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.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Air-to-air refuelling drogue assembly



    Publication date :

    2021-10-06


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    B64D Ausrüstung für Flugzeuge , EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT / B64C AEROPLANES , Flugzeuge



    AIR-TO-AIR REFUELLING DROGUE ASSEMBLY

    WITHWORTH SAMUEL / CLARKE HENRY / WALKER MATTHEW et al. | European Patent Office | 2023

    Free access

    AIR-TO-AIR REFUELLING DROGUE ASSEMBLY

    DIBB CRAIG / MONDA IAN / FOXWELL RICHARD et al. | European Patent Office | 2021

    Free access

    Air-to-air refuelling drogue assembly

    European Patent Office | 2020

    Free access

    Aerial refuelling drogue deployment system

    RICHARDSON FORREST EUGENE | European Patent Office | 2021

    Free access

    Development of "probe and drogue" refuelling

    Macgregor, P.S. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1953