In-flight refueling system, damping device and method for preventing oscillations in in-flight refueling system components
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJohn F. Takacs, Stephen M. Stecko
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An in-flight refueling system, damping device and method are provided for enhancing the stability of an elongate hose extending from a tanker aircraft during an in-flight refueling operation. The various embodiments of the system, device, and method provide a passive, integrated damping device that may generate electrical energy from changes in disposition of the elongate hose and then using the electrical energy generated to impart mechanical damping forces to a portion of the elongate hose. Thus, the embodiments may minimize the occurrence of oscillations in the elongate hose as it extends from the tanker aircraft during an in-flight refueling operation.
Claims18
An in-flight refueling system comprising:
- a tanker aircraft;
- an elongate hose having a first end carried by the tanker aircraft and an opposing second end configured to extend from the tanker aircraft;
- and
- a damping device operably engaged with a portion of the elongate hose and capable of stiffening in response to a change in disposition of the portion of the elongate hose, thereby resisting the change in disposition of the portion of the elongate hose in response to a force exerted thereon.
An in-flight refueling system adapted to be carried by a tanker aircraft, comprising:
- an elongate hose having a first end carried by the tanker aircraft and an opposing second end configured to extend from the tanker aircraft;
- and
- a damping device operably engaged with a portion of the elongate hose and capable of stiffening in response to a change in disposition of the portion of the elongate hose, thereby resisting the change in disposition of the portion of the elongate hose in response to a force exerted thereon.
A damping device adapted to be operably engaged with a portion of an elongate hose, the elongate hose having a first end carried by a tanker aircraft and an opposing second end configured to extend from the tanker aircraft, the damping device being configured to be capable of stiffening in response to a change in disposition of the portion of the elongate hose, thereby resisting the change in disposition of the portion of the elongate hose in response to a force exerted thereon.
A method for facilitating the stabilization of an elongate hose having a first end carried by a tanker aircraft and an opposing second end configured to extend from the tanker aircraft, the method comprising:
- detecting a change in disposition of a portion of the elongate hose;
- and
- stiffening the portion of the elongate hose in response to the detected change in disposition of the portion of the elongate hose, thereby resisting the change in disposition of the portion of the elongate hose in response to a force exerted thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.