Automatic activation device
An automatic activation device (also automatic activation device (AAD ), automatic opening device (AOD ) or Cypres ) measures the rate of fall of a parachutist and directs the opening of reserve parachute an independently if the Springer exceeds a certain rate of fall below a certain level.
Background and History
Necessary AAD due to numerous accidents. So Springer fainted or injured so badly in freefall by collisions in the air that they could not independently activate the parachute. Even with disorders of the parachute Springer responded incorrectly or forgot while resolve the issue on the main screen to control the height. Utterly failed Springer in its freefall program to activate the main screen. Many jumpers, beginners and experienced, died on impact with the ground, even though they had had a fully functional reserve. The first opening then developed machines were mechanical devices with siphon. Thus, the FXC 1200 and KAP- third However, these were often unreliable and did not solve rarely ever not wrong or. Nevertheless, there was for the then usual mounted on the belly Reserve Canopies early electronic opening devices. For example, the widespread SSE Sentinel. It moved with a pyrotechnic charge the Verschlusspin from the reserve. 1991 revolutionized the Airtec company with an electronic opening devices, the market, which works independently of the normal release system. From 1991 to 2003, preserved only by the Cypres AAD 1000 Springer front usually fatal accidents. This high number is not least due to the rising with the launch of acceptance among parachutists. While before the Cypres few paratroopers had such a system, and today it is the exception that is bound without such a system. The modern electronic opening devices have now, therefore, the purely mechanical systems displaced in the market. This development is partly due to the much higher reliability. Thus, no case is known, for example until today, in which a properly -operated system would not trigger the type Cypres in an emergency.
In Germany the use of an AAD for jump school, tandem jumpers, AFF instructors, Free Flyer and diabetics is mandatory. Also, on many drop zones today opening a machine generally required.
Although Cypres is a brand name, however, has established itself as a generic name for AAD.
Technology
Treated is the technical process of a modern electronic device here. In others, mostly older devices this can vary greatly through the development and technical progress.
The control center is usually a main unit that is invisible installed in the reserve container. The control panel has except for the operation and status message for the actual sequence of events is irrelevant. In the main unit is the pressure sensor. This unit constantly measures while jumping up. By the time variation of the height, the speed of the jumper can be calculated. Reports the system too high a speed under a defined trigger level, so it goes from one emergency from. Further conditions have to be met depending on the manufacturer. Thereafter, the main unit sends an electrical pulse to the cutter, which is actuated by a pyrotechnic squib. This then initiates the opening mechanism of the reserve parachute. The cutter cuts for the closure loop, with the container of the reserve parachute is closed. Thus, a second opening mechanism is provided that can fully operate independently of the normal manual reserve opening system. This offers the advantage that the reserve container can be opened even when jammed and bent wires or pins. The pilot chute for the reserve parachute is then, as he is under pressure of a compressed spring, flung outwards and can unfold.
Airtec Cypres
Cypres is an abbreviation of the first letters of Cybernetic Parachute Release System ( German: cybernetic parachute opening system ). It was 1991, the first electronic opening machine of its kind for reserve parachutes and was developed by the German company Airtec in Bad. Airtec is the market leader with this device. Meanwhile there is the device in the second generation.
There are several variants of the Cypres. Among the four standard versions:
- Cypres "Expert ": Opens the reserve canopy, when the jumper is lower than about 225 m above ground and with more than 35 m / s (126 km / h) falls.
- Cypres "Student ": Opens the reserve parachute if the jump pupils is lower than about 225 m above ground and with more than 35 m / s (126 km / h) falls. In addition, if the jump pupils is lower than about 300 m above ground and between 13 m / s (47 km / h) and 35 m / s falls. Without opening screen so at 225 m above ground, in part or fehlgeöffnetem partially wearing screen at 300 m above ground.
- Cypres "Speed ": Opens the reserve parachute if the jumper between about 225 m and 100 m above ground with more than 43 m / s (155 km / h) falls. This variant is used by jumpers, which briefly reached below 100 m height above ground willed speeds over 43 m / s.
- Cypres "Tandem ": Opens the reserve parachute if the tandem pair is lower than about 580 m above ground and with more than 35 m / s (126 km / h) falls.
The total cost for 12 years of operation of a Cypres 2 are included acquisition and two maintenance every 4 years for about 1400 euros (2006 ).
In addition, there are several special models, for example, opening systems for the military and for satellites.