Inventors:
David A. Lunsford - Hawkinsville GA
Gregory L. Tinney - Warner Robins GA
Charles Madox - Warner Robins GA
Julius K. Blair - Mt. Vernon KY
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air
Force - Washington DC
International Classification:
B64D 112
Abstract:
In order to accurately parachute cargo, a towplate assembly is mounted in the rear bay of a cargo aircraft, the drogue chute is attached to a towlink in the towplate assembly. The main parachutes are also attached to the towlink and the cargo. The drogue chute pulls the main parachutes from the aircraft which causes them to deploy and then pull the cargo from the aircraft. The removal of the towlink from the towplate is controlled by a positive lock device. A forward cam follower, in the locked mode, rests against the forward cam of the towlink. An electrically controlled actuator acting through a forward interlock pushing on an aft interlock being attached to the forward cam follower is biased against a stop by a spring. Undesired movement of the towlink will only force the aft interlock in the direction of further bias. Upon command, the actuator retracts and pulls the forward interlock to release the aft interlock from the stop position.