Notes on the Opening Behaviour and the Opening Forces of Parachutes

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary: An approximate theory of parachute opening is suggested. A formula is derived for the critical opening speed (the highest speed at which the canopy develops fully) which indicates variation of the critical speed with fabric porosity, rigging line length and so forth, of the order observed in wind tunnel tests. Assuming a simple form for the air flow about the parachute, a formula is obtained also for the rate of opening of a canopy. This enables an analysis to be made of the motion of a store-parachute system during canopy development. The theory confirms the possibility of a large increase with altitude, found experimentally, in the maximum parachute force on the store.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: