One-time flare mechansim

• US 10,137,995 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2015
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Earthly Dynamics LLC
• Original Assignee: Earthly Dynamics LLC
• Inventors: Costello, Mark F, Ward, Michael Brian, Scheuermann, Edward James
• Primary Examiner(s): Woldemaryam, Assres H
• Application Number:
  US14/923,619
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/08 the articles being load-carrying devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 17/26 attached to hem of canopy
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 17/34 adapted to control direction or rate of descent

Abstract

A one-time flare mechanism system for use with an aerial payload system is described which uses minimal actuation force to produce a reliable flare with minimal shock to the payload, parafoil and rigging.

Claims

1. A system to produce a one-time flare maneuver for a parafoil carrying a payload comprising;

a parafoil canopy comprising a trailing edge,

a spreader,

at least one trailing edge control line comprising an origin and a terminus wherein the origin of the trailing edge control line is attached to the trailing edge of the canopy,

at least one suspension line comprising an origin and a terminus wherein the origin of the suspension line is attached to the canopy,

a release mechanism system further comprising;

a release mechanism,

a control mechanism releasably attached to-the release mechanism and attached to the trailing edge control line, and

a means for releasing the control mechanism from the release mechanism,

wherein the means for releasing the control mechanism is a hook and latch and is engaged with the control mechanism and the release mechanism,

at least one upper link,

at least one lower link,

a purchase system further comprising;

an upper purchase system attached to the upper link further comprising at least one device for receiving the trailing edge control line,

a lower purchase system attached to the lower link further comprising at least one device for receiving the at least one trailing edge control line, wherein the at least one trailing edge control line is threaded through the lower purchase system and then the upper purchase system.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the system further comprises:

at least one riser comprising a top and bottom, wherein the terminus of the of the at least one suspension line is attached to the top of the at least one riser and the bottom of the at least one riser is attached to the spreader, wherein the release mechanism is attached to the top of the at least one riser, the upper link is attached to the bottom of the at least one riser, the lower link is attached to the spreader and the terminus of the trailing edge control line is attached to the lower link.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one device for receiving the trailing edge control line is a pulley.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the at least one device for receiving the trailing edge control line is a pulley.

2. A system to produce a one-time flare maneuver for a parafoil carrying a payload comprising;

a parafoil canopy comprising a trailing edge,

a spreader,

at least one trailing edge control line comprising an origin and a terminus wherein the origin of the trailing edge control line is attached to the trailing edge of the canopy,

at least one suspension line comprising an origin and a terminus wherein the origin of the suspension line is attached to the canopy,

a release mechanism system comprising a 3-ring release system, further comprising;

a release mechanism, comprising a large ring,

a control mechanism, comprising a small ring and at least one middle ring, attached to-the release mechanism and attached to the trailing edge control line, and

a means for releasing the control mechanism from the release mechanism,

comprising a semi-rigid cable,

at least one upper link,

at least one lower link,

a purchase system further comprising;

an upper purchase system attached to the upper link further comprising at least one device for receiving the trailing edge control line,

a lower purchase system attached to the lower link further comprising at least one device for receiving the at least one trailing edge control line, wherein the at least one trailing edge control line is threaded through the lower purchase system and then the upper purchase system,

wherein the release mechanism is attached to the spreader and the system further comprises;

at least one riser comprising a top and bottom, wherein the terminus of the at least one suspension line is attached to the top of the at least one riser and the bottom of the at least one riser is attached to the spreader,

at least one upper payload sling comprising a top and bottom wherein the upper link is connected to the bottom of the upper payload sling and the top of the upper payload sling is connected to the spreader, wherein the terminus of the trailing edge control line is attached to the lower link.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the at least one device for receiving the trailing edge control line is a pulley.