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AssigneeEads Launch Vehicles
InventorPatrick Comtesse
Estimating the term…
A temporary connection and pyrotechnic separation device (10) normally connects two elements (12, 14). This device comprises a connecting part (18), of which a bottom portion (38) is fixed to one (12) of the elements. Active portions (40) of the connecting part (18) cover a space (20) in which there is pyrotechnic expansion tube (16). The active portions are deformable and comprise hook-shaped ends (50) that fit into a notch (36) formed in the second element (14), so that normally there is a pressure connection between the two elements. The effect of firing is to deform the active parts and consequently break this pressure connection.
Temporary connection and pyrotechnic separation device, comprising a pyrotechnic expansion tube (16) fitted in a space (20) formed in a connecting area between two elements (12, 14) to be separated, the said space (20) being delimited partly by a connecting part (18) fixed to a first (12) of the said elements, the said connecting part (18) normally forming a pressure connection between the said elements and capable of deforming during use of the pyrotechnic expansion tube (16) to release the said pressure connection, characterized in that the connecting part (18) comprises a bottom portion (38) fixed onto a face (22) of the first element (12) and at least one active portion (40), the end (50) of which can hold a heel of the second element (14) bearing on a complementary impression (24) formed on the first element (12), to form the said pressure connection, the said space (20) being formed in the first element (12) or in the heel (32) of the second element (14) and opening up onto the face of the active portion (40) of the connecting part (18) between the bottom portion (38) and the end (50).
Device according to any one of the previous claims, in which the two elements (12, 14) are annular and are placed end to end, and the connecting part (18) surrounds their junction area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
No related US applications are recorded in the indexed filing history.
Backward citations are indexed for grants only.
Means for interconnecting rocket-motor and body section; Multi-stage connectors; Disconnecting means: ring-shaped explosive elements for the…
Explosive charges
Term end not estimated
1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a device capable of making a temporary connection between two elements and using a pyrotechnic expansion tube to separate these elements, without the need to break any of the parts.
In particular, this type of device may be used in the aeronautical and space industries to control separation of two structural elements in a very short time, transmitting high forces between these two elements if necessary before the break is made.
We will now describe a preferred embodiment of the invention as an illustrative example that is in no way limitative, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a device according to the invention before the two elements are assembled,
FIG. 2 is a view comparable to FIG. 1 that shows the assembled device, and
FIGS. 1 to 3 show a preferred embodiment of a temporary connection and pyrotechnic separation device 10 placed between a first element 12 and a second element 14.
The first element 12 and the second element 14 are advantageously formed like two annular elements with approximately the same diameter, or by two panels with an arbitrary shape. In both cases, elements 12 to 14 are designed to be assembled end to end.
The device 10 according to the invention is located in the connecting area between the two elements 12 and 14. It comprises mainly a pyrotechnic expansion tube 16 with a conventional design and a connecting part 18.