Reinforcing material for parachutes and methods for reinforcing parachutes
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.
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.