Patent Publication Number: US-2012025027-A1

Title: System for Air Borne Deployment of Palletized Cargo

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to co-pending application Ser. No. 61/360,745 entitled “System for Air Borne Deployment of Palletized Cargo” filed on Jul. 1, 2010. The contents of this co-pending application are fully incorporated herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to a system for the airborne deployment of palletized cargo. More specifically, the disclosure relates to system for securing and protecting cargo upon an air dropped pallet. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Air dropping cargo is a common means of delivering heavy equipment to isolated or otherwise inaccessible areas. The cargo is secured to a pallet or platform that is dropped from an aircraft. A parachute rigging, in turn, is secured to the pallet, and the parachute is used to slow the decent of the cargo. A variety of methods are currently used for air dropping cargo, including extraction, gravity and bundled drops. In an extraction drop, a first extraction chute is deployed behind the pallet. Once the extraction chute fills with air, the pallet is dragged out of the rear of the aircraft. In a gravity drop, the pallet rides on skids or rollers with the attitude of the aircraft assisting the pallet out of the vehicle. Gravity drop systems may use the Container Delivery System (CDS) bundle found in many military transports. Finally, in a bundled drop, the pallet is simply pushed out of the aircraft by one or more crewmen. In each instance, additional parachutes are subsequently deployed to slow the pallet&#39;s decent. The primary purpose of the parachute is to lessen the impact associated with landing and prevent damage to the cargo. 
     However, regardless of the deployment method used, there are a number of concerns associated with air dropping cargo. The first concern involves properly restraining the cargo. The cargo must be adequately secured to the pallet, as unrestrained cargo poses a significant danger to crewmembers, the aircraft, as well as the cargo. Moreover, the pallet and attached cargo undergo significant forces upon deployment of the parachute. Without properly securing the cargo, these forces might separate the pallet from the cargo upon chute deployment. 
     Another concern is landing impact. Namely, even with a parachute assisted landing, the forces encountered by the cargo upon ground impact can be substantial. These forces are magnified with heavier cargo. Without proper cushioning, these impact forces would damage expensive or otherwise valuable equipment. Protecting equipment is especially important in battlefield settings, as solders on the ground may have a pressing need for the equipment. 
     Still yet another concern with air dropped cargo is the speed with which cargo can be palletized and/or de-palletized. Presently, it takes a considerable amount of time to properly secure cargo prior to deployment. Likewise, once on the ground, solders must spend valuable time extracting the equipment from the pallet. 
     Thus, there exists a need for a system whereby cargo can be rapidly secured to, or unsecured from, an air dropped pallet. There likewise exists a need for cushioning the impacts associated with landing so as to protect expensive or otherwise valuable equipment. The system disclosed herein is aimed at fulfilling these as well as other needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the advantages of the present system is that air dropped cargo can be more effectively restrained and secured both prior to, during, and after airborne deployment. 
     Another advantage of the present system is that air dropped cargo can be more effectively isolated from the forces associated with landing. 
     Still yet another advantage is that cargo can be quickly palletized and de-palletized to thereby minimize the time required to load and unload cargo. 
     Still yet another advantage is the ability to permit vehicles to be driven onto and off of the pallet to minimize the effort needed to prepare for a mission. 
     Another advantage is achieved by loading the cargo on risers that are designed for durability and reuse. 
     Various embodiments of the invention may have none, some, or all of these advantages. Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, references is now made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the system of the present invention, including left and right side riser platforms. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective front side view of an inflated riser employed in the system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective rear side view of an inflated riser employed in the system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective back side view of a deflated riser employed in the system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective front side view of a deflated riser employed in the system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective overhead view of the system in its deflated state with a vehicle being driven off the risers. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective overhead view of the system with the risers in the elevated orientation. 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the system with the pallet being withdrawn from an aircraft via an extraction chute. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the system with the parachutes fully deployed. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment wherein the risers support the frame of the vehicle instead of the vehicle tires. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment, wherein the risers are used in supporting boxed cargo. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference numerals refer to common elements throughout the several figures of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present disclosure relates to a system for the airborne deployment and delivery of palletized cargo. The system includes a cargo pallet, one or more risers connected to the pallet, and an associated rigging. The risers are used in both stabilizing the cargo and in cushioning the impacts associated with transport and landing. The rigging is used in securing the pallet to one or more parachutes that are deployed as the pallet leaves the aircraft. The various components of the present system, and the manner in which they interrelate, are described in greater detail hereinafter. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the air drop system  20  includes four or more risers  22  that are utilized in securing a multi-wheeled vehicle  24  to an underlying pallet  26 . More specifically, an individual riser  22  is secured to each of the wheels of vehicle  24  (or to other points, such as the frame). In the depicted embodiment, vehicle  24  is a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). Pallet  26 , in turn, is secured to a parachute rigging  28  and parachute  32  (note  FIG. 8 ). Rigging  28  may be interconnected to both an extraction parachute and one or more main parachutes.  FIG. 8  illustrates an extraction chute pulling a palletized vehicle from the back of an aircraft. This arrangement allows the palletized vehicle  24  to be transported and subsequently dropped from the back of an aircraft such as a C-17 Globemaster or C-130 Hercules. As noted in more detail hereinafter, risers  22  are used in both securing vehicle  24  and in providing a pneumatic cushion. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each riser  22  includes upper and lower platforms ( 34  and  36 , respectively) that are separated by one or more pneumatic cushions  38 . Cushions  38  can be air bags or airsprings. By inflating or deflating air bags  38 , risers  22  can be selectively elevated or collapsed. Risers  22  may be embossed with a textured pattern to improve traction. Each lower riser platform  36  includes a rest  40 , which can be made from a rubberized material, that is positioned within each of the four corners. Rests  40  provide clearance between the upper and lower platforms ( 34  and  36 ) when riser  22  is in the collapsed orientation. Upper riser platform  34  may additionally include opposing tire stops  42  for general centering of the vehicle  24  onto the riser. Tire straps are also secured to each of the upper riser platforms  34  (note  FIG. 1 ). The straps include a first strap  44  that is adapted to be secured to the periphery of the tire and a second strap  46  that fits over the face of the tire. The opposing free ends are fastened to the upper platform  34 . Buckles are preferably included to ensure that straps ( 44  and  46 ) can be tightly secured over the tire. By securing each of the four sets of straps to the wheels, vehicle  24  can be securely fastened to riser  22 . Risers  22 , in turn, are affixed to the underlying pallet  26  via bolts or quick release fasteners. The use of quick release fasteners permits the risers  22  to be positioned (or repositioned) upon underlying pallet  26  in variable configurations so that many types of cargo can be supported. Each upper platform  34  may also include an edge  48  along its outwardly facing side (note  FIG. 2 ). A rear edge can optionally be included at the back of each upper riser  34 . Upper and lower platforms ( 34  and  36 , respectively) can be longer to accommodate multi-wheeled vehicles, treaded vehicles, or other land or water born craft. In this case, a series of air bags  38  can be used to support the elongated platforms. 
     In the depicted embodiment, two air bags  38  are secured between each upper and lower platform ( 34  and  36 ). When inflated, air bags serve  38  to separate the upper and lower platforms ( 34  and  36 ) by approximately 10 inches. However, this distance can be increased or decreased depending on factors such as the degree of cushioning needed and the weight of the cargo. Air bags ( 34  and  36 ) provide a pneumatic cushion to the supported cargo. In the preferred embodiment, risers  22  employ commercially available off the shelf air cushions, such as those used in the suspension systems of tractor trailers. Such commercially available suspension systems can cushion the landing of up to 42,000 lbs (21 tons) of equipment. In the event that multiple risers  22  are employed, each of the air bags  38  are interconnected to a source of pressure  52  via tubing in an air circuit  54 . In this regard, each riser  22  includes a quick disconnect port to couple air bags  38  to the common pressure source  52 . This network  54  allows all of the risers  22  to be elevated or collapsed in unison. Pressure source  52  can be a container of pressurized air or an air compressor. Pressure source  52  can be mounted upon pallet  26  ( FIG. 11 ) or it can be external. If pressure source  52  is external, it is removably coupled to network  54  to inflate air bags  38  prior to deployment. In the alternative, if source  52  is mounted on-board pallet  26 , air bags  38  can be inflated after deployment or even after pallet  26  is ejected from the aircraft. 
     Shock absorbers  56  may also be secured between the upper and lower riser platforms ( 34  and  36 ) to reduce vehicle oscillation and to otherwise provide an added degree of stability to risers  22 . Shock absorbers  56  can have a standard pneumatic or hydraulic piston/cylinder construction. Two or more shock absorbers  56  are preferably oriented in a cross wise fashion between the upper and lower platforms ( 34  and  36 ) of a single riser  22 . More specifically, shock absorbers  56  are oriented between the opposing elongated side edges of the upper and lower platforms ( 34  and  36 ) so as to dampen the side to side movement (relative to the length) of the risers. This arrangement minimizes the sidewise movement of the mounted vehicle  24 . 
     Each riser  22  also includes a control panel  58 . Control panel  58  includes a quick disconnect port  60  for coupling air bags  38  to common pressure source  52 . A gauge  62  is also included for showing the overall pressure within air circuit  54  as well as the pressure associated with specific air bags  38 . A regulator valve  66  is used to control the pressure in the air bags  38  as well as the overall height of air bags  38 . Control panel  58  also includes a vent  64  to provide a means of quickly deflating the associated riser(s)  22 . A second quick disconnect, or network quick disconnect, (not shown) is located on the opposite side of the riser for connecting to the other risers during inflation and deflation. Orientation sensors, such as accelerometers or gyroscopes, can also be affixed to pallet  26  to sense the orientation of pallet  26  once on the ground. Depending upon the orientation of pallet  26 , vents  64  associated with each riser  22  can be selectively deflated to keep vehicle level. Namely, if pallet  26  lands in rocky or uneven terrain, the height of risers  22  can be controlled via selective deflation of airbags  38  to prevent vehicle  24  from tipping and/or rolling over. 
     Although the disclosed embodiment has been described in connection with air bags or airsprings, other types of suspension systems can be employed. For instance, instead of pressurized air, bags  38  could be filled with a hydraulic fluid. Suitable hydraulic fluids may provide a greater degree of support over similar pneumatic systems. Furthermore, mechanical springs, such as coil or leaf springs, could also serve as a replacement for a hydraulic or pneumatic suspension system. A scissors-type lifting mechanism can optionally be used as a support mechanism. The number and configuration of risers  22  can be modified depending upon the nature of the cargo being transported. Risers  22  can be also be oriented to support varying parts of the cargo. For example, if the cargo is a vehicle, the vehicle frame can be supported as opposed to the wheels. Still yet other points can be supported for vehicles such as boats or aircraft. Still yet other riser configurations can be established for containers of differing size and shape. In sum, the number and configuration of risers  22  upon platform  26  can be selected to best support to cargo being transported. 
     Vehicle  24  can be driven onto risers  22  by way of hinged ramps. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , these ramps include two pivotally interconnected sections. The first section  68  is designed to lay relatively flat with the associated riser  22  in either the elevated or lowered position. The second section  72  is inclined, with the degree of incline increasing with the riser  22  in the elevated position. The inclined section  72  allows a vehicle to be driven up onto risers when they are in the collapsed orientation. This greatly reduces the time that would otherwise be needed for rigging or de-rigging vehicle  24  onto pallet  26 . Namely, by way of the ramps ( 68  and  72 ), vehicle  24  can be easily driven onto or off of risers  22 . 
     In use, vent  64  is used to evacuate the system pressure via control panel  58 . Evacuating pressure from circuit  52 , in turn, causes each of the four risers  22  to deflate and collapse. Vehicle  24  can then be driven onto risers  22  by way of the ramps ( 68  and  72 ). Straps ( 44  and  46 ) are then secured to each of the four tires. Additional straps can be used to provide a greater degree of support or to secure additional equipment to the pallet. Thereafter, quick disconnect valves  60  via control panel  58  are used to supply pressurized air to each of the air bags  38 . With the bags  38  properly inflated, risers are elevated and vehicle  24  is supported above pallet  26 . Alternatively, air bags  38  can be inflated after pallet  26  is deployed from the aircraft. In the preferred embodiment, vehicle  24  is supported at a height of about 10 inches over pallet  26  with the risers  22  elevated. After pallet  26  is dropped, a parachute  32 , which is secured to the corners of pallet  26  via rigging  28 , is deployed to slow the descent of the palletized vehicle  24 . Upon impact, air bags  38  serve to pneumatically cushion the landing and thereby prevent damage to vehicle  24  and the associated equipment. Because air drop system  20  is designed to be reusable, any of a variety of extraction systems can be employed to recover system  20  after its use. In one non-limiting example, an extraction hoist can be lifted by a balloon to permit system  20  to be recovered by an aircraft. 
     An alternative embodiment  74  is depicted in  FIG. 10 . In this system, risers  22  are spaced inwardly of the tires of the vehicle  24 . In this manner, the risers  22  support the frame of vehicle  24  as opposed to the wheels. This embodiment provides a greater degree of support for the vehicle. Supporting the vehicle frame is also preferable because it reduces the height of the palletized vehicle  24 . In use, vehicle  24  is driven onto pallet  26  and over top of risers  22 . Care must be taken to ensure that deflated risers  22  are properly aligned with the underside of the vehicle chassis. Thereafter, airbags  38  are inflated such that risers  22  come into contact with chassis so as to lift vehicle  24 . This embodiment is advantageous in that it eliminates the need for hinged ramps ( 68 ,  72 ) and also provides a greater degree of stability to vehicle  24 . In still yet another embodiment  76 , shown in  FIG. 11 , the risers are utilized in supporting boxes of cargo instead of a vehicle. 
     Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.