Patent ID: 7850121

Claim:
A ruddevator configured to couple to a refueling boom, the ruddevator comprising: an actuator shaft having a diameter in a range of 85% to 99% of a thickness of the ruddevator, wherein the actuator shaft inserts into a root of the ruddevator, and wherein a center longitudinal axis of the actuator shaft is positioned within a range of 30-50% of a distance from a leading edge of the ruddevator to a trailing edge of the ruddevator at the root; a wingtip that is raked to an angle of between 40 and 50 degrees relative to the actuator shaft, the raked wingtip comprising a chine that extends along the raked wingtip, wherein the chine is positioned along the raked wingtip at a center line thickness of the ruddevator, to produce a lift-producing vortex along a surface of the ruddevator proximate the wingtip; and wherein the trailing edge is truncated over substantially an entire expanse of the trailing edge, the truncated trailing edge causing a non-convergence of an upper surface and a lower surface of the ruddevator, wherein the trailing edge has a thickness in a range of one percent to three percent of a chord length of the ruddevator, wherein the leading edge and the trailing edge are both swept at an angle within a range of 0-10 degrees relative to the actuator shaft.