Abstract: The present invention relates primarily to the field of air-to-air refueling of aircraft using an engagement between a tanker (or donor) aircraft and a receiver aircraft so that fuel may be delivered to the receiver aircraft via a fueling conduit, such as a hose or boom. The invention may also find application in other air-to-air engagement activities, such as recharging of an electric powered aircraft by delivery of an electrical recharging current to batteries of the aircraft via an electrical cable. In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a drogue assembly for towing behind a donor aircraft, which drogue assembly comprises a reception coupling for engaging with a probe provided on a receiver aircraft and a drogue chute for stabilising the reception coupling when towed, wherein the drogue assembly further comprises at least one LiDAR sensor, a controller for the LiDAR and a data processor in data communication with the LiDAR for processing the sensed LiDAR data.

Abstract: A method of operating a vapor recovery system that recovers vapors expelled from a vehicle during refueling at a fuel dispensing point and returns the vapors to an underground storage tank through a vapor flow path that is in fluid communication with an air to liquid regulator valve and a vapor pump. The method includes dispensing fuel into the vehicle through the fuel dispensing point, regulating an amount of vapor that is recovered through the fuel dispensing point with the air to liquid regulator valve in proportion to the fuel dispensed into the vehicle, detecting a parameter of the vapor recovery system, and maintaining a substantially constant pressure level in a first portion of the vapor return path that is disposed between the vapor pump and the air to liquid regulator valve.

Abstract: An air to liquid regulator valve for use with a vapor recovery system that recovers vapors expelled from a vehicle receiving fuel through a fuel supply passage and returns the vapors to an underground storage tank through a vapor return passage in a service station environment. The regulator valve includes a housing defining a fuel flow path in fluid communication with the fuel supply passage and a vapor return path in fluid communication with the vapor return passage, a vapor return orifice defined by the housing and disposed between a first portion and a second portion of the vapor return path, and a vapor flow bypass in fluid communication with the first portion and the second portion of the vapor return path such that the flow of vapors through both the vapor flow bypass and the vapor return orifice is possible.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a single-polarization fiber that may include a W-type refractive-index profile having a depressed region along an unguided principal axis of the fiber, and a quasi step-index profile along a guided principal axis of the fiber. The quasi step-index profile may have a depressed region with a radial extent at least twice that of the depressed region along the unguided axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a single-polarization fiber that may include a W-type refractive-index profile having a depressed region along an unguided principal axis of the fiber, and a quasi step-index profile along a guided principal axis of the fiber. The quasi step-index profile may have a depressed region with a radial extent at least twice that of the depressed region along the unguided axis.

Abstract: An air to liquid regulator valve for use with a vapor recovery system that recovers vapors expelled from a vehicle receiving fuel through a fuel supply passage and returns the vapors to an underground storage tank through a vapor return passage in a service station environment. The regulator valve includes a housing defining a fuel flow path in fluid communication with the fuel supply passage and a vapor return path in fluid communication with the vapor return passage, a vapor return orifice defined by the housing and disposed between a first portion and a second portion of the vapor return path, and a vapor flow bypass in fluid communication with the first portion and the second portion of the vapor return path such that the flow of vapors through both the vapor flow bypass and the vapor return orifice is possible.

Abstract: A method of operating a vapor recovery system that recovers vapors expelled from a vehicle during refueling at a fuel dispensing point and returns the vapors to an underground storage tank through a vapor flow path that is in fluid communication with an air to liquid regulator valve and a vapor pump. The method includes dispensing fuel into the vehicle through the fuel dispensing point, regulating an amount of vapor that is recovered through the fuel dispensing point with the air to liquid regulator valve in proportion to the fuel dispensed into the vehicle, detecting a parameter of the vapor recovery system, and maintaining a substantially constant pressure level in a first portion of the vapor return path that is disposed between the vapor pump and the air to liquid regulator valve.

Abstract: A sensor for a height control system uses a transducer to detect changes in position of an arm relative to a vehicle and sends a proportional signal to a microprocessor that, in turn, actuates a pneumatic valve operably connected to an air spring between the arm and the vehicle. The transducer includes an optical bridge, a variable capacitor, or a flexible variable resistor.

Abstract: A control system, primarily for use with a vehicle, which increases ride stability and minimizes cycling of the control system during normal operation of the vehicle by utilization of a restriction valve to restrict the fluid introduced into or exhausted from a fluid bag in response to a received control signal.

Abstract: A trailing arm suspension for a vehicle. The trailing arm suspension having a height control system for controlling the ride height of the suspension relative to the vehicle. The height control system preferably comprises a motor driven height control valve.

Abstract: Data protection and security is provided by incorporating a data shredding operation which renders data previously stored on storage media unrecoverable. In the shredding operation of the present invention, certain overhead portions of a data storage sector remain unchanged, while the data area is overwritten with a predetermined pattern. By maintaining the overhead portions of the sectors (addressing, verify and protect, error correction codes, etc.) the sectors can be easily identified as being previously shredded, thus not providing a source of possible confusion to the data storage device. Further, the data becomes unrecoverable as it has been overwritten by the predetermined pattern, which thus eliminates all previously existing transitions which contained the encoded data.

Abstract: A redundant vacuum-generating source system and method for generating and/or maintaining a vacuum level in a secondarily contained fuel-handling component that is monitored for leaks. The vacuum-generating source is coupled to upstream fuel-handling components to draw a vacuum level in their interstitial spaces. Other downstream fuel-handling components are drawn under a vacuum by tapping off of the upstream fuel-handling component's interstitial spaces for convenience. A series of valves control which upstream fuel-handling component's interstitial spaces are coupled to a downstream fuel-handling component interstitial space. In the event that an upstream fuel-handling component contains a leak, a control system can control the valves to switch the vacuum generation of a downstream fuel-handling component to another upstream fuel-handling component that does not contain a leak so that a sufficient vacuum level can be generated in downstream fuel-handling component(s) to monitor it for leaks.

Abstract: An in-dispenser leak pan provided inside the housing of a fuel dispenser. The leak collection chamber collects any fuel that leaks from fuel-handling components located inside the fuel dispenser above the pan. The pan is secondarily contained by an outer pan or container such that an interstitial space is formed therebetween. If a breach exists in the top part of the pan, the captured leaked fuel will be contained in by the outer pan in the interstitial space. The interstitial space of the pan is drawn under a vacuum level using a vacuum-generating source to monitor for leaks. If a leak is detected, a control system may generate an alarm and/or cause the submersible turbine pump to stop supplying fuel, or cause the dispenser product line shear valves to close, thereby only stopping fuel flow to the individual fuel dispenser containing the leak.

Abstract: An end-of-zone or line sensor placed at the end of a secondarily contained fuel piping(s) or network(s). The interstitial space of the piping network is coupled to a vacuum-generating source that draws a vacuum level in the interstitial space to monitor for leaks or breaches in the piping network. The end-of-zone sensors are coupled to the interstitial space at the far end of the piping network and vacuum-generating source. The end-of-zone sensors actuate when a sufficient vacuum level is detected. A control system monitors the status of the end-of-zone switches. If the vacuum-generating source is activated to draw a vacuum level, and the end-of-zone sensors react to indicate the vacuum level has reached the sensor, the control system knows that there is no blockage over the entire span of the piping network, and thus entire piping network can be properly monitored for leaks.

Abstract: A vacuum-actuated shear valve coupled between piping from a storage tank and piping internal to a fuel dispenser that automatically opens and closes in response to a vacuum level. A vacuum actuator is provided to control a fuel flow valve inside the shear valve. When a sufficient vacuum level is generated to the vacuum actuator, the actuator keeps the flow path valve inside the shear valve open. When the vacuum is lost, the vacuum actuator releases the flow path valve inside the shear valve, which closes it. The vacuum actuator is coupled to a secondary containment space of a fuel-handling component that is drawn under a vacuum level by a vacuum-generating source to monitor for leaks. Thus, if a leak occurs in the monitored secondarily contained space, the shear valve is automatically closed to prevent the flow of fuel from continuing to be supplied to the source of the leak.

Abstract: A shear valve employing a two-stage main poppet valve. The two-stage main poppet valve that can be opened with less force than normally required by prior art designs. For example, if there is pump pressure trapped on the upstream side of the two-stage main poppet valve and little or no pressure or atmospheric pressure on the downstream side, more force than can be provided may be required to open the two-stage main poppet valve to reset the shear valve after the two-stage main poppet valve is closed. The two-stage main poppet valve is designed to first begin to equalize pressure differential across the shear valve without opening a main poppet valve head from its seat inside the shear valve. Thereafter, the main poppet valve head can be opened with less force than otherwise would be required.

Abstract: A double-walled contained shear valve comprises of an inner housing forming a fuel flow path, and a containment housing surrounding the inner housing, either partially or wholly, to provide a secondary containment. An interstitial space is formed between the inner housing and the containment housing as a result, and may be placed under a vacuum or pressure level to monitor for leaks. A vacuum actuator coupled to the interstitial space automatically opens and closes the fuel flow path of the shear valve in response to the vacuum level in the interstitial space to prevent leaks to the environment. The shear valve may contain a flange for connection to internal fuel dispenser piping that either does or does not includes interstitial space orifices to couple the shear valve interstitial space to the fuel dispenser piping interstitial space to monitor the vacuum or pressure level in these interstitial spaces as one contiguous space.

Abstract: A double-walled contained shear valve comprises of an inner housing forming a fuel flow path, and a containment housing surrounding the inner housing, either partially or wholly, to provide a secondary containment. An interstitial space is formed between the inner housing and the containment housing as a result, and may be placed under a vacuum or pressure level to monitor for leaks. A vacuum actuator coupled to the interstitial space automatically opens and closes the fuel flow path of the shear valve in response to the vacuum level in the interstitial space to prevent leaks to the environment. The shear valve may contain a flange for connection to internal fuel dispenser piping that either does or does not includes interstitial space orifices to couple the shear valve interstitial space to the fuel dispenser piping interstitial space to monitor the vacuum or pressure level in these interstitial spaces as one contiguous space.

Abstract: A trailing arm suspension for a vehicle. The trailing arm suspension having a height control system for controlling the ride height of the suspension relative to the vehicle. The height control system preferably comprises a motor driven height control valve.

Abstract: A sensor for a height control system in a trailing arm suspension uses a transducer to detect changes in position of a trailing arm relative to a vehicle and sends a proportional signal to a microprocessor that, in turn, actuates a pneumatic valve operably connected to an air spring between the trailing arm and the vehicle. The transducer includes an optical bridge, a variable capacitor, or a flexible variable resistor.