| 摘要 |
A gliding decelerator and an assembly for use therein for improving the lift to drag ratio associated therewith. In a preferred embodiment, the gliding decelerator includes a ram-air canopy shaped to include a plurality of half-cells, each half-cell having an open leading end and a closed tailing end. Inflatable bladders are secured within the respective half-cells of the canopy, the inflatable bladders being appropriately dimensioned so that, when inflated soon after the canopy has been opened, each bladder fills its respective half-cell in such a way as to stiffen the half-cell both along its length and at its open leading end. The inflatable bladders may be inflated simultaneously or in stages, the inflation means comprising a gas source, a flexible manifold connecting the gas source to the half-cells and valve means for controlling the output of the gas source. Control of the valve means may be automatic, e.g., a timer, a remote control unit, or may be controlled by a parachutist, e.g., completion of an electric circuit. The inflation means may be mounted within the wing-shaped canopy or may be externally mounted.
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