GB855977A - Improvements in or relating to parachutes - Google Patents

Abstract

855,977. Parachutes. HELIPARA G.m.b.H. July 4, 1958 [July 6, 1957; Nov. 28, 1957], No. 21424/58. Class 4. A parachute comprises two part spherical canopies 1, 2 of different radii joined together in an air tight manner at their peripheries 1<SP>1</SP>, 2<SP>1</SP>, the lower canopy having a plurality of air inlets 3, and the upper canopy having a single air vent the area of which is larger than the area of any air inlet of the lower canopy. Each air inlet 3 comprises a fabric or plastic member 10 composed of a convergent portion 10<SP>11</SP> and a cylindrical portion 10<SP>1</SP>. These inlets may be located irregularly in the canopy, being more numerous towards the crown. The single vent 4 in canopy 1 is defined by a ring 6 having guide members 6<SP>1</SP> co-operating with a core 5 movable axially by a line 7, to vary the free area of the vent and control the rate of descent. The vertical intercept between the crowns of the two canopies-is preferably one sixth of the diameter of the parachute. Development of the parachute is accelerated by a spring wire 13 located in the seam 12 formed by the peripheries 11, 21. Alternatively, a flexible hose may be located in the seam, and inflated from a compressed air source in the parachute pack (not shown) through a hose 13<SP>1</SP>, or a pressure source 14<SP>1</SP> on the canopy may be used. Further, hoses running radially on the upper canopy 1 may also be inflated. Means, not described, may be provided for automatically adjusting the area of vent 4 in accordance with the rate of fall.