GB765424A - Aircraft interconnecting mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

765,424. Re-fuelling and connecting aircraft. BOEING AIRPLANE CO. March 2, 1955 [March 5, 1954], No. 6197/55. Addition to 724,092. Class 4. In an improvement in the invention claimed in the parent Specification the boom is of aerofoil cross-section and is mounted for controlled rotation about its longitudinal axis whereby variation in the angle of incidence of the boom will cause it to be swung laterally by reaction with the ambient airflow. By this means a rudder at the trailing end of the boom is dispensed with though elevators are retained to move the boom up and down. The tanker aircraft T has a mounting 24 for a gimbal 21 which provides a universal mounting for a tube 13 in the leading end of an outer boom section 1 of aerofoil cross section which has mounted slidably within it an inner boom section 10, also of aerofoil section. A tube 11 carried by the trailing end of the section 10 engages a fitting 12 on a receiver aircraft R. The forward end of tube 13 carries a bevel gear engaged by a pinion driven by a motor 27 controlled by lateral movement of a control column 34 whereby an operator O can vary the angle of incidence of the boom so that its lateral position as viewed through a window W can be aligned with the fitting 12. Elevators 3 are mounted on a transverse axis at the trailing end of boom 1 and they are connected by cables to the column 34 so that the operator, by fore and aft movement of the control column, can adjust the elevators and so vary the up and down position of the boom. In a further embodiment a single elevator consisting of united swept-back surfaces is adjusted for pitch by controlled movement of tabs at the trailing edges and in a still further embodiment a plurality of pairs of elevators of high-aspect ratio are used.