Redundant clustered parachute apparatus
View Patent ↗A redundant clustered parachute apparatus includes a harness and a plurality of lines operatively coupled to the harness. Each line has a length and a plurality of canopies coupled to and along the length. The plurality of canopies, across the plurality of lines, create an aggregated force of air resistance to slow a falling object in the harness. Loss of some of the canopies or some of the lines does not significantly affect the performance of the redundant clustered parachute apparatus to safely deliver the object to the ground.
1. A redundant clustered parachute apparatus comprising:
a harness;
a plurality of lines operatively coupled to the harness, each line having a length; and
on each line, a plurality of canopies coupled to and along the length of the respective line;
wherein each canopy coupled to the respective line is coupled to the respective line only.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the canopies are coupled along an entirety of the length of each line.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the canopies are coupled to each line in a tiered arrangement along the length of each line.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the canopies are helically arranged around each line.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the canopies are diametrically offset on each line.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein each canopy has a frusto-conical body.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a ring coupled to the harness, the ring having a circumference; and
the plurality of lines are coupled to the ring and spaced apart around the circumference of the ring.
8. A redundant clustered parachute apparatus comprising:
a harness;
a plurality of lines coupled to the harness, each line having a length; and
on each line, a plurality of canopies coupled to and along the length of the respective line;
wherein each canopy coupled to the respective line is coupled to the respective line only; and
wherein each of the canopies has a frusto-conical shape with an open top and an open bottom.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the canopies are coupled along an entirety of the length of each line.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the canopies are coupled to each line in a tiered arrangement along the length of each line.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the canopies are helically arranged on each line.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the canopies are diametrically offset on each line.
13. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising:
a ring coupled to the harness, the ring having a circumference; and
the plurality of lines are coupled to the ring and spaced apart around the circumference of the ring.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising:
a tether extending across the ring; and
a riser coupling the tether to the harness.
15. A redundant clustered parachute apparatus comprising:
a harness;
a plurality of lines coupled to the harness, each line having a length; and
on each line, a plurality of canopies coupled to each line in a tiered arrangement along the length of each line;
wherein each canopy coupled to the respective line is coupled to the respective line only.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the canopies are coupled along an entirety of the length of each line.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the canopies are helically arranged on each line.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the canopies are diametrically offset on each line.
19. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising:
a ring coupled to the harness, the ring having a circumference; and
the plurality of lines are coupled to the ring and spaced apart around the circumference of the ring.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising:
a tether extending across the ring; and
a riser coupling the tether to the harness.