Patent ID: 9540115
Date: 2017-01-10
CPC Classifications: B64D

Claim:
1. An in-flight refueling probe for an aircraft to be refueled by a fuel dispensing aircraft having a receptacle for connecting to the refueling probe, the refueling probe comprising: a first tubular member secured to the aircraft; a second tubular member having a releasable connection with the first tubular member such that the second tubular member detaches from the first tubular member in response to a predetermined force applied to the connection; a nozzle secured to the second tubular member for coupling to the receptacle of the fuel dispensing aircraft and being in fluid communication with the first tubular member; and a tethering member having a first end connected to the first tubular member and a second end connected to one of the second tubular member and the nozzle, the tethering member remaining intact to connect the detached second tubular member to the first tubular member when a first tensile force is applied to the tethering member, the tethering member rupturing to disconnect the detached second tubular member from the first tubular member when a second tensile force greater than the first tensile force is applied to the tethering member.