Pressure armed release device
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsJimmy L. Held, Charles E. Tallerino
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanical release of an object occurs after a release device is subjec to a first pressure and then is brought to a second pressure which is less than the first. The first pressure enables or arms the device so that its actuation or release takes place when the second, specific release pressure is reached. The setting and releasing pressures are substantially less than extremely high pressures which the device is capable of withstanding. A pair of opposed biasing springs and a diaphragm with a specifically contoured solid stop prevent deformation and any sliding of sealing surfaces to avoid failure.
Claims11
An apparatus for releasing a member after a predetermined pressure cycle comprising:
- means for housing the member in a slidable relationship;
- means mounted in the housing means for latching the member in a releasable engagement thereof in a first position and a second position and release thereof at a third position attainable only after said second position has been effected;
- means mounted in said housing and abutting the latching means for biasing it to said second position when said apparatus encounters a first ambient pressure;
- and
- means disposed in said housing and abutting said latching means when said latching means is in said second position for displacing it to said third position to assure said release of said member when a said apparatus is subjected to a second ambient pressure which is at a predetermined magnitude that is less than said first ambient pressure, the displacing means includes a flexible diaphragm seared on an O-ring in a nonslidable relationship and an appropriately shaped solid stop to prevent damage of said flexible diaphragm at said first ambient pressure and at pressures greatly in excess of said first ambient pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.