Steerable pallet range extension
First Claim
1. A steerable container delivery system (“
- CDS”
) comprising;
a pallet configured to be airdropped from a cargo aircraft,a pallet steering mechanism configured to alter a lateral position of the pallet during descent of the CDS;
a range extension device configured to deploy and decrease aerodynamic drag associated with the pallet during descent of the CDS; and
a flight management computer (“
FMC”
) configured to control the pallet steering mechanism and the deployment of the range extension device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A steerable container delivery system (“CDS”) includes a pallet configured with a pallet steering mechanism and a range extension device for steering a CDS cargo bundle during free fall when airdropped. The pallet steering mechanism and range extension device may be inflated shortly after deployment using compressed air carried by an air tank in the pallet. A flight management computer (“FMS”) continuously monitors the location of the CDS bundle using GPS technology and determines a vector to a drop location based on stored GPS measurements. The FMC continuously monitors and positions the CDS bundle over the drop location, and is able to independently control the position of the CDS bundle, either by rotating the CDS bundle or moving it laterally. At the appropriate altitude, the FMC causes the main parachute to open to slow the descent of the CDS bundle for impact.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A steerable container delivery system (“
- CDS”
) comprising;a pallet configured to be airdropped from a cargo aircraft, a pallet steering mechanism configured to alter a lateral position of the pallet during descent of the CDS; a range extension device configured to deploy and decrease aerodynamic drag associated with the pallet during descent of the CDS; and a flight management computer (“
FMC”
) configured to control the pallet steering mechanism and the deployment of the range extension device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- CDS”
-
10. A steerable container delivery system (“
- CDS”
) comprising;a pallet configured to be airdropped from a cargo aircraft, a pallet steering mechanism configured to alter a lateral position of the pallet during descent of the CDS; at least one actuator configured to control the pallet steering mechanism; a range extension device configured to deploy and decrease aerodynamic drag associated with the CDS during descent; and a flight management computer (“
FMC”
) configured to control the pallet steering mechanism so as to steer the CDS to a drop location, wherein the FMC comprises;a memory storing GPS coordinates of the drop location, a wireless interface for receiving the GPS coordinates of the drop location, a GPS receiver configured to receive GPS signals and provide a longitude and latitude of the CDS during descent, and a compass providing a heading of the CDS during descent. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- CDS”
-
17. A method for controlling the descent of an airdropped container delivery system (“
- CDS”
), comprising;deploying a CDS comprising a pallet and cargo by ejecting the CDS out of a cargo aircraft; deploying a pallet steering mechanism; deploying a range extension device from at least one side of the CDS, and controlling the pallet steering mechanism to steer the CDS to a drop location. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
- CDS”
Specification