IP Library Granted Patent US 10,981,657
Granted Patent B2
US 10,981,657 · App. 16/540,739 · Granted Apr 20, 2021

Multi-rocket parachute deployment system

Inventors: Cameron Robertson (San Mateo, CA); Joseph Roop (Sunnyvale, CA); Todd Reichert (Mountain View, CA); Damon Vander Lind (Alameda, CA)
Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
B64D17/725B64D17/62B64D17/80B64D45/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,981,657
App. No.
16/540,739
Granted
Apr 20, 2021
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 (24)

1. A system to deploy a parachute comprising:

a first projectile coupled to the parachute and configured to be propelled in a first direction, causing the parachute to be removed from a restraint, and

a second projectile coupled to a riser of the parachute, the second projectile being configured to be propelled in a second direction away from the first direction, causing the parachute to be fully deployed, wherein the riser of the parachute runs through a mechanism configured to redirect the riser with minimal friction.

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 is configured to cause the parachute to rapidly fill with air.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the riser is connected to a suspension line of the parachute.

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

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein in the first direction and the second direction form an acute angle.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second projectile is propelled through a hole in an aircraft.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second projectile is configured to cause the parachute to experience a load similar to a full load of an aircraft.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first projectile is configured to pull a cover off the parachute.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises one of the following: a pulley, a running block, a ring, or a low friction system.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein a second mechanism is configured to allow the riser to be pulled in one direction but not in an opposite direction.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein a second mechanism is configured to allow the riser to be pulled in the second direction but not pulled in a direction opposite the second direction.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the mechanism that allows the riser to be pulled through the mechanism in one direction but not in an opposite direction is configured to detach from an aircraft upon experiencing a load of a predetermined threshold.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the mechanism that allows the riser to be pulled through the mechanism in one direction but not in an opposite direction is attached to an aircraft and a bridle of the parachute.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein in the event the mechanism that allows the riser to be pulled through the mechanism in one direction but not in an opposite direction detaches from the aircraft, a load of the parachute is transferred to a bridle of the parachute.

17. A method comprising:

propelling a first projectile in a first direction, causing a parachute to be removed from a restraint, wherein the first projectile is coupled to the parachute; and

propelling a second projectile in a second direction, wherein the second projectile is coupled to a riser of the parachute and is configured to be propelled in the second direction away from the first direction causing the parachute to be fully deployed, wherein the riser of the parachute runs through a mechanism configured to redirect the riser with minimal friction.

18. A computer program product 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 removed from a restraint, wherein the first projectile is coupled to the parachute; and

propelling a second projectile in a second direction, wherein the second projectile is coupled to a riser of the parachute and is configured to be propelled in the second direction away from the first direction causing the parachute to be fully deployed, wherein the riser of the parachute runs through a mechanism configured to redirect the riser with minimal friction.

Assignments (4)
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 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 15207354 · Jul 11, 2016
Related Publication 20190389590A1 · Dec 26, 2019
Cited By (1)
US 50,950