Patent ID: 8459593
Filing Date: 2013-06-11
Classification: B64D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A drogue deployment system for providing a non-tanker aircraft with aerial refueling capabilities, comprising: a drum unit configured for removable coupling to a fuel system of the non-tanker aircraft, the drum unit comprising a drum configured to rotate in a first direction to receive a refueling hose and to rotate in a second direction to deploy the refueling hose; and an actuator operative to rotate a drive screw, at least one guide rod positioned substantially parallel to the drive screw; a carriage assembly configured to translate along the at least one guide rod in a first linear direction upon activation of the actuator to rotate the drive screw in a first rotational direction, and to translate along the at least one guide rod in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction upon activation of the actuator to rotate the drive screw in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, a drogue extension tube rotatably coupled to a fixed structure at a fixed pivot end, at least one extension rod coupled at a first end to the carriage assembly and at a second end to the drogue extension tube such that translation of the carriage assembly along the at least one guide rod rotates the drogue extension tube around the fixed pivot end, and a drogue container rotatably coupled to the drogue extension tube at a distal end opposite the fixed pivot end, wherein the drogue extension tube and the drogue container are configured to receive the refueling hose and to guide the refueling hose from the drum unit to a deployed position external to the non-tanker aircraft.