Telescoping Mortar Guide Plate for Ejection Seat Drogue Parachute
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of drogue parachute assemblies in ejection seats is tedious and time-consuming due to the routing and tacking of the drogue bridle around the rocket cutout, which interferes with other ejection system structures.
Innovation Solution
A drogue parachute assembly featuring a canopy housing with a telescoping mortar system, a guide plate, and locking loops that simplify the routing and tacking process, allowing for efficient deployment and stowage within the ejection seat back.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the drogue bridle is routed around the rocket cutout in the seatback, then the seatback can be installed with the rocket already attached to the actuator, but the routing and tacking process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The drogue parachute assembly is segmented into separate components: the drogue parachute unit with its bridle attached, and the seatback assembly with the rocket. This allows the drogue to be pre-assembled and tested independently, then quickly installed into the seatback without complex routing operations during final assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The drogue parachute and its bridle are extracted as a separate, pre-assembled unit from the overall seat assembly process. This extracted unit can be manufactured and prepared independently, then simply installed into the seatback structure, eliminating the need for installers to perform tedious routing and tacking operations
2Reliability
If the drogue bridle is routed around the rocket cutout, then the drogue can be attached to the seatback, but the routing process interferes with other ejection system structures
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated bridle attachment mechanism serves as an intermediary component between the drogue bridle and the seatback structure. This intermediary provides a clear, unobstructed attachment path that does not interfere with other ejection system structures, while still ensuring reliable connection of the drogue to the seatback
Solution Approach 2:
The bridle routing path is pre-planned and pre-configured in the seatback design with dedicated attachment points and clearance spaces. This preliminary action ensures that during assembly, the bridle can be attached without interfering with other structures, as the path has already been prepared and cleared
Data Source
AI summary
A drogue parachute assembly may comprise a canopy housing and a mortar. The mortar may include an inner mortar tube and an outer mortar tube configured to telescope relative to the inner mortar tube. The canopy housing may be coupled to the outer mortar tube. A guide plate may be configured to contact an interface surface of the canopy housing and pivot the mortar about a pivot joint.