Abstract: A high performance ram air canopy for a parachute comprises a fabric structure including a top fabric element and a bottom fabric element, these two elements being held in a spaced configuration by two side elements and a plurality of intermediate partition elements. The elements forming the fabric structure define a plurality of cells that extend rearwardly from an open, substantially linear, front face of the structure, with the canopy in its deployed configuration and the cells filled with air. A canopy of this type is exposed to an excessive opening shock upon deployment and this problem is overcome by reducing the rate at which the cells can be filled with air upon deployment.

Abstract: An inflatable airfoil-shaped kite, which is framed by a front spar extending along the leading edge of the airfoil envelope, a rear spar extending along the envelope trailing edge, and two side spars extending along the side edges of the envelope. Upper and lower control lines are attached to end portions of the front and rear spars. Two control handles are attached to the opposite ends of the control lines, such that a person can manipulate the handles to move the kite through different maneuvers, e.g., reverse flight, power turning or pinwheeling. Each spar has end portions that can flex to generate localized drag forces which cause the kite to execute different maneuvers, as dictated by signals transmitted from the control handles through the control lines to end areas of the individual front, rear, and side spars.

Abstract: A large parachute having an inlet control parachute operable to positively expand the inlet area of a large parachute detachably secured thereto to facilitate deployment of the large parachute including a main canopy which is reefed to the outer portion of the inlet control parachute. The inlet control parachute includes an inlet control canopy with an upper vent and a plurality of longitudinally extending inlet control gore panels which are attached with respect to one another longitudinally therealong and define an inlet control skirt along the lowermost edge thereof. The inlet control parachute is designed to expand in a generally circular form and thereby positively expand and circularize the inlet area of the large parachute to minimize folding and uneven distribution of the canopy of the large parachute during deployment thereof.

Abstract: A RAM air inflatable gliding wing including a plurality of cells interconnected as by stitching along appropriate adjacent side edges thereof. Each of the cells is constructed utilizing an upper and lower flexible member secured together over the entire length thereof. Disposed span wise between and secured to the side edges of the upper and lower flexible members is reinforcing tape preferably carried by a plurality of sections of flexible material. The structure provides airfoil shaped tubes or cells which when in inflated profile is that of shark and cetacean design. An air intake is provided at the leading edge of each of the cells and is constructed including a non-return valve. The reinforcing tape provides a central load network system which provides reinforcement and serves to stabilize the canopy when fully deployed both span wise and chord-wise while at the same time attenuating stress and pressure on the lower surface of the parachute canopy during deceleration.

Abstract: A rotary parachute includes a canopy having an apex and comprised of triangular, sewn-together fabric segments each having a base edge along an outer circumference of the canopy, a tip opposite the base edge and longitudinal edges on either side of said tip with seams connecting together the adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent segments and rotation slits existing in regions of the respective seams. The tip of each segment is offset laterally from the apex of the canopy to form an apex opening in the canopy having a shape of a regular polygon and the base edges are offset from one another so that each segment has a circumferentially projecting tip.

Abstract: A canopy with an improved leading edge structure is provided. The canopy will include a top and bottom surface connected at their respective trailing edges. A plurality of rib members will extend from the trailing edge to the leading edge of the canopy. A portion of the top surface leading edge will overlap with a top portion of the rib leading edge.

Abstract: An improved ram air, multi-cell wing type canopy with suspension flares has its lower surface shortened to provide an enlarged inlet; one flare is directly attached to its upper surface. A modification has a channel provided to direct air flow over the upper surface. Scoops under the lower surface at the rear end provide protection against the canopy uncontrollably folding under.

Abstract: An annular spinning parachute is composed of an annular canopy symmetrical about an apex, suspension lines of substantially the same length and interconnected together at the canopy apex and extending radially outwardly therefrom across the canopy and downwardly therefrom for coupling to an object supported by the parachute, and centerlines interconnected with the suspension lines at the canopy apex and extending downwardly therefrom for coupling to the object supported by the parachute. The annular canopy includes fabric panels each having a generally trapezoidal shape defined by a pair of opposing inner and outer borders with the outer border being greater length than the inner border and a pair of opposing side borders of substantially the same length.

Abstract: A ram air parachute has a crescent planform shape. A plurality of longitudinal ram air cells (14) are formed by spaced ribs (16) extending longitudinally between and connecting the upper surface (2) and lower surface (4) and have openings at the forward ends thereof adjacent the leading edge 8 to allow ram air to enter the cells when the parachute is deployed in use. A plurality of shroud lines (16) are connected to the loewr surface at spaced positions thereon. The leading edge has a shape substantially in the form of half the perimeter of a first ellipse and the trailing edge has a shape substantially in the form of half the perimeter of a second ellipse having the same major axis as the first ellipse but a shorter minor axis. The spacing between the ribs gradually decreases from the central to the outer regions of the canopy and the spacing between adjacent ribs is a function of the cosine of the sweep angle of the leading edge between adjacent ribs.

Abstract: A flexible, hollow, lift-developing airfoil has a frontal air inlet, and a valveless air-filled chamber between upper and lower surfaces. The upper surface is impermeable to air. The lower surface has a permeable section which permits air to freely flow therethrough in either direction depending on differential atmospheric pressure inside and outside the chamber. When the airfoil is in horizontally advancing flight, the permeable section is not exposed to the relative wind. Under such conditions air enters the chamber through the frontal opening, and excite through the permeable section. When the airfoil is descending in a substantially vertical direction, the permeable section is exposed to relative wind, and air enters the chamber therethrough, flowing out through the frontal opening, to automatically maintain a desired aerodynamic profile.

Abstract: Airfoil canopy for paragliders made of non-porous cloth and comprised of a number of parallel primary air chambers (12) having upper surfaces (14), lower surfaces (16), open front ends (18), tail ends (20) and ribs (22). Secondary chambers (30) are provided within each primary chamber together with an opening (36) to the secondary chamber and a flap or curtain member (40) for blocking the back flow of air out of the secondary chamber in the event of air pressure loss in the primary chamber.

Abstract: A balloon parachute is described that inflates at a controllable rate to gradually slow the descent of an attached instrument package. This balloon parachute is in the form of a pyramid that is closed on all sides in all three dimensions. The balloon parachute is tethered to an instrument package by means of a fabric loop attached to the peak of the parachute pyramid. The inflation of the balloon parachute is effectuated by the use of a set of openings in the peak, just above the loop attachment. As the balloon parachute and instrument package descend, air enters the balloon parachute through the openings in the peak thereof and gradually inflates the balloon parachute to its full pyramidal shape. A burble fence is attached to the base of the pyramid on all sides in order to provide additional drag and rotational stability, and to avoid a penduluming motion of the parachute upon its descent.

Abstract: A parachute canopy seam joint for fastening a ribbon seam and a radial seam of a parachute canopy together. This parachute canopy seam joint combines a ribbon seam using a zigzag stitch pattern and narrow strips of radial tape sewn together with multiple rows of a straight stitch pattern. The ribbon seam attaches two overlapping ribbons within the parachute. The narrow strips of radial tape shroud the ribbon seam which result in a high strength and low weight and volume radial seam and seam joint. This new configuration of a parachute seam joint has distinct advantages in terms of strength and shock absorbing capacity. Specifically, this new parachute seam joint has a seam strength equal to or greater than the minimum rated strength of the adjoining materials and employs a smaller weight and volume of material than conventional radial seams and seam joints.

Abstract: The parachute having a canopy composed of a plurality of radially arranged asymmetrical polygonal panels of the same shape, with, each panel being sewn only partially to its adjacent panel so that, in the fully deployed state, a plurality of air exit nozzles are formed in the carrying zone section of the parachute in the unsewn regions with the nozzles all acting in the same circumferential direction. The effect of each air exit nozzle is improved and stabilized with respect to guiding the flow of air in the tangential direction in that a trapezoidal area is attached to the edge or side of each panel in the unsewn region so as to overlap the adjacent panel. In addition, each panel is preferably provided with a horizontal or concentrically extending stabilization slit which is disposed in the transition region between the carrying zone section and the guide zone section of the canopy.

Abstract: An improved canopy for a ram air parachute wherein the canopy contains a mixture of cells having different lateral cross sectional shapes, including wedge-shapes, arranged in sequential order and directionally oriented into a nonlinear distortion which will straighten into a linear configuration when in use with a pay load suspended therefrom.

Abstract: The upper and lower panel of a ram air inflated parachute canopy are conned interiorly of the canopy by lines extending between the panels at points spaced chordwise and spanwise of the panels so that airflow is unrestricted within the canopy and the weight and bulk of chordwise ribs is eliminated. The parachute suspension lines have connections to the lower panel at points where the interior lines connect to the lower panel and these connections may be made by loops incorporated in the lower panel. The interior line lengths and the proportions of spanwise end panels of the canopy may correspond to a triangular chordwise cross sectional shape of the canopy. The upper panel may have an extension forwardly of the lower panel with lines extending between the extension and the suspension lines to downwardly curve the extension and partially close the open forward end of the canopy.

Abstract: An improved parachute utilizing a ram air design and having an upper surface connected to a lower surface by a plurality of rib members and forming a plurality of chambers therebetween. The end chambers are smaller than the center chambers and this increases the lift-to-drag ratio of the parachute. The parachute has a substantially elliptical planform so as to increase the aspect and glide ratios of the parachute.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an emergency escape unit to be used in case of an emergency such as a fire, an earthquake or the like, such that the user safely escapes from a high building with the use of this escape unit. In the emergency escape unit of the present invention, a light-weight gas such as helium, air or the like, filled in a bomb may be quickly released into a sack-like canopy, causing the canopy to be expanded in the form of an umbrella, so that the air resistance during descent is quickly increased, enabling the user to fall slowly. When helium is used as the light-weight gas to be released into the sack-like canopy, provision is made such that buoyancy is generated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a parawing with an automatic canopy withdrawing mechanism having a canopy, a frame to which the canopy is fastened and on which a pilot can be carried, a propeller mounted on the frame, and a plurality rows of suspension lines interconnecting the canopy and the frame. Also mounted on the frame is an automatic canopy withdrawing mechanism including a reel which may be operated to pull back the suspension lines for withdrawing the canopy. Further, a front pulling rope interconnecting the reel and two rows of suspension lines near the leading edge of the canopy, a rear pulling rope interconnecting the reel and the trailing edge of the canopy, and a plurality of guide rollers for guiding the movement of the front pulling rope and the rear pulling rope are provided so that the suspension lines and the canopy may be withdrawn by the automatic canopy withdrawing mechanism. With the canopy and the suspension lines being withdrawn.

Abstract: A low-cost square-shaped parachute has trapezoidal panels attached to its nopy sides for controlling the air flow during operation to maximize drag and stability.

Abstract: A bomblet projectile includes a projectile body, a fuse housing on the body at the rear end thereof; and an unwindable stabilization band for stabilizing the position of the projectile while dropping. The band forms, in the deployed state, a loop having leg portions terminating in fastening regions secured to the fuse housing and a dome portion flanked by the leg portions. The band has a length and different widths along the length. The band has its greatest width in the dome portion and its smallest width in the leg portions, externally of the fastening regions.

Abstract: The gliding parachute which is closed at its leading edge comprises substantially in the zone of the highest aerodynamic impact pressure pressurizing air entry openings located in the lower parachute sheet, which openings lead to a stabilizing of the shape of the parachute comprising substantially an upper and a lower parachute sheet forming an air foil structure. In order to inflate this parachute during the starting phase, inflating air entry openings are located downstream of the pressurizing air entry openings, which inflating air openings are designed as check valves. This causes a faster and safer filling of the interior of the parachute by air.

Abstract: A foldable kite has a flexible central panel having at least four edges. An even total number of flexible tubes are attached to the central panel, at least one tube being arranged on each of two opposing sides thereof. The flexible tubes are conical in shape so that air entering at the top end of the tube is compressed in a ram-jet action to exit out of a reduced opening at the other end of the tube. The ram-jet action is enhanced by a diaphragm which is centrally arranged within each tube. A rigid support for the central panel is arranged to extend parallel to the side edges thereof. A drogue stabilizes the kite during flight, and additionally functions as a carrying case for the kite.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a parachute having a canopy with an outer peripheral skirt and a plurality of spaced apart attachment points comprises selecting one of the attachment points as a starting point and winding a continuous fiber from the starting point to other attachement points until a net of reinforcement fiber is formed among the attachment points. A canopy is then attached to the resulting reinforcement net. Nonporous material can be used for the canopy because of the strong reinforcement achieved.

Abstract: A glider-canopy has a wing-shaped sail with a rear edge. Fins are mounted to the underside of the sail in an essentially parallel direction to the intended direction of flight. Shroud lines act on at least the fins and converge by their free ends into a personnel support. The fins are equipped with elastically bendable reinforcements tensioning the fins at least under traction from the shroud lines during flight. The fins are tensioned essentially in the horizontal direction so that in the loaded state the sail bulges downwardly at least at the rear edge, and in the event of a load decrease the reinforcements are stress relieved and the sail bulges upwardly at least at the rear edge.

Abstract: A ram air type parachute cell has a leading edge, a trailing edge, two side ribs, a flexible upper skin, and a flexible lower skin. A central rib is disposed substantially centrally between the first and second ribs to divide the cell into a plurality of compartments. The lower sheet includes a first forward skin and a second rearward skin. The rear portion of the first forward skin and the front portion of the second rearward skin form a closable air inlet vent opening into the cell. Each side of the rear portion of the first forward skin is connected at a connection point to the respective rib at a point spaced above the junction of the second rearward skin and the rib.

Abstract: A built-in control flap for a ram air, multi-cell, wing type canopy having a ram air inlet is located in each side of the canopy at the rear portion thereof. Each built-in control flap is separated from the adjacent center portion of the canopy between the control flaps. A seal and guide of a sheet of flexible material connects the top of each control flap to the bottom of the adjacent center portion of the canopy across the separation for directing air flow thereby when a control flap is down. Each control flap receives air flow from the ram air inlet.

Abstract: An improved, cross braced airfoil for a wing-type parachute which is composed of an upper panel having a front edge and a rear edge and angularly oriented rib panels secured to the top panel and extending downwardly away from the top panel to a generally fore and aft row of suspension line attachments.

Abstract: An improved parachute utilizing a ram air design and having an upper surface connected to a lower surface by a plurality of rib members and forming a plurality of chambers therebetween. The end chambers are smaller than the center chambers and this increases the lift-to-drag ratio of the parachute. The parachute has a substantially elliptical planform so as to increase the aspect and glide ratios of the parachute.

Abstract: An aeronautical drogue having a canopy and support members connecting the canopy to a connector provides for essentially constant drag at variable speeds by aerodynamic pressure modulation through controllably venting the canopy by constructing the canopy of a plurality of separate elastic bands positioned side by side the elastic bands being connected at spaced intervals by flexible connections.

Abstract: A mid-air aerial recovery system comprising a payload, a parachute, and an aerial engagement apparatus. The parachute is connected to the payload. The parachute has a sufficient size to support the weight of the payload. The parachute has a plurality of suspension lines extending from the payload to a canopy of the parachute. The aerial engagement apparatus is a loop rope fastened to the parachute and extending outwardly beyond the canopy of the parachute. This loop rope forms a reception area. The parachute is a ram-air parachute. The loop rope is fastened at one end to the payload and extends along the suspension lines of the parachute and is attached to a leading edge of the canopy.

Abstract: A gliding parachute of the ram-air type having aligned upper and lower panels separated by high camber airfoil shaped ribs whose maximum camber thickness is equal to or less than ten percent of its chord length and so constructed so as to impart a recessed air pocket under its lower panel.

Abstract: A gliding wing parachute apparatus having a plurality of longitudinally extending ram-air inflation cells which are grouped into individual stages which are released preferably upon full inflation of the previous stage. The stages are preferably balanced with respect to the centerline of the parachute. The second and third stages are reefed by being retained by lacing or fabric flaps into closed position until full deployment of the previously deployed stage is completed. Pyrotechnic cutting devices can be responsive to full inflation to cause release of the next scheduled stage of ram-air inflation cells. Subsequent stages can be formed by inflation cells of a thinner material since the load will be less than during initial deployment. Also tensile strength of suspension lines can be decreased with subsequent stages due to lower loading characteristics.

Abstract: A ram-air airfoil stunt kite has its upper forward edge provided with two stiffener members that provide a rounded leading edge and are connected together by a flexible joint. Two operator-held control strings are connected to bridles which are, in turn, connected to keels on the kite. The outboard bridle strings are shorter than the inboard bridle strings so as to remain taut during normal flying operations. When the apparent wind velocity increases, the kite becomes transversely curved, whereupon the inboard bridle strings become taut to establish an optimum maximum curvature.

Abstract: An autorotating parachute is formed of spaced apart flexible flat panels with the peripheral edge of the panels being formed as a succession of arcuate edges and wherein the central portion of the canopy is substantially free of panel material.

Abstract: An improved cruciform parachute being radially constructing having a canopy which is hemispherically-shaped with an apex at the uppermost portion thereof. A plurality of panels extend vertically from adjacent the apex to a lower canopy edge. Each panel includes an upper panel section and a lower panel section with an intermediate edge therebetween. A plurality of open sections are defined by the lower panel sections of certain of the panel members in order to define a plurality of gores. These gores are diametrically opposite from other similarly shaped gores with each cruciform parachute having four such gores. Each gore is preferably defined by two adjacent panel members having lower panel sections defining open sections therein. Preferably the intermediate edge immediately above two adjacent lower panel members which are open will be inclined upwardly toward one another to form a conventional cruciform parachute gore but with a radial construction.

Abstract: A load carrying aerial device having an inflatable component which is inflatable from a collapsed configuration to an inflated aerofoil configuration and which is maintained inflated in flight by air introduced into the component through an air intake as a result of relative motion of the component and the surrounding air. The leading edge of the component throughout its length or substantially throughout its length is closed or maintained closed in flight and is inclined at such an angle to the longitudinal axis of the component that the internal stagnation pressure of the air within the component at the leading edge produced by the relative motion of the component and the air always exceeds the external static pressure of the air on the leading edge, thereby ensuring maintenance of the profile of the leading edge in flight.

Abstract: A parafoil includes upper and lower panels, connector panels, load strands, and tapes attached to the connector panels to form cusps, and catenaries between the cusps.

Abstract: A low cost, high stability, high drag aerodynamic decelerator incorporating our slots in a square canopy. Each slot is 4/10 the length of the side of the square and is positioned so that a continuous line colinear with it bisects two adjacent sides of the canopy. The slots are further located so that each diagonal of the canopy bisects two of them. Suspension lines are fixed to and extend from the diagonals of the canopy, crossing the slots and keeping them essentially closed at their midpoints.

Abstract: A parachute preferably of the ram-air type including a multi-cell canopy structure and at least one slat structure connected to the multi-cell canopy structure to be deployed forward of or above the leading-edge of the multi-cell canopy structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a pressure flow control device of the type used primarily to maintain both vertical and horizontal stability and manueverability in a predetermined fluid environment. The device includes the first skin of predetermined configuration, a second skin of predetermined configuration disposed in substantially spaced apart configuration relation from the first skin and a plurality of third skin disposed in interconnecting relation between the first and second skins. One or more spors are defined by the first, second and third skins. One end of the spors at least partially defines a leading edge of the device and the opposite end of the spors at least partially defines the trailing edge of the device. One or more holonomic ports are formed in at least one of the third skins and a jet port is defined by at least a portion of one or more of the spors being open at its aft end.

Abstract: A flexible, multicellular aerial device of significantly improved performance for the lifting or gliding of a load attached to and suspended from the device by suspension means that distribute load stresses over large areas of structural surface without the use of additional suspension load bearing reinforcing members or other externally applied load distributing means. The primary structure of the device is comprised of an upper and lower flexible surface between which a plurality of longitudinal flexible partitions of various vertical and longitudinal extent are attached at spanwise intervals to define a substantially airfoil-shaped ram pressurizable partitioned structure, to which a plurality of suspension and control lines attach at various points to suspend and control the lift or glide of a load through the atmosphere.

Abstract: A parachute canopy comprises air entries provided on the canopy itself. The canopy is constituted by an assembly of gores, each gore being composed of three gore portions. The air entries are provided on a predetermined number of gores, the medium gore portion overlapping the lower gore portion. The medium gore portion and the lower one are sewn together only at meridional lines such as to leave a free passage between their overlapping portions which constitutes an air entry.

Abstract: A control for a multi-cell ram air wing type canopy includes rearwardly extending plain flexible control flaps at the trailing edge thereof, one control flap being positioned at each side. A control line is connected to each rearwardly extending control flap to place it in a desired position for proper flight. A containment device can be fixed to the canopy for containing each control flap when its extension rearwardly is not desired. A safety device is included to hold a control line so that a predetermined force is required to release the control line for pulling a control flap from its containment device. An edge pocket is included in each control flap for increased stabilization of control. A control line support and guide arrangement provides for ease of canopy control.

Abstract: A parachute device primarily for propulsion of a work load, specifically a snow skier who wants to go across flat terrain or uphill, has a canopy with a leading annulus and a normally open apex vent having a plurality of wedge shaped panels secured on one side to the annulus, each panel has a tip with an apex ring, a plurality of suspension lines lead from the annulus to a control center, a vent control line extends from the control center to each panel apex ring and the control line has a vent control ring which causes the control line to pull the panel apex rings together in an apex of the canopy, the control center has a motor driven reel for taking in the control line and a one-way brake on the reel enables letting out of the control line when a manual brake release is manipulated, a safety release in one side of the control center has structure for release of a fraction of the suspension lines for instant deflation of the canopy and a complete release system on a load harness has structure for instant co

Abstract: A very light wing, configured like a spherical segment, is intended to be used in the traction and lift of various loads. The wing includes a leading edge and a trailing edge and an inflatable armature covered by a flexible envelope. The surfaces of the wing are configured in the shape of an aircraft wing profile and the edges of the wing curve in two planes. The leading and trailing edges of the wing are oriented to intersect near the tips of the wing, and each of the tips of the wing receives a control rope via an adjusting plate. The control rope is passed through a pulley mounted on a craft to be displaced by a person through a harness. The wing can be used in sliding sports, yachting and gliding.

Abstract: Upper and lower rectangular canopies are connected by a plurality of transversely spaced vertical airfoil shaped ribs to define a plurality of longitudinal air flow chambers. Suspension lines are connected to selected ones of the ribs and are arranged in longitudinally spaced and transversely extending rows. Cells are defined which consist of a plurality of adjacent chambers between any two transversely adjacent suspension lines. Some of the cells have three chambers while others have two chambers. The suspension line dimensions and trim angles are used to impart multiple pressure centers and different arc anhedral shapes to improve various characteristics of the parachute including opening, stability and accuracy.

Abstract: Each suspension line of a multi-cell gliding parachute is connected through a lower loop of a primary reinforcing tape folded over on itself. The upper overlying segments of the primary reinforcing tape extend partially across and are stitched to one side of a corresponding fabric rib connected between upper and lower fabric canopies of the parachute. The upper ends of the segments terminate below the upper canopy and are connected to a secondary reinforcing tape also stitched to the rib and spaced from the upper canopy. The upper segments of the primary reinforcing tape and the secondary reinforcing tape form a Y, T or other configuration serving to distribute the load from the suspension line without puckering or otherwise altering the preferred airfoil configuration of the upper and lower canopies.

Abstract: Two ram air sections are included in a parachute canopy. The sections are arranged on opposite sides of a central axis, and face in opposite directions with respect to translational movement but the same direction with respect to rotational movement about the axis. The lower skins of the sections slope upwards from front to rear whereby the canopy rotates and the ram air sections create aero-dynamic lift slowing descent.

Abstract: A sail for a wind driven craft includes a panel having a multiplicity of pockets disposed in contiguous rows, and staggered with respect to pockets in adjacent rows, and aligned with pockets in alternate rows, to define a honeycomb array. Open ends of the pockets may be polygonal and have curved inner walls with closed ends. External sides of the pockets are convex. Each pocket has an infinite number of diametral planes dividing the pocket into two spaces of equal volume. The panel may have a peripheral flange overlapping peripheral pockets.