SOFT LANDINGS SYSTEM FOR A LOAD IN FREE FALL, IN PARTICULAR FOR A VEHICLE, SUCH AS A PILOTED VEHICLE WITHOUT A DRIVER ON BOARD

摘要

A soft landing system (10) includes an air cushion structure (12) includes a housing portion (14), adapted to house a load (V); a support portion (15), connected to the housing portion (14) and inflatable with fluid under pressure. Tubular elements (16; 116) are adapted to be inflated, thus taking an outstretched configuration in which the tubular elements (16; 116) support the housing portion (14). A breather apparatus (17) is adapted to gradually deflate the tubular elements (16; 116) when the structure 812) is free falling integrally with the load (V) and the support portion (15) hits the ground.

主权项

1. Soft landing system including a load suited to be launched in free fall and an air cushion structure comprising:
a housing portion, adapted to house said load; a support portion, connected to the housing portion and inflatable with fluid under pressure; said support portion comprising a plurality of tubular elements adapted to be inflated, thus taking an outstretched configuration in which the tubular elements support said housing portion; and a breather apparatus, adapted to gradually deflate said tubular elements when said structure is free falling integrally with said load and said support portion hits the ground; a releasable fixing device, adapted to hold said load in position on said housing portion and able to be remotely disabled in a controlled manner, thus releasing said load from the housing portion; said load being an unmanned ground vehicle or UGV.