Abstract: A contact detecting system for an air refueling tanker equipped with an air refueling boom, the system comprising a boom refueling nozzle comprising a valve to allow the exit of fuel, a latch to engage the refueling nozzle, a first contact detecting mechanism configured to transmit a signal when the refueling nozzle is in a contact position, a second contact detecting mechanism configured to detect the position of the latch and to transmit a signal when the latch is latched, and a third contact detecting mechanism configured to detect the position of the valve and to transmit a signal when the valve is open. The system further comprises a computing device configured to receive the signals from the first, second and third contact detecting mechanisms and to provide an output signal of the contact status of the refueling nozzle.

Abstract: A contact detecting system for an air refueling tanker equipped with an air refueling boom, the system comprising a boom refueling nozzle comprising a valve to allow the exit of fuel, a latch to engage the refueling nozzle, a first contact detecting mechanism configured to transmit a signal when the refueling nozzle is in a contact position, a second contact detecting mechanism configured to detect the position of the latch and to transmit a signal when the latch is latched, and a third contact detecting mechanism configured to detect the position of the valve and to transmit a signal when the valve is open. The system further comprises a computing device configured to receive the signals from the first, second and third contact detecting mechanisms and to provide an output signal of the contact status of the refueling nozzle.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring a mass of fuel contained in a variable geometry container. The container comprises a container assembly, formed by a variable geometry container disposed on a rigid support, a three-axis load cell coupled with the rigid support and providing a first set of three signals with a magnitude proportional to the force exerted by the container assembly, a three-axis accelerometer coupled with the rigid support and providing a second set of three signals with a magnitude proportional to the acceleration to which the container assembly is subjected, and a signal processing device configured to convert the first and the second set of signals into force and acceleration data, for three perpendicular directions of the space, and configured to calculate a measure relative to the mass of fuel contained in the variable geometry container.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring a mass of fuel contained in a variable geometry container. The container comprises a container assembly, formed by a variable geometry container disposed on a rigid support, a three-axis load cell coupled with the rigid support and providing a first set of three signals with a magnitude proportional to the force exerted by the container assembly, a three-axis accelerometer coupled with the rigid support and providing a second set of three signals with a magnitude proportional to the acceleration to which the container assembly is subjected, and a signal processing device configured to convert the first and the second set of signals into force and acceleration data, for three perpendicular directions of the space, and configured to calculate a measure relative to the mass of fuel contained in the variable geometry container.

Abstract: Reception coupling unit of a hose and drogue device of a tanker aircraft with the probe of a receiver aircraft for in-flight refueling, including, respectively, first and second cooperating latching devices that can be positioned in one or more latching states in a refueling operation, in which the reception coupling unit includes at least a detector of the latching states and at least a first indication device and/or a second indication device for providing, respectively, to the pilot of the receiver aircraft and/or to the crew of the tanker aircraft indications that the cooperating latching devices are positioned in one or more of the latching states, the detector being operatively connected, respectively, to a first indication device and/or to a second indication device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double wall duct system (1) suitable for carrying fluids to at least other system comprising an internal duct (3) for conveying the fluid and an external duct (2) for conveying a potential leakage in the system (1), the double wall duct system (1) also comprising a clearance (8) between the ducts (2, 3) and at least one bend, the system (1) also comprising at least one bushing (4, 5) that connects the system (1) to at least other system, the bushing (4, 5) being slidable in the system (1) before being connected to the system (1) and to other systems, the inner duct (3) being connectable at its ends to other systems and the outer duct (2) being connectable to one end of the bushing (4, 5), the bushing (4, 5) providing a closed structural integrity of the system (1) therefore allowing a potential leakage in the double wall system (1) to be detected and evacuated in a controlled manner. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a double wall duct system (1).