The Boeing Company

Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation

Sysense, Inc.

John Ferencz Takacs

Stephen M Stecko

Jason Lee Speyer

Walton Williamson

Gregory Allen Roberts

Joseph David Shoore

Frederick L Davis

Gordon R Jefferson

Michael A Carralero

Leora Peltz

Cecil L Hayes

Paul Robert Davies

Harry Wilbert Slusher

Russell W Johnston

James E Brown

Wilfred Shigeki Otaguro

Alan A Joseph

In representative embodiments, a system includes an acoustic emitter, a controller, an optical sensor, and an indicator for indicating a detection of a predetermined trace chemical vapor by the optical sensor. The acoustic emitter is positioned at a predetermined distance above the ground surface and configured to project a beam of acoustic energy toward the ground surface with a variable angle of incidence &#x3b1;. The controller is configured to control the acoustic emitter to vary the angle of incidence of the acoustic beam within the variable angle of incidence &#x3b1;, while the optical sensor is configured for standoff sensing of a trace chemical vapor proximate the ground surface. Excitation of the ground surface, particularly at a critical angle of incidence &#x3b2;, causes the release of trace chemical vapors from a buried source and the soil into the air above the buried source.

Combined acoustic excitation and standoff chemical sensing for the remote detection of buried explosive charges

A system for automated control of a refueling boom coupled to a tanker aircraft is provided. The system includes: a first inertial measurement unit (IMU) providing inertial measurements for the tanker aircraft; a first GPS receiver providing a GPS location for a GPS antenna attached to the tanker aircraft; and a processor adapted to calculate a first inertial navigation state for the tanker aircraft through integration of the inertial measurements, the processor being further adapted to calculate a first inertial navigation state error relative to the GPS location and to filter the first inertial navigation state error and the first inertial navigation state based upon noise characteristics of the first IMU and the first GPS receiver to provide an updated inertial navigation state for the tanker aircraft, the processor being further adapted to control the refueling boom relative to a receiver aircraft based upon the first and updated inertial navigation states.

Apparatus for an automated aerial refueling boom using multiple types of sensors

An apparatus comprising a vibration generation system, a vibration measurement system, and an optical system associated with the vibration measurement system, and a controller. The vibration generation system is configured to generate acoustic energy that causes vibrations to occur in the ground. The vibration measurement system is configured to transmit laser beams to the surface of the ground in which the vibrations occur, receive responses to the laser beams, and generate vibration data from the responses. The optical system is configured to direct the laser beams to the surface of the ground such that the laser beams have a selected spatial arrangement relative to the surface. The controller is configured to determine whether an object is present under the surface of the ground using the vibration data.

Hidden object detection system

A refueling system on an aircraft comprises a fuel hose coupled to the aircraft, a drogue coupled to the fuel hose, an air data computer, and a drogue canopy controller coupled to the drogue canopy. The drogue further comprises a coupling, a plurality of vanes, and a drogue canopy. The drogue canopy controller determines a selected surface area of the drogue canopy based on air speed. The drogue canopy controller is configured to modify a surface area of the drogue canopy to conform to the appropriate surface area.

Broad speed range inflatable drogue canopy

According to an embodiment, an aerial refueling drogue has a coupling having a channel formed there through. One end of the coupling is attached to a hose. A power generator unit is positioned in the channel of the coupling.

Self contained power system for controllable refueling drogues

Controllable refueling drogues and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes a fuel delivery device having a deployable portion configured to be deployed overboard an aircraft during aerial refueling. The deployable portion can include at least a portion of a flexible fuel line, a drogue coupled to the flexible fuel line, and an actuatable device operatively coupled to at least one of the drogue and the fuel line. The deployable portion can further include a guidance system that is operatively coupled to the actuatable device and that includes instructions to direct the operation of the actuatable device and move the drogue during flight.

Controllable refueling drogues and associated systems and methods

A system for automated control of a refueling boom coupled to a tanker aircraft is provided. The system includes sensors such as electro-optical sensor or GPS sensors that provide measurements used by the system to automatically control the refueling boom so as to mate with a receiver aircraft. The system is configured to monitor the health of the sensors and to reconfigure itself if any of the sensor are faulty.

Fault detection and reconfiguration of an automated refueling boom

An in-flight refueling system, damping device and method are provided for enhancing the stability of an elongate hose extending from a tanker aircraft during an in-flight refueling operation. The various embodiments of the system, device, and method provide a passive, integrated damping device that may generate electrical energy from changes in disposition of the elongate hose and then using the electrical energy generated to impart mechanical damping forces to a portion of the elongate hose. Thus, the embodiments may minimize the occurrence of oscillations in the elongate hose as it extends from the tanker aircraft during an in-flight refueling operation.

In-flight refueling system, damping device and method for preventing oscillations in in-flight refueling system components

An advantageous device and method enables a photomultiplier to be gated on and off at electronic rates. A single multi-winding pulse transformer is employed to enable the triggering of the photomultiplier tube.

Growing community of inventors

Long Beach, CA, United States of America

John Ferencz Takacs