# US 2021/0276739 A1 · Connection device with separation controlled by non-pyrotechnic thermal effect with reduced reaction time

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- Number: US 2021/0276739 A1
- Document ID: US20210276739A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/330,583
- Filed: 2017-09-14
- Published: 2021-09-09
- Earliest claimed: 2016-09-14
- Assignees: Arianegroup SAS
- Applicants: Arianegroup SAS
- Inventors: Thierry ABENSUR
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210276739A1

## CPC

- B64G 1/42: Arrangements or adaptations of power supply systems
- B64G 1/6455: {Pyrotechnics; Using heat}
- B64G: COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR

## Abstract

In order to provide a temporary connection between two structure elements, such as two parts of a space launcher or of another type of spacecraft or aircraft, a connection device with controlled separation comprises a thermally breakable layer, two thermal containment layers, between which the thermally breakable layer is arranged, and an electrically conductive element arranged between the two thermal containment layers in such a way as to heat the thermally breakable layer using the Joule effect when an electric current passes through the electrically conductive element.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A controlled-separation connection device (16; 16′), comprising a thermally frangible layer (32; 32′), two thermal confinement layers (30A, 30B; 30A′, 30B′) between which the thermally frangible layer is arranged, and an electrically conductive element (34) arranged between the two thermal confinement layers so as to heat the thermally frangible layer by Joule effect when the electrically conductive element carries an electric current.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The controlled-separation connection device according to claim 1, wherein the thermally frangible layer (32) is a thin layer made of a first material having a melting point lower than a melting point of a second material in which the electrically conductive element (34) is provided.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The controlled-separation connection device according to claim 2, wherein the electrically conductive element (34) is a thin layer of the second material interposed between the thermally frangible layer (32; 32′) and one of the two thermal confinement layers (30B; 30B′).

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The controlled-separation connection device according to claim 2, wherein the first material is a metal alloy.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The controlled-separation connection device according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive element (34) is in linear or surface contact with the thermally frangible layer (32; 32′).

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

An assembly (10, 70) of two structural elements (12, 14; 72, 74) temporarily connected by means of a controlled-separation connection device or a set of controlled-separation connection devices (16; 16′) according to claim 1, one of the two thermal confinement layers (30A; 30A′) of which is attached to one of the two structural elements (12; 72), while the other thermal confinement layer (30B; 30B′) is attached to the other structural element (14; 74).

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the controlled-separation connection device or the set of controlled-separation connection devices (16; 16′) extends around one of the two structural elements (12; 72) and is surrounded by the other structural element (14; 74).

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the two structural elements (12, 14) are two stages of a space launch vehicle, or the two structural elements are respectively the upper part of a space launch vehicle and its fairing, or the upper part of a space launch vehicle and a payload bearing structure, or a payload bearing structure and a payload.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the two structural elements (72, 74) are two parts of a fastening screw.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The assembly according to claim 6, comprising an electrical power supply (36) and controlled means (37) for closing an electrical circuit including the electrical power supply and the electrically conductive element (34) of the or each controlled-separation connection device (16; 16′).