Aircraft under-wing fueling nozzle system
OwnerAlbert W. Browninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular nozzle system for refueling aircraft fuel tanks includes a nozzle valve linkage mechanism which permits the valve body to have a shorter length than previous designs. The nozzle may include a mechanical fuse for releasing the connection between the nozzle body and a fuel tank upon the application of predetermined forces. The nozzle may also include a swivel joint which facilitates positioning the nozzle for connection to a fuel tank. The nozzle may also include a quick disconnect assembly which facilitates connection of the nozzle to various hose end connection. The system also may comprise an assembly fixture for assembling the mechanical fuse and a test fixture for testing the release force of the mechanical fuse.
Claims47
A nozzle, comprising:
- a nozzle body including an inlet end and an outlet end;
- nozzle collar adapter means connectable to a fuel tank adapter;
- and
- mechanical fuse means releasably connecting said nozzle collar adapter to said outlet end;
- and
- being released upon either axial or lateral loads exceeding respective predetermined amounts.
A nozzle, comprising:
- a nozzle body including an inlet end for admitting a fluid and an outlet end for emitting the fluid;
- a nozzle valve shaft bearing mounted inside said nozzle body, said nozzle valve shaft bearing including a slot therein;
- a nozzle valve shaft extending through said nozzle valve shaft bearing;
- a nozzle valve connected to said nozzle valve shaft for controlling the flow of fluids between said inlet end and said outlet end of said nozzle body;
- and
- linkage means for controlling the axial position of said nozzle valve shaft within said nozzle body, said linkage means including a connecting link reciprocally movable within said slot as said nozzle valve moves axially relative to said nozzle body.
A nozzle comprising:
- a nozzle body having an inlet end and an outlet end;
- a first disconnect half connected to the inlet end of said nozzle body;
- a plurality of locking lugs extending radially outward from said first disconnect half;
- a second disconnect half having a plurality of mating lugs extending radially inward for locking engagement with said locking lugs, said locking lugs and said mating lugs coupling said first and second disconnect halves together when said locking lugs and said mating lugs are intermeshed and rotated into axial alignment;
- and
- means for selectively engaging said locking lugs and said mating lugs to retain said first disconnect half and said second disconnect half against relative rotation, thereby selectively maintaining locking engagement of said locking lugs and said mating lugs.
A nozzle, comprising:
- a nozzle body including an inlet end and an outlet end;
- a housing rotatably connected to said inlet end of said nozzle body, said housing having an inlet end and an outlet end;
- a first race formed between adjacent surfaces of said inlet end of said nozzle body and said outlet end of said housing;
- a plurality of bearings retained within said race;
- a disconnect half rotatably connected to the inlet end of said housing;
- a second race formed between adjacent surfaces of said disconnect half and said inlet end of said housing;
- and
- a plurality of bearings retained within said second race.
A nozzle according to claim 40 wherein said seal means for controlling leakage between the adjacent surfaces of said inlet end of said housing and said disconnect half includes:
- a first O-ring mounted in said inlet end of said housing;
- a second O-ring mounted in said disconnect half;
- and
- a teflon slipper seal floatably mounted between said first and second O-rings.
A nozzle, comprising:
- a nozzle body including an inlet end and an outlet end;
- a pressure regulator housing having an inlet end and an outlet end, said outlet of said pressure regulator housing being coupled to said inlet end of said nozzle body;
- a valve mounted in said pressure regulator housing, said valve being movable between an open position and a closed position in response to changes in fluid pressure in said nozzle body to control the flow rate of fluid through said regulator housing and to control the fluid pressure within said nozzle body;
- means for urging said sleeve valve toward the open position with a predetermined force:
- and means for moving said valve to the closed position when fluid pressure within said nozzle body exerts said predetermined force on said regulator piston.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.