Currently, when deploying guided parachutes, an educated forecast for wind velocity is input into the guidance software before it is deployed. Since wind velocity is variable during descent, real-time wind velocity data would improve the parachute's accuracy. The team designed a mechanical arm to extend a sensor package into the free stream to measure the wind velocity in real time and transmit the data to the guidance unit. A finite element analysis study was conducted to determine the flow field around a parachute system in order to establish the required length of the arm. The sensor package was comprised of five Kiel probes -- a shrouded variation of pitot probes -- arranged orthogonally to determine wind velocity components. The mechanical arm was actuated by hydraulic pressure.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Corner, Samuel Jamieson
• Wheeler, Nicholas Andrew
• Altman, Joel Benjamin
• Herzberg, Daniel Morgan

Contributors

• Noetscher, Gregory

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042010-185543

Advisor

• Olinger, David J.

Year

• 2010

Sponsor

• United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center

Date created

• 2010-04-20

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Aerospace Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-10-09