An apparatus and method for refueling an aircraft comprising a hose guide. The hose guide includes a framework having wings and remotely-adjustable control surfaces interacting with air through which the hose guide moves. An attachment interface, attaching the hose guide to a fuel hose extended from a tanker aircraft, at a distal end away from the tanker aircraft, and a control system adjusting the adjustable control surfaces. Wherein the hose guide is towed as a glider by the tanker aircraft, and adjustment of the control surfaces adjusts three-dimensional position of the end of the fuel hose at the hose guide relative to position of the tanker aircraft.

Systems, apparatus, and methods may control movement of an object through a fluid. The systems, apparatus, and methods may utilize one or more rotatable control units, each including a plurality of control fins to generate a force at least partially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the object through the fluid.

Systems, apparatus, and methods may control movement of an object through a fluid. The systems, apparatus, and methods may utilize one or more rotatable control units, each including a plurality of control fins to generate a force at least partially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the object through the fluid.

An in flight refueling probe for an aircraft includes a circular shaped hollow tubular member having a first end attached to the aircraft and a second end extending from the aircraft terminating in an external convex shape with a plurality of first holes equally spaced thereabout. A cylindrical member having a first end with an internal curved surface convex shaped end of the tubular member with a plurality of second holes there through in alignment with the plurality of first holes in the second end of the tubular member with fasteners installed in the holes joining the cylindrical member to the tubular member. The fasteners have a strength limited to a value that will break under a specific load on the probe. A nozzle assembly is mounted to the second end of the cylindrical member for coupling to the receptacle on a fuel dispensing aircraft.

An in flight refueling probe for an aircraft includes a circular shaped hollow tubular member having a first end attached to the aircraft and a second end extending from the aircraft terminating in an external convex shape with a plurality of first holes equally spaced thereabout. A cylindrical member having a first end with an internal curved surface convex shaped end of the tubular member with a plurality of second holes there through in alignment with the plurality of first holes in the second end of the tubular member with fasteners installed in the holes joining the cylindrical member to the tubular member. The fasteners have a strength limited to a value that will break under a specific load on the probe. A nozzle assembly is mounted to the second end of the cylindrical member for coupling to the receptacle on a fuel dispensing 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 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.

A refueling device for use in in-flight refueling operation between a tanker aircraft and a receiver aircraft includes a selectively steerable body and a controller. The selectively steerable body configured for being towed by a tanker aircraft via a fuel hose at least during in-flight refueling, and includes a boom member having a boom axis and configured to enable fuel to be transferred from the fuel hose to a receiver aircraft along the boom axis during the in-flight refueling operation. The controller is configured for selectively steering the body to an engagement enabling position spaced with respect to the receiver aircraft and for aligning the boom axis in an engagement enabling orientation at the spaced position, and for subsequently moving the boom member along the boom axis towards the receiver aircraft for enabling fuel communication therebetween.

A refueling device for use in in-flight refueling operation between a tanker aircraft and a receiver aircraft includes a selectively steerable body and a controller. The selectively steerable body configured for being towed by a tanker aircraft via a fuel hose at least during in-flight refueling, and includes a boom member having a boom axis and configured to enable fuel to be transferred from the fuel hose to a receiver aircraft along the boom axis during the in-flight refueling operation. The controller is configured for selectively steering the body to an engagement enabling position spaced with respect to the receiver aircraft and for aligning the boom axis in an engagement enabling orientation at the spaced position, and for subsequently moving the boom member along the boom axis towards the receiver aircraft for enabling fuel communication therebetween.

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.