Inflatable parachute airbag system
A system and method for resisting an uncontrolled descent or uncontrolled flight condition of an aerial vehicle. The system includes a control system, sensors, an inflation device, and a deployable, inflatable assembly. The control system detects an uncontrolled condition using the sensors, and subsequently initiates the inflation device to inflate the inflatable assembly. The assembly includes an inflatable cage stored on and deployed from the aerial vehicle upon detection of an uncontrolled condition. The inflatable cage includes a hub, a perimeter tube, and support tubes connected between the hub and perimeter tube. Fill tubes enable inflation of the support and perimeter tubes. The assembly includes a parachute-material enclosure connected to the inflatable cage and structured to create drag to reduce a velocity of the aerial vehicle when the inflatable assembly is deployed. The assembly includes weight distribution straps physically coupled between the vehicle and the enclosure or inflatable cage.
1. An apparatus for use with an aerial vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
an inflatable frame structured to be stored on the aerial vehicle in a collapsed configuration, deployed from the aerial vehicle into an inflated configuration, and inflate around the aerial vehicle while the inflatable frame is being deployed to encase the aerial vehicle within the inflatable frame when the inflatable frame is in the inflated configuration, the inflatable frame including:
a perimeter tube having a longitudinal bore and a length;
a first plurality of support tubes extending radially from the perimeter tube and positioned along the length of the perimeter tube, each support tube of the first plurality of support tubes in fluid communication with the perimeter tube and having a first end and a second end, the first end of each support tube attached to the perimeter tube;
a main fill tube with a first end and a second end, the main fill tube connected to the second end of each of the first plurality of support tubes to be in fluid communication with the first plurality of support tubes;
a plurality of fill tubes extending from the main fill tube, each fill tube of the plurality of fill tubes having a first end and a second end, the first end of each fill tube is connected to and in fluid communication with the main fill tube and the second end of each respective fill tube of the plurality of fill tubes is connected to and in fluid communication with a respective support tube of the first plurality of support tubes such that air flows from the main fill tube through the plurality of fill tubes, into each respective support tube, and into the perimeter tube; and
parachute material connected to the inflatable frame and structured to create drag to reduce a velocity of the aerial vehicle when the inflatable frame is deployed in the inflated configuration.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of support tubes are arcuate and cause the inflatable frame and the parachute material to be dome-shaped when deployed.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
an inflation mechanism structured to store air, the inflation mechanism in fluid communication with the main fill tube to provide air to the main fill tube, to the plurality of fill tubes, to the first plurality of support tubes, and to the perimeter tube to inflate the inflatable frame and deploy the inflatable frame from the aerial vehicle into the inflated configuration.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of weight distribution straps, each weight distribution strap having a first end and a second end, the first end of each weight distribution strap is structured to be physically connected to the aerial vehicle and the second end of each weight distribution strap is structured to be physically connected to the parachute material.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of weight distribution straps, each weight distribution strap having a first end and a second end, the first end of each weight distribution strap is structured to be physically connected to the aerial vehicle and the second end of each weight distribution strap is physically structured to be physically connected to the inflatable frame.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable frame further includes:
a second plurality of support tubes connected to and in fluid communication with the perimeter tube, the second plurality of support tubes extending from the perimeter tube in a direction that is substantially opposite to a direction that the first plurality of support tubes extend from the perimeter tubes so that the inflatable frame fully encases the aerial vehicle within the inflatable frame when the inflatable frame is in the inflated configuration.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising:
mesh material connected to the second plurality of support tubes and structured to be permeable allowing air to flow through the mesh material to create drag on the parachute material when deployed.