Positioning system, device, and method for in-flight refueling

Details Positioning system, device, and method for in-flight refueling Positioning system, device, and method for in-flight refueling

2006-08-22

2006-08-22

Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3643)

Aeronautics and astronautics

Aircraft structure

Fuel supply

C701S302000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07093801

ABSTRACT:
A positioning system, device, and method are provided to facilitate the in-flight positioning of two aircraft relative to one another such that a second aircraft is guided to an in-flight refueling position relative to a first aircraft. The system, device, and method of the present invention provide a signal emitted from a positioning device carried by the first aircraft, wherein the signal defines a signal envelope containing the in-flight refueling position. The signal is adapted to be receivable by the second aircraft such that the signal may guide the second aircraft to the in-flight refueling position relative to the first aircraft.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3285544 (1966-11-01), Chope et al.
patent: 4158885 (1979-06-01), Neuberger
patent: 5539624 (1996-07-01), Dougherty
patent: 6819982 (2004-11-01), Doane
The NASA Dryden Flight Test Approach to an Aerial Refueling System, http://dtrs.dfrc.nasa.gov/archive/00000399/01/212859.pdf.
Autonomous Formation Flight, http://ocw.mit.edu/NR/rdonlyres/Aeronautics-and-Astronautics/16-886Spring2004/9B31A332-EA04-44D1-BA85-5A83ECE07F4F/0/02—greg—larson1.pdf.
Starscope at sea, vol. 1, No. 20, Mar. 14, 1994, (automated landing and also applications with aerial refueling).
http://science.howstuffworks.com/aircraft-carrier.htm/printable, light guidance and “split beam”.

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