Aai Corporation

Textron Systems Corporation

Brandon Reid Hall

Anne Marie Trapp

A method of operating an aircraft includes, prior to an in-flight refueling operation, operating the aircraft using fuel from a first fuel tank connected to a fuel delivery system. Subsequently, the in-flight refueling operation is performed over a refueling area while operating the aircraft from another fuel tank, including (1) disconnecting the first fuel tank from the fuel delivery system, (2) jettisoning the first fuel tank, and (3) taking on a replacement fuel tank by (a) capturing the replacement fuel tank from the refueling area and (b) bringing the captured replacement fuel tank onboard the aircraft. The replacement fuel tank is then connected to the fuel delivery system and the aircraft is operated using fuel from the replacement fuel tank.

In-flight aircraft refueling by jettisoning and onboarding replaceable fuel tanks

An aircraft hybrid fuel system includes a main tank and a set of flexible bladders, the main tank and the set of flexible bladders defining a fuel containment space. The system further includes a set of pathways coupling the set of flexible bladders to the main tank. The set of pathways is constructed and arranged to vent gas out of the set of flexible bladders into the main tank while fuel from a fuel source is provided into the fuel containment space defined by the main tank and the set of flexible bladders. Along these lines, each flexible bladder can be provisioned with a fuel port to provide fuel, and a separate vent port to vent gas to the main tank.

Aircraft hybrid fuel system

A technique involves operating a vehicle. The technique includes receiving, by processing circuitry, an accelerometer signal from an accelerometer. The technique further includes processing, by the processing circuitry, the accelerometer signal to determine whether the vehicle is currently experiencing tire skid. The technique further includes controlling, by the processing circuitry, the vehicle based on whether the vehicle is currently experiencing tire skid.

Using an accelerometer to detect tire skid

A cooling air bypass prevents premature failure of an engine in the event that cooling air from an external blower is somehow obstructed or shut off. The cooling air bypass includes a normally-closed valve in a wall of a conduit. During proper operation of the blower, the conduit conducts cooling air from the blower to the engine. If the blower malfunctions, however, such that airflow from the blower is impeded or stops, the valve opens to provide an auxiliary airflow path through the valve in the wall of the conduit and into the engine.

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Stewartstown, PA, United States of America

Brandon Reid Hall