Systems and methods for automatically and semiautomatically controlling aircraft refueling
First Claim
1. An aerial refueling system, comprising:
- an operator input device configured to receive operator inputs and direct a first input signal corresponding to a target position for an aerial refueling device;
a sensor positioned to detect a location of a receiver aircraft, the sensor being configured to direct a second input signal corresponding to a location of the receiver aircraft; and
a controller operatively coupled to the operator input device and the sensor to receive both the first and second input signals, the controller being configured to direct a command signal to adjust the position of the aerial refueling device in response to both the first and second input signals.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Aerial refueling systems and associated methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an operator input device configured to receive operator inputs and direct a first input signal corresponding to a target position for an aerial refueling device. A sensor can be positioned to detect a location of at least one of the aerial refueling device and a receiver aircraft, and can be configured to direct a second input signal. A controller can be operatively coupled to the operator input device and the sensor to receive the first and second input signals and direct a command signal to adjust the position of the aerial refueling device in response to both the first and second input signals, unless either or both of the input signals are absent or below a threshold value. Accordingly, the system can respond to both automatically generated sensor data and data input by an operator. A fully automated version of the system can be installed on an unmanned aircraft having additional capabilities, for example, electronic surveillance and/or jamming capabilities.
142 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. An aerial refueling system, comprising:
-
an operator input device configured to receive operator inputs and direct a first input signal corresponding to a target position for an aerial refueling device; a sensor positioned to detect a location of a receiver aircraft, the sensor being configured to direct a second input signal corresponding to a location of the receiver aircraft; and a controller operatively coupled to the operator input device and the sensor to receive both the first and second input signals, the controller being configured to direct a command signal to adjust the position of the aerial refueling device in response to both the first and second input signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An aerial refueling system, comprising:
-
input means for receiving operator inputs and directing a first input signal corresponding to a target position for an aerial refueling device; sensor means for detecting a location of at least one of the aerial refueling device and a receiver aircraft and directing a second input signal; and control means for controlling a position of the aerial refueling device, the control means being operatively coupled to the input means and the sensor means to receive both the first and second input signals, the control means being configured to adjust the position of the aerial refueling device in response to both the first and second input signals. - View Dependent Claims (16)
-
-
17. An aerial refueling system, comprising:
-
an operator input device configured to receive operator inputs and direct a first input signal corresponding to a target position for an aerial refueling device; a sensor positioned to detect a location of a receiver aircraft, the sensor being configured to direct a second input signal corresponding to a location of the receiver aircraft; and a controller operatively coupled to the operator input device and the sensor to receive the first and second input signals, the controller being configured to direct a command signal to adjust the position of the aerial refueling device in response to both the first and second input signals unless either or both of the first and second input signals are absent or below a threshold value, wherein the controller is configured to sum signals based at least in part on the first and second signals and direct the command signal based on the sum.
-
-
18. An aerial refueling system, comprising:
-
an operator input device configured to receive operator inputs and direct a first input signal corresponding to a target position for an aerial refueling device; a sensor positioned to detect a location of a receiver aircraft, the sensor being configured to direct a second input signal corresponding to a location of the receiver aircraft; and a controller operatively coupled to the operator input device and the sensor to receive the first and second input signals, the controller being configured to direct a command signal to adjust the position of the aerial refueling device in response to both the first and second input signals unless either or both of the first and second input signals are absent or below a threshold value, wherein the controller includes a limiter configured to limit the effect of the second input signal when the second input signal corresponds to a target motion greater than a threshold amount.
-
Specification