GB346181A - A method and apparatus for tanking aircraft in the air - Google Patents

Abstract

346,181. Refuelling aircraft in Right. LINDEQUIST, S., 20, Nachodstrasse, Berlin. April 22, 1930, No. 12397. Convention date, April 22, 1929. [Class 4.] For supplying fuel &c. to an aircraft in flight, a hose depending from another machine is caught and a valve automatically opened by a device on the aircraft comprising a funnel with slotted hoods above it, the valve automatically closing again should the two aircraft accidentally separate. The aircraft to be supplied carries a funnel-like receptacle 8, leading to the tank, and carrying two slotted hoods 9, 10 one above the other. A hose 2 carried by the other aircraft is guided into the slots in the hoods by arms 11, a disc 4 on the hose engaging beneath the upper hood 9 and a disc 5 on a spring-loaded valve at the end of the hose engaging beneath the hood 10. The two hoods are forwardly divergent from the point 19 so that a pull on the hose opens the valve. Alternatively the upper hood may be double walled to engage both sides of the disc 4 to ensure the opening of the valve by the lower hood as the hose moves forwards. Both hoods are divided and hinged about longitudinal axes so as to open upwardly against springs should the pull on the hose become excessive, whereupon the valve automatically closes. The hoods may be positively opened by the pilot of the lower machine when required, and a plunger operated by a float in the tank may positively close the valve when the tank is full. The hose is made resiliently extensible, and the receiving device may be raised and lowered. A mirror enables the pilot of the upper machine to observe the engagement of the hose and receiving device.