Abstract:
A tow plate for retaining and releasing an extractable unit from an aerospace vehicle including a base plate, an actuating assembly and a retaining assembly. The actuating assembly and the retaining assembly releasably hold a load transmission unit attached to the tow plate. The actuating assembly includes a movable locking element. The load transmission unit can be detached from the tow plate when the locking element has been moved to a releasing position. The retaining assembly includes at least one load sensor for measuring load acting on the load transmission unit. The tow plate includes a central data processing unit to move the at least one locking element from the retaining position to the releasing position when the load acting on the load transmission unit measured by the load sensor exceeds a predetermined value. Further, a load extraction system and a method for releasing a load transmission unit are described.
Abstract:
In the field of devices for airdropping a load from a flying vehicle, there is provided a device for securing/releasing a first member (65) able to support a load of more than 20 kg, and a second member able to support this first member and the load, this second member including, on the one hand, a support (1) onto which are secured first elements including a sensor (26), for example of an altimeter or chronobarometric type, able to trigger, during the flight, the release of the first and second members upon exceeding a threshold or receiving an exterior signal, where the second member includes a hook (3) in two parts, one of which is movable (14) between an operative position and an inoperative position, and elements (7, 8, 25, 71, 76) for locking and unlocking the movable part of the hook in its operative position.
Abstract:
Device for engaging and ejecting a load suspended below an aircraft, comprising at least two ejection pistons (4, 5) which are connected, on the one hand, to the load to be engaged/ejected and, on the other hand, to a control circuit (1) which comprises a pneumatic circuit (2, 3, 8), further comprising for supplying each ejection piston (4, 5) a hydraulic circuit (6, 7, 41, 51) which is interposed between the pneumatic circuit and the ejection pistons (4, 5).
Abstract:
A payload cut-down mechanism having a pathway member having a first end and a second end attached to a balloon envelope, a line extending within the pathway member having first and second ends extending from the pathway member, where the first end of the line is releasably secured to a first actuated release mechanism attached to a payload, and a second end of the line releasably secured to a second actuated release mechanism attached to the payload, and wherein at least one of the first and second actuated release mechanisms are operable, upon receiving a signal, to release the first or second end of the line from one of the actuated release mechanisms and cause the payload to separate from the payload.
Abstract:
An aerial delivery system is configured to allow delivery of one or more releasable items after the system is extracted from an aircraft. One or more linear guidance devices and releasable securing mechanisms allow the aerial delivery system to deploy one or more releasable items at an appropriate time. The releasable securing mechanisms may utilize one or more rotatable latch plates. The one or more releasable items may be deployed simultaneously, or in a staged or staggered fashion. Through use of drag or lift-producing devices, the system may be recovered and reused. The attitude and/or azimuth orientation of the system may be varied prior to, during, and/or after release of a releasable item.
Abstract:
A method of releasing cargo suspended from at least one cargo hook release pendant in a suspension system coupled to a cargo hook release system includes receiving a voltage release signal at a cargo hook control interface and a cargo release harness assembly; receiving an energizing voltage signal at the cargo release harness assembly; energizing a relay in response to receiving the energizing voltage signal, the relay being electrically coupled to the cargo release harness assembly; automatically transmitting the voltage release signal from the cargo release harness assembly to at least one cargo hook release pendant in response to energizing the relay; and automatically releasing the cargo from at least one cargo hook release pendant in response to automatically transmitting the voltage release signal. Also, the cargo hook release system includes the cargo hook control interface, the cargo release harness assembly, and at least one cargo hook release pendant.
Abstract:
A pneumatic deployment device (“PDD”) assists in ejecting containerized cargo bundles from a cargo aircraft during an airdrop. The PDD includes a first structure affixed to the aircraft and a second moveable structure, and which is positioned against a cargo bundle, referred to as a CDS bundle. Typically, a series of CDS bundles are positioned along a line in the cargo hold of the aircraft. A pressurized tank provides compress gas to an airbag that is positioned between the first structure and the second structure. Upon reaching the drop location, the gas is release from the tank to the airbag via a hose, inflating the airbag. The airbag pushes the second structure against the CDS bundle, so that the cargo bundles are ejected faster from the aircraft than would otherwise occur.
Abstract:
An aerial fire suppressant delivery system uses an outer box or like structure and an inner liner. The inner liner may be a polyurethane bladder with two or more plastic straps RF welded to the polyurethane bladder. The two or more plastic straps are attached both to the bottom surface of the bladder and to the top of the outer box, which is not attached to the sides of the outer box. A fixed or rotary wing aircraft drops the container filled with fire suppressant material. As the container falls, the top of the box flies from the sides of box and the top pulls against the straps. Because the straps are attached to the bladder by RF welding, the straps tear the bladder at their attachments and cause the bladder and container to release the fire suppressant material into the air over the target.
Abstract:
Under-wing pylon for an aircraft which has on the upper side a pin (2) for attaching to the fuselage or to the wings of the aircraft itself, and a connector (3) for connecting the pylon to the aircraft. The pylon has a monolithic framework made with stratified unidirectional and/or woven carbon fibres, impregnated with epoxy resin.
Abstract:
A deployment system includes a spring-driven linkage for deploying one or more kicker feet, to push a device to be deployed away from the deployment system. The kicker feet may include fore and aft kicker feet that push the deployed device to obtain a desire pitch in the launch, an example being a minimal or substantially zero pitch. The release of the kicker feet may be controlled by a pair of actuator, such as electrical solenoid actuators, both of which must be actuated to deploy the device. An electrical connection may allow positional float to account for tolerances in the positioning of the device relative to the deployment system.