Three-dimensional measurements of aerodynamic characteristics of paraglider canopy cells

The aerodynamic characteristics of paraglider canopy cells were examined using an inflatable cell model with rigid ribs, which was proposed in our previous paper. The model is constructed by rapping the side edges of an appropriately shaped thin vinyl sheet along the perimeter of two parallel airfoil-shaped rigid ribs, and the wind tunnel experiment utilizing it represents a cell of an infinite array of identical cells placed in a uniform stream. The three-dimensional, inflated surface profile and surface pressure distribution of an inflatable cell model with a large air-intake opening were measured to characterize aerodynamic characteristics due to the inflation of upper and lower surfaces. The underlying physics were also explored in detail.