Aerial refueling device

A device for opening a door on an airplane to expose a refueling receptacle having means to connect to a fueling nozzle, said device comprising a hydraulic door actuator having a rod for moving the door to open and closed positions, an inlet for pressurized fluid, a single first conduit connecting said inlet to said door actuator, a first valve normally closing said first conduit to isolate said door actuator from said inlet, control means for opening said first valve to direct pressurized fluid through said first conduit to said door actuator to operate the same for moving the door, conduit means for connecting said door actuator to a reservoir, a second valve in said conduit means and responsive to said control means for controlling flow through said conduit means to control movement of the door, and means operable by the nozzle when fully received by the receptacle for latching the nozzle to the receptacle.

A device for opening a door on an aircraft to expose a refueling receptacle comprising a hydraulic door actuator having an extendable and retractable rod for opening and closing the door, mechanical lock means for locking said rod in one position against movement in one direction, lock release means for releasing said lock means, and means actuated by said lock means as it is released for directing pressure fluid to said door actuator to move said rod in said one direction from said one position.

A device for opening a door on an airplane to expose a refueling receptacle having latches to lock a nozzle to the receptacle, comprising a hydraulic door actuator for opening and closing the door, valve means for controlling flow of fluid to the actuator, control means for controlling said valve means and movable to a first position to cause said valve means to condition flow to and from said door actuator for opening the door and to a second position to cause said valve means to condition flow to and from said door actuator for closing the door, a hydraulic latch actuator for extending and retracting the latches, latch valve means for controlling flow of fluid to and from said latch actuator and having a normal position for causing said latch actuator to retract the latches, switch means actuated by the nozzle for causing said latch valve means to move to another position for causing said latch actuator to extend the latches, and means for locking said control means in its first position when the nozzle latch is in its extended position, said means for locking said control means including a plunger held in engagement with said control means by spring pressure when said switch means is actuated by the nozzle and which plunger is held out of engagement with said control means by a hydraulic plunger when said switch means is no longer actuated by the nozzle.

A device for opening a door on an airplane to expose a refueling receptacle comprising a hydraulic door actuator having an extendable and retractable rod respectively for opening and closing the door, a single conduit for connecting a source of pressurized fluid to said actuator, a valve in said conduit normally for closing said conduit, valve control means movable from a valve closed position to a valve open position to supply pressurized fluid to said actuator for extension and retraction of said ram, and means movable to one position upon extension of said rod for holding said valve control means in its valve open position and movable to another position by said ram when in its retracted position to permit said valve control means to return to its valve closed position.

A device for opening a door on an airplane to expose a refueling receptacle comprising a hydraulic door actuator connectable to the door for moving the door to open and closed positions, first locking means holding the door actuator in a door closed or open position, release means for releasing said first locking means, a rocker arm pivotally carried on said release means and movable by said first locking means, and means responsive to such movement of said rocker arm for controlling flow of pressure fluid to said door actuator for moving the door to its other position.

A device for opening a door on an airplane to expose a refueling receptacle comprising a hydraulic door actuator having a rod for moving the door to open position when the rod is extended and to closed position when the rod is retracted, a piston connected to the rod and dividing the door actuator into first and second chambers, said piston having a relatively small area exposed to fluid in said first chamber and a larger area exposed to fluid in said second chamber, first means for supplying pressurized fluid to said first chamber, second means for controlling exhausting of fluid from said second chamber when said first chamber is pressurized, and passage means connecting said first and second chambers, said passage means having therein an orifice for restricting flow through said passage.