Robotic refueling system for tactical and strategic aircraft

Abstract

A ground-based aircraft refueling system uses existing air-to-air refueling technology. A fixed facility design attaches a moveable air-to-air type refueling boom and probe to an overhead track mounted on the ceiling of a TAB VEE aircraft shelter. Movement of the boom and probe is controlled from a remote control room protected from hazardous chemical and biological environments. In a second embodiment, a moveable facility design mounts on the top of a tank truck a first boom attached at a right angle to an air-to-air type refueling second boom and probe. The booms and probe are remotely controlled from the truck cab, which is protected from hostile chemical and biological environments. A third embodiment adds to the moveable facility design a second tank and nozzle outlet for spraying decontaminate.

I claim: 
     
       1. A fixed facility aircraft refueling apparatus, comprising: (a) a covered structure sufficiently large whereby an aircraft may pass beneath it, the structure having a ceiling and a aligned entrance and exit so that an aircraft may enter and exit along a substantially straight line of travel:   (b) an overhead track attached to the structure;   (c) a trolley suspended from the overhead track;   (d) means for moving the trolley along the overhead track;   (e) a telescoping boom having a first end and a second end, the boom pivotally connected at its first end to the trolley;   (f) a pair of telescoping piston-and-cylinder units connecting the boom and trolley controllably moving the boom in pitch and in yaw;   (g) an aircraft self-aligning refueling probe attached to the second end of the boom;   (h) a fuel supply;   (i) a fuel hose operatively interconnecting the fuel supply and the self-aligning refueling probe;   (j) a first video camera mounted on the boom;   (k) a lens with cross-hairs mounted to the first video camera;   (l) a second video camera mounted to the ceiling of the structure; and,   (m) a control room having means operatively interconnecting the control room with the trolley, the trolley moving means, the telescoping boom and the piston-and-cylinder units, the control room further having means for protecting its interior from environmental hazards.   
     
     
       2. The aircraft refueling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said probe is characterized as an aircraft refueling drogue.