Patent ID: 6988693
Filing Date: 2006-01-24
Classification: B63B,B64D,F16L,G01R

Abstract:
1. A conduit for transferring a flowable material, comprising: a wall member at least partially enclosing an inner region, the inner region being adapted to receive the flowable material and to facilitate transfer of the flowable material from a first location to a second location; and a plurality of reflective members being at least one of formed within an outer layer of the wall member and disposed on an outer surface of the wall member, the reflective members being disposed in at least one substantially continuous annular band about the wall member and adapted to at least partially reflect light incident thereon, wherein the wall member includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first concentration of reflective members and the second portion having a second concentration of reflective members, wherein the second portion of the wall member is adapted to be inserted into a receiving receptacle of an aerial refueling system, and wherein the second portion includes the substantially continuous annular band disposed about the wall member at a location corresponding to at least one of a maximum and a minimum insertion length of the second portion into the receiving receptacle for proper operation of the aerial refueling system.