Quick release system for a coupling and drogue assembly

A quick release system for a coupling (1) and drogue (2) assembly of a hose and drogue system for in-flight refueling, the quick release system comprising:

• a coupling connector (4) suitable for being fixed to the coupling (1), the coupling connector (4) having a circular crown configuration with outer (17) and inner (18) surfaces, wherein the coupling connector (4) includes a plurality of passing-through cavities (14) arranged in radial positions around the crown and wherein each cavity (14) has accesses from both surfaces (17, 18);
• a plurality of metallic balls (3) housed in the cavities (14) and radially movable therein, each ball (3) having a diameter smaller or at least equal than the outer surface (17) access and larger than the inner surface (18) access, so that each ball (3) can have a partially emerging part through the inner surface (18) access;
• a drogue connector (5) suitable for being fixed to the drogue (2) and configured to engage and disengage with the coupling connector (4), the drogue connector (5) having a circular crown configuration and having a parametric wall (25) configured to engage with the inner surface (18) of the coupling connector (4), said parametric wall (25) having a plurality of first recesses (26) around the crown in correspondence with the cavities (14) positions;
• a locking ring (6) having a circular crown configuration having a contacting surface (30), wherein the locking ring (6) is mounted on the outer surface (17) of the coupling connector (4) and being rotatable between a locked position and a released position, the locking ring (6) having a plurality of second recesses (31) around the contacting surface (30) of the crown in correspondence positions with the first recesses (26), the second recesses (31) configured to receive a part of the balls (3) when they are radially moved,
• wherein the second recesses (31) are arranged in correspondence with the first recesses (26) when the system is in a released position, such as the system is disengaged, and,
• wherein the contacting surface (30) of the locking ring (6) is in contact with the balls (3) and the first recesses (26) are engaged with the emerging part of the balls (3) when the system is in a locked position, such as the system is engaged.