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Parachute Vocabulary
Quick overview of different aspects of a parachute and the correlating vocabulary terms:
| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Canopy | - cloth surface that inflates to a developed aerodynamic shape to provide the lift, drag, and stability needed to meet performance requirements
- can be modified with different geometries
|
| Confluence Point | - point of convergence of all suspension lines of a parachute
|
| Crown Area | - region of the canopy above the major diameter of the inflated shape
|
| Gore | - material of canopy between radials
|
Radials | - provide structural continuity across the canopy from the vent to the suspension lines
- load bearing member
|
| Skirt | - portion extending below the major diameter of the inflated canopy shape to the leading edge of the canopy
|
| Suspension Lines | - length = distance from the canopy skirt to the confluence point
|
| Vent | - small circular opening at the center of the crown or side of parachute
- simplifies fabrication and provides flow-through relief to initial surge of air at start of inflation
- vent porosity plays large role in determining inflation time and structural loads
|
Image from the Advisory Group for Aerospace Research & Development (AGARD).
https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a246343.pdf
Geometries Compared
This section will cover different parachute designs that are relevant to our use case of the Phoenix drogue. Note: there are many other main types of parachutes that are not included here because their use cases were not appropriate for the Phoenix drogue goal.
| Parachute Type | Advantages | Disadvantages | Ranking for Phoenix |
|---|
| Cross | | | |
Disk-band-gap | | | |
| Hemisflo Ribbon | | | |
| Conical Ribbon | | | |
| Guide Surface | | | |
| Ringslot | | | |
| Ballute | | | |
Common Problems and Solutions
Sources