Apparatus and method for controlled simultaneous opening of clustered parachutes
US4955563A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 1989 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 25, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64D17/06
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A parachute assembly and method for the controlled airdrop of a payload is isclosed. The parachute assembly includes a cluster of parachutes and a control means. Each parachute in the cluster includes a canopy, a plurality of reefing rings attached to the skirt portion of the canopy and a plurality of suspension lines that are attached to the skirt portion at their one end and attachable to a payload at their other end. The control means comprises a common member disposed between and intermediate to each parachute, a plurality of control lines that are threaded through a plurality of the reefing rings on confronting skirt portions of each of two parachutes, and at least one control loop for each control line, which control loop is breakable under tension forces generated at the skirt portion during canopy opening. The method for controlling canopy release and opening of clustered parachutes comprises releasing the clustered parachutes from a single deployment bag. Each control loop breaks substantially simultaneously with all other control loops during opening.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.