Deployment device for parachutes
AssigneeP.D. of Miami, Inc.
InventorBill J. Coe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a low-drag/high-speed pilot chute which is attached to a bridle cord, and a high-drag/low-speed pilot chute which is attached with a weak link to the bridle cord. In a low-speed deployment scenario, the high-drag pilot chute provides enough drag to deploy the canopy quickly. However, if the deployment speed is high enough, the force from the high-drag pilot chute will exceed the strength of the weak link and break it. This separates the high-drag pilot chute from the rest of the assembly. The low-drag/high-speed pilot chute then continues deploying the parachute, effectively protecting the parachute and its cargo from the ill effects of having too much pilot chute force.
Claims15
A parachute deployment device, comprising:
- a bridle cord;
- a first pilot chute attached to said bridle cord;
- a second pilot chute attached to said bridle cord;
- and
- means for detaching said first pilot chute from said bridle cord at a certain deployment speed.
A parachute or canopy deployment device, comprising:
- a bridle cord;
- a first pilot chute attached to said bridle cord;
- and
- a second pilot chute attached to said bridle cord;
- wherein said first pilot chute is attached to said bridle cord by a weak link, said weak link adapted to be broken at a certain. deployment speed.
A deployment device adapted for use in both high and low speed parachute deployments, comprising:
- a bridle cord;
- a high drag pilot chute attached to said bridle cord;
- a low drag pilot chute attached to said bridle cord;
- means for detaching said high drag pilot chute from said bridle cord at a certain deployment speed.
A deployment device adapted for use in both high and low speed parachute deployments, comprising:
- a bridle cord;
- a pouch attached to said bridle cord by a weak link, said weak link adapted to be broken at a certain deployment speed to allow for detachment of said pouch from said bridle cord;
- a high drag pilot chute attached to said pouch;
- a low drag pilot chute attached to said bridle cord;
- wherein the detachment of said pouch from said bridle cord causes said low drag pilot chute to deploy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.