Parachute Disconnect Assembly With Mechanical Landing Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disconnect assemblies for aerial delivery apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting landing, particularly in windy conditions or different environments like fresh water or ground, and often require extensive refurbishment for reuse.
Innovation Solution
A disconnect assembly that includes a detector device for landing detection and a mechanical trigger system using a transmit cable to release the parachute from the payload, allowing for reliable disconnection without pyrotechnic components and enabling easy reusability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pyrotechnic charge is used for disconnection, then the disconnect function is reliable, but extensive refurbishment is required for re-use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pyrotechnic charge system with a purely mechanical disconnect mechanism. The transmit cable transmits mechanical trigger force from the detector device to the disconnect device, eliminating the need for pyrotechnic components and enabling easy reusability of the parachute and aerial delivery platform.
2Measurement precision
If load-off detection is used to detect landing, then the detector can identify ground contact, but it may not detect landing when side winds create tension load on parachute lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transmit cable as an intermediary mechanical element that directly transmits the trigger force from the detector device to the disconnect device. This mechanical intermediary ensures reliable force transmission regardless of environmental conditions such as side winds, overcoming the limitations of electrical or indirect detection methods.
3Reliability
If the parachute remains attached to the payload after landing, then the payload is protected during descent, but the likelihood of tangling and displacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically triggering the disconnect device upon landing detection. The transmit cable is pre-configured to transmit the trigger force from the detector to the disconnect mechanism, ensuring the parachute is released from the payload immediately after landing, preventing tangling and displacement before they can occur.
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 solution effectively addresses the challenges of accurate landing detection and facilitates easy disconnection and reusability, reducing the risk of tangling and payload displacement while avoiding the need for costly refurbishment.
Implementation Method 1
a transmit cable configured to transmit a mechanical trigger force from the detector device to the disconnect device
Data Source
AI summary
A disconnect assembly configured to disconnect a parachute of an aerial delivery apparatus from a payload includes a detector device, a disconnect device, and a transmit cable. The detector device is configured to detect that the aerial delivery apparatus has landed, the disconnect device is configured to provide a releasable connection between the parachute and the payload, and the transmit cable is configured to transmit a mechanical trigger force from the detector device to the disconnect device. When the detector device detects that the aerial delivery apparatus has landed, the transmit cable transmits a mechanical trigger force from the detector device to the disconnect device and the disconnect device releases the connection between the parachute and the payload.