured to emit said signal; anda controller operably engaged with the in-flight refueling boom and configured to be in communication with the alignment device and the imaging device, the controller further configured to be capable of receiving the image of the refueling receptacle and positioning the in-flight refueling boom in response to the image and stabilizing the in-flight refueling boom such that the in-flight refueling boom is in alignment with the refueling receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An alignment system adapted to facilitate the engagement of an extendable nozzle extending from an in-flight refueling boom carried by a first aircraft with a refueling receptacle carried by a second aircraft, the alignment system comprising:
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an imaging device operably engaged with the in-flight refueling boom and configured to capture an image of the refueling receptacle;
said second aircraft comprising a locator device configured to emit said signal; andan alignment device operably engaged with the in-flight refueling boom and configured to determine and indicate alignment of the in-flight refueling boom with the refueling receptacle carried by the second aircraft by receiving a signal emitted by the second aircraft such that extension of the extendable nozzle will engage the refueling receptacle; and a controller operably engaged with the in-flight refueling boom and configured to be in communication with the alignment device and the imaging device, the controller further configured to be capable of receiving the image of the refueling receptacle and positioning the in-flight refueling boom in response to the image and stabilizing the in-flight refueling boom such that the in-flight refueling boom is in alignment with the refueling receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for facilitating an in-flight refueling operation between a first aircraft adapted to carry an in-flight refueling boom having an extendable nozzle being capable of extending therefrom and a second aircraft carrying a refueling receptacle, the method comprising:
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capturing an image of the refueling receptacle; determining that an extendable nozzle configured to extend from the in-flight refueling boom is in alignment with the refueling receptacle;
generating a signal and emitting said signal from said second aircraft;receiving said signal emitted by the second aircraft at the first aircraft, wherein the reception of the signal by the receiver device is indicative of alignment between the in-flight refueling boom and the refueling receptacle; positioning the in-flight refueling boom such that the in-flight refueling boom is in alignment with the refueling receptacle at least partially based on the image; and stabilizing the in-flight refueling boom such that the in-flight refueling boom is in alignment with the refueling receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification