A container for aerial delivery of a payload is disclosed. The container is comprised of a fixed box, a lid adapted to close the fixed box, and a sleeve surrounding the fixed box. The sleeve is movable between a first, collapsed position and a second, extended position.

The present disclosure provides danger avoidance apparatuses and related methods, such as for use to avoid avalanches. An apparatus may include a container configured to couple to a user, a lift providing mechanism, a descent control mechanism and at least one rip cord engaged with the container and selectively operable by the user. Both the lift providing mechanism and the descent control mechanism may be movably coupled to the container between a packed position within the container and a deployed position exterior to the container controlled via the at least one rip cord. The lift providing mechanism may include an airfoil that provides lift to the user at a first velocity of the user along a first direction. The descent control mechanism may control the descent and reduce the velocity of the user along the first direction from the first velocity in the deployed position.

A parafoil for operation at high altitudes, in low density air, or at low airspeeds, and methods for opening same. Some versions of the parafoil comprise flexible members connected to the parafoil canopy. When the parafoil canopy is in a stowed configuration, the members are deformed, storing elastic energy. When the canopy is released from its stowed configuration, the members spring back to their undeformed shapes, thereby opening or assisting with opening the canopy. The flexible member may also be attached to a base structure, which is attached to the payload. The members may comprise rods or hollow tubes that can be flexed using a fulcrum near the base structure, or a spacer plate, so that the ends connected to the canopy are restrained by a parachute bag containing the stowed or packed canopy. The parachute bag can be opened prior to or during detachment of the parafoil from the flight vehicle.

Aspects described herein relate to an apparatus, system, and method for the airborne launch of inflatable, lighter-than-air devices from aircraft. In some instances, a container comprising a drag parachute and a main parachute assembly may be deployed from an aircraft. Drag forces on the container may cause the drag parachute to be expelled from the container. Drag forces on the drag parachute may cause the main parachute assembly to be expelled from the container. The main parachute assembly may include a canopy with an opening and a release channel connecting the opening with the container. The container may further include a balloon inflation mechanism, which may be used to inflate one or more balloon envelopes. The one or more balloon envelopes, after being inflated, may be configured to be released from the container, traverse the release channel, and exit the main parachute assembly through the opening.

Aspects described herein relate to an apparatus, system, and method for the airborne launch of inflatable, lighter-than-air devices from aircraft. In some instances, a container comprising a drag parachute and a main parachute assembly may be deployed from an aircraft. Drag forces on the container may cause the drag parachute to be expelled from the container. Drag forces on the drag parachute may cause the main parachute assembly to be expelled from the container. The main parachute assembly may include a canopy with an opening and a release channel connecting the opening with the container. The container may further include a balloon inflation mechanism, which may be used to inflate one or more balloon envelopes. The one or more balloon envelopes, after being inflated, may be configured to be released from the container, traverse the release channel, and exit the main parachute assembly through the opening.

A container for aerial delivery of a payload is comprised of a box, a lid adapted to close the box, a harness adapted to support the box and lid, a parachute coupled to the harness, and a plurality of inflatable tubes placed within the box and surrounding the payload. The plurality of inflatable tubes adapted to cushion the payload. The parachute has at least one slit adapted to control the descent of the system.

A container for aerial delivery of a payload is comprised of a box, a lid adapted to close the box, a harness adapted to support the box and lid, a parachute coupled to the harness, and a plurality of inflatable tubes placed within the box and surrounding the payload. The plurality of inflatable tubes adapted to cushion the payload. The parachute has at least one slit adapted to control the descent of the system.

A parachute inlet control system is configured to provide an improved inflation profile for solo and/or clustered parachutes. An inlet parachute is coupled to a main parachute via a plurality of inlet control suspension lines and/or reefing rings. The inlet control suspension lines may be passed through the reefing rings and coupled to an anchor point below the main parachute. The inlet parachute is located in the inlet area of the main parachute, and causes the inlet of the main parachute to rapidly form a desirable shape. The inlet parachute and inlet control suspension lines function as a reefing system to prevent full inflation of the main parachute until a reefing cutter has functioned. In this manner, parachute failures, such as those due to leading and/or lagging parachutes in a parachute cluster, may be reduced or eliminated.

A parachute inlet control system is configured to provide an improved inflation profile for solo and/or clustered parachutes. An inlet parachute is coupled to a main parachute via a plurality of inlet control suspension lines and/or reefing rings. The inlet control suspension lines may be passed through the reefing rings and coupled to an anchor point below the main parachute. The inlet parachute is located in the inlet area of the main parachute, and causes the inlet of the main parachute to rapidly form a desirable shape. The inlet parachute and inlet control suspension lines function as a reefing system to prevent full inflation of the main parachute until a reefing cutter has functioned. In this manner, parachute failures, such as those due to leading and/or lagging parachutes in a parachute cluster, may be reduced or eliminated.

An aerial vehicle safety apparatus includes an expandable object, an ejection apparatus, a bag-shaped member, and a gas generator. The expandable object is wound or folded in a non-expanded state and generates at least any of lift and buoyancy in an expanded state. The ejection apparatus is coupled to the expandable object by a coupling member and ejects the non-expanded expandable object into air. The bag-shaped member is provided in the expandable object and wound or folded together with or separately from the non-expanded expandable object, and expands the non-expanded expandable object by at least partially being inflated like a tube. The gas generator is provided in the expandable object and inflates the bag-shaped member by causing gas generated at the time of activation to flow into the bag-shaped member.