Drogue illumination
In a reception coupling and drogue assembly ( 2 ), light sources ( 32 ) are arranged around the wall ( 26 ) of the probe passage adjacent the opening ( 24 ). The light sources ( 32 ) each serve to illuminate the opposing part of the drogue, giving good visibility to the pilot of the following aircraft.
1. A reception coupling and drogue assembly for in-flight refuelling comprising:
a reception coupling for attachment to a refuelling hose, the coupling having a passage for receiving a refuelling probe through an opening thereof;
a drogue arranged adjacent the periphery of the opening; and
a light source for illuminating the assembly, the light source being mounted on the reception coupling and being arranged to direct light towards the drogue.
2. A reception coupling and drogue assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the light source is provided in the probe passage in the reception coupling.
3. A reception coupling and drogue assembly as claimed in claim 2 , comprising a plurality of light sources spaced around the circumference of the passage.
4. A reception coupling and drogue assembly as claimed in claim 3 , in which the light sources are provided adjacent the opening of the passage.
5. A reception coupling and drogue assembly as claimed in claim 2 , in which a wall of the probe passage extends obliquely to the opening, the light source being provided one of at and adjacent the wall.
6. A reception coupling and drogue assembly as claimed in claim 3 , in which a wall of the probe passage extends obliquely to the opening, the plurality of light sources being provided one of at and adjacent the wall.
7. A reception coupling and drogue assembly as claimed in claim 3 , in which each of the plurality of light sources is recessed so as to be substantially flush with a wall of the probe passage.
8. A reception coupling and drogue assembly as claimed in claim 3 , in which each of the plurality of light sources comprises a light emitting diode mounted behind an aperture in a wall of the probe passage.
9. A reception coupling and drogue assembly as claimed in claim 3 , in which each of the plurality of light sources is powered by at least one air-driven generator located within the reception coupling.
10. A reception coupling and drogue assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the light source is recessed so as to be substantially flush with a wall of the probe passage.
11. A reception coupling and drogue assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the light source comprises a light emitting diode mounted behind an aperture in a wall of the probe passage.
12. A reception coupling and drogue assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the light source is powered by at least one air-driven generator located within the reception coupling.