Telescoping refueling probe
AssigneeSikorsky Aircraft Corporation
InventorsMichael H. Ambrose, Anthony Zbigniew Stobiecki, Scott A. Chasen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A telescoping aerial refueling probe includes a second section and a ball screw. The first section is telescopically mounted to the second section. The ball screw is rotationally mounted along the longitudinal axis of the probe. A hydraulic motor rotates the ball screw to drive a ball screw nut and attached first section relative the second section. The hydraulic motor communicates with the hydraulic system and is operated in response to a control system. A backup motor such as an electric motor alternatively drives the ball screw upon failure of the hydraulic motor. As only the backup motor is required for redundancy, minimal additional weight is added to the probe and a relatively compact system is provided.
Claims20
A refueling probe comprising:
- a first section;
- and
- a second section telescopically mounted to said first section, said second section movable relative to a ball screw;
- a hydraulic motor which rotates, said ball screw;
- and
- a backup motor which rotates said ball screw.
A telescopic aerial refueling probe comprising:
- a first section;
- a second section telescopically mounted to said first section;
- a rotationally mounted ball screw;
- and
- a ball screw nut mounted to said second section, said ball screw nut movable along said ball screw to drive said second section relative to said first section.
A refueling probe comprising:
- a first section;
- and
- a second section telescopically mounted to said first section, said second section movable relative to a ball screw, said second section defines a central axis, said ball screw mounted offset and parallel to said central axis.
A refueling probe comprising:
- a first section;
- a second section telescopically mounted to said first section, said second section movable relative to a ball screw;
- and
- a ball screw nut mounted to said second section, said ball screw nut movable along said ball screw.
A refueling probe comprising:
- a first section;
- a second section telescopically mounted to said first section, said second section movable relative to a ball screw, said first section and said second section mounted within a substantially non-tubular housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.