Apparatus and method for precision ballistic airdrop
US10384780B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 2017 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64D1/12
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Precision ballistic airdrop of packages from an aircraft comprises entering the estimated wind field in the drop zone into a CPU aboard the packages; computing a transition altitude for each of the packages based on the wind field and the order in which each package is released, each package having a predetermined release order; programming the computed transition altitude into each of the packages; releasing each of the packages in the predetermined order; comparing a pressure altitude to the transition altitude in the CPU of each package; jettisoning the drogue chute and deploying the main chute for each of the packages when the pressure altitude is less than or equal to the transition altitude; and descending each of the packages under its main chute, wherein the wind field affects the flight of some of the packages more than others based on the selection of the transition altitude for each package.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.