Patent ID: 6220547
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: B64D

Abstract:
A large scale parafoil apparatus with an energy attenuator for controlling initial deployment thereof comprising:A. a parafoil means comprising:(1) a canopy means defining a plurality of generally parallel inflatable air cells adjacently positioned and extending longitudinally with respect to one another, each air cell defining a front opening means for receiving air thereinto;(2) a plurality of suspension lines attached with respect to said canopy means and extending downwardly therefrom;(3) a dispersion riser means attached with respect to said suspension lines below said canopy means and being securable with respect to a load for suspension thereof below said canopy means;B. a canopy containment means attached to said parafoil means and adapted to maintain said parafoil means collapsed prior to deployment thereof;C. a drogue parachute means attached with respect to said canopy containment means, said drogue parachute means being operative upon deployment thereof to disengage said canopy containment means from said parafoil means to facilitate deployment thereof and of said canopy means; andD. an energy attenuating means including at least one ripstitch modulator means attached with respect to said drogue parachute means and said parafoil means and operative to facilitate controlled initial deployment thereof by maintaining attachment between said drogue parachute and said parafoil means for a limited period of time after release thereof by said canopy containment means from engagement with respect to said parafoil means, said energy attenuating means being operative to maintain tension on said suspension lines of said parafoil between said dispersion riser means and said canopy means thereof immediately after release of said canopy means and for a limited time period thereafter prior to full deployment thereof.