GB593381A - Apparatus for testing parachutes - Google Patents

Abstract

593,381. Testing parachutes. CLEVELAND, F. J. (Pioneer Parachute Co., Inc.). May 29, 1945. No. 13484. [Class 4] Apparatus for testing parachutes comprises means. whereby the parachute can be swung in a circular path at high velocity to simulate operating conditions. A vertical shaft 6 is mounted at the top of a tower 2 and is driven through gearing 8, shaft 10 and clutch 14 by an engine 12 on the ground. An arm 16 is hinged to the shaft 6 and its outer end is connected by a cable 26 to a slidable counterweight 30. The parachute pack 36 to be tested is supported by a plate 34 connected by wires 18, 20 to the end of the arm 16. The weight and characteristics of plate 34 are arranged to correspond with those of the load to be supported by the parachute when in use. The rip cord of the parachute is attached to a control line 44 passing through the centre of shaft 6 and extending to a point near the engine 12 so that it may be pulled by the operator. The line 44 is normally maintained inoperative by a spring attached to the wire 18. A motion picture camera 43 is resiliently mounted on the wire 18 and is focused on the pack 36. The mounting includes a rod 46 pivoted to the wire 18 and slidable in a collar fixed to the wire 20 so that relative movement. of the wires may take place without affecting the focusing of the camera. The operating lever of the camera is connected to the line 44 by an elastic cable. When at rest, the wires and parachute pack hang downwardly in the dotted line position and the arm 16 is held in a raised position by the weight 30 to prevent the pack dragging on the ground. To test the parachute, the the operator engages the clutch 14 by means of a lever 64 and the arm and wires then extend to the full line position under the action of centrifugal force acting on the plate 34 and pack 36. When the desired velocity is attained, the control line 44 is pulled to first operate camera 43 and then release the parachute. At the same time the clutch 14 is disengaged so that the apparatus slows down under the action of the open parachute. In a modification, Fig. 5 (not shown), the supporting plate for the pack is detachably connected to suspension wires 118, 120 and may be. released by pulling a control line 144 to allow the pack and plate to fly off at a tangent. The release of the plate operates the rip cord of the parachute.