Method and device for the connection and linear separation of two elements stuck together
AssigneeArianegroup SAS
InventorsCarole Partenay, Felipe Medina
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a device and a method for the connection and linear separation of two elements, such as the two stages of a spacecraft, consisting in using a tube containing a pyrogenic-type material and a glue arranged around the tube, particularly in contact with the elements. The pyrotechnic triggering of the pyrogenic material causes heating and the melting or carbonisation of the glue and the separation of the two elements.
Claims7
Device for the connection and linear separation of two elements including a first element and a second element linearly connected to one another by connecting means, and having to be securely separated, the separation taking place by warming-up of the connecting means, said warming-up being triggered remotely, the device comprising:
- the connecting means between the first and second elements;
- a pyrogenic material, heat generator, placed close to the connecting means;
- and
- means for remotely pyrotechnically triggering the pyrogenic material, wherein:
- the pyrogenic material is placed in a tube, the tube being placed between the first element and the second element;
- and
- the connecting means are composed of an adhesive placed between the tube and each of the first and second elements, wherein a melting point of the tube is higher than a melting point of the adhesive.
Method for the connection and linear separation of two elements, a first element and a second element intended to be linearly connected to one another temporarily by connecting means, and having to be securely separated, the separation taking place by warming-up of the connecting means, said warming-up being triggered remotely,
- wherein the method comprises the following steps:
- connecting the first element and the second element by adhesive;
- disposing a pyrogenic material, heat generator, in a tube having a melting point higher than a melting point of the adhesive, the tube being placed between the first element and the second element, in the middle of the adhesive, the pyrogenic material being activatable by an electrical control connection;
- and
- pyrotechnically triggering said pyrogenic material in order to cause the rapid warming-up of the adhesive and to obtain the separation of the first and second elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.