Parachute release systems

[azgearhed]

What are some options for adding an electric/pneumatic release to an existing manual cable parachute system? Right now I have release levers mounted at about eye level on the drivers right, hanging down from the cage.

[Jessechop]

http://www.jerrybickel.com/parachutes-and-accessories/pneumatic-parachute-release-jbrc5086.html

That allows you to use the handle if needed.

[Stainless1]

Ours is not quite that complicated or expensive... We have an electric release made from a old GM door lock  actuator ($2@PnP).  The cable backup manually pulls the door lock actuator. 
I will always advise that parachutes need to be actuated without removing hands from the wheel.

[Dynoroom]

We too strongly advocate a release system where the hands do not leave the steering wheel. As both my sons were learning to drive our race car and finding the limits of same it saved their bacon twice as the car started to come around but the pucker factor allowed them to release the chute before the car was all the way around thus was pulled straight. Lee Kennedy gave us a yellow spin sticker at Bonneville after one episode and I protested to him "he didn't spin" Lee replied "it was a partial spin".   
Anyway, after seeing how fast things happen at speed you can relate to the length of time it takes to reach for the handle vs. push the button. One other point I'd like to make, as you reach for the parachute release your other hand will also move and it can be extreme in an incident.
JMPOV

The button on the left is the parachute release. The pull in the center is the manual backup.   

[bbarn]

Linear actuator with a pull chain. You can pick up one on Flea-bay for less than $100. If you wire it so that it retracts the lever (puts tension on the chain to activate), you can always activate the chute lever by hand in the event of a failure... (unless you install a push chain!    )

[azgearhed]

Thx-Some good ideas here-the plan IS to mount the control on the steering wheel and I wanted to see what hardware was being used to effect the pulling or pushing action on my existing levers.

[bbarn]

This is pretty close to the ones we use. There is one for controlling the flap angle (it has a potentiometer built in) and the spare we can use for the chute system. While we don't need to log data or know the position of the actuator for chute release, it is nice to use the same in both locations. That way we have a spare mounted in the car at all times.

http://www.pololu.com/product/2304

[Sumner]

This is pretty close to the ones we use. There is one for controlling the flap angle (it has a potentiometer built in) and the spare we can use for the chute system. While we don't need to log data or know the position of the actuator for chute release, it is nice to use the same in both locations. That way we have a spare mounted in the car at all times.

http://www.pololu.com/product/2304

Are you concerned about the speed...

a maximum speed of 0.5 in/s

... using that for the chute deploy?  I'd want something a lot faster, but maybe I misunderstood and you are only using it for the flaps??

Sum

[toclub]

We use a door popper used on street rods. A 40 lb. was required to pull cable. Our mechanical backup is a second chute with lever. At our speeds (270) one chute is NEVER enough in an emergency.

[entropy]

Ours is not quite that complicated or expensive... We have an electric release made from a old GM door lock  actuator ($2@PnP).  The cable backup manually pulls the door lock actuator. 
I will always advise that parachutes need to be actuated without removing hands from the wheel.

During the months of lakester tweaking, Don & I kicked around the idea of a steering wheel mounted, button chute deployment system; priority was "nice to have".

however...

Immediately after our last pass chute deployment at WOS, Stainless gave TFA the advice he stated above and we were in a VERY receptive mood; The priority is now = "have to have"
(HTH did SS get down to the 6? so quickly???)

Thanks to azgearhead for starting this topic, TFA is "all ears"!
Karl

[azgearhed]

I'm working up some concepts in my head to accomplish the button parachute release (is that smoke I smell?) I will post some pictures as it progresses. But first I have to unload the car out of the trailer. I had put the car in the trailer because I was lead to believe there was an lsr event in western Utah later this week. .  And Rob- tell me more about the push chain deal.

[doug]

What about something like this?
http://www.rjracecars.com/Parachute-Air-Release-Kit-209113-Prodview.html

[azgearhed]

That's the direction I was leaning Doug(electric/pneumatic) -but since I don't have an air bottle in the car right now I am pursuing the electric solenoid config for  pushing or pulling on the existing parachute lever. I'll look into the Stainless suggestion of door lock solenoids-see if I can harvest some from the PAP places around here. Any one know what model solenoids would have enough power? I still need to do a pull test with a scale to see whats needed.   

[doug]

Also, does a launcher help in getting the chute out quicker?
http://www.stroudsafety.com/DragChutes.html

[entropy]

Is there a slick way of electrically connecting the steering wheel with the chassis while still allowing the steering wheel to be quickly & completely removed?
Karl