US 12,735,202 B1 · Passively retracting pneumatic actuator

Abstract

A pneumatic actuator and a vehicle using the pneumatic actuator is provided. The pneumatic actuator may be utilized for separating stages of a vehicle, such as a rocket. The pneumatic actuator includes a pushrod channel having a first gas orifice at a first end and a pushrod slidably received within the pushrod channel. The pushrod defines a receiving space and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The pneumatic actuator further includes a pintle body received within the pushrod channel. The pintle body is arranged in fluid communication with at least the first gas orifice and the receiving space. A gas inlet valve is provided at the first gas orifice and a gas supply is fluidly coupled with the gas inlet valve. Gas is supplied to the pushrod channel via the first gas orifice according to a timed pneumatic circuit.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A pneumatic actuator configured to deploy during a separation process of a vehicle, the pneumatic actuator defining an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction, the pneumatic actuator comprising:

a housing defining a pushrod channel, the housing comprising a first gas orifice at a first end, the first gas orifice being defined through a sidewall of the housing;
a pushrod slidably received within the pushrod channel between a retracted position and an extended position, the pushrod defining a receiving space;
a pintle body received within the pushrod channel, the pintle body being in fluid communication with at least the first gas orifice and the receiving space, wherein the pintle body is fixed to the housing and the first gas orifice is spaced apart from the pintle body;
a gas inlet valve provided at the first gas orifice;
and
a gas supply fluidly coupled with the gas inlet valve, the gas supply configured to supply a gas to the pushrod channel according to a timed pneumatic circuit.

3 more elements

A vehicle comprising:

a first stage, the first stage having a propulsion source and a fuel source;
a second stage operably coupled to the first stage, the second stage being configured to separate from the first stage;
and
a pneumatic actuator coupled to the first stage, the pneumatic actuator configured to selectively push the second stage away from the first stage, wherein the pneumatic actuator comprises:
a housing defining a pushrod channel, the housing comprising a first gas orifice at a first end;
a pushrod slidably received within the pushrod channel between a retracted position and an extended position, the pushrod defining a receiving space;
a pintle body received within the pushrod channel, the pintle body being in fluid communication with at least the first gas orifice and the receiving space, wherein the pushrod separates from the pintle body when the pushrod is moved to the extended position;
a gas inlet valve provided at the first gas orifice;
and
a gas supply fluidly coupled with the gas inlet valve, the gas supply configured to supply a gas to the pushrod channel according to a timed pneumatic circuit.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Passively retracting pneumatic actuator

Life of this patent

Passively retracting pneumatic actuator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20