Aeronautics and astronautics – Safety lowering devices
Patent
1996-10-29
1998-10-06
Mojica, Virna Lissi
Aeronautics and astronautics
Safety lowering devices
2441373, B64D 114, B64D 1722
Patent
active
058165363
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a protective device intended for integral attachment to a load on a parachute with a view to protecting the said load when it lands.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Numerous scientific missions, which are aimed particularly at exploration of the upper layers of the atmosphere or at astronomy, are currently carried out using nacelles fitted with specific scientific equipment, the ascent of which to very high altitudes is achieved by means of a space balloon and the return of which to the ground takes place on a parachute.
One of the requirements imposed by this type of mission lies in the need to protect the nacelles, and the often fragile equipment they are carrying, on landing. At the present time, this protection is generally achieved by providing the nacelles with a framework having four feet each constituted by a shock-absorbing stud and intended to partially absorb the impact on landing.
This solution proves reliable in the case of nacelles which are not very fragile and under favourable landing conditions (little wind at ground level and gently sloping terrain). When, on the other hand, one or more of these parameters proves unfavourable, it often happens that the shock-absorbing studs shear off and/or that the nacelle overturns, the result being in each case damage, which is often major, to the nacelle and to the equipment carried.
The present invention aims at alleviating these drawbacks and has, as its essential object, the provision of a device ensuring the effective protection, on landing, of a load on a parachute.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
To this end, the invention relates to a protective device comprising: way as to form an inverted cupola of which the said base constitutes the bottom, in such a way as to support the said stud and is linked to the shield by means of cables of high tensile strength which are distributed uniformly around the axis of the said shield and are adapted to keep the central shock-absorbing stud gripped between the base and the protective shield.
(It should be noted that the term "inverted cupola" is intended to define a shield having the shape, either of a cupola or of a flattened truncated cone, or any intermediate shape between these two extremes.)
This protective device therefore comprises, in the first place, a shield forming, at the base of the load, an inverted cupola which permits the whole unit, by elevation of its centre of gravity when it rocks, to rock without overturning on landing, before it returns to a position of vertical balance under the effect of its weight.
This shield therefore makes it possible to appreciably reduce the risk of overturning of the load when landing on sloping terrain or when the wind conditions are unfavourable.
The protective device comprises, in addition, a protective shield for the central shock-absorbing stud that constitutes, with the associated cables, a "bellows" permitting the said stud to be crushed freely while at the same time limiting its horizontal displacements in an optimum manner, thus ensuring the protection of the said stud against any risk of shearing-off on impact with the ground.
This protective shield therefore makes it possible to guarantee the shock-absorbing function devolving upon the central stud, thus protecting the load against excessively high decelerations.
Furthermore, this protective shield also performs the role of a skid for sliding on earthy or grassy ground, thus minimising the risk of the load overturning.
Compared with known devices, a protective device of this kind therefore makes it possible to appreciably reduce the risk of damage to loads when they land.
According to another feature of the invention, the protective device comprises secondary shock-absorbing studs distributed underneath the shield in the intermediate portions of the latter's width.
Studs of this kind have the double function of absorbing the impact when the load rocks and of avoiding direct contact between the edges of the base and the ground.
Moreover, the protective shield advant
REFERENCES:
patent: 2944771 (1960-07-01), Bush
patent: 2952336 (1960-09-01), Cushman
patent: 3117606 (1964-01-01), Hastings
patent: 3117752 (1964-01-01), Gillmore
patent: 5039036 (1991-08-01), Rogers
Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (C.N.E.S.)
Dutton, Jr. Harold H.
Mojica Virna Lissi
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