Air-to-air refuelling drogue assembly
US12091185B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2021 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 25, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/40
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to the field of aerial refuelling, usually by transfer of fuel from a tanker aircraft to a receiver aircraft. In particular the invention relates to a probe and drogue assembly arrangement in which the drogue assembly is steerable to facilitate engagement with the probe of the receiver aircraft. The invention provides a steerable drogue assembly for towing behind an aircraft, the drogue assembly comprising a reception coupling for receiving a probe of a receiver aircraft, one or more aerodynamic control features and one or more actuators provided in the drogue assembly and adapted to selectively activate said one or more control features, so that an activated control feature interacts with airflow passing the drogue so as to exert a control force on the drogue.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.