Abstract: A pressure regulator valve arrangement may include first and second regulator valves for closing a fluid passage in the event of over-pressure. The valve members may each have pressure ports for sensing the pressure, and the ports may be located downstream of the valve members to minimize interaction between the valves.

Abstract: A reception coupling for air-to-air refuelling has a main body and a fuel passage. A moveable valve member is provided for opening and closing the fuel passage. A chamber is separate from the fuel passage. A portion of the valve member can be accommodated in the chamber as the valve member moves toward an open position, shielding that portion from effects of pressure in the fuel passage.

Abstract: An air to air refuelling drogue assembly includes a reception coupling and a drogue canopy connected to the reception coupling by connection means which hold the canopy in an operative, drag producing, position relative to the reception coupling during refuelling. The drogue assembly is arranged to controllably fail so as to reduce the drag load produced by the drogue when a drag load on the canopy exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A nozzle includes a nozzle body having a nozzle tip for engaging a fuel hose coupling, the tip extending from the body, and a valve sleeve for opening and closing a fuel path between the tip and the body. The tip is mounted within the body on a flexible shaft, so as to accommodate misalignment between the nozzle and the fuel hose coupling. This eliminates the need for a bearing at the end of the shaft, which causes a pressure drop in the nozzle. The shaft is axially slidable in the mounting in a first portion of the nozzle body. The first and second portions of the body are joined with a weak link, which is frangible in the event of excessive load, to release the abutment and allow the nozzle tip to travel towards the body and close the fuel path. Thus a separate shut-off valve is not required. Also a pressure regulator sleeve moves out of the nozzle body towards the nozzle tip in the event of excessive fuel pressure.

Abstract: An adaptor for mounting a refuelling hose and drogue arrangement to a refuelling boom of an aircraft is arranged to provide fluid communication between the boom and a hose of the hose and drogue arrangement. The adaptor is also arranged such that the hose is movable with respect to the boom. The adaptor includes an actuator arranged to produce a biasing force on the hose, and arranged for affecting movement to adjust the position of the hose in relation to the boom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of store ejection from aircraft. More specifically it relates to cartridges used in ejector release units for stores. The invention aims to provide a cartridge that can be used in existing ejector release units that overcomes some of the problems (such as; only a one-time use, the need for cleaning of ejector units, the erosion of ejector units and the need for a holder to be used) of pyrotechnic or hot gas cartridges but without compromising performance. The present invention provides a cartridge for use in an ejector release unit, the cartridge comprising a gas chamber for containing gas under pressure, an outlet of the gas chamber for releasing the compressed gas to drive a release mechanism in the ejector release unit, and a release valve associated with the outlet and arranged to be operable to open the outlet upon activation of a firing pin of an ejector release unit. An ejector release unit containing such a cartridge or pair of cartridges is also provided.

Abstract: An air to air refuelling drogue assembly includes a reception coupling and a drogue canopy connected to the reception coupling by connection means which hold the canopy in an operative, drag producing, position relative to the reception coupling during refuelling. The drogue assembly is arranged to controllably fail so as to reduce the drag load produced by the drogue when a drag load on the canopy exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A steerable drogue (2) comprises a steering mechanism (22, 34, 36) for twisting the canopy support arms (6) to produce an aerodynamic force in flight which can be used to produce movement of the drogue in a required direction.

Abstract: A drogue assembly includes a probe guide such as a standard small high speed drogue with a first canopy (14), and a foldable second canopy (20) mounted around the first canopy which is biased outwardly, and is foldable inwardly under air pressure loading to overlie the small drogue at low speeds. Thus the drag produced by the drogue varies automatically with airspeed allowing the assembly to be used over a wide range of airspeeds.

Abstract: In a reception coupling and drogue assembly (2), light sources (32) are arranged around the wall (26) of the probe passage adjacent the opening (24). The light sources (32) each serve to illuminate the opposing part of the drogue, giving good visibility to the pilot of the following aircraft.

Abstract: A nozzle includes a nozzle body having a nozzle tip for engaging a fuel hose coupling, the tip extending from the body, and a valve sleeve for opening and closing a fuel path between the tip and the body. The tip is mounted within the body on a flexible shaft, so as to accommodate misalignment between the nozzle and the fuel hose coupling. This eliminates the need for a bearing at the end of the shaft, which causes a pressure drop in the nozzle. The shaft is axially slidable in the mounting in a first portion of the nozzle body. The first and second portions of the body are joined a weak link, which is frangible in the event of excessive load, to release the abutment and allow the nozzle tip to travel towards the body and close the fuel path. Thus a separate shut-off valve is not required. Also a pressure regulator sleeve moves out of the nozzle body towards the nozzle tip in the event of excessive fuel pressure.

Abstract: In a reception coupling and drogue assembly (2), light sources (32) are arranged around the wall (26) of the probe passage adjacent the opening (24). The light sources (32) each serve to illuminate the opposing part of the drogue, giving good visibility to the pilot of the following aircraft.

Abstract: Apparatus for aerial refuelling comprises a frame 2 for attaching around an aperture in an aircraft floor 3, and a movable hose drum housing 4 pivotally mounted on the frame. The hose drum 12 may be stowed within the aircraft, and moved into the aperture, for example using screw jacks 20, for deployment of the drogue 40. Since the hose is deployed from a position nearer the outside of the aircraft, the hose does not scrape the edge of the aperture even when lying at a shallow angle to the aircraft.

Abstract: An anode monitoring system for monitoring the integrity of anodes 2 provided on a metallic structure such as a pipeline system 1. A signal circuit Sn including the pipeline 1 and one of the anodes 2 is set up and appropriate signals are looked for at a central station 4. Reception of the signal at the central station 4 is dependent on the integrity of the anode 2 under inspection at that time. If the anode 2 is missing or defective the expected signal is not received and thus the fault in the anode 2 can be detected. A notch filter 5 is inserted in series between each anode 2 and the pipeline 1. The filter 5 provides a high impedance which can be signalled across but does not interfere with the cathodic protection system.

Abstract: An airborne store suspension and release arrangement includes two slender “Tee” hangers located one on either side of a vertical plane through the center of the store. Each hanger has a narrow strut portion mounted on the store by one end and an enlarged cross section portion at the other end of the narrow strut portion. The enlarged cross section portion of each hanger is clamped by releasable clamps mounted in a store carrying aircraft. The store and the aircraft are formed with surfaces which abut one another when the store is suspended from the aircraft and the enlarged cross section portions of the hangers are clamped by the clamps. The arrangement of the hangers, the clamps and the abutting surfaces establishes a couple in reaction to a rolling moment to which the store is subjected during maneuvering of the aircraft. Only one such a slender ‘Tee’ hanger is aligned with the geometrical center of the store in an alternative embodiment.

Abstract: A subsurface object location apparatus for determining the position of an object 2 located below a surface S such as a land surface, the surface of the sea or a seabed. A subsurface unit 1 having transmitter means for transmitting inductive signals is mounted on the object 2. A plurality of surface units 3 are disposed at spaced locations at the surface S. Each surface unit 3 has receiver means arranged for receiving the inductive signals. Processing means 4 are provided for determining the location of the object 2 using time difference of arrival techniques in respect of the signals received at the surface units. Cyclic correlation is used in determining the times of reception of signals at the surface units.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator operable to carry a missile on an aircraft and to eject the missile from the aircraft in flight on demand, includes a differential area piston which is slidable in a closed chamber which is filed with air under pressure. The smaller diameter portion of the piston is slidably engaged in a cavity which is formed in an end wall of the closed chamber. An actuating rod extends co-axially from the smaller diameter piston portion out of the closed chamber. Initial movement of the piston to actuate ejection of the missile is effected under low force by the application of pressure to the end of the smaller diameter piston portion remote from the larger diameter piston portion until the smaller diameter portion is displaced from the cavity into the closed chamber which allows the largest possible force to be exerted on the piston by the action of the compressed air on the larger diameter piston portion.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic flare signalling device firing mechanism has a tubular casing with a master plunger projecting from one end and slidable in the casing in tandem with a slave plunger which is urged against a stop pin in the casing by a coil spring acting between the plungers. A probe on the slave plunger extends towards a firing pin at the other end of the casing. A ball is located in a dished recess between the firing pin and the probe. The diameter of the ball is such that thrust imparted to the slave plunger by extension of the coil spring is transmitted to the firing pin through the ball when the device is upright whereas the probe is always spaced from the firing pin when the bail is displaced to one side because the device is not upright.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an airborne store suspension and release arrangement includes two slender “Tee” hangers located one on either side of a vertical plane through the center of the store. Each hanger has a narrow strut portion which is mounted on the store by one end and an enlarged cross section portion at the other end of the narrow strut portion. The enlarged cross section portion of each hanger is clamped by releasable clamps mounted in a store carrying aircraft. The store and the aircraft are formed with surfaces which abut one another when the store is suspended from the aircraft and the enlarged cross section portions of the hangers are clamped by the clamps. The arrangement of the hangers, the clamps and the abutting surfaces establishes a couple in reaction to a rolling moment to which the store is subjected during manoeuvring of the aircraft.

Abstract: Data transmission in pipeline systems A first set of apparatus is arranged for transmitting data from a point in a cased section of a well 1, 3 to a remote location. The apparatus may be used as a relay station 6 to increase operational depth. Signals are applied to and received from the string 1 at the relay station 6 and a selected length of the string 1 is provided with insulating spacer means 9 on either side of the relay station to ensure that the string 1 and casing 3 are effectively isolated for a selected minimum distance. This enables potential differences to be both applied to and detected from the string 1, thus allowing data transmission and reception. A second set of apparatus is arranged for transmitting from an internal unit 408 inside a cased section of the well 401, 403 to the immediate surrounding area outside the casing 403. The internal unit 408 injects current into the string 401. A toroid 415 which surrounds the casing 403 is provided to pick up signals.