Intelligent connectors mean more than smart In-flight refuelling 06 November 2012

Icon Aerospace, an engineered polymers firm supplying refuelling hoses to Tier 1 suppliers and air forces, has developed what it is describing as "a key enabling technology" for in-flight refuelling, but also potentially much more.

Its IconIC hose system appears to be the first 'intelligent connector' in the industry, and draws on the company's innovations in mechatronics and polymer-to-polymer technology.

Calvin Tan, chief technology officer of Icon Aerospace, says that the new system can safely and securely accommodate power with telemetry cables and fibreoptics for data transfer – something previously considered unattainable.

He explains that this provides for key control and communications between a tanker and receiver aircraft, while the receiver undergoes mid-air refuelling – with the new technology helping to enable precise, remote positional control of the refuelling hose.

"The IconIC refuelling hose system opens up a whole array of possibilities for functions such as drogue location and hose positioning, as well as computer diagnostics and on-board reprogramming," states Tan.

"The integration of power supply and data transfer heralds a new era in hose technology which, while developed for advanced flight systems, has applications across many markets, including wind power generation, oil and gas and ship-to-aircraft."

"We are all immensely proud of this innovation, which is being extremely well received by the major global players in the sector," adds Tim Pryce, chief executive officer of Icon Aerospace.

Icon has more than 60 years of experience of in-flight refuelling component technology, development and manufacturing. The company has always been at the forefront of innovations in materials, processes and mechatronics, meeting the exacting standards set by integrators and Tier 1 suppliers. Icon's Flexiflow™ products are currently widely established as the refuelling systems of choice for leading tanker platforms across the globe.

In brief detail, at the end of the hose is an embedded termination collar, which connects into a 'clamshell' user defined interface, switchable in flight. That's how functions and data interchange is programmed.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Icon Aerospace

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