A steerable drogue assembly 4 has a coupling, a number of aerodynamic control features 6,7, and a number of actuators 14,15 adapted to selectively activate the control features. Each control feature has planar surface oriented tangentially with respect to a central towing axis of the drogue so it exerts a radial control force on the drogue when activated. Preferably, the drogue is cylindrical with a tapered leading end 10. The control features may be pivoted flaps (fig.2,7), each with their own actuator to deploy them into airflow over the drogue; actuated aerofoils (fig.7,42,43), actuated to adjust their angle of attack generating a lift force; or fixed aerofoils (fig.8,42,43), with an actuated ring (fig.8,50) with features (fig.8, 58, 56) rotated to block or permit air flow in ducts (fig.8,48) between the aerofoil(s) and the drogue. The assembly may have a ram air turbine (RAT) generator 8 to harvest electrical power for the actuator(s). It may be internal, using airflow between an inlet 30 and an exhaust 31, or have external blades (fig.2,19) in the nose region of the drogue. Alternatively, the actuators may be powered remotely via an ancillary power cable (fig.3,29) or by battery.
Air-to-air refuelling drogue assembly
2021-10-06
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch