Parachute Slider Flexible Loops and Vent Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parachute systems face challenges in controlling the inflation rate and managing deployment conditions, particularly when deployment conditions are unknown prior to preparation, and there is a need for lighter weight components without compromising strength.
Innovation Solution
The parachute canopy includes adjustable vents that can automatically change their size and area to control the inflation rate based on internal pressure, and the slider features a load distributing line guide made of flexible loops to accommodate high modulus suspension lines, reducing weight while maintaining strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size slider is used to control parachute reefing, then the parachute can be prepared for specific anticipated deployment conditions, but the system cannot adapt to unknown or varying actual deployment conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the vent size adjustable rather than fixed. The vent can be opened or closed based on actual deployment conditions, allowing the parachute system to adapt dynamically to unknown or varying conditions. This transforms a static control mechanism into a dynamic one that responds to real-time requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the vent area to vary between different states (open/closed or partially open/closed). This changes the critical parameter of vent size to match actual deployment conditions, enabling the system to optimize performance for high-speed, low-speed, or intermediate deployment scenarios without requiring multiple fixed configurations.
2Strength
If traditional rigid line guides are used in the slider, then structural strength is maintained, but the suspension lines experience high stress concentrations that can cause breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by replacing rigid line guides with flexible loops made of textile or polymer materials. These flexible loops conform to the suspension lines, distributing stress along the contact area rather than concentrating it at rigid points. The flexible material maintains sufficient strength while eliminating harmful stress concentrations that would cause suspension line breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite materials by combining flexible textile or polymer materials in the loop construction. These materials provide both the necessary strength to handle suspension line loads and the flexibility to distribute stress evenly. The composite nature of these materials allows them to withstand the mechanical demands while protecting the suspension lines from damage.
3Weight of moving object
If lighter weight suspension lines are used to reduce overall parachute weight, then weight is reduced, but the lines become more susceptible to breakage from radial loads
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible loops act as a protective interface between the suspension lines and the slider. By distributing radial loads along the length of the suspension line through the flexible loop contact area, the system protects lighter weight suspension lines from stress concentrations that would cause breakage. This allows the use of lighter materials while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible loops serve as an intermediary element between the suspension lines and the slider mechanism. They mediate the force transmission, distributing radial loads along the suspension line rather than applying concentrated stresses. This intermediary protection enables the use of lighter suspension lines that would otherwise be too fragile to handle the operational loads.
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 allows for on-the-fly adjustment of the parachute's inflation rate to match varying deployment conditions, reducing shock on the payload and enabling deployment in a wide range of conditions, while also allowing the use of lighter weight high modulus suspension lines without breaking.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of flexible loops can include a textile or polymer material and can be deformable to conform to a curvature of the suspension line
Implementation Method 2
a connector secured to the panel and configured to control a transition of the panel from the closed condition to an open condition by being deformable based on an internal pressure within the canopy
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are parachute canopies and sliders for use with parachutes. The parachute canopies can include one or more deformable vent panels that can be used to control an inflation rate of the canopies based on an internal pressure within the canopies. The sliders can include strips that form through holes that have a width that distributes a radial load on suspension lines and allow for the use of lower weight, high modulus suspension lines.