Abstract: A system including a coupling (100) configured to couple a hose associated with a tanker aircraft to a nozzle associated with a receiving aircraft. The coupling may include a housing that houses a main poppet and a pilot poppet. The main poppet and the pilot poppet may control fuel flow from the tanker aircraft to the receiving aircraft. The coupling may also include an opening disposed at a first side of the housing. The opening may receive the fuel nozzle. An orifice may be disposed on a second side of the housing, the orifice may permit fuel to flow into the housing. The system may also include a low drag drogue configured to house the coupling. The system may also include a nozzle tip configured to open the pilot poppet and the main poppet, wherein fuel flows to the receiving aircraft in response to the main poppet being open.

Abstract: A fluid nozzle includes a housing, a poppet configured to move within the housing, and a contact sensor disposed in the housing and configured to sense a position of the poppet. A contact sensor may include an actuation rod configured to move in response to contact with the poppet, an actuation rod spring configured to apply a biasing force to the actuation rod, a push rod, a rolling member disposed between the actuation rod and the push rod, and a switch actuated via movement of the push rod. In a connected position of the poppet, the actuation rod may push the rolling member, the rolling member may push the push rod, and the push rod may activate the switch to indicate a connection.

Abstract: A fluid coupling includes an inlet housing member, an outlet housing member rotatably connected with the inlet housing member to define a chamber, a regulator assembly disposed in the chamber and connected to the outlet housing member, a main poppet configured to control fluid flow between the inlet housing member and the outlet housing member, and/or a pilot poppet configured to selectively permit fluid flow through the main poppet. The outlet housing member may be configured to mate with and at least partially receive a nozzle. The regulator assembly may include a regulator housing and a regulator.

Abstract: A fluid coupling includes an inlet housing member, an outlet housing member rotatably connected with the inlet housing member to define a chamber, a regulator assembly disposed in the chamber and connected to the outlet housing member, a main poppet configured to control fluid flow between the inlet housing member and the outlet housing member, and/or a pilot poppet configured to selectively permit fluid flow through the main poppet. The outlet housing member may be configured to mate with and at least partially receive a nozzle. The regulator assembly may include a regulator housing and a regulator.

Abstract: A fluid pressure regulator includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve assembly disposed in the housing, and one or more check valves disposed within the housing. The one or more check valves may be closed when a regulator inlet pressure is greater than a regulator output pressure. When the regulator output pressure is greater than the regulator input pressure, the one or more check valves may open and flow may occur from the outlet of the fluid regulator to the inlet of the fluid regulator, even if the valve assembly is in a closed position.

Abstract: A fluid nozzle includes a housing, a poppet configured to move within the housing, and a contact sensor disposed in the housing and configured to sense a position of the poppet. A contact sensor may include an actuation rod configured to move in response to contact with the poppet, an actuation rod spring configured to apply a biasing force to the actuation rod, a push rod, a rolling member disposed between the actuation rod and the push rod, and a switch actuated via movement of the push rod. In a connected position of the poppet, the actuation rod may push the rolling member, the rolling member may push the push rod, and the push rod may activate the switch to indicate a connection.

Abstract: A system including a coupling (100) configured to couple a hose associated with a tanker aircraft to a nozzle associated with a receiving aircraft. The coupling may include a housing that houses a main poppet and a pilot poppet. The main poppet and the pilot poppet may control fuel flow from the tanker aircraft to the receiving aircraft. The coupling may also include an opening disposed at a first side of the housing. The opening may receive the fuel nozzle. An orifice may be disposed on a second side of the housing, the orifice may permit fuel to flow into the housing. The system may also include a low drag drogue configured to house the coupling. The system may also include a nozzle tip configured to open the pilot poppet and the main poppet, wherein fuel flows to the receiving aircraft in response to the main poppet being open.

Abstract: A fluid pressure regulator includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve assembly disposed in the housing, and one or more check valves disposed within the housing. The one or more check valves may be closed when a regulator inlet pressure is greater than a regulator output pressure. When the regulator output pressure is greater than the regulator input pressure, the one or more check valves may open and flow may occur from the outlet of the fluid regulator to the inlet of the fluid regulator, even if the valve assembly is in a closed position.

Abstract: An improved refueling system is provided for faster and safer pit stop refueling of a race car during a race. The refueling system is particularly designed for faster gravity drain flow of fuel from a pitside fuel tank to a fuel cell on the race car. The refueling system comprises an improved fuel nozzle adapted for quick and easy engagement with a mating receiver on the race car. In the course of engaging the fuel nozzle with the receiver, a poppet-type valve in the nozzle is moved to a full-open position defining a substantially unobstructed flow path for fuel flow through the nozzle at a substantially optimized flow rate to achieve refueling of the race car in the shortest possible time. The fuel nozzle is quickly and easily disengaged from the car receiver, and such disengagement is accompanied by automatic closure of the poppet-type valve.