IP Library Granted Patent US 10,293,948
Granted Patent B2
US 10,293,948 · App. 15/338,090 · Granted May 21, 2019

Distributed parachute system

Inventors: Cameron Robertson (San Mateo, CA); Damon Vander Lind (Oakland, CA)
Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
B64D17/80B64D17/62
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,293,948
App. No.
15/338,090
Granted
May 21, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A distributed parachute system is disclosed. In various embodiments, a parachute is at least partially deployed along one or more dimensions. A deployment mechanism configured to deploy the parachute is provided. The distributed parachute system is configured to be deployed in an aircraft that comprises a channel oriented along the one or more dimensions

Claims (18)

1. A distributed parachute system, comprising: a parachute at least partially deployed along one or more dimensions, and a deployment mechanism configured to deploy the parachute, wherein the distributed parachute system is configured to be deployed in an aircraft that comprises a channel oriented along the one or more dimensions, wherein a tether around a perimeter of a wing of the aircraft in between a top section and a bottom section of the wing is attached to a projectile configured to remove the top section of the wing.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the channel is recessed.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the parachute is fully unpacked in one dimension.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the parachute is fully unpacked in one dimension and is folded in a perpendicular dimension.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the parachute is stored in an oblong shape.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the parachute is stored in an irregular shape based on the aircraft.

7. The system of claim 1 , comprising one or more additional parachutes stored in the channel or stored in one or more additional channels.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the aircraft positioned over the parachute is removed during parachute deployment.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the portion of the aircraft comprises a hinge, a panel, an adhesive, or a structurally weak material.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the portion of the aircraft is tethered to a remaining portion of the aircraft or the parachute.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein a separating mechanism is used to remove a portion of the aircraft during parachute deployment.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the separating mechanism comprises a projectile, an explosive, a reactive gas, a mechanical trigger, or an electrical trigger.

13. The system of 1 , wherein the channel comprises a hollow between a top section and a bottom section of a component of the aircraft.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein an explosive is used to blow off a top section of a component of the aircraft during parachute deployment.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the parachute is stored within a wing of the aircraft and the wing is configured to travel away from a fuselage of the aircraft during parachute deployment.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the parachute is stored in a boom of the aircraft.

17. The system of claim 1 , comprising multiple parachutes that tethered to the aircraft at a shared location.

18. The system of claim 1 , comprising multiple parachutes that tethered to the aircraft at different locations.

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 043667/0992 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2016
From: ROBERTSON, CAMERON; VANDER LIND, DAMON
To: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041115/0117 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180118354A1 · May 3, 2018