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A method and system for a refueling drogue coupling system are provided. The system includes a coupling latch assembly coupled to the coupling outlet wherein the coupling latch assembly includes a latch member configured to matingly engage a complementary latch-receiving member of a refueling probe.

A method and system for a refueling drogue coupling system are provided. The system includes a coupling latch assembly coupled to the coupling outlet wherein the coupling latch assembly includes a latch member configured to matingly engage a complementary latch-receiving member of a refueling probe. The coupling latch assembly further includes a latch member actuator operatively coupled to the latch member to permit the latch member to move from a first locked position to a second unlocked position. A probe position sensor is configured to detect a position of the refueling probe. A hose tension sensor is configured to measure a tension in a hose coupled to the coupling inlet. A drogue control system is positioned on the refueling drogue coupling system and communicatively coupled to the latch member actuator, the probe position sensor, and the hose tension sensor.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A refueling drogue coupling system for a refueling drogue assembly, said system comprising: a fluid passage extending from a coupling inlet to a coupling outlet, said fluid passage comprising a valve seat circumscribing said fluid passage proximate said coupling outlet;a valve plug assembly compr

1. A refueling drogue coupling system for a refueling drogue assembly, said system comprising: a fluid passage extending from a coupling inlet to a coupling outlet, said fluid passage comprising a valve seat circumscribing said fluid passage proximate said coupling outlet;a valve plug assembly comprising a valve plug configured to engage said seat to prevent flow through said fluid passage and an actuator assembly comprising a bias member;a coupling latch assembly incorporated into said coupling outlet, said coupling latch assembly comprising a latch member configured to matingly engage a complementary latch-receiving member of a refueling probe, said latch member comprising a first pivot end, a locking roller, and a second pivot end, said coupling latch assembly further comprising a latch member actuator operatively coupled to said latch member to permit said latch member to move from a first locked position to a second unlocked position, wherein in a first locked position, said locking roller prevents removal of the refueling probe from said refueling drogue assembly and in the second unlocked position, said locking roller is withdrawn away from a longitudinal axis of the refueling probe and the refueling probe is permitted entry into or removal from said refueling drogue assembly;a probe position sensor positioned on the refueling drogue assembly and configured to detect a position of the refueling probe in the refueling drogue assembly at a position of the refueling probe relative to a predetermined inserted position of the refueling probe into the refueling drogue assembly, said probe position sensor configured transmit to a drogue controller a signal indicating a positive determination that the refueling probe is in the proper position for latching the locking roller onto the latch-receiving member wherein in the proper position, said latch member is in the second unlocked position;a hose tension sensor configured to measure a tension in a hose coupled to said coupling inlet; anda drogue controller positioned on said refueling drogue coupling system and communicatively coupled to said latch member actuator, said probe position sensor, and said hose tension sensor. 2. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a drogue power supply system positioned on said refueling drogue coupling system and configured to supply power to said refueling drogue coupling system. 3. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a drogue power supply system comprising at least one of a ram air turbine and a battery positioned on said refueling drogue coupling system, and a cable electrically coupled between said drogue power supply system and an offboard power supply. 4. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a hose tension control subsystem comprising: a refueling hose coupled in flow communication with said flow passage;a reel configured to configured to rotate about an axis to store and play out said refueling hose; andan actuator drivingly coupled to said reel. 5. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said hose tension control subsystem is communicatively coupled to said drogue controller and configured to receive signals relative to hose tension from said hose tension sensor. 6. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said coupling latch assembly comprises a toggle member comprising an elongate body having a first end configured to engage a cam pivotally coupled to said latch member actuator and a second end comprising first and second orthogonally extending arms, said first arm coupled to a latch assembly bias member, said second arm coupled to said latch member. 7. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said coupling latch assembly is configured to lock on to the refueling probe using a first amount of axial force when said coupling latch assembly is in a said unlocked position and to lock on to the refueling probe using a second amount of axial force when said coupling latch assembly is in a said locked position, wherein said first amount of axial force is less than said second amount of axial force. 8. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein said coupling latch assembly is configured to lock on to the refueling probe using a first amount of axial force that is sufficient to overcome a force imparted by said latch assembly bias member. 9. A method of operating a refueling drogue assembly, said method comprising: coupling a refueling drogue assembly to a distal end of a hose extendable from a tanker aircraft, the refueling drogue assembly including latch member and a probe position sensor;positioning a refueling probe on a receiving aircraft, the refueling probe including a latch-receiving member that is complementary to the latch member;inserting the refueling probe of the receiving aircraft into an opening of the refueling drogue assembly extending from the tanker aircraft;detecting a presence of the refueling probe in the refueling drogue assembly at a position of the refueling probe relative to a predetermined inserted position of the refueling probe into the refueling drogue assembly using the probe position sensor andpermitting the latch member to move from a first locked position to a second unlocked position based on an indication generated by the probe position sensor,in the first locked position, the locking roller prevents removal of the refueling probe from the refueling drogue assembly, andin the second unlocked position, the locking roller is withdrawn away from the refueling probe so that the refueling probe is permitted entry into or removal from the refueling drogue assembly; andengaging the latch member of the refueling drogue assembly to the complementary latch-receiving member of the refueling probe using an actuator. 10. A method in accordance with claim 9, further comprising monitoring a tension in a refueling hose coupled in flow communication with the refueling drogue assembly. 11. A method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising monitoring a tension in the refueling hose using a strain gauge. 12. A method in accordance with claim 9, further comprising adjusting a tension in a refueling hose coupled in flow communication with the refueling drogue assembly based on a tension signal received from a refueling hose tension sensor. 13. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein the refueling drogue assembly includes a drogue control system positioned on the refueling drogue assembly, said method further comprising powering the refueling drogue assembly using a ram air turbine. 14. A method in accordance with claim 9, further comprising: receiving a disengage command from at least one of the receiving aircraft and the tanker aircraft; anddisengaging the latch member of the refueling drogue assembly using the actuator. 15. A method in accordance with claim 9, further comprising supplying power to the refueling drogue assembly from a power source located on the refueling drogue assembly. 16. An aerial refueling system comprising: a refueling drogue coupling system configured to be extended in a drogue assembly from a tanker aircraft at a distal end of a refueling hose, said refueling drogue coupling system comprising a coupling latch assembly comprising a latch member configured to matingly engage a complementary latch-receiving member of a refueling probe, said latch member comprising a first pivot end, a locking roller, and a second pivot end, said coupling latch assembly further configured to move said latch member to move from a first locked position to a second unlocked position using a latch member actuator, wherein in a first locked position, said locking roller prevents removal of the refueling probe from said refueling drogue assembly and in the second unlocked position, said locking roller is withdrawn away from a longitudinal axis of the refueling probe and the refueling probe is permitted entry into or removal from said refueling drogue assembly;a hose tension control subsystem positioned in the tanker aircraft and coupled to a proximal end of the refueling hose opposite the distal end;a hose tension sensor positioned on the drogue assembly and communicatively coupled to the hose tension control subsystem through a wireless communication link;a refueling probe position sensor positioned on the refueling drogue assembly and configured to detect a position of a refueling probe and transmit a signal to said drogue controller indicating a positive determination that the refueling probe is in the proper position for latching the locking roller onto the latch-receiving member wherein in the proper position, said latch member is in the second unlocked position; anda drogue controller wirelessly communicatively coupled to a hose tension controller positioned in the tanker aircraft. 17. A system in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a hose tension sensor configured to measure a tension in the refueling hose proximate the distal end and said refueling drogue coupling system. 18. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said latch member actuator is communicatively coupled to said drogue controller. 19. A system in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a drogue power supply system comprising at least one of a ram air turbine and a battery positioned on said refueling drogue coupling system, and a cable electrically coupled between said drogue power supply system and an offboard power supply.