Abstract: A refueling system, for use in a tanker aircraft from a remote location without a direct out-the-window view of the refueling operation, having enhanced three-dimensional viewing of the refueling operation by use of multiple video cameras, polarized video monitors and cross-polarized eye glasses together with controls for movement of the boom tip in elevation and azimuth, as well as controls for extension of the boom tip.

Abstract: A floodlight illumination system, in structural combination with a fuel-receiving aircraft having an aerial refueling receptacle, that permits efficient and effective in-flight night refueling of the aircraft. The illumination system comprises: a selectively lightable, retractable aerodynamically shaped spoiler mounted on the nose of the aircraft which illuminates the top surface of the refueling receptacle, and, two similar (i.e., symmetrically shaped and dimensioned), selectively lightable fairings mounted on the port and starboard sides of the hose of the aircraft, parallel to airflow lines, with one fairing illuminating the port side surface of the refueling receptacle, and with the other fairing illuminating the starboard side surface of the refueling receptacle.

Abstract: A device for opening a door on an aircraft to expose a receptacle for receiving a fueling nozzle on another aircraft so that the first mentioned aircraft can be refueled in flight. The device has a hydraulically operated actuator for opening and closing the door and another hydraulically operated actuator for locking and unlocking latches engageable with the nozzle for holding it in the receptacle. The hydraulic system has a single valve for controlling flow of pressurized fluid through a single conduit to the door actuator for both door opening and door closing movement of the actuator piston. When closed, this valve isolates the hydraulic system from the pressure source so that no part of the hydraulic system is pressurized when the device is not in operation.

Abstract: A refueling boom operator's seat located within the lower rear portion of the aircraft fuselage, the seat positioning the operator in a moderately reclining sitting position facing rearwardly to view the operating area of the refueling boom. A leg well structure which extends rearwardly through and beyond a rear pressure bulkhead to accommodate the operator's legs, and a viewing window provided in an aperture defined by the rear pressure bulkhead is positioned above the operator's legs at approximately the position of the operator's knees. These components are so arranged relative to the main rear pressure bulkhead and other components of the fuselage that the operator has a direct unobstructed view of the boom's normal refueling envelope. A pair of mirrors at the upper and lower portion of the viewing window envelope provide a view of the area into which the boom is able to move above its normal refueling area.

Abstract: Manned or remotely piloted Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft is launched or retrieved from a capture drogue carried by an articulated boom. The capture drogue is stabilized in space for retrieval and launch and moves the aircraft to a platform while the drogue-aircraft are stabilized with respect to the platform.

Abstract: A ruddevator assembly for controlling movement of an aircraft refueling boom, comprising two ruddevators mounted to the boom, each at a dihedral angle of about 42.degree.. Each ruddevator has an outboard section, which is an advanced technology cambered airfoil for high lift at transonic speeds, with a raked wing tip. The inboard portion of the airfoil has a forwardly extending strake-like member having a sharp leading edge which in planform comprises three sections. There is a curved forward edge section and two rearwardly extending edge sections, which in operation are positioned at high sweep angles. The side edge portions of the strake-like member create vortices which travel over the inboard portion of the ruddevator to augment lift over a wide range of surface deflection of the ruddevator (i.e., angle of attack).

Abstract: An operating station having an operator's seat and one or more observer's seats movable along a U-shaped track so as to be positioned either behind or on either side of the operator's seat. The track comprises four individual rails to which is mounted a set of four swivel rollers which support a base member of the observer's seat. The rails each have a substantially identical U-shaped configuration, with the center of symmetry of each U-shaped rail being offset from one another in a manner that the base member of the observer's seat is able to move along the entire U-shaped track assembly without changing its orientation with respect to the aircraft. In another configuration, the two halves of the U-shaped rail are made as mirror images of one another.

Abstract: A refueling boom operator's seat located within the lower rear portion of the aircraft fuselage, the seat positioning the operator in a moderately reclining sitting position facing rearwardly to view the operating area of the refueling boom. Two rearwardly and outwardly diverging leg well structures provide recesses to accommodate the operator's legs, and a viewing window is positioned between the operator's legs at approximately the position of the operator's knees. These components are so arranged relative to the main rear pressure bulkhead and other components of the fuselage that the operator has a direct unobstructed view of the boom's normal refueling envelope. A pair of mirrors at the upper and lower portions of the window provide an indirect view of an upper portion of an extreme envelope, into which the boom is able to move above its normal refueling area.

Abstract: A display panel of selectively operated pilot guiding lights is mounted on the belly of a fuel tanker aircraft for guiding a piloted receiver aircraft into proper orientation for an in-flight refueling link-up in which a fuel dispensing boom that projects rearwardly and downwardly from the belly of the tanker aircraft is coupled to a complimentary, refueling receptacle mounted above the cockpit of the receiver aircraft. The guidance-lights are selectively and automatically operated by computer processed position signals developed by an optical position sensor system that continuously monitors the position of the receiver aircraft relative to the boom. A first set of guidance-lights are disposed lengthwise of the aircraft to form a fore-aft position indicating array, and a second set of lights are disposed in a cross-shaped array for providing a coordinated visual display of elevational and azimuthal position.

Abstract: A two axis controller for controlling a tanker aircraft in-flight refueling boom while maneuvering prior to engagement with the receiver aircraft and including a boom load alleviation system after engagement. Movement of the control stick is transmitted mechanically to a position transducer. The transducer provides a signal to an actuator to effect boom control. The transducer output is also transmitted to a servo motor which is mechanically connected to the control stick. During the free flight mode, when the operator is manually controlling the boom, the servo motor provides a resisting force to stick movement that varies as a function of the transducer signal. Following coupling of the two airplanes, which initiates the automatic load alleviation system, the same servo motor back drives the control stick in response to boom force and position signals to alleviate boom forces. Manual override of the automatic system is possible at any time.

Abstract: An aerial refueling boom utilized in the transfer of fuel from a tanker airplane to a receiver airplane and more particularly, to the boom geometry or gimballing which comprises an axis fixed with respect to structure of the tanker airplane about which the boom rotates in elevation and an inclinable axis about which the boom rotates for lateral movement. The angle of inclination of the boom lateral motion pivot axis or azimuth axis varies with respect to the longitudinal axis of the airplane axis as the boom is changed in elevation angle. A pair of aerodynamic surfaces formed into a Vee and known as ruddevators are mounted towards the trailing end of the boom for flying the boom about these axes. The ruddevators are part of a control system which includes a pantographing cable system for automatically changing the angle-of-attack of the aerodynamic surfaces and for alleviating the air loads imposed by the receiver airplane when it is imparting the movement of the boom during the refueling engagement.

Abstract: A device for opening a door on an airplane to expose a refueling receptacle having latches for connection to a fueling nozzle deployed from a tanker airplane so that the airplane may be refueled in flight. The device has a hydraulic actuator for opening and closing the door, first valve means for controlling the first actuator, a second valve means for controlling another hydraulic actuator that locks and releases the latches, a spring for opening the door when there is a failure in the supply of pressure fluid for the first actuator, and a means to prevent closing of the door before the latches are released from the nozzle.

Abstract: An aerodynamic spoiler mounted on the upper forward surface of the fuselage of an aircraft which is equipped to be refueled by another aircraft while in flight. The spoiler counteracts aerodynamic disturbances produced by the refueling boom and the resultant instabilities in pitch in the aircraft receiving fuel. Four species of the spoiler are disclosed and the device may be made retractable to eliminate drag when not in use.

Abstract: A flying refueling boom for an aerial tanker airplane, with a mechanism for moving the boom about different axes. The boom having a pair of aerodynamic surfaces formed into a Vee and known as ruddevators, for moving the boom about the following axes: a tiltable vertical axis for boom movement in a sideways direction or in azimuth; a lateral axis for boom movement in an up-and-down direction or in elevation; and a longitudinal axis for movement of the boom about a roll axis. The ruddevator control system includes a pantographing cable system for automatically changing the angle-of-attack of the aerodynamic surfaces and for alleviating air loads imposed by the receiver airplane, when it is imparting the movement of the boom during refueling engagement. The boom support system includes an articulation mechanism for combining a certain amount of boom roll motion as a function of azimuth movement of the boom; and a device for varying the ratio between the degree of roll motion change vs.

Abstract: A modulated light beam is projected from a transmitter aircraft toward a receiver aircraft and reflected back toward the receiver aircraft by a retroreflector mounted on the receiver aircraft. The reflected light beam is received by the transmitter aircraft and is focused onto the face of an image dissector tube. The location of the reflected light beam on the face of the tube defines the position of the receiver aircraft in azimuth and elevation with respect to the position of the transmitter aircraft. The range difference between the two aircraft is determined by phase comparing the transmitted light beam with the received light beam. When used for in-flight refueling, further retroreflectors are mounted on a refueling boom and a similar technique is used to determine the exact location of the boom and its associated refueling nozzle.

Abstract: Disclosed is sectional aerial refueling apparatus including a high capacity nozzle unit and a high capacity receptacle unit into which the nozzle is insertable. The probe-like forward end of the nozzle also is insertable into a prior art-type, low capacity receptacle. The nozzle has an inner fuel passage terminating at a port in its front end and an outer fuel passage extending through the side of the nozzle and terminating there in an outer port. The inner and outer fuel passages are normally closed by independently operable poppet valves which remain closed until the nozzle is inserted into a receptacle. The high capacity receptacle includes inner and outer fuel passages which in turn respectively terminate in inner and outer ports. The latter fuel passages are normally closed by independently operable poppet valves which remain closed until the nozzle and the receptacle are engaged.