Novel Dynamic Parachute System to Avert Airplane Crashes

This study sought to investigate the viability of a novel dynamic parachute system to avert airplane crashes by correcting translational and rotational movement with controlled reefing of the parachutes.

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A computer simulation was designed in MATLAB using the differential equations governing the 6 degrees of freedom motion of the airplane cabin with the novel dynamic-parachute system. Three proportional derivative controllers (closed-loop control mechanism that employs feedback with continuously modulated control) were incorporated in the design of the parachute system to control the reefing of the parachute, which manipulated the rotational attitudes and minimized accelerations. In trajectory calculations, ODE45 is used (utilizes a Runge Kutta method and performs a numerical integral to solve the EOM).

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The simulation results showed that the dynamic parachute system could achieve safe trajectories with G-forces below 7, landing at safe velocities, and stabilizing the aircraft within 10 seconds. The parachute sizes were also found to be comparable to those of the Orion capsule, and the structural analysis indicated that the system is feasible to develop.

 

When considering a range of aircraft types, initial conditions, atmospheric conditions, and delayed parachute deployments, it appears that a system with the capability to control the inflated diameter of the parachute could potentially be a viable concept for preventing aircraft crashes in the future.