Abstract: An automatic-piloting system configured for being set on a receiver aircraft and for controlling operations of in-flight refuelling of said receiver aircraft, comprising: first detection means, set on the receiver aircraft and configured for acquiring first geometrical information associated to a first detection area and a second detection area belonging to a tanker aircraft, the first and second detection areas being linked together by a geometrical relation known to the automatic-piloting system; processing means, configured for determining, on the basis of the first geometrical information acquired, first position information associated to a relative position of the receiver aircraft with respect to the tanker aircraft; and an automatic-pilot device coupled to the processing means and configured for varying flight parameters of the receiver aircraft on the basis of the first position information.
Abstract: Gripping claws and pairs of arched angular profiles are arranged along the perimeter of a cylindrical surface segment so as to grip the edges of a fuselage panel, closing the opening of a pressurizable chamber.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 21, 2009
Date of Patent:
July 9, 2013
Assignee:
Alenia Aeronautics S.p.A.
Inventors:
Pietrantonio Cerreta, Angela Natale, Paolo Ruggiero, Domenico Cozzolino