Abstract: An improved ram air canopy is disclosed having a top skin formed of a plurality of substantially rectangular top skin pieces. Each top skin piece has areas of reduced width at predetermined locations. The areas of reduced width result in a specific tension pattern of the top skin so as to reduce distortion. The increased tension pattern of the top skin better maintains the modeled desired airfoil shape of the canopy.

Abstract: An autonomous guided parachute system for cargo drops that divides the requirements of guidance and soft landing into separate parachutes. Said invention includes a high wing-loaded ram air parachute for guidance, a larger round parachute for soft landing, a harness/container system, flight computer, position sensors and actuation system. The system is dropped from an airplane. A predetermined period of drogue fall ensures a stable position prior to deploying the guidance parachute. The flight controller determines a heading to intersect with an area substantially above the desired target and controls the guidance parachute via pneumatic actuators connected to the parachutes steering lines to fly on that heading. At a minimum altitude prior to the system's impact with the ground the flight computer transitions the system from the fast high performance guidance parachute to a larger landing parachute by releasing the guidance parachute to static line extract and deploy the landing parachute.

Abstract: A ram air parachute of the present invention includes specific cross porting of the ribs between certain cells to create a two-stage or multi-stage deployment. Cross ports between certain sets of cells have reduced or no conductance. In this manner, the center cells of the canopy open first, slowing decent, before the outer cells. The staged deployment reduces the opening forces on the pilot particularly in high speed flights.

Abstract: A hydraulic mechanism is positioned within the drogue bridle of a parachute system. The hydraulic link is slowly moved by tension on the drogue bridle to operate a release. The release operates to release the drogue chute and to deploy the main chute. The movement of the hydraulic link provides a time delay between deployment of the drogue chute and the main chute to allow the load to stabilize before deployment of the main chute.

Abstract: A parachute is formed using a non-woven composite material. The non-woven composite material is formed by fusing a plurality of mono-filament fibers between thin layers of plastic. The non-woven material may be used as reinforcing tapes or as parachute lines in connection with a parachute of typical construction.

Abstract: Spout assemblies are provided for dispensing liquid from a nozzle.

Abstract: A parachute is formed from a non-woven composite material. The non-woven composite material is formed by fusing a plurality of mono-filament fibers between thin layers of plastic. The fibers are positioned in directions within the material according to the stresses on the panels of the parachute. The panels of the parachute may be joined using fusing, adhesives or other non-sewing methods. The material may also be formed to have a three dimensional shape for each panel.

Abstract: An automatic controlled parachute includes a parachute canopy, a flight controller and risers connecting the canopy to the flight controller. Pneumatic actuators are connected along the risers. The flight controller operates the pneumatic actuators to control the length of the risers. The direction of flight of the parachute is controlled by the length of the risers.

Abstract: The ram air parachute has restrictions on the inlets to the cells to reduce drag during flight and to reduce opening forces. The restrictions include triangular sections blocking portions of the inlets. The triangular sections may be positioned at loaded and non-loaded ribs. Furthermore, the triangular sections are dimensioned to tension the top skin between the loaded ribs and non-loaded ribs to preserve an aerodynamic shape during flight without cross-bracing. The loaded ribs may be shortened to create a zig-zag pattern at the front edge of the bottom skin for improved deployment with reduce drag during flight.

Abstract: An improved ram air canopy is disclosed having a top skin formed of a plurality of substantially rectangular top skin pieces. Each top skin piece has areas of reduced width at predetermined locations. The areas of reduced width result in a specific tension pattern of the top skin so as to reduce distortion. The increased tension pattern of the top skin better maintains the modeled desired airfoil shape of the canopy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reinforcing the nose of a deployable, ram air parachute. Stiffeners, formed of a super-elastic alloy, are attached to the ribs of the parachute canopy at the nose. The stiffeners can be easily crushed for packing of the parachute and return to their original shape upon deployment. The stiffeners are maintained in a desired shape through heat treatment or through attachment points to the rib. The stiffeners are light and add no pack volume as they are fashioned from small diameter wire into substantially ring shaped springs. The reinforcement of the nose prevents airfoil deformation due to head wind and greatly improves the efficiency of the ram air parachute.

Abstract: An automated quick release mechanism for a three ring release includes a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder with a hardened metal pin. The pin engages a string loop of the three ring release. An internal spring holds the pin in an extended position. A controller external to the automated quick release mechanism provides a gas or fluid pressure to withdraw the pin and disengage the string loop.

Abstract: An automatic controlled parachute includes a parachute canopy, a flight controller and risers connecting the canopy to the flight controller. Pneumatic actuators are connected along the risers. The flight controller operates the pneumatic actuators to control the length of the risers. The direction of flight of the parachute is controlled by the length of the risers.

Abstract: A ram air parachute of the present invention includes specific cross porting of the ribs between certain cells to create a two-stage or multi-stage deployments. Cross ports between certain sets of cells have reduced or no conductance. In this manner, the center cells of the canopy open first, slowing decent, before the outer cells. The staged deployment reduces the opening forces on the pilot particularly in high speed flights.

Abstract: A multimodal vehicle includes a ground based vehicle with an attached high-capacity airfoil parachute for deployment. The ground based vehicle includes a drive system for use on either land, water or both. Furthermore, the ground based vehicle is sized and dimensioned for transport of multiple vehicles in a cargo plane. The high-capacity airfoil parachute allows high-altitude deployment of the multimodal vehicle. The risers to the parachute may be adjusted for powered parachute flight rather than free fall flight. The ground based vehicle may include a propeller for powered flight.

Abstract: A hydraulic mechanism is positioned within the drogue bridle of a parachute system. The hydraulic link is slowly moved by tension on the drogue bridle to operate a release. The release operates to release the drogue chute and to deploy the main chute. The movement of the hydraulic link provides a time delay between deployment of the drogue chute and the main chute to allow the load to stabilize before deployment of the main chute.

Abstract: The canopy of the ram air parachute of the present invention has cells which are trapezoidal in shape. The non-loaded ribs of the canopy are thinner than the loaded ribs. The different height ribs results in tensioning of the bottom skin and transfer of forces from the loaded rib-bottom skin junction through the bottom skin to the non-loaded rib. The non-loaded rib is then tensioned to not float up as high. Thus, the spanwise distortion of the top skin is reduced and the aerodynamics are improved.

Abstract: A miniaturized load measuring devices for use with parachutes is disclosed. The load measuring device includes a load link of a high strength steel having two tension beams between two connectors. The connectors attach the load measuring device to the harness, suspension line or other part of the parachute. Strain gauges are bonded to the two tension beams for determining to load forces on the load link. Electronic circuitry may be positioned within the load link between the two tension beams to process or amplify signals from the strain gauges.

Abstract: An autonomous guided parachute system for cargo drops that divides the requirements of guidance and soft landing into separate parachutes. Said invention includes a high wing-loaded ram air parachute for guidance, a larger round parachute for soft landing, a harness/container system, flight computer, position sensors and actuation system. The system is dropped from an airplane. a predetermined period of drogue fall ensures a stable position prior to deploying the guidance parachute. The flight controller determines a heading to intersect with an area substantially above the desired target and controls the guidance parachute via pneumatic actuators connected to the parachutes steering lines to fly on that heading. At a minimum altitude prior to the systems impact with the ground the flight computer transitions the system from the fast high performance guidance parachute to a larger landing parachute by releasing the guidance parachute to static line extract and deploy the landing parachute.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reinforcing the nose of a deployable, ram air parachute. Stiffeners, formed of a super-elastic alloy, are attached to the ribs of the parachute canopy at the nose. The stiffeners can be easily crushed for packing of the parachute and return to their original shape upon deployment. The stiffeners are maintained in a desired shape through heat treatment or through attachment points to the rib. The stiffeners are light and add no pack volume as they are fashioned from small diameter wire into substantially ring shaped springs. The reinforcement of the nose prevents airfoil deformation due to head wind and greatly improves the efficiency of the ram air parachute.