The Boeing Company

Sysense, Inc.

Walton Williamson

Jason Lee Speyer

Stephen M Stecko

John Ferencz Takacs

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

Methods and devices for estimating and controlling the orientation of a drogue relative to air mass motion where method and apparatus embodiments incorporate estimation of angle of attack and sideslip and function to correct the direction of a drogue so as to maintain a desired angle of attack and sideslip. Some of the exemplary estimation techniques apply methods of sensor output fusion.

Methodology for autonomous navigation and control of a tethered drogue

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.

Growing community of inventors

Burbank, CA, United States of America

Walton Williamson