Engineering Services

ENGINEERING SERVICES

Analysis

Multiple stress and structural simulation capabilities are an integral part of our engineering services.

Parachute Trajectory Modeling and Simulation

Airborne Systems Canada's primary parachute deployment, inflation and trajectory application, Decelerator Dynamics (DCLDYN) has its original algorithm roots dating to the Apollo program. Significant capabilities and validation have been added over the years. Our parachute trajectory simulation includes all of the higher order terms of parachute deployment and inflation including:

Time dependent parachute drag area, including highly nonlinear responses
Parachute mass growth during inflation
High order cargo body aerodynamics
A variant that assesses vehicle reorientation events

Our computer models incorporate a number of variables in order to create the most accurate picture of a product's abilities without the high cost of physical testing. These variables include:

Modeling of aircraft floor for aerial delivery application, including ramp tip-off simulation
Inputs for variable atmospheres, Earth or off-planet
Wind profiles
Temperature/density variations
Ejection seat modeling with crew acceleration exposure computations
Deployment forces such as mortar or tractor rocket
Landing brake parachute modeling for the aircraft
High quality parachute simulation for coupling with a customer vehicle

Development of a trajectory Monte Carlo simulation, implemented as scripts, which provide outer loop execution of the basic DCLDYN application, this capability includes:

Primary model inputs which the user can vary, such as:
       Parachute drag area
       Inflation characteristics
       Vehicle aerodynamics
       Deployment initial conditions such as airspeed and position

Flight atmosphere conditions, such as:
Prevailing winds
Density profile

Finite Element Analysis of Metal Parts

Stress and structural linear and nonlinear analysis of metal parts improve designs, reduce costs and shorten time to market for many of our customers. Airborne Systems Canada's engineers provide quick and accurate linear analysis and a capability for structural optimization in both topology and topography. Airborne Systems Canada has used this analysis to quickly assess potential improvements to baseline designs. These analysis results, further reviewed in product testing, produced significant results in the optimization of the final design solution.

Our expertise also exists in nonlinear analysis of materials and design geometry. Airborne Systems Canada has successfully analyzed load cases with metal parts and their dynamic loading in the parachute deployment train and successfully implemented design changes to compensate for potential load cases.

Fabric Structure and Impact Dynamics Analysis

Airborne Systems Canada 's capabilities in the analysis of fabric structures and impact dynamics are unmatched. Our expertise provides analyses and solutions to large deformations found in both fabric structures and fabric impact dynamics. We are the leader in the analysis of impact dynamics with airbags for landing of aircraft and spacecraft.

In the area of inflated structure design, we have advanced the technique of using quasi-steady results from its Finite Element Analysis (FEA) capability. Our engineers can analyze the steady state loading conditions and analyze and manage the challenges associated with large deformations of structures, such as the transition from constructed to inflated shape of a fabric structure.

Fluid Structure Interaction

Airborne Systems Canada couples Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis to create a Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) analysis capability. Our engineers were the first to use FSI analysis for parachute engineering solutions. The purpose of these simulations is to analyze systems where the loading mechanism and the structural deformation are linked and largely inseparable. The parachute is the perfect example of this application. Airborne Systems Canada provides analysis of the shape of the parachute and its interaction with the flowfield as it varies with flight condition; yet the flight condition is dependent upon the performance and shape of the parachute.

Our work with this analysis includes two primary value-added capabilities:
• The simulation of parachute structures in steady state flight.
• The landing dynamics of spacecraft and other vehicles in a water landing condition.

As part of its engineering solutions, our engineers identify, analyze, and correct random glide flight modes of otherwise non-gliding parachute systems.

In the field of water landing, Airborne Systems Canada provides validation analysis comparing landing simulations to test data and can predict landing loads.

Flotation Stability — A Unique Capability

Airborne Systems Canada's flotation stability analysis is unique in the industry providing automated processing of vehicle buoyancy plane and moment. Our FloatStab analysis allows the rapid analysis of basic vehicle shape and augmented shapes, with deployed flotation or stabilization devices for planned and emergency water landings.

PRINT THIS PAGE