Hemispherical parachute and cluster of hemispherical parachutes

Abstract

A hemispherical parachute (1) is proposed. The parachute comprises a canopy (2) having a leading edge (3) and a trailing edge (4) opposite the leading edge (3), suspension lines (6) each having a first end (7) attached to the leading edge (3) and a second end (8) for carrying a load (9), the suspension lines forming a plurality of groups (11, 12, 13) of lines and having the same length, each group of lines having the same number of lines. At least two groups (11, 12, 13) of lines each include a stiffener (35), the lines (6) of each group of lines passing through the stiffener (35) of the group of lines, at least one line of each group of lines being attached to the stiffener of the group of lines. Figure for the abstract: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Hemispherical parachute and cluster of hemispherical parachutes. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to hemispherical parachutes that can be applied to various uses such as the controlled descent of a load until it is brought to the ground, in particular equipment (cargo parachute) or personnel (troop parachute).

[0002] The invention further relates to a "cluster" of parachutes grouped together for carrying a common load. Previous techniques

[0003] A hemispherical parachute comprises a canopy having a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge.

[0004] Air is evacuated through the trailing edge.

[0005] However, it is known that the air escapes through the trailing edge, so that air escapes freely from the canopy at the leading edge, generating oscillations that affect the load attached to a shackle of the parachute.

[0006] In addition, the hemispherical parachute may include a central line connecting the trailing edge suspension strut to the shackle to which the risers are attached.

[0007] The central line is shorter than the rigging height.

[0008] The central line facilitates the deployment of the leading edge of the sail to obtain a faster opening of the sail.

[0009] However, the centerline constrains the trailing edge in a position preventing the trailing edge from evacuating sufficient air through the trailing edge orifice.

[0010] As the air escapes through the trailing edge is insufficient, air escapes at the leading edge, generating oscillations that are transmitted to the load attached to the parachute shackle. Description of the invention

[0011] The object of the invention is to overcome all or part of this drawback, in particular by modifying the aerodynamic behavior of the hemispherical parachute to reduce the oscillations generated by the parachute.

[0012] In view of the foregoing, the invention relates to a hemispherical parachute comprising a canopy having a leading edge and a trailing edge which is opposite the leading edge, suspension lines each having a first end attached to the leading edge and a second end intended to carry a load.

[0013] The suspensions form a plurality of suspension groups and have the same length, each suspension group having the same number of suspensions.

[0014] At least two groups of suspension lines each include a stiffener, the suspension lines of each group of suspension lines passing through the stiffener of the group of suspension lines, at least one suspension line of each group of suspension lines being attached to the stiffener of the group of suspension lines.

[0015] The stiffeners allow the leading edge of the sail to be deformed so that the leading edge has scoops or arches distributed over the leading edge allowing air to escape from the sail in a controlled manner and preventing air from escaping out of the arches.

[0016] The distribution of air leakage currents through the vaults allows for better stability and a limitation of oscillations generated by the parachute.

[0017] Preferably, for each group of suspension lines comprising a stiffener, the suspension lines of the suspension line group are fixed to the stiffener.

[0018] Advantageously, each stiffener comprises a ribbon.

[0019] Preferably, each stiffener includes passage elements, the hangers of each group of hangers that are not fixed to the stiffener of the group of hangers each passing through a passage element of the stiffener of the group of hangers and being free in translation relative to it.

[0020] Advantageously, the number of hangers in each group of hangers is equal to eight, two hangers in each group of hangers being fixed to the stiffener of the group of hangers so that the passing elements of the group of hangers are arranged in an equal number on either side of the hangers fixed to the stiffener of the group of hangers.

[0021] Preferably, each stiffener comprises a ribbon and the passage elements are formed by eyelets passing through said ribbon.

[0022] Advantageously, each stiffener is located between one quarter and one half of the length of the suspension lines relative to the leading edge.

[0023] Preferably, the parachute further comprises as many risers as there are groups of suspension lines, each riser being connected to the second ends of the suspension lines of a group of suspension lines and being configured to be connected to the load.

[0024] A cluster of parachutes comprising several parachutes as defined above is also proposed. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0026] - Figures [Fig.1] and [Fig.2] schematically illustrate an example of a parachute hemispherical according to the invention,

[0027] - Figure [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a first example of the realization of a stiffener according to the invention,

[0028] - Figure [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a second example of the realization of a stiffener according to the invention, and

[0029] - Figure [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a cluster of hemispherical parachutes according to the invention. Detailed description

[0030] Reference is made to figures 1 and 2 which schematically illustrate respectively a side view and a bottom view of a hemispherical parachute 1.

[0031] The hemispherical parachute 1 comprises a canopy 2 having a leading edge 3 and a trailing edge 4 opposite the leading edge 3.

[0032] The trailing edge 4 includes an orifice 5 through which air escapes.

[0033] The parachute 1 comprises suspension lines 6 of the same length, each having a first end 7 attached to the leading edge 3 and a second end 8 intended to carry a load 9, which may be for example equipment or personnel.

[0034] The suspensions 6 are grouped together to form a plurality of groups 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 of suspensions.

[0035] Each group 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 of suspension lines has the same number of suspension lines 6, for example eight suspension lines.

[0036] The second end 8 of the suspension lines of a group 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 of suspension lines 6 is attached to a riser 10, the parachute 1 comprising as many risers 10 as there are groups 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 of suspension lines 6.

[0037] Each elevator 10 is connected to the load 9.

[0038] Note that a fitting can be fixed to one end of each riser 10, the other end of said riser being connected to a shackle intended to carry the load 9. In this case, the parachute 1 will include as many fittings and shackles as there are risers and therefore as many groups of suspension lines.

[0039] For clarity, only the 6 hangers of a first group 11, of a second group 12 and of a third group 13 of 6 hangers are shown on [Fig.1], and only the 6 hangers of a first group 11 of hangers are shown on [Fig.2].

[0040] The first end 7 of the suspension lines 6 of each group 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 is hooked to the leading edge 3 in an attachment zone 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 of the sail 2.

[0041] The attachment zones 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 are of identical dimensions.

[0042] Two adjacent attachment zones 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 are separated by a free zone 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 of the sail 2 not including suspension lines 6.

[0043] The free zones 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 are of identical dimensions.

[0044] Each group 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 of suspension lines 6 further comprises a stiffener 35.

[0045] The hangers 6 of each group 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 of hangers 6 pass through the stiffener 35 of said group of hangers and at least one hanger 6 of said group of hangers is fixed to the stiffener 35 of said group of hangers.

[0046] The stiffeners 35 allow the leading edge 3 of the sail 2 to be deformed so that the leading edge 3 in each attachment zone 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 forms an arch or scoop through which air escapes, and the leading edge 3 in each free zone 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 prevents the escape of air, promoting recirculation of air in the sail 3.

[0047] The arches on the leading edge 3 allow the air leakage currents to be channeled and distributed on the leading edge 3.

[0048] The distribution of air leakage currents through the vaults allows for better stability and a limitation of oscillations generated by the parachute 1.

[0049] Alternatively, the parachute 1 includes less than one stiffener 35 per group of suspension lines, for example one group of suspension lines out of two includes a stiffener 35 so that two groups of suspension lines each including a stiffener are separated by a group of suspension lines not including a stiffener, the number of groups of suspension lines being even.

[0050] According to yet another variant, two opposing groups of suspension lines each include a stiffener, the other groups of suspension lines not including a stiffener 35.

[0051] Each stiffener 35 is preferably located between one quarter and half of the length of the suspension lines 6 relative to the leading edge 3.

[0052] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a first example of the realization of the stiffener 35.

[0053] The stiffener 35 comprises a ribbon 36 of length L36 and width 136.

[0054] The length L36 is for example equal to 50 cm and the width 136 is for example equal to 3 cm.

[0055] Each suspension 6 of group 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 is fixed to the stiffener 35 for example by a seam 37.

[0056] Two adjacent seams 37 are separated by the same distance, for example 7 cm.

[0057] Ribbon 36, for example, is made of nylon.

[0058] Nylon is a flexible material that does not hinder the folding of the sail 2 or the coiling 6 suspension lines while offering sufficient mechanical resistance.

[0059] Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a second example of the realization of the stiffener 35.

[0060] The stiffener 35 includes passage elements 40.

[0061] Each passage element 40 is traversed by a suspension 6 from group 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 which is not fixed to the stiffener 35.

[0062] Each suspension 6 passing through a passage element 40 is free in translation relative to it.

[0063] The stiffener 35 is formed by a ribbon 41, for example made of nylon, and the passage elements 40 are formed by eyelets passing through said ribbon 4L

[0064] The ribbon 41 has a length L41 for example equal to 50 cm and a width 141 is for example equal to 3 cm.

[0065] As each group 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 comprises eight suspenders 6, two suspenders 6 are fixed to the stiffener 35 for example by seams 42 and the passing elements 40 are arranged in an equal number on either side of the two suspenders 6 fixed to the stiffener 35.

[0066] The two seams 42 are spaced apart by a length 142 for example equal to 7 cm.

[0067] Two adjacent passage elements 40 are spaced, for example, 7 cm apart.

[0068] A seam 42 and an adjacent passage element 40 are spaced, for example, 7 cm.

[0069] In the second embodiment of the stiffener 35, only the two hangers 6 located in the center of the stiffener 35 are attached to the stiffener 35.

[0070] The two suspension lines 6 located are the least stressed so that they undergo the lowest mechanical stresses allowing to limit the forces on the seams 42 or on another means of connection allowing to fix the suspension lines 6 on the stiffener 35.

[0071] Figure [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates a cluster 50, or grouping, of hemispherical parachutes.

[0072] The parachute cluster 50 comprises several hemispherical parachutes 1 as previously described, communalized for carrying the load 9.

[0073] Each of the respective elevators 10 of the parachutes 1 is therefore connected to the load 9 commune.

Claims

Demands

1. A hemispherical parachute (1) comprising a canopy (2) having a leading edge (3) and a trailing edge (4) opposite the leading edge (3), suspension lines (6) each having a first end (7) attached to the leading edge (3) and a second end (8) for carrying a load (9), the suspension lines forming a plurality of groups (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) of lines and having the same length, each group of lines having the same number of lines, characterized in that at least two groups (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) of lines each comprise a stiffener (35), the suspension lines (6) of each group of lines passing through the stiffener (35) of the group of suspension lines, at least one suspension line from each suspension line group being attached to the suspension line group stiffener.

2. Parachute according to claim 1, wherein for each group (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) of suspension lines comprising a stiffener (35), the suspension lines of the suspension line group are attached to the stiffener.

3. Parachute (1) according to claim 2, wherein each stiffener (35) comprises a ribbon (36).

4. Parachute according to claim 1, wherein each stiffener (35) comprises through-elements (40), the suspension lines (6) of each group (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) of suspension lines not fixed to the stiffener (35) of the suspension line group each passing through a through-element of the stiffener of the suspension line group and being free in translation relative thereto.

5. Parachute according to claim 4, wherein the number of suspension lines (6) of each group (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) of suspension lines is equal to eight, two suspension lines of each group of suspension lines being attached to the stiffener (35) of the group of suspension lines so that the passing elements (40) of the group of suspension lines are arranged in an equal number on either side of the suspension lines attached to the stiffener of the group of suspension lines.

6. Parachute (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each stiffener (35) comprises a ribbon (41) and the passage elements (40) are formed by eyelets passing through said ribbon.

7. Parachute (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each stiffener (35) is located between one quarter and one half of the length of the suspension lines relative to the leading edge.

8. Parachute (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising as many risers (10) as there are groups (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) of lines, each riser being connected to the second ends (8) of the lines (6) of a group of lines and being configured to be connected to the load (9).

9. Parachute cluster (13) comprising several parachutes (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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