Reinforcing material for parachutes and methods for reinforcing parachutes

• US 7,178,762 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2004
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Luminati Aerospace, LLC
• Original Assignee: Atair Aerospace, Inc.
• Inventors: Preston, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu; Teri Pham
• Assistant Examiner(s): Holzen; Stephen A
• Application Number:
  US10/875,980
• Publication Number:
  US 20050077431A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 244142-150
• US Class Current: 244/142
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2405/00 Adhesive articles, e.g. adhesive tapes labels B32B2519/00
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/00 Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin fibrous or filamentary layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/02; particulate layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/16; foamed layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/18
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/26 another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 17/02 Canopy arrangement or construction
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 17/025 for gliding chutes

Abstract

A parachute is formed using a non-woven composite material. The non-woven composite material is formed by fusing a plurality of mono-filament fibers between thin layers of plastic. The non-woven material may be used as reinforcing tapes or as parachute lines in connection with a parachute of typical construction.

Claims

1. A parachute comprising:

a canopy comprising a plurality of panels affixed together;

a plurality of suspension lines for suspending a payload from the canopy;

reinforcing tape affixed to the canopy at predetermined locations, said reinforcing material comprising a lower film, an upper film and a plurality of layers of mono-filaments provided there between, wherein a longitudinal axis of at least one layer of said plurality of layers of non-filaments is substantially arranged in at least one direction of stress of said predetermined locations; and

at least one sensor laminated between said upper and said lower film of said reinforcing tape.

2. The parachute according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing tape is affixed to one or more seams established by the assembly of the plurality of panels.

3. The parachute according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing tape includes one or more electrical wires for conducting electrical signals.