Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – Spacecraft formation – orbit – or interplanetary path
Patent
1999-07-16
2000-09-19
Barefoot, Galen L.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
Spacecraft formation, orbit, or interplanetary path
B64G 144
Patent
active
061199842
ABSTRACT:
A pin puller combines a metal alloy actuator with an anti-friction release mechanism, according to a bilaterally symmetric geometry. The actuator operates based on a metal alloy that has a relatively low melting temperature. The anti-friction tension release mechanism ensures that only negligible friction forces need to be overcome to operate the tension release mechanism. Thus, the metal alloy actuator is isolated from the large tension force that bears on the tension release mechanism. The bilateral symmetric aspect of the structure provides for mechanical redundancy, so that, in the event that one half of the pin puller fails, it is sufficient that the other half operate properly for the tension to be successfully released. This pin puller avoids premature release because it is not susceptible to static electricity, electromagnetic radiation, or high ambient temperatures. The melting point of the metal alloy in the actuator is arbitrarily selectable so as to be higher than the highest foreseeable ambient temperature. The pin puller also avoids generation of large shock waves due to its slow speed of operation and because of the gradual release interaction of mechanical parts within the anti-friction release mechanism.
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Nygren 29.sup.th Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium May 1995 "Development of a High Force Thermal Latch".
Barefoot Galen L.
Swales Aerospace
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