Patent ID: 8561947
Filing Date: 2013-10-22
Classification: B64D

Abstract:
1. A refueling drogue coupling system for a refueling drogue assembly, said system comprising: a fluid passage extending from a coupling inlet to a coupling outlet, said fluid passage comprising a valve seat circumscribing said fluid passage proximate said coupling outlet; a valve plug assembly comprising a valve plug configured to engage said seat to prevent flow through said fluid passage and an actuator assembly comprising a bias member; a coupling latch assembly incorporated into said coupling outlet, said coupling latch assembly comprising a latch member configured to matingly engage a complementary latch-receiving member of a refueling probe, said latch member comprising a first pivot end, a locking roller, and a second pivot end, said coupling latch assembly further comprising a latch member actuator operatively coupled to said latch member to permit said latch member to move from a first locked position to a second unlocked position, wherein in a first locked position, said locking roller prevents removal of the refueling probe from said refueling drogue assembly and in the second unlocked position, said locking roller is withdrawn away from a longitudinal axis of the refueling probe and the refueling probe is permitted entry into or removal from said refueling drogue assembly; a probe position sensor positioned on the refueling drogue assembly and configured to detect a position of the refueling probe in the refueling drogue assembly at a position of the refueling probe relative to a predetermined inserted position of the refueling probe into the refueling drogue assembly, said probe position sensor configured transmit to a drogue controller a signal indicating a positive determination that the refueling probe is in the proper position for latching the locking roller onto the latch-receiving member wherein in the proper position, said latch member is in the second unlocked position; a hose tension sensor configured to measure a tension in a hose coupled to said coupling inlet; and a drogue controller positioned on said refueling drogue coupling system and communicatively coupled to said latch member actuator, said probe position sensor, and said hose tension sensor.