An illuminating system, device, and method are provided to illuminate an in-flight refueling operation involving a first aircraft, serving as a tanker aircraft and carrying the illuminating system of the present invention, and a second aircraft, entering an in-flight refueling position relative to t
An illuminating system, device, and method are provided to illuminate an in-flight refueling operation involving a first aircraft, serving as a tanker aircraft and carrying the illuminating system of the present invention, and a second aircraft, entering an in-flight refueling position relative to the first aircraft. The system, device, and method of the present invention provide eye-safe, covert illumination suitable for illuminating the in-flight refueling position such that the second aircraft is illuminated upon entering the in-flight refueling position.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A method for illuminating an in-flight refueling operation between a first aircraft and a second aircraft comprising: providing a generating device both within an interior of the first aircraft and within a refueling operator station such that the generating device is accessi
What is claimed is: 1. A method for illuminating an in-flight refueling operation between a first aircraft and a second aircraft comprising: providing a generating device both within an interior of the first aircraft and within a refueling operator station such that the generating device is accessible by an operator of the first aircraft while the first aircraft is in flight; generating an emission with the generating device that is predominantly in a near infra-red spectrum and such that the emission is eye-safe to an operator of the second aircraft; directing the emission with a directing device operably engaged with and disposed proximate to an outer surface of the first aircraft, wherein directing the emission comprises directing the emission to an in-flight refueling position relative to the first aircraft, wherein directing the emission comprises directing the emission to define an emission envelope containing the in-flight refueling position relative to the first aircraft so as to illuminate the second aircraft as the second aircraft enters the in-flight refueling position; and transmitting the emission from the generating device to the directing device located remote from the generating device. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein directing the emission comprises directing the emission to define an adjustable emission envelope. 3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising adjusting a breadth of the emission envelope of the emission. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the generating step further comprises generating the emission such that the emission is further adapted to predominantly have a single wavelength. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the generating step further comprises generating the emission such that the emission is further adapted to predominantly have a single wavelength of between about 810-812 nanometers. 6. A method according to claim 1 further comprising capturing an image of at least a portion of the emission envelope. 7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the directing step comprises directing the emission to define a plurality of different emission envelopes, and wherein said capturing step comprises capturing respective images within different ones of the emission envelopes. 8. A method for illuminating an in-flight refueling operation between a first aircraft and a second aircraft comprising: providing a generating device both within an interior of the first aircraft and within a refueling operator station; generating an emission with the generating device that is predominantly in a near infra-red spectrum and such that the emission is eye-safe to an operator of the second aircraft; directing the emission with a directing device, wherein directing the emission comprises directing the emission to an in-flight refueling position relative to the first aircraft, wherein directing the emission comprises directing the emission to define an emission envelope containing the in-flight refueling position relative to the first aircraft so as to illuminate the second aircraft as the second aircraft enters the in-flight refueling position; and transmitting the emission from the generating device to the directing device located remote from the generating device. 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein directing the emission comprises directing the emission to define an adjustable emission envelope. 10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising adjusting a breadth of the emission envelope of the emission. 11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the generating step further comprises generating the emission such that the emission is further adapted to predominantly have a single wavelength. 12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the generating step further comprises generating the emission such that the emission is further adapted to predominantly have a single wavelength of between about 810-812 nanometers. 13. A method according to claim 8 further comprising capturing an image of at least a portion of the emission envelope. 14. A method according to claim 8 wherein the directing step comprises directing the emission to define a plurality of different emission envelopes, and wherein said capturing step comprises capturing respective images within different ones of the emission envelopes. 15. A method for illuminating an in-flight refueling operation between a first aircraft and a second aircraft comprising: providing an emission from a refueling operator station within the first aircraft that is predominantly in a near infra-red spectrum and such that the emission is eye-safe to an operator of the second aircraft; directing the emission with a directing device, wherein directing the emission comprises directing the emission to an in-flight refueling position relative to the first aircraft, wherein directing the emission comprises directing the emission to define an emission envelope containing the in-flight refueling position relative to the first aircraft so as to illuminate the second aircraft as the second aircraft enters the in-flight refueling position; and transmitting the emission from the refueling operator station to the directing device located remote therefrom. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein directing the emission comprises directing the emission to define an adjustable emission envelope. 17. A method according to claim 16, further comprising adjusting a breadth of the emission envelope of the emission. 18. A method according to claim 15, wherein the providing step further comprises generating the emission such that the emission is further adapted to predominantly have a single wavelength. 19. A method according to claim 15, wherein the providing step further comprises generating the emission such that the emission is further adapted to predominantly have a single wavelength of between about 810-812 nanometers. 20. A method according to claim 15 wherein the directing step comprises directing the emission to define a plurality of different emission envelopes, and wherein the method further comprises capturing respective images within different ones of the emission envelopes.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (12)
Task Harry L. (Dayton OH) Courtright John F. (San Antonio TX) Genco Louis V. (Enon OH), Aerial day/night refueling stations.
Pond C. Ray (Federal Way WA) Robinson Lawrence W. (Seattle WA) Texeira Patrick D. (Renton WA), Apparatus suitable for use in orienting aircraft in-flight for refueling or other purposes.
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