Systems and methods for a self-deploying vehicle drag device
AssigneeThe Aerospace Corporation
InventorsBrian S. Hardy, Jerome K. Fuller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for a self-deploying vehicle drag device. In one embodiment, a drag device for a vehicle can be provided. The drag device can include a chute body, wherein the chute body is connected to the vehicle. The drag device can also include at least one collapsible member mounted to the chute body, wherein the at least one collapsible member and chute body are maintained in respective compressed configurations until deployed. Furthermore, the drag device can include at least one device adapted to release the chute body from the vehicle, wherein the chute body and the at least one collapsible member are deployed in expanded configurations with respect to the vehicle.
Claims20
A drag device for a vehicle, the device comprising:
- a chute body, wherein the chute body is connected to the vehicle;
- at least one collapsible member mounted to the chute body, wherein the at least one collapsible member and chute body are maintained in respective compressed configurations until deployed;
- and
- at least one device adapted to release the chute body from the vehicle, wherein the chute body and the at least one collapsible member are deployed in expanded configurations with respect to the vehicle, wherein the at least one device comprises a passive-type device adapted to degrade or erode over time in order to release the chute body.
A method for creating drag for a vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing a chute body with at least one collapsible member, wherein the chute body is connected to the vehicle and is maintained in a compressed configuration with respect to the vehicle, and wherein the at least one collapsible member facilitates deployment of the chute body away from the vehicle;
- and
- releasing the chute body with respect to the vehicle, wherein the chute body and the at least one collapsible member are deployed in expanded configuration with respect to the vehicle, wherein the at least one device comprises a passive-type device adapted to degrade or erode over time in order to release the chute body.
A drag system for a vehicle comprising one of the following:
- a rocket stage body, an upper stage vehicle, satellite deployment hardware, a nanosatellite, a picosatellite, a satellite, or a spacecraft, the system comprising:
- a chute body, wherein the chute body is connected to the vehicle and is maintained in a compressed orientation with respect to the vehicle;
- at least one collapsible member mounted to the chute body, wherein the at least one collapsible flexible member is maintained in a compressed orientation until deployed;
- a compartment adapted to maintain the chute body and the at least one collapsible member in respective compressed configurations prior to release of the chute body with respect to the vehicle;
- an active-type device adapted to release the chute body from the compartment, wherein the chute body and the at least one collapsible member are deployed in expanded configurations with respect to the vehicle when the active-type device is activated;
- and
- a passive-type device adapted to degrade or erode over time in order to release the chute body from the case, wherein the chute body and the at least one collapsible member are deployed in expanded configurations by the passive-type device with respect to the vehicle when the active-type device is not activated or fails to activate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.