Satellite Refueling
    66.
    发明公开
    Satellite Refueling 审中-公开

    公开(公告)号:US20230391469A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-12-07

    申请号:US18297826

    申请日:2023-04-10

    摘要: A satellite refueling system has a refueling satellite carrying fuel, a fuel hose connected to the fuel carried by the refueling satellite, with a maneuverable end effector at a deployed end of the fuel hose, the end effector comprising a fuel supply nozzle connected to the fuel hose, a plurality of thrusters on the end effector providing thrust in a plurality of directions, an imaging device on the end effector capturing images in an immediate environment of the end effector, and computerized circuitry operating individual ones of the plurality of thrusters in response to the images captured by the imaging device. The refueling satellite deploys the fuel hose, and the computerized circuitry operates the thrusters to maneuver the end effector, bringing the fuel supply nozzle to a location to deliver fuel.

    Systems and Methods for Aircraft Refueling
    68.
    发明申请

    公开(公告)号:US20180281986A1

    公开(公告)日:2018-10-04

    申请号:US15476156

    申请日:2017-03-31

    IPC分类号: B64D45/00 B64D39/06 B64D47/02

    摘要: In an example, an indication system includes a plurality of light sources communicatively coupled with a control system. The indication system can be used with a refueling system, including a hose for supplying fuel to a receiver aircraft. Each light source is configured to simultaneously emit visible light and infrared light, and is operable at a dim setting and a bright setting. The control system receives refueling data from the refueling system. The refueling data includes position data indicating a position of the receiver aircraft relative to the refueling system. The control system is configured to, when the refueling data indicates that the position of the receiver aircraft is in a refueling range, activate at least one refueling light source of the plurality of refueling light sources at the bright setting and activate a remainder of the refueling light sources at the dim setting.

    Aerial refueling coupling for in-flight operation parameter measuring

    公开(公告)号:US09731835B2

    公开(公告)日:2017-08-15

    申请号:US14728644

    申请日:2015-06-02

    IPC分类号: B64D39/00 B64D39/06

    CPC分类号: B64D39/06 B64D39/00

    摘要: The present disclosure refers an aerial refueling coupling for in-flight parameter measuring, including a body configured to receive and support a probe and a removable shell that covers at least part of the body. The aerial refueling coupling includes a sensor system for detecting at least one parameter related to in-flight refueling operation, a data processing device configured to provide a measure at least relative to parameters detected by the sensor system, a portable storage system, and a power supply system comprising at least on battery for supplying energy, and a ram air turbine for their activation when the aerial refueling coupling is in-flight. The data processing device, the storage system and the power supply system are mounted onto the body covered by the shell.

    SELF-ILLUMINATED COUPLING FOR AUTOMATIC AERIAL REFUELING

    公开(公告)号:US20170152057A1

    公开(公告)日:2017-06-01

    申请号:US15364619

    申请日:2016-11-30

    IPC分类号: B64D39/06

    CPC分类号: B64D39/06

    摘要: An aerial refueling coupling attached to a hose of a tanker aircraft comprising an inner conical surface configured for receiving a probe of a receiver aircraft. The aerial refueling coupling comprises an illumination device attached to the coupling and configured to point to the inner conical surface of the coupling to illuminate the inner conical surface as a target for a laser seeker locatable in the receiver aircraft, to allow the guidance of the probe to contact the coupling.