Preferred break points and paths in airframes for ballistic parachute systems
AssigneeKitty Hawk Corporation
InventorsAmy Qian, Damon Vander Lind
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A preferred break point is provided in the airframe, where there is a ballistic parachute system which includes a rocket which sits in a rocket canister and a canopy which sits in a canopy canister. The airframe includes a composite material and covers the ballistic parachute system. The preferred break point is located in the airframe over the opening of the rocket canister. A preferred break path is provided in the airframe located at least partially over the opening of the rocket canister and at least partially over the opening of the canopy canister.
Claims20
An airframe, comprising:
- a preferred break point, wherein:
- the airframe covers a ballistic parachute system, the ballistic parachute system including a rocket which sits in a rocket canister having an opening;
- and
- the preferred break point is located in the airframe over the opening of the rocket canister;
- and
- a preferred break path located at least partially over the opening of the rocket canister and at least partially over an opening of a canopy canister;
- wherein the airframe includes a composite material.
A method, comprising:
- providing a plurality of layers of composite material to form a portion of an airframe, wherein the airframe covers a ballistic parachute system, and the ballistic parachute system includes a rocket, a rocket canister, and a canopy canister;
- cutting a section of the composite material through at least one of the plurality of layers to create a cut section in the airframe;
- filling the cut section with an adhesive to form an adhesive-filled cut, wherein the cut is part of:
- a preferred break point located in the airframe over an opening of the rocket canister, and
- a preferred break path located at least partially over the opening of the rocket canister and at least partially over an opening of the canopy canister.
A method, comprising:
- arranging a plurality of pre-preg pieces having continuous fibers and edges to form a portion of an airframe, wherein (i) the airframe covers a ballistic parachute system, and the ballistic parachute system includes a rocket, a rocket canister, and a canopy canister and (ii) the plurality of pre-preg pieces are arranged so that the edges of the plurality of pre-preg pieces form a gap in the airframe and no continuous fibers bridge the gap;
- and
- curing the arranged plurality of pre-preg pieces to form the portion of the airframe having the gap, wherein the gap is part of:
- a preferred break point located in the airframe over an opening of the rocket canister, and
- a preferred break path located at least partially over the opening of the rocket canister and at least partially over an opening of the canopy canister.
A method, comprising:
- providing a preferred break point in an airframe, wherein:
- an airframe covers a ballistic parachute system, the ballistic parachute system including a rocket which sits in a rocket canister having an opening;
- and the preferred break point is located in the airframe over the opening of the rocket canister;
- and
- providing a preferred break path located at least partially over the opening of the rocket canister and at least partially over an opening of a canopy canister;
- wherein the airframe includes a composite material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.