# US 12,110,119 B2 · Airdrop azimuth control system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,110,119 B2 - Document ID: US12110119B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/059,009 - Filed: 2022-11-28 - Published: 2023-06-08 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2020-12-15 - Applicants: Roy L. Fox, Jr. - Inventors: Roy L. Fox, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12110119B2 ## CPC - B64D 1/14: Absorbing landing shocks - B64D 17/78: in association with other load-retarding apparatus - B64D 17/22: Load suspension - B64D 17/34: adapted to control direction or rate of descent - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT ## Abstract A parachute system includes a payload support configured to operably support a payload below a parachute and an azimuth control device mounted to the payload support and/or the payload. The azimuth control device is configured to operably impart a yaw rotation to the payload in order to adjust an azimuth of the payload. The azimuth control device may include a thrust producing fluid jet device, a thrust producing propeller device, and/or a manipulatable control surface, among others. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A parachute system comprising: a payload support configured to operably support a payload below a parachute; and an azimuth control device mounted to at least one of the payload support or the payload, wherein the azimuth control device comprises: a first side facing fluid jet device configured to emit a first thrust producing fluid stream in a first direction to operably impart a yaw rotation to the payload in order to adjust an azimuth of the payload; and a second side facing fluid jet device configured to emit a second thrust producing fluid stream in a second direction opposite the first direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The parachute system of claim 1, further comprising a controller providing communication with the azimuth control device, the controller comprising a processor and a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to control the azimuth control device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The parachute system of claim 1, wherein the azimuth control device is configured to exert a force in a first direction at a first time and further configured to exert a force in a second direction at a second time, the second direction is opposite from the first direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The parachute system of claim 1, wherein the payload support comprises a platform and the azimuth control device is mounted to the platform. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The parachute system of claim 4, wherein the azimuth control device is mounted to the payload support a distance offset from a vertical center of mass axis of the payload in order to create torque to thereby induce the yaw rotation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The parachute system of claim 1, further comprising an interface configured to be coupled between the payload and the parachute. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The parachute system of claim 6, wherein the interface comprises a first clevis/shackle and a second clevis/shackle configured to rotate with respect to the first clevis/shackle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The parachute system of claim 7, wherein the first clevis/shackle extends through an opening of the second clevis/shackle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The parachute system of claim 7, wherein the interface comprises a textile sling comprising Kevlar. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The parachute system of claim 9, wherein the textile sling is devoid of twists. ### Claim 11 A method of using a parachute system, the method comprising: coupling an azimuth control device to at least one of a payload support or a payload, wherein the azimuth control device includes a first side facing fluid jet device configured to emit a first thrust producing fluid stream in a first direction to operably impart a yaw rotation to the payload in order to adjust an azimuth of the payload, and the azimuth control device further includes a second side facing fluid jet device configured to emit a second thrust producing fluid stream in a second direction opposite the first direction; deploying the payload from an aircraft; deploying a parachute coupled to the payload support; and operating the azimuth control device to adjust the azimuth of the payload during descent of the payload beneath the parachute. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein coupling the azimuth control device to at least one of the payload support or the payload comprises: coupling the first side facing fluid jet device to the at least one of the payload support or the payload; and coupling a second side facing fluid jet device to the at least one of the payload support or the payload; wherein the second side facing fluid jet device is configured to emit a second thrust producing fluid stream in a second direction, and the second direction is opposite the first direction. ### Claim 13 A parachute system comprising: a parachute; a payload support configured to operably support a payload below the parachute; an interface between the parachute and the payload, the interface including a first textile sling extending from a first clevis/shackle toward the parachute and a second textile sling extending from a second clevis/shackle toward the payload support, the first clevis/shackle defines a first opening facing a first direction substantially perpendicular to a first direction of tension of the first textile sling, the second clevis/shackle defines a second opening facing a second direction substantially perpendicular to a second direction of tension of the second textile sling, the second clevis/shackle is configured to rotate with respect to the first clevis/shackle, and the second clevis/shackle extends through the first opening of the first clevis/shackle; and an azimuth control device mounted to at least one of the payload support or the payload. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The parachute system of claim 13, wherein the at least one of the first textile sling or the second textile sling is devoid of twists. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The parachute system of claim 13, wherein the azimuth control device is configured to operably impart a yaw rotation to the payload in order to adjust an azimuth of the payload. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The parachute system of claim 15, wherein the interface is configured to rotate in response to the azimuth of the payload being adjusted. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The parachute system of claim 15, wherein the interface is configured to accommodate the yaw rotation of the payload.