Canopy loading system for ram air parachutes
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 503,883, filed June 10, 1983, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 815,789, filed Jan. 3, 1986, both now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to forward gliding ram-air inflated canopy parachutes of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,789 to Snyder, and more particularly to a load distributing system for the canopy of such parachutes. 
     Ram air inflated parachutes of the foregoing type have an airfoil-shaped canopy, the foward glide and load carrying characteristics of which depend on the maintenance of a relatively high lift/drag ratio which is adversely affected by distortion of the outer canopy surfaces from the ideal airfoil curvatures and by the drag of the load lines through which the payload is suspended from the canopy. From experience, a canopy of a given size has been provided with an optimum number of load lines attached to the canopy at chordwise spaced load points designed to establish inflated canopy surfaces with acceptable distortion from the ideal airfoil lift curvature. Although less distortion from the ideal airfoil surface occurs with the use of more load lines, the drag is also increased so that some compromise is necessary. 
     It has also been found advisable to locate the chordwise spaced load point attachments of the load lines to the bottom surface of the canopy along the ribs which internally separate the canopy inflating air cells. Such air cells extend chordwise from the open intake at the leading edge of the canopy to the trailing edge. Thus, distortion from the ideal airfoil surface will occur along those ribs at which the load points are located. To minimize the number of load lines utilized and the drag associated therewith, heretofore some of the rib locations on the bottom canopy surface are free of load point attachments. In this manner, a predetermined lift/drag ratio is achieved for the desired forward glide characteristic of any given size canopy and associated payload capacity. 
     It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide a ram-air inflated, forward glide parachute having an unexpectedly large payload capacity. 
     Another object in accordance the foregoing object is to provide the ram air inflated parachute with an improved airfoil lift surface so as to maintain forward glide characteristics for larger payloads. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a ram air inflated parachute with more than what was heretofore believed to be an optimum number of load lines in order to more reliably suspend heavier payloads. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, canopy loading of a ram air inflated parachute of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,789, aforementioned, is applied to all of the air cell dividing ribs including the outer ribs or side panels of the canopy. Although the number of load suspension lines is thereby increased, such increase is minimized by use of a load distributing system through which loading is more evenly distributed amongst chordwise spaced load point attachments to the bottom surface of the canopy aligned along each of the ribs. Such distribution of loading is preferably limited to canopies designed with an even number of ribs or an odd number of air cells. 
     The load distribution system includes a first set of flexible force transmitting suspension branch lines secured at their upper ends directly to the canopy by each of the aforementioned load point attachments. Adjacent pairs of these branch lines, spaced chordwise according to one embodiment, are secured to each other at their lower ends by branch junctions spaced a predetermined distance below the inflated canopy. A second set of force-transmitting, suspension branch lines are secured at their upper ends of the aforementioned junctions. Adjacent pairs of spanwise spaced branch lines of the second set are interconnected at their lower ends to primary load lines by junctions spaced further below the canopy according to said one embodiment. The primary load lines are connected as usual by a pair of risers to the payload harness. 
     As a result of the foregoing load distributing arrangement, each load line is connected to at least four canopy load point attachments. The chordwise spacing between such attachments and their locations along all of the ribs accounts for less deviation from the ideal chordwise airfoil curvature because of less load per canopy attachment to effect an aerodynamic improvement. A wider spanwise dimension for the canopy when inflated is achieved because of less spanwise distortion as a result of closer spanwise spacing of the canopy attachment points. The spanwise wider inflated canopy and the increased number of load lines provides a larger payload capacity. Forward glide at the glide lift/drag ratio despite the increased drag of more load lines should be maintained because of the improved aerodynamics of a canopy surface. 
     These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ram air inflated forward glide parachute embodying the canopy load distribution system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the parachute shown in FIG. 1 in an inflated airborne condition. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial side sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 3--3 in FIG. 2. 
     FIG. 4 is a partial rear elevelational view of the parachute shown in FIGS. 1-3. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, a ram air inflated, airfoil gliding type of parachute is shown, generally denoted by reference numeral 10. The parachute includes a flexible canopy 12 that is airfoil shaped when inflated. A payload 14 is shown suspended from the fully inflated canopy in FIG. 1 by a plurality of load suspension lines 16 connected through a pair of spanwise spaced risers 18 to the payload harness 20. 
     The canopy 12 includes a top panel surface portion 22 and a bottom panel surface portion 24 interconnected by a plurality of spanwise spaced ribs 26 which separate a plurality of air cells 28. The air cells extend chordwise of the canopy from an air intake opening at the leading edge portion 30 of the canopy to a trailing edge 32 through which the canopy is exclusively inflated by ram air pressure as shown. At opposite spanwise end portions of the trailing edge, an array of connecting lines 34 connect the trailing edge to a pair of aerodynamic steering control lines 36. 
     The foregoing parachute 10 is generally well known, including its construction and operation. However, in accordance with the present invention, primary load suspension lines 16 are operatively connected to the canopy 12 by a load distributing system generally referred to by reference numeral 38 through which the canopy in its fully inflated airborne condition is loaded at a plurality of spaced load points on the bottom surface portion 24 along all of the ribs to establish the curvatures for the upper and lower surface portions 22 and 24 as shown. The load distributing system is preferably limited to a canopy having an even number of ribs 26 or an odd number air cells in order to more evenly distribute the payload loading along all ribs. 
     The load distributing system includes canopy load attachment means 40 of conventional or suitable form at each of the load points on the bottom portion of the canopy through which a plurality of flexible suspension branch lines 42 are directly connected to the canopy. Pairs of adjacent, chordwise-spaced upper branch lines 42 are interconnected by upper branch junctions 44 spaced a predetermined distance below the airborne canopy. A second set of suspension branch lines 46 are provided, and adjacent, spanwise spaced pairs of such intermediate branch lines 46 are interconnected directly with the primary load suspension lines 16 by junctions 48 at locations spaced below the junctions 44 in the illustrated embodiment. The junctions 44 and 48 are formed by Nylon thread, for example. The branch lines 46 thus transmit loading between the primary load lines 16 and the junctions 44 to spanwise spaced locations on the canopy. The branch lines 42 and 46 may be made somewhat lighter than the load lines 16 since the load per branch line is reduced. 
     It will be apparent from the foregoing description that each load line 16 is connected by the load distribution system 38 to at least four load points by attachment means 40 on the canopy, thereby minimizing the increase in number of suspension lines to a value less than the increase in number of load points resulting from the loading of the canopy along all of the ribs. Nevertheless, an even distribution of loading amongst the increased number of load points on the canopy is achieved so as to reduce deviations of the canopy surface from the ideal chordwise airfoil curvature and also widen the spanwise width of the inflated canopy by reduced spanwise deviation. In view of such airfoil surface improvement and increase in spanwise width, the load capacity of a parachute 10 of a given dimension is increased above the heretofore expected amount. It is also believed that despite the increase in the number of load suspension lines associated with parachute 10 and the accompanied increased drag, as compared to parachutes of the same general type and dimension, the same lift/drag ratio is obtained because of the improved airfoil surface condition. Also, with the increased number of load lines, the load per line directly attached to the canopy is reduced so that cross-sectionally smaller lines may be utilized to minimize drag. 
     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.