초록 ▼

A refueling tank has a telescopic refueling probe formed by a plurality of telescoping tubes which are actuable for extension and retraction from an existing pylon mounted jettisonable external fuel tank on the wing of an aircraft. The telescopic drive action is achieved by a drive mechanism includi

A refueling tank has a telescopic refueling probe formed by a plurality of telescoping tubes which are actuable for extension and retraction from an existing pylon mounted jettisonable external fuel tank on the wing of an aircraft. The telescopic drive action is achieved by a drive mechanism including a motor and a jack screw mechanism which operates to extend and retract the telescoping tubes slidably mounted, one on the other. The probe when fully retracted is completely enclosed within the associated fuel tank assembly resulting in no additional drag or lift on the aircraft and keeping the probe concealed.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A system for use in refueling an airborne aircraft comprising:a fuel tank mounted on the body of the aircraft, said tank having a first compartment for carrying fuel and a second compartment which is isolated from said first compartment in liquid tight fashion,a motor mounted in sa

[ We claim:] [1.] A system for use in refueling an airborne aircraft comprising:a fuel tank mounted on the body of the aircraft, said tank having a first compartment for carrying fuel and a second compartment which is isolated from said first compartment in liquid tight fashion,a motor mounted in said second compartment,an elongated shaft connected to the drive shaft of said motor, said shaft being rotatably driven by the motor,a stationary tube member,a plurality of movable tube members mounted concentrically on each other and within said stationary tube member for predetermined limited slidable motion relative to each other, one of said tube members having a probe nozzle formed on the distal end thereof,means for interconnecting said movable tube members together in driving relationship to each other,means for connecting said elongated shaft to said one of said tube members to drive said one of said tube members, andmeans for preventing rotational motion of said one of said tube members while effecting linear motion thereof in response to the drive of said shaft,said motor driving said tube members between a retracted position whereat all of said tube members are contained within said fuel tank and extended position whereat said tube members are fully extended outside of said fuel tank with the probe nozzle in a position to receive fuel.