Abrégé

A reception coupling (6) for air-to-air refuelling. The reception coupling has a main body (17') and a fuel passage (28). A movable valve member (32) is provided for opening and closing the fuel passage. The reception coupling has a chamber (34), separate from the fuel passage. A portion of the valve member can be accommodated in the chamber as the valve member moves towards an open position, shielding that portion from effects of pressure in the fuel passage.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64D 39/06 - Raccordement de la tuyauterie à l'aéronefDébranchement de la tuyauterie de celui-ci
• F16L 37/32 - Accouplements du type à action rapide avec moyens pour couper l'écoulement du fluide avec un obturateur dans chaque extrémité de tuyau avec deux clapets dont l'un au moins est ouvert automatiquement au moment de l'accouplement

Abrégé

The nozzle (10) of the invention comprises a nozzle body (20) having a nozzle tip (22) for engaging a fuel hose coupling (44), the tip extending from the body, and a valve sleeve (26) for opening and closing a fuel path between the tip and the body. The tip is mounted within the body on a flexible shaft, so as to accommodate misalignment between the nozzle and the fuel hose coupling. This eliminates the need for a bearing at the end of the shaft, which causes a pressure drop in the nozzle. The shaft is axially slidable in the mounting in a first portion of the nozzle body, and may be held in the extended position of the tip by abutment with part of a second portion (100) of the nozzle body. The first and second portions of the body are joined a weak link (98), which is frangible in the event of excessive load, to release the abutment and allow the nozzle tip to travel towards the body and close the fuel path. Thus a separate shut-off valve is not required. The invention also allows the inclusion of a pressure regulator sleeve (156) for moving out of the nozzle body towards the nozzle tip in the event of excessive fuel pressure. Thus the nozzle tip can be tailor made to the aircraft to which it is fitted for providing suitable pressure regulation.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64D 39/06 - Raccordement de la tuyauterie à l'aéronefDébranchement de la tuyauterie de celui-ci

Abrégé

A steerable drogue (2) comprises a steering mechanism (22, 34, 36) for twisting the canopy support arms (6) to produce an aerodynamic force in flight which can be used to produce movement of the drogue in a required direction.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64D 39/00 - Ravitaillement en vol

Abrégé

A pressure regulator valve arrangement comprises first (14) and second (24) regulator valves for closing a fluid passage (4) in the event of over-pressure. The valve members each have pressure ports for sensing the pressure, the ports being located downstream of the valve members to minimise interaction between the valves.

Classes IPC  ?

• G05D 16/10 - Commande de la pression d'un fluide sans source d'énergie auxiliaire l'élément sensible étant un piston ou un plongeur
• B64D 39/06 - Raccordement de la tuyauterie à l'aéronefDébranchement de la tuyauterie de celui-ci

Abrégé

The present invention relates to the field of store ejection from aircraft. More specifically it relates to cartridges used in ejector release units for stores. The invention aims to provide a cartridge that can be used in existing ejector release units that overcomes some of the problems (such as; only a one-time use, the need for cleaning of ejector units, the erosion of ejector units and the need for a holder to be used) of pyrotechnic or hot gas cartridges but without compromising performance. The present invention provides a cartridge (10) for use in an ejector release unit, the cartridge comprising a gas chamber (30) for containing gas under pressure, an outlet of the gas chamber for releasing the compressed gas to drive a release mechanism in the ejector release unit, and a release valve (40) associated with the outlet and arranged to be operable to open the outlet upon activation of a firing pin (45) of an ejector release unit. An ejector release unit containing such a cartridge or pair of cartridges is also provided.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64D 1/04 - Largage ou éjection d'objets les objets étant explosifs, p. ex. des bombes

Abrégé

A drogue assembly includes a probe guide such as a standard small high speed drogue with a first canopy (14), and a foldable second canopy (20) mounted around the first canopy which is biased outwardly, and is foldable inwardly under air pressure loading to overlie the small drogue at low speeds. Thus the drag produced by the drogue varies automatically with airspeed allowing the assembly to be used over a wide range of airspeeds.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64D 39/04 - Adaptations de la structure des tuyauteries