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IN-FLIGHT AIRCRAFT RECOVERY SYSTEM

  • US 3,796,398 A
  • Filed: 05/14/1973
  • Issued: 03/12/1974
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1973
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An in-flight recovery system, for disabled aircraft and/or personnel, comprising in combination:

  • speed reduction means selectively operable to stabilize and slow the air speed in the event of an emergency condition;

    an inflatable structure having an airfoil cross-section including flight control surfaces and a container therefor stored in a normally deflated condition in said aircraft;

    a first pilot parachute attached to said container;

    means responsive to flight speed, becoming operable after a predetermined speed reduction of said aircraft to eject said container and said first pilot parachute from said aircraft, said pilot parachute then acting to lift said container above the aircraft away from any obstruction thereon and pulling container off said deflated airfoil;

    inflation means integral with said airfoil structure and including means for being rendered operative after said container is removed;

    a second pilot parachute attached to said airfoil structure and becoming deployed after said container is removed for orienting said airfoil structure to provide lift substantially immediately during inflation and further aiding proper inflation of the structure so that the centermost section inflates prior to the outermost sections whereby an immediate altitude increase results for providing additional clearance for emergencies occurring near the ground;

    a plurality of suspension lines attached to the underside of said airfoil structure and said control surfaces;

    a plurality of rotatable reels mounted on said aircraft, being attached to said suspension lines and having controlled braking means, said braking means being adapted to control the unreeling of the suspension lines during deployment to prevent unusually high snatch forces from being exerted on said suspension lines;

    respective driver means coupled to said plurality of rotatable reels, being operable thereby to control the angle of attack of said airfoil and selective operation of said control surfaces; and

    flight control means coupled to said individual reel driver means to selectively control the angle of attack of said airfoil structure and operate said control surfaces for steering said airfoil structure to a predetermined destination and performing a flareout and landing maneuver thereby.

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