Boeing gets patent on mid-air refueling technology

Boeing Co., which is suggesting an aircraft modeled on its 767 would be a good replacement for the Air Force's fleet of aging KC-135 aerial tankers, received a patent related to mid-air refueling.

Patent 7,651,054, one of 3,776 U.S. patents issued yesterday, is for a method of illuminating the two aircrafts' connectors using electromagnetic radiation within the far-violet and ultraviolet spectrum.

This would be invisible to the naked eye, and prevent on- ground observers, even those equipped with infrared detection devices, from seeing the fuel transfer process.

Another advantage of the use of the violet and ultraviolet end of the spectrum is that it wouldn't interfere with pilots' night vision, according to the patent.

The tanker is to be equipped with the illuminating device in the ultraviolet spectrum. The other aircraft would have a video camera for capturing the image of the tanker, and a display screen on which the image could be seen.

Chicago-based Boeing applied for the patent in April 2006. The company said in December that the Air Force's requirement for a new tanker would best be met by an aircraft based on its 767 planes.