Aerial refueling hose reel drive controlled by a variable displacement hydraulic motor and method for controlling aerial refueling hose reel
US6866228B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 22, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64D39/02
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention is a variable displacement hydraulic motor-controlled hose reel drive system for aerial refueling of a receiver aircraft from a tanker aircraft. The system includes a variable displacement hydraulic motor, a tachometer/position sensor, a reaction torque sensor and a microprocessor which, depending upon data received from the system's position and reaction torque sensors, sends appropriate signals to the motor. The invention is also a method for deploying a hose and drogue so as to reduce the likelihood that the hose would go into oscillation after initial engagement of a receiver aircraft's probe with the drogue. In an embodiment of the invention, the hose is retracted prior to hook up of the probe and drogue, and the force required to retract the hose is recorded. After initial engagement of the probe with the drogue, the hose is retracted until the force required to retract the hose rises to about the same force previously recorded.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.