Steven A Mclaughlin

US Patent:

20170190440, Jul 6, 2017

Filed:

Jan 4, 2016

Appl. No.:

14/986934

Inventors:

Steven McLaughlin - Point Pleasant NJ, US

Assignee:

United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Patuxent River MD

International Classification:

B64D 39/04
B64D 39/06
B64C 9/36

Abstract:

An actively stabilized refueling drogue including a drogue canopy, drogue straits extending from the drogue canopy, a coupling body, a coupling shroud, a system of fins, and actuators. The coupling body is for connecting a flexible refueling hose to a receiver aircraft fuel intake, so that in-air refueling may occur The drogue struts terminate at the coupling body. The coupling shroud covers the coupling body. The system of fins is for stabilization of the drogue and is attached to the coupling shroud. The actuators are for actuating the fins to achieve aerodynamic stabilization. The actuators are manufactured from a solid state shape memory alloy, such that the fins may be actuated by applying thermal energy to the actuators.