Inflatable Frame for High-Altitude Canopy Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-altitude parachute systems face challenges in deploying canopies due to low dynamic pressure in the stratosphere, leading to incomplete or failed deployments, which can result in uncontrollable payload descent and retrieval issues.
Innovation Solution
A High-Altitude Payload Retrieval (HAPR) apparatus featuring an inflatable frame coupled to the canopy, which adjusts its rigidity based on atmospheric pressure, allowing pre-positioning of the canopy into an intended planform at high altitudes and returning to flexibility at lower altitudes to minimize drag and ensure controlled descent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid structures are added to decelerator systems to prevent canopy collapse, then canopy structural stability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase, and drag increases during ascent
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable frame transitions from a flexible state during ascent to a rigid structure during descent. During ascent, the frame remains collapsed and flexible, reducing drag and complexity. Upon deployment at high altitude, the frame inflates and becomes rigid, providing the necessary structural stability to prevent canopy collapse in the low-density stratospheric environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic pressure to transform the structural properties of the frame. Internal air pressure inflates the frame from a collapsed flexible state to an expanded rigid state, enabling the same structure to adapt to different operational phases without requiring separate rigid and flexible components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid decelerator structures are used to maintain canopy shape, then canopy stability is improved, but drag increases during ascent and controllability deteriorates during descent
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable frame dynamically changes its rigidity based on operational phase. During ascent, it remains flexible and conformal to the canopy, minimizing drag. During descent, it maintains rigidity to prevent collapse while allowing controlled canopy deflections for guidance to the landing zone through its ability to flex within its structured form.
3Reliability
If the canopy is pre-positioned into intended planform at high altitude, then deployment reliability is improved, but drag increases during ascent through lower altitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable frame is pre-positioned in a collapsed state during ascent, conforming to the canopy without creating significant drag. Upon reaching the target high altitude, the frame rapidly inflates to establish the intended planform, ensuring reliable deployment while minimizing energy loss during the ascent phase.
4Loss of energy
If flexible canopy structures are used to reduce drag during ascent, then energy efficiency is improved, but canopy stability deteriorates in high-altitude low-density environment
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a flexible collapsed state during ascent to a rigid inflated state during descent. During ascent, the flexible frame minimizes drag by conforming to the canopy. At high altitude, the frame inflates to become rigid, providing the structural stability needed to prevent collapse in the low-density environment where dynamic pressure is insufficient to maintain canopy shape alone.
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
The HAPR apparatus enables full planform deployment at high altitudes, reducing drag during ascent and ensuring flexibility during descent for controlled guidance to a landing zone, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of payload retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
The inflatable frame has a first collapse load limit less than the weight of the canopy at a first pressurized state less than 75 kPa, and a second collapse load limit greater than the weight of the canopy at a second pressurized state of greater than 95 kPa, where the pressurized state indicates a difference in pressure between an internal pressure within the inflatable frame and a pressure surrounding the canopy
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides an HAPR apparatus comprising an inflatable frame configured to generate canopy extension based on surrounding atmospheric pressure. The inflatable frame has a first collapse load limit less than the weight of the canopy at a first pressurized state less than 75 kPa and a second collapse load limit greater than the weight of the canopy at a second pressurized state of greater than 95 kPa. The internal pressure of the inflatable frame is typically about 101 kPa. The HAPR apparatus allows ascension with the canopy hanging under its own weight to reduce ascension time, then generates canopy extension prior to release in essentially a zero velocity, zero dynamic pressure condition.