Patent ID: 7703720
Filing Date: 2010-04-27
Classification: B64D

Abstract:
1. A parachute reefing control apparatus for use with a payload attached through suspension lines to a parachute having a canopy with a canopy reefing device and a reefing release mechanism for controlling canopy inflation and airborne descent after deployment thereof, said parachute reefing control apparatus comprising: A. a reefing control processor means mounted with respect to the payload and preprogrammed with a release schedule for generating of at least one release signal therefrom; B. a wireless transmitter means mounted with respect to the payload and operatively connected to said reefing control processor means, said wireless transmitter means being responsive to receiving at least one release signal from said reefing control processor means for wirelessly transmitting a wireless signal; C. a wireless receiver means attached with respect to the parachute canopy and being operative to be actuated responsive to receiving a wireless signal transmitted from said wireless transmitter means to actuate the reefing release mechanism to initiate disengagement of the canopy reefing device to allow initiation of inflation of the canopy of the parachute to facilitate controlled descent thereof with the payload attached thereto; and D. a plurality of sensing means mounted with respect to the payload for monitoring parameters to facilitate determination of a final release schedule for disengaging the reefing of the parachute canopy, said reefing control processor means being operatively connected to said sensing means for receiving information therefrom for facilitating determining of a final release schedule by modifying of the preprogrammed release schedule.