Multi-grommet retained slider for parachutes
AssigneeAirborne Systems North America of Nj Inc.
InventorJean C. Berland
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reefing slider for providing improved line management and canopy deployment characteristics of a ram air inflated airfoil type canopy. During initial descent of the parachute the slider, secured by retaining elements, is held against the canopy in the upper reefing position where it mechanically restricts canopy deployment while giving the canopy time to achieve proper orientation following the drop from the launching aircraft. Upon sufficient air flow into the canopy cells, the retaining elements separate, releasing the slider and enabling full opening of the canopy.
Claims22
In combination with a ram air parachute canopy having a wingspan with upper and lower airfoil surfaces separated by chordwise-extending ribs to form cells inflated by inflow of air at an open leading edge, and suspension lines connecting the lower surface of the canopy to a load, the improvement comprising:
- a reefing slider with a spanwise length and a chordwise width having reinforced openings through which the suspension lines extend, said slider further having a plurality of separate retaining devices spaced along said spanwise length and secured to said canopy for retarding descent of the slider relative to the canopy from an upper reefing position in which inflation of the canopy is restricted, said slider being releasable from said canopy to descend along said suspension lines in response to release of said retaining devices due to force created by said inflow of air to said cells, a number of said retaining devices at a central area along said slider spanwise length and secured to a central part of said canopy wingspan being stronger than a number of said retaining devices at outer edges of said slider spanwise length and secured to wing tip portions of said canopy.
A ram air parachute comprising:
- a canopy having a wingspan and upper and lower airfoil surfaces separated by chordwise-extending ribs to form cells inflated by inflow of air at an open leading edge;
- suspension lines connecting the lower surface of the canopy to a load;
- and
- a reefing slider with a spanwise length and a chordwise width having reinforced openings through which the suspension lines extend, said slider further having a plurality of separate retaining devices spaced along said spanwise length and secured to said canopy for retarding descent of the slider relative to the canopy from an upper reefing position in which inflation of the canopy is restricted, said slider being releasable from said canopy to descend along said suspension lines in response to release of said retaining devices due to force created by said inflow of air to said cells, a number of said retaining devices at a center along said slider spanwise length and secured to a central part of said canopy wingspan being stronger than a number of said retaining devices at outer edges of said slider spanwise length and secured to wing tip portions of said canopy.
A method of securing a reefing slider to a ram air parachute canopy having a wingspan and upper and lower airfoil surfaces separated by chordwise-extending ribs to form cells inflated by inflow of air at an open leading edge, and suspension lines connecting the lower surface of the canopy to a load, said reefing slider having a plurality of reinforced openings spaced from one another through which the suspension lines extend, said slider further having slider retaining elements adjacent at least some of said reinforced openings and said canopy having canopy retaining elements in spaced relationship corresponding to a spacing of said slider retaining elements, the method comprising the steps of:
- aligning the canopy retaining elements with said slider retaining elements to form a plurality of retaining element pairs;
- and
- releasably securing the slider retaining elements and the canopy retaining elements of each respective retaining element pair to one another along the wingspan of said canopy, said step of securing including securing retaining element pairs near a central area of said canopy with a mechanical connection having a first connection strength and securing retaining element pairs near the wing tips of the canopy with a mechanical connection having a second connection strength, said first connection strength being greater than said second connection strength, said releasably secured pairs of retaining elements securing said slider to said canopy to retard descent of the slider relative to the canopy from an upper reefing position in which inflation of the canopy is restricted, said slider being released from said canopy to descend along said suspension lines to a lowered position in response to release of said retaining elements from one another due to force created by said inflow of air to said cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.