Abstract: A method and kit for converting a two-wheeled motorcycle into a three-wheeled reverse trike. To convert the two wheeled motorcycle to a reverse trike, the front fork tubes, including the front wheel, are removed from the triple-tree of the motorcycle. A frame assembly mounts to a forward end of the motorcycle. Left and right wheels are mounted to the frame assembly with wheel suspension systems. A steering shaft is attached to the triple-tree of the motorcycle. Steering tie rods are linked to the steering shaft and the wheel spindles, whereby turning of the handle bars causes the steering shaft to rotate about its longitudinal axis and causes the left and right steering tie rods to effect corresponding turning of the left and right front wheels.

Abstract: A vehicle with a collapsible body. With this construction a one-person's vehicle can be folded together to a very compact size with the dimensions of an average suitcase. The body comprises two halves: a front and back part. Each of these parts contains a lower and upper hollow section. Each upper hollow section can slide telescopically in and out the lower hollow section, thus enlarging or reducing the length of the corresponding part. In the collapsed state both parts with all their sections are nested into each other. A further reduction of the volume of the collapsed vehicle can be achieved by using a chassis with two retractable slidable frame parts.

Abstract: In a switch case of a handle switch of a vehicle, first to fourth operation elements are disposed on a case below an axial line of a handlebar of the vehicle. The first to third operation elements overlap with each other, when viewed in rear view, and are each disposed in such an accessible range as to be operable by a rider with a thumb in a state in which the rider puts a left hand on a handle grip attached to the handlebar. The fourth operation element is provided on the center side of the vehicle body in the direction along the axial line. Such vehicle handle switch allows improvement in the operability for a rider.

Abstract: An automatic control shock absorber system for a bicycle is provided. The system includes one or more sensors. A controller outputs a control signal to a damping adjuster according to the one or more sensors, such that the damping adjuster controls level of damping force based on the sensors.

Abstract: A moped has a frame with a steering socket connected to a front end. The front end has a front wheel. The front end steers the moped. An engine is mounted to the frame. The engine drives an engine transmission having an engine sprocket axle. The engine sprocket axle drives the engine sprocket. The engine sprocket drives the engine sprocket chain. A foot pedal is mounted on a foot pedal crank arm. The foot pedal crank arm is mounted to a foot pedal axle. The foot pedal axle is mounted to a foot pedal sprocket so that the foot pedal crank arm, the foot pedal axle and the foot pedal sprocket rotate together to drive a pedal chain. The engine is mounted at a height above the foot pedal sprocket. The engine sprocket axle drives the engine sprocket. The engine sprocket drives the engine sprocket chain.

Abstract: A bicycle may include a detachable seat assembly configured to disconnect from a bicycle frame, the detachable seat assembly including a housing, a post extending from the housing and a seat supported by the post, the seat having two flaps extending from and foldable at a joint and configured to fold around the post.

Abstract: An electromechanical rear derailleur is provided for a bicycle, including a base member for attachment to the bicycle along a mounting axis. A movable member has a cage assembly attached thereto. A linkage is provided including pivot axes oriented substantially perpendicular to the mounting axis, the linkage coupling the movable member to the base member and operative to enable movement of the movable member relative to the base member in a direction substantially parallel to the mounting axis. A power source powers an electric motor connected thereto and a transmission is coupled to and actuated by the motor to move the movable member.

Abstract: A bicycle electronic system is described comprising a first manual command management unit having a casing configured for being fixed at a handgrip of a bicycle handlebar, comprising at least one first manually actuatable switch, a first processor and a first wireless communication device, wherein the first manual command management unit further comprises a circuit for supplying power to the first processor and the first wireless communication device, the power supply circuit comprising a battery power supply source and/or being configured for absorbing energy from a radiofrequency electromagnetic field generated within the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bicycle derailleur gear, particularly a front derailleur gear, with improved reliability that comprises a kinematic mechanism in the form of a four-bar linkage with a base body and a mobile body connected together through a pair of connecting rods hinged to the base body and to the mobile body at four pin elements, the mobile body carrying a chain guide, the four-bar linkage-kinematic mechanism being associated with derailleur gear actuation means suitable for deforming the four-bar linkage-kinematic mechanism so as to determine a displacement of the mobile body with respect to the base body and consequently a displacement of the chain guide, the derailleur gear actuation means being of the motorized type and comprising a motor casing and an outlet shaft that projects directly from said motor casing and characterized in that the actuation means command a translation in the axial direction of the outlet shaft with respect to the motor casing and are mounted between distinct c

Abstract: A front derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a chain guide, a link mechanism and a cable guiding structure. The base member is fixedly coupled to a bicycle. The chain guide is configured to guide a chain. The link mechanism movably couples the chain guide to the base member between a retracted position and an extended position in response to movement of an operation cable. The link mechanism includes a cable attachment portion that is configured to be attached to the operation cable. The cable guiding structure guides the operation cable from the cable attachment portion. The cable guiding structure is disposed on at least one of the base member and the link mechanism. The cable guiding structure has a cable exit that is arranged such that the operation cable exits forwardly from the cable guiding structure towards the front of the bicycle.

Abstract: A compact hub-embedded multi-stage transmission is provided which is implemented to achieve multi-stage shifting by using a multi-stage planetary gear set having a one stage or two or more stages and a double one-way clutch in order to impart an overrunning function during inertial travel, and at the same time, to allow rapid shifting to be made even with a small force for manipulating a shift lever by means of use of a forced shift function even in a driven travel state. Accordingly, product marketability can be maximized, and rapid shifting can be made even with a small force for manipulating a shift lever by means of use of a forced shift function even in a driven travel state, thereby considerably improving shifting accuracy.

Abstract: A boat hull comprises a central hull having top and bottom portions and first and second side hulls slidably supported from the top portion of the central hull so as to be transversely extendable relative thereto. The bottom portion of the central hull is rotatably connected to the top portion so as to be movable between raised and lowered positions. A method of reconfiguring the boat hull comprises slidably displacing first and second side hulls relative to a central hull and rotatably displacing a bottom portion of the central hull relative to a top portion from a raised position to a lowered position between the first and second side hulls.

Abstract: Pontoon structure for a boat includes an elongated pontoon with a bottom forming a water entrapment channel between a front end portion and a rear end portion of the pontoon, the bottom configuration causing the pontoon and the supported boat body to quickly rise above the water surface and plane.

Abstract: The bilge plug saver of the present invention includes a large piece and a small piece made of a waterproof material, preferably rubber. The large and small piece fit together to form a waterproof capsule sized and shaped to accommodate a bilge plug within the capsule.

Abstract: A dampening platform includes a base and a first pedal assembly coupled to a first side of the base. The first pedal assembly includes a first pedal pivotably rotatable about a first pivot point at a first end of the first pedal. A first dampener is operatively coupled to the first pedal. The first dampener is configured such that the dampener is at less than full compression under a load of about 200 lbs. The first pedal assembly is slideably coupled to the base. A position of the first pedal assembly is laterally adjustable with respect to the base.

Abstract: A hybrid winch system for use with an anchor handling vessel is disclosed that includes but is not limited to an electric winch mountable on the anchor handling vessel, an electric generator for providing generated power to the electric winch, a battery for providing stored power to the electric winch, an anchor cable wound around the electric winch and passing over a roller drum for guiding the anchor cable, an anchor attached to a distal end of the anchor cable and a winch controller for selectively applying the generated power and the stored power to the electric winch. The winch controller is configured to provide the stored power to the electric winch for controlled release of the anchor cable in the case of loss of the generated power.

Abstract: A deflector is configured to be attached to a cable towed by a vessel. The deflector includes a foil configured to provide a lift force; first and second bulbs attached to opposite ends of the foil; and a joint attached to the foil and configured to receive the cable. The first and second bulbs are offset by a predetermined distance from a plane that extends through the foil, and at least one of the first and second bulbs has a longitudinal axis that makes an angle (?) with a cord of the foil, the cord extending in the plane.

Abstract: A variable frontal area craft for performing drift measurements. The craft includes a variable frontal area mechanism and a propulsion assembly, and is configured to operate at least partially submerged in a liquid. The variable frontal area mechanism is configured to operate in a first, high frontal area state and in a second, low frontal area state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for containment of liquid natural gas (LNG) in a hull compartment of a marine construction, comprising a self-supporting primary barrier, a second barrier surrounding the self-supporting primary barrier, and an access space between the self-supporting primary barrier and the secondary barrier. The self-supporting primary barrier is a liquid-tight self-supporting LNG tank and is connected with the hull compartment by support devices penetrating the secondary barrier. The secondary barrier is a liquid-tight thermal insulation connected with the interior surface of the hull and is sealed to the support devices by a flexible liquid tight seal, so that the self-supporting primary barrier and the secondary barrier are separately connected with the hull compartment to prevent transfer of forces between the primary barrier and the second barrier.

Abstract: A wheeled system for engagement with a surfboard is provided. Wheeled mounting plates removably engageable with a bottom surface of a surfboard, allow a rider to ride on support surfaces such as the sidewalk, and to remove the wheeled mounting plates to employ the surfboard in the water. The wheeled mounting plates may be retrofitted to existing boards with an elastic or mechanical engagement, or provided in combination with a surfboard.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a molded hull in the form of a single-piece hollow plastic structure, and the hull defines a recess having an interior. An insert is also provided that defines an opening and is attached to the hull. The insert is positioned with respect to the recess such that the opening in the insert communicates with the interior of the recess, and the insert cooperates with the recess to define an undercut that accommodates a portion of a hand of a user.

Abstract: A water propulsion apparatus operatively connected to a body moving on or through a body of water, may produce a propulsive force by sweeping fins in an oscillating motion in a generally transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the body. The fins may be mounted on opposite sides of a frame and are rotatable about a first axis coplanar to the center longitudinal axis of the frame. Drive members rotatable about a second axis that is canted relative to the first axis may be operatively connected to the fins. The oscillatory motion of the fins may be controlled by torque applied at the canted second axis by reciprocating the drive members in a generally vertical plane parallel to the center longitudinal axis of the frame. The oscillating fins may provide a propulsive force during both oscillating directions of the fins as they sweep back and forth.

Abstract: Propulsion unit (11) for propulsion and maneuvering of a maritime vessel, which includes a nozzle (12) wherein a propeller section (13, 13a) is arranged, which propeller section (13, 13a) is electrically or hydraulically driven, which propulsion unit (11) includes a fastening device (16) arranged for arrangement to hull of the vessel or to a steering device arranged for steering and/or moving the propulsion unit (11). The fastening device (16) is formed by two stems (17a-b) extending in parallel or laterally reversed about an vertical central axis from an upper surface of the nozzle (12) of the propulsion unit, which stems (17a-b) end in a fixing flange (18) for thereby providing an opening (19) which provides the propulsion unit (11) with improved hydrodynamic performance.

Abstract: A fuel supply device that supplies fuel from an external tank to an engine includes a fuel injection, an internal tank, a first pipe, a second pipe, a first pump, a fuel supply quantity detection device, and a control device. The internal tank stores fuel to be delivered to the fuel injection device. The first pipe is linked to the internal tank and delivers fuel from the external tank to the internal tank. The second pipe is linked to the fuel injection device and delivers fuel from the internal tank to the fuel injection device. The fuel supply quantity detection device is attached to the first pipe and detects a quantity of fuel supplied from the external tank via the first pipe to the internal tank. The control device implements a predetermined control when the quantity of fuel detected by the fuel supply quantity detection device is below a threshold.

Abstract: A trolling motor system with power steering and associated methods are provided. The trolling motor system includes a power steering module mounted to a mount of the trolling motor system. The power steering module is operable to rotate a trolling motor assembly of the trolling motor system about an axis thereof based upon at least one of a mechanical or an electrical input.

Abstract: A transmission is for a marine propulsion device having an internal combustion engine that drives a propulsor for propelling a marine vessel in water. An input shaft is driven into rotation by the engine. An output shaft drives the propulsor into rotation. A forward planetary gearset that connects the input shaft to the output shaft so as to drive the output shaft into forward rotation. A reverse planetary gearset that connects the input shaft to the output shaft so as to drive the output shaft into reverse rotation. A forward brake engages the forward planetary gearset in a forward gear wherein the forward planetary gearset drives the output shaft into the forward rotation. A reverse brake engages the reverse planetary gearset in a reverse gear wherein the reverse planetary gearset drives the output shaft into the reverse rotation.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide stabilized directional control for a vehicle. A directional control system for an embodiment may include a logic device adapted to receive directional data about a vehicle and determine nominal vehicle feedback from the directional data. The nominal vehicle feedback may be used to adjust a directional control signal provided to an actuator of a vehicle. The directional control signal may be limited to a value below an actuator rate limit before a directional control signal is adjusted by the nominal vehicle feedback. A directional control system may include a logic device, a memory, one or more sensors, one or more actuators/controllers, and modules to interface with users, sensors, actuators, and/or other modules of a vehicle.

Abstract: A hand-operated piston pump includes a drive shaft and a rotor mounted in a housing case, the rotor having axial compression chambers, a piston biased by an elastic member sliding in each compression chamber and having a projecting end that engages a cam track; a fluid reservoir in the housing case; a valve plate downstream of the rotor having conduits for a pressurized fluid that communicate with conduits in walls of the compression chambers, the valve plate being non-rotatably mounted below the housing case and communicating with conduits that carry the pressurized fluid to and from a consuming unit through an interposed check valve inserted in a corresponding valve body, the valve body having an upper flange with fluid supply and return channels communicating with the fluid conduits of the valve plate. The valve plate floats relative to the upper flange and is separated therefrom by a separating member.

Abstract: This naval platform (1) of the type including at least one hull (2) equipped with steerable thrusters (3, 4, 5, 6) distributed on the latter and means (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) for controlling the orientation and the actuation of the latter, is characterized in that the control means comprise means (12) for illustrating at least one portion of the surface of the water around the naval platform (13) in proximity to the latter, associated with the means (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21) for controlling at least one portion of the steerable thrusters (3, 4, 5, 6) for generating and directing a waterflow towards this portion of the surface.

Abstract: An object is to provide a technique related to a small watercraft that can prevent water from entering an inboard section through air intake ports. A small watercraft for leisure use is configured to obtain thrust by driving a propeller with an engine serving as a power source and includes an air intake port configured to introduce air into an engine room in an inboard section from the outside, and a radar arm configured to support a radar. The air intake port is positioned on the inner side with respect to the radar arm.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to fabricating high-altitude balloons having a prebuilt parachute overlying the surface of the balloon envelope to handle catastrophic envelope failures. The balloon envelope is formed from a number of gore panels. Tendons are positioned adjacent to corresponding ones of the gore panels. Each tendon is configured to carry a load caused by pressurized lifting gas within the balloon envelope. The parachute is affixed to at least some of the tendons, and covers at least a portion of the balloon envelope adjacent to the apex of the envelope. The parachute may be sewn onto the tendons. An outer surface of the parachute is covered with a UV-protective material. For instance, an aluminum coating may be vapor-deposited onto the parachute's outer surface. An IR-reflective material may cover an inner surface of the parachute.

Abstract: A system includes an outer band, inner band, and a fastener. The outer band covers at least a portion of a first structure and has a first edge opposite a second edge. The second edge forms a first load redistribution ramp corresponding to a bend in the first structure. The inner band is positioned beneath a second structure and has a first surface opposite a second surface. The second surface forms a second load redistribution ramp corresponding to the bend in the first structure. A portion of the inner band adjacent to the second surface forms a curve around an edge of the second structure such that the second load redistribution ramp forms a wedge between the first structure and the second structure. The fastener couples the outer band, first structure, second structure, and inner band.

Abstract: The disclosure herein provides for disbond resistant stringer runouts. Various aspects may be used independently or in combination to mitigate disbonding associated with the stiffener runout under operational loads. Aspects include a stiffener runout having rounded base flange corners. A recessed notch may be incorporated within the base flange to provide a flange termination point that is forward of the web termination point, allowing the web to terminate prior to the base flange. The web may be trimmed from a full height to a reduced height at the web termination point. The base flange may be co-bonded to the underlying composite structure via a scarf joint. Perimeter clamp radius fillers may be used to concentrate a clamping force around the perimeter of the base flange.

Abstract: An edge morphing arrangement for an airfoil having upper and lower control surfaces is provided with an elongated edge portion that overlies the edge of the airfoil, the edge portion having a surface element having first and second edges that communicate with, and form extensions of, respective ones of the upper and lower control surfaces of the elongated airfoil. The surface elements are formed of deformable compliant material that extends cross-sectionally from the first surface element edge to an apex of the edge portion, and to the second surface element edge. There is additionally provided a driving link having first and second driving link ends, the first driving link end being coupled to the interior of one of the first and second rib portions. The second end is arranged to receive a morphing force, and the rib element is deformed in response to the morphing force.

Abstract: A user interface presented to an operator of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be presented to facilitate the ease of operation of the UAV. The information displayed in the user interface may be customized by the operator to display selected data. The display configuration data may be saved and imported into other systems for future use. Various entities related to one or more UAVs may be presented in a hierarchical tree structure illustrating the relationship between the entities. Electronic checklists may be presented to a user to facilitate addressing common and emergency situations.

Abstract: Aircraft landing gear having a leg (12) for hinging to a structure of the aircraft so as to be movable between a deployed position and a retracted position, a main brace (15), a secondary brace (20), and a double-acting type unlocking actuator (30) having a first end coupled to the secondary brace and controllable for causing its links to move out of alignment against the action of the resilient member during retraction or deployment of the landing gear. The landing gear includes couplers (31, 33) for coupling to a second end of the unlocking actuator, which couplers ensure movement of said second end relative to the leg so that, for a given action, the unlocking actuator tends to break the alignment of the links when the landing gear is in one of its positions and tends to confirm said alignment when the landing gear is in its other position.

Abstract: A spring assembly elongate along a longitudinal direction includes a first spring that includes a first spring member and a first elongate member that extends from the first spring member along the longitudinal direction. The spring assembly includes a second spring including a second spring member and a second elongate member that extends from the second spring member along the longitudinal direction. The second elongate member extends through the first spring member, and the first elongate member extends through the second spring member such that the first and second spring members are spaced apart with respect to each other along the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A system and method for setting, controlling, or maintaining a selected taxi speed and route for one or more aircraft equipped with an onboard non-engine powered drive means powering one or more aircraft wheels to move the aircraft during taxi is provided. Taxi speed and/or route can be set, maintained, or controlled by the aircraft pilot or ground traffic control in conjunction with taxi speed and travel of other aircraft and ground vehicles. A pilot activates a speed control to set and control taxi speed. The aircraft will automatically travel on the ground at that speed without input from the pilot until it is necessary to change the speed manually or automatically. Airport ground traffic control can generate taxi profiles for all non-engine driven aircraft to automatically control, subject to pilot capability to override, the taxi of multiple aircraft at an airport in conjunction with ground vehicle movement.

Abstract: A lightweight skid shoe assembly comprises a body of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material; and a structure coupling mechanism; wherein the body prevents friction-related damage to the structure. Another lightweight skid shoe assembly comprises a body of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material selected from the group consisting of: a polyamide or polyimide impregnated carbon fiber layup, a peek or PEI injection mold with carbon fiber, compression molded carbon fiber or fiberglass, a resin infusion with carbon fiber preform fabric, a fiber reinforced thermoset, acetal resin, machined acetal or thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic, or a metal-matrix composite; wherein the body prevents friction-related damage to a structure.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an unmanned aerial vehicle that may be configured during flight to optimize for agility or efficiency.

Abstract: In some aspects, a master cylinder assembly for vertical lift aircraft is configured to move pressurized fluid through a conduit in response to applied movement of an input lever. A low pressure relief valve can be connected to a first conduit to limit pressure to a low level. An isolation valve can be connected to the first conduit and configured to isolate the low pressure relief valve from the conduit when engaged. A high pressure relief valve can be connected to a second fluid conduit to limit pressure to a high level. In some aspects, a rotor brake actuator is fluidly connected to the first conduit and the second conduit and configured to engage a rotor brake in response to hydraulic fluid pressure.

Abstract: A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft includes a pair of ducted lift/thrust fans that are rotatably movable between a first vertical lift position and a second horizontal thrust position. The lift/thrust fans are disposed within curvilinear fan recesses formed within leading edge portions of the aircraft's wings. A downwardly exhausting, ducted lift fan is disposed within the aircraft's fuselage, aft of the aircraft's pitch axis. A power plant, disposed within the fuselage, is coupled with the lift/thrust fans and the lift fan by a transmission system. The lift/thrust fans and lift fan are positioned with respect to one another to be triangulated about the aircraft's center of gravity and the aircraft's center of lift.

Abstract: A flying machine capable of blocking light autonomously includes a machine body with a flight direction control module, a light sensor for detecting a sunshine angle, a position sensor for detecting the position of a moving object, and a flight movement adjuster to control the machine body to autonomously fly to a position linearly aligned with the sunlight and the moving object, so that the flying machine blocks between the sunlight and the moving object.

Abstract: A tether compensated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is described. In one embodiment, the UAV includes a winch with a tether to lower an item from the UAV for delivery, a flight controller to control a flight path of the UAV, a tether compensation mechanism through which the tether extends, at least one sensor to identify movement in the tether, and a tether response controller. Based on movement identified in the tether, the tether response controller may determine a complementary response and direct the tether compensation mechanism to brace the tether against the movement. Thus, the tether compensation mechanism may stabilize sway or movement in the tether by moving against the sway or movement, which may help prevent the tether from undesirable swinging when lowering the item from the UAV for delivery, for example, or at other times.

Abstract: Reconfigurable payload systems (RPS) and methods of configuring and using the same are disclosed that may be employed to enable external aircraft payloads to be rapidly interchanged or swapped out together with associated internal equipment within a given aircraft so as to modify or change payload capability of the aircraft, e.g., to meet a particular mission and/or to enable use of future payload types as they are developed. The RPS and associated methods may be implemented to allow multiple different payload systems to be swapped in and out on a given aircraft as required based on needs for a given mission.

Abstract: A chiller for an aircraft galley that is sized to be disposed in a compartment for housing beverage carts, the chiller comprising a vapor cycle refrigeration system with a liquid cooled condenser located within the housing and a liquid cooling unit located within the housing. Further, the vapor cycle refrigeration system and the liquid cooling unit have a combined footprint that is less than a footprint of a food and beverage cart within the housing, such that the space occupied by the chiller displaces no more than one beverage cart.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a first heat exchanger, an evaporator coupled to a thermal load of an aircraft. first and second cooling circuits coupled to the heat exchanger, the first and second cooling circuits selectable via a set of cooling circuit valves that are arranged to direct a refrigerant through the first circuit, the second circuit, or both the first and second circuits based on air passing through the first heat exchanger at ambient conditions of the aircraft, and a receiver configured to accumulate reserve refrigerant to provide flexibility in system operation as the cooling system operates in sub-critical, trans-critical, and super-critical modes of operation.

Abstract: An ice detection system, in particular a method, apparatus and controller for detecting icing conditions and the presence of ice formed on a structure. Also, a method, apparatus and controller to detect the prevailing environmental conditions to determine whether or not ice may form on a structure. Two heaters of an ice protection system (experiencing substantially the same environmental conditions) are driven to different temperatures (the first greater than or equal to 0° C., and the second less than 0° C.). A difference in the powers required to drive the two heaters indicates the prevailing environmental conditions. In another embodiment, a heater of an ice protection system is driven and the rate of change of surface temperature is measured over several periods. A substantial deviation from a rate of change of surface temperature, which indicates the presence of ice on the surface of the structure, is detected.

Abstract: A harness container for a parachutist has a bio-contoured support cradle or load distributing vest. The load distributing vest, which is generally U-shaped and includes an upper yoke and two straps integral with the yoke, has a multi-layer construction that includes an outer layer and an inner layer mounted on a bio-contoured pad. The outer layer and the inner layer are of corresponding shape and are sewn to one another along a reinforced edging with the pad therebetween. The upper yoke is attached to the front side of the harness container and the ends of the vest straps are attached to the main lift webs so that the vest elevates the harness container and distributes the load thereof across the jumper's shoulders, back and chest for increased comfort.

Abstract: A ring release system is configured to releasably couple a parachute to a payload. The ring release system may comprise an upper release ring, an intermediate release ring with a partially and/or completely flattened end, and a lower release ring having a J-shape. When activated, the release rings cascadingly separate to release the parachute from the payload. With these systems and related methods, larger payloads may be supported, the mass and size of the ring release system may be reduced as compared to prior systems, and various failure modes may be eliminated.