WIND TUNNEL STUDY OF PARACHUTE CLUSTERING

Abstract

Four types of parachute canopies were tested in a 12-foot vertical wind tunnel at a velocity of approximately 100 fps to determine the static stability and drag characteristics of multiple canopies in various clustered arrangements under captive and equilibrium test conditions. Solid Flat Circular, Extended Skirt, Ringslot, and Circular Flat Ribbon were the types of canopy tested. Canopies of each type were tested individually and in clusters ranging from two to seven canopies per cluster. A special two-component balance was fabricated to measure the pitching moment and tangential force over an angle-of attack range of =25 degrees. The effects of riser length, angle-of-attack, reefing ratio, and the number of canopies in a cluster on the tan gential force and static stability are discussed. Also, the characteristics peculiar solid type of canopies (Solid Flat Circular and Ex tended Skirt) and to the ribbon type of canopies (Ringslot and Circular Flat Ribbon) are noted.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1963
Accession Number
AD0402777

Entities

People

  • J. F. Braun
  • W. B. Walcott

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Cameras
  • Data Reduction
  • Dynamic Pressure
  • Fabrication
  • Gages
  • Length
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Equipment
  • Photographs
  • Pressure Measurement
  • Strain Gages
  • Transducers
  • Wind Tunnel Nozzles
  • Wind Tunnel Tests
  • Wind Tunnels

Readers

  • Aerial Delivery - Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.