Abstract: A thermal insulation material for articles of clothing, the material including fibers for providing thermal insulation and fibers for providing a stable structure for the material.

Abstract: A parachute system has a canopy, suspension lines that extend from the canopy skirt to a confluence point, and a center line that is attached to and between the apex of the canopy and the confluence point. A single reefing line cutter is attached to the center line and is activated after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. A first reefing line extends through a first group of reefing rings wherein one end of the first reefing line is attached to the single reefing line cutter and the opposite end is attached to the canopy skirt at a first predetermined location. A second reefing line extends through a second group of reefing rings that is opposite the first group of reefing rings. The second reefing line has one end attached to the single reefing line cutter and an opposite end attached to the canopy skirt at a second predetermined location that is across from the first predetermined location.

Abstract: A parachute cluster assembly includes a first round parachute having a first canopy of radially extending first gores, and a second round parachute having a second canopy of radially extending second gores. Adjacent ones of the first gores are joined along a line to adjacent ones of the second gores to fix the first canopy to the second canopy along the line. The first canopy defines a first slot spaced from but neighboring the first gores joined along the line, and the second canopy defines a second slot spaced from but neighboring the second gores joined along the line. The first and second slots are disposed on a same side of the cluster assembly.

Abstract: A parachute cluster assembly includes a first round parachute having a first canopy of radially extending first gores, and a second round parachute having a second canopy of radially extending second gores. Adjacent ones of the first gores are joined along a line to adjacent ones of the second gores to fix the first canopy to the second canopy along the line. The first canopy defines a first slot spaced from but neighboring the first gores joined along the line, and the second canopy defines a second slot spaced from but neighboring the second gores joined along the line. The first and second slots are disposed on a same side of the cluster assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating flexible structures such as textiles under load generally. A specific embodiment is shown for parachutes. A plurality of first sensors and second sensors are attached to the parachute on its canopy and suspension lines. Preferred first sensors are fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) type sensors, and preferred second sensors are modal power distribution (MPD) type sensors. A fiber optic network interconnects the pluralities of first and second sensors to provide sensor outputs which are converted to electronic signals, modulated and transmitted to a receiving station for receiving and processing the transmitted modulated electronic signals. The preferred fiber optic network includes a plurality of light emitting diodes positioned at one end of each fibers and a photodiode array positioned to receive light from each of the fibers.

Abstract: A parafoil assembly includes a canopy having a plurality of generally parel inflatable cells and suspension lines extending from opposite sides of each of the cells toward a central area beneath the canopy when the canopy is fully deployed. At least one selected group of the suspension lines is reefed. A loop retains the reefed suspension lines and a cutter is mounted onto the loop and is adapted to cut the loop to release the reefed suspension lines. Upon initial deployment, non-reefed suspension lines are free to extend to permit full deployment of their respective cells, while the reefed suspension lines prevent full deployment of their respective cells. Upon activation of the cutter, the reefed suspension lines are released so as to disreef to permit extension thereof and full deployment of cells connected thereto.

Abstract: A parachute having radial reefing means for use in packing and opening the parachute canopy in a controlled manner. The parachute includes a circular canopy having a peripheral skirt and a plurality of evenly spaced radials. Suspension lines are attached at one end to the skirt at each radial and are bound together at the opposite end in a bundle. Identical sets of at least three reefing rings are attached to each of selected, non-adjacent radials, i.e., reefing radials, which are evenly spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to 25% to 40% of the length of a radial. The outermost reefing ring of each set is attached to its respective reefing radial at the skirt, and the remaining reefing rings of each set are evenly spaced apart by not more than about 2 feet over about 25% to 40% of the length of the reefing radial.

Abstract: A parachute assembly and method for the controlled airdrop of a payload is isclosed. The parachute assembly includes a cluster of parachutes and a control means. Each parachute in the cluster includes a canopy, a plurality of reefing rings attached to the skirt portion of the canopy and a plurality of suspension lines that are attached to the skirt portion at their one end and attachable to a payload at their other end. The control means comprises a common member disposed between and intermediate to each parachute, a plurality of control lines that are threaded through a plurality of the reefing rings on confronting skirt portions of each of two parachutes, and at least one control loop for each control line, which control loop is breakable under tension forces generated at the skirt portion during canopy opening. The method for controlling canopy release and opening of clustered parachutes comprises releasing the clustered parachutes from a single deployment bag.

Abstract: A tent insulation liner which functions to both retain heat within the tent uring the winter heating season and reduce the external heat load during the summer air conditioning season. The liner is positioned on the interior side of an outer tent shell and is formed by alternating plies of fibrous flame retardant (FR) polyester batting, metallic reflective film and fibrous FR polyester batting and having fiberglass fabric as external cover layers. Optimum insulative properties were found to occur when a three-ply quilting arrangement was employed in which each fiberglass fabric layer was quilted to the adjacent FR batting layer and the two metallic film layers were quilted together with a FR batting layer between.

Abstract: A method of forming a prechar-layer on wood to cause it to become fire and rot retardant. In an air or a low oxygen concentration atmosphere the wood is uniformly charred at a depth of at least 3 millimeters by a high-intensity radiant heat panel. Normally the heat panel is spaced from and moved with respect to the wood. The relative velocity of the wood past the radiant panel and the panel's emitted heat flux are used to control the depth of charring. Preferably fire and/or rot retard chemicals and/or treatments are added to the formed charred layer to further increase the wood's fire and rot retardancy.