Examples of a refueling device for use in in-flight refueling operation are provided. In at least one example the refueling device includes a body, a boom member and a spatial control system. The body is configured for being towed by a tanker aircraft in a forward direction via a fuel hose at least during in-flight refueling operation, the body having a body longitudinal axis and a neutral point. The boom member is carried by the body. The boom member has a fuel delivery nozzle, the fuel delivery nozzle being configured for selectively engaging with a fuel receptacle in a receiver aircraft to enable fuel to be transferred from the fuel hose to the receiver aircraft during such in-flight refueling operation. The spatial control system is configured for selectively providing stability and control to the refueling device. At least during refueling operation the fuel delivery nozzle is longitudinally forward of the neutral point.

Examples of a refueling device for use in in-flight refueling operation are provided. In at least one example the refueling device includes a body, a boom member and a spatial control system. The body is configured for being towed by a tanker aircraft in a forward direction via a fuel hose at least during in-flight refueling operation, the body having a body longitudinal axis and a neutral point. The boom member is carried by the body. The boom member has a fuel delivery nozzle, the fuel delivery nozzle being configured for selectively engaging with a fuel receptacle in a receiver aircraft to enable fuel to be transferred from the fuel hose to the receiver aircraft during such in-flight refueling operation. The spatial control system is configured for selectively providing stability and control to the refueling device. At least during refueling operation the fuel delivery nozzle is longitudinally forward of the neutral point.

The invention is a watercraft to aircraft refueling system (“WARS”). A WARS is a refueling system based from a watercraft, such as a surface ship or submarine. A WARS would typically include an elevation apparatus to lift a refueling hose above the water. The elevation apparatus can compose a lifting or swiveling mechanism. In some embodiments both a lifting and swiveling mechanism is used. The WARS lifts the refueling hose above the water, allowing an aircraft to engage with the WARS. The refueling hose may also include a telescoping mechanism or a rotor apparatus or a pressurized water nozzle system to elevate the refueling hose and assist in engaging a WARS with an aircraft.

The invention is a watercraft to aircraft refueling system (“WARS”). A WARS is a refueling system based from a watercraft, such as a surface ship or submarine. A WARS would typically include an elevation apparatus to lift a refueling hose above the water. The elevation apparatus can compose a lifting or swiveling mechanism. In some embodiments both a lifting and swiveling mechanism is used. The WARS lifts the refueling hose above the water, allowing an aircraft to engage with the WARS. The refueling hose may also include a telescoping mechanism or a rotor apparatus or a pressurized water nozzle system to elevate the refueling hose and assist in engaging a WARS with an aircraft.

The invention refers to a quick released system for coupling (1) and drogue (2) assembly comprises a crown coupling connector (4) suitable for being fixed to the coupling (1) and comprising cavities (14); a plurality of balls (3) housed in the cavities (14) with an emerging part and radially movable; a crown drogue connector (5) suitable for being fixed to the drogue (2), configured to engage and disengage the coupling connector (4) and comprising first recesses (26); and a crown locking ring (6) rotatable between a locked and a released position and comprising second recesses (31). The second recesses (31) are arranged in correspondence with the first recesses (26) when the system is in a released position and, the locking ring (6) in contact with the balls (3) and the first recesses (26) engaged with the emerging part of the balls (3) when the system is in a locked position.

Refueling devices for use in in-flight refueling operation are provided, including a body configured for being towed by a tanker aircraft and having a boom member that has a fuel delivery nozzle, a spatial control system and a longitudinal control system. The longitudinal displacement control system includes at least one panel element defining a front panel projected area orthogonal to a body longitudinal axis, each panel element being controllably and reversibly deployable incrementally to each one of a plurality of successive deployed positions between a fully retracted position and a fully deployed position, to provide a respective reversible incrementally increasing aft force to the refueling device at least during the in-flight refueling operation.

Refueling devices for use in in-flight refueling operation are provided, including a body configured for being towed by a tanker aircraft and having a boom member that has a fuel delivery nozzle, a spatial control system and a longitudinal control system. The longitudinal displacement control system includes at least one panel element defining a front panel projected area orthogonal to a body longitudinal axis, each panel element being controllably and reversibly deployable incrementally to each one of a plurality of successive deployed positions between a fully retracted position and a fully deployed position, to provide a respective reversible incrementally increasing aft force to the refueling device at least during the in-flight refueling operation.

A fuel hose assembly for inflight fuelling of aircraft comprises: a flexible inner tube for conveying fuel under pressure; an outer cover comprising a plurality of rigid parts; and an actuator configured to move the rigid parts lengthwise along the flexible inner tube. The rigid parts are movable by the actuator to provide continuous lengthwise cover over the flexible inner tube, so as to be able to resist radial expansion of the flexible inner tube when the flexible inner tube is pressurised. The rigid parts are further movable by the actuator to uncover lengthwise portions of the flexible inner tube between the rigid parts, so as to allow bending of the flexible inner tube when the flexible inner tube is unpressurised.

A fuel hose assembly for inflight fuelling of aircraft comprises: a flexible inner tube for conveying fuel under pressure; an outer cover comprising a plurality of rigid parts; and an actuator configured to move the rigid parts lengthwise along the flexible inner tube. The rigid parts are movable by the actuator to provide continuous lengthwise cover over the flexible inner tube, so as to be able to resist radial expansion of the flexible inner tube when the flexible inner tube is pressurised. The rigid parts are further movable by the actuator to uncover lengthwise portions of the flexible inner tube between the rigid parts, so as to allow bending of the flexible inner tube when the flexible inner tube is unpressurised.

A variety of refueling devices, systems and methods are disclosed for use in in-flight refueling. In one example one such device is towed by a tanker aircraft via a fuel hose at least during in-flight refueling, and has a boom member with a boom axis. The boom member enables fuel to be transferred from the fuel hose to a receiver aircraft along the boom axis during in-flight refueling. The device maintains a desired non-zero angular disposition between the boom axis and a forward direction at least when the refueling device is towed by the tanker aircraft in the forward direction via the fuel hose.