A device to orient a riser of a parachute. The device can include a twist body that is includes a slot through which the riser passes. The slot includes a twist to change the orientation of the riser from a relatively high-profile orientation to a relatively low-profile orientation. The device can also include a link to connect the riser to the suspension lines on the canopy.

A device to orient a riser of a parachute. The device can include a twist body that is includes a slot through which the riser passes. The slot includes a twist to change the orientation of the riser from a relatively high-profile orientation to a relatively low-profile orientation. The device can also include a link to connect the riser to the suspension lines on the canopy.

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 suspension line assembly for a parachute may comprise a first set of suspension lines bound together to form a first riser, and a second set of suspension lines bound together to form a second riser. A confluence may be formed by the first set of suspension line and the second set of suspension line. The confluence may comprise interior confluence suspension lines and exterior confluence suspension lines that alternate circumferentially along a perimeter of a parachute canopy.

A parachute deployment system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes an interface configured to receive sensor information; a parachute load limiting device; and a parachute load limiting device state controller. The parachute load limiting device state controller sets a state of the parachute load limiting device to a state associated with a corresponding amount of load based at least in part on the sensor information.

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 improved slider for use with a parachute, particularly a ram-air type parachute, is provided. The slider includes a generally rectangular piece of material having grommets in the corners through which the suspension lines of the parachute run. At least one retaining structure is attached to or made in the slider material for securing one or more stiffening elements. The stiffening elements are flexible enough to allow for the packing of the parachute, but stiff enough to keep the material of the slider spread open in the fore/aft direction across the short axis of the slider and thereby prevent the slider from folding and flapping once the canopy has opened.

An improved slider for use with a parachute, particularly a ram-air type parachute, is provided. The slider includes a generally rectangular piece of material having grommets in the corners through which the suspension lines of the parachute run. At least one retaining structure is attached to or made in the slider material for securing one or more stiffening elements. The stiffening elements are flexible enough to allow for the packing of the parachute, but stiff enough to keep the material of the slider spread open in the fore/aft direction across the short axis of the slider and thereby prevent the slider from folding and flapping once the canopy has opened.

A parachute deployment system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes an interface configured to receive sensor information; a parachute load limiting device; and a parachute load limiting device state controller. The parachute load limiting device state controller sets a state of the parachute load limiting device to a state associated with a corresponding amount of load based at least in part on the sensor information.

Provided is a method for controlling flight of a drone and an apparatus supporting the same. More specifically, the drone according to the present invention determines whether or not a specific condition is satisfied to deploy a parachute during the flight, and in a case where the specific condition is satisfied, the drone may stop an operation of one or more propellers to deploy the parachute. Next, the drone deploys the parachute, the parachute is deployed toward an area beside the drone, and the flight of the drone may be controlled by adjusting a rotation speed of each of the one or more propellers.