Controlled actuator
AssigneeFXC Corporation
InventorsFrancois X. Chevrier, Leon Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compact aneroid actuated explosive initiator for releasing a parachute upon descent to a predetermined altitude includes a firing pin releasably restrained by a rotatable sear that is urged toward release position. Cocking is achieved by compressing a driving spring without moving the firing pin, but concomitantly releasing a first restraint upon release of the sear. A second restraint upon release of the sear is provided by trigger levers under control of an aneroid barometer whereby the sear can be released and the firing pin driven by the firing spring only after cocking has been accomplished and a selected barometric condition exists.
Claims7
An actuator comprising
- a housing having a chamber formed therein, a hollow piston slidably mounted within the chamber, means for applying fluid to the chamber to drive said piston in a first direction,
- a hollow hammer mounted within said piston for slidable motion relative thereto,
- a drive spring mounted within said hammer and bearing at one end thereof against one end of the hammer,
- said piston having a cocking arm in driving engagement with the other end of said spring,
- latch means movably mounted in said housing for opposing the force exerted by said drive spring to releasably restrain motion of said hammer, said latch means comprising
- a sear pivotally mounted to said housing for motion between a first position in which it restrains slidable motion of said hammer and
- a second position in which it releases said hammer to be driven by said drive spring when the latter is compressed by the piston,
- a spring connected to urge said sear to said second position thereof, and
- a retractable control element engaging the sear to restrain motion thereof to said second position, said control element being fixed to the piston and adapted to be withdrawn from engagement with said sear upon motion of said piston.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.