Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an outer race, an inner race, a bearing interface, and a nut. The outer race has a head end and a base end. The head end includes a flange having a countersink lip formed on an underside of the flange. The outer race includes an externally threaded portion terminating at the base end. The inner race is circumscribed by the outer race. The bearing interface is located between and rotatably couples the inner race to the outer race. The nut is configured to be threadably engaged to the externally threaded portion.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an outer race, an inner race, a bearing interface, and a nut. The outer race has a head end and a base end. The head end includes a flange having a countersink lip formed on an underside of the flange. The outer race includes an externally threaded portion terminating at the base end. The inner race is circumscribed by the outer race. The bearing interface is located between and rotatably couples the inner race to the outer race. The nut is configured to be threadably engaged to the externally threaded portion.

Abstract: A refueling boom is described. The refueling boom includes a non-telescoping portion configured to be coupled to a fuel tanker vehicle and a telescoping portion that is extendable and retractable relative to the non-telescoping portion. The telescoping portion includes a fuel nozzle. The refueling boom also includes a wireless communication system operable to enable wireless communication between a first location of the telescoping portion to a second location of the non-telescoping portion. The refueling boom also includes a control unit coupled to the telescoping portion. The control unit is operable to send first information to the fuel tanker vehicle via the wireless communication system and to receive second information from the fuel tanker vehicle via the wireless communication system.

Abstract: An aerial refueling boom may include a refueling boom assembly and a pivot assembly for attaching the aerial refueling boom to a tanker aircraft. The refueling boom assembly may include a main boom section and a hollow telescoping boom section. The hollow telescoping boom section is adapted to be moved between a retracted position within the main boom section and an extended position extending from the main boom section for in-flight refueling of an aircraft. The pivot assembly may include an aircraft attachment plate to attach the pivot assembly to the tanker aircraft and a refueling boom attachment plate to attach the refueling boom assembly to the pivot assembly. The pivot assembly may also include a plurality of actuators pivotably coupling the aircraft attachment plate to the refueling boom attachment plate.

Abstract: A refueling boom is described. The refueling boom includes a non-telescoping portion configured to be coupled to a fuel tanker vehicle and a telescoping portion that is extendable and retractable relative to the non-telescoping portion. The telescoping portion includes a fuel nozzle. The refueling boom also includes a wireless communication system operable to enable wireless communication between a first location of the telescoping portion to a second location of the non-telescoping portion. The refueling boom also includes a control unit coupled to the telescoping portion. The control unit is operable to send first information to the fuel tanker vehicle via the wireless communication system and to receive second information from the fuel tanker vehicle via the wireless communication system.

Abstract: An aerial refueling boom may include a refueling boom assembly and a pivot assembly for attaching the aerial refueling boom to a tanker aircraft. The refueling boom assembly may include a main boom section and a hollow telescoping boom section. The hollow telescoping boom section is adapted to be moved between a retracted position within the main boom section and an extended position extending from the main boom section for in-flight refueling of an aircraft. The pivot assembly may include an aircraft attachment plate to attach the pivot assembly to the tanker aircraft and a refueling boom attachment plate to attach the refueling boom assembly to the pivot assembly. The pivot assembly may also include a plurality of actuators pivotably coupling the aircraft attachment plate to the refueling boom attachment plate.