US 5,122,067 A · Umbilical release mechanism

Abstract

An umbilical release mechanism (10) for disconnecting an electrical umbilical (14, 16) extending between a host and a releasable vehicle accomplishes the disconnection without imparting any force to the releasable vehicle, and without leaving pieces of the disconnection mechanism (10) in the releasable vehicle. The umbilical release mechanism (10) includes an umbilical connector (12) in which two electrical harness connectors (22, 24) are releasably clamped together, with an intermediate plate (28) using a mat (32) of electrically conductive wires to complete the electrical conduction path between the harness connectors (22, 24). A pair of backing plates (34, 36) having a clamping bore (38) therethrough capture the harness connectors (22, 24) therebetween. A clamping force is releasably applied to the backing plates (34, 36) by engaging a hollow outer shaft (40) through the clamping bore (38), and reacting a clamping force on the backing plates (34, 36) through the outer shaft (40). A ball lock on the vehicle-side end of the outer shaft (40) is released by withdrawing an inner shaft (48) that extends through the hollow outer shaft (40). An interlock on the inner shaft (48) engages and withdraws the outer shaft (40) after the inner shaft (48) has been moved a predetermined distance, effecting the separation.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An umbilical release mechanism for disconnecting an electrical umbilical extending between a host and a releasable vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle-side umbilical connector, the vehicle-side umbilical connector including
a vehicle-side electrical harness connector having a set of electrical contacts thereon, and
a vehicle-side backing plate behind the vehicle-side electrical harness connector;
a host-side umbilical connector, the host-side electrical harness connector having a set of electrical contacts thereon, the set of electrical contacts of the host-side electrical harness connector being in facing relationship and in registry with the set of electrical contacts of the vehicle-side electrical harness connector, and
a host-side backing plate behind the host-side electrical harness connector;
an intermediate plate between the vehicle-side umbilical connector and the host-side umbilical connector, the intermediate plate comprising an electrically nonconducting support plate having a set of bores therethrough in registry with the set of electrical contacts of the vehicle-side electrical harness connector and the set of electrical contacts of the host-side electrical harness connector, each of the set of bores being filled with a mass of electrically conducting wires;
and
means for applying a clamping pressure between the vehicle-side backing plate and the host-side backing plate and for releasing the clamping pressure responsive to a remote signal while imparting substantially no release-associated force to the vehicle-side umbilical connector.

5 more elements

An umbilical release mechanism for disconnecting an electrical umbilical extending between a host and a releasable vehicle, comprising:

an umbilical connector, including
a host-side electrical harness connector and a vehicle-side electrical harness connector, each having a set of electrical surface contact pads thereon arranged in a facing relationship to each other, and
a pair of backing plates having the two electrical harness connectors captured therebetween, one of the backing plates on the vehicle and one of the backing plates on the host;
means for applying a clamping pressure between the vehicle-side backing plate and the host-side backing plate and for releasing the clamping pressure responsive to a remote signal while imparting substantially no release-associated force to the vehicle-side electrical harness connector, the means for applying and for releasing remaining entirely with the host after disconnection of the host and the vehicle.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Umbilical release mechanism

Life of this patent

Umbilical release mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17