Deployment brake release for a parachute

• US 20080149775A1
• Filed: 12/26/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airborne Systems North America of NJ, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Airborne Systems North America of NJ, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gilbert, Martin, Dunker, Storm
• Granted Patent: US 7,648,105 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/147
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 17/34 adapted to control direction or rate of descent
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 17/62 Deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/50 Glider-type UAVs, e.g. with parachute, parasail or kite for landing B64U70/83
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/12 Variable or detachable wings, e.g. wings with adjustable sweep

Abstract

A deployment brake release system for use with an airborne guidance unit (AGU) of a parachute suitable for precision cargo delivery. The parachute includes deployment brake lines secured at one end to the edge of the canopy and connected at the other end through looped ends to motor control lines. The motor control lines are, in turn, engaged with the motor of the AGU. The deployment brake release system includes at least one hook mount having a hook secured to the AGU frame. The looped ends of the deployment brake lines are engaged with the hook during rigging so that, upon deployment, opening forces are applied to the hook mount rather than the motor. After full canopy inflation, the motor, via the motor control lines, pulls on the brake line looped ends to disengage them from the hook, transferring subsequent canopy loads to the AGU motor for the remainder of the flight. A method for releasing the deployment brake lines is also disclosed.

Claims

1. In combination with a parachute controlled by an unmanned aerial vehicle having an airborne guidance unit (AGU), a deployment brake release system comprising:

a hook mount coupled to a frame of the AGU and associated with a motor and spool assembly controlled by the AGU, said hook mount having at least one hook;

a motor control line windable on said spool by said motor and having a connecting end extending from said spool; and

a deployment brake release line connected at one end to a canopy of said parachute and at an opposite end to said connecting end of said motor control line;

said deployment brake release line being rigged so as to be secured to said hook upon deployment such that opening canopy forces exerted on said brake release line are taken by the hook mount and the AGU frame, said AGU being configured to activate said motor when said parachute has reached a steady flight state to wind said motor control line onto said spool, said winding pulling said deployment brake release line downward and off said hook so that, once released therefrom, said deployment brake release line becomes in line with said motor control line as a steering brake line for subsequent use during flight and for transfer of canopy load forces to said motor.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hook is generally downwardly tapering and includes a nose and a neck positioned above said nose, said deployment brake release line being secured to said neck during rigging.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a fastening element securing said motor control line and said deployment brake release line to said neck during rigging, said fastening element being configured to break in response to activation of said motor and resulting downward movement of said lines after deployment.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a second deployment brake release line rigged so as to be secured to said hook upon deployment and releasable therefrom simultaneously with said steering brake line.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a second deployment brake release line rigged so as to be secured to said hook upon deployment and releasable therefrom sequentially with and prior to release of said steering brake line.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5, wherein said motor control line includes a looped portion positioned along a length thereof, said looped portion being secured during rigging to said hook in between said steering brake line and said second brake line such that removal of said second looped portion from said hook also removes said second brake line from said hook.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a securing line connected to said second brake line and to said AGU frame for restraining free movement of said second brake line upon release thereof from said hook.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 5, wherein said motor control line includes a plurality of additional looped portions positioned in spaced relationship along a length thereof, said additional looped portions being secured during rigging to said hook in alternating fashion with a plurality of additional deployment brake release lines such that removal of each additional looped portion from said hook also removes one of said additional brake lines from said hook.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a securing line connected to said additional deployment brake release lines and to said AGU frame for restraining free movement of said additional brake lines upon release thereof from said hook.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hook mount includes a plurality of hooks each configured to secure deployment brake release lines.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said deployment brake release system includes a left hook mount and a right hook mount each having a hook, a left outer brake line being secured to the hook of said left hook mount and a right outer brake line being secured to the hook of said right hook mount prior to and during deployment, said left and right outer brake lines becoming left and right steering brake lines upon release of said left and right outer brake lines from said hooks.

12. An improved deployment brake release system for an unmanned parachute having an airborne guidance unit (AGU) for controlling activation of a motor mounted on an AGU frame, said motor used to retract and extend a motor control line wound on a spool which is coupled to an outer deployment brake release line configured to steer the parachute in flight, the improvement comprising a base mount fixedly mounted on said AGU frame adjacent said motor and spool, said base mount including at least one generally downwardly directed projection, said projection being configured to secure said outer deployment brake release line prior to and during deployment to transfer opening canopy load forces to said AGU frame through said base mount, said AGU being configured to activate said motor upon reaching steady state flight to rotate said spool and retract said motor control line, retraction of said motor control line pulling said outer deployment brake release line downwardly off said projection to effect a steering control line formed by said outer deployment brake release line and said motor control line connected thereto, said steering control line transferring canopy load forces directly to said motor.

13. The improvement as set forth in claim 12, wherein said outer deployment brake release line is secured to said projection by a fastening element that breaks in response to the retraction of said motor control line and the resulting downward movement of said outer deployment brake release line on said projection.

14. The improvement as set forth in claim 13, wherein said fastening element includes a breakable cord passed through an aperture in said base mount.

15. The improvement as set forth in claim 12, wherein a plurality of deployment brake release lines are secured to said projection and are released simultaneously in response to the retraction of said motor control line.

16. The improvement as set forth in claim 12, wherein said outer deployment brake release line has a looped release end for securing said outer deployment brake release line on said projection prior to and during deployment.

17. The improvement as set forth in claim 12, wherein said motor control line is provided with at least one release loop to accommodate an additional deployment brake release line.

18. The improvement as set forth in claim 17, wherein an inner deployment brake release line is secured to said projection in an alternating arrangement with said release loop and said outer deployment release line, said inner and outer brake release lines being released sequentially in response to the retraction of said motor control line.

19. The improvement as set forth in claim 12, wherein said deployment brake release system includes a left base mount and a right base mount each having a generally downwardly directed projection, a left steering control line being secured to said left base mount projection and a right steering control line being secured to said right base mount projection prior to and during deployment.

20. A method for the release of deployment brakes after full inflation of a parachute in a UAV system having an AGU which comprises:

providing a securing loop adjacent a cargo end of a steering suspension line;

securing a connection end of a motor connection line spooled on a spool driven by a motor of said AGU to said suspension line loop;

rigging said suspension line loop onto a downwardly directed projection of a projection mount connected to a frame of said AGU so as to direct canopy opening loads to said AGU frame during deployment; and

activating said motor when said UAV system reaches steady state flight to pull said suspension line loop off of said projection and transfer canopy loading to said motor such that said steering suspension line can be used to steer said parachute in flight.