GB2290769A

GB2290769A - Inflatable wing

Info

Publication number: GB2290769A
Application number: GB9413293A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Burton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-07-01
Filing date: 1994-07-01
Publication date: 1996-01-10
Also published as: GB9413293D0

Abstract

A paraglider, kite, or wing, capable of being packed in a bag or rucksack comprises one or more chambers filled with air or gas at a suitable positive pressure compared to the surrounding atmosphere. The wing may comprise both ram air, and gas filled chambers, a portable gas reservoir being provided. The construction employed allegedly gives better aerodynamic characteristics than conventional means and results in improved flying characteristics.

Description

METHOD OF MAKING A PARAGLIDER OR WING This invention relates to the design and manufacture of a pneumatic wing or paraglider.

Paragliders are normally made today of two largely horizontal skins of material joined by a number of vertical webs, with an entry hole for air at the leading edge and another at the rear for the air to exit. The 'tubes' so formed are slightly tapered in shape so that air entering at the leading edge is restricted in flow, thus causing the tube to inflate when the whole canopy is moved forward relative to the surrounding air flow.

The material is cut so that the path for the airflow over the top surface is greater than that over the lower surface, thus causing lift. Typical paragliders of this type have relatively low lift characteristics so that the flyer has limited use depending on the wind speed and ground conditions. For example it is often difficult for him to soar back and forth along a ridge in lower windspeeds and it is virtually impossible for these types of machine to glide 'cross country' from ridge to ridge using thermals as their performance characteristics are inadequate.

This invention provides a means of separating the two surfaces by sealing the chambers and inflating them to an appropriate pressure to improve the lift and performance characteristics. The leading edge may be so formed into a precise pattern to give a much superior aerodynamic shape in this critical part of the wing. By comparison the leading edge of an open chamber inflated by passing air is very unsophisticated and results in excessive drag, turbulence and so poor lift.

The articles that may be made by this method may be any wing, parachute, paraglider or kite.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows top and bottom layers made of flexible non porous material which can be formed in to a series of airtight chambers by such means as gluing, sewing or welding the segments together.

The shape of the panels are carefully chosen to give the required profile of the made up wing. These profiles have a significant effect on the lift and drag that the wing creates and are well known in aerodynamic circles such as for hard wing flying.

The chambers having a valve attached that permits each chamber to be inflated with a simple air pump, probably foot operated.

The valve may be similar to those used on 'Li-Los' where the air may be easily deflated by squeezing the valve, deforming it so that the inside air escapes to atmosphere. Other types of more complex valve that permit easy inflation and deflation may be used, and for flying at significant variations in height it would be preferred to have a valve that automatically balances the pressure in the wing with that in the atmosphere at that height. This would likely lead to a need to refill the wing with pressurised air/gas as the wing descended.

An alternative method of forming the wing is a combination of the usual 'open' chambers coupled with inflated airtight chambers as these may be more cost effective than the earlier method described above.

The wing is attached to a series of lines, which are in turn attached to the support for the flyer, such as a set or sometimes a tube in which the flyer lies in faster craft as this is more comfortable and causes less drag and so better aerodynamic performance.

This invention is based on the discovery that a wing made of a flexible material only, without any wood or metal skeleton to keep the shape necessary for adequate flying performance, may be formed to give excellent flying properties and fun to the user. Moreover embodiments of the wing may be packed in a small bag or rucksack, which may be easily and conveniently carried by one person for use after walking up suitable hills or mountains.

Claims

1. A relatively lightweight wing or paraglider or kite, having one or more inflatable chambers forming the wing, using flexible but collapsible materials.

2. A paraglider whose wing is at least partly formed of closed inflatable chambers.

3. A wing paraglider or kite wherein the aerofoil surface is defined by both positively inflated chambers and open ram chambers.

4. A flying craft a defined in any preceding claim, wherein (a) gases other than air such as helium, are used to fill the positively inflated chamber or chambers, and (b) a gas reservoir is provided for carrying e.g. on the flyers back for reinflating the chambers inflight after they have partly exhausted after a significant ascent.