IP Library Granted Patent US 10,435,162
Granted Patent B2
US 10,435,162 · App. 15/207,354 · Granted Oct 8, 2019

Multi-rocket parachute deployment system

Inventors: Cameron Robertson (San Mateo, CA); Joseph Roop (Sunnyvale, CA); Todd Reichert (Mountain View, CA); Damon Vander Lind (Oakland, CA)
Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
B64D17/725B64D17/62B64D17/80B64D45/00
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,435,162
App. No.
15/207,354
Granted
Oct 8, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Techniques to deploy a parachute are disclosed. In various embodiments, a first projectile is configured to be propelled in a first direction, causing the parachute to be deployed. A second projectile configured to be propelled in a second direction is coupled to a line tethered to the parachute in such a way that a force in a direction opposite the first direction is applied to the line of the parachute when the second projectile is propelled in the second direction.

Claims (30)

1. A system to deploy a parachute, comprising:

a first projectile configured to be propelled in a first direction, causing the parachute to be deployed, and

a second projectile that is configured to be propelled in a second direction and is coupled to a line tethered to the parachute in such a way that a force opposite the first direction is applied to the line of the parachute when the second projectile is propelled in the second direction,

wherein the first direction and the second direction form an acute angle.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the parachute is attached to an aircraft.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first projectile and the second projectile are attached to an aircraft or stored on an aircraft.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second projectile causes the parachute to rapidly fill with air.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the line of the parachute comprises a riser or a suspension line.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second direction is towards ground.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second projectile is configured to be propelled and, when propelled, causes the parachute to experience a load similar to a full load of an aircraft.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first projectile is configured to be propelled and, when propelled, pulls a cover off the parachute.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second projectile is attached to a riser of the parachute running through a mechanism that redirects the riser with minimal friction.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the mechanism comprises one of the following: a pulley, a running block, a ring, or a low friction system.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein a riser of the parachute is pulled by the second projectile through a mechanism that redirects the riser with minimal friction and through a mechanism that allows the riser to be pulled through the mechanism in the second direction but not pulled opposite the second direction.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second projectile is attached to a riser of the parachute running through a mechanism that allows the riser to be pulled through the mechanism in one direction but not in an opposite direction.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the mechanism is configured to detach from an aircraft upon experiencing a load of a predetermined threshold.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the mechanism is attached to an aircraft and a bridle of the parachute.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein in the event the mechanism detaches from the aircraft, a load of the parachute is transferred to a bridle of the parachute.

16. A system to deploy a parachute, comprising:

a first projectile configured to be propelled in a first direction, causing the parachute to be deployed, and

a second projectile that is configured to be propelled in a second direction and is coupled to a line tethered to the parachute in such a way that a force opposite the first direction is applied to the line of the parachute when the second projectile is propelled in the second direction,

wherein the second projectile is configured to be propelled through a hole in an aircraft.

17. A method, comprising:

propelling a first projectile in a first direction, causing a parachute to be deployed; and

propelling a second projectile in a second direction,

wherein the second projectile is coupled to a line tethered to the parachute in such a way that a force opposite the first direction is applied to the line of the parachute when the second projectile is propelled in the second direction and the first direction and the second direction form an acute angle.

18. A computer program product to deploy a parachute, the computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for:

propelling a first projectile in a first direction, causing a parachute to be deployed; and

propelling a second projectile in a second direction,

wherein the second projectile is coupled to a line tethered to the parachute in such a way that a force opposite the first direction is applied to the line of the parachute when the second projectile is propelled in the second direction and wherein the first direction and the second direction form an acute angle.

Assignments (10)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 22, 2023
From: ONE AERO, LLC
To: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063713/0367 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2022
From: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
To: ONE AERO, LLC
Reel/Frame 059503/0382 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2021
From: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
To: ONE AERO, LLC
Reel/Frame 058029/0610 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 22, 2020
From: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
To: ONE AERO, LLC
Reel/Frame 054206/0714 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 7, 2018
From: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
To: ONE AERO, LLC
Reel/Frame 047739/0947 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 25, 2018
From: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
To: ONE AERO, LLC
Reel/Frame 047308/0927 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2017
From: VANDER LIND, DAMON
To: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043657/0072 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 21, 2016
From: ZEE.AERO INC.
To: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040661/0482 →
MERGER Recorded Nov 21, 2016
From: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
To: ZEE.AERO INC.
Reel/Frame 040661/0513 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 18, 2016
From: ROBERTSON, CAMERON; ROOP, JOSEPH; REICHERT, TODD; VANDER LIND, DAMON
To: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 039478/0985 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180009539A1 · Jan 11, 2018