Patent ID: 7931236

Claim:
A deflection device for deflecting a slipstream of a refueling pod subjected to an airflow, the airflow having a first flow direction and a second local flow direction adjacent to a surface of the refueling pod, a circumference of the refueling pod taken along a cross section transverse to a rotational axis of the refueling pod, the refueling pod including a dragged refueling hose with a first portion, the first portion being an entire length of the refueling hose that is located completely in a first region of turbulence, the first region of turbulence being a region of the slipstream during flight downstream of the refueling pod in the first flow direction when the deflection device is mounted on the refueling pod, the refueling pod having an end at a rear end side of the refueling pod, the deflection device having a principal extent positioned along the circumference of the refueling pod; and the deflection device comprising a partial ring shape having a face positioned to oppose vertically the second local flow direction, the face having a rear surface, wherein the refueling pod comprises an aerodynamically shaped joining element having a longitudinal extent configured to mount the refueling pod to an aircraft, wherein both the deflection device and the joining element are mounted above the rotational axis of the refueling pod; wherein the deflection device is mounted at the end of the refueling pod and is shaped to deflect the slipstream such that a central axis of the slipstream proceeds in a direction toward a horizontal plane perpendicular to and contacting the rear surface of the deflection device as a distance from the refueling pod increases and such that the first portion of the dragged refueling hose is shorter than a second portion of the dragged refueling hose, the second portion being an entire length of the dragged refueling hose that is located in a second region of turbulence, the second region of turbulence being a region of the slipstream during flight downstream of the refueling pod in the first flow direction when the refueling pod is flown without the deflection device.