IP Library Granted Patent US 10,507,929
Granted Patent B1
US 10,507,929 · App. 15/338,089 · Granted Dec 17, 2019

Attached rocket parachute deployment system

Inventors: Damon Vander Lind (Oakland, CA); Rebecca Mei-ling Li (Cambridge, MA)
Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
B64D17/725B64D17/80
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,507,929
App. No.
15/338,089
Granted
Dec 17, 2019
Kind
B1
Abstract

A parachute deployment system is disclosed. In various embodiments, a parachute is tethered to an aircraft. A self-propelled projectile is tethered to the parachute. The self-propelled projectile is configured to be launched in a trajectory away from the aircraft. Once launched, the self-propelled projectile pulls the parachute taut in one dimension.

Claims (20)

1. A parachute deployment system, comprising:

a parachute tethered to an aircraft; and

a self-propelled projectile tethered to the parachute and configured to be launched in a trajectory away from the aircraft, wherein the self-propelled projectile pulls the parachute taut in one dimension, the self-propelled projectile comprises a hollow outer cylindrical component, and an end of the cylindrical component has an opening smaller than a base of the self-propelled projectile.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the self-propelled projectile pulls the parachute taut in a vertical direction away from the aircraft.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the self-propelled projectile tensions suspension lines of the parachute.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the self-propelled projectile is tethered at an end of the parachute opposite from the aircraft.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the trajectory includes a component in a direction opposite from a direction the aircraft is traveling.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the parachute is packed inside a container.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein a tether attaching the self-propelled projectile to the parachute or a tether attaching the parachute to the aircraft traverses the container.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the container is tethered to the aircraft.

9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the container is configured to open when the container is a predetermined distance above the aircraft.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined distance is equal to a length of a tether connecting the container to the aircraft.

11. The system of claim 6 , wherein the container is configured to open.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the self-propelled projectile is configured to detach from the parachute.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein a base of the self-propelled projectile is wider than a nose of the self-propelled projectile.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein an end of the cylindrical component opposite the end of the cylindrical component that has an opening smaller than a base of the self-propelled projectile is tethered to the parachute.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the self-propelled projectile is configured to deploy through the opening at the end of the cylindrical component.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the base of the self-propelled projectile is inside the cylindrical component and a nose of the self-propelled projectile protrudes outside of the cylindrical component during deployment.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the self-propelled projectile is surrounded with an insulating material.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the self-propelled projectile is placed within a fiberglass capsule.

Assignments (8)
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 22, 2017
From: VANDER LIND, DAMON
To: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043667/0735 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2017
From: VANDER LIND, DAMON; LI, REBECCA MEI-LING
To: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041545/0443 →