Pod assembly with integrated radiofrequency emitting and aerial refueling equipment
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsDavid T. Spotswood, Richard C. Robinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pod assembly for attachment to an aircraft including a pod housing and a fairing housing mounted on the pod housing. A bulkhead divides the pod housing into first and second compartments. The first compartment is for containing radiating electronic apparatus, such as an electronic countermeasures system. The second compartment and the fairing housing are for containing aerial refueling equipment, such as a hose-and-drogue system and power generating apparatus for the provision of power to the electronics and refueling equipment contained therein. Air from the first compartment is used for cooling the first compartment and ventilating the second compartment.
Claims16
A pod assembly for external attachment to an aircraft, comprising:
- a pod housing having leading and trailing ends and a bulkhead dividing said pod housing into first and second compartments, said first compartment in said pod housing for containing equipment including radiating electronic apparatus and said second compartment in said pod housing for containing equipment including a refueling hose and a hose reel assembly for aerial refueling;
- means for cooling the first compartment and for ventilating the second compartment;
- and
- means for attaching said pod housing to said aircraft.
A pod assembly for attachment to an aircraft, comprising:
- a pod housing having axially-spaced aerodynamic leading and trailing ends;
- a transverse bulkhead dividing said pod housing into first and second compartments at said leading and trailing ends, respectively;
- a fairing housing mounted on said pod housing, said fairing housing having a leading end disposed rearward of said first compartment;
- an electronic countermeasures system contained in said first compartment;
- a hose-and-drogue aerial refueling system contained in both said second compartment and said fairing housing;
- a plurality of common openings in said pod housing and fairing housing for interconnecting selected equipment disposed in the pod housing and fairing housing;
- means, mounted on said fairing housing, for providing power to operate both said systems;
- means for cooling said first compartment and ventilating the second compartment;
- and
- means for attaching the pod housing to the aircraft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.