Probe with sliding sealed nozzle

Claim 1

IN A PROBE ADAPTED TO COOPERATE WITH A DROGUE IN AN IN-FLIGHT AIRCRAFT REFUELING SYSTEM AT EXTREME TEMPERATURES, (A) A PROBE HOUSING; (B) A CYLINDRICAL RETRACTIBLE SLEEVE SLIDABLY ENGAGED IN A CYLINDRICAL OPENING IN SAID HOUSING AND HAVING A VALVE SEAT FORMED AT ITS OUTER END; (C) A VALVE SECURED TO SAID HOUSING ON A STEM EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLEEVE, SAID SLEEVE BEING ADAPTED TO COOPERATE WITH SAID VALVE; (D) MEANS NORMALLY URGING THE SLEEVE IN A DIRECTION TO CAUSE IT TO SEAT WITH THE VALVE; (E) THE SLEEVE BEING ADAPTED TO BE RETRACTED ON THE PROBE HOUSING UPON ENGAGEMENT WITH A DROGUE SO AS TO OPEN THE VALVE; THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: (F) ELASTOMERIC SPLIT-RING BEARING MEANS BETWEEN SAID SLEEVE AND SAID HOUSING IN SLIDABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SLEEVE; (G) A PREDETERMINED THERMAL EXPANSION GAP BETWEEN THE ENDS OF SAID SPLIT-RING, (H) SAID SPLIT-RING BEING T-SHAPED IN CROSS SECTION, THE T HAVING A RELATIVELY LONG BAR EXTENDING AXIALLY AND A RELATIVELY SHORT LEG EXTENDING RADIALLY, (I) SAID T-LEG EXTENDING INTO AN ANNULAR GROOVE IN SAID HOUSING TO LOCK SAID SPLIT-RING AXIALLY IN PLACE, THERE BEING CLEARANCE FOR THERMAL EXPANSION OF SAID LEG RADIALLY OUTWARDLY IN SAID LAST GROOVE.