The Research on the Inflation and Trajectory Characteristics of Tandem Compound Parachute System

Abstract

A tandem compound parachute system composed of a rotating parachute and a round parachute is designed. Using fluid-structure interaction method, the inflation process of the parachute system is simulated. The canopy shape change, the time-historical curves of spinning rate and opening load are obtained. The tower test is conducted to verify the simulation results, and the effects of structure parameters on the system performance are analyzed. The trajectory characteristics of the tandem compound parachute-submunition system are simulated by RecurDyn. The results show that the tandem compound parachute system can inflate successfully with the condition of low flow velocity and come to rotate. The tandem compound parachute system can offer steady spinning rate and falling velocity for smart submunition. Decreasing the canopy area of the rotating parachute can increase the decelerating and spinning efficiency of the parachute system, but the canopy with too small area will make the parachute cords twisted.