B64D17/54

Parachute architecture for low-altitude VTOL aircraft

In an embodiment, a system to deploy a plurality of parachutes includes a plurality of parachute canopies each packed in a canister, a plurality of rockets adapted to extract an associated canopy from the canister, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine that an aircraft is at least one of: in a hover mode of operation and a forward flight mode of operation. In response to the determination that the aircraft is in the hover mode of operation, the controller applies a hover deployment sequence including by instructing the plurality of parachutes to deploy substantially simultaneously. In response to the determination that the aircraft is in the forward mode of operation and above a threshold airspeed, the controller applies a forward deployment sequence including by instructing the plurality of parachutes to deploy in a predefined sequence.

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EJECTING A PARACHUTE
20190315474 · 2019-10-17 · ·

The invention relates to a device (1) for ejecting a parachute, comprising a housing (2) with an ejection opening (3), wherein the housing (2) is suitable for at least partially accommodating the parachute. In order to enable a robust and repeated ejection of the parachute with a low weight of the device (1), according to the invention a movable base (4) is arranged within the housing (2), which base (4) is connected to the housing (2) via at least one spring element, wherein the base (4) can be releasably fixed in place within the housing (2) using a fixing means (5), wherein the device (1) is configured such that if a parachute is arranged within the housing (2), the base (4) is accelerated by the spring element when the fixing means (5) is released, so that the parachute is ejected through the ejection opening (3) by means of the base (4). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for ejecting a parachute.

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EJECTING A PARACHUTE
20190315474 · 2019-10-17 · ·

The invention relates to a device (1) for ejecting a parachute, comprising a housing (2) with an ejection opening (3), wherein the housing (2) is suitable for at least partially accommodating the parachute. In order to enable a robust and repeated ejection of the parachute with a low weight of the device (1), according to the invention a movable base (4) is arranged within the housing (2), which base (4) is connected to the housing (2) via at least one spring element, wherein the base (4) can be releasably fixed in place within the housing (2) using a fixing means (5), wherein the device (1) is configured such that if a parachute is arranged within the housing (2), the base (4) is accelerated by the spring element when the fixing means (5) is released, so that the parachute is ejected through the ejection opening (3) by means of the base (4). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for ejecting a parachute.

AUTOMATED AIRCRAFT RECOVERY SYSTEM

Sensor data is received from a sensor where the sensor data includes aircraft state information including an aircraft pitch angle and recovery device state information including which parachute canopies are operational and one or more properties associated with the operational parachute canopies. The parachute canopies are coupled aft of a center of mass. It is determined, based at least in part on the aircraft pitch angle, whether to generate a control signal associated with maneuvering the aircraft into a nose-up position. A recovery action is performed, including by selecting a parachute canopy to be deployed, from the operational parachute canopies and based at least in part on the one or more properties, and deploying the selected parachute canopy, where a load on the selected parachute canopy is reduced in the event the aircraft is in the nose-up position compared to the aircraft being in a nose-down position.

AUTOMATED AIRCRAFT RECOVERY SYSTEM

Sensor data is received from a sensor where the sensor data includes aircraft state information including an aircraft pitch angle and recovery device state information including which parachute canopies are operational and one or more properties associated with the operational parachute canopies. The parachute canopies are coupled aft of a center of mass. It is determined, based at least in part on the aircraft pitch angle, whether to generate a control signal associated with maneuvering the aircraft into a nose-up position. A recovery action is performed, including by selecting a parachute canopy to be deployed, from the operational parachute canopies and based at least in part on the one or more properties, and deploying the selected parachute canopy, where a load on the selected parachute canopy is reduced in the event the aircraft is in the nose-up position compared to the aircraft being in a nose-down position.

Crash detection device, flying body crash detection method, parachute or paraglider deployment device, and airbag device

A crash detection device for mounting on a flying object having a parachute or paraglider deployment device. The crash detection device includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to a flying state of the flying object. The sensor is configured for acquiring data of the parameter in a normal mode in which the data is acquired at a sampling frequency of less than 1 kHz, and in an abnormal mode in which the data is acquired at the sampling frequency of 1 kHz or more. The crash detection device further includes a detector coupled to the sensor and configured for verifying proper operation of the sensor; and a controller configured for receiving from the sensor values of the parameter and for determining flying state of the flying object.

Crash detection device, flying body crash detection method, parachute or paraglider deployment device, and airbag device

A crash detection device for mounting on a flying object having a parachute or paraglider deployment device. The crash detection device includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to a flying state of the flying object. The sensor is configured for acquiring data of the parameter in a normal mode in which the data is acquired at a sampling frequency of less than 1 kHz, and in an abnormal mode in which the data is acquired at the sampling frequency of 1 kHz or more. The crash detection device further includes a detector coupled to the sensor and configured for verifying proper operation of the sensor; and a controller configured for receiving from the sensor values of the parameter and for determining flying state of the flying object.

LIFESAVING SYSTEM USING DRONE AND LIFESAVING METHOD USING THE SAME
20190060679 · 2019-02-28 ·

Disclosed is a lifesaving system using a drone and a lifesaving method using the lifesaving system. The lifesaving system includes: a lifesaving drone provided with a parachute, the drone approaching a victim by being remotely controlled and installed in the victim, and assisting rescuing the victim from a high-rise building by operating the parachute; and a disaster management center disposing a rescuing vehicle to a disaster occurrence area and remotely controlling the lifesaving drone when a disaster report is received, or a disaster occurrence area is recognized.

LIFESAVING SYSTEM USING DRONE AND LIFESAVING METHOD USING THE SAME
20190060679 · 2019-02-28 ·

Disclosed is a lifesaving system using a drone and a lifesaving method using the lifesaving system. The lifesaving system includes: a lifesaving drone provided with a parachute, the drone approaching a victim by being remotely controlled and installed in the victim, and assisting rescuing the victim from a high-rise building by operating the parachute; and a disaster management center disposing a rescuing vehicle to a disaster occurrence area and remotely controlling the lifesaving drone when a disaster report is received, or a disaster occurrence area is recognized.

BIMODAL PARACHUTE DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM
20180118353 · 2018-05-03 ·

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.