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.

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.

A multi-staged suspension line length parachute may include a suspension line having a primary length and a secondary length. The primary length may be deployable upon a first deployment of the multi-staged suspension line length parachute. The secondary length may be prevented from deployment until the primary length has fully deployed. An attenuator may attach a first portion of the secondary length to a second portion of the secondary length.

A multi-staged suspension line length parachute may include a suspension line having a primary length and a secondary length. The primary length may be deployable upon a first deployment of the multi-staged suspension line length parachute. The secondary length may be prevented from deployment until the primary length has fully deployed. An attenuator may attach a first portion of the secondary length to a second portion of the secondary length.

A multi-staged suspension line length parachute is provided. The parachute may comprise a canopy, a suspension line, a bundle, a bundling confluence, a traditional confluence, and a riser. The parachute may also comprise a cutter and a cutter pin puller configured to activate the cutter. The bundle may comprise a bundling line configured to secure secondary length from the suspension line. The parachute may deploy to a first length. In response to tension on the cutter pin puller, the cutter may activate to sever the bundling line in the bundle, causing the secondary length of the suspension line to release. The parachute may then deploy to a second length.

Parachutes which have a generally circular skirt or hem, such as semi-hemispherical, extended gore, or any variant of axisymmetric parachutes and cruciform parachutes with arms attached are disclosed with a plurality of vertical slits located in a circumferential band adjacent the skirt or hem of the parachute to prevent canopy inversion. During deployment, when the outer portion of the canopy is exposed to air flow, the slits open up and the drag of the skirt of the canopy is reduced, thus limiting the potential for hem migration. The slits are positioned to allow airflow therethrough in order for the pressure on the outside of the canopy to be transferred through the slit openings and released or transferred to inside of the lower section of the canopy. Instead of slits, elongated narrow openings can be utilized.

Parachutes which have a generally circular skirt or hem, such as semi-hemispherical, extended gore, or any variant of axisymmetric parachutes and cruciform parachutes with arms attached are disclosed with a plurality of vertical slits located in a circumferential band adjacent the skirt or hem of the parachute to prevent canopy inversion. During deployment, when the outer portion of the canopy is exposed to air flow, the slits open up and the drag of the skirt of the canopy is reduced, thus limiting the potential for hem migration. The slits are positioned to allow airflow therethrough in order for the pressure on the outside of the canopy to be transferred through the slit openings and released or transferred to inside of the lower section of the canopy. Instead of slits, elongated narrow openings can be utilized.

A high-rise building escape apparatus enables user to quickly exit a high-rise building in the event of an emergency. It mainly includes a damper which withstands impact of termination of descent and decreases terminal velocity due to its mushroomlike shape, a compartment, side and bottom nets, a parachute, an air source system, hoses, rotatable and fix frames, and a safety belt. The apparatus is operated following the procedure below. A user sets up the fix frame and rotatable frame attaching the dropping parts on the sill of a window or on the top of a balcony, makes the rotatable frame swing to the outside, opens the dropping part pack, fills the high pressure air to the airbags simultaneously through a number of internal hoses and an external hose, and disconnects the hoses. The user then moves from the inside of the building to the compartment in the middle of the damper through the rotatable frame with hands grabbing it, reaches the bottom portion of the compartment, fastens the safety belt, and releases the dropping parts. As a result, the user will move down with the damper, the parachute will be extended, released, and deployed, and the rotatable frame will rotate back. As soon as the user reaches the ground, the user will unbuckle the safety belt, get out of the damper, and release the high pressure air.

An aircraft includes an airframe parachute system. The parachute system includes an activation system, an extraction system, a harness system, and a parachute assembly.

The disclosure provides an HAPR apparatus comprising an inflatable frame configured to generate canopy extension based on surrounding atmospheric pressure. The inflatable frame has a first collapse load limit less than the weight of the canopy at a first pressurized state less than 75 kPa and a second collapse load limit greater than the weight of the canopy at a second pressurized state of greater than 95 kPa. The internal pressure of the inflatable frame is typically about 101 kPa. The HAPR apparatus allows ascension with the canopy hanging under its own weight to reduce ascension time, then generates canopy extension prior to release in essentially a zero velocity, zero dynamic pressure condition.