The technology relates to techniques for drogue deployment for a lighter than air (LTA) vehicle descent. A drogue deployment system for an LTA vehicle descent can include a drogue comprising a drogue parachute coupled to a carrier. A spring can be configured to launch the drogue from a launch tube directed outward from an apex of the LTA vehicle in an acute angle from a horizontal plane. A core can be placed around the launch tube and placed around the spring, the core compressing the spring and holding the spring in a compressed state prior to deployment, and a riser can couple the carrier to the envelope of the LTA vehicle. In some cases, the drogue deployment system can comprise two or more drogues, wherein intervals between the two or more drogues can be selected such that horizontal components of drogue deployment forces approximately cancel out.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a parachute deployment system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In some examples, the parachute deployment system includes a base attached to the unmanned aerial vehicle, a deployment tray mechanically connected to the base, an acceleration mechanism for propelling the deployment tray away from the base, a parachute cover releasably secured over the deployment tray, a parachute stowed between the deployment tray and the parachute cover, and a triggering mechanism. Upon activation of the triggering mechanism, the parachute cover is released and the deployment tray is propelled away from the base, which rapidly deploys the parachute away from the UAV.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a parachute deployment system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In some examples, the parachute deployment system includes a base attached to the unmanned aerial vehicle, a deployment tray mechanically connected to the base, an acceleration mechanism for propelling the deployment tray away from the base, a parachute cover releasably secured over the deployment tray, a parachute stowed between the deployment tray and the parachute cover, and a triggering mechanism. Upon activation of the triggering mechanism, the parachute cover is released and the deployment tray is propelled away from the base, which rapidly deploys the parachute away from the UAV.

A canopy release assembly includes a base plate member and a pin assembly movably coupled to the base plate member. The pin assembly is configured to move to and from a locked state and an unlocked state. A cover is pivotally coupled to the base plate member and is configured to move to and from a closed state to an open state. A first release member has a first end coupled to the pin assembly and is configured to move the pin assembly to the unlocked state in the open state of the cover. A second release member is coupled to the cover and configured to engage the pin assembly in the closed state of the cover to move the pin assembly to the unlocked state.

Disclosed is a package delivery mechanism (PDM) of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The PDM includes a gravity activated locking mechanism to lock and unlock a package attached to the UAV based on the weight of the package. When the package is attached to suspension means of the UAV that lowers the package to the ground from the UAV, the locking mechanism automatically engages with the package and keeps the package locked to the suspension means, due to the weight of the package. When the package is lowered and reaches on the ground, the weight of the package is offloaded from the suspension means, which enables the locking mechanism to be disengaged, thereby releasing the package. The PDM includes a severing module to sever the suspension means from the UAV.

Certain aspects of the technology disclosed involve a container for delivery by drone (e.g., an unmanned aerial vehicle). The container can include a coupling mechanism to lock and unlock a package attached to the drone based on a tension applied to the coupling mechanism. The package can include sidewalls affixed to a top wall. The sidewalls can include securing mechanisms to be secured to a bottom wall of the container. A rigid extremity can be a contiguous extension of any of the sidewalls and extend below a lower surface of the sidewalls. The rigid extremity can include a malleable contour proximate to a corner of the container. The malleable contour can extend from a base of the rigid extremity through the sidewall. An aperture in the top wall can be configured for a inserting member of a coupling mechanism.

Disclosed is a technique for landing a drone using a parachute. The technique includes a parachute deployment system (PDS) that can deploy a parachute installed in a drone and land the drone safely. The parachute may be deployed automatically, e.g., in response to a variety of failures such as a free fall, or manually from a base unit operated by a remote user. For example, the PDS can determine the failure of the drone based on data obtained from an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer and a barometer of the drone and automatically deploy the parachute if any failure is determined. In another example, the remote user can “kill” the drone, that is, cut off the power supply to the drone and deploy the parachute by activating an onboard “kill” switch from the base unit.

Disclosed is a technique for landing a drone using a parachute. The technique includes a parachute deployment system (PDS) that can deploy a parachute installed in a drone and land the drone safely. The parachute may be deployed automatically, e.g., in response to a variety of failures such as a free fall, or manually from a base unit operated by a remote user. For example, the PDS can determine the failure of the drone based on data obtained from an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer and a barometer of the drone and automatically deploy the parachute if any failure is determined. In another example, the remote user can “kill” the drone, that is, cut off the power supply to the drone and deploy the parachute by activating an onboard “kill” switch from the base unit.

An apparatus an unmanned aerial vehicle recovery system is provided. The apparatus includes a base to mount to an unmanned aerial vehicle. The apparatus further includes a housing to engage the base. In addition, the apparatus includes a parachute disposed within the housing. Also, the apparatus includes a deployment mechanism to deploy the parachute. The deployment mechanism is to eject the housing away from the base upon a triggering event.

An apparatus an unmanned aerial vehicle recovery system is provided. The apparatus includes a base to mount to an unmanned aerial vehicle. The apparatus further includes a housing to engage the base. In addition, the apparatus includes a parachute disposed within the housing. Also, the apparatus includes a deployment mechanism to deploy the parachute. The deployment mechanism is to eject the housing away from the base upon a triggering event.