Types of Parachutes
In its basic sense, a parachute is neither made for travel and
sports, it was created to increase safety while descending from a certain
altitude. It is a medium to delay the pull of gravity from earth when
deployed form higher altitude.
In short, it makes the dropping of
an item, a person or equipment vertically or diagonally slower by reducing
the amount of dragging force while maintaining a balance so that the item
would remain safe until it reaches the ground. Early physicists have made
use of this principle and newer develops in parachuting technology led to
the creation of various types of parachutes.
Early types of
parachutes
Parasol type - Though not strictly called parachutes, the
parasols were commonly used by performers in China to create a slow
falling effect onstage.
Conical parachute - Possibly the earliest
form of parachute is the conical shaped-parachute which appeared during
1470s in Italy preceding the design conceptualized by Leonardo da Vinci.
As an escape device, this type of parachute was intended to allow people
to get safely on the ground from burning buildings. However, there are no
written records whether this parachute was ever used for that
purpose.
Pyramid Parachute - Another design by Leonardo da Vinci,
this parachute was conceptualized in Milan during the early part of 1480.
It was a canopy that is supported by light wood held by a square bottom
frame.
Pack-style parachute - This is the predecessor of all
parachutes that are stored in casings these days.
Round parachutes
- A basic drag device, round parachute is used in various settings like
medical missions, cargo applications and military operations. While being
described commonly as round in shape, the parachute actually resembles a
dome or a jellyfish. This has been among the most popular type however;
present-day parachutists don't normally use this kind of
parachute.
The earliest round parachutes were circulars with flat
surfaces that made them unstable, thus causing a number of deaths and
injuries on parachutists. To add more stability, military round parachutes
were made parabolic or conical in shape.
There are two types of
round parachutes - steerable and non-steerable. Like ram-air parachutes,
non-steerable parachutes can't be maneuvered to intended direction thus
this type glides only to the direction of the wind lending no control to
the parachutists. However, steering is provided through cutting large
holes in the edges giving relatively partial forward speed.
Square
parachutes - The cruciform design helps reduce oscillation. It is commonly
used today by sport skydivers.
Ram-air parachutes - For better
control of speed and direction, ram-air parachutes allow the canopies to
self-inflate. Like standard paragliders, ram-air parachutes are designed
to hold, spread and lessen the tension of parachute deployment on terminal
velocity.
Ribbon/Ring Parachute - Specifically designed for
supersonic speeds where ordinary parachutes would break down, this type
often has a hole in the middle of the canopy to lessen the pressure as the
parachute reaches the ground.
On some designs, the ring of the
canopy is broken into a number of ribbons that are connected by ropes so
as to allow more air to pass. The leaks in between the ribbons will
diminish the pressure on the parachute so that breaking or shredding of
the canopy is prevented.
These various types of parachutes are made
according to the use they have and some are according to the technology
the inventors had during their time.
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