Contact detecting system and method for air refueling tanker equipped with air refueling boom system

摘要

A contact detecting system for an air refueling tanker equipped with an air refueling boom, the system comprising a boom refueling nozzle comprising a valve to allow the exit of fuel, a latch to engage the refueling nozzle, a first contact detecting mechanism configured to transmit a signal when the refueling nozzle is in a contact position, a second contact detecting mechanism configured to detect the position of the latch and to transmit a signal when the latch is latched, and a third contact detecting mechanism configured to detect the position of the valve and to transmit a signal when the valve is open. The system further comprises a computing device configured to receive the signals from the first, second and third contact detecting mechanisms and to provide an output signal of the contact status of the refueling nozzle.