Apparatus for simultaneously disreefing a centrally reefed clustered parachute system
A parachute assembly for controlled dropping of a payload is described, comprising: a cluster of parachutes each having a canopy skirt with a periphery attached by load lines to the payload; reefing means for reefing each of the parachutes; disreefing means for disreefing all of the parachutes simultaneously; each of the parachute having a reefing line disposed substantially along the periphery of the parachute and through the disreefing means; retaining means for retaining the disreefing means to a single point of attachment on the periphery of each parachute, the retaining means comprising tether lines each disposed between a corresponding parachute and the disreefing means; the disreefing means comprising line-cutting means to simultaneously cut all reefing and tether lines; and actuation means, connected to the payload, for actuating the disreefing means after deployment of the parachutes in a reefed state thereof to disreef all of the parachutes simultaneously and to disconnect the disreefing means from each of the parachutes.
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4752050
- OSTI ID:
- 6832250
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 23 Oct 1986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Apparatus for simultaneously disreefing a centrally reefed clustered parachute system
Apparatus for simultaneously disreefing a centrally reefed clustered parachute system