Dual mode frangible refueling nozzle

1. An in-flight refueling probe for an aircraft to be refueled by a fuel dispensing aircraft having a receptacle for connecting to the refueling probe, the refueling probe comprising:

a first tubular member secured to the aircraft;

a second tubular member having a releasable connection with the first tubular member such that the second tubular member detaches from the first tubular member in response to a predetermined force applied to the connection;

a nozzle secured to the second tubular member for coupling to the receptacle of the fuel dispensing aircraft and being in fluid communication with the first tubular member; and

a tethering member having a first end connected to the first tubular member and a second end connected to one of the second tubular member and the nozzle, the tethering member remaining intact to connect the detached second tubular member to the first tubular member when a first tensile force is applied to the tethering member, the tethering member rupturing to disconnect the detached second tubular member from the first tubular member when a second tensile force greater than the first tensile force is applied to the tethering member.

2. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 1 , wherein the releasable connection comprises a plurality of fasteners extending through openings in the first and second tubular members to join the first tubular member to the second tubular member, the fasteners rupturing in response to the predetermined force being applied to the connection to allow the second tubular member to detach from the first tubular member.

3. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 2 , wherein the fasteners are rivets.

4. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 1 , wherein the tethering member extends through an interior of the first tubular member and an interior of the second tubular member.

5. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 1 , wherein the tethering member is secured to an exterior of the first tubular member and an exterior of the second tubular member.

6. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 1 , wherein the tethering member is a cable.

7. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 1 , wherein the first tensile force occurs when the nozzle is improperly coupled to the receptacle and the second tensile force occurs when the nozzle is properly coupled to the receptacle.

8. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 1 , wherein the first tubular member includes a fitting secured to the second tubular member by the releasable connection and a tube connecting the fitting to the aircraft.

9. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 8 , wherein the first end of the tethering member is secured to the tube.

10. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 1 , further comprising a fuel transfer assembly secured to the first tubular member for fluidly connecting the nozzle with the first tubular assembly.

11. An in-flight refueling probe for an aircraft to be refueled by a fuel dispensing aircraft having a receptacle for connecting to the refueling probe, the refueling probe comprising:

a first tubular member secured to the aircraft;

a second tubular member releasably connected to the first tubular member by a plurality of fasteners extending through openings in the first and second tubular members, the fasteners rupturing in response to a predetermined force being applied to the fasteners to allow the second tubular member to detach from the first tubular member;

a nozzle secured to the second tubular member for coupling to the receptacle of the fuel dispensing aircraft and being in fluid communication with the first tubular member; and

a tethering member having a first end connected to the first tubular member and a second end connected to one of the second tubular member and the nozzle, the tethering member remaining intact to connect the detached second tubular member to the first tubular member when the nozzle is improperly coupled to the receptacle, the tethering member rupturing to disconnect the detached second tubular member from the first tubular member when the nozzle is properly coupled to the receptacle.

12. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 11 , wherein the fasteners are rivets.

13. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 11 , wherein the tethering member extends through an interior of the first tubular member and an interior of the second tubular member.

14. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 11 , wherein the tethering member is secured to an exterior of the first tubular member and an exterior of the second tubular member.

15. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 11 , wherein the tethering member is a cable.

16. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 11 , wherein the first tubular member includes a fitting secured to the second tubular member by the releasable fasteners and a tube connecting the fitting to the aircraft.

17. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 16 , wherein the first end of the tethering member is secured to the tube.

18. The in-flight refueling probe of claim 11 , further comprising a fuel transfer assembly secured to the first tubular member for fluidly connecting the nozzle with the first tubular assembly.

19. An in-flight refueling probe for a fuel dispensing aircraft for refueling an aircraft having a receptacle for connecting to the refueling probe, the refueling probe comprising:

a first tubular member secured to the fuel dispensing aircraft;

a second tubular member having a releasable connection with the first tubular member such that the second tubular member detaches from the first tubular member in response to a predetermined force applied to the connection;

a nozzle secured to the second tubular member for coupling to the receptacle of the aircraft and being in fluid communication with the first tubular member; and

a tethering member having a first end connected to the first tubular member and a second end connected to one of the second tubular member and the nozzle, the tethering member remaining intact to connect the detached second tubular member to the first tubular member when a first tensile force is applied to the tethering member, the tethering member rupturing to disconnect the detached second tubular member from the first tubular member when a second tensile force greater than the first tensile force is applied to the tethering member.