Frangible connectors with independently selectable bending and tension separation loads

A frangible connector insert for frangibly connecting two members together comprising:

• (A) a tension ring secured to one of the members, the tension ring having an axially-disposed inwardly facing generally cylindrical surface, the tension-ring defining a plurality of radially disposed openings substantially evenly deployed thereabout and intersecting said cylindrical surface;
• (B) a generally cylindrical moment arm ring having a cylindrical circumferential surface, the moment arm ring closely received in the tension ring with the circumferential surface of the moment arm ring axially interfaced with the cylindrical surface of the tension ring, the moment arm ring defining an opening aligned with each of the openings in the tension ring, and the moment arm ring also having a radially disposed surface;
• (C) tension-mode frangible means disposed in the openings in the tension ring and the moment arm ring, thereby extending across the axial interface therebetween, the tension-mode frangible means holding the tension ring and the moment arm ring together, the tension-mode frangible means shearing upon application of a tension load of sufficient magnitude to permit the tension ring and the moment arm ring to separate;
• (D) a bending ring secured to the other of the members, the bending ring being generally cylindrical and including a radially disposed surface interfacing with the radially disposed surface of the moment arm ring;
• and
• (E) axially disposed bending-mode frangible screws connecting the bending ring and the moment arm ring with their radially disposed surfaces interfaced, thereby also connecting the members together, the bending-mode frangible screws being deployed substantially evenly about the bending ring and moment arm ring,
• whereby, when tension loads are applied, the tension-mode frangible means shear to permit the members to separate, and when bending loads are applied, the bending-mode releasable means release to permit the members to separate, wherein the magnitude of the tension-mode separating load and the bending-mode separating load are independently selectable.

An improved self-closing breakaway valve assembly of the type comprising a first valve housing having a first rotatable valve member mounted therein, said first valve housing and first rotatable valve member each having a bore formed therethrough, said bores being aligned with said first rotatable valve member is in an open position to provide a passage through said first valve housing, said first rotatable valve member spring biased to rotate to a closed position wherein the bores of the first rotatable valve member and said first valve housing are misaligned to block the passage through said valve housing, and a second valve housing having a second rotatable valve member rotatably mounted therein, said second valve housing and said second rotatable valve member each having a bore formed therethrough, said bores being aligned when said second rotatable valve member is in an open position to provide a passage through said second valve housing, said second rotatable valve member spring biased to rotate to a closed position wherein the bores of said second rotatable valve member and said second valve housing are misaligned to block the passage through said second valve housing, and trigger means holding said first and second rotatable valve members in their open positions when the first and second valve housings are connected, said trigger releasing and permitting said first and second rotatable valve members to rotate to their closed positions when said first and second valve housings separate, wherein the improvement comprises a frangible connector insert for frangibly connecting said first and second valve housings, the frangible connector insert comprising:

• (A) a tension ring secured to one of the valve housings, the tension ring having an axially disposed surface and defining a plurality of radially disposed openings intersecting the axially disposed surface;
• (B) a moment arm ring having an axially disposed surface and a radially disposed surface, the moment arm ring closely received by the tension ring to create an axial interface between their respective axially disposed surfaces, the moment arm ring defining an opening aligned with each opening in the tension ring;
• (C) tension-mode frangible means disposed in the openings in the tension ring and extending across said axial interface between the tension ring and the moment arm ring into moment arm ring, the tension-mode frangible means holding the tension ring and moment arm ring together, the tension-mode frangible means shearing upon application of a tension load of sufficient magnitude to permit the tension ring and the moment arm ring and the valve housings connected thereto to separate;
• (D) a bending ring secured to the other of the valve housings, the bending ring having a radially disposed surface for interfacing with the radially disposed surface of the moment arm ring;
• and
• (E) bending-mode releasable means connecting the bending ring and the moment arm ring and thereby holding the valve housings together, the bending-mode releasable means releasing upon application of a bending load of sufficient magnitude to permit the bending ring and moment arm ring and the valve housings respectively connected thereto to separate
• whereby, when tension loads are applied, the tension-mode frangible means shear to permit the valve housings to separate, and when bending loads are applied, the bending-mode releasable means release to permit the valve housings to separate, wherein the magnitude of the tension-mode separating load and the bending-mode separating load are independently selectable.