Magnetic refueling boom positioning
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsHilary J. Fiorentino, Brett Dayton Sjostrom
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Abstract
Described are systems and methods for magnetically assisted boom refueling. In certain examples, a magnetic refueling receiver is disclosed that includes a refueling receptacle configured to receive a portion of a refueling boom and a receptacle magnet disposed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the refueling receptacle. In another example, a magnetic refueling boom is disclosed that includes a refueling boom structure that includes a first end configured to be inserted into a refueling receiver and a pipe magnet disposed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the refueling boom structure.
Claims20
An aircraft, comprising:
- a refueling receiver, comprising:
- a refueling receptacle, configured to receive a portion of a refueling boom;
- and
- a receptacle magnet, disposed around at least an inner side wall portion of an entire perimeter of the refueling receptacle for engaging with a pipe magnet on an outside surface of the refueling boom.
An aircraft, comprising:
- a refueling boom, comprising:
- a refueling boom structure, comprising a first end, configured to be inserted into a refueling receiver;
- and
- a pipe magnet, disposed on an outside surface and around at least a portion of a perimeter of the refueling boom structure.
A method comprising:
- moving a refueling boom, which includes a pipe magnet disposed on an outside surface and around at least a portion of a perimeter of the refueling boom, toward a refueling receiver, which includes a receptacle magnet disposed around at least an inner side wall portion of a perimeter of the refueling receiver;
- operating the pipe magnet of the refueling boom, and/or the receptacle magnet of the refueling receiver, in a first polarity to draw the refueling boom to the refueling receiver;
- and
- inserting a portion of the refueling boom into the refueling receiver.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.