IP Library Granted Patent US 10,273,013
Granted Patent B1
US 10,273,013 · App. 16/155,609 · Granted Apr 30, 2019

Preferred break points and paths in airframes for ballistic parachute systems

Inventors: Amy Qian (Sunnyvale, CA); Damon Vander Lind (East Palo Alto, CA)
Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
B64D17/725B29C70/30B64D17/80B29L2012/00B64C27/006B64D17/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,273,013
App. No.
16/155,609
Granted
Apr 30, 2019
Kind
B1
Abstract

A preferred break point is provided in the airframe, where there is a ballistic parachute system which includes a rocket which sits in a rocket canister and a canopy which sits in a canopy canister. The airframe includes a composite material and covers the ballistic parachute system. The preferred break point is located in the airframe over the opening of the rocket canister. A preferred break path is provided in the airframe located at least partially over the opening of the rocket canister and at least partially over the opening of the canopy canister.

Claims (43)

1. A system, comprising:

a ballistic parachute system which includes:

a rocket which sits in a rocket canister having an opening; and

a canopy which sits in a canopy canister having an opening; and

an airframe which includes a composite material, wherein the airframe further includes:

a preferred break point in the airframe, wherein:

the airframe covers the ballistic parachute system; and

the preferred break point is located in the airframe over the opening of the rocket canister; and

a preferred break path in the airframe located at least partially over the opening of the rocket canister and at least partially over the opening of the canopy canister.

2. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the preferred break path runs through: (1) a first center line associated with the rocket canister and (2) a second center line associated with the canopy canister.

3. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein:

the preferred break path runs through: (1) a first center line associated with the rocket canister and (2) a second center line associated with the canopy canister; and

the preferred break path extends beyond one or more of the following: the first center line or the second center line.

4. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the preferred break path includes an adhesive-filled cut.

5. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the preferred break path includes a plurality of adhesive-filled perforations.

6. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the preferred break path includes a section that is not straight.

7. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the preferred break point is formed by an intersection of two or more preferred break paths.

8. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein there is a second preferred break point located in the airframe over the opening of the canopy canister.

9. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the preferred break point is an enclosed area formed by a plurality of concave edges.

10. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein:

there is a second preferred break point located in the airframe over the opening of the canopy canister; and

the second preferred break point is an enclosed area formed by a plurality of concave edges.

11. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the preferred break path includes a channel.

12. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein:

the preferred break path includes a channel; and

the channel is formed using a short molding compound (SMC).

13. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the airframe further includes a puncturer that is coupled to an interior surface of the airframe over the opening of the rocket canister and is configured to puncture the interior surface of the airframe.

14. A method, comprising:

providing a preferred break point in an airframe, wherein: there is a ballistic parachute system which includes a rocket which sits in a rocket canister having an opening and a canopy which sits in a canopy canister having an opening, the airframe includes a composite material, the airframe covers the ballistic parachute system, and the preferred break point is located in the airframe over the opening of the rocket canister; and

providing a preferred break path in the airframe located at least partially over the opening of the rocket canister and at least partially over the opening of the canopy canister.

15. The method recited in claim 14 , wherein the preferred break path runs through: (1) a first center line associated with the rocket canister and (2) a second center line associated with the canopy canister.

16. The method recited in claim 14 , wherein:

the preferred break path runs through: (1) a first center line associated with the rocket canister and (2) a second center line associated with the canopy canister; and

the preferred break path extends beyond one or more of the following: the first center line or the second center line.

17. The method recited in claim 14 , wherein there is a second preferred break point located in the airframe over the opening of the canopy canister.

18. The method recited in claim 14 , wherein the preferred break point is an enclosed area formed by a plurality of concave edges.

19. The method recited in claim 14 , wherein:

there is a second preferred break point located in the airframe over the opening of the canopy canister; and

the second preferred break point is an enclosed area formed by a plurality of concave edges.

20. The method recited in claim 14 , wherein:

the preferred break path includes a channel; and

the channel is formed using a short molding compound (SMC).

21. The method recited in claim 14 , wherein the airframe further includes a puncturer that is coupled to an interior surface of the airframe over the opening of the rocket canister and is configured to puncture the interior surface of the airframe.

Assignments (6)
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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2019
From: QIAN, AMY; VANDER LIND, DAMON
To: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 048077/0523 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 7, 2018
From: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
To: ONE AERO, LLC
Reel/Frame 047739/0947 →