Gliding Parachute Line Control for Reversible Landing Trajectory
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parachutes and kites face challenges in controlling their trajectory, leading to overshooting and crashes due to limited control over direction and speed during landing, especially when constrained by airspace limitations or physical obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A gliding parachute/kite with a flexible wing and adjustable suspension lines allows for reversible direction without turning, and spinning around an orthogonal axis to control trajectory, enabling precise landing by modulating the length of suspension lines using a controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional parachutes are used for transporting objects to target locations, then the parachute can slow down the load and counteract gravitational force, but the parachute may overshoot the target location due to limited trajectory control
Solution Approach 1:
The parachute employs dynamically adjustable suspension lines that can change their effective length during flight. The controller selectively shortens or lengthens specific suspension lines to deform the canopy shape, enabling active control of the parachute's trajectory including direction reversal and spinning maneuvers without requiring physical turning of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the parachute canopy by selectively adjusting suspension line lengths. This deforms the canopy shape to create asymmetric drag and lift forces, enabling trajectory control, direction reversal, and spinning maneuvers. The parameter change transforms a passive parachute into an actively controllable gliding system.
2Reliability
If existing approaches for controlling kite trajectory are used, then the kite can be maneuvered, but it consumes significant space and results in crashes when the kite cannot complete maneuvers without impacting surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The kite system uses dynamically adjustable suspension lines controlled by a controller that selectively shortens or lengthens lines to deform the kite canopy. This enables the kite to perform tight turning maneuvers, direction reversals, and spinning movements in confined spaces without requiring large maneuvering areas, thereby preventing crashes into surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric configuration of the kite by adjusting suspension line lengths, creating asymmetric forces that enable compact maneuvering patterns. This allows the kite to execute complex trajectory changes including U-turns and spins within limited spatial boundaries, eliminating the need for large open spaces and preventing surface impacts.
3Ease of operation
If conventional parachutes are used without turning capability, then the parachute can glide to target, but it cannot control trajectory or ground speed at touch down due to airspace limitations or physical obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The parachute employs dynamically adjustable suspension lines that can be selectively shortened or lengthened during the final approach and landing phases. This enables the operator to perform direction reversals and spinning maneuvers close to the target area, providing precise control over ground speed and touch-down trajectory even when airspace is constrained or physical obstacles are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the canopy geometry by adjusting suspension line lengths, creating asymmetric aerodynamic forces that enable precise trajectory control during landing. This allows the parachute to perform controlled direction reversals and spins in confined spaces, adapting to airspace limitations and physical obstacles while maintaining control over touch-down parameters.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the control of parachute/kite trajectory, allowing for accurate landing without overshooting and reducing crashes by enabling reversible direction and spinning maneuvers, thus improving the precision and safety of gliding operations.
Implementation Method 1
A parachute is an apparatus having a surface used to slow a motion of a load (e.g. object being transported) through air by creating drag and/or lift to slow down the load and/or counteract gravitational force acting on the load.
Implementation Method 2
A parachute is an apparatus having a surface used to slow a motion of a load (e.g. object being transported) through air by creating drag and/or lift to slow down the load and/or counteract gravitational force acting on the load.
Implementation Method 3
A parachute is an apparatus having a surface used to slow a motion of a load (e.g. object being transported) through air by creating drag and/or lift to slow down the load and/or counteract gravitational force acting on the load.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for operating a gliding parachute/kite. The gliding parachute/kite has a wing with a flexible material, and a set of suspension lines adapted for coupling a load to the wing, such that the coupling is configurable in any one of a plurality of possible states based on relative lengths of the suspension lines. In some implementations, the possible states include a first state enabling gliding in a first direction, and a second state enabling gliding in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. Reversing direction is possible with the first and second states. Additionally, or alternatively, the possible states include a spinning state enabling spinning of the gliding parachute/kite. Adjusting a rate of decent is possible with the spinning. Reversing direction and/or spinning operations can be used to improve control of trajectory.