Parachute Control Lines Dynamic Braking Opening Shock

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High-load cargo parachuting systems face significant challenges in managing the heavy shock energy caused by parachute opening, leading to potential payload damage due to the sudden introduction of drag and lift, which existing methods like sliders are insufficient to mitigate effectively.

Innovation Solution

Dynamic braking of control lines during the parachute inflation stage, where the control lines are initially set to zero brake length and then shortened to a first brake length, potentially with pauses and subsequent lengthening to a second brake length, to manipulate the canopy inflation and reduce opening shock.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a slider is used to control canopy inflation, then the opening shock is reduced to some extent, but the shock reduction is insufficient for high-load cargo parachuting systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening shockVSAvoidprotection against payload damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the control lines adjustable during deployment. The control lines can be dynamically shortened or lengthened during the canopy inflation process to actively manage the inflation rate and reduce opening shock. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to the specific requirements of high-load cargo parachuting, providing sufficient shock reduction that static sliders cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of control line length during the deployment process. By shortening the control lines during inflation, the system modifies the inflation characteristics of the canopy cells, thereby reducing the rate of inflation and the associated opening shock. This parameter change approach enables precise control over the deployment dynamics to protect high-value cargo.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the control lines are shortened during inflation to reduce opening shock, then the shock is reduced, but the deployment process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening shockVSAvoidcontrol line adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control lines serve multiple functions: they control the inflation rate of the canopy cells, manage the opening shock, and maintain canopy stability during deployment. By making the control lines adjustable, a single component performs multiple critical functions, reducing the need for additional specialized mechanisms and minimizing the overall system complexity despite the added adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the canopy inflates rapidly to achieve quick deployment, then the deployment time is reduced, but the opening shock increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidopening shock

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the control lines at specific lengths before deployment. This preliminary setup allows the system to control the inflation process from the outset, managing the rate at which canopy cells inflate. By having the control lines ready at appropriate lengths, the system can achieve quick deployment while simultaneously limiting the opening shock that would otherwise occur with rapid inflation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach significantly reduces the opening shock experienced by the cargo and parachute system components, minimizing the risk of payload damage and improving the stability of the parachute deployment process.

Implementation Method 1

the canopy having a plurality of laterally arranged ram air inflated cells extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge and forming an airfoil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerofoil: Aerofoil

Implementation Method 2

shortening the effective length of the control lines from zero brake length to a pre-determined first brake length during the canopy inflation period

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11655027B2Wing cargo parachute system utilizing dynamic braking to reduce opening shock

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 P D OF MIAMI INC

AI summary

Methods of reducing wing type parachute opening shock during a parachute drop, and parachute systems with reduced opening shocks are disclosed, the opening force reduction is achieved by dynamic braking, i.e. dynamically adjusting the canopy control lines during the inflation stage of the canopy. Typically, the control lines are set to zero brake length when the parachute canopy is released from the deployment bag, and are at least shortened during the inflation stage, optionally all the way to full brake. Optionally the control lines are also lengthened prior to completion of the canopy inflation. Other features and parachute systems are also disclosed.