Abstract: Systems and methods for refueling aircraft in flight are disclosed herein. An aerial refueling system in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes a movable aerial refueling boom configured to be carried by an aerial refueling aircraft. The system can also include two or more actuators operably coupled to the boom to control motion of the boom relative to the refueling aircraft. In several embodiments, the boom does not include any boom aerodynamic control surfaces to control motion of the boom relative to the refueling aircraft.

Abstract: An in-flight refueling system, bladder device and method are provided for enhancing the stability of an elongate hose extending from a tanker aircraft during an in-flight refueling operation. The various embodiments of the present invention provide a compact, lightweight, and low-profile bladder device that may fill with fuel from a fuel conduit defined in the elongate hose so as to minimize the occurrence of oscillations within the elongate hose by selectively adding additional weight to a portion of the elongate hose. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may minimize the occurrence of oscillations in the elongate hose by stabilizing the elongate hose as it extends from the tanker aircraft during an in-flight refueling operation.

Abstract: An aerial refueling system includes a pod assembly which is removably mounted for translation on an elongated pylon secured to the underside of an aircraft fuselage, whereby the pod assembly is moved relatively forward on the fuselage for stowage and relatively aftward on the fuselage for refueling operations. The pod assembly includes a pivotable, telescoping boom having control surfaces by which to aerodynamically position the boom's free end relative to the pod assembly. A coupling preferably establishes fluid communication between the boom and a fuel tank within the aircraft fuselage only when the pod assembly assumes the relatively-aftward refueling position on the pylon. A ram-air turbine on the forward end of the pod assembly provides all necessary power for the pod assembly, with wireless remote operation of all pod assembly functions preferably used to minimize the extent of alterations when installing the aerial refueling system on the aircraft.

Abstract: A portable and hand held syringe filling device, having a frame that forms a curved channel, and one or more bulkheads fixed to the frame, that grip the barrel and flanges of a hypodermic syringe. A double acting air cylinder is fixed to one of the bulkheads, and is positioned within the frame channel, with the moving rod portion fixed to a slider having a thumb plate gripper that grips the thumb plate and plunger of a hypodermic syringe. The amount of air pressure and flow rate of the air pressure is specifically tailored to actuate the double action air cylinder, to provide an exact draw and dispense force on the syringe plunger. An adjustable stop is used to allow the syringe filling device to act as a pump, that delivers metered portions of liquid to target containers.

Abstract: The invention is a leading edge flap and boundary layer control system for an aircraft wing having a substantially sharp leading edge. The system comprises the wing 10 incorporating a spanwise slot 26 having front and rear guide walls 28, 30. A guide member 44 is rotatably mounted in the wind movable from a retracted position to an extended position. A flap segment 54 is rotatably mounted to the guide member 44 and is movable from a retracted position to an extended position in conjunction with the guide member 44. The flap segment incorporates an aerodynamic surface adapted to form an aerodynamic extension of the leading edge 16 of the wing 10 and, furthermore, cooperating with the guide member 44 to form a smooth transition inlet to the front guide wall 28 of the slot 26. Actuators 66, 72 are provided to actuate the guide member 44 and flap segment 54 from their retracted positions to their extended positions.